Portland, OR—The Northwest Film Center is bringing Portland filmmakers into the international spotlight through its presentation of the “Made in Portland” short film program, screening in Sapporo, Japan, as part of the 6th Sapporo International Short Film Festival and Market, October 5 – 10, 2011.
Since 1971, the Film Center has worked to support and celebrate Northwest filmmaking. The Film Center has been a source of essential funding for numerous artists, administering the Oregon Media Arts Fellowship and serving as a fiscal agent for artists seeking non-profit sponsorship.
Continue reading... “THE NORTHWEST FILM CENTER PRESENTS “MADE IN PORTLAND” SHORTS PROGRAM IN SAPPORO, JAPAN”
Today LAIKA announced it has optioned the film rights to the recently released novel “Wildwood”. The novel was written by Decemberists front man Colin Meloy with the book illustrations done by Carson Ellis. This announcement is more proof that Oregon’s creative industry is in full swing on many different levels and now those entities are collaborating. The novel is the first of a planned three books set in an alternative version of Portland focusing on Forest Park. LAIKA’s announcement appeared in this Variety article. Continue reading... “LAIKA Acquires Rights to Develop Colin Meloy’s and Carson Ellis’ “Wildwood””
Portland native, two-time Oscar nominee and independent animator extraordinaire Bill Plympton’s book Independently Animated: Bill Plympton: The Life and Art of the King of Indie Animation was released earlier this year. A combination of autobiography and guide to the independent animation industry, the book has been receiving rave reviews and features a forward by former Monty Python member Terry Gilliam.
Salon.com describes Plympton as: “…that rare artist who has spent decades on the fringes, yet also seen his drawings in Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Vogue, Rolling Stone and the Village Voice. Continue reading... “Bill Plympton: Independently Animated on Salon.com”
Oregon-based companies pride themselves on being amongst the first to leap beyond the established creative norms. And Fashionbuddha, an animation studio in Old Town Portland, thrives off this innate quest for innovation. “We’re a unique studio from the standpoint that we have animation and interactive under the same roof,” explains founder and Executive Director Robert Lewis.
This dual focus helped Fashionbuddha when they were hired by San Francisco agency Engine Company 1 to create promotional spots for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Continue reading... “New Case Study on Oregon Animation Blog”
As most in the local animation industry know, Bent Image Lab has been growing at a steady rate and yesterday the Hallmark Channel announced a project that Bent has been working on this year – “Jingle All the Way”. Go to the Oregon Animation Blog to get more details. The project is a first for the channel and Bent in many ways! Continue reading... “Hallmark special “Jingle All the Way” – Produced by Bent Image Lab”
“How five crows managed to lift a 20-pound baby boy into the air was beyond Prue, but that was certainly the least of her worries.”
As if being the lead singer of one of the most highly-thought of bands around wasn’t enough, Colin Meloy – front man for the Decembrists – has added author extraordinaire to his list of titles. His children’s book Wildwood, also featuring fantastic illustrations from Carson Ellis, is set to hit stores August 30th. Continue reading... “LAIKA Creates Trailer For New Colin Meloy Book”
One of the cool things about the animation/VFX industry is that it’s continually evolving beyond the established parameters. The artistry of a well generated scene or special effects sequence is now no longer confined to a piece of film, but has also begun to take on an interactive element as video games move closer to the cinematic boundary.
Pipeworks Software, based out of Eugene, is at the heart of this constantly shifting field. Ever turned on an Xbox or Xbox 360? Continue reading... “New Case Study Spotlights “Zumba Fitness” on Oregon Animation Blog”
On July 28 there is a special screening of “Coraline” to benefit the 3D Center for Art and Photography. The full details can be seen here on the Oregon Animation blog. Continue reading... “Screening of “Coraline” to Benefit 3D Center”
Oregon’s animation industry is as exciting as ever and the Oregon Animation blog is continuing to gear up with new posts and updates on cool projects throughout the state.
Be sure to check out the brand-new interview with Academy Award winner, Oregon native and claymation pioneer Will Vinton in particular. Vinton talks about his past projects, why he loves working in Portland, his views on shifting technology and the international animation industry. He even gives a tip to all the rising animators out there so read the entire interview here. Continue reading... “Interview with Will Vinton on the Oregon Animation Blog”
ASIFA Portland proudly announces Shorts3, an afternoon of animation with Portland legends Joan Gratz, Marilyn Zornado, and Jim Blashfield, hosted by Dennis Nyback.
On July 24, at 1pm, at Cinema 21, we’ll be viewing new and recent works from these ground-breaking and award-winning artists, with audience Q/A and discussion. This event is free to members of ASIFA, $5 general admission.
Joan Gratz has received Academy Awards for her kinetic claypainting, and her latest animation delivers even more of the same delight. Continue reading... “ASIFA Portland presents Shorts3”