As the August premiere of LAIKA’s ParaNorman is approaching, a new website for the film has launched. WeirdWins.com will present a new video showcasing some of the talented people behind the scenes for each of the five weeks leading up to the premiere. You can view the introductory video above. Below is a little more information about the site:
WEIRDWINS is about the artists, animators, craftspeople, and filmmakers behind ParaNorman—former weird kids from all over the world who joined forces to make the biggest stop-motion animated film of all time.
Recently we’ve been finding new companies popping up around the state focused on animation and motion graphics and featuring their good work on our blog. From this chatter we’ve managed to also connect with great companies that have been around for quite a while. One such company is HB Design. HB Design has been around for 30 years and continues to adapt and transition from print to web to digital and beyond. VP of Strategic Development Gail Snow contacted the film office recently to remind us that the talent base is deep and multi-faceted in Oregon. Continue reading... “Local Animation and Motion Graphics Company HB Design”
As we get closer to ParaNorman’s official August release date, LAIKA released an interesting new video today called “Making Norman.” This video gives a unique inside look into how much work goes into designing and fabricating a single stop-motion character. After seeing the trailers and teaser videos we can hardly wait for August to see the film. In the meantime, you can view the official trailers here. Continue reading... “Check out LAIKA’s Latest ParaNorman Teaser Video: “Making Norman””
Alright good Portlanders – many Bothans died to bring you this message so huddle up and listen close. After months of prep, the first VFX/PDX meeting is ON like Krylon – and set for this THURSDAY! Numero Uno is not to be missed.
In honor of one of the world’s most accomplished animators, and in recognition of a recent documentary about Oregon creative legend Bill Plympton, the city of Portland proclaims Saturday, May 26, 2012 as “Bill Plympton Day!” The day will be celebrated with screenings of “Adventures in Plymptoons” at the Bagdad Theater on SE Hawthorne in Portland at 3pm and 7pm, preceded by a Bill Plympton-themed street party at 2pm in front of the Bagdad Theater. Filmmakers Alexia Anastasio, Steve Tenhonen, Kevin Shawn Michaels and other special guests will be in attendance.
Our annual What’s New BBQ serves up a sizzling portion of After Effects goodness. We’ll BBQ, plus the entire Adobe AE team to walk you through all the juicy new parts of CS6 Production Premium. Hungry for more? Side dishes include a chance to win a free Adobe Master Collection, Extended Creative Cloud trial memberships, a Wacom Intuos5 Professional Pen Tablet, and a slab of raffles from Red Giant. If this sounds kosher, reserve your seat now. Seating is limited.
Last week, web series creator Scotty Iseri received some good news on the startup venture he’s bringing into existence in September 2012; The Oregon Governor’s Office of Film & Television granted Iseri’s newest project, The Digits, to be the office’s first Next Generation media project to receive production rebates through the Indiginous Production Fund.
The Digits is an interactive “Appisode”, that involves a trio of lovable live action characters who travel the galaxy fighting evil. Iseri’s mission with The Digits is two-fold in helping 7-to-13 year olds love math and to feel good about their intelligence.
Presented by The School of Film, Cinema Project, & Experimental Film Festival Portland
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 6-10 PM
Working almost exclusively on 16mm for his entire career, Chicago filmmaker and animator Jim Trainor’s preferred technique is Sharpie on typing paper. This is the medium he used to create THE ANIMALS AND THEIR LIMITATIONS, a series of pulsing line-drawn animated films featured at this year’s Experimental Film Festival Portland. Exploring the natural/animal world, the series uses a witty balance of scientific exposition and humorous narration often coming from the animal itself (one piece screened in the 2004 Whitney Biennial in New York).
Portland’s Second Story interactive studio recently created a special interactive video sculpture for display at the Portland TEDx after-party. As you can see in the making-of video above, the sculpture went from floor to ceiling and allowed guests to interact by translating their movements into a colorful digital visual display. Second Story explains the project further:
Positioned at the center of a large art gallery, the installation embodied the spirit of the conference theme, “Uncharted Territory.” Topographic forms and kinetic shapes move along the vertical panorama of the sculpture and as guests approach, they become immersed in the flowing landscape.
In a partnership with 
Last week, web series creator Scotty Iseri received some good news on the startup venture he’s bringing into existence in September 2012; The 
Working almost exclusively on 16mm for his entire career, Chicago filmmaker and animator Jim Trainor’s preferred technique is Sharpie on typing paper. This is the medium he used to create THE ANIMALS AND THEIR LIMITATIONS, a series of pulsing line-drawn animated films featured at this year’s Experimental Film Festival Portland. Exploring the natural/animal world, the series uses a witty balance of scientific exposition and humorous narration often coming from the animal itself (one piece screened in the 2004 Whitney Biennial in New York).