Dreamworks "Turbo" Trailer

2013 Golden Globe Nominations: Best Animated Film

Congratulations to all the hard working men and women who worked on these amazing films!!

"Brave" (2012) directed by Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews



"Frankenweenie" (2012) directed by Tim Burton



"Hotel Transylvania" (2012) directed by Genndy Tartakovsky



"Rise of the Guardians" (2012) directed by Peter Ramsey



"Wreck-It Ralph" (2012) directed by Rich Moore

Man of Steel Trailer

Dave Brubeck (1920-2012)

Thank you, Dave.

David Warren "Dave" Brubeck

December 6, 1920 - December 5, 2012)

"Kathy's Waltz" is one of my all time favorite tunes from Dave Brubeck. I love the melody and the timing. As soon as I heard it I started seeing something in my mind. It has been a dream of mine to use it in a short film in some way. I just need to explore the possibilities.

Simon's Cat in "Icecapade"

Happy Birthday Walt Disney!!

Happy Birthday, Walt Disney!

 December 5, 1901 - December 15, 1966

On November 11, 1956, Walt Disney appeared as the mystery guest on the game show What's My Line. One of the celebrity contestants is the great Jerry Lewis.

The Croods New Trailer

I still have no idea what this movie is about....

Monsterbox by Bellcour 3D

Monsterbox from Bellecour 3D on Vimeo.


Making of Monsterbox - Ludo Gavillet from Ludo Gavillet on Vimeo.

Cartoon Round-up 30: Professor Ludwig Von Drake

One of my favorite characters is also one of the rarely seen. He would always pop up from time to time and always cracked me up. He was always informative and very entertaining! May I present for your viewing pleasure, Professor Ludwig Von Drake!

"An Adventure in Color" (1961)



"The Spectrum Song" (1961)



"Music For Everybody" (1966)



"Snore Along with Ludwig"



"A Symposium on Popular Songs" (1962) directed by Bill Justice



(sorry, looks like the video is a bit slower than the audio at times.)

THREE New Simon's Cat Videos

Rise of the Guardians Clips & Featurettes

I saw this movie Wednesday morning and it completely blew me away! The story, the character design, the character animation, ALL OF IT!! Dreamworks and William Joyce have a phenomenal hit on their hands! If you can, check it out in 3D. Usually 3D doesn't work for me with other CG animated and live actions films. There was something about this one that really made everything pop out from the screen. It was some of the best 3D work I've seen since "Avatar". It was that good! Not giving anything away, but there's a bit at the end where a Jack Frost releases a snowflake and you see it coming towards you. I looked around in the theater and noticed a few kids reaching out to touch it. Too funny!

Rise of the Guardians - Meet the Guardians

And the bad guy, the Boogie Man, Pitch, the King of Nightmares

Cartoon Round-up 29: Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a while since I posted a new Cartoon Round-up so I figure there's no better time like the present.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Tom Turk and Daffy" (1954) directed by Charles M. Jones



"Holiday for Drumsticks" (1958) directed by Arthur Davis



Huckleberry Hound in "Grim Pilgrim" (1959)



"Jerky Turkey" (1945) directed by Tex Avery



"Pilgrim Popeye" (1951) directed by I. Sperber

Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!

Rise of the Guardians Bunnymund Featurette

NEW Despicable Me 2 Trailer

BREAKING NEWS: Disney buys Lucasfilm

Tons of info here, here and here!

Wreck-It Ralph - The Cast

If you can't tell bu my numerous posts, I am REALLY excited to see this film! And I'm not the only one who is loving it. Check it out here.

Angry Birds Star Wars - Game Play First Look

Wreck-It Ralph Clip

Wreck-It Ralph Featurette

"Wreck-It Ralph" Goes on Hero Duty

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

More Pixar Easter Eggs

I have been really surprised to see that one of my most viewed posts is about some of the Pixar Easter eggs hidden in their movies. Well, I just found a few more! In an Animation Magazine article from 2003, Pixar director Andrew Stanton explained a bit more about the hidden, subtle ones. Here are a few screen grabs.

Partysaurus Rex Now On-line

Partysaurus Rex is now on-line!

Partysaurus Rex on Disney Video

Wreck-It Ralph Extended Clip

Angry Birds Star Wars

Coming November 8, Angry Birds Star Wars!!

Wreck-It Ralph International Trailer

Jeff Gabor - Rio Annie Reel Submission

When I first saw Rio in the theater I was hooked from the beginning. The characters were hilarious. The story was intriguing and it had a lot of heart. And then I saw the scene with Tulio and Linda at the cafe. It is the scene that starts off this video.


Jeff Gabor- Rio Annie Reel Submission from jeff gabor on Vimeo.

SEE!! This is the type of work that makes me want to throw my computer in the river!! It's that awesome!!

After I saw Linda's little shimmy when she says, "Actually it's the brains I'm more attracted to." I was just floored. I literally sat there staring up at the screen thinking "What did I just see?!" It completely blew me away! That night I posted a comment of Facebook about that specific scene. Animator Bobby Pontillas who was working at Blue Sky at the time chimed in and said it was animated by Jeff Gabor. He said Jeff is one of the hardest working animators he has ever scene. And judging from his work, I believe it. The subtleties in his movement makes the characters really come to life. You believe every single movement they make. It's not just a computer character up on the screen. It is a living breathing character. Amazing work!

Side note: Bobby is currently working at Disney and just finished up animation on "Wreck-it Ralph".

The Croods Teaser Trailer

Dreamworks Animation has released the first teaser trailer for "The Croods" from directors Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon) and Kirk De Micco (Space Chimps).

Paperman Progression Reel

Starting A Dialogue Shot

Cartoon Round-up 28: Reely Inspirational

This is some really amazing work! This is type of work that inspires me to get better AND makes me want to chuck it all in the river! It's just that damn good!! Thanks to On Animation for posting the work of these amazing animators. It has now become a goal of mine to have my reel featured on this site. One day....one day.

Enough procrastinating!!! Time to get to work!!!

Tania Simeons Animation Demoreel Spring 2012


Tania Simeons - Animation Demoreel - Spring 2012 from Tania Simeons on Vimeo.

David Wesch Animation Reel - March 2012


David Wesch Animation Reel (2012 - March) from David Wesch on Vimeo.

Angelo Sta Catalina Animation Reel August 2012


AngeloStaCatalina Animation Reel august2012 from Angelo Sta. Catalina on Vimeo.

Andrea Giro Animation Showreel


Andrea Giro Animation Showreel from Andrea Giro on Vimeo.

Jonathan Philippon Animation Demoreel 2011


Animation Demoreel 2011 from Jonathan Philippon on Vimeo.

Wreck-It Ralph Official Trailer

Crunch Time!! (sort of)

My animation break is over and it's time to finish this sucker up! I received word from my mentor tonight that we now have a deadline of Christmas break to have all the animation complete for her short film. The good news is that we don't have that much left to do. I still have three scenes to finish up. The big one is near completion and I have to next two in the sequence. I cannot give out any details at the moment but everything is coming along nicely.

I just wanted to say that I'M BACK and it's time to get to work!! I also have a few other ideas for animation tests and a short film to work on. Here's a glimpse at what I'll be working on.

Suffice it to say it's no more late night outings for me. The next three months will be nothing but animation dedication. I may be able to squeeze in a night out or two, but then it's back to work! Those closest to me have been keeping me motivated and won't let me fail. They are always telling me that I know what needs to be done so shut up and do it!

Like the sign says...

Get busy animating or get busy dying.

Cartoon Round-up 27: Nibbles the Mouse

The Tom and Jerry cartoons that featured Nibbles the Mouse (also known as Tuffy) are some of my favorite Tom and Jerry shorts! Usually because he was the only one talking. Plus he was so darn cute! But he always had a good one liner here and there. 

Here is Nibbles in his big debut!

"The Milky Waif" (1945) directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera



Always loved it when he had a French accent!

"TOUCHE PUSSY CAT!!!"

"The Two Mouseketeers" (1951) directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera



"Touche Pussy Cat!" (1953) directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera



"Royal Cat Nap" (1957) directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera



But they usually had a very morbid ending. I just noticed a huge error at the 2:56 mark. Tom has Jerry pinned down with his sword. Jerry points screen right, the camera moves and we see JERRY about to throw a pitcher off the dresser. And we never see Jerry's twin again!

Robin Hoodwinked (1957) directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera

Cartoon Round-up 26: Sesame Street Cartoons

These are some of my favorite memories from growing up. I learned a lot from Sesame Street. Some of these little phrases I STILL remember to this day. Years ago when I first started working at Barnes & Noble, one of the first BIG names I remember coming to our store was Bob McGrath. I had never seen such a crowd like that before! It was just so surreal to see this man in person who had taught me so much. I'll never forget it. I hope to share these memories with my niece and keep the magic going!

"I Can Remember"

"A loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter." I STILL remember!!



I found out a few years back that the director of "The Ladybug Picnic" is none other than Bud Luckey. He has been working at Pixar and is credited with the idea of making Woody a cowboy. He also provided the voice of the Agent Rick Dicker in "The Incredibles" and directed the short "Boundin'". He is also the voice of Chuckles the Clown in "Toy Story 3" and the voice of Eeyore in the latest Winnie the Pooh movie.

"The Ladybugs' Picnic"



This typewriter guys ALWAYS cracked me up. Every so often I'll be walking around and mutter to myself "Noo ne noo ne noo ne noo".

"V for Vacuum" 



Every time I have to count up to twelve I always do it to the rhythm of this song. Tell me you don't do it, too.

"Pinball Number 4"



To tell you how much of this I remember, just the other day I was telling one of the girls at work about this very cartoon. "Estoy llorando!" "I am crying!" And then all of a sudden "No estoy llorando!" "I am not crying!" And everyone was happy!! Of course she had no idea what I was talking about and looked at me funny.

"Estoy Llorando / I Am Crying"

Cartoon Round-up 25: Popeye

He always said it best:

"I yam what I yam!" -Popeye the Sailor Man

"Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor" (1936) directed by Dave Fleischer



"Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba's Forty Thieves" (1937) directed by Dave Fleischer



"Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp" (1939) directed by Dave Fleischer



The band Wilco brought back Popeye and the gang for the first time in over 30 years. They worked directly with King Features and director Darren Romanelli to bring them back for a new generation. The video was animated in Singapore by Peach Blossom Media.

"Dawned On Me" (2012) directed by Darren Romanelli



Just saw this was on YouTube. Not sure how long it's going to be online. It was cheesy but I loved it! You might find it interesting to know that this was Robin Williams' big screen debut. I thought he did a great job. I remember I had the vinyl soundtrack and used to listen to it all the time. I even remember taking it to school in Elementary to so the whole class could listen to it.

"Popeye" (1980) directed by Robert Altman

Blur Studio - Cinematic Game Trailers

This is by far some amazing work from an amazing studio, Blur Studios. Here is just a taste of some of their work. Click here to see the rest. I'm sure you have seen these before but I felt they needed to be seen again...and again...and again!!!

STAR WARS: The Old Republic - "Deceived"



STAR WARS: The Old Republic



PlanetSide 2 - "Death is No Excuse"



DC Universe Online: Who Do You Trust?


DC Universe Online: Who do you trust? (Cinematic Trailer) from Saxara on Vimeo

STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II


Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 from Lukasz Szkopanski on Vimeo.

If I can just say one thing about TFU2. It was a great game. I was really looking forward to it. The cinematics looked amazing. The new abilities and game play were incredible. The only problem I had with it was that it was over too soon. It took me days and weeks to finish TFU1. I was done with TFU2 in a matter of days! I got to the end and I was very surprised that THAT was THE END! I had the same feeling with Uncharted 3. Great game. Great franchise. Love the characters and the game play. It was just over too quick for me. I haven't really found another game like these that really grabbed me and made me say, "I HAVE TO PLAY THAT GAME!" I'll keep looking and see what comes along.

"ParaNorman" Behind-the-scenes

"ParaNorman" opens tomorrow but I will be there for the midnight release later tonight!!

"Partysaurus Rex" Sneak Peek

Looks like there's a party happening before Finding Nemo 3D!!!

The Art of Disney's "Wreck-it Ralph"

These photos come courtesy of The Art of Disney Animation on Facebook

Mel Blanc: The Man of a Thousand Voices

This is a really great documentary about the one and only Mel Blanc. I remembering hearing about one of the stories they talk about in here. Mel was in a serious car accident and was unresponsive. The doctor tried talking to him but he didn't respond. So then the doctor asked to speak to Bugs Bunny. Mel replied in Bugs' voice, "What's up, doc?" Skip ahead to marker 42:00 to hear the whole story. It's quite moving.

Cartoon Round-up 24: Pepe Le Pew

"For Scent-imental Reasons" (1949) directed by Chuck Jones



"Scentimental Romeo" (1951) directed by Charles M. Jones



"Little Beau Pepe" (1952) directed by Charles M. Jones



"Past Perfumance" (1955) directed by Charles M. Jones



"Two Scent's Worth" (1955) directed by Charles M. Jones



Here are a few words from Chuck Jones himself about his creation Pepe Le Pew

Simon's Cat in "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

The IT Crowd - Bloopers

This has become one of my favorite shows. What is great is when others start to discover this show and I get to relive it with others. So for all of you IT fans, you have to check these out!







It's too bad I could not find any bloopers from Series 3.

The Dark Knight Returns - Part 1

Frank Miller's 1986 masterpiece is finally coming to life!!





Peter Weller (RoboCop) leads the cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as Carrie/Robin.

Part 1 will hit shelves on September 25, 2012. Part 2 will arrive early 2013.

Walt Disney Imagineers - SoundWorks Collection

I am really digging SoundWorks Collection! Here's another gem!


Soundworks Collection: Walt Disney Imagineers from Michael Coleman on Vimeo.

The Sound of Brave - SoundWorks Collection

This is one movie I definitely have to see again!


SoundWorks Collection - The Sound of Brave from Michael Coleman on Vimeo.

"The Dark Knight Rises" Behind the Scenes

After seeing The Dark Knight Rises again last night and enjoying it just as much as the first time, I now have to find out everything about how this amazing film was made! If anybody finds anything else, PLEASE let me know! The SoundWorks Collection is an amazing series that has already covered so many great films.


SoundWorks Collection - The Sound and Music of The Dark Knight Rises from Michael Coleman on Vimeo.

METRO by Jake Wyatt

METRO from Jacob Wyatt on Vimeo.

Cartoon Round-up 23: Schoolhouse Rock 2

I just can't get enough of Schoolhouse Rock so I had to share a few more! And if you want to see all the lyrics then click here!

"Interplanet Janet"



"Electricity"



"Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla"



"The Constitution Preamble"



"Verb - That's What's Happening!"

Wreck-it Ralph TV Spots

Metegol (Foosball) - Teaser and Trailer

I've played foosball plenty of times and often thought what it was like from the players' point of view. Well, somebody finally did it. Check out the teaser and first trailer for Metegol directed by Juan Jose Campanella! I hope it makes its way stateside because I'd really like to see it!

Animalympics (1980)

In honor of the 2012 Olympic games, I present a blast from the past.

ANIMALYMPICS!!!

Directed by Steven Lisberger

"The five rings of the paw prints. Symbol of world peace through animal athletics. Presented by ZOO, the station that brings the beast out in sports!"

This was the first time I heard my name on TV. The goat who was the favorite in the marathon was named Rene Fromage!



I just started watching the opening credits and I am seeing SO MANY familiar names, not just the voice talent but also the animators and artists!

It features the voice talents of Billy Crystal, Harry Shearer, Michael Fremer and the late and great Gilda Radner.

Art Direction:  Roger Allers, John Norton and Peter Mueller

Animation Director: Bill Kroyer

And the animation crew!!
John Norton, Roger Allers, Bill Kroyer, Chuck Harvey, Steve Chorney, Brad Bird, Arnie Wong, Dan Haskett and Bruce Woodside

BRAD FREAKIN' BIRD?!?! WHAT?!?!

Cartoon Round-up 22: My Favorite Animated Films

Every so often someone will ask me THE question, "What is your favorite animated movie?" Well, me being me I can't name just one. I always have to give my top five. And here they are in no particular order:

"The Iron Giant" (1999) directed by Brad Bird



"Millennium Actress" (2001) directed by Satoshi Kon



"Ratatouille" (2007) directed by Brad Bird



"How to Train Your Dragon" (2010) directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois



"The Incredibles" (2004) directed by Brad Bird

Cartoon Round-up 21: Yosemite Sam

Created by Isadore Friz Freleng in 1945, Yosemite Sam has become of the most loved of the Looney Toon cast. Freling did not believe that Elmer Fudd was giving Bugs Bunny much of a challenge, so he created Sam.

"Hare Trigger" (1945) directed by I. Freleng



"Buccaneer Bunny" (1948) directed by I. Freleng



"Bugs Bunny Rides Again" (1950) directed by I. Freleng



Yosemite Sam was not just a cowboy. He played many different roles. Surprisingly he always kept the mask on even in roles that did not require it.

"Mutiny on the Bunny" (1950) directed by I. Freleng



"Sahara Hare" (1955) directed by I. Freleng

BAD TOYS II

It seems Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company's next project is a feature film based on the short film BAD TOYS II by Daniel Brunet and Nicolas Douste. I have know idea what they're saying but it looks pretty damn cool!!

Ballad of Poisonberry Pete

"Ballad of Poisonberry Pete" by Adam Campbell, Elizabeth McMahill and Uri Lotan


Ballad of Poisonberry Pete from Cartoon Brew on Vimeo.

Azureus Rising by Passion Republic

I know I posted this once before, but it was such a long time ago I can't find it. So here it is again.

Cartoon Round-up 20: Droopy

"Hello all you happy people."

And you can't forget Droopy's other catchphrases:

"You know what? That makes me mad."

and

"You know what? I'm happy."

"The Chump Champ" (1950) directed by Tex Avery



"Caballero Droopy" (1952) directed by Dick Lundy



(Drag-A-Long Droopy" (1954) directed by Tex Avery



"One Droopy Knight" (1957) directed bu Michael Lah
IN CINEMASCOPE!!



"Homesteader Droopy" (1954) directed by Tex Avery

"Sorry, ma'am but it's the law of the West." 

Cartoon Round-up 19: Schoolhouse Rock

As your body grows bigger

Your mind must flower

It's great to learn

'Cause knowledge is power!

It's Schoolhouse Rocky

That chip off the block

Of your favorite schoolhouse

Schoolhouse Rock!

Time for another trip down memory lane! I remember watching these back when Saturday Morning Cartoons meant something. I still can recall some of the lessons I learned from School House Rock. There are so many that I love that I WILL be posting some more soon!

"I'm Just A Bill"



"Get Your Adverbs Here"



"Conjunction Junction"



"Three Is A Magic Number"



"Interjections!"

The Results Are In...

...and I came in #125 out of 233 with a 4.4 rating. Not what I was hoping for; but hey, I gave it a shot. I think the walk kind of killed it. I was trying something new and need to keep working on it. I may rework this shot with the main guy just standing in the middle and a tighter camera angle. Dialog has not always been my forte. I know where I need to improve and can take it from there.

On the plus side I have learned a lot from working on this piece.

Oh well, like they always say...

Cartoon Round-up 18: Happy 4th of July

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

"Old Glory" (1939) directed by Chuck Jones



"Patriotic Popeye" (1957) directed by Izzy Sparber



"Donald's Failed Fourth" (1999)



"Stars & Stripes Forever!"



And we can't celebrate the 4th of July without fireworks!!

"Reverso" & Making Of

What...I got something in my eye!

A story of a boy whose world is literally turned up-side down. And with all great films, you have to stay until the very end.

"Reverso" by Honma Kimberly, Clement Lauricella and Arthur Seguin

Cartoon Round-up 17: Heckle & Jeckle

Sticking with the Terrytoons theme from last week, I present to you the two talking magpies Heckle and Jeckle!

"The Intruders" (1947) directed by Eddie Donnelly



"The Power of Thought" (1948) directed by Eddie Donnelly



"House Busters" (1952) directed by Connie Rasinski



"Steeple Jacks" (1951) directed by Connie Rasinski



"Out Again, In Again" (1948) directed by Connie Rasinski

June's 11 Second Club - WIP - Take 2

Here is the latest pass of my entry for June's 11 Second Club competition. I still have some more work to do but the deadline is looming.

(I'm not sure why the background is pink. That's not the way it's supposed to look.)

The line is from "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome." The character rigs are provided by Animation Mentor. I dressed up the rigs myself. The identity discs and Clu's helmet were modeled by Richard Vant Hul.

"Paperman" Images Released

Entertainment Weekly has released the first images from Disney's "Paperman", their new animated short that will be shown with the November release of "Wreck-It Ralph." Click here for the full article.