Reference: The amazing antics of Larry Griswold

Found at Boing Boing

Reference: Clinton’s “Reality Distortion Field” Charisma

There's an interesting post over at Tim Ferris' blog, where Michael Ellsberg compares Clinton's and Bush's body behavior and eye contact.

'Rio' Exclusive: Film's First Two Minutes

Beautiful! Awesome job as always from Blue Sky!

<a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&vid=390a5af2-fac2-4e20-8b6e-4cc518d71596&from=en-us&fg=dest" target="_new" title="'Rio' Exclusive: Film's First Two Minutes">Video: 'Rio' Exclusive: Film's First Two Minutes</a>

Reference: Gorilla walking like a man

:)

Workshop update and testimonial

This is the last week until the Online and On-site Workshops start and it's pretty hectic in terms of shuffling things around. Here is the current status:

Spring 2011 [updated 2/03/11]

The Monday #1 On-site Workshop is full.

The Thursday #2 On-site Workshop is full.

The Online Workshop has 3 spots left (current count 11).

Summer 2011 and Fall 2011

Sign-ups are starting and I have already received emails for the Summer On-site and Online Workshop, plus even a Fall 11 request. So email me if you're interested in the Summer/Fall spots.

-----------

And speaking of workshops, I always recommend that you guys leave feedback so that I can tweak the workshops to fit your needs. Here are links to the SOS and SO feedback page.

I actually got one recent testimonial which made me really happy (thanks Eric!!!) and I hope that I can continue to make it worthwhile for you guys:

Having JD as a teacher at the Academy I already knew what he was capable of, and what jedi powers he can teach me. The workshops surpassed the classes, IMO. Not only do we get 100% honest comments and critique about our work, but we also get insight on the industry of animation. Everything from making demo reels to handling clients and proving yourself as a worthy employee was covered (as long as you ask, JD is more than happy to answer your questions). Thats one of the things that separates JD's workshops from everyone elses. He gives everyday tips and knowledge about life in general and how it relates to animation. I highly recommend JD's workshops for anyone, whether you're just a beginner or a seasoned pro. Also, bring Twix.

-- Eric the Aminator

:)

2010 Oscar Nominations

Congratulations to those who got nominated!!

And boooooooo for not including Tangled for best animated movie (we need 5 slots!) and Tron for best FX.

And don't even get me started on the best picture nominations. And this has nothing to do with the specific movies nominated, but the structure itself. Since an animated movie is in the best picture category, it's an automatic win for the best animated movie category. SPOILERS!!!!!!!!

Check out all the 2010 Oscar noms here.

BEST PICTURE
"127 Hours"
"Black Swan"
"The Fighter"
"Inception"
"The Kids Are All Right"
"The King's Speech"
"The Social Network"
"Toy Story 3"
"True Grit"
"Winter's Bone"

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
"How To Train Your Dragon"
"The Illusionist" "Toy Story 3"

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
"Day & Night"
"The Gruffalo"
"Let’s Pollute"
"The Lost Thing"
"Madagascar, a Journey Diary"

VISUAL EFFECTS
"Alice in Wonderland"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One"
"Hereafter"
"Inception"
"Iron Man 2"

pic source

AM: Having a Professional Attitude (part 2) Video News

For those who are part of Animation Mentor, make sure to watch the latest video with Bobby Beck and Cathleen, called:

Important message from Bobby: Having a Professional Attitude (part 2)

It covers very important points about being a professional animator and the realities of working on a shot within a company. If you're not enrolled at AM you can't watch it, but for those who are, please watch it!

Notes on Facial Expressions

Awesome awesome chart about Facial expressions! Check it out here.

The Gruffalo - Making Of

Animation Mentor Newsletter - January 2011

The new AM newsletter is out and focused on their awesome Animals & Creatures class:

- Creatures in Motion - Animation Mentor launches new Animals & Creatures: Master Class program

- Animals & Creatures: Master Class Quick Facts

- Introducing the Animals & Creatures Characters! Dragons, Cats, and Ogres, Oh My!

- Mixing It Up: How Changing Your Workflow Can Improve Your Animation - Tips and Tricks with Kevin Freeman

Awkward Reference - Red Carpet Interviewer: Alexa Chung

The Golden Globes happened yesterday (congratulations to the winners!) and this clip made me cringe but it's so awesome. Watch the very end how she finishes the interview and Pattinson's reaction. Oh boy.

Workshop update!

[update as of 1/15/11]: 2 spots left in Monday and Thursday Workshops, and open spots for the online workshop, more info here (on-site) and here (online).



Hey everybody,

I will respond to all the workshop emails tonight! With vacation and especially the week of being sick a huge mountain of emails built up. I've been going through all of them in order but the workshop part will get updated all together tonight, thanks for waiting!!

Looking at it all quickly it looks like a few spots opened up (for the on-site workshop), so if you're interested, email me (and there's always a waiting list once it's full). The online workshop has open spots, so feel free to email me about that as well!

It's also a good lead in to my post about productivity and managing work & personal life. :)
So stay tuned for that one.

Cheers
JD

The Making of The Jungle Book

Not new, but I can watch this over and over, just like the movie, which is one of my favorites. Head over to Chronicles of an Animator by David Martinez for more.

2D Reference

Victor Navone's latest posts points to really cool sites, Walk Cycle Depot and Living Lines Library. Head over to his post for more info!

I'm a monster

Bit late on this, but it's great!

I'm a monster from Headless Productions on Vimeo.

Animation Mentor's Animals & Creatures: Master Class!

This is going to be really amazing! Head over to the overview page of AM's Animals & Creatures Master Class to learn more about it! The live webcast is going on right now, but you can already learn a lot about the new course on their site. The second clip is awesome. It's introducing the new rigs and shows sweet example shots.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! TV Commercial

Cute!

Ice Age: Continental Drift

Watch it @ Apple

Posters for Rio

Check out more posters here!

ShapeShifter

Thanks Jorge!

ShapeShifter from Charlex on Vimeo.

Contest Winners Fall 2010

Here are the clips (great job everybody!!):

Aju Mohan:



Elliot Russel:

Dimmer Switch from MuDvAyNe on Vimeo.

Teemu Kutvonen:



Keeley Nolan:



"vityag":

And the winner is:

Aju Mohan!
_________________________

I'm back!

Hey all! I'm back from vacation and a week of sickness, so postings should resume this week-end!