November 2013

Moving Beyond Generic Animation Merchandise

1 Comment / Business Models /

You’re already familiar with what I’m talking about. You know, the generic animation merchandise offered by just about every independent creator and small studio out there. The T-shirts, hoodies, mousepads (do people even buy those any more?), mugs, etc. etc. with a logo/character/catchphrase emblazoned across the front in glorious, exalted fashion. They’re a dime a dozen, and are worth about just as much. So why do so many creators continue to flog them ? How can they move ahead to things that will sell better?

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Moving Beyond Generic Animation MerchandiseRead More »

Moving Beyond Generic Animation Merchandise Read More »

Why Is Animation Taking a Back Seat in Animated Programs?

43 Comments / Questions /

When we talk about animated content (films, Tv shows, etc.) unless we’re being specific, we’re not just talking about the actual animation but the entire entertainment package. Today though, we are being specific, because, as great as the current crop of animated TV shows are, the actual ‘animation’ part leaves a bit to be desired.

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Why Is Animation Taking a Back Seat in Animated Programs?Read More »

Why Is Animation Taking a Back Seat in Animated Programs? Read More »

Why Does Internet Explorer Have an Animated Mascot?

1 Comment / Analysis /

OK, all jokes aside, Microsoft has been making a big push of it’s Internet Explorer browser as of late for no particular reason other than it can. While it’s running TV commercials here in the US aimed at convincing consumers that IE really is a better browser, over in Asia, it’s taking a different tack and given it a mascot instead.

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Why Does Internet Explorer Have an Animated Mascot? Read More »

Who Needs Animators? Type Your Animated Film With Plotagon Instead!

3 Comments / Analysis /

Oh dear, we appear to have come much closer to the end of days as far as animators and storyboard artists are concerned. A company called Plotagon has released an eponymous software program that can create animated content from a written script. Is animating as a career doomed???

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Who Needs Animators? Type Your Animated Film With Plotagon Instead!Read More »

Who Needs Animators? Type Your Animated Film With Plotagon Instead! Read More »

The 2013 CTN Expo Recap

2 Comments / Misc. /

Reviews are a rare thing here on the blog, and that’s partly because I haven’t had time to review things properly this past year but also because I’m neither a poet or a truly objective person when it comes to animation.

That said, events are bit different from films and TV shows. This year I was privileged to attend the 2013 Creative Talent Network Animation Expo, otherwise known as CTNx in Burbank, California.

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The 2013 CTN Expo RecapRead More »

The 2013 CTN Expo Recap Read More »

Fans Attempt Sailor Moon Episode Remake

2 Comments / Questions /

It’s a long-held tradition that fan-art is one of those things that’s just going to happen whether a studio like it or not. From the professional to the downright weird, fans love to show their love and passion for something by making their own version of it. Apparently, that no includes replicating an entire episode, but what kind of copyright questions does this throw up?

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Fans Attempt Sailor Moon Episode Remake Read More »

Animating Dumbing of Age

1 Comment / Analysis, Comics /

A while back, I attended the first-rate comic event that is the Small Press Expo (SPX) here in Maryland. It was a blast of a time even if I had to literally run around every single table and still manage to miss Alissa Harris in the process. Afterward, I wrote this blog post analysing why certain comics that I saw and/or read on the day and later were worthy of being animated. Here’s one I missed

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Animating Dumbing of Age Read More »

I Know That Voice and You Can Too

1 Comment / Review /

Voice acting is one of the more mysterious parts of the animation production process and while luminaries like Mel Blanc managed to garner a high degree of public awareness, there is a legion of talented actors working away behind the microphone that most members of the public would never recognise. One of them, John DiMaggio, decided to change that and went about creating the documentary ‘I Know That Voice’ to highlight the job and the players that take part.

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I Know That Voice and You Can TooRead More »

I Know That Voice and You Can Too Read More »