Women In Animation

Thanks to our Sponsor

Women In Animation International (WIA) has lined up an exciting group of top uber-indie executives for a panel discussion titled “Thriving Indies,” to be presented as part of the organization’s annual meeting on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 6 Point Harness Studios.

How do independent animation companies survive the new economy without being eaten alive? They get together and talk, of course! Our panelists have been gabbing on a regular basis and now, they’re letting our members listen in. Hear the survival tips they’ve learned- based on mutual support, some free-form brainstorming and a very real need to beat the bloodthirsty economic elements at hand.

Thanks to our Host

Moonscoop’s Nicolas Atlan is on board to moderate what is expected to be a rambunctious discussion among panelists Brendan Burch from 6 Point Harness, Ashley Postlewaite from Renegade Animation, Chris Hamilton from Oddbot, Chris Prynoski from Titmouse and Marge Dean from Wildbrain.

The evening’s program will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with a networking session, hors d’oeuvres, wine and upbeat improv jazz provided by The Hillmen. The festivities will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. with a presentation by David Corbett, Executive Director of Development & Production,of Rubicon Studios and a screening of the new “Pink Panther & Pals” animated series, co-produced and co-financed by Rubicon Studios together with MGM.

Following this presentation will be the panel, “Thriving Indies.”

The event is presented by WIA with generous sponsorship provided by: Brendan Burch on behalf of 6 Point Harness, Randa Ayoubi on behalf of Rubicon Studios, Wine Expo and The Hillmen.

Thanks to our Sponsor

6 Point Harness Studios is located at 1627 N. Gower St., Unit 3, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Street parking, meter parking and some lot parking is available near the studio.

Entry to the event will be FREE for members and $10 for non-members.

RSVPs are required by email to wia@womeninanimation.org.

Stephen Silver’s

On June 17, our busy Los Angeles chapter hosted “Character Design: An Argument”: a panel discussion featuring stellar character designers Bonita Versh (”Santa Bugito”), Stephen Silver (”Kim Possible”), Bob Singer (the original “Jonny Quest”) and Bill Schwab ( “Princess & The Frog”). Moderated by LA Chapter President Linda Miller (”All Dogs Go To Heaven”), this lively confab offered valuable tips and inspiring anecdotes for newcomers and pros alike. When asked how he approaches the challenge of design, Silver explained that he constantly observes people and sees them more in terms of “unique shapes.” Schwab explained that one of the biggest challenges in character design is making sure the audience “connects with the eyes. If you can get inside who a character really is, then people will fall in love with it.” All panelists touted the importance of mastering turn-arounds. “If you can’t do a turnaround,” said Silvers, “You’re not going to get hired, even if you’re designing for CG. Those designs still start with drawings.” Singer added, “I always draw in three-quarter view to start out with, because it gives your drawing volume. And, I always want to make sure my drawing has an interesting silhouette.” Versh explained that artists should remember that all design is an evolution. “If you’re working on a commercial campaign, that character is going to evolve and change as new directors make modifications to please their clients.” All panelists agreed, that no matter how glamourous a character design job may sound, it is still about serving the needs of the company that hires you. Silvers suggested that creating your own designs, (i.e. brands) to license and merchandise, is the only real way out of the work-for-hire loop. After a festive hour and a half, the panel ended abruptly as the fire alarms in the Animation Guild sounded. Attendees and panelists alike, moved out into the parking lot and the crisp night air, enjoying further conversation as the stellar Burbank Fire department, arrived to turn off the false alarm. Thanks from all to the Animation Guild for a very memorable evening! - Rita Street

Our next workshop will be held on Thursday, June 10th!  Mark your calendars and prep your pitches!

Thursday, June 10th, 2010
7:00 - 10:00 PM

The Animation Guild
1105 N. Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505

We will meet at the Animation Guild in their upstairs auditorium. Street parking ONLY- there’s plenty of space!

Sign up with me at jesskreig@gmail.com to reserve a spot for pitching OR for the audience.

****Please note:*******
-If you are pitching Character Designs: RSVP a spot, and let me know what you plan on bringing.
-If you are pitching Storyboards/Show Concepts: RSVP and provide me with an estimate on how long your pitch will be.

As always this event is FREE for WIA members, and 5 dollars for non-members. See you there!

If you’re on Facebook, I have put together a WIA’s Pitch Night Fan Page.  Become a fan!  Tell your friends!

~Jessica K. Hendron

We regret that due to the air travel difficulties caused by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland, Animation Magazine has been forced to cancel their event on Friday April 23, “Breakfast with Al Jean and the Simpsons Team.” This unforeseen catastrophe has disrupted the travel of their staff and many attendees who are still stranded on the European continent from MIPTV and Cartoons on the Bay.

Anyone that has already registered will receive a full refund immediately.

Panelists include Terry Borst (screenwriter and video game writer, co-author of End-to-End Game Development and Story and Simulations for Serious Games) Carolyn Handler Miller (pioneering writer of video games and other new media, author of Digital Storytelling, Second Edition: A Creator’s Guide to Interactive Entertainment), and Jean Ann Wright (WIA member, author of Animation Writing and Development and co-author of Voice-Over for Animation with MJ Lallo).  The occasion is the release of Christy Marx’s new Focal Press book Write Your Way Into Animation & Games.  All of the panelists are contributors to the book.  Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, May 19, 7 PM, Barnes & Noble at the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica

Our friends and supporters at Animation Magazine are offering a discount to their upcoming event!

In conjunction with the 200^th issue celebration of Animation Magazine, FOX’s longest-running show and the longest-running comedy in TV history, The Simpsons, will host a special breakfast event and panel featuring Al Jean, the show’s acclaimed exec producer and show-runner and some of the toon’s key animation superstars on Friday, April 23.

Joining Al Jean on the panel will be:

Ian Maxtone-Graham, Exec Producer

Matt Selman, Exec Producer

Mike B. Anderson, Supervising Animation Director

Mark Kirkland, Animation Director

David Silverman, Animation Director and Director of The Simpsons Movie

Fans of the show will have a chance to find out how Jean and his team bring Homer and his family to animated life week after week and learn how they keep this hugely influential show fresh after 20 seasons on the air. And yes, pink donuts with chocolate sprinkles will be served in honor of Homer!

Location: Landmark Theaters, 10850 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064

Parking is Free.

Ticket price: $25 this includes breakfast and a free copy of The Animation Magazine 20 year Book.

Wia members can use the discount code WIA to receive 10% off the price of the ticket.

Please CLICK HERE for more information and registration.

CINEFAMILY @ THE SILENT MOVIE THEATRE
present The World Premiere of a new HBO Special

“GETTING OVER HIM IN EIGHT SONGS OR LESS”

A new animated film by Debra J. Solomon
Tuesday January 5th at 8pm

Filmmaker Debra J. Solomon in Person

The world premiere of the new HBO special “Getting Over Him In Eight Songs Or Less,” an animated mini-musical created by Debra J. Solomon (Lizzie McGuire) which chronicles the heroically sad but often funny voyage we all must make when love goes south and you have to find your own way. Based in New York, Solomon has created Emmy and Peabody-winning animation for over ten years, and will be at the Cinefamily in person to answer your questions about the world of indie animation during a Q&A (moderated by Jerry Beck) following the screening, which also includes some of her award-winning shorts!

WIA and ASIFA members receive discount admission price $10.

8pm @ The Silent Movie Theatre, 611 N. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, 90036 / 323-655-2510

Advance tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/90809

http://cinefamily.org/

WIA Bay Area hosted a successful meeting at the Art Institute of California on Thursday, October 22nd.  Over 50 guests attended the “self-branding” panel featuring guest speakers Jeff Ballard, Senior Recruiter at EA, Kim Diaz, Lead Recruiter at Lucasfilm Animation, and Alan Segal, branding expert and AI instructor.  Attendees also enjoyed Halloween candy, delicious cookies, a fun raffle, and lots of networking!  Our next meeting is scheduled for January 2010 (date TBD).  We hope to see you there!

It was not that long ago when “3D” was a synonym for “cheesy”. You wore geeky glasses to watch out-of-focus genre pictures that tried to generate excitement by making actors jump at the camera. Well, you still need the glasses, but 3D in the 21st Century is a flexible, sophisticated and non-cheesy medium for the latest animation technology. It’s so trendy that studios are going back and turning 2D movies into 3D movies. How does this effect the animation professional who still has to contend with that so-twentieth-century piece of paper?

Find out how to make your portfolio jump into the interviewer’s face on Thursday, November 5th, at WIA-LA’s next General Meeting, In its new home in the Meeting Hall of the snazzy new Animation Guild Building , a panel of producers, animators and evangelists will guide you through the filmmaking of the future, and clue you in on how to be a part of it.

The meeting will be held at The Animation Guild, 1105 N. Hollywood Way in
Burbank, CA, on Thursday, November 5th. Schmoozing and networking begins at
6:30 p.m. and the meeting proper starts at 7:00. Food and soft drinks will be available.

Seating is limited, so please RSVP early. To
RSVP, email lachapterrsvps@aol.com (this is the only address accepting RSVPs: please
don’t email WIA International). Our cutoff For RSVPS is Tuesday, November 3rd. Non-members
will be asked for a $10.00 donation; members are free.

Glasses not required.

Walt Disney Pictures and ASIFA-Hollywood invite Women In Animation members and a guest to a screening of:

PONYO

Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 7:00 pm

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

Leonard H. Goldenson Theater
5230 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Reservations are required. To RSVP please call 818-560-5551.

From the Academy Award®-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.”  Already a box-office success in Japan , the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo (voiced by NOAH CYRUS) and her quest to become human features an outstanding roster of voice talent, including CATE BLANCHETT, MATT DAMON, TINA FEY, FRANKIE JONAS, CLORIS LEACHMAN, LIAM NEESON, LILY TOMLIN and BETTY WHITE.