For Laney

Growing up I don't think I have ever purchased a greeting card, but instead always made cards or flipbooks for friends and family. Being an Animator and a parent, I recently returned to this practice for my daughter's High School graduation by making this very short video.
Enjoy....

 

Honeynut Bee Animation

Opportunity never knocks anymore, but instead uses the internet to view your posted work and then sends an email if interested. The project below came to me in a different way, literally years in the making. 

Long, long ago, in a windy city far, far away, I used to freelance for an animation studio called "Calabash Animation". This is back when animation commercials where still 2D, used hand painted cels, where shot on 35mm film and transferred to video(tape). 

Recently, I got an email from a friend who works at Calabash with an offer to animate the Honeynut Bee in an upcoming spot. I know this character well, even have this stuffed bee toy from my Leo Burnett days in Chicago.

This opportunity came at the right time and soon I was downloading a copy of the animatic and the current rig. Liaka in Portland produced a few Honeynut commercials already and so Calabash had to build their own Maya rig of the bee character for this spot. Calabash also animated Sonny the Cuckoo Bird and the original Trix Rabbit.

And here's the :15 version...

But the real question you are asking is, "Where did this amazing new talent come from?" Well, after minutes of searching the internet, I think I found the answer...

Your Questions to Andreas Deja

As work continues on our second episode of Watchcat, I wanted to let you know about another animated film in production called "Mushka". This film is being created by Disney veteran animator, Andreas Deja who has animated King Triton from the Little Mermaid, Jafar from Aladdin, Scar from the Lion King, Gaston from Beauty and the Beast and Mama Odie from the Princess and the Frog, just to name a few.

I am in the process of setting up an interview with Mr. Deja and invite you to send any questions you would like me to ask him. So far, I have not received any questions and I know people who are interested in animation and this blog, would love the opportunity to have their questions answered by Mr. Deja. 

The final interview will be posted in a few weeks. Please email Questions for Andreas in subject area and send them to heyjimr@gmail.com or leave your question in the comments section below.

Thanks,
Jim