Animation Nation

If you recall the comedy team of Cheech and Chong from the 1970s and 80s, you'll appreciate a new cartoon that's emerged on the Web featuring Tommy Chong. It's called 'Master Kush' and was posted on the AN Gallery yesterday by one of our newest members on the forums who is with the project. Follow the link to see more animation from Master Kush. Meanwhile, here's Tommy Chong explaining the story...

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If you're a Disney Pixar fan and would like to stay on top of what's up with the company in a wide range of areas, why not follow their Twitter account. Click here for Disney Pixar on Twitter. Here's the link to the topic on the forums.

Here's another film submitted to us from the Utrecht School of the Arts in the Netherlands. The film is entitled "Mac 'n' Cheese" and is a wild ride with a surprising twist at the end. Check out what four students can do in five months fueled by a limitless supply of peanut butter sandwiches and a talented support staff. Here's the link to the topic on the AN Forums.

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In the Netherlands there's an up and coming animator who's recently completed a touching short he's entitled 'Rooted'. It was produced at the Utrecht School of the Arts where he's been a student.

It's a love story between two trees. Take a look at Edwin's Schaap's film, he did a great job with it. Follow the link to the AN Forums to view his impressive demo reel.

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I'm obliged to Skynet, AN's webmaster, for posting this video on the forums and rediscovering the gem. This is an animated short with great historical significance. It's called "Rooty Toot Toot" and was produced in 1951 by a company called UPA (United Productions of America). Some of the most significant animation talents of the day were involved in this film, including director John Hubley, Art Babbitt, Grim Natwick and several others. It was nominated for an Academy Award that year, and although it didn't win, UPA went on to artistically dominate the decade of the 1950s and beyond, leaving an influential creative legacy that endures to our own time.

Today, we look at cartoons like Rooty Toot Toot and take the design, feel, tempo and style of it for granted. But in 1951, it was an absolutely revolutionary approach to animation. Something that flew in the face of convention and everything that most in animation thought of as the way to do things. It opened new possibilities and methods of approaching the art, giving all a glimpse into what animation can achieve and the future of the craft. Even today, it still holds up and even surpasses what we think of as contemporary animation.

So without further adieu, here's the great Rooty Toot Toot for all to enjoy.

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How much animation can be produced in 24 hours? Animator James Lee shows that with some help from a support crew and music composer Hannia Lee a remarkable amount of creative productivity can be achieved.

Take a look at "24 Animations in 24 Hours". I'm not keen on the plural use of 'animation', but when it's the title of the film, that's the way it is. The forum topic can be accessed here. Also, the music can be purchased here along with other scores composed by Hannia Lee for James Lee animated films.

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Check out this charming animated short film.

It's about a boy named Gioannin, a 6 year old child living in Italy at the beginning of the 1900s. He dreams of his strong and wonderful father he never knew, who was lost at sea and never returned. He'll discover that a dream is not worth what real life can naturally give, despite its difficulties and disappointments.

It's in Italian with English subtitles.

Here's the studio's website: Arte.Five Animation Studio, and here's the topic on the AN Forum. Enjoy!

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For many years we've been happy to feature news and announcements on AN's Festivals and Events Forum. Here's the latest about another animation festival that's on the scene, the largest of its kind.

It's the London International Animation Festival and it's taking place at the Barbicon, Europe's largest multi-arts and conference venue. The LIAF will be screening the best, new animation from every corner of the world. Everyone lucky enough to attend will have a great time over the course of the ten day festival. Follow the links posted here or head to the topic on the AN Forums for more info. 

If you're into online multi-player games, I'm sure you'll be interested in 'Dragon Nest'. It'll be going live soon. The look of the game is very impressive, with a lot of cool creatures to fight and destroy. The overall graphics are of a very high quality and the game play appears to be challenging. You can customize the look of your characters as well.

Her's the official trailer. You can also see additional video on the dedicated topic on the AN Forums.

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Another content driven animation studio to celebrate and support. This one is ToonBox Entertainment, located in downtown Toronto. They have some interesting projects in the works.

ToonBox is a 3D animation studio. They're growing and are looking for a number of talented professional artists and technical directors to join their full time 3D feature team in 2011, according to their website. Check it out and see what's up. There's a link to their career page on the AN Business Forum.