The role of “FX Artist” working on a film is a fun one indeed. FX Artists are tasked with creating dynamics and particle animations that create flashy effects like explosions, psunami level tidal waves, smoke, buildings crumbling, and other such epic imagery that make summer blockbusters all the more fun.
Two Oregon companies, LAIKA and Bent Image Lab picked up nominations for the 42nd Annual Annie Awards. (Bent Image Lab garnered a nomination for “Polariffic” (Hallmark) in the Best Animated Special Production category, and Laika’s “The Boxtrolls” picked up 13 nominations, including Best Animated Feature.) Laika was awarded two Annies for Best Production Design and Best Voice Acting (Ben Kingsley as Archibald Snatcher). “The Boxtrolls” is also nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscar’s next month. Continue reading... “LAIKA Scoops Two Annie Awards”
The Portland area visual effects and animation user group, VFX/PDX, has a special program on tap for the upcoming user group meeting on November 15th. A little something called “Short Film Saturday!” It’s been a prolific year for eye-popping short films in the area, and this show promises an in-depth look behind the scenes at the visual effects and other wizardry from this year’s crop. Headlining will be Toby Froud’s Lesson’s Learned(presented with VFX artists Adam Sager and David Manuel) and Joshua Cox’s Proximity. Continue reading... “VFX/PDX User Group Meeting – Short Film Saturday! w/Lessons Learned + Proximity & More!”
Laika’s third big, stop motion feature, “The Box Trolls” (Laika and Focus Features) had some positive nationwide opening numbers, $17.3 million gross, Laika’s biggest opening yet. Laika President,Travis Knight, and Focus Features CEO, Paul Schlessel announced late last week that they will continue to work together for three more projects.
Members of the Production Industry At PWA NW Youth Careers Expo
Last week saw a strong turnout for the Annual Portland Workforce Alliance NW Youth Careers Expo. Oregon Film asked members of the production community to join us in showcasing an array of production job opportunities that are here in Oregon. With a staggering 5,000 students attending, it was a productive day showing future job possibilities in a hands-on way.
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.
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.
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.
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-basedanimation 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.
Our friends at the Hollywood Theatre continue to start new exciting intiatives! Below is the most recent announcement from the team.
