Ryan Larkin 1943-2007

On a sad note Ryan Larkin passed away on on February 14th. Larkin was best known for his creative animation techniques and his oscar nominated NFB film, Walking.
In recent years most he is most notably known for being the subject of Academy Award winning short "Ryan", by Chris Landreth. As a child I watched many of his films without knowing it, and it wasn't until I was in my first year of animation, when seeing the short film Walking that I connected the artist with his work, and I was fully inspired.

I have posted a few items here including the news report on his passing, a link to the Wikipedia site on Larkin, and two of his films, Walking and Syrinx.

All about Ryan Larkin.

New Look For the Old Blog

Here is a little sneak peak at the upcoming new look for this blog. Much thanks to creative designer SMASHA, who also designed my business cards and website.

Iwao Takamoto (1925-2007)

It is with great sadness that I am posting on the passing of IwaoTakamoto, the creator/designer of Scooby-Doo, and many, many more favorite characters from my childhood. You can read more from the CBC article HERE, or an article posted on Cartoon Brew, featuring an interview with Mr. Takamoto, HERE.

Even more HERE.

The Dog Who Was A Cat Inside

Here is a very creative short film called, The Dog Who Was A Cat Inside, by Siri Melchior. You can find more information about the film HERE.

The Look of Things to Come

So I wanted to get posting on a regular basis and to start off the first image I am posting is the future look of my website. Also coming soon this blog will be getting an overhaul to resemble the look of my site. So anyway I am back and new stuff is coming soon.

Lucky Number Nine

I wanted to post a little something fun, along the lines of Numba9, and I have always really liked this song by the Moldy Peaches, titled Lucky Number Nine.

Don't worry more real drawings and fun art work are coming, I have just been busy drawing for dollars.

Simpson's in 2D!

Well it is finally here, the trailer to the Simpson's feature length film. (due out July 27th 2007)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FUNNY

Cartoony 3D!

I found this really exciting artist site over on the Cartoon Brew blog. Bernard Haux has a series of demo videos on his website, about different rigs and transformers for 3D animation, that increase the cartoony action with 3D characters, enabling more wave action, and squash and stretch. Very neat stuff allowing for more 2D style cartooniness in 3D.

Click on the links below to see the demos,or click on his name above to visit his website.

Wave Action Demo

Transformation Demo

Also of note is the write up on Keith Lango's site.

My Source of Inspiration

A long time ago, what seems like a liftime away, there were two cartoons I absolutely loved, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and this, It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

Way Out from Way Back

Even more way out commercials from way back, featuring some of the most famous animated characters.

1. Tony the Tiger and Tony Jr.




2.Underdog and Cheerios



3. Snap, Crackle, Pop, Rice Krispies!



4. Frankenberry and Count Chocula



5. Frito Bandito for Fritos

Remember When?

Remember when you were young and they used to have really neat and funny characters to sell products? More than mere merchandise representatives, but characters that seemed bigger than the products they were selling.

While doing some research I came across these really neat old commercials.

1. Sugar Bear (not the best quality but still neat)



2.Cap'n Crunch



3. Trix Rabbit



4. Post Cereal Characters
An actual show featuring all of the Post cereal mascots from the time.

Cartoon Modern

I have been wanting to mention for some time a relatively new book that has been released on the animation styles of the 1950's, Cartoon Modern, by Amid Amidi. It seems like there are relatively few books on the art of animation, and almost no books available on the art form outside of major studios, like Walt Disney, and Dreamworks. So when a book like this is created it is quite a big deal. Being a big fan of the simple stylized animation from that time period, a book like this is pure gold, featuring lots and lots of artwork, a studio by studio breakdown of work and artists, and a nice overall history of the animation industry of the time period.
Definitely a must have for any animation professional, and highly reccommended for anyone who loves cartoons.

"Between the classic films of Walt Disney in the 1940s and the televised cartoon revolution of the 1960s was a critical period in the history of animation. Amid Amidi, of the influential Animation Blast magazine and CartoonBrew blog, charts the evolution of the modern style in animation, which largely discarded the "lifelike" aesthetic for a more graphic and often abstract approach. Abundantly found in commercials, industrial and educational films, fair and expo infotainment, and more, this quickly popular cartoon modernism shared much with the painting and graphic design movements of the era. Showcasing hundreds of rare and forgotten sketches, model boards, cels, and film stills, Cartoon Modern is a thoroughly researched, eye-popping, and delightful account of a vital decade of animation design. " (description from amazon.ca)

Cartoon Modern on Amazon.ca

You can also read more of Amid's reviews and writings on animation on the following two blogs,
Cartoon Modern, and Cartoon Brew, as well as in Animation Blast Magazine.

Nightmare in 3D !

Until I get some more artwork scanned in I would like to tell everyone, or remind some of you, about the re-release of Tim Burton's, A Nightmare Before Christmas, in 3D!

Yes, although not originally filmed in 3D, the folks over at Walt Disney, have made a 3D version of this film which will be hitting IMAX theatres on October 2oth. Apparently you even get to keep the glasses, NEATO!

During filming of Nightmare, animator Joel Fletcher decided to take some 3D stereo photographs or the animation setups. You can check out some the photos HERE

To accompany the 3D release, Disney is also releasing a 2 CD set with original music, as well as cover versions of the Danny Elfman songs, by artists such as, Marilyn Manson, Fiona Apple and Panic! At The Disco. You can read more about the album HERE, and listen to some of the songs on the MYSPACE page.


The official A Nightmare Before Christmas website


You can watch the new trailer right HERE.

Hats Off to Monsters !

Hey in case you haven't seen the Gruesomestein Monsters, you now can see all the wonderful and funny episodes over on their blog. Special thanks to some annonymous guy who posted them to YOUTUBE so that the world could finally see them, (otherwise they might be locked away in the Nelvana vaults FOREVER!) and enjoy the art of the funny. The series was created by two really swell guys, Riccardo Durante and Mark Ackland. The characters are really funny and the art is super cool, Hats Off to Monsters!

Bozetto!

This past Tuesday we attended the screening of Bruno Bozetto's Allegro Non Troppo, at Innes Hall . After the screening The Italian Cultural Institute, and T.A.I.S. had arranged a meet and greet with the director at a local bar. So I had a chance to shake Mr. Bozetto's hand, and tell him how much I enjoyed his work, especially Signor Rossi. To which he responded by adding a little drawing of Signor Rossi, and his autograph to the back of my program.
Super Neat!

Bruno Bozzetto

One of the showcases at the Ottawa Animation Festival was a screening of the work of Bruno Bozzetto. One of his most Famous characters is Signor Rossi, (pictured above) but he also directed the feature film Allegro Non Troppo.
Allegro non troppo, is a full length animated film along the lines of Fantasia. Short stories put together with a classical score. To read more about this film click HERE.

Iwanted to write about Bruno because tonight (Sept 26th), the Toronto Animated Image Society (or T.A.I.S.) will be having a screening of Allegro Non Troppo, followed by a screening of a sellection of Bruno's short film work, tomorrow evening.
You can get all of the info HERE, on the T.A.I.S. website, as to show time and location.

Bruno Bozzetto's offcial site.

Bruno info at Wikpedia.

Image from Allegro non troppo

Image from feature film West and Soda

Pan-Tastic !

A super talented painter by the name of Clive Powsey, put together this jungle background painting for the Jungle Jim Show. If you havent already, you should check out Clive's Blog to see many more great paintings.
So excited about this project so far, at every stage, even more so after seeing this background. Thanks again Clive !


P.S. More to come on the Ottawa Animation Festival tomorrow

What's All The Hub-Bub.............Bub?

Of special interest at the Ottawa Animation Festival is the Bob Clampett retrospective .
A history of his career and a screening of some of his most popular cartoons.


" His visual style has been described by critic Greg Ford as one of “`sproinging’ rubbery character-motion that gave some of the most eminently stretchable/bendable characters in cartoon history.” This, combined with his zany humour, resulted in animated films that undoubtedly were among the wildest and most imaginative produced during the classic Warner Bros. animation period. "

Ottawa Animation Festival

So because of a hectic schedule, with my school work, work-work, and getting ready to go to Ottawa, I won't have much to post until early next week.
Check out all of the festival info here OTTAWA ANIMATION FESTIVAL.
Quite a lot has been happening with the little show I have been collaborating on with Chuck Gammage. The few character designs I have posted below are only a taste of what is to come, which is looking to be a very fun, and exciting show.
On another note tomorrow is graduation day for me, as I have just completed my Self Employment Business Program,(also known as S.E.B.) at the Toronto Business Development Center. If you would like to know about this program you can click HERE. I would recommend this course to anyone looking to make the dream of running your own business a reality. So far I have learned so much thanks to the many friendly and helpful people at T.B.D.C.

What is next? Nothing to it but to do it ! Please stay tuned for hopefully many exciting changes in the upcoming weeks and months.

No..........Mine's Clarence .

So here is another character from the mysterious Jungle Jim Adventure Show (name is still pending). A gorilla of superhuman intelligence, and great sophistication, with a voice something like Ronald Coleman. (click here to hear a sample) Please keep in mind these colors are nowhere near final, and will get better, that's a promise!