Look OUT here they come!!!

Meet the new graduates of the Media Arts and Animation department, portfolio winners! Joel Smart, Diana Connolly and Matt Campbell were schmoozing it up at the Convention center, no doubt ready to get out of their monkey suits and celebrate three years of very hard work. Congratulations! (and who is that checking out Matt Campbell's work? None other than Matt Bellows, AiC alumni and medical animator at eTrinsic based out of LoDo) I had a chance to do some freelance work with eTrinsic, on a gastric band project. Check it out here!

360 iDev: iPhone Developers Conference

Sept 27-30, the iDev iPhone Developers Conference is happening in Denver. This conference features workshops and sessions on all things iPhone app development, including 2D and 3D animation and OpenGL.

"Bringing together the best and brightest of the iPhone development community! This 3-day event will take place September 27 to 30, 2009 @ The Curtis Hotel in Denver, CO."

The Curtis Hotel
1405 Curtis Street
Denver, CO 8020

http://www.360idev.com/

This event will feature some of the best iPhone App developers in the world (including 2 of the top 3 paid app developers!). Plenty of great speakers, presentations and workshops. We are lucky to have this event in Denver, so make sure to check it out.

This just in...

The '09 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships (popularly known as the "MacArthur Genius Grants") were announced today. Camille Utterback isn't technically an animator, she's more of a multimedia installation artist, but her work does include animation and she is the closest thing to an animator that has won a Mac fellowship in a long time. Check it out:

http://www.camilleutterback.com/index.html

Thanks Joey!

The 2009 Summer REEL THING at the STARZ Tivoli Theatre!

It is that time again folks, the Art Institute proudly presents it's quarterly REEL Thing, an animated showcase of student and faculty work. Come one, come all to this totally free event at the Starz Tivoli Theatre, on the Auraria Campus in the Tivoli Student Union this Thursday, September 24th from 7 to 10pm. This projection features 3D, 2D and even stopmotion work, such at this little ditty by student Moses Guardado. See you there!

GhostBandit unveiled at iTunes Store!

I'm both an illustrator and an animator. My bread and butter is illustration and I've often been asked to do a wide variety of graphic design elements, from GUI design for videogames to logos for business cards. One of my most recent published designs was something i created for Six Dozen Studio, headed up by one of my great colleagues from undergrad Tom White. Tom has been a trusted "partner in crime" since being a neighbor in the dorms at the University of Georgia. He has hired me to do logo design for programs he's engineered from way back in the day. I was fortunate enough to assist in his software presentation at Siggraph in LA '95. Tom is a computer genius to say the least and I am honored he hired me to collaborate and create a character/logo for his new iPhone app called "GhostBandit".

This handy little gadget will shred or scramble any photo you want with the flick of the finger on your iPhone screen. You can easily de-shred as well. But more practical, you can apply a reversible shred on any photo that can be unlocked with an embedded password. (Note to all you sexters out there who've accidently sent a pic to the wrong recipient...embarrassing!) I thought it might be interesting for you to see my thought process in the design of the little guy. Above are some of the plates I submitted to Tom & Six Dozen Studio for their approval. To buy this app follow the link to the iTunes store here, or to the GhostBandit website here.

Griddleville on BoingBoing!

Hey, check out the write up on this animation posted on BoingBoing today.

On a scale from 1 - 10, I give "9" a "7"

So, Randy Buckle and I payed a visit to the UA Pavilions on the 16th the street mall the other day to see the much anticipated "9". I'm sure you have read similar reviews. I had no idea what to expect, I had only watched the preview before Coraline. The only thing that bothered me about the movie 9 was it's STRICT adherence to the mythic structure of Joseph Campbell, because it didn't stray at all from the time tested (and now a little stale) interpretation of the hero's journey. Also, I could tell that the creators were big fans of The Animatrix, whereby machines with evil red jewels for eyes terrorize the post-apocalyptic "free world" (They could've claimed their own color instead, red was taken). But the steampunk style, design and execution was incredibly beautiful and fascinating. I say, go pay money to see it, because it's beautiful and it supports indie animators like Shane Acker who have brought their stories to a larger audience (with a little help from Tim Burton & Co.)

6th Annual Denver 24 Hour Comics Challenge

What: The CAI is proud to present this year’s 24 Hour Comics Challenge

Where: Enchanted Grounds at 8800 S. Colorado Blvd., in Highlands Ranch

When: 2 pm on Saturday, October 3, 2009 to 2 pm on Sunday, October 4, 2009

Registration: While spectators are free, the registration fee for participating is $25, and registration will be limited to the first 32 people. EVENT IS FULL, but spectators are welcome to come. Click here for more information.

Etc.: Those completing stories will be welcome to contribute their stories to the official 2009 Denver 24 Hour Comic Challenge anthology published by the Squid Works. Registration costs and sponsorships will defray printing costs for each contributing artist and each sponsor receiving a copy of the book. Additional copies can be obtained at full wholesale or retail cost directly from the Squid Works (available after the event).

Ringling College Admission Event

"Admissions Information Sessions
Meet admissions staff, and learn about Ringling College, how to apply, portfolio preparation, and more!"

Thursday, September 24, 2009
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Marriott Denver Tech Center
4900 S. Syracuse Street
Denver, Colo. 80237
RSVP by September 20, to ekaster@ringling.edu or call 941-351-5100

National Portfolio Day (A national event that RMCAD is participating in this year)

"National Portfolio Days are educational events for young artists held at host colleges throughout the U.S. and Canada. Portfolio Days bring together students and experienced college representatives, who review artwork, offer critique, discuss college plans, and share information about their schools."

http://www.portfolioday.net/
http://www.rmcad.edu/student-life/portfolio-review-day-2009-09-27

Today is the release of "9"!!!

Be sure to check out the student oscar nominated film that made it all possible!

A New Wes Anderson Movie IN STOP MOTION!!!

My friend Jason Bennett, who resides in Brooklyn, turned me on to this trailer. I don't know much about the film, but it looks fantastic!

Instructor Steve Smith give free seminar on Stereoscopic viewing for animation

Hi all, on Wednesday September 9th from 11:45 – 12:15 in the Penthouse (which is the 10th floor) of the Art Institute of Colorado at 1200 Lincoln Street, AiC instructor Steve Smith will be presenting "A Practical Guide to Stereography for Stills and Motion"
This is research from his recent Sabbatical
Some topics to be discussed:
- Use of Print and Computers for Viewing Stereo Images
- Inexpensive viewing methods for Animation and 3D
- Tips for Creating Stereo Stills and Motion Images

Should be a hoot! Hope to see you there.

BTW, I personally visited Steve's house in the mountains a few weeks ago and saw his studio. He's been graphics artist longer than I've been alive, and his interest in computer graphics came at a time when very few considered it "art". But that didn't stop Steve, he completed a master's thesis on replicating tiled patterns and some of the results are absolutely astonishing. (This is not all that he's capable of!)

For more information about Steve Smith and his work, check out his website here!

AiC Grads Jameson Weaver and Mike Wilson Compete at ANIBOOM!

HEY KIDS!!! (THIS JUST IN FROM JAMESON WEAVER)

Well we almost didn't make it, but if you haven't heard ANIBOOM.COM is hosting "The FOX Holiday Animation Challenge". Mike Wilson and myself have worked long and hard to create our short for the contest entitled- "Holiday Holdem"! The short features the likes of such holiday celebrities as Santa, Easter Bunny, Cupid, Leprechaun and many more!! What's even more sweet is that YOU have the POWER OF THE VOTE!! You can vote for your favorite cartoon by signing up with ANIBOOM.COM and become a part of animation history!!

Five Finalists will be selected and one grand prize winner will be chosen to create a super awesome Holiday Special for FOX network television!!! Help us spread the word and holiday animation cheer all over the world!!



Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at Aniboom

I speak for Wilson and myself when I say THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT, Love Ya!!!!

Direct Link to our toon!!- http://www.aniboom.com/competitions/Fox/393568/Holiday-Holdem/

Jameson Weaver

ANIMATION STATION at the Erie Library!

A few weeks ago ASIFA-Colorado was asked to come deliver a workshop to the kids in the Erie community.

We took over their community space at the public library, and spent all day experimenting with different styles and techniques.

It always blows me away when we get the results back. Kids of all ages are natural animators and can come up with the most intriguing frames on a

Saturday afternoon. Helping out was Evert Brown, Joey Buhrer, Ed Desroches and Wes Price. We had a lot of fun that day - thanks to everyone involved!

Animation Resources for All!

Ed Desroches, one of our ASIFA board members, was kind enough to collect some vital resources for the beginning independent 2D animator. Here are some links for your future endeavors:

Light Table Directions:

CARDBOARD - http://www.asifa-colorado.org/Workshops/images/ltTblCrdbrd.jpg

WOOD - http://www.asifa-colorado.org/Workshops/images/ltTblWood.jpg

Or you can search for one pre-made and get other animation supplies at:

http://www.lightfootltd.com/index.php

Free animation software can be found at:

MONKEY JAM - http://www.giantscreamingrobotmonkeys.com/monkeyjam/index.html

ANASAZI - http://www.animateclay.com/index.php?module=Pages&func=display&pageid=24

Just hook up a webcam and you’re ready to animate! Thanks ED!

"STUBBORN MAN" resists the burn in Black Rock City

I hesitate to write about Burningman because everything I can say seems cliched and overrated. I first made a pilgrimage to the Black Rock Desert of Nevada in 1999 and have struggled ever since to explain what I've seen there. I often try to correct those who claim that Burningman is merely Hedonism for its own sake, or "just a bunch of hippies" getting off in the desert. I say, sure it's sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, but you also can find that anywhere. What happens at Burningman is entirely unique yet common to all. I try to relate it to the ongoingSIGGRAPHcomputer graphics conference where emerging technologies applied to art have a venue with like-minding, tech-savvy global (and often geeky) brethren. Sure neo-hippies swarm at this alternative art conference in the desert, but they are not the only tribe that descend. They are joined by all walks of life, from grandmothers to children to bikers, programmers, lawyers, medics, musicians, rednecks, christians, native americans, farmers, politicians, writers, transvestites, football players, and maybe even your average Joe the plumbers. There's plumbers out there, I guarantee it. As well as a growing number of people from distant lands: Israel, Japan, Scotland, Fiji, France, England, you name it. And yet this continues to be an American phenomenon. Brazil has it's Carnival, and New Orleans has it's Mardi Gras even, but America has Burningman. "To those who ask: What is American Culture? Where is it? What does it look like? Their heads should point this way" exclaimed a participant on BMIR radiolast night. Another participant said it like this, "You can dismiss what is happening here. You can say its just a party, who cares!? But there are people here who are good caretakers of the human imagination as it unfolds." In fact, another said, "There is no describing it as much as living it. It is now a Global Event, a conference of the human imagination!" The symbolic burning of the man was streamed live from a webcam in the center of the action. Constructed of approximately 12 to 14 miles of board and 9.5 million nails, the Man refused to fall. I captured this screenshot time lapse animation of the event last night off the live feed from the Burningman website. Please enjoy!

Turtle Cam!

First Friday was a success. Thanks to all who joined us for a fantastic evening.

Also successful, the monstrous, prehistoric BOB performed for the big screen!

Wes Price opens his studio for First Friday tonight!

Howdy! I am opening my studio for the monthly First Friday Art Walk. We are located at 1280 Sherman, on the corner of 13th and Sherman above Moxie, City O' City and Pandora Jewelry. My studio mates, Madison and Rob, will be showing their newest paintings. I am going to project some ASIFA animations as well as my own work. Also, tonight will be the debut of "Turtle Cam!" A feeding in front of the camera for projection with one of our resident box turtles, the mighty BOB! Hope to see you there!

ASIFA is making the rounds...

So as board member of our regional International Animation Association, I have been asked to promote our organization all over Denver.
This week I participated in the Resource Fair at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. The night before, I completed what I call "The Zoetroprototype"...a mockup of a large zoetrope made from bicycle parts, cardboard and a wooden stool. The frames were made in illustrator and rotoscoped from Edweard Muybridge's famous Animal Locomotion studies. It works pretty well in the dark with a bright spotlight, not so well under the ambient light of the sun. Those interested in ASIFA-Colorado should visit our website here.

The Pebble Casserole LIVES!!!

Goals - The Pebble Casserole is a dynamic team of local artists, animators and musicians whose common aspiration is to create a community dedicated to the Art of Animation. Deriving its name from the classic Brothers’ Grimm Stone Soup story, our team will coax tasty bits of hoarded talent from each participant to make a meal that satisfies the community soul. The concept is that by working together, and with everyone pitching in what they can, a greater good is discovered. We hope to complete animated shorts as well as generate storyboards, test animation frames, music and ideas for future productions. During the process, we hope to develop relationships and foster community with both our youth at one end of the spectrum and at the other, local business owners who are interested in the use of animation to create funky commercials and shorts featuring their products and services. One way or another, we will have fun and provide inspiration to the next generation of Denver storytellers.