LAIKA | The Confluence

via VFX/PDX – A VFX/CG/Post Job Fair – Coming Monday 3/20 @ CENTRL (east)

March 14, 2017 J Bills Animation/VFX, Jobs, Oregon Animation Industry, Oregon Video Games, Talent, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

As Grimm fades to black, it’s hard not to get a little nostalgic considering the massive contribution to our local VFX scene. But this also signals a call to action and the need to pull together quickly, to keep as many of the dozens of Ex-Grimm artists here and gainfully employed as possible. Local studios, agencies, and other companies operating in the VFX/CG/Post/Game space are on baord.

Next Monday, March 20, from 5-7pm at co-working space CENTRL (Eastside), VFX/PDX presents “A Very Grimm Happy Hour.” Continue reading... “via VFX/PDX – A VFX/CG/Post Job Fair – Coming Monday 3/20 @ CENTRL (east)”

HouseSpecial’s Stop-Motion Short Takes ‘Best Animated Film’ At Oregon Independent Film Festival

September 28, 2016September 28, 2016 Alise Munson Animation/VFX, Award, Events, Film Festivals, Incentives, Oregon Animation Industry, Uncategorized Animation, film festivals, HouseSpecial, incentives, iOPIF, stop motionLeave a Comment

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/154092195[/vimeo]Aaron Sorenson, a Director at Portland animation studio HouseSpecial, received the award for Best Animated Film for the stop-motion short Jailbreak during the award ceremony at The Oregon Independent Film Festival (OIFF) held on September 24, 2016 in Portland’s Clinton Street Theater.

Jailbreak, shot in black and white, follows the daring escape of a desperate prisoner fleeing his nightmarish cell in pursuit of sweet punishment. Written and directed by Sorenson, this short is a German Expressionist-inspired design mash-up of stop motion with a 2D design sensibility … and a decidedly adult twist. Continue reading... “HouseSpecial’s Stop-Motion Short Takes ‘Best Animated Film’ At Oregon Independent Film Festival”

HouseSpecial Brings CustomInk’s ‘Spokestopus’ To Life In Stopmotion

April 19, 2016 Alise Munson Animation/VFX, Commercial, Oregon Animation Industry Adversiting, Animation, CG, CustomInk, Gustafson, HouseSpecial, StopMotion, TelevisionLeave a Comment

April 18, 2016 (PORTLAND, OR) Introducing Steve the Spokestopus. He’s a new animated super fan created by content production studio HouseSpecial for CustomInk, the leading provider of custom apparel and accessories for groups and communities. The multi-spot campaign is a collaboration with Los Angeles ad agency SUPERMOON (SUPERMOON.com) and debuts this month on broadcast and digital media platforms.

HouseSpecial’s Mark Gustafson (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Planters Mr. Peanut, Häagen-Dazs) helmed the spots and teamed with SUPERMOON’s Executive Creative Director and Partner David DeRoma to refine the initial scripts and develop the Steve character for animation. Continue reading... “HouseSpecial Brings CustomInk’s ‘Spokestopus’ To Life In Stopmotion”

HouseSpecial Releases New Stop-Motion Short ‘Jailbreak’

March 7, 2016 Alise Munson Animation/VFX, Independent, Independent Films, Oregon Film, Portland, Uncategorized Aaron Sorenson, Animation, HouseSpecial, Jailbreak, stop motionLeave a Comment

From HouseSpecial Director Aaron Sorenson comes the short film Jailbreak, a noir-ish nod to German Expressionism that explores the psychology of imprisonment via stop motion animation. Shot in black and white, the film has an adult twist and dark theatrical feel.

“I was influenced most directly by the silent German Expressionist films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and The Golem. But I was also inspired by my love of prison break films such as Escape from Alcatraz, I Was a Prisoner on a Chain Gang and Papillon,” Sorenson said. Continue reading... “HouseSpecial Releases New Stop-Motion Short ‘Jailbreak’”

LOWER BOOM Releases Soundtrack For Newest Film: JOAN

December 11, 2015December 14, 2015 mattschulte Movies, Music, Oregon Film, Portland film music, indiefilm, indiemusic, JOAN, Mark Orton, matt schulteLeave a Comment

JOAN original score by Mark Orton from Lower Boom.

LOWER BOOM, a Portland, Oregon based studio that innovates in the production, distribution and marketing of micro-budget films, announces the release of the soundtrack for it’s newest film, JOAN. The score, composed and produced by Mark Orton, is available as a beautifully packaged CD and also available worldwide at all digital stores and streaming services including iTunes. Continue reading... “LOWER BOOM Releases Soundtrack For Newest Film: JOAN”

HouseSpecial Signs Kevin Batten As West Coast Rep

December 10, 2015 Alise Munson Animation/VFX, Blog, Commercial, News, Portland, Uncategorized Animation, HouseSpecialLeave a Comment

Animated content production studio HouseSpecial (formerly LAIKA/house) President Lourri Hammack announced a new partnership with Kevin Batten, founder of Pop-Arts Management (http://wearepoparts.com), for West Coast representation.

Ms. Hammack: “Kevin brings unparalleled production knowledge and hands-on experience to the art of making animated magic. I’ve followed his career for many years, looking for an opportunity to work together. I can’t think of a better way to close out a great 2015 and break open 2016 than launching a collaboration with Kevin and Pop-Arts Management.” Continue reading... “HouseSpecial Signs Kevin Batten As West Coast Rep”

HouseSpecial Signs Kelly Salmon As Its Northeast Rep

July 28, 2015August 4, 2015 Alise Munson Animation/VFX, Commercial, Production Services, Television Animation, HouseSpecialLeave a Comment

Kelly Salmon - HouseSpecial's new Northeast rep — Kelly Salmon – HouseSpecial’s new Northeast rep

JULY 28, 2015 (PORTLAND, ORE) Animated content production studio HouseSpecial (formerly LAIKA/house) President Lourri Hammack announced a new partnership with Kelly Salmon, owner of the independent New York-based repping firm Hunt & Gather, for Northeast representation for all animated content.

Ms. Hammack: “When Gerard Cantor of Joinery spoke highly of Kelly and then quickly signed to her roster, I knew he was onto something special. Upon meeting Kelly, I understood his enthusiasm and we quickly joined forces. Continue reading... “HouseSpecial Signs Kelly Salmon As Its Northeast Rep”

“Wild” and “The Boxtrolls” At Oscars 2015

February 27, 2015 Oregon Film Award, Events, Uncategorized Oscar 2015, The Boxtrolls, WildLeave a Comment

Photo appeared on Reese Witherspoon's Facebook page — Photo appeared on Reese Witherspoon’s Facebook page

At Oscars 2015 the 87th Academy Awards Witherspoon was nominated for Best Actress in “Wild”, and Dern for Best Supporting Actress, and Laika’s the “The Boxtrolls” for Best Animated Feature. Although Oscar eluded Oregon projects this time, to stand with their equally talented fellow nominees was impressive. Congrats! Continue reading... ““Wild” and “The Boxtrolls” At Oscars 2015”

MovieMaker Magazine Names Portland in Top Ten Big Cities to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2015

February 2, 2015February 2, 2015 Oregon Film Independent, Independent Films, Locations, Movies, Portland Best Places to Live and Work as A Moviemaker, MovieMaker Magazine Top Big Cities1 Comment

MovieMaker Magazine named Portland in their Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker Top 10 Big Cities. The magazine noted the city has many independent movie theaters, is homes to animation studios such as Laika, and educational programs within the Portland metro area such NW Film Center, Art Institute and PSU. Read more here. Ashland, Oregon was named #1 Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2015 in the Top Five Towns category. Continue reading... “MovieMaker Magazine Names Portland in Top Ten Big Cities to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2015”

Eastern Oregon Film Festival: Call for Entries 2015

August 5, 2014August 5, 2014 Eastern Oregon Film Festival Film Festivals, Uncategorized #EOFF2015, Call for Entries, Eastern Oregon, film festivalLeave a Comment

Filmmakers are invited to submit works for consideration in the 6th Eastern Oregon Film Festival —held in La Grande, OR, May 7-9, 2015.

EOFF has been graced by many artists and industry professionals—whether in-the-flesh or via Skype Q&A—including Terence Nance, Matt Porterfield, Ornana, Elizabeth Mims, Nandan Rao, Kentucker Audley, Dustin Guy Defa, Zach Weintraub, Lucas Leyva, Tristan Patterson, LAIKA,Evan Glodell, Sophia Takal, Jessica Oreck and many more.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Secure Online Screener—VIMEO ONLY. No discs. No Youtube links.
Submissions must have been completed after August 2012.