Here’s some more animation!

These are selected clips from the animated short, OUR WORLD.

This film was produced over several years and just finalized a couple of months ago.
The working premiere was screened in Cologne in October 2005 before a “standing room only crowd”

When I created the project I was thinking in terms of an ANIJAM (a film organized by Marv Newland)- a sort of animation relay.

I wanted to see what other folks thought of the world. I tried to involve students from schools here in the States…and for one reason or another
it never quite unfolded…

In 2005, I took the project to IFS - International FilmSchule in Koln (Cologne) and two groups of students along with
animator Jared Chapman in Austin, Texas and yours truly worked on the film. Work was produced in Savannah, Cologne, Austin and Provence.

The animation you see is some of my work on the film. I have added narration.

I want to thank Alexandra Ohlsen from IFS who produced the final film version. Also big thanks to Kent Braun of Digicel, Inc. for
the use of Flipbook software (the best and easiest 2D animation software around).

Thanks also to all the artists who worked on the film and to Sadie Miley for her work on the digital ink and paint of my sequences.

Last but least to my lifetime muse, Tricia, who for over 30 years has inspired me.

even more animated…..

Ty B Bear ready for summer and animation

This animated music video was created by folks in the Summer Animation Workshops presented by the Tybee Arts Association.

The music was graciously provided by MI (aka Michelle Armstrong Lauria). Yes, she owns the copyright to all the music- so don’t even think about it…..

The animation is the result of the hard work by folks in a one day adult workshop and a four day teen workshop.The idea was to celebrate and explore animation and have fun!I want to thank everyone for their work and a special thanks to the Tybee Arts Association and Natalie Von Lowenfeldt for their assistance with the workshop.And to MI…you are simply amazing!!!!

Another view of the village of Annecy

The last week was another very busy one - FUN - but busy. I instructed two workshops one for adult and another with teens at the Tybee Arts Association.

Back to Annecy…

A view toward the village of Annecy

During the week there are several screenings out by the lake where thousands of folks picnic on the grass and watch films. The last night the winners are screened.

The festival ends with a dusk to dawn party and everyone celebrates the films and the atmosphere.

A drawing along one of the canals as the market comes to life

Another event which now happens at Annecy is the Annecy Plus - it was conceived by animators Bill Plympton and Patrick Smith. It provides a venue for films not selected at Annecy to be screened publicly. We attended the first Annecy Plus in 2005 - hundreds of animators and fans attended. It was quite a party unto to itself.

Having missed this year’s event- I am already planning on attending next year’s festivities.

AHHHhhhhhh Annecy!

Another view of the old Village of Annecy- very inspiring stuff!

Ask yourself,” What happens when you get hundreds if not thousands of animators in a theater before a screening- with a few minutes on their hands?”

The answer: Paper Airplanes!!!

The object is to see if you can create a flying vessel that will guide all the way to the stage of the main theater at Annecy.

And…if others take up a supportive role in your efforts to reach the stage- that’s okay…because it’s Annecy!

Everyone in the audience joins in- whether you are the great Italian animator Bruno Bozetto (70 plus years) or a wide eyed student in attendance at the world series of animation.

What do you expect from all those animators who are given sheets of paper before the screenings.

This ritual happens before EVERY screening at EVERY venue.

Every possible design and element are incorporated. The paper airplane has also found it’s way into the Annecy Poster!

Another tradition of Annecy are the openings before the films.

Note: the silhouettes of paper airplanes during the opening!

There is an overall opening that acknowledges the sponsors of the Festival and next a different opening each day provided from the talented students at Goeblins Animation School in Paris. The 2007 openings will be posted next week after the festival. The offerings for 2006 AND 2005 are available online. In my opinion, Goeblins is the best Animation School in the world! Take a look and judge for yourself…here!

http://www.gobelins.fr/galerie/animation/annecy2006.htm

This is nothing but a gratuitus image of a French women selling cheese at the Market on Sunday Morning

Always Animated!

Here is a very cool webcast from Annecy 2006. It gives the flavor of the event along with some animation...their site: