Does anything slow you down??

I wonder this everyday, what slows me down and how I can overcome such obstacles. The recent obstacle that I have run across is the cold & flu season. It gets me how they can know exactly when people get sick and capitalize on it with advertisements that come out at the exact same time, is it by chance or engineered.
    What ever it may be I am still plagued by a head cold. Does this slow me down, yes a little. But I still have the passion and the flame to animate in me everyday. I have been working on the animatic of the first episode, "The power of Muk-Muk". I am currently on scene #12 out of 44 I believe. I did not understand how much it takes to produce a short until recently. It may be a little daunting, but the satisfaction is tremendous, even though I am feeling less than par.
    There are somethings that slow me down that are just out of necessity, such as work. Work is necessary to provide for our families and keep the lights on. Though at work my thoughts are that of home and working on projects.
    So when you feel like something is slowing you down or becoming an obstacle, keep in mind your goals and passion and push through. This will keep your projects on track and create positive forward movement.

(a digital painting from my portfolio)

Wishing for more animators

I have been working on this project for a while, I posted it on Artella and gained some interest from others to join my project. Lets just say that I am still the only one plugging away at this project still. It can be tough for one animator to create a quality animation all by themselves, but it is also rewarding as well. I look forward everyday to working on another shot to get this project done so that I can showcase it. I think the last count for this episode there are 44 shots. I am currently creating the animatic for it, and I am on shot 9. That is not to bad for a couple of weeks work. I am hoping to finish out the clean up by Christmas and begin the compositing of the voice overs and sound effects. Like I said, a lot for one person to do, but I have something that I am passionate about and get to work on it everyday. Happiness, plain and simple happiness.

 

This is a frame shot of the foot print that is in scene 8, this is after a giant mech's foot comes down upon the the poor butterfly, which you can see parts of in the middle of the impression. There are leaves, rocks and debris that is falling from the foot that just lifted up. The next shot/scene is very emotional, this is where the battle between Muk-Muk and the mech takes place, and it is epic!

Stay tuned for more updates! 

Again, thank you to everyone that reeds this production/rant blog of a dedicated animator. :)

Got side tracked a bit.

Today was a good day, why, you might ask. Today I found a really well documentary on Hayo Miyazaki. The movie is called "The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness", which I believes reflects everything I know an believe about animation, what it  means to me. It was so inspirational and moving, anything this man touches or is a part of evokes emotion. I am still feeling affected by it even though 6 hours have passed, wow, what a movie.
I will have to let you see it to feel it, I cannot put into words that will justly describe the meaning of this film. So, watch it if you are really wanting to be a master animator someday.

     I was able to start some preliminary sketches on the second episode, "The Power of Muk-Muk" today while I was doing laundry at the local wash. Trying to make the best of the situation lol.
Once all of the first season of this new series comes out I plan on creating an art of book. But that is for later to ponder over, remember from yesterday's blog, keep focused.

 

I could post images from this studio all day, big fan, the biggest perhaps.

Today's progress

Today we are working on the first episode. I found out the importance of backing up or constantly saving your work as you proceed. I lost two scenes and have to go back and redo them, all because of my computer doing an automatic update! So you can probably guess what I did next, I disabled the auto update. But I still frequently update my work now to avoid losing a days worth of work.

If you want to see some of the progress we are doing you can visit my YouTube channel and look for some of the production videos I have posted. I am going to make a point to give this series its own channel some day soon. So much to do and not enough daylight, but what can I say, I love what I do!
YouTube here 

I wanted to thank everyone who reads my blog, you take the time to read my rants, updates. If there is anything you want to know just post a message or a reply and I will get back to you. I am taking more effort to post something everyday now, like a visual diary and/or production report. It helps me keep on task.

Here is a picture I did in my spare time, LOL, spare time...I like that.
Just want to give you some visual inspiration so that you are not reading text all the time. :)

Which software do you like?

What software do you use to create your animations? I personally have used most of the 2D and 3D software packages that are available to everyone. There is a long list of one that I like and more so a longer list of those that I don't. I personally want to primarily focus on 2D software because that is what this whole blog is about. When I was young like so many out there I loved Walt Disney's cartoons and the Saturday line up.
     Back then they only offered a pencil and paper to create you animations. 2D software was not available to the general public. Drawing programs such as Corel Draw where just coming out in high school and by time I made it to college, 3D programs had started to emerge.
2D animation programs have gained traction for the past few decades, giving more amateur and professionals the ability to create animations out side the major studios.
    Now these days there are too many choices and the everyday animator is inundated with so many tutorials not only on how to use these programs, but on how to animate as well. There are so few out there that actually are worth following and learning from. Most of the cartoons that are even being produced by big name studios lack the fine art luster that the whole art form was built on. You cannot tell me that most of the "Saturday" cartoons that are produced today have the same quality to inspire and motivate the future generations to pick up a pencil and tell their stories. If you do find other artist who have the qualities and skills that can teach you to hone your own skills as an animator, seek them out and stick with it.
    Many animators out there are wondering why they cannot make progress with their own animations, I too have felt this way at times. The reason behind this is that you are so worried with missing out on learning a new technique, or trying to learn someone from someone else on Youtube,  that you loose sight and focus on developing your own projects and skills. I cannot tell you how many hours I have lost trying to learn from others, even sites that are there to professionally teach you.  Animation is an art of self discipline, You need to find a way to discipline yourself when your creative mind starts to wander.
    At the beginning of this post I asked you what 2D software you use, many animators that are just starting out feel that they need the best software out there to create works like that of bigger studios. This is a great way to lead yourself astray. The software is only a tool. Many software companies will boast that they can provide you with tools that will take most of the work out of animating for you. That they have automated the process so that you don't have to waste countless hours animating repetitive task. This type of thinking is what takes the magic out of 2D! I can prove it.

   
     The company who put out the OpenToonz produced this software for Studio Ghibli to composite their work into a finished product. If you notice how beautiful each one of Hayo's films are and then look at the tool set that Toonz software offers, you will notice that there is no magic button that creates these beautiful works of art. The magic is made by the artist that helped create the films, the software just organized their work into a cohesive story.  But I have seen since the release of this software so many tutorials explaining that if you learn this software, you too can create films like Miyazaki.  This is far from the truth, just another way to commercialize on popularity of something else. You as the artist will be the determining factor to the success of your film, not software. Software is a tool to help you tell the story, your art and ability to translate your ideas and imagination is what will determine your success.
    Keep these points in mind when you go to watch another video or consider buying more software that tries to automate everything for you. You will sell your own talents and artistic abilities short.

    As for the topic at hand, the 2D software I have chosen is TVPaint Pro. The reason being is that I love the flexibility of being able to use both vector based tools (like Animate CC) and Bitmap(like Photoshop). Other than that the rest of the features are more like a bonus if I have extra time to play around with them. As an example, TVPaint offers an FX stack that allows you to create smoke or particles automatically. It does not look natural or realistic no matter how much you tweak it, the randomness that occurs in nature is hard to reproduce using algorithm's. They do it in 3D programs, but it takes a physicist and a programmer to get good results.
  On a final note, the best 2D animation software that you can invest in is YOU! develop and hone your own skills as an artist, use the tools and focus on your own work.

Stay tuned to our next article : Using 3D to create better 2D shots. 

managed to post a new tutorial on YouTube! Watch it here : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClO7qI5B5uGbsWlRJrvwOGg
I have been working fervently on the first episode of "The adventure of Muk-Muk". We are working on the animatic which will be used for our final pass.
I am also working on a book for animators, giving insight into how animation is created and the foundation in which it is built upon. I am finding that the best way to create a successful animation, an artist needs to understand and master the basics of art itself. Learning to master subjects as form and function, anatomy, perspective, color theory just to name a few. Without the foundation, your animations will not become what you inspire it to be.
Follow this link to see the storyboards to our first episode : Muk-Muk storyboards
Let us know what you think of the project so far :)

Well production is on its way!!! We are in the mist of creating a title sequence for the studio using the Muk-Muk character. We roughed out 1 of 5 clips that will be in the opening shot.
Check out our Facebook page and follow along as we produce this really awesome project. There is nothing more inspiring then seeing your creations come alive!

-MUK-MUK clip 1 of 5-
Don't forget to follow us on our website for more updates at 2D Magic.

This is it! New Project for P2Studios!

It is a series called: Muk-Muk of the Divine Forrest. Still playing with the title.
It is going to be one of the most fascinating, heartwarming, gut wrenching, harrowing series I have seen yet, and I have seen many in my life. I want a quality story, animation, art form that will inspire generations to come.  We will be formulating a kick-starter campaign to organize more talented animators to work along side of us to bring this series to life. So stay tuned!!

22 Rules of Story telling from Pixar!

I could not have put it better! Kudos to Former Pixar story artist Emma Coats

Just a heads up

Hello to those who reads my blog. First of all, I write this blog for you and others in the pursuit of 2D animation. In that spirit I have started a website to showcase everything 2D. Please feel free to stop in and watch some featured videos, and those who also are just starting out that I want to showcase. If you have a short or a clip of your work and would love to gain some exposure, please feel free to contact me and I will be glad to review it and post it to my site as long as it is artistically appropriate. Your video will also appear on our YouTube video channel and possibly win an award for your work. we will be holding monthly challenges and award prizes!! So enter as many times as you like to increase your chances at some great swag!

Here is our website address : 2D Magic
Here is our YouTube Channel : 2D Magic Awards YouTube Channel

Feel free to comment or submit your work today!!!!

Another fine example of 2D Animation

What better way to gain insight into 2D animation then to watch a master explain how he does it!
Glen Keane discusses his process on the work he did in the Disney Aladdin Film.
Watch and be amazed....

Even this is a short insight into the process, a picture is worth a thousand words.
As he flips through the drawings that took him a while to accomplish, you will see how expressive his drawings are along with the action lines and interaction with other characters. His lines are so fluid and move with purpose and commitment through his art work. Something we can aspire to be like.

Any thoughts or comments are welcome, let us know what your process is!

Learning from the Masters Series -102

Learning from the Masters Series - 102

Weight - Mass & Destiny
      Mass of a character or their density affects every action that takes place within the shot. There are environmental elements that also play upon the characters mass and density.
The first element is gravity, gravity affects all objects differently due to mass (displacement) or shape.
    A good example of this is how characters walk. Characters come in all different sizes, shapes and demeanor. What ever action that a character takes they will be affected by these elements. Imagine a character walking down the street. An average person or "Basic character" would have a normal gate and their arms would swing back and forth in rhythm the stride.

As you can see in the image above that there is many ways that the characters body moves due to the effects of gravity and density. Because of this, characters will behave differently and move differently then the "basic walk" that is taught to all animators. The original nine use to have drawing sessions where they would challenge each other to draw as many different walks they could. Some where casual and close to basic, but some where drawn so exaggerated you would think their legs would snap from so much twisting. Pushing the boundaries on how the body moves without breaking the laws of physics is a fascinating exercise to say the least.
      The mood or disposition of the character also affects the way the move and interact with the object in their surroundings. If someone is happy they have more energy in their step, when they are sad they have the tendency to drag their feet, slouch and mope slowly. There are hundreds, even thousands of different ways yo can draw your characters walk, it is all dependent on all these internal and external elements that play upon your character. The way to navigate and understand the purpose for your character is to give them a goal or direction to navigate. Once they have this purpose and direction you can then figure out the path that they need to follow. Don't always stick to the norm when animating your characters or stories, find how you can stretch the boundaries of both the story and your characters.

Flash, Toonboom Animate, Digicel, Flipbook? Which do you use to bring life to your creations?

Here is an off topic today, but one that helps us reflect on the tools that we use as amateur or professional animator. I have tried almost every type of software out there looking for the easiest and fastest workflow that would produce my shorts. In all my research I have found that one, there is no shortcuts to great animation. It is usually the most slowest and traditional methods that produce the best results. Two, you are only as good as your knowledge of the tools you use. The software that you use may be simple to use like Flipbook, but does this serve your needs, or are you just trying to make simple less complex animations. Or if you want to go to semi-pro level and use Flash Pro to create your stories, the program is more complex, but offers more flexibility with plug-in's and back end coding. If you are ready for the big leagues you might try Toonboom Animate Pro. This program allows the greatest freedom of creativity in all dimensions (4 of them, x,y,z and time), but the learning curve is a bit extreme. Some Flash users will find the transition to be easier, but still difficult in learning how the animation process actually works through the software. It all comes down to passion, how far and how much are you dedicated to your craft? Are you willing to put in the time, money and effort it takes to make a finished polished product that can win awards? Or is this just a hobby you do in your spare time. Whatever your purpose is, remember that there is no shortcut. I have struggled with this for a long time, but now I still put in a lot of time learning the software so that it can reflect my imagination and my passion. Out of all the software that I have tried along the way, I have to say that both Flash Pro and Animate Pro 2 from ToonBoom are the best that offers the most potential for my needs. I also use Photoshop Cs 5.5 to create assets and import them into into my animation software. Learning these programs on the other hand has been a challenge. But like I have mentioned before, if you are very serious and passionate about it, you will put in the time, money and effort to make it a part of your life.I have found online tutorials and places like Digital Tutors to be extremely helpful and full of resources. If you have a favorite software or "tool" that helps you express your imagination, please comment below and share with us why and how it helps you. Maybe we will find a new "tool" that will take us in the direction we are searching for.

Its happening again!

Don't know if you have heard the news or not,but DreamWorks Animation is laying off between 150 and 400 of its employees at the Redwood City and Glendale campuses! This is to cut cost as they did in 2003's round of layoffs. DreamWorks has been putting out a few great films leaving us to wonder why cut cost if they are making profit off of recent releases. Could it be a preventive move in wake of the Lawsuit that plagues most of the top tier animation studios? Who knows, one can only speculate. That is one of the reasons why so many of us enjoy the freelance status that shields us from such broad stroke layoffs, but that too comes at a risk. What effects one of us basically affects all of us. I do support and wish the best to those who will be looking for work in other studios, be strong and it will subside. My mentor once told me, pursue the art first, the money will follow. Animation, regardless of being 2D or 3D comes from the same place, the imagination and hearts of all animators. Politics and studio policies sometimes cloud an animators thoughts due to preservation being one of the strongest survival instincts known to man (and woman). An animator will become distracted, start loosing their focus and fall into a creative block. Seek out your peers, get your connections working and keep producing the next project for your portfolio and/or demo reel. Maybe someday we all can network together to collaborate (World Wide) on an epic project and reap the rewards from our efforts. Image having the power of 10 studios while remaining independent and have the ability to choose the projects you would like to work on. That would be Epic indeed. Leave a comment or and idea, we would love to hear from all of you!

Animation Awards Time!

The 42nd Annie Awards is just around the corner! In 13 Days and 3 hours from the time of this posting they will begin to choose the best and most memorable animation productions that have come out this past year! Which will it be? will it be one of your favorites? I am hoping that Big Hero 6 is one of the top contenders with the new Studio Ghibli movie: The Tale of Princess Kaguya. This and another film was released in the wake of Hayao Miyazaki retirement last year. 

Even though he has retired, it will never stop someone from doing what they love, their passion, in his case...Always Animating!

Here are the nominations!
Feel free to post your thoughts and ideas on your favorite films or productions and why you feel that they deserve being nominated for this category or if they should be considered in others as well.

Best Animated Feature

• Big Hero 6 - 
Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
• The Book of Life - Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
• The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
• The LEGO Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures
• The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli

Best Animated Special Production

• Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
• Dawn of the Dragon Racers - DreamWorks Animation
• How Murray Saved Christmas - Universal Television
• Polariffic - Bent Image Lab / Pershing Road Productions
• Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios

Best Animated Short Subject

• Coda 
- And Maps And Plans Ltd.
• Duet
 - Glen Keane Productions/ATAP
• Feast
 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
• The Simpsons - “Michal Socha Couch Gag” - Gracie Films in Association with 20th Century Fox Television
• Me and My Moulton
 - Mikrofilm AS/National Film Board of Canada
• Silent - Moonbot Studios
• The Dam Keeper 
- Tonko House LLC
• The Raven - Moonbot Studios

Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial

• Citizen M: "Swan Song" - PES Film/Stoopid Buddy Stoodios/RESET
• Flight of the Stories - Aardman Animations
• LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham 
- Plastic Wax Studios

Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children

• Doc McStuffins 
- Brown Bag Films/Disney Junior
• Peter Rabbit - 
Nickelodeon Productions and Silvergate Media
• Tumble Leaf
 - Amazon Studios and Bix Pix Entertainment
• Wallykazam! - 
Nickelodeon Productions
• Zack & Quack
 - The Foundation / QQD Ltd / High1 Entertainment

Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience

• Adventure Time
 - Cartoon Network Studios
• Gravity Falls - 
Disney Television Animation
• Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
• Over The Garden Wall
 - Cartoon Network Studios
• Wander Over Yonder 
- Disney Television Animation

Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Archer
 - FX Productions
• Back To Backspace
 - Cartoon Network Studios
• Bob's Burgers
 - Twentieth Century Fox Studios
• Rick and Morty 
- Starburns Industries, Inc.
• Mike Tyson Mysteries 
- Warner Bros. Animation
• Regular Show 
- Cartoon Network Studios
• The Simpsons
 - Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television

Best Animated Video Game

• Forza Horizon 2 - Microsoft Studios/Turn 10/Playground Games
• Valiant Hearts: The Great War - Ubisoft Montpellier
• Child of Light - Ubisoft Montreal

Best Student Film

• After School - Junyi Xiao
• Dead Over Heels  - Jose Matheu
• El Coyote
 - Javier Barboza
• Frog's Legs -
 Katie Tamboer
• My Big Brother 
- Jason Rayner
• Tiny Nomad 
- Toniko Pantoja

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES___________________

Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production

• Michael Kaschalk, Peter DeMund, David Hutchins, Henrik Falt, John Kosnik - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
• James Jackson, Lucas Janin, Tobin Jones, Baptiste Van Opstal, Jason Mayer - How to Train Your Dragon 2 
- DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Fangwei Lee, Krzysztof Rost, Jihyun Yoon, Robert Chen - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - 
DreamWorks Animation
• Mitul Patel, Nicolas Delbecq, Santosh Khedkar, Yash Argawal - Penguins of Madagascar 
- DreamWorks Animation
• Augusto Schillaci, Erich Turner, Bill Konersman, Chris Rasch, Joseph Burnette - The Book of Life - Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
• Rick Sevy, Peter Vickery, Kent Estep, Peter Stuart, Ralph Procida - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
• Jayandera Danappal, Matt Ebb, Christian Epunan Hernandez, Danielle Brooks, Raphael Gadot - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures

Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production

• Steve Avoujageli, Atsushi Ikarashi, Pawel Grochola, Paul Waggoner, Viktor Lundqvist - Edge of Tomorrow - Warner Bros./Village Roadshow Pictures
• Raul Essig, Karin Cooper, Rick Hankins, Owen Calouro - Noah - 
Paramount Pictures
• Charles-Felix Chabert, Daniel La Chapelle, Spencer Lueders, Klaus Seitschek, Chris Messineo - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 
- Columbia Pictures/Marvel Enterprises
• Areito Echevarria, Andreas Soderstrom, Ronnie Menahem, Christoph Sprenger, Kevin Romond - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Metro Goldwyn Mayer/New Line Cinema/WingNut Films
• Michael Balog, Jim Van Allen, Rick Hankins, John Hansen - Transformers: Age of Extinction -
 Paramount Pictures 
• Jeremy Hampton, Daniel Stern, Edmond Smith III, Hiroshi Tsubokawa, Daniel Jenkins - X-Men: Days of Future Past - 
Digital Domain 3.0, Inc.

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production

• Don Crum - Toy Story That Time Forgot - 
Pixar Animation Studios
• Carlo Vogele - Toy Story That Time Forgot 
- Pixar Animation Studios
• Ken Kim - Toy Story That Time Forgot  - Pixar Animation Studios
• Michael Granberry - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios/Bix Pix Entertainment
• Teresa Drilling - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios/Bix Pix Entertainment
• Justin Nichols - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production

• Fabio Lignini - How to Train Your Dragon 2 
- DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Steven "Shaggy" Hornby - How to Train Your Dragon 2 
- DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Thomas Grummt - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Ravi Kamble - Penguins of Madagascar
 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Travis Knight - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
• Malcolm Lamont - The Boxtrolls
- Focus Features/Laika
• Jason Stalman - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production

• Daniel Barrett, Paul Story, Eteuati Tema, Alessandro Bonora, Dejan Momcilovic - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
 - Chernin Entertainment/Ingenious Media/TSG Entertainment
• Kevin Spruce, Dale Newton, Sidney Kombo, Chris Mullins, Brad Silby - Guardians of the Galaxy - Marvel Studios
• Eric Reynolds, David Clayton, Andreja Vuckovic, Guillaume Francois, Gios Johnston - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Metro Goldwyn Mayer/New Line Cinema/WingNut Films

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Video Game

• Mike Mennillo - Assassin's Creed Unity - Ubisoft Montreal
• Don't Starve: Console Edition - Klei Entertainment Inc.
• Alex Drouin - Child Of Light - Ubisoft Montreal

Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Andy Suriano - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
• Benjamin Balistreri - Wander Over Yonder 
-  Disney Television Animation
• Zac Gorman - Welcome to the Wayne - Nickelodeon in association with Switch Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production

• Shiyoon Kim, Jin Kim - Big Hero 6
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Timothy Lamb, Joe Moshier - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - 
DreamWorks Animation
• Craig Kellman, Joe Moshier, Stevie Lewis, Todd Kurosawa - Penguins of Madagascar
 - DreamWorks Animation
• Sang Jun Lee, Jason Sadler, José Manuel Fernandez Oli - Rio 2 
- Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox Animation
• Tomm Moore, Marie Thorhauge, Sandra Anderson, Rosa Ballester Cabo - Song of the Sea
 - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
• Paul Sullivan, Sandra Equihua, Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life - Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox 
• Mike Smith - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika

Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Yuasa Masaaki, Eunyoung Choi - Adventure Time
 - Cartoon Network Studios
• Bryan Fordney - Archer
 - FX Productions
• Jennifer Coyle & Bernard Derriman - Bob's Burgers
 - Twentieth Century Fox Television
• Aaron Springer - Disney Mickey Mouse 
- Disney Television Animation
• Rob Renzetti - Gravity Falls
 - Disney Television Animation
• Robert Alvarez, Ken Bruce, Larry Leichliter - Over The Garden Wall - 
Cartoon Network Studios
• Matthew Nastuk - The Simpsons
 - Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
• David Thomas - Wander Over Yonder - 
Disney Television Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production

• Don Hall & Chris Williams - Big Hero 6
 - Walt Disney Animation Studios 
• Bill Plympton - Cheatin'
 - Plymptoons Studio
• Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Tomm Moore - Song of the Sea
 - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
• Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life
 - Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
• Anthony Stacchi & Graham Annable - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
• Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, Directors; Chris McKay, Co-Director - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
• Isao Takahata - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
 - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli

Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Christopher Willis - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
• Peter Lurye, George Gabriel, Chris Gifford - Dora and Friends: Into the City! - Nickelodeon Productions
• Jay Vincent, Michael Kramer, Jeppe Riddervold, Erin Chapman - Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu
 - Wil Film ApS
• Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter & Michael McCuistion - Marvel's Avengers Assemble
 - Marvel Animation
• Nathan Barr & Lisbeth Scott - Tumble Leaf
 - Amazon Studios/Bix Pix Entertainment

Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production

• Nicole Renaud, Composer - Cheatin'
 - Plymptoons Studio
• John Powell, Jónsi - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Danny Elfman - Mr. Peabody & Sherman
- DreamWorks Animation  
• Bruno Coulais & Kila - Song of the Sea
- GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon 
• Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
- GKIDS/Studio Ghibli

Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Kara Vallow, Brent Woods, Lucas Gray & Andrew Brandou - Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
 - Voyager Pictures LLC
• Joseph Holt - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation  
• Narina Sokolova - Mickey Shorts
- Disney
• Kevin Dart, Chris Turnham, Jasmin Lai & Elle Michalka - The Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network
• Antonio Canobbio, Khang Le, Mark Taihei, Howard Chen & Brandon Cuellar - Turbo FAST - 
DreamWorks Animation
• Alex Kirwan, Chris Tsirigotis, Alexander Duckworth, Janice Kubo & Francis Giglio - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
• Erez Gavish - Zack & Quack - The Foundation / QQD Ltd / High1 Entertainment

Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production

• David James, Ruben Perez, Priscilla Wong, Timothy Lamb & Alexandre Puvilland - Mr. Peabody & Sherman
 - DreamWorks Animation
• Adrien Merigeau - Song of the Sea - 
GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
• Simon Varela & Paul Sullivan - The Book of Life 
- Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox 
• Paul Lasaine, Tom McClure & August Hall - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
• Grant Freckelton - The LEGO Movie
 - Warner Bros. Pictures  

Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Heiko Drengenberg - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
• Luke Weber, Alonso Ramirez Ramos, Neil Graf & Steve Heneveld - Gravity Falls 
- Disney Television Animation
• Joaquim Dos Santos - Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon
• Nathaniel Villanueva & Douglas Lovelace - Star Wars Rebels
 - Lucasfilm, Ltd/Disney XD
• Brad Ableson, Matthew Faughnan & Stephen Reis - The Simpsons
 - Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
• Louise Smythe - Toy Story That Time Forgot 
- Pixar Animation Studios
• Mark Ackland - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation 

Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production

• Marc E. Smith - Big Hero 6
 - Walt Disney Animation Studios 
• Truong "Tron" Son Mai - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Piero Piluso - Planes: Fire & Rescue
 - Disneytoon Studios
• John Hurst - Rio 2
 - Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox Animation 
• Rodrigo Perez-Castro - Rio 2
 - Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox Animation 
• Julian Nariño - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika 
• Emanuela Cozzi - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika

Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Bill Farmer as the voices of Goofy and Grandma - Disney Mickey Mouse
 - Disney Television Animation
• Carlos Alazaraqui as the voice of Crocker - Fairly Oddparents - Nickelodeon
• Seth Green as the voice of Robot Chicken Nerd - Robot Chicken 
- A Stoopid Buddy Stoodios Production in association with Stoopid Monkey and Williams Street

Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production

• Cyndi Lauper as the voice of Nurse Cyndi - Henry & Me - Henry & Me Productions LLC
• Andy Garcia as the voice of Eduardo - Rio 2 
- Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox Animation
• Sir Ben Kingsley as the voice of Archibald Snatcher - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
• Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of Fish - The Boxtrolls 
- Focus Features/Laika 

Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Darrick Bachman - Disney Mickey Mouse
 - Disney Television Animation
• Dave Tennant, David P. Smith, Chris Mitchell & Will Mata - The Powerpuff Girls
 - Cartoon Network Studios
• Rob LaZebnik - The Simpsons
 - Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
• Tim Long  - The Simpsons - Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
• Steve Purcell - Toy Story That Time Forgot  - 
Pixar Animation Studios

Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production

• Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson & Jordan Roberts - Big Hero 6
 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Will Collins - Song of the Sea 
- GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
• Irena Brignull & Adam Pava - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
• Phil Lord & Christopher Miller - The Lego Movie
 - Warner Bros. Pictures

Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production

• Illya Owens - Disney Mickey Mouse
 - Disney Television Animation
• Ernesto Matamoros - Dragons: Defenders of Berk
 - DreamWorks Animation
• Mike Elias - Family Guy
 - Fox Television Animation
• David Suther, Bradley Furnish & David Condolora - Toy Story That Time Forgot
 - Pixar Animation Studios
• Todd Raleigh & Doug Vito - Turbo FAST
 - DreamWorks Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production

• Tim Mertens - Big Hero 6 
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
• John K. Carr - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Dan Molina, Mark Keefer & Karen Hathaway - Planes: Fire & Rescue - 
Disneytoon Studios
• Darragh Byrne - Song of the Sea
 - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
• David Burrows, Todd Hansen, Doug Nicholas, Jonathan Tappin & Courtney O'Brien-Brown - The LEGO Movie 
- Warner Bros. Pictures

JURIED AWARDS__________________________________

Winsor McCay Award – Didier Brunner, Don Lusk and Lee Mendelson for their career contributions to the art of animation

June Foray Award – Charles Solomon for his significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation

Ub Iwerks – DreamWorks Animation's Apollo Software for technical advancement that has made a significant impact on the art or industry of animation

Special Achievement Award – The Walt Disney Family Museum recognizing the unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation

Certificate of Merit

Happy Birthday to an Inspirational Animator and a legend!

Well it's that time of year for a lot of people on this earth, including my brothers birthday, on the 3rd, turning him another year older. Even though I love my bro, he is not my inspiration in this aspect. I refer to Hayao Miyazaki, the famous uber talented animator from the east. I always look forward to his films (even if there is a rumor he has retired) and of course his delightful art style that has resonated throughout his work and our hearts. So on this day, I dedicate my day and projects in honor of this inspirational man, Hayao Miyazaki!!

Hayao Miyazaki's Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

New Character for Clash of Clans Fanimation Series " The Balloon Bomber"!

Here it is, fully rigged and ready for war!

Any ideas for short funny stories or battles, please feel free to let us know!

A great little review of the 12 principles

I know everyone has shoved down your throats the 12 principles of animation at every turn, the truth is that you need to know these inside and out in order to become the most effective animator possible. SO if we need to have these points drilled into our skill set, why not find different way to keep reviewing the principles in different styles so that they remain entertaining and fresh. So I scour the Internet trying to find new ways to approach this, so here is one that I thought was entertaining and informational at the same time, enjoy.

Please feel free to leave a comment to let me know what your ideas are on these principles or if you think that there should be more, like a new expanded edition in order to explain modern up-to-date skill sets for 2D and 3D!

Don't Be Afraid of the Blank Sheet...

This is great insight to what becomes the greatest problem for not only 3D animators, but 2D and beyond. This is the dreaded blank piece of paper. You see a blank canvas that is in front of you and you freeze from the moment you start because as an artist you are always struggling to do your best so that when people see it, and they will, you don't want to suck.

     As they pointed out in the video, "pain is only momentarily, sucking is forever!" So automatically you have this fear of making the wrong stroke, the wrong style, the wrong look for your project, so you are setting yourself up to fail even before you put your first line on that blank piece of paper. This episode of Ricky Vega Nierva Art Director / Production Designer, Pixar Animation Studios
Video from TEDxAthens conference shows that it is just a state of mind that you can overcome by applying simple methods to regain focus over your project.

Watch it here :

You notice that his first stroke he made he did not even look at the sheet of paper. He applied his hand to the surface and proceeded to just make a random convergence of lines and forms with no real purpose!
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like, Design is how it works"- Steve Jobs, co-founder of Pixar Animation.
Basics Shape represent design and why it works. Opposites can support and compliment each other unexpectedly.
Symbolism is applied throughout the project so that you don't see what they are trying to show you, but instead you feel it. That is what makes it so successful.
The whole process of making these stories and projects is to be simple, but being simple is not always as easy at it may seem.
Be like a kid, just dive in, simplify and just fill it up! Don't worry about the polished look, just get your ideas out and discover what makes your story work! Don't be afraid of making mistakes, make it your goal as well to draw as a child does.

New Project

A new 2D Fan Animated series that I am working on.
Based upon the hit game: Clash of Clans!
This is the first character design I came up with.
I do have the balloon bomber as well (not shown)
Exciting personal project. Will keep updated, maybe a fan page
in the near future, watch out for it!
This is one of the reasons I have not posted in a few weeks, takes more time than I realized, but it is fun and exciting!