A passionate animation/film student, "Golden Age" fan boy, and traditional animation purist. I post anything and everything related to the art of animation and film-making as I learn it. Plus lots of goodies along the way...
Starting tomorrow the Vancouver Art Gallery will be hosting an exhibit featuring the work of Leonardo Da Vinci. Quoting the website:
Shown for the first time as a complete group in this exhibition, Manuscript A encompasses thirty-four of Leonardo’s pen and ink anatomical drawings on eighteen sheets of paper, rendered during the winter of 1510-1511. Included are the first known accurate depictions of the spinal column and two magisterial sheets depicting the musculature of the lower legs and feet. The works are graciously loaned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from The Royal Collection, Windsor.
While this is all very exciting, the VAG has a history of disappointing me. The last exhibit claimed to have Vermeer and Rembrandt featured. It was only after I paid my $50 that I discovered that out of the hundreds of works of art there were 3 Rembrands, and 1 Vermeer about 8×8 inches. I will be very cautious before I attend another event at the VAG, and I’ll be waiting for testimonials before I go to this one. Please leave a comment if you go.
I just discovered a new show on AMC called Storymakers. I don’t watch much TV, but when I do, I usually try to find something related to film making and the arts. A&E, TCM, and AMC are my first stops. Last night I stumbled upon an episode featuring Cameron Diaz, Judd Apatow, and Tom Cruise. I love everything about this show from the casual conversation, to the way it’s shot, to the title sequences (shown below). You really feel like a fly on the wall eavesdropping on great conversations about film making. Nothing beats spending down time watching shows like this one, Inside the Actor’s Studio, or an old classic film.
In order to get a story on film, a director has to combine the organizational abilities of an army general with the patience and insight of a psychoanalyst. He has to have energy and stamina enough to give full rein to his talents as an artist and as a craftsman. He is answerable for his work on every level – financial, artistic, and administrative – and his job carries enormous responsibility. But his compensations can be equally great. For when the director has transformed his imaginings into reality, and when he has preserved that reality on motion-picture film., he has experienced something no other artist can know.
Act fast! There’s one copy of the super rare De Blanche Neige a Hercule available online right now. This won’t be available for much longer. Well what are you waiting for? Go get it!
On August 22, 2009 Matthew Hodge, the 17-year-old son of former Disney story artist and Big Idea productions director Tim Hodge, was in a serious auto accident. A train struck his car at 50mph as he was crossing the tracks. While Matt suffered neither broken bones nor any internal organ damage, he did receive severe head trauma causing him to remain in a state of coma today. Matt is a high school senior, a straight A student, and a drummer in his state championship marching band.
Being self-employed, the Hodge family has short term medical insurance that will not fully cover all of their bills. Additionally, with the care they are giving Matt, full-time work is not possible for Tim right now. This loving family is relying on their faith and the love of family and friends for their survival. This is a tragic accident that will forever affect their lives as the road to recovery for Matt may be a long one.
In an effort to help the Hodge family, the National Cartoonists Society Foundation is getting involved by hosting a fund-raising auction to be held on eBay. The NCSF is a fully licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that not only helps fund educational endeavors for cartooning, but is there to help cartoonists in dire circumstances like the Hodges.
To view a recent television news report on Matthew, CLICK HERE.
There’s an amazing charity auction going on as of today to help raise funds. I’m in no position to help myself, but the least I can do is use my blog to spread the word. If you are in a position, stop by the auctions and support a good cause. You’ll walk away with some amazing art no matter what you win. If I could, I’d go for the piece shown above. It’s an incredible collaboration by twenty-one top artists in the industry. For more information check out:
