Animation Nation

A popular video game franchise, Assassin's Creed 3 from Ubisoft takes place in colonial times during the US War of Independence. As the text for the video describes... Out of the embers of his burning village, a new assassin will rise. Born of Mohawk and British blood, his fight for freedom and justice will be forged in the flames of revolution. More content available on the Assassins Creed website.

In two days the trailer has gotten 1,830,369 views on YouTube as of this writing. Check it out, but be forewarned. It's bloody and violent, and may not be suitable viewing for everyone.

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Another upcoming animated movie trailer is online. The first for the sequel to "Despicable Me" on the way for the summer of 2013 from Universal Studios. Here's the link to the movie's IMBd site with production info and also to the Forum topic that will be developed as the film progresses.

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There's a series of animated commercials airing in Europe produced for De Lijn public transportation in Belgium. My research has discovered the animation studio responsible for the work. They're called Creative Conspiracy located in Gent, Belgium. One of the commercials they produced, showcased below, is an award winner. I've assembled three more of the De Lijn commercials on the Forums. They're witty and fun to watch. Enjoy...

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A live action film produced in 1984 by Tim Burton is finding new life in the stop motion animated "Frankenweenie" due out this coming October through Disney. Below is a just released trailer for the upcoming movie, and if you're looking for additional information about the film along with a few stills, an intro with Tim Burton followed by the original 1984 version follow this link. 

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Exciting news from the Laguna College of Art and Design. Legendary animator Eric Goldberg will be teaching an Animation Master Class for Summer 2012. This workshop will be held for 12 consecutive Saturdays at the Animation Department of LCAD in Laguna Beach, California from June 9 - August 25.

Sixteen students will have the opportunity to work on all phases of a traditionally animated short film mentored by internationally renowned director and animator Eric Goldberg. The workshop is designed for advanced college level animators and recent graduates. This is not a beginning class. Acceptance into the class is by portfolio and reel review and participants should expect to devote 40-50 hours each week to the project. Classroom facilities and equipment will be provided Monday-Saturday by the LCAD Animation Department.

The deadline for application is May 1, 2012. For more information please follow this link to the Forums.

A very worthwhile organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence find a new day through their personal creativity. A Window Between Worlds is a non-profit organization dedicated to using art to help end domestic violence. Through creative expression, battered women and children recover a sense of renewal and power. Their images of hope, survival and strength educate the public and become "a window between worlds" for survivors taking steps to change their lives. Here's their website and here's a video describing what AWBW is about...

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Even though it's a live action movie, the Visual FX makes this as good as an animated film, and they look... dare I say... titanic. The sequel to Clash of the Titans, here's the official trailer from Warner Bros and the link to the movie's website.

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There's a party going on at Moonbot Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana I'm sure, as that's the home of this year's winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Short. The 84th Academy Awards held last night in Hollywood also saw ILM's Rango take the prize for Best Animated Feature. Congrats to all involved with both films. Let's celebrate by showcasing The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, the short that won it for Moonbot. There's also an interview with John Hunter, the music composer for the film, available here and through this link to the Forums. Enjoy...

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On February 25, 1999, AnimationNation.com went online, leading a movement in the animation industry that still goes on to this day. It was a thrilling, fantastic time as suddenly, tabs of paper with an enigmatic 4.1 (code for April 1st) appeared at studios throughout the Burbank, Hollywood and Los Angeles area, with a call to animation artists to face the corporate abuse that was rampant in animation, and for artists to unify in force through an industry walk out at lunch time on April Fools Day, culminating in an event that changed the course of animation. From our humble beginnings, we went on to profoundly influence the community in Los Angeles and beyond. The mission continues!

So much history is within this site. Our forums are literally an archive of the artists of the industry talking to themselves, interacting, organizing, taking action, and playing out the history of our community for thirteen incredible years of highs and lows.  Never before had animation artists from all over the world come to one destination and get to know each other. It was an amazing time and it still is. Even in our current age of blogs, Facebook and social networks, of which AN was the first in our industry, the site continues to challenge and inspire artists of LA and the international animation community to greater heights, creatively, professionally, and in many varied ways.

AN was the first animation community that delved into and explored the nature of who we are, how we think, our political perspectives, philosophy, current events, our pro-activity, and independence. We drove the issue of Unity among artists, challenged long standing, stagnant institutions such as the union, challenged corrupt executive management, challenged dysfunctional historians and critics, and continues the good fight to this day, while empowering artists as best as we can with what we do and who we are.

Please feel free to trek into a different time in the biz by perusing the Original Articles that were the driving force behind our movement in 1999. You're also welcome to follow this Forum topic as we'll be having some fun getting into the History of AnimationNation in more detail, describing what we've been through and experienced these many years as events unfolded, animation changed, and a new era emerged from the foundation of the old.

Thank you for your continued interest in AN, to our members for their participation, to the many people both in the present and the past who've helped make the site and this community we enjoy what it is today, and for being the Voice of the Animation Industry.

Keep the Faith and Keep Creating!

Certainly among the most charming cartoons of our day is the Pocoyo series. If you're not familiar with Pocoyo, it originates in Spain and you can learn much about it here. Feel free to follow this link to the Forums where I've assembled a few choice episodes over time. This one came out on TouTube the other day and is as good as it gets. Enjoy...

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