CTN Animation Expo, Burbank, California

CTN Animation Expo 2011 brings together the top professionals from both the traditional and digital worlds of animation. Hosted by the Creative Talent Network, this second year event already with 2800 in attendance it’s first year has captured both the industry and local community’s attention as a resource for education, employment, business opportunities and most of all FUN!
Our theme this year is “See the Future: The Renaissance Has Begun”. While the Expo has a very broad appeal, it is focused specifically on ‘THE TALENT” from the animation and surrounding communities. In an intimate setting at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center thousands of attendees meet the faces behind the fantasy from yesterday, today and tomorrow over the course of 3 days. The event presenters include contributors from some of the highest grossing animated films of all time and are targeted to empower professionals, educate students and entertain the general public.
Of particular interest to attendees are the Live Demonstrations, Networking Receptions, Master Workshops, Panel Discussions, Business Symposiums, Recruiting and the Professional Exhibits offered throughout the Expo as well as the signature One-On-One Personal Consultations with creative professionals from top studios and educational institutions both local and international all happening during the first city wide proclamation of “Animation Week” just for this event. Visit www.ctnanimationexpo.com 

NID Student Animation Festival 2011

Its time to celebrate once more, as we announce the 3rd Edition of our beloved COWfest, Chitrakatha’11! This year’s event is very special as NID also completes 50 years of the youthful spirit of design education in India.

To salute this historical event, Chitakatha’11 is going to sing along with the tune of NID’s golden jubilee celebrations and invite all the friends, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to be part of it. Along with the trusted supporters and partners of this whacky young festival of trick films, we look forward to more well wishers to help this event grow and glow! Read More...

Technology and Television

In March this year, Disney launched a Backstage Pass iPhone and iPad app for the Oscars, which were televised by ABC in the US and its partners around the world. The app drew on more than 30 cameras placed around the event. “Viewers using the app could switch between the cameras at will, to get the story they wanted to see,” said Sweeney. “A story unique to them, because it was created by them.”by

The app won an Emmy award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media. Meanwhile, Disney has also been trying to innovate in the social media world too, building Facebook and Twitter sharing into all its digital content sites. Disney is also launching a new section on ABC.com called ‘Discuss’ which pulls in conversations about its shows from these services.

“Our goal is to give fans one easy-to-use location to connect with others around the world and join the discussion anywhere it’s happening,” she said. “We’re focusing on social networks because that’s where our viewers are.” Sweeney cited stats including the fact that 52% of EMEA and Asia Pacific social network users say they have watched a video shared by a friends, while 68% on social networks in Latin America say the same thing.

READ MORE by 

Anne Sweeney; Disney Media Networks co-chair & Disney-ABC president on how technology has unleashed television

Technology is changing teachers' jobs

It's the latest way technology is changing teachers' jobs — in this case it's literally turning their workday upside-down. But teachers say flipped, or upside-down, classes offer greater control of material and more face time with students.

In many cases, software allows students to chat online while watching the videos. Tegrity, a Silicon Valley firm that specializes in flipped instruction, allows students to time-stamp lecture notes. It boasts more than 1million student users, many of them in higher education.

Flipped classrooms have even attracted the attention of funders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has become a major backer of Khan Academy, a non-profit repository of nearly 2,400 free instructional videos that teachers use to teach everything from pre-algebra to Augusto Pinochet's Chile....Read more

Farewell to Steve Jobs, Apple founder

NEW YORK: Apple on Wednesday announced the death of its visionary co-founder Steve Jobs.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," the company's board of directors said in a statement....Read More..


"The world rarely sees someone who made such a profound impact," Microsoft's founder tweetedtonight. "For those of us lucky enough to get to work with Steve, it’s been an insanely great honor," he added. "I will miss Steve immensely." As will we all.

Animation Insider

Animation Insider’s goal is to focus on the blue collared worker of animation; the back bone of the industry. We want to focus on the real people in the trenches who make the award winning stuff we love.  Basically if your job is associated in some way with animated movement, we want to interview you! We think everybody has stories to tell from the trenches of animation!
Visit the website:
http://www.animationinsider.com/

Animation Expo Durban

Spanning a total of 4 days the Animation Expo Durban will be the first of its kind, taking place over several venues, from Master Classes to Screenings at Durban Movie theatres. The Animation Expo Durban will include Live Demonstrations, Networking Receptions, Workshops, Panel Discussions, Animation Business

Symposiums, Recruiting and Professional Animation and Gaming Exhibitions, Master Classes and an end of expo Gala Dinner. Funding from sponsors would be utilized for a variety of expenses, namely, to secure various venues for the duration of the expo (logistics), marketing and advertising, printing costs, payment to master class teachers, catering, etc.

This event serves as a key meeting place, bringing students, academics and animation producers from all over the country, the expo will attract creative professionals from top studios and educational institutions both local and international. An estimated number of 200-300 delegates will be attending the event, creating an important communication link between fans of animation and the professional animators.

The Animation Expo will address crucial issues of animation such as animation development, challenges and opportunities in animation film production in South Africa, as well as outsourcing animation production opportunities. Local production focus on TV Content, gaming and multimedia such as cell phone downloads are just some of the possibilities. Animation Expo Durban, will be used as a stepping stone toward stimulating the animation industry in South Africa as well as to promote quality training in animation.

By working closely with our sponsors, it ensures that their specific marketing objectives are met, this is a firm belief of our organization and in order to uphold it Animation Expo Durban Director, Mr. Krish Moodley is available for any further requests and queries. He can be contacted on +27 71 480 5401 or emailed at krishmoodley@gmail.com

Toon Boom at Montreal Comiccon 2011 16-17 September

Toon Boom at Montreal Comiccon 2011 16-17 September – Booth 193
Great news for all you comic book, sci-fi, manga/anime, video game, horror, fantasy fiction and animation lovers. TOON BOOM will be at the Montreal Comiccon this coming weekend BOOTH 193 so come and see us. Meet Celebs: Garfield, Lynn Johnston, Stan Lee and get great software discounts!

What Toon Boom is doing at Montreal Comiccon: http://mmail.toonboom.com/web_browser.php?

Workshop: Create your own comic books with Garfield’s Comic Boom

Sat. Sept. 17 @ 12:30pm
Sun. Sept. 18 @ 2:00pm
@ Main Stage, Auditorium
Join Lynn Johnston for a humorous discussion on creativity and storytelling. Learn how to create comics with your drawings or pictures and even add sound with NEW Garfield’s Comic Boom. Meet Garfield in person!
Read more...

NFVF at 32nd Durban International Film Festival

The National Film and Video Foundation is proud to announce its continued support and participation at the 32nd Durban International Film Festival which runs from the 21st until 31st of July 2011. An array of the NFVF funded feature films, shorts and documentaries will be exhibited at the festival.
"We are once again proud to be one of the main supporters of DIFF, which has for many years celebrated the best of South African, African and International talent. This year's programme is a testimony of the continuous thriving film industry, which is now complimented by the outstanding female film producers and directors," says Karen Son, NFVF Acting CEO.
Read more NFVF Newsletter...

Sibikwa Arts Centre seeks Artistic Director

The Sibikwa Arts Centre, an NGO based in Benoni, seeks to employ an Artistic Director to take over from the current Director.

The Centre is one of the largest and most successful multi-disciplinary art centres in South Africa. With a good track-record of 23 years, Sibikwa has been recognized as a centre of excellence by the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture and MAPPP-SETA.

The Artistic Director is responsible for conceiving, developing and implementing the artistic and educational vision and focus of Sibikwa and reports to the Board of Directors.

The suitably qualified candidate must have:

- A minimum of ten years experience within the field;
- An arts degree;
- Excellent communication and writing skills essential for the position;
- Expertise in a leadership role, inclusive of people management;
- Expertise in financial management including fund raising and income generation; and
- Actively engaged within the community arts sector.

Some national and international travelling could be required. Appropriate coaching in the role will be provided. The chosen candidate must be available from the 1st September 2011 or sooner. A competitive remuneration will be paid to the successful candidate who is appointed to the role.

CV's must be submitted to sibikwa@iafrica.com or faxed to 011 421 2346. Three contactable references must accompany submitted CV's.


The closing date for submission of CV's is 29 July 2011.

Sibikwa Arts Centre's succession plan is funded by the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Building Blocks Programme, via sponsorship from the Embassy of the Kingdo

Register for Mediatech Africa Now

Mediatech Africa is the continent’s largest media and entertainment trade exhibition and it allows you to view, experience and engage with the very latest in technology. The trade exhibition will showcase cutting edge technologies and services from industry leaders in:

·         Pro AV, Sound, Lighting, Staging and Rigging

·         Broadcast, Film, Production & Post production

·         Computer Music & Production Tools

·         DJ & Pro Music Equipment

·         Animation, New Media, Mobile and Online

·         Musical instruments

·         System Integration

·         Satellite & Signal 

 

http://mediatech.businessmatchmaking.co.za/?event=mt11

ACT presents four ImpACT Awards

Sponsored by the Distell Foundation, ACT presents four ImpACT Awards to emerging artists at a time in their careers when they have shown commitment to, and reached some professional standing in, their chosen discipline. Young professional artists, up to the age of 30 years that fall within the first three years of their professional careers are eligible for nomination.

Awards will be presented in four broad arts categories with selected disciplines being eligible for consideration in each.

The categories are:

- Visual Art (Painting and Printmaking, Sculpting, Public Installations & Photography)
- Performing Arts (Dance, Acting, Musical Theatre & Physical Theatre)
- Music & Singing (Classical, Contemporary & Jazz)
- Design (Craft, Graphic Design, Fashion Design & Web Design)

Winners of the ImpACT Awards for Young Professionals are selected by an independent panel of judges. Awards will only be presented if a satisfactory number of quality nominations are received in the various categories and the adjudication panel reserves the right to carry over such awards to the following year.

The closing date for nominations is 29 July 2011. For guidelines and nomination forms please go to http://www.act.org.za/programmes_awards.htm
All nominations should be e-mailed to deidre@act.org.za

The ACT Awards 2011 is supported by Classicfeel Magazine and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA).

Gary Gherkin's advice

Cartoonist Tyron Love will send you his ebook of a pickled gherkin giving helpful advice on How To Beat Procrastination. Gary Gherkin will tell you an easy 5 step method to beating procrastination...
Gary Gherkin's advice

Comics on Web Designer Depot

 

Every week Web Designer Depot blog feature a set of comics created exclusively for WDD.
The content revolves around web design, blogging and funny situations that they encounter.
These great cartoons are created by Jerry King, an award-winning cartoonist who’s one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today.
So for a few moments, take a break from your daily routine, have a laugh and enjoy these funny cartoons...http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/

South African Animation at MIPTV in France

Clockwork Zoo’s head of production, Sean Rogers, is in Cannes at the beginning of April to represent the studio and South African animation at the world’s biggest television market, MipTV.
Held annually, MipTV is the world’s leading content market for creating, co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing entertainment across all platforms. As the first MIP market of the year, it gathers together 11 500 media professionals from 107 countries in the TV, digital and advertising fields  and offers an unprecedented opportunity to meet key global media decision-makers.
Sean is a veteran visitor to the market, visiting Cannes for the eleventh time.The purpose of the visit is to connect with other animation studios around the world to partner with on service and co-production deals, to promote South Africa as an animation destination in the global creative arena and to garner interest in Clockwork Zoo’s own shows in development. Read more...

Animazing Spotlight’s Third Annual Animated Shorts Festival

Animazing Spotlight’s Third Annual Animated Shorts Festival is coming up on September 17th and 18th, and at this writing 11 of the 14 programs have been scheduled. One of the most interesting may be on the Indian animation boom.

India is rapidly emerging as a super power in animation. Over the last ten years the number of animation studios has grown from a dozen small mom and pop operations to several hundred studios doing business with all of the major Western animation studios.

In this program, “Award Winning Animation from India,” you will see some of the very best of animation coming out of India. These are all award winning films from recent ASIFA competitions and include an exciting variety of shorts and commercials. The program is presented by animation veteran and expert on Indian animation, Bill Dennis.

It will be held at 10:30 am, on Saturday, April 17, a half hour after the first of three nominated shorts screenings, this one featuring the Student category. Visit for full program:  http://www.facebook.com/l/9cf35VXjtwf_w9_mR2q3DXUgFnA/www.animazspot.com

Unique: Custom Shoe Art With Canvas Warriors.

CFAD Animation Studio Launch Speech

Utilising the the existing and established resources at the Centre for Fine Art Animation and Design, the project aims to establish a professional animation studio to facilitate the production of broadcast quality animation.

Programme Objectives:

To enhance the training facilities by establishing a separate animation production facility with a sound studio
Produce an animation show reel. The show reel will include the preparatory work of an animated feature called "African Mother Christmas" written by Gcina Mhlope
Employ trained professionals to staff the animation studio
Acquire suitable premises located within the Durban Arts Precinct

AfricanColours - A Conversation with Dr. Nanda Soobben: South Africa's Internationally Acclaimed Political Cartoonist

 Nanda Soobben is a man with a remarkable journey.  With a successful career spanning three decades, he is probably best known for being South Africa’s only “Black” cartoonist during the apartheid years. 
Nanda’s accomplishment, both internationally and nationally, is impressive – certainly, there are too many to mention here but readers can find a wealth of information on the internet.  What makes Nanda Soobben different is that he is so well informed, very clear-headed about his opinions and is a wonderfully skilled artist; all the elements needed for great cartooning.
I first met Nanda in 1993 when he had already made an indelible mark on South African history.  At the time, he had recently returned from Brazil where he painted a 10 metre mural as a tribute to the Rio-92 World Earth Submit.  It was Nanda who introduced me to the Brazilian Society of Arts and I went on to organise several art cultural exchanges between our two countries. Read the full interview at:
AfricanColours - A Conversation with Dr. Nanda Soobben: South Africa's Internationally Acclaimed Political Cartoonist