CG Commercial Animation circa 1987

Nearly 25 years ago, Benson & Hedges, the cigarette company, aired a couple of very impressive commercials for the day that still hold up in our age. In 1987 as it is currently, cigarette commercials were not allowed to be broadcast in the US. These two were aired internationally.

Produced by Omnibus / Abel Animation, check out the state of the art CGI at a time when the emerging technology was still in its infancy. I've assembled a series of videos and links concerning what Omnibus /Abel were doing during the decade of the 1980s that you'll find historically significant and interesting. Check them out here

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Animated commercials from Sherwin-Williams

A company that produces paints is a natural for delving into the arts and it's especially exciting when animation is the focus of their commercial messages. Such is the case with Sherwin-Williams. They've been sponosring the production of animated commercials for a long time, and the ones that have recently been airing are very impressive and beautiful to watch. I'm developing the Forum topic with several examples of these commercials.

The one featured here is a fine example of the many that are available for viewing. This particular paint chips themed campaign was developed in the US at McKinney of Durham, North Carolina. The animation was produced at Buck in New York City, and the music hails from Beacon Street Studios of Venice, California.

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Motivarti.org - Mentorship site launched

Motivarti

There's a new website available for students looking to get hooked up with a mentor in the Los Angeles area. The Motivarti Mentorship Program was formed to help bridge the gap between students and artists working in LA. The goal is to give aspiring artists all around the nation and the world an opportunity to try and connect with the industry’s top professionals. Whether you’re hoping to get into visual development, concept design, storyboarding, animation, character design, or even children’s book illustration or theme park design, Motivarti.org is striving to gather a variety of mentors just for you. You can access the site through the links provided and also read the communication provided to us by the site's founder, Jackie Huang, at this link to the Forums.

3D Printing - Amazing Technology

If you're aware of what's happening with 3D printing, chances are you're as enthusiastic as I am about what the prospects of this technology for the future. Currently it can incredible things. Imagine what this will be like in years to come as it develops further. Here's a video describing what the ZPrinter 650 from the Z Corporation can do.

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Here's a great video that shows the ZPrinter 650 in action, as a real life crescent wrench is printed at such a high level of quality and fidelity, it can work as well as the original.

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Artistically, there's an endless horizon as to what this can do for creative endeavors such as 3D sculpting. Take for example the work of Eric van Straaten from the Netherlands who comes up with surreal and complex subjects that he produces through a 3D printing process. This technology can also be applied to food, fabrics, just about anything as the videos I've assembled here illustrate. The day is approaching, and in many ways is already here, where we'll be able to use this process to manufacture our own products in a corner of our studio. Much to look forward to in the realm of 3D printing.

Thank you Bill Keane - 1922-2011

In case you haven't heard the news, the great Bill Keane, the genius behind the "Family Circus" comic strip, and father of one of industry's greatest animators Glen Keane, has passed away. Our sincerest condolences on the loss of this beloved talent. An article on the life of Bill Keane can be viewed here. The following video from CBS News here in the US and takes a brief look at his wonderful life.

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Estylo 1.1 Campaign on Kickstarter.com

Fernando Jimenez is a long time member of AN. In fact, he was a student of mine years ago as a teenager. Now he's on to exciting things developing new and innovative products and apps for the iPhone and the iPad through a company he's formed called Plai. This one in particular is very intriguing as it is the only product of its kind that allows users to turn their iPads into art pads.

It's called the "Estylo 1.1" and as part of its launch, Fernando has taken it to Kickstart.com in a campaign to raise funds to market this compelling. Estylo 1.1 is the first and only wooden stylus to work on capacitive touch screens such as the iPad. The goal was to create a completely eco friendly product that would inspire the imagination. Designed for artists seeking greater accuracy over their work, it can also be used for writing or simply navigating the Web. Estylo uses high quality conductive materials so no extra pressure is needed for it to be detected by the device. Estylo is in effect, a pencil for the iPad.

Follow this link to the Estylo campaign on Kickstarter and check out what it's all about. Please consider supporting Fernando and Plai as they endeavor to move forward with the Estylo 1.1.

'Parigot' - More animation from France

ANer hcjehg from HoBSoft has brought yet another animated film to our attention from France. This one is entitled "Parigot" and is exquisite in its design and breathtaking in its animated complexity. Parigot is produced by a small group of very talented artists. Their website is in the works but you can see it as it's coming along here. As an added bonus, he's inlcuded a link to the animatic. Click here to access the Forum topic.

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Fracking - An animated explanation

A couple of days ago in the US the state of Oklahoma experienced an earthquake, the biggest in its recorded history. Oklahoma does not have very many earthquakes at all, so this one was intriguing. Turns out the epicenter of the quake is in the heart of an area where "fracking" is used to extract oil and natural gas from deep below the surface.

Fracking is controversial as it involves pumping water, sand and chemicals under pressure to force out gas and oil, especially natural gas. Here's an animated film I discovered, produced by Earthjustice.org that explains the process and the environmental and health risks associated with it. The Forum topic is here with additional videos describing problems with fracking available for you to see.

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A fresh look at Disney's 'Tangled'

Recently I had an opportunity to see "Tangled" and after re-assimilating the experience after its theatrical run last year, I'm compelled to offer my comments and say that it is an absolutely fantastic film. Tangled is by far a much better movie than it's initially given credit for.

The production quality is excellent, the story moves along nicely, the acting is terrific, so's the music and orchestration, and the design is everything one would expect from the studio's outstanding staff. Above all, the relationship between the two central characters is very touching and believable, and with an exceptional villain in the great Disney tradition. To top it off, there's several places where the viewer will be challenged to hold back the tears.

While not perfect, it is in no doubt one of the best, if not the best animated feature Disney has produced since I don't know when, in my opinion. Here's a sequence from Tangled to enjoy...

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Ward Kimball's 'The Committee' from 1949

Heard from Jim Clark today concerning this painting recently discovered and attributed to Ward Kimball, one of the venerable Nine Old Men from the Golden Age of Disney Animation.


Jim has this to say about the special work of art from one of animation's most brilliant talents...

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WARD KIMBALL - "THE COMMITTEE" - ON PBS
Look for a special episode of Antiques Roadshow featuring "The Committee", on PBS from Eugene in early 2012!

I had the opportunity to bring "The Committee" to the Roadshow this summer for review in Eugene, Oregon. Appraiser, Leila Dunbar (best known for sports memorabilia appraisals) immediately recognized the piece as a Kimball. Apparently her father was an expert on Disney and animation history, so Leila took to the piece and put us on the air. The Committee played amazing on the monitor and when it hits the air in 2012 the whole country will learn about Ward Kimball, his contributions and his work.

The Committee, 1949
Ward Kimball 1914-2002
Oil on Masonite
24in. x 42in

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For more about what we can look forward to concerning Ward Kimball's painting being featured on The Antiques Roadshow on PBS (Public Broadcasting System in the US)  follow this link to the AN Forums. 

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