Animation Nation

There's a new online animation workshop offering classes and monthly enrollment to students looking to learn the principles of the art. Check out Animation ABC...

For 13 years running California State University in Long Beach has sponsored the 24 Hour Animation Contest for Students. It's open to teams of students all over the world and has great prizes. This year the contest will run from October 2-3 2015. Deadline to register is September 28. Follow these links for more info and to register. You can also access the 24 Hour Animation Contest for Students on Facebook.

You're never too young to start crowdfunding your projects. Here's something from a group of artists who are still teenagers and are discovering the potential of Kickstarter campaigns. "Vanity" is from 3rd Wall Studios. It's a multiplayer indie Action RPG featuring anime inspired characters and monster girls set in a lush pixel detailed world. Deadline for the project is September 11 2015. Follow this link to the Vanity campaign. Considering supporting the Vanity team and help spread the word...

An animated short film entitled "Aria for a Cow" will have its Los Angeles premiere at the LA Shorts Fest this Sunday, September 6, 2015. Based on a previously unheard Howard Ashman and Alan Menken song and written and directed by Disney veteran Dan Lund, Aria has her roots in the golden era of movie musicals with a decidedly modern touch.

You can find out more about this fun and unusual film through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Meanwhile check out the teaser to experience the project...

When he was 13 Wesley Louis drew 'Super Turbo Atomic Ninja Rabbit' as a comic. Years later he realized a dream of his childhood by animating the intro to the best TV-series that never was. 'Super Turbo Atomic Ninja Rabbit' is a homage to Saturday morning cartoons from the 80’s and 90’s.

Produced in association with The Line, a London based collective of outstanding designers, directors and animators, the opening outdoes many of the show openings we've seen from established studios.

You can find out more info and see a making of video at this link. Also you can support this independent project by purchasing the 108 page digital art book of 'Super Turbo Atomic Ninja Rabbit - Groundworks' available here.

Enjoy the video...

Good news as the members of The Animation Guild (the union for the industry here in Los Angeles) have ratified the new 3 year contract with the studios. Very favorable terms and another step forward for animation artists. Follow the link to the Guild blog for details.

There's a new 2D animation studio based in Fukuoka Japan, organized by Canadian filmmaker / animator Nick DiLiberto. The studio is called Gorgon Pictures and "NOVA SEED" is their first feature length animated motion picture many years in the making. It's entirely hand drawn frame by frame.

The studio is currently looking for distribution of the film. I'm sure they'll be lining up with a partner soon. Meanwhile we can enjoy a glimpse of what to expect from this intriguing movie through the trailer and also by perusing the Gorgon Pictures website.

Wanna make $100,000 in a day? Then follow in the footsteps of Lois Van Baarle (aka Loish) and spend a few years working in the biz, build an great online community based upon your art, and launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of your book.

Her goal of $31,360 was reached in just 2 hours! By the next day she had raised over $100K and is now at $139,351 on day 2 with 28 days to the deadline of September 24 2015.

Loish is a super talented artist and her work is beautiful. She also animates and in combination with her concept design experience she has emerged as an artistic force with a large online following.

Check out The Art of Loish campaign at the link below and view the video for more info into the latest crowdfunding success within the community...