Local Events

LOCAL EVENTS

34th SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LGBT FILM FESTIVAL, JUNE 17-27, TO SHOW FIVE ANIMATED SHORTS PLUS “DOTTIE’S MAGIC POCKETS”

Dottie’s Magic Pockets by Tammie Stoner is a 50-minute TV show on DVD for kids 4 – 6. Stoner says, “I created Dottie’s Magic Pockets to reflect a diverse family. I wanted to put my heart around positive gay and lesbian images. There isn’t anything else like this out there.” The show features actors, hand puppets and animated segments. The shorts are The Girl Bunnies, Hockey by Françoise Doherty, Mouse's Birthday by Barry Morse, Red Revenge by Eunha Choi, Cat's Cradle by Ray Rea and Queer Pet Adventures Episode #1 by Veronique Courtois.



Friday June 18, A TRIBUTE TO THE TOURNEE OF ANIMATION AND PRESCOTT WRIGHT, THE EARLY SHOWS at the Exploratorium, 7:30 pm, free

For many years The Tournee of Animation was the major and often the only way to see wonderful independent animated shorts from around the world. Tonight we will look at original 16mm archival prints from the first three programs distributed (1968-1970) by Prescott Wright (1936 – 2007).

The highlights to be screened include work by Richard Williams, experimental computer animation by John and Michael Whitney, gems from the Zagreb Studio, Yoji Kuri from Japan, and work from the US, UK and other nations. A wide variety of content, styles and animation techniques will be included.

When Prescott died his library of Tournee prints went to the Pacific Film Archives with a duplicate set going to ASIFA. They recently gave us sets of the first three shows. After our screening the prints will go to ASIFA-LA for preservation. Due to colors fading and some of the shorts being dated we are only showing highlights. Don’t miss what may be your only chance to see these legendary films projected in 16mm, the way they were meant to be seen.

Guest Speaker, Jeep Naarkom, This Friday 8:30pm in room 140B at the 180 Building.

This Friday we have Jeep Naarkom, current AAU student and previously an animator at Electronic Arts, coming to tell us a bit about himself and about animation for games.

The lecture will start at 8:30pm. Room 140B.

We're all excited for this Friday's lecture and as usual, expect this to be a well attended event. Show up early & on time to be sure you get a seat or a good standing space.

Guest Speaker, Josh Cooley, This Friday 8:30pm in room 140B at the 180 Building.

Our guest speaker for the week will be Josh Cooley! He is a storyboard artist over at Pixar and will be talking a little bit about himself and his work. As always, it will be packed so come early for good seats! Same place, same time.

The Slovak Impact

Next Wed April 28th: "The Allure of Hayao Miyazaki" at The Cartoon Art Museum

The Allure of Hayao Miyazaki
Slide lecture with authors Frederik L. Schodt and Beth Cary
Cartoon Art Museum Event: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 7pm - 9pm
$5 suggested donation

AT THE CARTOON ART MUSEUM

If you have been thrilled by the images and touched by the heartwarming stories of Hayao Miyazaki’s animations, you may count yourself among the vast numbers of fans of this revered filmmaker. One of the greatest animators of all time, his legions of fans include the viewing audience as well as those working in the field of manga and anime, both in Japan and around the world. He is also a prolific writer and speaker whose volume of writings has been translated into English as Starting Point: 1979-1996, published by Viz Media. In an illustrated talk, Beth Cary and Frederik Schodt, the translators of this work, will explore the reasons for the appeal of Miyazaki and his films, in both Japan and the United States.
The suggested donation for this event is $5.

Frederik L. Schodt’s writings on manga, and his translations of them, have helped trigger the current popularity of Japanese comics in the English-speaking world. In 2009, the Japanese Government presented him with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his work in helping to promote Japan’s popular culture in the United States. He has written widely on Japanese history, popular culture, and technology.

Beth Cary has interpreted for many Japanese artists, including Hayao Miyazaki, at their presentations in the Bay Area. As a translator she has translated Japanese fiction and nonfiction works into English. The topics of these books range from the social sciences to literary reflections. Recently she has translated several award-winning mystery stories for the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.

Books will be available for purchase at the event.

CO-SPONSORED BY The Japan Society of Northern California

Founded in 1905, the Japan Society of Northern California is the West Coast’s leading forum on Japan and US-Japan relations. Its mission is to strengthen cooperation and understanding between the peoples of the United States and Japan by providing programs that help to expand knowledge, increase personal interaction and facilitate discussion of important issues.

-Posted by ASIFA

Guest Speaker, Kent Brown, THIS Friday! 8:30pm in room 140B at the 180 Building.

This Friday Kent Brown will be giving a lecture on preparing a good demo reel package complete with awesome resume and cover letter. This is a process often overlooked by students which can make or break your chances on getting that dream job you've always wanted. Kent has worked in HR and knows the do's and dont's to applying for a job.

Same Place, Same Time (8:30 in room 140B at the 180 building)

ASIFA SF EVENT: April 1st GUMBY TRIBUTE at THE BALBOA

Thurs. April 1, COME OUT AND CELEBRATE APRIL FOOLS DAY WITH A GUMBY TRIBUTE AT THE BALBOA featuring The Emmy award winning feature Gumby Dharma by Tim Hittle, Robina Marchesi and Karla Gunning-Harris plus see shorts and some of the artists in-person talking about working with Art Clokey (Gumby’s creator) who died in January, 2010. Check the Balboa’s website and local movie listings for details in late March.

Gumby Dharma explores why a man would spend his 85 years on earth playing with lumps of colored clay. His world famous characters, Gumby and Pokey, and Davy and Goliath, echo the spiritual path of their creator. Art's journey takes us from the orphanage to inspiring adopted father, from the Seminary to the Hollywood movie business, and from traditional Episcopalian church values to Buddhism and Indian guru Sai Baba. It is a fascinating life and career in it's own right but also in how it gently influenced his characters and story lines for over 40 years. Clokey’s work is one of the few animation characters that have survived the test of time to become a true American Icon. Interviews with contemporary leaders in animation, including Director Henry Selick (Coraline, Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach) and special effects legend Ray Harryhausen (Jason and the Argonauts, Adventures of Sinbad), place Clokey’s work in perspective with the history of animation and explore stop motion’s future in a computer graphics world. THIS IS ALSO A DVD RELEASE PARTY OF “GUMBY DHARMA” Details at www.gumbydharma.com

Don’t forget April 1 is the annual St. Stupid’s Day Parade at noon.

Another Great guest lecture and more on the way

Thanks for coming out to JD's lecture last Friday!

It was a great lecture and another huge turn out. There will be no guest speaker this Friday, as school is out for Spring Break this week. Watch for updates for the next guest lecture, coming soon.

AAU Coming Events: Alumni Comic Book Panel

April 1st, Morgan Auditorium 7pm!

Guest Speaker, Jean-Denis Hass, THIS Friday! 8:30pm in room 140B at the 180 Building.

This Friday we have Jean-Denis Hass, "JD" coming to talk to tell us a bit about himself and about animation. JD is a former AAU student, instructor and is an Animator at ILM. The lecture will start at 8:30pm. Room 140B.

We're all excited for this Friday's lecture and expect this to be a well attended event. Show up early & on time to be sure you get a seat or a good standing space.

JD Lecture Postponed, Robert Steele talk this Friday!

Sorry guys, due to some family concerns JD can't make it out this Friday. We will be rescheduling with JD, likely for next week. Just stay tuned for the update.

However we're in luck, our very own Robert Steele has graciously offered to drop in and give us a talking to. Join the Club for an eye opening talk this Friday at 8:30pm in the 79 Theater.

Bob Steele is a current full time faculty at the Academy and a great guy to ask questions to about story, storyboarding, layout, camera, preproduction and portfolio concerns, among other things. Come with questions and a sense of humor. He'll give you some straight answers and very likely some good stories.

Robert Steele's professional background includes: Working as Art Director and Computer Animator for various video game companies such as Sega Technical Institute, Captivation Digital Laboratories, Full-On Amusement Company Blizzard Entertainment, and Virgin Entertainment.

Project credits include Diablo 2, Diehard Arcade, ComicZone, Robocop vs. Terminator, and Disney’s The Jungle Book video games.

He also produced Commercial Animatics and Storyboards at Jim Keeshen Studios in Los Angeles, California and was a Storyboard Artist for the Widget and Mr. Bogus animated television series for Calico Creations.

He was Producer on animated short, “Monkey Love " at Jim Keeshen Studios which was a Nominee for Animated Short Film ASIFA 1996 and recipient of the Golden Gate Award, San Francisco Independent Film Festival, 1997.

UPDATE: Gest Lecture NEXT Friday, the 12th.

Hey Club,

We will be doing the next guest speaker event NEXT Friday instead of this Friday. Update your calendars!

Next Friday we will have Jean-Denis Hass, "JD" coming to talk to tell us a bit about himself and about animation. JD is a former AAU student, instructor and is an Animator at ILM. The lecture will start at 8:30pm. Room 140B.

Thanks again go out to Brian Shirmer in the Anim & VFX dept for securing the room!

And thanks to you guys and gals in the club for tuning in to the blog posts and turning out for the speakers. We're looking forward to next Friday's event.