HouseSpecial: Summer Animation Internships Open

HouseSpecialJoin our animation team as a paid intern from June 12 to August 25, 2017 in Portland.

 The deadline to apply for all internships is March 31, 2017. 

We are looking for the following:

If you have completed your Junior year of college or maybe graduated within the last two years? You’re eligible.

Eligibility for International Students
You must be legally eligible to work inside the United States.  

Continue reading... “HouseSpecial: Summer Animation Internships Open”

HouseSpecial’s ‘Lamentation’ Screening at the New Hollywood Theatre @PDX

Portland animation studio HouseSpecial announces the opening screening of ­their latest short film Lamentation at The Hollywood Theatre @PDX, the new movie theatre in Portland’s airport (C Concourse), beginning on February 23, 2017 and running regularly through the Spring.

The short film is inspired by Portland’s own world-renowned Pink Martini’s rendition of the sorrowful Romanian ballad Până când nu te iubeam (Before I Fell in Love with You), with vocals by Storm Large. Director Kirk Kelley, Founding Partner/Creative Director of HouseSpecial, employed traditional stop-motion animation, in-camera VFX and CG elements combined with high-speed footage captured in practical environments. Continue reading... “HouseSpecial’s ‘Lamentation’ Screening at the New Hollywood Theatre @PDX”

HouseSpecial Expanding Production Coordinator Roster

HouseSpecial is expanding our roster of production coordinator talent for upcoming CG and stop-motion productions. To be included in our production bullpen, submit your information via housespecial.com and select Future Positions. Experience in producing animation is always helpful.

Production Coordination: Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Tracks all project activity from preproduction through delivery of masters across CG, Stop-Motion and Mixed Media animation projects and Live Action shoots.
  • Maintains and updates crew lists.
  • Communicates scheduling information with freelance and staff artists, including specific instructions from directors and producers.
Continue reading... “HouseSpecial Expanding Production Coordinator Roster”

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

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 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’

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’”

Over 7000 High Schools Students Attended NW Youth Careers Expo 2016

Students talking with HouseSpecial
Students talking with HouseSpecial

Oregon Film hosted a booth again this year at the NW Youth Careers Expo, and we were joined by representatives from:

Selected high school students, and Governor Kate Brown, addressed the pre-expo breakfast attendees, reinforcing the message that supporting Oregon’s youth as they emerge into the workforce is integral to our state’s growth.

The expo was put on by the Portland Workforce Alliance, and had over 160 exhibitors. Continue reading... “Over 7000 High Schools Students Attended NW Youth Careers Expo 2016”

HouseSpecial Signs Kevin Batten As West Coast Rep

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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

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”