How To Train Your Dragon

This trailer came out a few days ago and for the most part, I liked it. However, a couple of things threw me off. First of all, the character "Hiccup" seems to have a voice that is hinging on the side of boring or even worse, annoying. Seems like an odd choice. I can't really put my finger on it, but something rubs me the wrong way. Second, I was a little disappointed with the dragon character designs. The human designs looked nice enough, but something about the dragon was just odd. He almost looks like a toad. With that said, it isn't enough to make me turn my back on this one. I've seen enough now, where I'm interested in seeing more. And of course, that is the point of a trailer.

The textures and lighting looked nice. There is something about it that makes it feel really warm. Additionally, the fur and hair are well done. Nice step up from MvA. The animation is also a step up from some of their previous films. Except, the mouth animation seems a little on the dry side and imo, could stand to be a bit more exaggerated.

Can't wait to see more.

Sony Pictures Animation

During my downtime, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs released. I was actually surprised the movie did as well as it did. Congratulations to SPA.

I still haven't seen the movie. Many of my friends ask how I can be in this business and not go to see every animated film when it releases. There are many reasons. Everything from having a wife and kids (too young to go to the theater) to spend time with and not wanting to deal with the distractions of rude movie goers. On top of that, before the economy got super-crappy, we spent a ton of money on a home theater room. Big screen projection, nice reclining chairs, and cup holders. I only bring this up because I'd much rather enjoy the movie at home where the distractions are few and the quality is high. Unfortunately, that means that I've seen almost everything well after the fact. And more related to this post, I haven't seen Cloudy/Meatballs.

SPA's next film will be Hotel Transylvania. I've heard good things about the artwork, but haven't heard anything good or bad about the story. Hopefully they can continue to pump out films that make money.

While we are talking about Sony. On the heels of Open Season 2 (direct to video) success, they're hard at work on Open Season 3. Like the last, this will be at least partially animated in Texas at Reel FX. OS2 was created for well below $8 million and DVD sales were high. Of course this put the third installment in motion. I've yet to hear what the budget will be for this one, but they'd be smart to keep it similar.

Astro Boy fails on lift off

I haven't seen this movie. And judging by the box office, not many others have either.

From what I understand, Gatchaman is next up to bat. I think Imagi is asking for another bomb. Sadly, the best business move for them would be to try and replicate the type of stories that typically make animated movies successful. From a creative standpoint, I'm all for variety, but from a pure business/money standpoint, it is risky to continue down the same path they're going.

Don't forget about Twitter

Oh yes, this old man has joined the Twitter revolution. Follow my tweets (okay, now I sound ridiculous) here: http://twitter.com/Staloren

I'm famous!

It's 10:45pm on a Monday. I can't sleep. After writing the previous post, I decided to take a trip around the internet.

In my travels, I stumbled across Cartoon Brew. And low and behold, there was a post about the closing of the San Fran version of Wild Brain. And in that post was a mention and link to this crappy blog you are reading now!

I can't say for sure, but I'm almost positive Cartoon Brew gets more than 1 visitor a day. Which makes it far more successful than my blog. Man, I've hit the big time. To all my new readers, welcome to hell!

I can't wait to check the visitor stats tomorrow. Right now, it tells me I get 1 visitor per day, and I'm pretty sure that visitor is me. If it's above 5 after this mention in CB, I'll consider it a success!


Against my better judgment, I actually read the comment section of Cartoon Brew to see what the responses were. However, I'm much too cool to reply there, so I'll do it here.

To Judas:

Re-read my post Einstein. I said Wild Brain SF was shuttered. Not the entire company. Oh wait, maybe you're responding to the CB post and not mine. Hmm. My apologies. No wait, I take it back. No apologies! (I need to maintain my bad-boy image.)


To Rainbow Tear (do rainbows cry?)

Of course my post was poorly written. That's how I roll. By the way, absolutely no research goes into this website. That would be reserved for people who actually care about integrity.



I'm glad I could get that off my chest. I feel much better now.

The Crappy Christmas Carol

While watching TV on Monday night, we were bombarded by advertisements for Disney's upcoming "Christmas Carol". Now, 30 seconds isn't much time to judge a movie, but it looks incredibly awful.

Anyone who reads this blog knows I'm not a fan of motion capture. But even with the motion aside, this doesn't look very good at all. The characters are not pleasing to the eye. The lighting and textures seemed weird. (Even my wife, unprompted I might add, commented on its sheer ugliness.)

And...

I'm glad. I hope this movie fails miserably and falls flat on its ugly CG face. I'm sure I'll get more motion capture fan boys defending this steaming pile of shiite, but it needs to die a horrible death.

Wild Brain SF shuts down

I was somewhat surprised a few months ago when I heard that Wild Brain, in San Francisco is shutting down. Everyone was either laid off or quit. Even the partners that owned the studio went elsewhere! There is only a skeleton crew left.

How did this happen? Well, I cannot say for sure. But the rumor going around is that when the previous CEO left, they brought in a woman to run the company. She was a TV producer down in LA and her big bright idea was to shutter the SF office. Supposedly she put the kibosh on any incoming projects, just to guarantee there was no work to support the studio.

Nothing like what it was in SF, but WB still exists in LA. I've heard they are doing some really crappy work. They've still got Yo Gabba Gabba and a few other projects, but I'm pretty sure there isn't much else.

Back again

After a long absence, I'm back. I needed some time away. But, here I am, back again to ruin your day.

Seriously, I just wanted to do other things. And it has been hard to muster up the energy to post anything at all on this awful excuse for a blog. I can't imagine anyone still visits, so I'm probably typing at absolutely no one. Which is good. I can say anything I want.

I used to wake up every morning and make my rounds reading various news sites, a few forums or a few blogs. Just to see what others were talking about. I've tried to complete stop it. It has become a waste of time.

The Animation Nation was a place I liked to go to many years ago, but that place has turned into such a hole, it isn't even funny. All the posts come from the same people, and I'm convinced they know very little about what they are talking about. The hot air is enough to melt your skin. If I have to read one more post about "the man" dragging everyone down...

The union blog isn't a bad place to visit. Occasionally they write something interesting. What I do appreciate, unlike myself, is that they update the thing often. Good to see the union dollars going towards something useful...?

As long as I don't read the comments, I'll probably continue going there. Union people must be really pissy or something. Even more so than usual. Seems like a high number of dumb asses that have nothing better to do than complain or get into a political argument. What is with people in this industry? Why so bitchy? Of course, I'm no different. I like to complain about everything. Bitch and moan, bitch and moan. But even I, can't handle the pathetic attitudes in the comments. So, I've stopped reading.

So, lately I've cut out my former morning routine. Now, I skim some websites that are completely unrelated to animation. What a much happier mood I find myself in. I actually had to take a hammer to my fingers to get me pissed off enough to write something for this blog.

More soon.

Despicable Me

Looks like our friends over at Universal's animation arm ("Illumination Entertainment") have put out their first trailer for Despicable Me. MacGuf Ligne is doing the actual work on this thing and I must say, it looks decent.

The animation, modeling, texturing, and lighting are pretty well done. No uber cloth simulations or fancy schmancy technical achievements (in the trailer that is), but it did do the job. Not everyone can spend those Pixar $$.

What is most important, is that the trailer made me want to see the movie. Looks to be a good time. Although, come to think of it, I may of said that for Cloudy w/ a Chance of Meatballs when their first trailer released. Now... I have no interest in that film.

I haven't heard for sure, my budget guess is in the (USD) $70 million area.

Ollie the Otter?

Back from the dead, Ollie the Otter shows up at Cannes. Okay, maybe not the whole film, but a snippet to try and lure $$.

If you recall, this is the film and company (CritterPix) that I bashed numerous times on this blog in the past. I've got to commend them for getting a promo done and getting it to Cannes (not the festival mind you!). However, it still looks like ass. And unfortunately, the story still sounds about as good as it looks.

I still have a negative outlook for the film and the company. But hell, I've been wrong before and who knows what may happen. There is a place in this world for crappy films. And those crappy films sometimes make a lot of money.

Thanks to the Anonymous guy who pointed this out in a previous comment section.