Happy 9000 viewers!

What a way to end 2015 as this blog has just hit 9000 views! 

Did this really happen or are these views merely generated by silent robots that collect information about animation production? Hopefully, the humans who like this blog will leave a comment as proof there are lifeforms reading this blog after all. If too shy to type, perhaps clicking on an ad to the right will give us a little support now and then.

Again, I really appreciate the views and hope to bring some the articles in the new year. If you have anything animated to share, please let me know! Happy 2016 to all!

Thanks the everyone this week in US, Israel, Canada, France, Colombia, Philippines, UK, Russia, Czech Republic and Indonesia!

Happy Holidays from Animateducated!

Hey Everybody,

Hope you enjoy this blog and I hope to bring you some new things in the new year of 2016! Until then, here's a holiday card I made to promote an animated project I am working on called, "WatchCat". Its a 2D project which is in need of a crew, since its taking me forever to finish it by myself. To learn more, visit: watchcatfiles.blogspot.com

Enjoy your Holiday!

 

Study Buster Keaton films!

Each year at this time, this commercial plays and I am reminded of my time as an animator at Will Vinton studios. Unfortunately, as animators we do not get any residuals when our animation plays in a commercial, but I'm glad I can proudly say, I animated the Yellow M&M.

M&M's Santa "They do exist!" from Daniel L Smith on Vimeo.

I tell beginning animation students to study silent films to see how to tell a story without dialogue. Buster Keaton is a great filmmaker/actor to study and all his gags are unbelievable to watch. Here's a very good film series called "Every Frame a Painting" which explores the visual comedy of Buster Keaton.

From: Buster Keaton with Charles Samuels. My Wonderful World of Slapstick (Kindle Locations 188-192). New York : Doubleday.
 

Pop and Harry Houdini, who was also just making his start in show business, became partners in their own medicine show. Pop did his dances and flip-flaps, Mom played her saxophone solos, and Houdini did a few card tricks and astonished the customers by getting out of the local sheriff's handcuffs with the greatest of ease. In her memoirs, Mrs. Houdini years later told how indignant Pop became when the magician laughed uproariously at his antics, spoiling the joke, while they were on the stage together. 

Harry Houdini and Joe Keaton were business partners and it was Houdini who gave Buster his nickname...

When I was six months old, I fell downstairs and burst into tears. Houdini, who was nearby, picked me up, and said, "My, what a Busterr." 

Pop there and then decided I should be called that and as far as I have been able to learn, I was the first man given that nickname. Even Buster Brown, the character in R. F. Outcault's comic strip, was born a few years after I came into the world. Everybody, including each of my three wives, always called me Buster. 

There are some amazing and funny scenes in the clip below from "The Goat" to learn how to set up and pull off a gag. 

At the table, notice how Buster is slowly moving downward during this scene. This helps establishes that he is the victim and also shows how big the other guy is.

 

GoatClip from Toondini on Vimeo.

The big guy now braces himself on the table, which allows Buster to make his brilliant and unexpected escape! When the big guy finally gets out the door, we are fooled again as Buster ducks down in the phone booth, the big guy and (we the audience) mistake this as another elevator before the big guy goes running downstairs.

This is followed by a classic cartoon moment when Buster turns the real elevator's arrow to bring the elevator up to his floor. 

Watch "The Goat" and other Buster Keaton classics on Youtube or download it and other classic silent films here.
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I had the rare opportunity to interview animation director Sergio Pablos. Here is a project he is currently working on right now!

Klaus teaser ©2015 Sergio Pablos Animation Studios, S.L. & ANTENA 3 FILMS, S.L.U. All rights reserved from The SPA Studios on Vimeo.

Sometimes I feel like Horton, send me a comment below, a hello, a shout out or a "how do you do?", but don't be as quiet as a who.

Lip Sync Animation Projects

Here's a collection of Lip Sync animation projects from my recent Sophomore Studio class. Which one is your favorite? 
Please leave a comment below and let the students know what you think of their work.

Anim203_LipSync2015 from Toondini on Vimeo.

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