HP Tablet PC at Best Buy...

Hi there.. I forgot to post about this a while ago but I have lately been really lame with my blog. Chalk it up to being extremely busy!

Anyways, for your Canadian readers, I noticed that Best Buy is selling a very decent Tablet PC, the HP TX2108CA, for in between $999 and $1099 (depending on the week it seems) - For that you get a 2.0 Ghz Turion 64 X2 (Dual Core), 3GB of Ram, a 250 GB Hard Drive, a Geforce 6150 Go, and a 12" 1280x800 Wacom Penabled screen. I realise that a 12" screen is kinda lame and small, but people considering getting a 12" Cintiq would probably be much better off getting this instead. Also, it seems that 12" screens are the overwhelming majority nowadays on tablet pcs (unfortunately). Anyways, the PC behind the tablet also seems to be decently spec'd, so it seems good enough for animation purposes.

Anyways, Cintiqs and Tablet displays are the greatest thing ever, and I would highly recommend any animator to have one. It doesn't really get more affordable than this, either...

Check it out here.

Also, it seems that Wacom has reduced the price of its Cintiq 21UX to $1999 everywhere (which, strangely enough, puts it at the same price as the 20WSX, which is one inch smaller). Check it out here.

Who Is Rocket Johnson?

For those of you attending San Diego Comic-con this year, make sure to swing by booth 2302 to pick up a copy of "Who is Rocket Johnson" - a compilation narrative created by the talented artists working at Walt Disney Animation.

The book is limited to 1000 copies and features the work of some incredible artists who all try to answer the question posted in the title... the artists are.... Steve Anderson, John Musker, Dean Wellins, Mike Gabriel, Kevin Deters, Paul Briggs, Tom Ellery, Sam Levine, Nathan Greno, Don Hall, Mark Kennedy, Aurian Redson, Daniel Chong, Tron Mai, Lawrence Gong, Joe Mateo, Michael LaBash, Chris Ure, Bruce Morris, Mark Walton, Glen Keane, Chen-Yi Chang, Byron Howard and Arthur Adams.

Check out the Who Is Rocket Johnson website for more info.

Kung Fu Panda...

I got a chance to attend a screening of Kung Fu Panda today with directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson.... and I have to mirror Jerry Beck's opinion of the film. It is absolutely awesome and one of the best 3D animated films I have ever seen. Go out and see it June 6!

The directors also gave a great talk after the screening and are totally champs for coming all the way to Toronto to promote the film.

I also wanted to point out that the Art of Kung Fu Panda is now available at Chapters, Amazon, and the Labyrinth. There are 96 pages for just design alone, much of featuring the fabulous work of the prolific Nicolas Marlet, who did the drawings below:



Go out and buy the book, and see the movie!

TIFF Student Films Showcase...

I just got word that my friend Vlad got into this year's Toronto International Film Festival Student Film Showcase.

The showcase is on MAY 21, 2008 at 7:00pm at the Cumberland Cinemas, 159 Cumberland Street in Toronto. Tickets are $5.

If you haven't seen C-Block, I recommend trying to get down there to check it out.

Epic Fail....

At the top of my Gmail inbox today.

Too funny to not post.

Zoo-mbamafoo... Part 5....

Yes, I have been going to the zoo a lot lately. Can you tell?

Zoo-mbamafoo... Part 4...

Some friends of mine are making a film featuring a Cheetah. My first contribution to their efforts...

Damned Cute!

This is the final film of my bud from Calarts, Matt Nealon. I just had to post it.

Make sure to swing by his youtube channel and check out his other films as well.

I should also note that there is 30 seconds of black at the end for no reason whatsoever. Good job Matt.

Up, Newt, The Bear And the Bow, and The Princess and the Frog....

The french website Effets-Speciaux has posted some new images from Pixar's Up, Newt, The Bear and the Bow, and Disney's Princess and the Frog.

UP:





Newt:


The Bear and the Bow:


The Princess and the Frog:

The Making of Oktapodi...

The guys who put together the yet-to-be-released-on-the-net Gobelins film, Oktapodi, have updated their website with A Making of Video and a Stills Gallery. Check it out!

Unicycle Joe

8 Months Later, here it is.

For those who want to know, the film was animated solely using Flash, Bgs and layouts created and painted in Photoshop, and everything was composited back into After Effects. I don't think this film would have been possible without Flash, though. I will be posting up some making of stuff eventually, but not until I get some decent R&R.

For those interested in the process work, Philip Rodrigues, my partner in crime on the film, put up his demo reel with some of the earlier stuff pre-after effects.



By the way, if you like the film and have a Digg account, please go here for Digg users and vote so that others will be able to find the film easier. Thanks!

Zoo-mbamafoo... Part 3.

I have not been so awesome with my blog lately. Sorry, it's been a crazy month.

Here's an antelope to quell the rage.

Zoo-mbamafoo... Part 2...

Drawings come later.

Orgesticulanismus....

Gets really interesting at the 4 minute mark....

New Gobelins Films....

A few of the Gobelins films from last year finally got posted up! (Or maybe I just noticed that they were put up!)



Check out Crash Test,




Blind Spot,



And The Omen, Simon Rouby's film produced at Calarts.

Toronto Zoo....

Went to the zoo just the other day...

I've been resisting posting up photography to my blog because it would just explode full of photos and not my drawings. I guess for today I've decided, since it's the special case of the zoo, to be lame and no post up drawings.

















Psyche! Here are some drawings. Thanks to Robin for the advice.

Andy Knight...

I've heard through the grapevine some tragic news... Andy Knight, internationally renowned director and co-founder at Toronto's Red Rover, died of a stroke at the age of 46 on April 10. News is fairly sparse, but I was able to pick this post by Paul Dutton up on the Animation Nation Message Boards.

I never had the chance to work with Andy, but I've been told nothing but great things about him as a person and an artist.

My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Done!

Will post it up as soon as I can.

Looks like Disney and Pixar are going to be busy....

Animated News just released a big honking list of all the films planned from now until 2012 from Disney/Pixar.

As a summary....

2008:
Wall-E (June 27th) From Pixar
Bolt (November 26th) From Disney

2009:
UP (May 29th) from Pixar

From the Academy Award-nominated team of director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.) and co-director Bob Peterson comes Up, a comedic adventure taking off (and lifting spirits) in summer 2009. Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. Up takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair encounter wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures. When seeking adventure next summer — look Up.

The Princess and the Frog (Christmas) - From Disney

A musical set in the greatest city of them all, New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog marks Disney’s return to the timeless art form of traditional animation. The film teams Ron Clements and John Musker, creators of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, with Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman to tell the most beautiful love story ever told … with frogs, voodoo, and a singing alligator.

2010
Toy Story 3 (June 18) - From Pixar

The creators of the beloved Toy Story films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in Toy Story 3. Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine, brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.

Rapunzel (Christmas) - From Disney

In this new telling of the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel, audiences will be transported to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair … lots of hair, when Rapunzel unleashes her locks in theaters for the 2010 holiday.

2011:

Newt (Summer) - From Pixar

What happens when the last remaining male and female blue-footed newts on the planet are forced together by science to save the species, and they can’t stand each other? That’s the problem facing Newt and Brooke, heroes of newt, the Pixar film by seven-time Academy Award winner for sound Gary Rydstrom, and director of Pixar’s Oscar-nominated short, Lifted. Newt and Brooke embark on a perilous, unpredictable adventure and discover that finding a mate never goes as planned, even when you only have one choice. Love, it turns out, is not a science.

The Bear and the Bow (Summer) - From Pixar

A rugged and mythic Scotland is the setting for Pixar’s action-adventure The Bear and the Bow. The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida, though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father’s kingdom and her mother’s life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right. Director Brenda Chapman (The Prince of Egypt, The Lion King) and the storytelling wizards of Pixar conjure humor, fantasy and excitement in this rich Highland tale.

2012
Cars 2 (Summer) - From Pixar

All the world’s a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe’s fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new installment of the Cars saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades around the globe. Cars 2 is being directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar- winning film Ratatouille.

King of the Elves (Christmas) - From Disney

Legendary storyteller Phillip K. Dick’s short story (his only experiment in the fantasy genre) becomes the basis for this fantastic and imaginative tale about an average man living in the Mississippi Delta, whose reluctant actions to help a desperate band of elves leads them to name him their new king. Joining the innocent and endangered elves as they attempt to escape from an evil and menacing troll, their unlikely new leader finds himself caught on a journey filled with unimaginable dangers and a chance to bring real meaning back to his own life.

Check out the entire article here

Wacom Cintiq 21 UX Rebate...

Hi All,

Just a quick post.

For those wanting to purchase a Wacom Cintiq but were on the fence due to pricing, Online retailer Studica.com has a $500 rebate for the 21UX for the month of April only. Their list price is $2499 (Canadian), and shipping is only around 20 dollars, so that puts the Cintiq at just above $2300 with shipping - A great deal by any means. This deal is available in Canada and the U.S.

Swing by http://www.studica.com/wacom/ or check out the rebate form here (Warning: PDF link)