LAIKA | The Confluence

Next VFX/PDX Meeting – Monday February 11th

January 31, 2013 J Bills Animation/VFX, Portland, TechnologyLeave a Comment

It’s that time again. The Portland area Visual Effects & Animation user group, VFX/PDX, has their winter meeting on tap, and it will surely heat up an otherwise chilly Monday night.

Lead Compositor James Chick of Hive-FX will be showing in-depth breakdowns of their work on the series Grimm, as well as other projects from a very hopping 2012. James is a talented Compositor who’s weapon of choice is Adobe After Effects, and recently he’s been funneling his free time and filmmaking skills into an impressive run of short films, which should make his presentation one not to miss. Continue reading... “Next VFX/PDX Meeting – Monday February 11th”

Eastern Oregon Film Festival Releases 2013 Festival Program and Sets Stage for Feb. 28 – March, 2nd in La Grande

January 29, 2013January 29, 2013 Eastern Oregon Film Festival Film FestivalsLeave a Comment

EOFF2013 is the fourth annual Eastern Oregon Film Festival held in La Grande, OregonFebruary 28th – March 2nd, 2013. EOFF features an amazing line-up of emerging independent feature and short films. The festival opens with Only The Young, an intimate portrait of three enigmatic teenagers searching for love, friendship, and skate parks. The film somehow manages to capture the fly-on-the-wall perspective of a documentary, with the aesthetic of a patiently and beautifully shot narrative film. Friday night ends with War Witch (Rebelle), the incredibly unique and powerful 2013 Academy Award nominated ‘Best Foreign Language Film’. Continue reading... “Eastern Oregon Film Festival Releases 2013 Festival Program and Sets Stage for Feb. 28 – March, 2nd in La Grande”

ParaNorman Nominated For 8 Annie Awards

December 3, 2012December 5, 2012 Oregon Film Animation/VFX, Events, Film and Media Industry "Paranorman", Animation, Annie Awards, Focus Features, LAIKA, Oregon film industry2 Comments

http://youtu.be/Gzjhej9pVuY

It’s gratifying to see ParaNorman (Focus features + Laika) nominated eight times for an Annie Award, including Best Picture.

In Individual Achievement nominations there are seven categories in which ParaNorman talent gets a nod:

Animated Effects; Andrew Nawrot, Joe Gorski, Grant Laker, Character Animation; Travis Knight, Directing; Sam Fell, Chris Butler, Character Design; Heidi Smith, Production Design; Nelson Lowry, Ross Stewart, Pete Oswald Ean McNamara, Trevor Dalmer, Storyboarding; Emmanuela Cozzi and Writing; Chris Butler.

The 40th annual Annie Awards, honoring the best in animation, will take place on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Continue reading... “ParaNorman Nominated For 8 Annie Awards”

Oregon Vendor Spotlight: Cambridge Precision Machining

October 1, 2012October 3, 2012 Oregon Film Animation/VFX, Economic Impact, Featured Videos, Film and Media Industry, Jobs, Movies, Oregon Film, Resources, Technology "Paranorman", Cambridge Precision Machining, Economic Impact, LAIKA, Oregon Film Interns, Oregon Vendor Spotlight1 Comment

http://vimeo.com/48827953

In this week’s video (above), the Oregon Film Summer Interns visit Cambridge Precision Machining in Tigard Oregon.

Cambridge Precision Machining recently experienced a 20% increase in revenue due to work manufacturing the tiny joints and parts of the armature skeletons for LAIKA’s stop-motion animated feature “ParaNorman.” Based on referrals, they are now getting additional work from as far away as Great Britain.

You can view the four previous videos in the series here: “Shop Adorn” , “Local Nursery Supply Chain” , “PG&L and Bend Oregon’s ATI” , and Koerner Camera Systems. Continue reading... “Oregon Vendor Spotlight: Cambridge Precision Machining”

Oregon Filmmakers Convene to Learn Latest in Film Finance

September 27, 2012September 27, 2012 OMPA Events, Film and Media Industry, Independent Films, PortlandLeave a Comment

Limited seating is available – Register Now >

OMPA Presents:
Northwest Film Finance V
Saturday October 13, 2012

9am-5pm at Hilton Portland & Executive Tower
With support from SOFaT and the Oregon Governor’s office of Film and Television

If you are a producer, filmmaker or finance partner, this is a perfect opportunity to raise your game. Nationally recognized experts plus the brightest Oregon producers meet at the elegant Hilton Portland for a one-day conference and workshops on identifying, meeting and soliciting partners to finance Oregon productions. Continue reading... “Oregon Filmmakers Convene to Learn Latest in Film Finance”

Hollywood Theatre Launches New Film Education Programs @HollywoodTheatr

September 21, 2012 Oregon Film Animation/VFX, Education, Oregon Film, Portland, Uncategorized Hollywood Theatre, LAIKALeave a Comment

Our friends at the Hollywood Theatre continue to start new exciting intiatives! Below is the most recent announcement from the team.

HOLLYWOOD THEATRE LAUNCHES NEW FILM EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Opens Media Lab, “Hollywood Theatre Studio” at Grant High School

(Portland, OR) September 21, 2011 – This fall, as funding for the arts in schools continues to face significant cuts, the nonprofit Hollywood Theatre is piloting multiple education programs, affording hundreds of young people the opportunity to explore filmmaking and animation.

In partnership with Grant High School, the Theatre has launched “Hollywood Theatre Studio,” a state of the art media lab able to accommodate up to 40 students. Continue reading... “Hollywood Theatre Launches New Film Education Programs @HollywoodTheatr”

Portland Digital eXperience Showcases Local Animation Talent

August 30, 2012August 30, 2012 [email protected] Animation/VFX, Events, Talent, Technology Kate Ertmann, Musicfest Northwest, Oregon Animation, Portland Digital Experience, Rob Ducey, Robert Lewis, Shelley MidthunLeave a Comment

Portland has a reputation for creating world-class animation. Whether we’re making feature films or iconic commercials, using traditional stop-motion, CG or state of the art VFX, Portland is a hub for animation within the entertainment industry.

But what exactly do we mean when we refer to “animation”? Beyond movies and television, animation plays an increasing role in education, business solutions and interactive experiences of all kinds. Animation creates movement; it brings ideas to life.

On Thursday, Sept. 6 at 4:30pm Portland Digital eXperience presents Creative Technology in Portland: Local Innovators in Animation at Pure Space in Northwest Portland. Continue reading... “Portland Digital eXperience Showcases Local Animation Talent”

Governor Kitzhaber Declares Today “ParaNorman Day”

August 17, 2012August 17, 2012 Oregon Film Animation/VFX, Award, Events, Movies, Portland "Paranorman", Governor Kitzhaber, LAIKA, ParaNorman DayLeave a Comment

Showing his continued support of Oregon’s film and television industry, Governor John Kitzhaber issued an official Proclamation today declaring August 17, 2012 “ParaNorman Day”. Below is the language of the proclamation.

WHEREAS:          Oregon has a longstanding and honorable tradition of encouraging the entertainment arts and the abundantly talented individuals whose creative work delights, informs and educates our citizens; and

WHEREAS:          The handcrafted, stop-motion animated 3d movie “ParaNorman” is the second feature film produced by Oregon-based animation studio LAIKA; and

WHEREAS:          LAIKA is deeply committed to creating an environment that supports and celebrates the art and artistry of animated filmmaking; and

WHEREAS:          The lead character Norman is a young boy of ingenuity, empathy, courage and optimism and thus embodies character traits Oregonians hold most dear; and

WHEREAS:          “ParaNorman” was produced entirely in Oregon and will be released nationwide by Focus Features on August 17, 2012;

NOW,

THEREFORE:     I, John Kitzhaber, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim August 17, 2012 to be

PARANORMAN DAY

in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance.

Nike Brings You the “ParaNorman” Shoe #weirdwins

August 16, 2012August 16, 2012 Oregon Film Animation/VFX, Film and Media Industry, Oregon Film, Talent "Paranorman", Nike1 Comment

You all know the connection between LAIKA and Nike so it’s no great surprise the Nike has released a “ParaNorman” shoe tied to the release of the film. Regardless this is pretty cool! We found the news in this morning’s Portland Business Journal but the gallery showing the shoe can be found here on examiner.com

According to this website – there are 800 pairs of these shoes up for grabs if you submit a “weird” picture of yourself on twitter. Continue reading... “Nike Brings You the “ParaNorman” Shoe #weirdwins”

ParaNorman in Theaters on August 17 – We’ll Be There. What About You?

August 13, 2012 Oregon Film Blog, Events, Oregon Animation Industry "Paranorman", Focus Features, LAIKALeave a Comment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1RXm81AsNo

After two plus years hand crafting frame by frame, Oregon based animation studio LAIKA is set to debut their second film “ParaNorman” in theaters this coming Friday. We at the Oregon Film Office will be at the Regal Lloyd Center theaters with a block of tickets to celebrate the release. In fact we hope to see you there at 11:50 AM for the first showing! An opening weekend of any feature film often determines the financial success of the film so let’s all find a way to make it to a nearby theater and see this great Oregon Film. Continue reading... “ParaNorman in Theaters on August 17 – We’ll Be There. What About You?”