High Fructose Article

They've got an interview with designer/animator Chris Reccardi who's worked on alot of shows you've probably watched, including Powerpuff Girls, Ren & Stimpy, Foster's Home, ect. Check out the interview!

http://www.hifructose.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208

Sita Sings the Blues

***Edited- I just noticed on the site that the show for this Sunday has changed from 12:45 to 12:15.***

I just found out that Sita Sings the Blues will be playing very soon at the Chicago International Film Festival!!

Here's the info from their site-

SITA SINGS THE BLUES
Nina Paley
Animator Nina Paley interweaves the Hindu epic Ramayana with a modern divorce story with surprising ease in the visually engrossing Sita Sings the Blues. Each aspect of the story has its own unique look, and songs by jazz singer Annette Hanshaw heighten the emotion throughout. The bright colors, easy humor, and vital music combine to make the film an impressive, inventive feat. 82 mins
USA

10/18/08 4:40 PMRE9
10/19/08 12:15 PMRE5
10/28/08 6:15 PMRE9

http://2008.chicagofilmfestival.org/FilmsEvents/films.php?title&page=9

Academy Posts Animation

This page has video highlights, podcasts, and images from the Academy of Motion Picture's animation exhibits from this year.

http://www.oscars.org/events/past/2008/animation/index.html

Interview with Miss Piggy's Creator

Smithsonian Magazine has an interview up with Bonnie Erickson, the creator of Miss Piggy!

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/atm-qa-200810.html

Early Animation Screening with live music

Chicago Cinema Forum presents

MAGIC IN CINEMA
Early Silent Films with Musical Live Accompaniment

Wednesday, September 17
Doors at 7pm / Films at 8pm

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Films by Georges Méliès, Edwin S. Porter, R W Paul and Lotte Reiniger

Music by Jeff Parker (of Tortoise) and Shannon Harris

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Sonotheque
1444 W. Chicago
312.226.7600
www.sonotheque.org

Doors at 7pm / Films at 8pm / $8 Cover

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"Magic in Cinema"

Since Spielberg and Lucas gave birth to the modern blockbuster in the late-70s, mainstream cinema has been addicted to special effects. These days, CGI (computer-generated imagery) is ubiquitous, and the drive to create ever-more "credible" illusions seems so often to be the contemporary blockbuster's ultimate raison d'être.

Yet special effects--or rather the use of magic in all its forms--have been a crucial aspect of cinema since its infancy at the turn of the 20th century. "Magic in Cinema" will showcase some of the most mystical and mesmerizing moments in early film history with a selection of films (1896-1905) by Georges Méliès, the first wizard of cinema, a recently restored print of Lotte Reinger's animated film "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" (1926), Edwin S. Porter's "Dream of a Rarebit Fiend" (1906), R W Paul's surreal "The ? Motorist" (1906) and other equally mystifying celluloid treats.

Music for Reiniger's "Prince Achmed" will be composed and performed by guitarist Jeff Parker of Tortoise. The scores for the Méliès, Porter and R W Paul films will be composed and played by producer/musician Shannon Harris. They each, individually, will score new compositions and perform them live for the first time. Both sections are approximately 1 hour with a short break in-between.

Curated by Gabe Klinger

Films Selected by Joe Bryl

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Filmmaker & musician bios and more information at www.chicagocinemaforum.org

Acting for Animators Workshop

Hi everyone,
Received this email from Maria Ricciardi for a CHICAGO ACTING FOR ANIMATORS WORKSHOP.
The course being taught by Ed Hooks in Chicago and it's October 4th.

Chicagoanimators.com Interviews

I've edited and uploaded a few interviews today onto the forums at ChicagoAnimators.com
Including:

Dave Pryor - local chicagoan, alumni of Startoons, and animator of "Alien for Christmas"

Bobby Beck - Pixar animator and one of the founders of AnimationMentor.com

Glen McIntosh - ILM Charater Animator, worked on films such as The Spiderwick Chronicles, Transformers, Star Wars, Jurassic Park

Bob Rissetto - Local Chicagoan, animator and illustrator

Michael Daley - Storyboard and Story artist from San Francisco

Bruno Werneck - Another local Chicago artist, works on film and video game concept art