ASIFA-Hollywood: The International Animated Film Society

Pop Cultural Literacy 101: Summer Screening Series At Woodbury

2009-06-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

Spike Jones and Doodles Weaver
Spike Jones: Clink, Clink Another Drink
Spike Jones: Pass The Biscuits Mirandy
Doodles Weaver: A Day With Doodles
I've written before about the creative explosion in the arts that occurred around the first half of the 20th century. It always surprises me when I meet a college student who is studying animation who doesn't know anything about the music that came before the Beatles or movies before Star Wars. This Summer, thanks to Woodbury University and the Walter Lantz Foundation, I have a chance to share the work of some of the most amazing entertainers who ever lived with a new generation of artists.

Maria Callas
Maria Callas: Habanera From Bizet's Carmen
The Golden Age animators knew and loved these performers. They studied them and incorporated elements of their style and caricatures of them into their cartoons. There is a lot to learn from this old stuff. The first thing you will learn is that it is surprisingly skillful and entertaining. Isn't that something you want your animation to be?

Buck Owens
Buck Owens: I've Got A Tiger By The Tail
Buck Owens: Foolin' Around
Another thing you'll discover is that the music of the 20th century is unbelievably diverse. Today, we have a million names to describe basically the same type of music. Back then, the names defined a myriad of sounds... country, opera, jazz, folk, blues, rock and roll... more kinds of music than existed in any other time period. We'll sample a little bit of this ocean of great stuff in a series of screenings this Summer at Woodbury.

Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway: The Reefer Man
Cab Calloway: Minnie the Moocher
In this post, I've given you an idea of the musical performers you'll discover at these screenings, but there's much more... rare examples of dance, comedy, drama... all kinds of entertainment that directly applies to your work as an animator... up on the big screen the way they were intended to be seen. I'll tell you more as the time gets nearer. Mark these dates down on your calendar, and plan to attend. It's FREE to students, the animation community and the general public courtesy of the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive, Woodbury University and the Walter Lantz Foundation.

Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters: Hoochie Coochie Man
Muddy Waters: I Can't Be Satisfied
Pop Cultural Literacy 101
A Series of Summer Screenings
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Friday, August 14th, 2009
September Date To Be Announced
Short Subjects Start At 7pm, The Feature Film Starts At 8:30.
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)

Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck: Take The A Train
Dave Brubeck: It's A Raggy Waltz

See you at Woodbury this Summer!

Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
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Welcome Danny Young

2009-06-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

Danny Young, a technical animator at Rhythm & Hues, has become a familiar face volunteering at the Animation Archive and ASIFA events. Last night, the Board of Directors of ASIFA-Hollywood appointed him to join them on the Board. Danny will be representing ASIFA-Hollywood to the video game industry. Well deserved. Congratulations, Danny!

Henry Selick with Danny Young at the Annie Awards

MAY 21: Little Mermaid Reunion

2009-05-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

ASIFA-Hollywood Proudly Presents
The Little Mermaid Twentieth Anniversary Reunion
Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium
Woodbury University
7500 Glenoaks Bl, Burbank, California
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7-10 PM

Special guests for the panels will include the film's writers and directors John Musker & Ron Clements, animators Andreas Deja (King Triton), Mark Henn (Ariel), Duncan Marjoribanks (Sebastian), Reuben Aquino (Ursula) and Tina Price (CAPS system and early CGI). The panel will be moderated by animator Tom Sito.

Reservations are not required for this event. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of ASIFA-Hollywood and students of Woodbury admitted free; non-members $10. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Parking is free. Woodbury University is located at 7500 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91510-7846.

Proceeds from this program will benefit the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive.

This event is made possible by a generous grant from the Walter Lantz Foundation

Screening: Battle for Terra

2009-04-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

ASIFA-Hollywood invites members and a guest to a special screening of...

BATTLE FOR TERRA
Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:30pm
Arclight Hollywood Cinema
6360 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

MEMBERS ONLY. Q & A with Director Aristomenis Tsirbas immediately following the screening. The deadline to RSVP is Monday, April 27, 2009. Members, see your email box for RSVP info.

ABOUT THE FILM

When the peaceful inhabitants of the beautiful planet Terra come under attack from the last surviving members of humanity adrift in an aging spaceship, the stage is set for an all-out war between the two races for control of the planet. But will an unlikely friendship between a rebellious young Terrian (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood) and an injured human pilot (Luke Wilson) somehow convince their leaders that war is not the answer?

A CG-animated science fiction action adventure, Battle for Terra is directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas (The Freak, Terra) from a screenplay by Evan Spiliotopoulos (The Jungle Book 2) and Tsirbas. The film is voiced by an all-star cast including Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, Brian Cox, David Cross, Justin Long, Amanda Peet, Dennis Quaid, Chris Evans, James Garner, Danny Glover and more. The film is produced by Keith Calder, Ryan Colucci, Dane Allan Smith and Jessica Wu, with original music by Abel Korzeniowski. The film's editors are J. Kathleen Gibson and Jim May.

Living in perfect harmony in gravity-defying cities above the clouds, the inhabitants of the planet Terra are complete strangers to war. So when Terra is invaded by human beings fleeing a civil war and environmental catastrophe, many of the Terrians at first welcome the invaders as gods. Only the feisty young Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) fights back, luring one of the invading spacecrafts to destruction after her father is abducted, then rescuing its pilot- a human named Jim (Luke Wilson).

In return for saving his life, Jim promises to help Mala find her father, taking her on a perilous journey to the Ark- the humans' aging mother ship. Along the way, Mala and Jim learn that their people really aren't so different from one another. But with the Earthforce army poised to invade Terra and render it uninhabitable for Terrians, Mala and Jim must find a way to help the two races coexist- before it's too late.

85 min. / PG / In RealD 3D
http://www.battleforterra.com
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Animation Salon: SAY SOMETHING DAMMIT! March 21

2009-03-17T16:08:00.001-07:00

Woodbury University has graciously invited ASIFA-Hollywood to host events at their newly opened Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium. These events are free and open to the animation community.

AN ANIMATION SALON
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 7:30pm
Admission FREE
Woodbury University
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510

Jean Francois de Troy, "Reading from Moliere" 1728
On Saturday, March 21st at 7:30pm, we will be holding an Animation Salon to encourage animated filmmakers to...

SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!
Yesterday at Animation Nation, Don Bluth asked, "How did traditional animation come to be viewed by almost every American household as children's entertainment?"

It's a good question... one that we will be discussing this Saturday March 21st at 7:30pm at Woodbury University.

Animation didn't start out as a vehicle for fairy tales and trite moral platitudes. Pioneers like Winsor McCay saw animation as an outgrowth of print cartooning, a powerful medium for challenging social comment going all the way back to Thomas Nast.

In the years since McCay, animation has proven itself to be effective for education and persuasion. Animated propaganda films helped to win World War II, and animated commercials have sold billions of dollars worth of products.

In some countries, animation is a powerful tool of persuasion and enlightenment. Even though animation is by its very nature collaborative, some filmmakers have been able to use it as a medium of personal expression.

Why has it come to be perceived as children's entertainment then?

Not that children's entertainment is necessarily a bad thing. There have been animators who have pushed the envelope to create kids' TV that not only entertains, but has something interesting to say as well. But on the whole, animation that has a point is the exception, not the rule.

This Saturday, we will be screening some examples of animated films that successfully merge entertainment with meaningful comment on life and the world around us.

Some of them take a wide ranging view, tackling immense subjects...

...Others take the opposite approach, using a small scale to make a large point. Both are valid.

But when it comes to feature animation, films with something to say are as rare as hen's teeth. Sprinkled in amongst the talking dogs and fairy tale princesses are occasional sparks of life. But often those sparks are extinguished before the film even reaches the theater.

For instance, do you know about the hidden link between Disney's Fox and the Hound...

...and Ralph Bakshi's Coonskin?

You'll find out the secret if you attend ASIFA-Hollywood's Animation Salon at Woodbury this Saturday night!

Don't miss it!

Here as a little sneak peek is a clip from Bakshi's Coonskin. This sequence was designed by Mark Kausler and animated by Charlie Downs and John Walker. Here is a bit of Mark Kausler's storyboard for the sequence...

And here is the sequence as it appears in the film...

Malcolm the Cockroach
from Ralph Bakshi's "Coonskin" (1975)
(Quicktime 7 / 6.5 MB)

PLEASE NOTE The text and media files on the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Blog are not to be duplicated, redistributed or hosted on other websites without the prior written permission of the Board of Directors of ASIFA-Hollywood.

We'll be discussing and screening examples related to these and many more topics at Woodbury University on March 21st. I hope you can join us.

Animation Salon: SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 7:30pm
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)

Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
.

Animation Salon: Acting For Animation Feb 21st

2009-02-12T17:12:00.001-08:00

Woodbury University has graciously invited ASIFA-Hollywood to host events at their newly opened Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium. For the next several months, the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive will be hosting Animation Salons on the third Saturday evening of every month. These events are free and open to the animation community.

AN ANIMATION SALON

Jean Francois de Troy, "Reading from Moliere" 1728
On Saturday, February 21st at 8pm, we will be holding an Animation Salon on the subject of...

Acting For Animation
What is "acting"? What constitutes a well acted performance?

What are the differences between acting for animation and acting in live action?

Are there things that can be done in live action that can't be done effectively in animation?

Are there are other ways to convey mood, emotion and personality besides acting?

What sort of inspiration did golden age animators look to for creating an animated performance? What do these models of pantomime acting have to inform modern animation?

Who was the greatest actor of all time? Was it John Barrymore who received acclaim for his performances in Hamlet and Richard III?

...Or was it the "wascaly wabbit", Bugs Bunny?

Acting For Animation
John Barrymore "Twentieth Century (1934)
Bugs Bunny in "Tortoise Wins By A Hare" (1943)
(Quicktime 7 / 6.7 MB)

PLEASE NOTE The text and media files on the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Blog are not to be duplicated, redistributed or hosted on other websites without the prior written permission of the Board of Directors of ASIFA-Hollywood.

We'll be discussing and screening examples related to these and many more topics at Woodbury University on February 21st. I hope you can join us.

SPECIAL GUEST: EDDIE FITZGERALD

Joining us for this Animation Salon will be cartoonist/story artist Eddie Fitzgerald, the creator of Uncle Eddie's Theory Corner and story artist on Ren & Stimpy. Eddie will be screening one of his favorite films and sharing his theories on acting and building a characterful performance.

Don't miss it!

Animation Salon: Acting For Animation
Saturday, February 21st, 2009 8pm
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)

Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
.

Podcast: 36th Annual Annie Awards Segment One

2009-02-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

The 36th Annual Annie Awards (Segment One)
(Quicktime 7 / 33.2 megs)

PLEASE NOTE The media files on the ASIFA-Hollywood websites are not to be duplicated, redistributed or hosted on other websites without the prior written permission of the Board of Directors of ASIFA-Hollywood. Please link to this web page, not the movie file itself.

For the first time in its 36 year history, the Annie Awards ceremony will be podcast on the internet in its entirety. Today's segment includes Tom Kenny's opening monologue and the award for Best Video Game. Check back every day for another segment!

List of Nominees and Winners
Animation's Big Night: A Backstage Look at the Annie Awards
Join ASIFA-Hollywood and participate in the Annie Awards yourself!
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Animation's Big Night

2009-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

A Backstage Look At
ASIFA-Hollywood's Annie Awards
We aren't your typical paparazzi. It was only six months ago that our creative aspirations drove us out of Orlando, Florida to pursue careers as animated filmmakers. It is conventional wisdom that the heart of the animated world beats here in Los Angeles, and it didn't take us long to realize that was where we needed to be. Somehow, between then and now, we have found ourselves residents, and because of our membership in ASIFA-Hollywood, we were granted the chance of a lifetime to see how a major award show comes to life, in an effort to discover the 36th Annual Annie Awards.

Kathy Turner and June Foray with the
June Foray Award winner, Bill Turner
Almost immediately, we had the great pleasure of sitting down with legendary voice actress June Foray and discussing the history of the Annies. In 1972, June Foray organized the first communion of animators to recognize individuals for their artistic achievements. The two recipients were Dave and Max Fleischer and June related to us that their awards were presented at the Sportsman's Lodge banquet room by a crowd of 400 people. Now, 37 years later, the famed Annie Awards take place in UCLA's Royce Hall, delivering 32 awards before a crowd of 1800.

The audience enjoying the show
Reciting the numbers out loud seemed to make them more impressive, and June was genuinely surprised to know that so many people had come out to show their appreciation for the art of animation. She had envisioned the awards as an "opportunity for animators to get together" because in 1972, there was no professional acknowledgment of animation. Given the expansion of popularity of the artform over the last 37 years, June said that it was an inspiration to see so many people come out and support what she had started 37 years ago.

For more info on the early days of the Annies, see this interview with June Foray.

The after-party featured a gourmet meal
and the music of the Blue Hawaiians
Although June originally intended Annies to be awarded specifically to individuals for lifetime achievement, the Annie Awards have since broadened the scope of categories to include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Short Subject, Best Animated Television Commercial, and more.

Presenters Brad Garret and Pat Fraley
This increased recognition has brought a lot of traditional Hollywood media talent to the event as well. Outside Royce Hall was a red carpet introduction and a slew of photographers to take advantage of it. This year's presenters included comedians and actors Fred Willard, Brad Garrett, James Hong, Seth Green and Donald Faison, among others. The master of ceremonies for the evening was the voice of Spongebob Squarepants, Tom Kenny.

Robot Chicken creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich
arrive with actress Clare Grant
But as aspiring animated filmmakers, it was a particular treat to be able to speak backstage with the artists and directors who are currently shaping the industry we love. Nick Park, who not only won a Winsor McCay career award this year but took home the Annie for Best Animated Short Subject with Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death and Henry Selick, who presented the award to Nick Park on stage both allowed us to spend a little time with them.

Winsor McCay Award Honoree Nick Park
and presenter Henry Sellick backstage waiting for their cue
What is encouraging about the Annies, is that even directors whose visions lead to the creation of films as visually and stylistically distinct as Wallace and Gromit and The Nightmare Before Christmas are able to come together to celebrate the artform they share in common. Whether they use a pencil or a computer, clay or puppets, animators are a special type of artist. And at the Annies, they take time out to honor their own. This is exactly what June Foray envisioned for the event 37 years ago.

Chris Williams accepts his award for
Storyboarding for "Glago's Guest"
Some of the other big winners of the night were James Baxter for his animation in Kung Fu Panda, Joaquim Dos Santos for directing Avatar: The Last Airbender, Chris Williams for storyboarding on Glago's Guest, and Hans Zimmer and John Powell for the music in Kung Fu Panda. Keep in mind that these are just a few of the winners and that the complete list can be found on the Annie Awards web page.

Presenter, James Hong with his daughter, April
It wasn't just famous directors and animators milling behind the curtains of Royce Hall. More than a handful of volunteers worked tirelessly as they shepherded presenters, nominees, winners and guests seamlessly from seats to the wings to the stage to receive their awards.

The trophy assistants were constantly on point delivering to the next winner and headsets were humming up and down the halls on the heads of volunteers and stage crew. The fully catered and open bar before and after parties easily accommodated hundreds of people with live music, delicious food and an inviting atmosphere.

Presenters Crispin Freeman and Jennifer Taylor Lawrence
prepare backstage
But an event like this doesn't happen on its own. It takes months of planning and organization by the ASIFA-Hollywood board members and a few consulted coordinators. The current President of ASIFA-Hollywood, Antran Manoogian, is one of the few people responsible for making the Annie Awards the spectacle that it is at today. Come this November, he will have been President for twenty years, and a member of ASIFA-Hollywood for thirty.

Presenter Fred Willard has fun with the press
Antran's responsibilities to the Annies involve acting as executive producer of the event; which means overseeing rules, interfacing with staff and volunteers, working with the board of directors to put out the call for entrees and set up the judging, ballots and awards. In conversation, he had to admit that growing the Annies was no simple accomplishment. "I knew that when I started, I wanted it to be more, but ASIFA-Hollywood is a non-profit organization and run primarily on volunteer resources. Every year, we made it a little bit better." Slowly but surely, it has made the transformation into the highly respected event it is today, in great part due to his contributions.

ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Director, Stephen Worth
and ASIFA-Hollywood President, Antran Manoogian
visit with June Foray at the after party
This evolution of the awards is evident in the nomination process. Every year the categories for nomination are refined to extract the best quality of work possible. Also, it is not required that each award be offered. He made it clear that "the goal of the Annies is to honor excellence in animation, not merely the best of the batch." Nominating committees are instructed that they should pick only the nominees whom they feel should receive an award. "However many there may be, they should all be outstanding."

Ahmed Best receives the Annie for Voice Acting
in an Animated Television Program
The animation archive director and ASIFA-Hollywood board member Stephen Worth clarified that "the idea is that being nominated means the work is worthy enough to receive an award. From that point, it's up to the voting members of ASIFA-Hollywood to decide who their pick for the Annie will be."

Presenters Pat Fraley and Edie McClurg
The industry really seems to appreciate the level of quality that the awards maintain as well. We spent a lot of time inquiring how people receive the news that they have been nominated. Since this is the "Oscars of animation" do people treat it as such? Annette O'Neil, the assistant coordinator of the event had this to say:

"I've broken the news to many nominees over the years, and I never cease to be amazed at the thrill this recognition carries. The Annies story involves a long, rich history of groundbreaking artists and creators; folks are thrilled to be counted in that pantheon."

John Lasseter accepts his Winsor McCay Award
as presenter Billy Crystal looks on
After a long night of observing the animation industry, we were able to draw a few conclusions. ASIFA-Hollywood and the Annie Awards are defined by the people who participate in them. In contrast with the pomp and circumstance of most high profile awards shows, when animators get together to honor their own, it's more of a family affair. Professionals and fans alike are united in their passion for animation. It was a remarkable and inspiring experience to have been a part of it.

Producer Melissa Cobb and the crew of Kung Fu Panda
accepting the award for Best Animated Feature
Although the characters on-screen are familiar to everyone, the artists behind the scenes are not as well known as they should be. The ASIFA-Hollywood Annie Awards seek to shine a light on the incredible talents responsible for the animated films that we all love. It is clear that animated filmmakers posess a different sort of inspiration than many in the movie industry. For most of them, it's not about the fame and fortune, it's about the process of creation and the catharsis of completion. The Annie Awards are the recognition of a job well done.

Bill Plympton, whose film "Hot Dog" was nominated for
Best Short Subject draws a doodle for the press
All the nominees and winners should be proud of what they've accomplished, because the Annie Awards are truly the sincerest attempt by the animation community to honor excellence. And we couldn't be happier to be a part of it. Six months ago, we didn't know what we were signing up for when we joined ASIFA-Hollywood, but after tonight, for rags or riches, we believe in it. Thank you to everyone who organized the event, ASIFA-Hollywood members for supporting it, and the artists who give it a reason to exist. --Danny Young and Michael Woodside

Master of Ceremonies Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants kept the audience entertained throughout the evening
ASIFA-Hollywood would like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees. Special congratulations to ASIFA-Hollywood Secretary, Bill Turner, the recipient of this year's June Foray Award, and Kathy Turner, Mike Fontanelli, Alex Vassilev and Amir Avni the Certificate of Merit honorees who have contributed so generously to ASIFA-Hollywood's Archive and events.

See you next year at the 37th Annual Annie Awards!
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Afternoon of Remembrance

2009-02-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Animation Guild, ASIFA Hollywood and Women In Animation present
AN AFTERNOON OF REMEMBRANCE
a non-denominational celebration of departed friends from our animation community

Saturday February 7; reception 1 pm; memorials, 2 pm
Lasky-DeMille Barn, 2100 N. Highland, Hollywood
Across from the Hollywood Bowl

A non-denominational celebration of departed friends from our animation community. The 2008 honorees will include John Ahern, Gus Arriola, Phyllis Barnhart, Gordon Bellamy, Harriet Burns, Greg Burson, John W. Burton, Jr., Vivian Byrne, Joyce Carlson, Bob Carr, Rose Di Bucci, Charlie Downs, Ray Ellis, Joni Jones Fitts, Etsuko Fujioka, Steve Gerber, Fernando Gonzalez, Yoo Sik Ham, Larry Harmon, Margie Hermanson, Ollie Johnston, Ted Key, Eartha Kitt, Andy Knight, Harvey Korman, Lyn Kroeger, Brice Mack, Bill Melendez, David Mitton, Gary Mooney, Jim Mueller, June Nam, Ethan Ormsby, Bill Perez, Richard Pimm, Oliver Postgate, Denis Rich, Dodie Roberts, Irma Rosien, Gerard Salvio, Gina Sheppherd, Robert Smith, Jim Snider, Al Stetter, Dave Stevens, Morris Sullivan, Emru Townsend, Pat Raine Webb, Chiyoko Wergles, Bob Winquist and Justin Wright.

The Afternoon is free of charge and is open to all; no RSVPs necessary.

36th Annual Annie Award Winners

2009-01-31T10:57:00.000-08:00

A full list has been posted at AnnieAwards.org
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Annie Awards Invitation

2009-01-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood cordially invites you to attend the 36th Annual Annie Awards

Friday January 30, 2009
UCLA's Royce Hall
340 Royce Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Champagne Reception- 6 pm
Award Ceremony- 8 pm
Post Award Party following the Ceremony

Black Tie Optional
Hosted by Tom Kenny

General Admission Tickets- $25

Discount VIP Tickets for ASIFA-Hollywood, The Animation Guild, Visual Effects Society and Women in Animation Members- $150

Non Member VIP Ticket- $250

To order tickets or for further information, visit... www.annieawards.org
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Annie Awards Voting

2009-01-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

Voting on the 36th Annual Annie Awards has begun. We have made every effort to be sure everyone has their voting information. If you have not received or lost your log-in information, please use the following link to access your log-in password:

https://eballot3.votenet.com/annieawards/forgetpassword.cfm?CFID=5158573&CFTOKEN=98073307

You may then submit your email address and your information will be sent to you.

If you have recently changed your email address, please call 1-866-543-8750 to retrieve your log-in information, and then please email membership@asifa-hollywood.org to permanently update your contact information.

Please note that only members who were current as of November 30, 2008 are eligible to vote on the 36th Annual Annie Awards. If your membership expired before that date, or if you joined ASIFA-Hollywood after that date, you are not eligible to vote this year.

Screening: Dragon Hunters

2008-12-28T15:46:00.000-08:00

Futurikon Films and ASIFA-Hollywood invite members and a guest to a screening of

DRAGON HUNTERS
Monday, January 5, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Raleigh Studios Hollywood - Chaplin Theatre
5300 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038

Members only. See your email box for RSVP instructions. The deadline to RSVP is January 8, 2009.

Please Note: It's important for members to keep their email addresses current on our mailing list. Most correspondence between ASIFA-Hollywood and its members goes out via email. To update your contact info, please email membership@asifa-hollywood.org.

ABOUT THE FILM

DRAGON HUNTERS is a family feature film in animation, starring Academy Award winner Forest WHITAKER. Music by Klaus BADELT (Pirates of the Caribbean, Miami Vice)

Zoe is a little girl who believes in fairy tales. Not because she is naive, but because she likes fairy tales. So in order to help her uncle Lord Arnold get rid of a terrible dragon, Zoe decides she has to find some heroes. And when she meets Gwizdo and Lian-Chu- a couple of two-bit, fly-by-night dragon hunters ñ well what the heck, she decides that she's going to believe in them anyway!

82 min. / In English
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Screening: $9.99

2008-12-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

ASIFA-Hollywood cordially invites
members and a guest to an advanced screening of

$9.99
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Laemmle Sunset 5
8000 Sunset Blvd.
West Los Angeles, CA 90046

See your email box for RSVP instructions. If you did not receive an email, you can check your member status and address on file with membership@asifa-hollywood.org. We are unable to help you with membership inquiries by phone.

ABOUT THE FILM

Based on the Short Stories of Etgar Keret, $9.99 is a stop motion animated feature which offers slightly less than $10 worth about the meaning of life.

Have you ever wondered "What is the meaning of life? Why do we exist?" The answer to this vexing question is now within your reach! You'll find it in a small yet amazing booklet, which will explain, in easy to follow, simple terms your reason for being! The booklet, printed on the finest paper, contains illuminating, exquisite colour pictures, and could be yours for a mere $9.99.

This is the ad that alters the life of the unemployed 28 year old who still lives at home, Dave Peck. In his struggle to share his find with the world, Dave's surreal path crosses with those of his unusual neighbours: an old man and his disgruntled guardian angel, a magician in debt, a bewitching woman who likes her men extra smooth, a broken hearted man who befriends a group of hard partying two inch tall students, and a little boy who sets his piggy bank free. Their stories are woven together, examining the post-modern meaning of hope.
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January 9: Waltz With Bashir Screening

2008-12-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

Sony Pictures Classics and ASIFA-Hollywood invite members and a guest to a screening of...

WALTZ WITH BASHIR
Friday, January 9, 2008 7:30 p.m.
Sony Studios Backstage Theater
10202 W Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

Immediately following the screening will be a Q&A with Writer/Director Ari Folman. Please park at the Madison gate of the Sony Studios lot.Seating is limited. Members only. Reservations required. Please see your email box for RSVP instructions.

Please Note: It's important for members to keep their email addresses current on our mailing list. Most correspondence between ASIFA-Hollywood and its members goes out via email. To update your contact info, please email membership@asifa-hollywood.org.

ABOUT THE FILM

This mesmerizing and gripping animated documentary begins one night at a bar, when an old friend tells director Ari about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. Every night, the same number of beasts. The two men conclude that there's a connection to their Israeli Army mission in the first Lebanon War of the early eighties. Ari is surprised that he can't remember a thing anymore about that period of his life. Intrigued by this riddle, he decides to meet and interview old friends and comrades around the world. He needs to discover the truth about that time and about himself. As Ari delves deeper and deeper into the mystery, his memory begins to creep up in surreal images...

Rated R - 87 min. - In Hebrew with English subtitles
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Membership Status / Address Changes

2008-12-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that the ASIFA office cannot handle membership address issues by phone. Email membership@asifa-hollywood.org if you need to check your current status.

Screening: Sky Crawlers

2008-12-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

Sony Pictures, Stage 6 Films, Production I.G and ASIFA-Hollywood invite members to a special screening of Director Mamoru Oshii's

THE SKY CRAWLERS

Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sony Pictures Studios
Culver City, California

Members only. RSVP required. See your email box for RSVP instructions. The deadline to RSVP is December 17, 2008

Please Note: It's important for members to keep their email addresses current on our mailing list. Most correspondence between ASIFA-Hollywood and its members goes out via email. To update your contact info, please email membership@asifa-hollywood.org.

ABOUT THE FILM

The story takes place in another possible 'now' - a world that has eradicated war and finally attained peace. However, this prolonged state of peace created demand for a new kind of war. A conflict happening elsewhere, that could be seen on TV or read in the papers - in order to get a feeling of reality.

Private war contractors enlist fighter pilots to perform their services in an endless "war as entertainment." They call these pilots Kildren. Innocent-looking teenagers in appearance, Kildren never age into adulthood, and live in a state of eternal adolescence until the day they drift gracefully through the endless skies.

One day, pilot Yuichi Kannami arrives to his newly assigned airbase. He has only vague memory of his past. The only two things he recalls are that he is a Kildren and how to operate a fighter plane.

A woman is keeping an eye on Yuichi. She is Suito Kusanagi, the base commander. A Kildren herself, Suito behaves as if she's been waiting to meet Yuichi for a long time. Perplexed, Yuichi is nevertheless gradually attracted by her.

All pilots at the base have to confront the most invincible enemy ace, known as Teacher. His trademark is a black jaguar painted on the nose of his plane. It is said that if you run into him up in the sky, you don't come back to tell your friends.

Who really is the Teacher? What does Suito know about Yuichi's past? What are the secrets behind the Kildren?

Presented by NTV and Production I.G.
Rinko Kikuchi Ryo Kase Shosuke Tanihara Chiaki Kuriyama
Based on MORI Hiroshi "The Sky Crawlers" novel series, published by Chuokoron-Shinsha
Director: Mamoru Oshii Screenplay: Chihiro Ito Music: Kenji Kawai
Animation Director: Toshihiko Nishikubo Character Designer, Key Animation Supervisor: Tetsuya Nishio Art Director: Kazuo Nagai
Mechanic Designer: Atsushi Takeuchi Supervising Layout Artist: Takashi Watabe Color Designer: Kumiko Yusa
Visual Effects: Hisashi Ezura CGI Supervisor: Hiroyuki Hayashi CGI Production: Polygon Pictures
Sound Design: Randy Thom and Tom Myers (Skywalker Sound) Recording Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi Mixing Supervisor: Shuji Inoue
Producer:Tomohiko Ishii Executive Producers: Seiji Okuda and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
Production: "The Sky Crawlers" Film Partners Production Studio: Production I.G

Running Time: 122 minutes
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Annie Awards Advertising Deadline

2008-12-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder, the deadline to reserve an advertisement in the 36th Annual Annie Award program book is Friday, December 19, 2008. The deadline to receive advertising artwork for the Annie Award program book is January 9. 2009.

An advertisement in Annie Awards program book provides one of the most innovative platforms for animation partners to participate in these high-profile awards and market their goods and services. There's no better way to reach over 10,000 animation industry insiders—from top studio brass to production executives, animation artists, students and fans of the art form — than in the pages of the annual Annie Awards program.

For more information, visit the Advertising/Sponsorship page.

The 36th Annual Annie Awards will take place on Friday, January 30, 2009, at UCLA's Royce Hall, in Los Angeles, California. The Annie Awards will also be webcasted on www.annieawards.org, at a later date.

For further information about the Annie Awards, please visit www.annieawards.org
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Screening: Glago's Guest Dec 17

2008-12-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

Walt Disney Animation Studios and ASIFA-Hollywood invite members and up to 3 guests to a screening of...

GLAGO'S GUEST

A Russian soldier stationed at a remote guardhouse is forever changed by a mysterious stranger.

Director: Chris Williams
Producer: Chuck Williams
Music: John Brion

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Theater
2100 Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506

GLAGO'S GUEST Screening followed by a Behind-the-Scenes look at the film with Chris Williams

Members only. Reservations required. Please see your email box for RSVP instructions. The deadline to RSVP is December 15, 2008

Please Note: It's important for members to keep their email addresses current on our mailing list. Most correspondence between ASIFA-Hollywood and its members goes out via email. To update your contact info, please email membership@asifa-hollywood.org.

ABOUT THE FILM

Conceived and directed by Chris Williams (who made his feature directing debut this year with Disney's animated comedy-fantasy "Bolt"), "Glago's Guest" follows the intriguing and thought-provoking story of a lonely Russian soldier stationed in a remote Siberian outpost. When the soldier's solitude is interrupted one day by the arrival of a strange new "guest," Glago is jolted out of his uneventful daily routine but soon comes to realize that things aren't always what they appear to be. With its bold art direction, stark but stylish depiction of the frozen Russian landscape, and inspired computer-animation, "Glago's Guest" is an exciting, entertaining, and original short film that uses the medium to full advantage.

The short has been nominated for four Annie Awards in the categories of:
Best Animated Short Subject
Andy Harkness for Production Design in an Animated Television Production or Short Film
Chris Williams for Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production or Short Film
Chris Williams for Writing in an Animated Television Production or Short Film
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2008 ANNIE AWARD NOMINATIONS BY CATEGORY

2008-12-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

PRODUCTION CATEGORIES

Best Animated Feature

Bolt - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Kung Fu Panda - DreamWorks Animation
$9.99 - Sherman Pictures/Lama Films
Wall-E - Pixar Animation Studios
Waltz With Bashir - Sony Pictures Classics/Bridgit Folman, Les Films D'ici, Razor Films

Best Animated Home Entertainment Production

Batman: Gotham Knight - Warner Bros. Animation
Christmas Is Here Again - Easy To Dream Entertainment
Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs - The Curiosity Company in association with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Justice League: The New Frontier - Warner Bros. Animation
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning - DisneyToon Studios

Best Animated Short Subject

Glago's Guest - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Hot Dog - Bill Plympton Studio
Presto - Pixar Animation Studios
Sebastian's Voodoo - Joaquin Baldwin
Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death - Aardman Animations Ltd.

Best Animated Television Commercial

Giant Monster - Curious Pictures
Long Legs Mr. Hyde - Curious Pictures
Rotofugi: The Collectors - Screen Novelties
Sarah - Z Animation
United Airlines "Heart" - Duck Studios

Best Animated Television Production

King of the Hill - 20th Century Fox TV
Moral Orel - ShadowMachine
Phineas and Ferb - Disney Television Animation
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II - ShadowMachine
The Simpsons - Gracie Films/Fox TV

Best Animated Television Production Produced for Children

A Miser Brothers Christmas - Warner Bros. Animation
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Nickelodeon
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends "Destination Imagination" - Cartoon Network Studios
The Mighty B! - Nickelodeon
Underfist: Halloween Bash - Cartoon Network Studios

Best Animated Video Game

Dead Space - Electronic Arts
Kung Fu Panda - Activision
Wall-E - Heavy Iron Studios, a division of THQ, Inc.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

Animated Effects

Alen Lai "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who" - Blue Sky Studios
Li-Ming Lawrence Lee "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Fangwei Lee "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" - DreamWorks Animation
Kevin Lee "Bolt" - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Enrique Vila "Wall-E" - Pixar Animation Studios

Character Animation in a Feature Production

James Baxter "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Jeff Gabor "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who" - Blue Sky Studios
Philippe Le Brun "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Victor Navone "Wall-E" - Pixar Animation Studios
Dan Wagner "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation

Character Animation in a Television Production or Short Form

Sandro Cleuzo "Secrets of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation
Joshua A. Jennings "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II" - ShadowMachine
Pierre Perifel "Secrets of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation

Character Design in an Animated Feature Production

Valerie Hadida "Igor" - Exodus Film Group
Sang Jun Lee "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who" - Blue Sky Studios
Nico Marlet "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation

Character Design in an Animated Television Production or Short Form

Bryan Arnett - Mighty B! "Bat Mitzah Crashers" - Nickelodeon
Ben Balistreri - Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends "Mondo Coco" - Cartoon Network Studios
Sean Galloway "The Spectacular Spider-Man" - Sony Pictures Television
Jorge Gutierrez - El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera "The Good, The Bad, The Tigre" - Nickelodeon
Nico Marlet "Secrets of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation

Directing in an Animated Feature Production

Sam Fell, Rob Stevenhagen "The Tale Of Despereaux" - Universal Pictures
Ari Folman "Waltz With Bashir" - Sony Pictures Classics/Bridgit Folman, Les Films D'ici, Razor Films
Tatia Rosenthal "9.99" - Sherman Pictures/ Lama Films
John Stevenson & Mark Osborne "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Andrew Stanton "Wall-E" - Pixar Animation Studios

Directing in an Animated Television Production or Short Form

Bob Anderson - The Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror XIX" - Gracie Films/Fox TV
Joaquim Dos Santos - Avatar: The Last Airbender "Sozin's Comet Pt. 3" - Nickelodeon
Craig McCracken, Rob Renzetti - Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends "Destination Imagination" - Cartoon Network Studios
Chris McKay - Moral Orel "Passing" - ShadowMachine
Alan Smart - SpongeBob SquarePants "Penny Foolish" - Nickelodeon

Music in an Animated Feature Production

Kevin Manthei - "Batman: Gotham Knight" - Warner Bros. Animation
John Powell - "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who" - Blue Sky Studios
Max Richter - "Waltz With Bashir" - Sony Pictures Classics/Bridgit Folman, Les Films D'ici, Razor Films
William Ross - "The Tale Of Despereaux" - Universal Pictures
Hans Zimmer & John Powell - "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation

Music in an Animated Television Production or Short Form

Carl Finch & Brave Combo - Click and Clack's "As the Wrench Turns" - CTTV Productions
Henry Jackman, Hans Zimmer & John Powell - "Secrets of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation
Kevin Kiner - "Star Wars The Clone Wars: Rising Malevolence" - Lucasfilm Animation Ltd.
Guy Moon - Back at the Barnyard "Cowman: The Uddered Avenger" - Nickelodeon/Omation
Guy Michelmore - "Growing Up Creepie: Rockabye Freakie" - Taffy Entertainment LLC

Production Design in an Animated Feature Production

Ralph Eggleston "Wall-E" - Pixar Animation Studios
Paul Felix "Bolt" - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Tang Heng "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Evgeni Tomov "The Tale Of Despereaux" - Universal Pictures
Raymond Zibach "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation

Production Design in an Animated Television Production or Short Form

Andy Harkness "Glago's Guest" - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Tang Heng "Secrets of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation
Seonna Hong - The Mighty B! "Bee Patients" - Nickelodeon
Dan Krall - Chowder "The Heavy Sleeper" - Cartoon Network Studios
Raymond Zibach "Secrets of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation

Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production

Alessandro Carloni - "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Ronnie Del Carmen - "Wall-E" - Pixar Animation Studios
Joe Mateo "Bolt" - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Jen Yuh Nelson - "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Rob Stevenhagen - "The Tale Of Despereaux" - Universal Pictures

Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production or Short Form

Butch Hartman - Fairly OddParents "Mission: Responsible" - Nickelodeon
Andy Kelly - Ni Hao, Kai-Lan "Twirly Whirly Flyers" - Nickelodeon Productions/Nelvana
Andy Schuler - "Secret of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation
Eddie Trigueros "The Mighty B! "Name Shame"- Nickelodeon
Chris Williams "Glago's Guest" - Walt Disney Animation Studios

Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production

Ben Burtt - Voice of Wall-E - "Wall-E" - Pixar Animation Studios
Dustin Hoffman - Voice of Shifu - "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
James Hong - Voice of Mr. Ping - "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Ian McShane - Voice of Tai Lung - "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Mark Walton - Voice of Rhino - "Bolt" - Walt Disney Animation Studios

Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production or Short Form

Ahmed Best - Voice of Jar Jar Binks - "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II" - ShadowMachine
Seth MacFarlane - Voice of Peter Griffin - Family Guy "I Dream of Jesus" - Fox TV Animation/Fuzzy Door Productions
Dwight Schultz - Voice of Mung Daal - Chowder "Apprentice Games" - Cartoon Network Studios

Writing in an Animated Feature Production

Jon Aibel & Glenn Berger - "Kung Fu Panda" - DreamWorks Animation
Etan Cohen and Eric Darnell & Tom McGrath - "Madagascar:Escape 2 Africa" - DreamWorks Animation
Ari Folman - "Waltz With Bashir" - Sony Pictures Classics/Bridgit Folman, Les Films D'ici, Razor Films
Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio - "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who" - Blue Sky Studios

Writing in an Animated Television Production or Short Form

Joel H. Cohen - The Simpsons "The Debarted" - Gracie Films/Fox TV
Scott Kreamer - El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera "Mustache Love" - Nickelodeon
Paul McEvoy and Todd Berger - "Secrets of the Furious Five" - DreamWorks Animation
Tom Root, Douglas Goldstein, Hugh Davidson, Mike Fasolo, Seth Green, Dan Milano, Matthew Senreich, Kevin Shinick, Zeb Wells - "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II" - ShadowMachine
Chris Williams - "Glago's Guest" - Walt Disney Animation Studios

JURIED AWARDS

Winsor McCay Award
(Career achievement)

Mike Judge, John Lasseter and Nick Park for career contributions to the art of animation.

June Foray Award
(Significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation)

Bill Turner

Certificate of Merit

Amir Avini, Mike Fontanelli, Kathy Turner, Alex Vassilev.

The Annie Awards are presented by...

The International Animated Film Society
ASIFA-Hollywood
2114 W Burbank Bl
Burbank, CA 91506

www.asifa-hollywood.org
www. annieawards.org
www.animationarchive.org

A Gift From the Crew of Coraline

2008-11-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

A mysterious present arrived at the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive from the crew of Coraline at Laika in Oregon.
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Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T11:55:00.001-08:00

Screening: Waltz With Bashir

2008-11-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

Sony Pictures Classics and ASIFA-Hollywood invite members and a guest to a screening of...

WALTZ WITH BASHIR
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 7:00 p.m.
Mann's Chinese 6
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

Introduction by "Waltz With Bashir" Writer/Director Ari Folman. Seating is limited. Members only. Reservations required. Please see your email box for RSVP instructions.

Please Note: It's important for members to keep their email addresses current on our mailing list. Most correspondence between ASIFA-Hollywood and its members goes out via email. To update your contact info, please email membership@asifa-hollywood.org.

ABOUT THE FILM

This mesmerizing and gripping animated documentary begins one night at a bar, when an old friend tells director Ari about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. Every night, the same number of beasts. The two men conclude that there's a connection to their Israeli Army mission in the first Lebanon War of the early eighties. Ari is surprised that he can't remember a thing anymore about that period of his life. Intrigued by this riddle, he decides to meet and interview old friends and comrades around the world. He needs to discover the truth about that time and about himself. As Ari delves deeper and deeper into the mystery, his memory begins to creep up in surreal images...

Rated R - 87 min. - In Hebrew with English subtitles
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Today At The Archive: Bob Givens Interview

2008-11-16T13:49:00.000-08:00

ASIFA-Hollywood is proud to present an extensive interview with legendary layout man, Bob Givens. Bob created the model sheet for the first true Bugs Bunny cartoon. He worked on the first cartoon feature and the first animated television show too. At 90 years old, he is still going strong and his passion for the art of animation hasn't dimmed in the least.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be making extended video clips of the interview available exclusively to members of ASIFA-Hollywood. The first 50 minute segment is now online. Members, check your email box for downloading instructions.

For more information and teaser video clips, see...

Bob Givens Interview Pt. 1: Grand Old Man of Animation

Bob Givens Interview Pt. 2: The War And Working For Walt
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Screening: Tales of Despereaux

2008-11-15T10:38:00.001-08:00

Universal Pictures and ASIFA-Hollywood invites members and a guest to a screening of...

Monday, November 24, 2008 7:30 PM
Grove Stadium 14 Theaters
189 The Grove Drive L-80
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Followed by a Q&A with writer-producer, Gary Ross, and director, Sam Fell. Complimentary parking included. Seating is limited. Members only. Reservations required. Please see your email box for RSVP instructions.

Please Note: It's important for members to keep their email addresses current on our mailing list. Most correspondence between ASIFA-Hollywood and its members goes out via email. To update your contact info, please email membership@asifa-hollywood.org.

ABOUT THE FILM

Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Dor, there was magic in the air, laughter aplenty and gallons of mouthwatering soup. But an accident left the King broken-hearted, the Princess filled with longing and the townsfolk without their soup. Sunlight disappeared. The world became gray. All hope was lost in this land... until Despereaux Tilling was born.

A modern fairy tale, The Tale of Despereaux tells the story of four unlikely heroes: Despereaux (Matthew Broderick), a brave mouse banished to the dungeon for speaking with a human; Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman), a good-hearted rat who loves light and soup, but is exiled to darkness; Pea (Emma Watson), a Princess in a gloomy castle who is prisoner to her father's grief; and Mig (Tracey Ullman), a servant girl who longs to be a Princess, but is forced to serve the jailer.

Tiny and graced with oversized ears, Despereaux was born too big for his little world. Refusing to live his life cowering, he befriends a Princess named Pea and learns to read (rather than eat) books- reveling in stories of knights, dragons and fair maidens. Banished from Mouseworld for being more man than mouse, Despereaux is rescued by another outcast, Roscuro, who also wants to hear the tales. But when the Princess dismisses Roscuro's friendship, he becomes the ultimate rat and plots revenge with fellow outsider Mig.

After Pea is kidnapped, Despereaux discovers he is the only one who can rescue her... and that even the tiniest mouse can find the courage of a knight in shining armor. In this tale of bravery, forgiveness and redemption, one small creature will teach a kingdom that it takes only a little light to show the truth: what you look like doesn't equal what you are.

Running Time: 93 minutes