Toon Studio

Show me your dock

2009-05-29T10:28:23Z

Show my your dock has been featured on many websites, I thought I'd put my dock up for all to see. Here is the list:

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Billings Recently started using this app to identify and manage time on projects.

Manga Debut Studio I'm yet to discover a better app that handles pressure sensitive brush strokes like this.

ToonBoom Studio I stopped using Flash after MX came out. I knew Toon Boom was around but it was expensive. Recently the products have changed and so has the pricing. I now use Studio in my animation pipeline. Studio is perfect for solo animation, if you rely on more than one person in the process, look to ToonBoom Animate.

ToonBoom Storyboard Having already owned ToonBoom Studio, I knew Storyboard would be simple to use. Brilliant handling of the workflow process.

Final Draft For writing animation scripts.

Save the Cat When I start on a new project in writing, Blake Snyder's app is my first port of call.

Adobe Illustrator For all things good and vector. I use this for most artwork and typeset illustration.

Adobe Photoshop Pretty standard, colour and resize etc...

iTunes I listen to soundtracks while I work.

Safari Always a trustworthy browser to use.

Mail Part of the standard suite in the operating system. Still one of the best.

Photobooth Part of the standard suite in the operating system. Also captures video as well.

Calculator Part of the standard suite in the operating system. Handy for currency conversion.

Text Edit Part of the standard suite in the operating system. I hand code web pages as much as I can. This app is always at hand.

CSS Edit One of the best apps for styling web pages. The X-ray function alone is worth the price tag.

Espresso Recently released. Integrates FTP, CSS and Coding in to one app. Brilliant.

Skitch is handy for taking quick snapshots of the screen and resizing, uploading to a website for review.

Firefox Useful for web development. Firebug should be installed with this.

Wyzo Much better than Firefox for download speed, without the hassle of extending with plugins. Does not have Firebug though, does have Cool Iris which is amazing.

Delicious Library Taking advantage of using the iSight camera on the Mac, it scans barcodes and catalogues all in a library.

Litmus Working on a Mac and need to test a site in different platforms or browsers?

Times Much easier than opening a browser and searching the news sites.

Candy Bar Takes the pain out of handling and managing icons on the Mac.

Adobe Digital Editions I only have a few books, but that's because they are digital edition only.

Coda Similar to Espresso, still test driving it.

Suitcase Fusion With so many fonts to use, can't use them all at once. Too many fonts installed can weigh down the speed of the machine. This helps turn on or off the fonts when you need them.

The Creative Spark

2009-03-23T05:49:06Z

"Red tape!" he exclaimed, shaking his fist in mock rage. "It's a huge obstacle for us. We are getting so big so fast that we always seem to need a few more rules here, a bit more paperwork there.

]]> After all, we have three thousand people working here now. But we must be careful, too. Every new layer of management, every new rule or form gets in the way. They deaden the magic - cut off the electricity of inspiration. If there are too many restrictions, you stop thinking about what you can do and start thinking about what you cannot do.

"Picasso did not ask for approval from the legal department before he started painting Guernica, " Bernard added.

- This extract from the book CIRQUE DU SOLEIL The Spark, John U. Bacon.

This passage I read from the book summed up what I see in many operations today still. Creativity is stifled from the political organisation of business as it expands. So does it make sense to keep your business small?

Blue Screen of Death tees

2008-09-08T09:03:26Z

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a nerd when it comes to all things geeky. Ever since owning the first Commodore computers I've had that streak of nerdity in my veins. There seems to be a renaissance of retro design shirts making their way back in to fashion again.

]]> Even stronger in local market stalls. Here is some inventive and funny takes for poor old Windows users, wear with pride.

Error wear, what a great name for geek wear! Where is the mac stuff?

Henry Selick is back, with Neil Gaiman's Coraline

2008-09-05T00:35:12Z

Henry Selick, the stop motion animation director that made it big with Nightmare before Christmas, is heading back to the big screen with a new film - Neil Gaiman's Coraline!

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Exclusive Sneak Peak is available with Rotten Tomato.

Making of on Rotten Tomatoes.

iPhones

2008-09-03T09:12:41Z

I'm usually one of the early adopters of Apple product, but the release of the iPhone in Australia recently didn't encourage me to make that jump.

]]> Firstly, the telecom companies who were authorised to sell the phone with their packages are some of the worst in the country. They each have appalling customer service and no doubt will be digging their graves deeper by burning the new adopters of this phone with their mis-management.

I have instead been considering to buy an iPod Touch instead, it has all the same features bar the phone calling and camera. Given that my Nokia E65 is working quite well and has a builtin broadband modem, I can use it to connect to the net with the use of Bluetooth in the iPod and Macbook.

Here's an interesting take on someone converting back to their old trusty.

How to Hook Up Your Home Theater with the Goof

2008-09-01T00:28:42Z

It was first released with Disney's Enchanted theatrical release, but How to Hook Up Your Home Theater with the Goof is a positive return to traditional animation. And with some of the industry legends animating the short!

]]> Here is a great interview with Andreas Deja and Mark Henn who were animators on the short film. Animation World Network has a great interview and article on the making as well here.

And the retro styled Disney Animation website has a short clip from the film.

Winners of the AWGIE Awards, Melbourne 2008

2008-08-19T05:24:07Z

Attended the Australian Writers' Guild (Screenwriters) awards night at the Regal Theatre in Melbourne on the 15th August.

]]> I think it's fair enough to rename the event the McLeodie Awards instead:

Monte Miller Award - Long Form
For un-produced script over 30 minutes written by an Associate member
The Insect King by Priscilla Cameron

(ed. Interestingly, Priscilla Cameron wasn't able to attend and the award was collected on her behalf by the Producer of The Insect King.)

Monte Miller Award - Short Form
For un-produced script under 30 minutes written by an Associate member
Running by Rebecca Glenn

Interactive Media
Who Iced Otzi?: The Story of the Iceman by Caleb Lewis

Music Theatre
Everything's F***ed by Sean Peter

Theatre for Young Audiences
Stories in the Dark by Debra Oswald

Community and Youth Theatre
Royal Affair by Michael Costello

Stage
Beyond the Neck by Tom Holloway

Radio Adaptation
Fragments of Hong Kong by Katherine Thomson

Comedy (Situation or Narrative)
Death Wish, Chandon Pictures by Rob Carlton

Comedy (Sketch or Light Entertainment)
Newstopia, Episode 8, Series One by Michael Ward with Richard Marsland, Gary McCaffrie and Shaun Micallef

Children's Television (C Classification)
Man Bites Dog, Dogstar by Doug MacLeod

Documentary (Public Broadcast)
The Fibros and the Silvertails by Paul Oliver

Telemovie Original
The Informant by Greg Haddrick

Television Mini Series Adaptation
Underbelly by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick and Felicity Packard

Television Mini Series Original
East West 101 by Kristen Dunphy, Michael Miller, Kris Mrksa, Michelle Offen and Kris Wyld

Television Series
Against the Wall Part Two, Episode 417, All Saints by Sean Nash

Television Serial
Home & Away, Episode 4498 by Margaret Wilson

Short Film
Hugo by Rachel Bowen

Feature Film Adaptation
Disgrace by Anna-Maria Monticelli

Feature Film Original
The Black Balloon by Elissa Down and Jimmy the Exploder

Richard Lane Award for Service and Dedication to the Australian Writers' Guild
Mark Poole

Fred Parsons Award for Contribution to Australian Comedy
Doug MacLeod

Dorothy Crawford Award Recognising Outstanding Contribution to the Profession of Scriptwriting
Liz Jones

Major AWGIE Award and Copyright Agency Limited Peer Recognition Prize
Underbelly by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick and Felicity Packard

Women are fiends in animation

2008-08-08T04:23:07Z

Amy Winfrey has been animating mainly online but was picked up by Nickelodeon after its three year web debut.

]]> Nick is in the process of producing a full length film for TV of Making Fiends. It would have made sense if the setting was in Horrywood, nice background designs in the new version of this one.

Here is an interview with the LA Weekly with Winfrey, a clear example of self financing a production for the web and gaining an audience and a network picking it up from the interest.

Simon Bucher also has an article about his Daily Monster website where he has been filming himself drawing. Check out the article here.

Honourable Mention for Evil Genius Academy

2008-07-01T09:33:10Z

Animation Magazine's Pitch Party '08 is over and the results are in!

]]> Whilst I didn't win, I received an honourable mention. It had been pointed out to me that I had spelled Enrol incorrectly on the pitch, however that is not true. In UK spelling we use only one L, the US spelling is with two. So it is Enroll in the US, I guess it could count as a spelling error by the judges.

I think in this day and age we are a technology era where we are still seeking answers to what we are here for. Reality TV has taken off over the years to a point it seems ridiculous that every TV channell has a show on about someone else's life. TV and Film for me have always been to escape the rat race and let my mind wander off to a world of unrealism. With that in mind, I didn't write the concept of Evil Genius Academy thinking of how it would affect the viewers or whether or not the audience would connect. In fact, I don't want the audience to connect in that way. This isn't a concept that is supposed to teach you anything about life. This is purely slapstick entertainment, not unlike Warner Bros cartoons from the Golden Age. It's about what makes me laugh and keeps me entertained. I spoke with some colleagues about this concept and they too knew I was on to something that would work great. It seems the idea of just having fun with a show is waning with some networks. It's more about appealing to your audience and connecting your characters to a show through marketing. Which probably stands to reason why you don't see much more of any shows that don't provide some sort of entertainment in a different world. If I'd said the evil genius was an emo kid that was teased by other children at school and his parents picked on him, I'm sure that it would be more appealing. But I'm not about making something for the audiences, I'm about making something I care about. If you don't like the idea, don't follow me or the show.

It's been an interesting experience with the Pitch Party, I'd do it again. But next time I know what appeals to the majority to get a winner. If that's what I want.

In the meantime, I continue to develop the series and will update the website with progress as it comes.

Buy a shirt for your favourite Evil Genius today! courtesy of RedBubble.

Attention all Evil Geniuses

2008-06-19T02:41:33Z

Okay so I'm going to need your help on this one, I'm participating in the annual Animation Magazine Pitch Party 2008!

My kids TV show I've been developing is Evil Genius Academy (as you can see on the left) and I need your help to spread the word and get the votes. The winners of the Pitch get to nominate the Studio Executive of their choice!

Voting closes soon, please point your browser to the voting page:

http://www.animationmagazine.net/pitch_party_08_vote.html

And spread the word to your friends, global domination!

Thank you !

Is it IATSE or Yahtzee?

2008-06-16T07:30:27Z

Nikki Fenke reports that the writers of Sony's new animated series walk out because of Union rulings. Strangely it's a show based on an axed Australian TV show that only made 13 live action episodes.

2008 AWGIE AWARD NOMINATIONS

2008-06-16T07:18:42Z

And the nominations for best categories are...

]]> Monte Miller Award Long Form
(for un-produced script over 30 minutes by Associate member)

The Insect King by Priscilla Cameron
The Witness Tree by Jacqueline Cook
Taj by Winston Furlong
The Klara Project by Graeme Simsion
The Bosnian Horse, Part One by Robert Tomic

Monte Miller Award Short Form
(for un-produced script under 30 minutes by Associate member)

Celestial Avenue by Colin Cairnes with Cameron Cairnes
Running by Rebecca Glenn
Rabbit by Grant Scicluna

Children's Television - C Classification

Tails End, Dogstar by Philip Dalkin
Red Boy, Master Raindrop by Kym Goldsworthy
Man Bites Dog, Dogstar by Doug MacLeod
Gumnutz by Phil Sanders

Theatre for Young Audiences

Penalty Shot by Daynan Brazil
Stories in the Dark by Debra Oswald

Community and Youth Theatre

Royal Affair by Michael Costello
This Territory by Noëlle Janaczewska

Music Theatre

Only one nomination and the winner will be announced on the night.

Stage

The Call by Patricia Cornelius
Beyond the Neck by Tom Holloway
The Seed by Kate Mulvany
2,000 Feet Away by Anthony Weigh

Interactive Media

Forget the Rules, Series Two by Leisl Egan and Jim Shomos with Tim
Ferguson and May Yeung

Iceman the Story of Ötzi - Who Iced Ötzi? by Caleb Lewis

Radio Adaptation

Madagascar Lily by Noëlle Janaczewska
Fragments of Hong Kong by Katherine Thomson

Documentary - Public Broadcast

The Boot Cake by Kathryn Millard
The Fibros and the Silvertails by Paul Oliver

Short Film

Hugo by Rachel Bowen
Suzi by Peter Copeman and Elizabeth More
Nice Shootin' Cowboy by Ben Phelps
Confusion by Megan Shields

Comedy - Sketch or Light Entertainment

Only one nomination and the winner will be announced on the night.

Comedy - Situation or Narrative

Cousins, Chandon Pictures by Rob Carlton
Return of the Titan, Chandon Pictures by Rob Carlton
Death Wish, Chandon Pictures by Rob Carlton
Dog Eat Dog, Wilfred by Jason Gann and Adam Zwar
The Black Dog, Stupid, Stupid Man by Tim Pye

Television Serial

Home and Away, Episode 4521 by Sam Meikle
Neighbours, Episode 5431 by Anthony Morris
Neighbours, Episode 5430 by Scott Taylor
Home and Away, Episode 4498 by Margaret Wilson

Television Series

Baby Love, City Homicide by John Banas and John Hugginson
The Cemetery Gates, Love My Way by Brendan Cowell
Seconds, All Saints by Fiona Kelly
Against The Wall (Part 2), All Saints by Sean Nash
Telemovie Original
The King: The Graham Kennedy Story by Kris Mrska with Jaime Brown
The Informant by Greg Haddrick

Television Mini Series Original

Only one nomination and the winner will be announced on the night.

Television Mini Series Adaptation

Only one nomination and the winner will be announced on the night.

Feature Film Adaptation

Only one nomination and the winner will be announced on the night.

Feature Film Original

Acolytes by Shayne Armstrong with Jon Hewitt and Shane Krause
The Black Balloon by Elissa Down and Jimmy the Exploder
The Tender Hook by Jonathan Ogilvie
Cactus by Jasmine Yuen-Carrucan

Flying Bark bought by Belgians?

2008-05-30T08:28:02Z

It appears what was once known as Yoram Gross Studios (now known as Flying Bark) in Camperdown (Sydney) then bought in error by EM (Germany) are now to be owned by Studio 100 (Belgium). A company that actually has a focus on children's entertainment!

The transaction is subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities in Germany and Austria, as well as the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM) and the Commission on Concentration in the Media (KEK).

Incredible that EM are the group who bought the Jim Henson Company for $680 million and the Henson family later bought it back for $78 million three years later.

Disney forms kingdom comics to create graphic novels leading to film projects

2008-05-30T08:22:07Z

In a supreme case of "oh, we get it now!" it seems that the hierarchy at the mouse house have spawned a new demon it seems. May be it will be something we can all look forward to rather than with the anticipation we all have for direct to DVD sequels of their animated features. Original stories would be great to read, if only they'd initiate what they used to do so well.

Investment in screenwriting

2008-05-30T08:08:02Z

An issue foreseen by many has been that many of Australia's films are by writer/directors, something the industry it seems is trying to note that this is not a rule but an exception as there have been many successful writer/directors make it big commercially here.

One of the issues I see is that it has over the years created a lack of respect to both individual roles. Here is the full article from the Australian Writers' Guild

AWG article.