Lion King's Success NOT 3D

I just got done reading an article about the success of Lion King 3D and it infuriated me.  Okay, I will admit to going to see it NOT because I wanted to see it in 3D but because I wanted to see it.  We took our 10 year old grand son, who enjoyed the film but kept taking off the glasses because they were giving him a headache.  I watched parents with younger children, letting them watch the film WITHOUT the glasses because little ones don't like to wear them thus frustrating parents and the youngsters.  


SO, Disney, WHY?  Why waste time and money converting a beautiful film into something we are FORCED to watch in 3D.  As a grandparent, I will have second thoughts about taking younger viewers to go see any other classics because I don't want to subject them to seeing the film destroyed since they won't wear the glasses!  In the words of my grandson..., "Oma, why didn't they just add extra scenes or something like that rather than make it 3D?  


So, again Disney?  WHY?


Okay, that's the end of my rant.  

The Illusionist: My comments

As I watched this beautifully crafted movie, I was amazed at the artistry but disappointed at the lack of story.  So what is the purpose of creating a film? Is it for the art? Or is it for the story.  


For me, it must be a combination.  Without the art, you lose the visuals, without the story, you lose the heart.  And since I don't want to say much more than that, I will say that if you want to see the film in the theater, okay. You will enjoy the art.  Otherwise, stay home and watch it when it comes out on DVD.  Then rent it, unless you like to collect art....


Until next time, keep your imagination, unlimited.
Char

Tangled: Char's review

I've now seen Tangled four times, twice in 3D (stereoscopic) and twice in standard.  In my opinion, it was a beautiful film and I LOVED it in the standard version.  Frankly, I find 3D to be distracting AND dull.  I'm not talking about the story, I'm mean the image on the screen.   The CG characters looked like dolls but it was still a good fairytale.  There were aspects of the movie that I felt made the story predictable, mainly the boat scene (ala Little Mermaid) and a scene that has been used in Beauty and the Beast and Princess and the Frog  (not to mention a DreamWorks film).  Though I love traditional animation (whether hand drawn or "tradigital"), I thought the CG was beautifully executed.  The story was rich (unlike Princess and the Frog), the music was awesome (reminded me of other Disney films), and the characters had heart! But, WHY CG?
CG normally costs at least twice as much as to produce traditional animation.  Compare the two recent "princess" films. Tangled had an estimated $260M budget while The Princess and the Frog had a budget of $105M. Though, The Princess and the Frog wasn't a considered a box office success, it did bring in $267M internationally. Time will tell if Tangled will be able to exceed other recent Disney films but it has a long way to go to beat the record of other films released in 2010.  Personally, I feel the film would have been more beautiful in traditional animation, the budget would have been lower and the film would be a bigger financial success.  I believe that this was a missed opportunity for Disney to prove that it isn't technique but story that is the box office draw.   
Still, it is a beautiful film.  I loved the use of camera shots and I LOVED the humor. I paid close attention to the audience, everyone, including the guys were enjoying this film.  There was healthy humor and everyone laughed.  My favorite scene is the dance scene because  movement and music was AWESOME and made me wish for more (this movie will transition to the stage very well, although I'm not sure how they will create the character of Max...).
Bottom line: If you haven't seen it yet, please watch Tangled. 
See you next year and as always, keep your imagination unlimited! 
Char

The timeless lessons of a "One Room" School House

When I was young I attended a "one-room" school.  For those who are unfamiliar, imagine students from K-12 having one teacher.  I know some of you think this would be total chaos but the success of that type of school can be attributed in part to older students acting as teaching assistants, helping younger students with assignments.  They also watched over younger students during recess, which was a time of play and more learning for everyone.  This memory was triggered while I read Innovate the Pixar Way by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson, specifically the chapter "Ready Set, Go!" Now I see there are timeless lessons in that old school experience.  Everything was about family, just like my vision for Studio Kinate.  I can see the benefit of a multi tiered model where we mentor, support and develop together.  It is important not to copy but to innovate.

Next year is going to be the first of many busy years for Studio Kinate. We will begin production on animations for the Office of Naval Research under the leadership of Rusty Mills.  We will be prioritizing our production schedule, developing our stories, meeting clients, seeking investors, attending conferences/workshops/seminars, etc.  WHEW!  In the midst of that beehive of activity, and no matter how big Studio Kinate becomes, I will remember to observe the lessons of the one-room school—no one is left out ,and we’ll make work and learning FUN!

Studio Kinate Hires Sr. VP of Animation and Supervisor of Visual FX

I've delayed making this announcement, because I am a perfectionist and I wanted all the right words, pictures, etc.  However, the only thing that  perfection does is preventing me from sharing my excitement announcing the two amazing talents who are about to join Studio Kinate's leadership.

First, RUSTY MILLS is joining Studio Kinate as the Senior Vice President of Animation.  In the long term, Rusty "General," will oversee all the creative projects at the studio.  Beginning in January, Rusty will be the director and producer of the animated production for the Office of Naval Research, C-DEW training.  Rusty recently taught our first Toon Boom workshop and will also be utilized teaching workshops for the studio.

In addition to Rusty, PAM DARLEY, former animation coordinator/animator for Disney Animation in Florida, is also joining Studio Kinate as our Senior Supervisor of Visual FX.  Pam's energy and years of experience will be a major compliment to Rusty so will be welcomed addition to our brain trust.  


As I've said in my last post, I needed to go the distance. That means I have to make commitments and go for the best.  With Rusty and Pam, I am taking those first steps.  I want the best leadership available so that we can make the biggest impact on the industry.  I want those yet-to-be animators to be challenged to create the best stories and I truly believe these two people will help me make that happen.


Look out world, here comes Studio Kinate!


Until next time, believe in your dreams and let your IMAGINATION be UNLIMITED!


Char

Studio Kinate: "Field of Dreams" Part III

Go the Distance!

2009 Studio Kinate Concept Art

When considering your dream, you will set short-term goals that will help you achieve your vision, which is the focus of this, my "Field of Dreams" blog.  In part I, I shared about building Studio Kinate.  It was about building a studio,  one that will be different.  Part II it was "ease [their] pain" about the artists/animators.  After all, without them what IS the point? This brings me to the final stage, going the distance, and this truly is the hardest part of the journey.  Allow me to take you back to the movie.


Near the end of the film much had been revealed to Ray but uncertainty still hung over his head.  He was on the verge of losing his farm, the bank was ready to foreclose.  The choices before him seemed to be keep the field and be evicted or sell the farm.  He looks at the field of players, his family and the sales contract.  How will HE decide?


I know only too well the emotions and the strain that Ray must have experienced.  I've pushed our finances (with the support of my husband) to the utter edge. However, I know this is the thing I am supposed to to.  I have seen the future and it is bright and wonderful.  I have talked to those industry professionals who tell me the vision is good and the approach is right.  Despite how it may look, I choose to "Go the Distance."  Studio Kinate IS the first woman owned animation studio!  This studio IS about developing strong CHARACTERS and STORY!  This studio IS about the ANIMATORS and ARTISTS!  This studio IS making history! And I WILL move forward and not look back.


And so, I pass this on to you.  You cannot copy what someone else has done to achieve your dream; however, you CAN learn from them.  You will have successes AND failures.  Study the failures of others and learn from yours.  Set your goals and work to achieve them.  Attend critiques and workshops. If you want to be a writer, write and read.  If you want to be an artist, take classes from the best teachers (even if you have to travel!).  If you want to be an animator, study the masters and (in the words of Larry Lauria) DRAW, DRAW, DRAW!   

Well, ladies and gentleman, next week I will be making a very important announcement.  I am VERY excited about the new year so during the coming holiday season I am going to be reflecting on this past year and what lies ahead for Studio Kinate.  So until next time, keep your vision alive and let your IMAGINATION be UNLIMITED!

Studio Kinate: "Field of Dreams" Part II

Ease [their] Pain

For those who haven't seen the movie, let me set it up for you. After Ray builds the field, he waits and waits, is about to give up when, ta-da, Shoeless Joe Jackson shows up.  The next day, Joe shows up with some of his old team mates so Ray and Annie enjoy a few days watching them play.  Suddenly, the voice returns: "Ease his pain." "Whose pain?!"  shouts Ray.  Whose pain is my question.


When I started out on this adventure, I knew two things.  Where I was and where I wanted to be.  My biggest questions were how do I get there and who  will this benefit?  Young (or not-so-young) wanna be animators? Traditional animators? Professionals who've left California/NY? Women? Like Ray, I may think I know the answer to that question but each day I learn about another level of pain that animators, audiences and other artists feel.  I can't ease all their pain alone, but I can bring together an amazing team (family) and together we can build something fantastic!


Why ease their pain?  Because the system, in my opinion is broken.  Jobs are being shipped overseas, artists, unlike many other professionals, feel threatened, intimidated, and used. I feel it is time that they be given the respect they deserve.  They are professionals.  They deserve to work in an environment where they are respected, where their ideas have worth and they have careers rather than jobs.  


Studio Kinate is making difference for artists, animators and audiences and more is yet to come. Young people are working and learning from professionals and veterans. Writers have developed original content.  Musicians are composing songs that will set our animated stories apart.  


To "ease their pain," we have to be different.  Our characters have to be grounded in strong stories. And, of course, our Animation needs to be Unlimited!