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Our old friend Joel Trussell will be at The Animation Show screening along with “The Animation Show team” (I have no idea who that entails).  Matt and Joel worked together way back in the “old days of Flash” (circa late 90’s) on groundbreaking projects like Zombie College. 

Since then Joel’s worked on a number of totally amazing animations for Yo Gabba Gabba and Esurance as well as the award-winning War Photographer video for Jason Forrest. 

Joel will be at the 7:15pm showing on Friday, June 20th at the Varsity Theatre in Seattle. 

Matt, Troy, and Vicky will definitely be there!

Jim Woodring has a new book out which is available signed by the amazingly talented artist himself on his website.  A signed book will be sent to your doorstep for a mere $25 (shipping included) or $35 overseas. 

“The Museum of Love and Mystery” constains 24 cardboard pages of full-color images from Frank’s holiday sojourn in the Western Unifactor.

Matt already has a copy of this book.  It’s a MUST HAVE. 

Book Launch Party & Art Exhibition 

LUST: Kinky Online Personal Ads from Seattle’s The Stranger 
By Ellen Forney

DJ David James! Valentines! Chocolates! A short performance by Ellen! More!!

Saturday, February 9, 6pm - 9pm

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 Vale St. (at Airport Way S., in Georgetown)
206-658-0110 

Hello friends - 
LUST, my spankin’ new “Lustlab Ad of the Week” collection, is out! (My first hardback!) Just in time for Valentine’s Day…! Please come to the book launch party, it’ll be fun I SWEAR!!
xo 
Ellen.

The Central Library will be hosting a “Comixtravaganza” – a series of events celebrating comics and the artists who make them, beginning at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 26^th.  Speakers include Plexipixel friends Ellen Forney and David Lasky!

Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event. 

Comixtravaganza at the Central Library
Saturday, January 26th 

Comic Workshop
2pm – 3pm
Level 4, Room 1 

Learn the basics of making great comics from acclaimed local comics artist David Lasky. You’ll leave with your very own mini-comic, and you can donate a copy to the Library’s collection. 

‘Getting into Comics’ panel
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium 

This panel will feature the local lights of the comics world discussing what they love about comics, their experiences in the comics industry, and more. 

Acclaimed cartoonist Ellen Forney speaks
4:30pm
Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium   

Ellen Forney is the author of several books, including “I Love Led Zeppelin” and MONKEY FOOD:  The Complete “I Was Seven in ‘75” Collection. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” written by Sherman Alexie and illustrated by Forney, won the 2007 National Book Award.  

For more information, call the Central Library Teen Center at 206-615-1410, or email:  TeenCenter@spl.org www.ellenforney.com

www.davidlasky.info

Comixtravaganza/Central Library

Plexipixel is proud to sponsor the Northwest Film Forum’s Children’s Film Festival again this year. 

Highlights include:

• Opening Night Celebration: “The Adventures of Prince Achmed”.  Lotte Reinger’s 1926 animated film masterpiece featuring the world premiere of a new score composed and performed by Miles and Karina 
• Lots of 2D, 3D and motion graphics animation from all around the world. The majority of the movies are short (15 minutes or less) perfect for the person like me with a short attention span.
• On Saturday, Jan. 26th at 11am, meet Mr. Winkle, Jr. and see “Big Top Winkle”.  The movie staring the famous Mr. Winkle
• “History of Claymation and 3D animation with Will Vinton” on Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 1pm

We’re especially excited about Will Vinton’s visit.   Will’s an animation legend and just an all-around swell guy. 

Will will also be here to teach an “Animation Masterclass” on Sunday, Feb. 3rd that will introduce filmmakers the art of claymation and 3D techniques.  The filmmakers are invited to bring clips of their work to get personal advice from Will.

Our Holiday Card was seen on the Frames Per Second Magazine blog between the entry for Apple’s Rankin-Bass inspired stop motion Holiday ad (directed by Drew Lightfoot) and the WALL-E trailer.  It also got a shout-out on Cold Hard Flash.  Not too shabby!

P.S. I also noticed that one of my favorite illustrators S. Britt is linking to our blog from his blog.  His work and his cat Edsel are so insanely cute.  *wowie*

Cynopsis Kids reported today:

Tim Burton enters into a two-movie deal with Disney to direct two 3D movies, Alice in Wonderland and Frankenweenie, per Variety. First up is Alice in Wonderland, which will be a motion-capture movie, is of course based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.  Linda Woolverton (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) is penning the screenplay for Alice.  Burton will both direct and produce Frankenweenie, which is based on his own 1984 short film about a dog brought back to life but his owner. Frankenweenie is set to be a 3D stop-motion animated movie.

A Frankenweenie movie is exciting, but Alice in Wonderland in MoCap?  REALLY? 

The original 1951 Alice in Wonderland movie is one of my favorite Disney films.  Mary Blair’s concept art and her color and styling work was stunning.  The music is catchy and classic.  And the Disneyland ride–because it gave me nightmares as a child–is a must-ride on every visit to the park. 

Tim Burton movies do delight me over and over again–Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood… But MoCap?  Maybe he’ll be able to bring something new to the table that I’m unable to imagine.  He’s able to direct stop-motion in a way that’s stylistically magical, even when the rest of the movie needs a little something-something (Corpse Bride?).  So, I’ll remain optimistic and hope for the best.  Good luck, Tim!

What drives Knoxville’s most famous cartoonist? Total fear. 

Check out this inspiring article from Metro Pulse about our friend Joel Trussell and his rise to success as an animator. Way to go Joel!

Our own Matt Tamaru was featured on Cold Hard Flash today for his animation of the opening sequence for The New Ballard & Ballard Cartoon Hour. It’s great to know that this project, part of a collection of collaborative installations exhibited in 2005, is still getting attention!

Matt spent all last week at the Platform Animation Festival in Portland, OR.  Some of the highlights of the event included reconnecting with our old friend Joel Trussell and meeting a number of animation luminaries like Will Vinton and Bill Plympton.  Matt and Joel were some the very first professional Flash animators back in the days of olde and were the Flash Directors for Zombie College.  Matt and I were heart broken when Joel and his lovely wife Kelly moved back to Tennesse from Sea-Town back in 2000.

Matt’s posted a few photos from the event and will be posting more on his Flickr site when I can wrestle time for him to do so. 

Joel at the Frederator’s “drink and draw”–he’s definitely drinking and drwawering

Bill Plympton at the pik-e-nik

Will Vinton also getting some picnic action

Amid Amidi of Cartoon Brew