Oscar's Animated Shorts Preview

"The Wrap" was nice enough to compile a website with video links to all 10 of the animated shorts that are on the short list for the Oscar. Some of the video clips are the shorts in their entirety, others are just previews. This is the short list, five will get nominated, “A Matter of Loaf and Death” and "Partly Cloudy" are obviously going to be on the Oscar list. I have to say really hope Cordell Barker's “Runaway” gets the Oscar. His short is great, great pacing, great characters, a nicely told story. I can't say I'm a big fan of the teaser they put on this site, trust me it's a lot better then this teaser. I'm hoping the Oscar voters get a chance to see the short before they vote.

http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/preview-oscars-animated-shorts-10530

This is the Greatest Video Ever Made!

Video Refrence for Fantastic Mr Fox

Here's a interesting look at Wes Anderson doing video reference for Fantastic Mr Fox. I can understand how Wes Anderson wanted to make sure he got the performance that he needed for each take this was probably the best way for him to do that. I've seen video of Nick Park doing the same thing for Chicken Run, although he had his animators do the same thing. I wonder how much of the film Wes acted out, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't cut the film together three or four times using live action and story boards. He probably felt more comfortable that way and it probably kept Wes off the set when they were shooting the film. Anyone know the budget for this one?

I'm looking forward to seeing this film. I don't care much for the character design but I've really enjoyed Wes Anderson's films up tell now.





If you haven't seen this, this is a great video about Bill Melendez, I include it in this post because it has a great comparison of Bill's work to Wes's work. It's really a must see.




See even more Making Of Stuff here, man I wish I could have worked on this one!

Lost And Found by Studio AKA

My family has been a big fan of the book Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers. I was very pleased to see that Studio AKA produced the short film of the book. AKA has done some really nice work in the past. Judging by the the trailer it looks like they did a good job sticking to the style of the book while bringing it into 3D.

Cookie Kid

Emilie Goulet, one of my students from last semester just finished rendering and adding sound to her short film. I think it really turned out great, here it is:

Cookie Kid from Emilie Goulet on Vimeo.

New Simon's Cat

I'm sure your well aware of how much I like the Simon's Cat shorts. A new one hit the tubes and I can't resist posting it. As a cat owner I think they do a good job characterizing the cat. This one they have the cat doing that weird jaw thing that cats do when they get excited about seeing something they want to chase. Obviously the creators are cat owners, I've seen my cats do that several times and wonder why. I'm not a big fan of of the cat pointing like a human, I wish they could stay in character more. But it is funny so I'll let it go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1qHVVbYG8Y&feature=player_embedded

Drawing for CG Animators

Other Things has a great post about the value of drawing in CG animation. Couldn't have said it better myself so I'm just going to post the link to it: http://www.otherthings.com/blog2/?p=243#more-243