I will go to places that people suggest I visit, do things that people suggest I do, and meet people that want to be met. And I will connect with people around the country.
How far Would You Go To Pursue Your Dreams?
Artwalk This Weekend
The Brewery ArtWalk is a biannual weekend open-house in the world’s largest art colony. People actually open up their home and let you in to experience their creative spaces and work…and you can buy the work at studio prices!!! Over 100 artists that live in the Brewery, their studio, participate. This is a great place to discover new local artists – or old local artists that are new to you. You can talk to the artists and buy work from the artists at studio prices!
I will have my studio open all weekend and be painting live for folks who come to visit. bring your friends with cash and empty walls! I am in bldg 1984 North Main Street #202, upstairs. Tallest building at the front of the complex facing Main Street. Stairs face Moulton Street.
Review: VFX Online Town Hall with Chris deFaria, Jeffrey Okun, Scott Ross
So, Lee asks the question, "Why is it that we are in a world where VFX films are doing so well while VFX facilities and artists who work in them are struggling?" And the discussion begins.
- Scott Ross - We need a trade union to fight for facilities and artists both on labor issues and will the government.
- Chris deFaria - The facilites need to create a new business model and stop treating themselves like a commodity.
- Jeff Okun - The artists made their bed and now they need either lie in it or stand up and fight. Artists! Stop taking jobs that offer such bad conditions. Stop whining and do something about it.
In traditional circles, the tools changed very little over the course of 80 years - pencil and paper. CG needs innovation to happen throughout production because of the technical aspects of what we do. Innovation will not grow in an atmosphere based solely on low wage, unskilled labor. Studios want innovation at a very low price. This cannot work. If studios want the best work possible, then they will have to value the facilities and their artists. Until we are viewed as valuable to these blockbusters, we have no leverage. The way to do this is for facilities to create a brand out of their studio and then the best work will go to that studio rather than the lowest bid. In addition, an organization of individuals qualified to handle legal, labor and government lobbying to push this agenda forward is critical. I believe the artists are willing to join such an organization, but are not qualified to form one. We need qualified leaders to do so.
I think the best part about the whole situation is... Unlike most labor issues, there is unified bond and goal for both VFX facilities and artists. Help the facilities and you help the artists and vice versus. This is ultimately a win-win situation.
Creative Talent Network’s Animation Expo (CTN-X)

Have you registered for the Creative Talent Network’s Animation Expo (CTN-X)?
Early bird pricing ends September 30th.
The most anticipated animation trade show on the planet comes
to the City of Burbank beginning
Friday, November 20th – Sunday, November 22nd.
This is the ONLY place where you’ll meet so many animation industry icons under one roof.
Make contacts, learn new techniques and meet with recruiters.
Hurry and join in on the action where “X” marks the spot to connect with renowned
artists from around the world both traditional and digital.
Register online or call today (800) 604-2238.
Early bird deadline is Sept. 30, 2009.
CTN-X takes place at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center
with ample discounted parking and is conveniently located across the street
from the Burbank Airport and Amtrak Station.
Early bird tickets are $25 for the exhibit floor only,
$40 for a day pass and $100 for a 3-day pass.
Discounted rates are available to students, active military and
professional industry organizations.
Space is strictly limited at this groundbreaking event.
For more information and to register, please visit: www.ctnanimationexpo.com
or call, (800) 604-2238
Mention the special FLIP discount code to obtain an extra
10% off any 1day or 3day professional/general passport. THINKX09

To register online:
1Day
https://www.regonline.com?eventID=688849&rTypeID=203785
3Day
https://www.regonline.com?eventID=688849&rTypeID=203787
Milt Kahl: The Animation Michelangelo

I apologize for being so absent. My new job has kept me quite busy, but I am coming up for air to tell you about this great event!!! I am HUGE Milt Kahl fan and the rest of the panel is definitely one you don't get to hear from every day!!! Hope to see you there!
As part of the Marc Davis Celebration of Animation,
the Academy presents a centennial celebration of
“Milt Kahl: The Animation Michelangelo”
Hosted by Andreas Deja.
Panel moderated by animation critic Charles Solomon.
Featuring Kathryn Beaumont, Brad Bird (F/V 76), Ron Clements, John Musker (F/V 77), and Floyd Norman.
Renowned for his unparalleled draftsmanship as well as his exacting nature, Milt Kahl (1909–1987), one of the “nine old men” Walt Disney relied upon to bring his creative vision to the screen, was the animator to whom the other eight turned when they had trouble with a character or scene.
Two of Kahl’s renowned colleagues, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, write in Disney Animation:The Illusion of Life, “Unlike many irascible temperaments who have filled the halls of history, Milt had a very sweet helpful side, when he chose. He gave unstintingly of his time and talent when it was to help the picture and almost as often to help a fellow artist who had a problem. However, he expected everyone coming for help to have worked hard and tried everything – to have done his best before coming.”
Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, when Kahl was responsible for the final design of many characters, he complained of being “saddled” with the animation of challenging, non-comic human characters such as Alice, Peter Pan, Wendy, and Sleeping Beauty’s Prince. But Kahl secretly relished the fact that it was his talent and drive that made these characters come alive.
This celebration of Milt Kahl will feature an insightful analysis of his animation drawings, rare film interviews with Kahl himself, and clips of his work from such Disney favorites as “Mickey’s Circus,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi,” “Peter Pan,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book” and “The Rescuers.” The clips will be interspersed with commentary from those who worked beside him and were inspired by him, revealing the rigorous process and fiery personality of a true animation legend.
Panelists
ANDREAS DEJA, one of the top animators of his generation, brought to life characters as diverse as Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast,” Scar in “The Lion King,” and Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch.”
KATHRYN BEAUMONT was the voice artist for Alice in “ Alice in Wonderland” and Wendy in “Peter Pan.”
BRAD BIRD has won the Animated Feature Film Oscar® twice, for his work on “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille.”
RON CLEMENTS and JOHN MUSKER served as co-directors and writers on “The Great Mouse Detective,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Hercules” and “Treasure Planet.”
FLOYD NORMAN preceded his lengthy television animation career with experience as an apprentice/assistant to Milt Kahl on “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Sword in the Stone” and “The Jungle Book.”
All guests subject to availability.
Event Information
When
Monday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Where
Samuel Goldwyn Theater
8949 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills , CA 90211
Directions, Parking & Theater Policies
All seating is unreserved.
ConceptArt.Org International Art and Design Workshop: DALLAS TEXAS - March 28-31 2009
Art Workshop for the past three years.
It all started with
INSOMANIA - 2006 - San Francisohttp://www.conceptart.org/insomania
REVELATIONS - 2007 - SeattleAnd next,
PHOTO THANKS TO PHIL FX
Marama 2008 - Wellington
but then again it just happened in November.
My excitement is the new announcement from
Jason Manley about the next workshop on conceptart.org!!!
It's in Dallas! I can afford to make that and am planning and saving already!
I just have to let the folks at Zoic know I will be gone a few days...
But it's my birthday weekend anyways soo Happy Birthday to me!!!
Read ON my friends!!!
Conceptart.org and Massive Black have put together a stellar list of instructors, great sponsors, and a fresh program covering aspects from the games, toy, film, and fine art industries. The venue is beautiful. We are right next door to a gorgeous museum full of world class art, and have more planned than ever before. When I say we have more planned, I am saying we are pulling out all the stops. Art, jobs, culture, music, performers, training, and even more will be happening. We have a great list of sponsors including Google, SMU, the Guildhall, ReelFX, the prestigious AFI film festival, Corel and many others. This is going to be a big show with more art than ever before.
Time is short. Much to do. The official announcement will come this week and all info will be released then.
Tuition is 600 bucks and we will have an early bird offer which includes free downloads, cheaper tuition, and more. All the info will come this next week. Start getting ready folks...we are going to Dallas and will be shaking the art world from the top to bottom.
We chose Dallas as it is central to everyone here in the US and is a very affordable city to travel to. Of course, the local sponsors are world class too. This is going to be a great show.
The Shanghai show is still in the works but has been moved to late 2009 in order for us to find addtional sponsors. Dallas will be the only workshop we do in North America in 2009.
See you all soon!!
Jason Manley
All Spice Cafe
JD Cowles!
To start 2009 off right we have J.D. Cowles! CG Sup turned hot sauce chemist!
Check out his hot sauces and he is having a tasting at Surfas in Culver City this Saturday!!! Buffalo burgers, venison tenderloin, elk ny strip steak . . . all treated with All Spice Cafe Hot Sauces! Come on by!
| Date: | Saturday, January 10, 2009 |
| Time: | 12:00pm - 3:00pm |
| Location: | Surfas - A Chef's Paradise |
| Street: | 8777 West Washington Blvd. |
| City/Town: | Culver City, CA |
REMINDER: This Sunday - 9.28 - VFX Art Show!

The Film Industry Artist Gallery Event.
James Gray Gallery
at Bergamot Station
Sunday, October 5 2008,
5:00pm - 9:00pm
2525 Michigan Ave
Santa Monica, CA
The event will provide the public with a rare opportunity to see some exceptionally talented film industry pros exhibit their personal work.
I personally invite anyone reading this who will be in Los Angeles on the 28th, to please come by. This is my first show where I will be displaying my new work, and there are many other talented artists in the show.
Book Signing - Siggraph Tuesday August 12th
Jamie and myself will be signingthe Thinking Animation book
at the Course PTR Booth #1019
(just a block down from the Rhythm and Hues booth)
at Siggraph - Los Angeles Convention Center
from 3:30-4:30 pm
Tuesday August 12th
Come by and say "hi"!
And, maybe Jamie will draw you your own
REDD THE CLOWN!
Click here for the full Siggraph 2008 Floorplan
Booth #1019
THE VENICE MEDIA DISTRICT HOSTS SPRING 2008 MIXER AT WIT ANIMATION
Join me at my friend Jeb Milne's Studio - WIT ANIMATION - Tomorrow Night for a fun little party! Ten bucks gets you in. Jeb has a gorgeous house and studio - come by and join me for a drink, great food from the Argentinian place Santino's and some fun.Venice, CA — (May 8, 2008) – The Venice Media District will host its Spring 2008 Mixer at member company,
on Thursday, May 22, 2008
from 6-9 pm.
(959 Superba Ave. in Venice,
at the corner of Lincoln Blvd.)
$10 at the door;
RSVP by calling 310.429.4169
or email events@venicemediadistrict.org
by Monday, May 19th.
In-kind/event sponsors include: Gustavo Morais, ST8 Creative Solutions for logo and invitation design; Daryl Barnett for event production; event photography by Photographer Jean Pritchard; web site design by Pablo Toledo of Venice Arts; web site design and management and evite design by Catherine Chevalier of Not Maurice; Robert Feist of Ravenswork for providing meeting/event production space; pr by
Hype and event promotion by HypeFest.
The Venice Media District has been created in response to the changing business landscape in the beachside community, and has very specific goals:
• Create networking opportunities and business-to-business awareness
• Raise awareness of the VMD through city designation and promotion
• Attract business & entrepreneurs to the area.
• Create a vehicle for non-profits to access the assets of the VMD
For more information, go to:
www.venicemediadistrict.org
Premiere Sponsor:
BOXX Technologies Inc.:
BOXX® Technologies Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance workstations and render nodes specifically designed to meet the high-performance and reliability requirements of digital content creators working in the 3D, animation, visual effects, digital film, architecture, game development and broadcast markets. BOXX’s rapid integration of cutting-edge computing technologies selected and optimized to deliver the best possible performance when running digital content creation (DCC) applications is reflected in its extensive line of uniquely featured and highly customizable systems, including BOXX APEXX®, 3DBOXX™ and 3DBOXX RTX workstations, and renderBOXX™ render nodes. For more information on BOXX Technologies Inc., visit the BOXX website at http://www.boxxtech.com
Sponsors:
WIT ANIMATION:
Dedicated exclusively to the art of character animation. Based in an idyllic compound in sunny Venice California, WIT has been providing world class character animation for clients such as McDonalds, Post Cereals, Nvidia, and countless others. WIT was started in 2000 by owner/creative director Jeb Milne. www.jebmilne.com
www.witanimation.com
Santino’s:
Three years ago Sergio Amata opened Santino’s, naming the place after his son, Santino. Sergio created an eclectic menu that reflects the many different cultural strands of his native Argentina, from Spanish Tapas to Italian pasta with a dash of Mexican flare thrown in. Each day of the week showcases a different specialty. Tuesday and Friday nights feature pizza from the grill, served from the quaint patio at the back of the restaurant. Thursday nights’ feature the paella recipe handed down to Sergio by his mother. Friday and Saturday nights encompass all of the favorites. If you are looking for the perfect place for a special event, Santino’s takes reservations for private parties on the patio. The space is the perfect place for anything from a ‘tete-a-tete’ dinner for two to an intimate group dinner. Santino’s also has an extensive catering service including ‘off-site’ Asado (Argentine BBQ tradition), and a variety of other party services and platters.
http://santinossantamonica.com
Venice Beach Wines:
A family owned retail wine shop open since January of 2007, focusing on small production boutique wines and artisan foods. The wines come from small producers from all over the world. We have, Spanish, French, Italian, South African, Australian, New Zealand, Portugal, Mexican, Chile, Argentina, domestic from Napa/Santa Barbara/Oregon/Washington state and even oddities such as Brazil and India. Venice Beach Wines is anticipating a remodel and reopening in June, offering its customers the opportunity to taste wines and receive on premise food service.
Los Angeles Animation Festival
Here is more about LAAFEST
The Los Angeles Animation Festival aims to:
1. Help create new jobs, promote and invigorate the traditional animation industry in the US.
2. Help individuals to network, get exposure and find work (through workshops, an annual festival, and 2 sponsored competitions every year).
3. Help bridge the gap between amateur and professional, between college and career, for everyone wishing to enter the animation business.
Our first festival is on October 20-21, 2007.
Location: The beautifully restored "Silent Movie Theatre",
611 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Official entry forms are available at: www.laafest.org
Current sponsors: www.s4studios.com www.zanimation.com www.parallaxstudios.com www.toonboom.com www.sprecherbrewery.com www.stopmotionpro.com www.animatordv.com
Siggraph 2007 - Sunday
Yes, it's time to report on Siggraph 2007 in San Diego. I drove my mini convertible down from Los Angeles and broke in the engine at 110 mph on the 73. That was too much fun but I need to be more careful. Bad Angie!
I arrived in San Diego Sunday afternoon and checked into our hotel - the Marina Mariott. What a beautiful hotel! We were on the 20th floor and the pic above is the view on one side of the hotel of the San Diego Convention Center. Below, is the view of the pool from our room and the view of the Harbor. Just gorgeous! Click on any images here to see the hi-rez view.

After arranging the room and unpacking a bit...the first thing I did was check out the lounge downstairs and see who was around. Javier Solsona of Rigging101.com was sitting with Dan Herman and Mark Oftedal from Digital Fish. I joined them for some drinks and eats. I also rang up Mark Elendt and Calin Casian to come downstairs and join us.
Mark Elendt and Calin CasianSoftware and a Senior Mc-smartie in my book.
Mark has won 2 Scientific/Technical Awards!
He won the Technical Achievement Award (Academy Certificates) in 1997: For the development of the procedural modeling and animation components of the Prisms software package. (w. Greg Hermanovic, Kim Davidson and Paul Breslin) and the Scientific and Engineering Awards (Academy Plaques) in 2002: For their continued development of the procedural modeling and animation components of their Prisms program, as exemplified in the Houdini software package. (w. Greg Hermanovic, Kim Davidson and Paul Breslin).
Calin Casian was my "right-hand man" in my quest to make a character tool set in Houdini usable. He is a Character TD who actually listens to animators...how rare! He is also Romanian with a very funny accent!
So, between Mark and Mark, Calin, Dan, Javier...I had a pretty kewl little table to share stories with, before I even went out for the night!
The best thing about having Siggraph in San Diego is the Gas Lamp Quarter. This is the fun part of downtown San Diego where all the action is...it feels alot like New Orleans to me, but not so humid.We had several people join us there...Darin Hofmeyr, Leyla Tirgari (Accounts Rep from SESI), Sarah Counnas (Technology Production Manager at DreamWorks Animation), Mark Elendt and Calin - of course, Ran Sariel (Rigging Supervisor on the new Outlander movie), Graham and Keith Acheson from SESI who helped me with the Happy Birthday SESI Demo we showed this past week at the booth! We were having such a good time at Chive with the amazing food and martinis...I forgot to take pix, but we eventually moved on through Darin's cajoling towards the Yard House. This place had more beer taps than I have ever seen. Even more than the DD favorite - Library Ale House!
Motley Crew - Darin, Leyla, Brian, Graham, Calin and Keith
Brian, Me, DarinOn the way - as we all followed Leyla, (which btw was like trying to follow Mr. Magoo because she kept screaming into the phone..."Where is it!?" and leading us all down the wrong streets).
So, there was this girl at one of the many bar patios we passed along the way who kept saying "hola! hola!" and waving her hand like she was the queen of England!
I had to take a snap of her because it was so funny. Evidently her group was Italian and they learned to say Hola! instead of Ciao!
-

- Crazy Italian saying Hola!
- So, we finally caught up with the other group at the 3.00 Margarita Bar, here is Sarah chatting up Phillipe (one of the Side Effects presenters) and a few other CG guys.
- Check out that 3.00$ Margarita she is holding...Whoa!

the Margarita from Giant Land.
Still learning to use my iphone...People call and I can't figure out how to answer it!
Yeah, I am not the most technical type.
Judd Simantov speaks Zulu...
Dan Barker says "I want the bread!"
Judd and Dan do a Zulu Dance.
Siggraph 2007 - Monday
BTW, if you work for a software company...they have 8 am meetings every day. Yeah, you go out and have fun with your buds into the wee hours of the night and then have to roll downstairs for a staff meeting.
My roomie from SESI was Leyla who actually conducted these meetings, so I couldn't escape. I was having a slumber party with mom. Well, with Mom who goes out and drinks with you the night before, but can get up and get her act together a lot faster than I could ever try.
Emerging Production Demands
but that wasn't until 1 pm.
So, I went back to the room and took a nap...of course.
Houdini Expert Panel: Judith Crow, Mike Kalshalk,Craig Zerouni, Jason Iversen and myself...
I look bored and Jason is sleeping
oh look, Craig's talking :)
Wow they either look bored or serious,Craig must be the one talking for this picture.
I will post an .mpg here for yall.
Reel FX recently acquired Radium and they have location in Dallas, San Franciso and Santa Monica. Reel FX/ Radium rented a boat in the harbor to meet and greet prospective client and employees. Jamie and I joined them for some martinis in the sun.
The Reel FX/ Radium Boat
I took this pic with my new iphone and it feels like the cam has a fish eye lens... funny, because that is how I felt on the boat at first. I have never been on a boat in the water. When I told Jamie this he looked at me like I was nuts..."So, you have only been on a boat on land?"
This pic made me laugh so hard I had to post it.
Tim from Reel FX joined Jamie and I for a while.


So after a couple martinis with the Reel FX/Ra peeps, we decided to see what was up at the hotel Tiki Bar. My girlfriend Lori Frietag - Freelance Compositor Extraordinaire joined us. BTW, if my eyes get squint-ier, it usually means either Jamie is making me laugh really hard or the drinks are strong.
The bartender put the run bottle dangerously close to Jamie and he grabbed it and fixed his Mai tai...of course, then, the bartender decided to join us.
Phillip is pondering what to drink and Darin just looks confused...or maybe he has a upset tummy.
SESI Dinner table...
Peter and Ron, two of SESI's instructors. Ron never smiles, but I am gonna try and get at least one pic of him tonight where he doesn't look like he is gonna mess you up. Ron was my favorite teacher at SESI. He even got me to build a spoon in Houdini. Yes, I modeled something - Holy Cow. My old modeling buddies from Oddworld - Marvin Kim and Jane Mullaney - I know are laughing now...right?
Jeff Wagner always knows what I like to eat and how to order for me. You see, I always have ordering envy...I never order the right thing. Anyways...David Robert, in the middle...you might remember from my posting about his SEED project and finally, Mark Tucker who made a great impression on me my first day trying to learn the software...he was very kind and understanding. Thanks Mark.

So, it was time for me to leave and get ready for the Maya/Autodesk party. I had a special party dress to change into, so I caught up with Jamie and Lori back at the hotel changed and we caught a cab to the Aircraft Carrier.
We did walk around and look at the planes because as you might remember Jamie is building one in his garage.
I was kind of worried about the guy inside this plane and wondered if we should try and get him a cocktail?
So, we got tired of planes and wanted to try and go downstairs where the dancing was. There were two choices. You could take the very narrow stairs where it seemed like 2 thousand people were waiting in line to go some where you could actually have some fun...or you could take the elevator where only about a thousand people were waiting in line to get downstairs. You think I am exaggerating, but seriously...there was no control over how many people were trying to navigate this venue.We had maybe 30 people in the elevator. Lori and I were the only females, of course, and I started to panic that the elevator would break or stop on our way down with us crammed in there like sardines. Turns out, we got out fine...on the second floor to meet up with some crazy old man with a flash light telling us to "move along!!"
We tried to get past him, but he was like the caretaker on Scooby Doo and we were the meddling kids on his boat. He sent the entire elevator packing. Who knows how many other folks spent about 10 mins on the roof only to be ushered away afterwards? If the elevator was your path to leave the party for good, there should have been a sign and someone standing there to tell you so...like they do at the standard hotel downtown. Sad, Sad, pathetic party. I will be doing a "Best and Worst of Siggraph" posting soon, but I can tell you this was the Worst party.
We caught a cab and hit downtown San Diego for some real fun...at a Tequila Bar.

So, that was Monday. More to come on Tuesdays fun on the floor and the Houdini party!


























