tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86519332024-03-06T23:44:16.072-08:00The Business of Animation: A CommentaryFirst and foremost, this site is a lot of opinion and baseless comments. This is a place for <b>my</b> view on the world of animation. There is bound to be some fact, some rumor, but probably mostly a whole lot of opinion.Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-87869631004046142802011-07-21T20:47:00.000-07:002011-07-21T20:47:16.669-07:00Around the HornIt's been a while since I've done one of these. A lot has happened and I'll try to touch on a few of them.
Digital Domain seems to be making a big push to expand. Not only have they announced the opening of a large studio in Florida (You can guess the reason for that location. It certainly wasn't because of the talent base!) to do features. They also seem to be opening Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-22724003556496243852011-07-20T08:34:00.000-07:002011-07-20T09:12:17.966-07:00This and ThatAs mentioned in the previous post, I've been away doing other things. I wouldn't say I burned out on animation, but I came close. It was in my best interest to step away before it got any worse.During my time away, I worked with another startup. Completely unrelated to animation. The sad part, while I was away, I wouldn't say I lost interest in animation. But it wasn't in the front of my Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-71716137001774446402011-07-14T14:13:00.000-07:002011-07-14T14:20:35.197-07:00I'm back bitchesDon't have much time at the moment. I'm busy doing useless things.Did you guys see the latest Arthur Christmas trailer? Wow that sucked big ones. Don't bother doing a search on it. Save your time for something more interesting. Like taking a dump.Heard some rumors about a couple of CG features getting funding. The studios are not ones you've heard of before. Portions of it will possibly Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-7647207892094480832010-03-19T10:16:00.000-07:002010-03-19T10:50:45.966-07:00MegamindA new teaser came out for Megamind. Amid over at Cartoon Brew has some hate for it. He doesn't seem to be much of a fan of DWA, so I'm not surprised.IMO, the teaser is okay. The character design is interesting, but is a little bland. Reminds me of the Great Gazoo from the Flinstones. The animation however, is pretty nice. I like it. I don't know what to expect from this movie, but it is a Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-90936348091293975522010-03-18T08:59:00.000-07:002010-03-18T09:09:25.560-07:00Reel FX CG FeatureIt was only a matter of time. Reel FX has been doing outsource work for other studios for quite some time. They did a lot of Open Season 2, and are doing most of Open Season 3. They've done bit parts on a few other studio films. While the work on these projects haven't been all that great, the studio is capable of nice stuff.An announcement came yesterday that they have $35 million to make Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-40526724554870633042010-03-15T14:24:00.000-07:002010-03-15T14:40:29.494-07:00Around the HornLost interest in this blog. I'm back for another post. No promises for when the next will come.ImageMovers shuts down its Novato studio. Sorry for the people working there, but I'm not sorry to see the company go. Now, if only we could get Zemeckis out of animation for good."Princess-Frog" came and went. Yawn.Pixar releases promo still for its new short that will play before Toy Story 3. Has Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-14033468233743267982009-12-16T12:25:00.001-08:002009-12-16T12:26:30.087-08:00Roy Disney passesRoy died this morning at the age of 79. Thoughts go out to his family.Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-49243635951050530472009-12-15T09:19:00.001-08:002009-12-15T09:23:58.976-08:00Princess/FrogDisney's re-entry into 2D w/ Princess and the Frog came up with around $27 million. It opened at #1, and despite it not having the totals of a Pixar movie, I'd have to bet that the execs at Disney are pleased.The budget for this film was lower than the 3D films produced at either Pixar or Disney. So, $$ expectations are lower. While at first glance, it almost seems like a disappointment, the factStalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-22331503766131816382009-12-09T21:10:00.000-08:002009-12-09T21:20:28.510-08:00Prep and LandingLast night, Prep and Landing aired on ABC. This was a Christmas themed special made at Disney. Unlike much of the animated content made especially for TV these days, this was feature quality. Or at least very close. The lighting, texturing, and animation were all top notch. Even the story was enjoyable (albeit predictable).There seemed to be a surge in Holiday themed animation this year. Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-13336595643886864242009-12-04T09:16:00.001-08:002009-12-04T09:34:13.867-08:00Friday thoughts...Here we go again. A lapse between posts. I give up. I can't do this at a consistent pace. I'd apologize if there was anyone actually reading this blog.Seems that DWA has been talking about an upcoming film of theirs. The Guardian will star Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Frost.Click on the image for a bigger version (stolen from Cartoon Brew). I know ripping on DWA is the fashionable thing to do, but IStalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-23616572327290697142009-11-16T13:54:00.000-08:002009-11-16T13:57:29.767-08:00CG Sesame StreetVisit the link above to see a new CG muppet short. You may be surprised to hear that I wasn't completely disgusted by it. While it doesn't look real close to the muppets we've all come to love, it does have a nice feel to it.And when you compare it to other kids animated product (as a parent, I've had to sit through plenty), it actually has a pretty high production value. Take a look and let meStalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-78998531892720255412009-11-16T13:44:00.000-08:002009-11-16T13:51:46.864-08:00Madagascar ChristmasUnfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I missed the DreamWorks MvA Halloween special a few weeks ago. Lucky for me, the networks are already thinking about Christmas and DWA has a second tv special about to air.Tomorrow night, the Madagascar Christmas special will take place. Hopefully I can remember to watch this one. And shortly, Disney will have their own called Prep and Landing.I love Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-6159985380264343512009-11-16T13:06:00.001-08:002009-11-16T13:43:03.800-08:00Despicable MeAnother trailer came out for Despicable Me a week or two ago. For those living under a rock, this is a film through the new animation arm of Universal called Illumination Entertainment. The actual animation production is being done at Mac Guf Ligne, a studio in France.I really enjoyed this trailer. It was well done on all fronts. Upon reflection, the first trailer was pretty good as well, butStalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-70542485547618379902009-11-03T10:21:00.000-08:002009-11-03T10:36:19.407-08:00How To Train Your DragonThis 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 Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-76877772223653391692009-10-27T09:30:00.000-07:002009-10-27T09:44:17.341-07:00Sony Pictures AnimationDuring 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 Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-85624378713342475212009-10-27T09:16:00.000-07:002009-10-27T09:29:55.418-07:00Astro Boy fails on lift offI 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/Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-14708161234320474282009-10-27T09:14:00.000-07:002009-10-27T09:15:55.452-07:00Don't forget about TwitterOh yes, this old man has joined the Twitter revolution. Follow my tweets (okay, now I sound ridiculous) here: http://twitter.com/StalorenStalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-31877120455127065292009-10-26T22:45:00.001-07:002009-10-26T23:12:16.501-07:00I'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 Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-6370904874701418692009-10-26T22:11:00.000-07:002009-10-26T22:17:53.771-07:00The Crappy Christmas CarolWhile 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 texturesStalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-54880836489954010302009-10-21T10:14:00.000-07:002009-10-21T10:23:57.221-07:00Wild Brain SF shuts downI 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 Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-32167724936781114792009-10-21T09:57:00.000-07:002009-10-21T10:12:43.422-07:00Back againAfter 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 Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-91254227523711283032009-07-16T16:46:00.000-07:002009-07-16T16:59:13.206-07:00Despicable MeLooks 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 Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-39049993026253098952009-07-02T10:24:00.000-07:002009-07-02T10:31:26.339-07:00Ollie 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, theStalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-44722191847373942262009-07-02T10:17:00.001-07:002009-07-02T10:22:59.976-07:00Cloudy With a Chance of MeatballsI was really looking forward to see SPA pump out another nice animated film in Cloudy w/ A Chance for Meatballs.After seeing the second trailer that was recently released, I'm starting to think that won't happen. What an ugly film this has turned into. The art direction looks horrible. Everything looks muddy. Poor lighting choices. The animation looks okay, but seems to have taken a step Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8651933.post-14219035295850105212009-06-11T20:20:00.000-07:002009-06-11T20:31:18.279-07:00Back again...Sorry for the extended absence. I've been busy with something I haven't done in what seems like ages. Picked up a pencil and started animating. At first, it felt extremely foreign to me. However, after a week of trying to get back into the groove, it started getting familiar. I still have a ways to go before I finish up, and I'm in no hurry. This is a nice change of pace.Come back soon, Stalorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14183710208542251484noreply@blogger.com3