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Bwana Spoons + Abe Lincoln Jr.
Pencil Fights and poo!
Friday, July 10, 2009
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Schmancy Gallery
1932 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA

One of our favorite artists will be in Seattle to launch his new book “WTF”. It’ll be fun!

So get this, I was the grand prize winner of the “Extra Special Totally Rad Preferential” version of the KidScreen Summit (okay, that wasn’t really the official name). What I was to receive was a suite upgrade at the Manhattan Hilton, limo rides between JFK Airport and the hotel, a $50 Starbucks gift certificate, and a private lunch with a decision-maker at a kids’ entertainment network.

The particular “kids’ entertainment network” just so happened to be Cartoon Network International. As soon as I found out which network, I contacted my friend Debbie Reber. Debbie is an author with amazing integrity; she produced videos for CARE and UNICEF and has written books that help guide and mentor teen girls. Debbie also worked as Director of Development for Cartoon Network.

Now we here at Plexipixel have been working very slowly on a super secret project together with a very talented artist in Portland over the last year or so. This super secret project was nowhere near prime-time but I knew a few things:

1. private audience opportunities that may involve alcohol don’t happen often,
2. Cartoon Network just has a great philosophy on how they like to work with Creatives, and
3. I know two very nice people who either work for or have worked for Cartoon Network and they’re mighy fine people.

With those three arguments, I knew that we had to have something to show my KidScreen lunch date.

I bribed Debbie with a delicious lunch at Kisaku and procedeed to pick her brain. I subjected Debbie to the “proof of concept”, very rough super secret animation we’ve been working on. She gave me a couple of tips on what I should try to take away from the meeting (“ask as many questions about what they’re looking for as you can”). Finally, Debbie also kindly let me know that she knew the person I was meeting with and that he was “a very nice guy”.

There were still a few weeks left before the Summit, so I continued my fact finding. I met with our dear friend Tom Doughterty who has not only pitched a number of game and TV property projects to networks in the past, he rubs elbows with folks like Erik Wiese (co-creator of the Mighty B!). He gave me a plethora of ideas and pointers: examples of pitch material, what to put in a “leave behind”, why having breakfast for dinner is never wrong…

I took all of the pointers back to the studio. We put all of our heads together and came up with a game plan that was inspired by Stephanie’s Gocco (and all the many cool things it can do), Patrick Tribett (of gold paint huffing fame), and the Portland artist whose amazing art we’re getting to work with. I worked on the pamphlet content, Troy laid out the pamphlet design, Ryan was responsible for the DVD label and the aqua paint-splattering, Stephanie Gocco’d and made Fimo bagels, and Matt continued with the animation like a mad man. Jamie made sure that everything was all packed and ready to go for the big trip. Talk about team work!

Next blog post from me… report from the actual trip!

I’ve been remiss. Yes, horribly remiss by not writing blog posts when they’re actually timely. I’m sorry!

Tonight is Christmas Eve. Matt and I had dinner at the Sizzler down in Southcenter. It’s not fancy, but it sounded like fun and we were feeling a little nostaglic. Besides, remember when going to the Sizzler or Taco Bell were special occassions? We might be old but we don’t need fancy to have fun.

Once we got home, I decided that I needed to shed a little tear to help remind me that a lot of people would be happy to have something as nice as Sizzler for dinner. So I sat down on the couch, turned on my laptop and did a search for “The Little MatchGirl”.

Don Hahn screened this gem at the 2D or Not 2D Festival last month. It’s 6:39 minutes long (including the credits) and took 2 – 3 years to produce–it shows. The animation is beautiful: well-paced, adorable character designs, great story… and done without dialog and colored in monotones.

The rest of the festival was also a treat. The speakers were top notch. We also had a chance to hang out with some talented animator friends and had direct access to lumniaries from the business.

Besides seeing Don Hahn’s screening of rare Disney shorts that included “Steamboat Willie”, “Der Fuhrer’s Face“, and “Lorenzo”, Matt and I also went to the presentation based on his book The Alchemy of Animation. We were joined by Peter Moerhle, Geraldine Kovats and Suzanne Kaufman. Don’s talk was very inspirational and motivating. Animation a result of a lot of hard work and can be a frustrating and long process. He reminded us that “animation is the ultimate team sport” and requires a lot of dedication and passion but that the end results can be like magic.

A few other highlights included Dean Yeagle’s and Barry Cook’s presentations. Dean has been in the animation industry for decades and has worked on projects for Disney, Jim Henson, Playboy, Nestle, and Kraft. Barry directed Mulan and worked as an animator on Torn, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Black Cauldron. Most recently, Barry was directing an animation for Laika studio in Portland, Oregon.

The icing on the cake for me was that since we designed and developed the website for the festival, we were given an all-access pass that included the festival gala event. I was priviledged to be able meet Don Hahn, Barry Cook, and Dean Yeagle. Every one of them were nice and nice can be.

We look forward to next year’s festival and hope more people take advantage of this great event.

November 18th, 1928 was the debut of “Steamboat Willie”–the film in which Mickey Mouse was introduced. The film was the first cartoon with synchronized sound and was written and directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.

Congratulations, Mickey! You’re just as spry (but perhaps a little less surley) as you were back in the day…

Sunday, August 17 | 4:00 PM
Henry Auditorium
FREE to Henry members or with museum admission
Tickets available at the Henry Admission Desk beginning August 10; seating is limited.

As part of La Semaine de la Bande Dessinée (The Week of the Graphic Novel), the Henry welcomes a powerhouse international panel to celebrate the visit of Parisian graphic novelist Pierre-François Beauchard (professionally known as David B.) When still a student, David B. co-founded the artist-run publishing group L’Association, a group that revolutionized European comics. The best example of L’Association’s daring approach is Beauchard’s own masterpiece Epileptic.

David B. is joined by two of Seattle’s own superstar bédéistes: Peter Bagge and Jim Woodring. These Seattle artists join David B. in a conversation moderated by Kim Thompson, the co-owner of Fantagraphics Books and English translator of Epileptic, about the different subtleties of their medium, how they employ its tools of image, space, and text to create narratives, capture visions, and change our views of the world. After the event, works by each artist will be available for purchase and signing.

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 ExhibitionÂ

LUST: Kinky Online Personal Ads from Seattle’s The StrangerÂ
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)
206-658-0110Â

Hello friends -Â
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!!
xoÂ
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.Â

Comixtravaganza at the Central Library
Saturday, January 26thÂ

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

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.Â

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

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.Â

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

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. Â

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.