News Archives
Newsletter: September 2005

NEWS:

1. Call for Entries: Black Maria Film-Video Festival 
2. Call for Entries: Science Fiction Short Film Festival
3. Call for Entries: AIS’ Animation Video Fest 
4. Call for Entries: Cooltoons Lab Contest
5. Call for Entries: NWAAFF 2006

EVENTS:

6. SOIL September Show: Nocturnes [Seattle, WA]
7. Animated Adventures Film Festival [Bainbridge Island, WA]
8. Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride [Everywhere]
9. The Point [Seattle, WA]
10. Visual Music [Seattle, WA]
11. Best Children’s Films Ever! [Seattle, WA]
12. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit [Everywhere]

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS:

13. 3-D Computer Animation [Portland, OR]
14. Pacific Northwest College of Art [Portland, OR]
15. Experiments in Animation [Seattle, WA]
16. Oxberry Animation Camera and Controls [Seattle, WA]
17. After Effects I and II [Seattle, WA]
18. Animated Adventures Saturday Morning Cartoon Club [Bainbridge Island, WA]
19. Animation for Young People [Portland, OR]
20. Creating Movement on the Oxberry Filmaker Stand  [Seattle, WA]


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News
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1. Call for Entries: Black Maria Film-Video Festival
Deadline: November 20, 2005
Passionate visionary independent film and video since 1981.
c/o Media Arts Department New Jersey City University,
2039 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, N.J. 07305
201-200-2043; blackmariafest@aol.com
www.blackmariafilmfestival.org

2. Call for Entries Science Fiction Short Film Festival
Deadline: November 1, 2005
The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (SFM) in partnership with
the Seattle International Film Festival Group (SIFF), today announced the
launch of the first-annual Science Fiction Short Film Festival, to
promote and encourage awareness, appreciation and understanding of the
art of science fiction cinema. Submissions can be up to 12 minutes in
length, and must have been produced after 2001 for entry into the
competition. The chosen entries will be screened in competition during
the festival, which takes place February 3-4, 2006, in Seattle at the
Cinerama Theatre and JBL Theatre at Experience Music Project. The
winning filmmaker will receive a pitch meeting with Sci Fi Channel
executives. In theory, this could lead to them writing and/or
directing a two-hour film for the network.
The grand prizewinner will be announced in early January 2006.
Official entry form, rules and regulations and FAQ information are
available online:
www.sfhomeworld.org
www.seattlefilm.org

3. Call for Entries: AIS’ Animation Video Fest
Deadline: September 16, 2005.
It’s wild. It’s wacky. It’s fun. It’s Premiere 2005 Animation & Video
Festival, and it’s your chance to show off your best work. Show off your
talent and passion for animation and video by submitting your best
original work. There is no entry fee.
All high school and college students, as well as Art Institute of
Seattle alumni are encouraged to participate. All entries will be
judged and selected works will be presented to the public in October
at the festival. High school students also have an opportunity to win
tuition scholarships of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. Sponsored by
The Art Institute of Seattle.
Information: 206-448-0900, 1-800-275-2471; www.ais.edu

4. Call for Entries: Cooltoons Lab Contest
Deadline: November 30, 2004
Klasky Csupo is conducting its Cooltoons Lab, looking for scripts and/or
storyboards with dialogue to animate a seven-minute pilot episode of an
original show. Should your project be chosen, the studio will produce
and record it. You will be credited as a creator, with the possibility of
being engaged on a potential series based on the pilot.
Information, entry submission form and animation storyboard:
www.cooltoons.com/lab

5. Call for Entries NWAAFF 2006
Deadline: September 30, 2005.
Receipt of entries will be confirmed via e-mail.
Final selections will be announced in November 2005.
Northwest Asian American Theatre (NWAAT) currently seeks entries for
Northwest Asian American Film Festival (NWAAFF) 2006. NWAAFF presents
works by Asian American artists working or living in the Northwest
along with the best Asian American works from across North America.
PREVIEW FORMAT: 1/2" VHS NTSC or DVD NTSC. Please do not include
additional promotional materials.
EXHIBITION FORMATS: 35mm, 16mm, Betacam SP NTSC, DVCAM/MiniDV NTSC, and
1/2" VHS NTSC.
ENTRY FEE: $10 per film. Fees are waived for Asian American films and
videos by artists working or living in the Northwest (including but
not limited to Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia).
Download entry forms from www.nwaaff.org
SEND COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS ALONG WITH PREVIEW VHS/DVD TO:
   Northwest Asian American Theatre
   Attn: NWAAFF 2006
   409 7th Avenue South
   Seattle, WA 98104
Questions? Email info@nwaaff.org


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Events
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6. SOIL September Show: Nocturnes [Seattle, WA]
September 1-October 2, 2005 - Thurs-Sun 12-5pm
Once considered primarily the domain of William Kentridge, many more
artists have recently begun to incorporate animation into their work as the
technology becomes more affordable. Consequently, a host of young
artists are beginning to establish themselves on the strength of
their animated works. Nocturnes features four artists who explore
animation within their wider studio practice-Cat Clifford, Laleh
Khorramian, Lucy Raven, and Mary Simpson. Two from Seattle and two
from New York, each artist in Nocturnes will show new films that
transport the viewer into 'other worlds’ entirely of the
artists’ making. They will also be showing related works and
source material, including prints, drawings, and sculptural elements. 
Drawn in to a close rapport with sequencing, self-reference, and the use
of motif, the wonder of filmmaking-ever in the process of becoming-is made
direct and tangible in the work of each artist. A newly rediscovered
freedom to bring entire worlds to life is within reach
as each engages aspects of landscape to create unique meta-universes. 
The basic tools of animation are now accessible and affordable enough
that artists can experiment with the form. The medium’s inherently
allegorical nature, whether withdrawn into formal concerns
or overtly referential, seems to attract artists with an auteur’s
sensibility, but its relative obscurity in the art world makes it
something of a clean slate for young artists.
Nocturnes features four artists whose work steps away from conventional
formats to inhabit new territory with its own rules.
Nocturnes exhibit curated by Fionn Meade. SOIL is an artist-run gallery
with a mission to act as a venue for emerging artists and challenging new
art.
SOIL, 112 3rd Ave. S, Seattle WA 98104
Info: 206-264-8061; gallery@soilart.org
www.soilart.org

7. Animated Adventures Film Festival [Bainbridge Island, WA]
September 17, 2005 - 10am 
Bainbridge Cinemas at the Pavilion, 403 N. Madison Ave, Bainbridge Island 
A free screening of more than 30 animated films made by local kids and
teens. Includes claymation, cut-out and anime movies made in this
summer’s workshops through B.I. Parks and Recreation.
Info: 206-855-9034
www.animatedadventures.com

8. Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride [Everywhere]
September 16, 2005 limited release; September 23 wide release
Don’t miss this film, which features the handiwork of many NW (or
formerly NW) artists and animators. Set in a 19th century European
village, this stop-motion, animated feature follows the story of
Victor, a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed
to a mysterious Corpse Bride, while his real bride, Victoria, waits
bereft in the land of the living. Although life in the Land of the
Dead proves to be a lot more colorful than his strict Victorian
upbringing, Victor learns that there is nothing in this
world, or the next, that can keep him away from his one true love.
MPAA Rating: PG for some scary images and action, and brief mild language.
Distributor: Warner Brothers

9. The Point [Seattle, WA]
September 24, 2005 - 1pm
(Harry Nilsson & Fred Wolf, USA, 1971, 16mm, 74 min.)
Shown in 2002 at our annual Childish Film Festival, “The Point” is a
perfect example of the creative, non-commercial family programming
we’ve been dedicated to exhibiting. This 70s animated classic based
on songs by Harry Nilsson takes place in the land of Point, where
everything -- buildings, trees and even people -- is pointed, except
for one little round-headed kid named Oblio. Banished with his dog Arrow,
Oblio makes an adventurous hero’s journey through the mysterious
“Pointless Forest.” Don’t miss the chance to
see this beloved musical classic on film.
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 - 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Movie Line: 206-267-5380; Office: 206-329-2629 
Info: www.wigglyworld.org

10. Visual Music [Seattle, WA]
September 30, 2005 - 9pm
For three years, our annual Visual Music Festival celebrated the great
and often overlooked history of experimental filmmaking. This program
highlights gems of the series - from experimental animation to assemblage
films that blend visual art and music into moving image magic.
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 - 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Movie Line: 206-267-5380; Office: 206-329-2629 
Info: www.wigglyworld.org
 
11. Best Children’s Films Ever! [Seattle, WA]
October 2,2005 - 1pm
(Various directors, Various formats, 70 mins.)
Program includes the French cinema masterpiece THE RED BALLOON (Albert
Lamorisse), the animated classic COCKABOODY (Faith and John Hubley),
RENT’S DUE a homage to silent slapstick films (Andy McCone), avant garde
theater troupe The Compound’s BLUECOATED STORY (Erich Maahs), and selected
masterpieces of Czech animation.
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 - 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Movie Line: 206-267-5380; Office: 206-329-2629 
Info: www.wigglyworld.org

12. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit [Everywhere]
Opens October 7, 2005
Wallace and Gromit are cashing in with their humane pest-control outfit,
“Anti-Pesto.” With only days to go before the annual Giant Vegetable
Competition, business is booming, but Wallace & Gromit are finding out
that running a “humane” pest control outfit has its drawbacks as
their West Wallaby Street home fills to the brim with captive rabbits.
Suddenly, a huge, mysterious, veg-ravaging “beast” begins
attacking the town’s sacred vegetable plots at night, and the
competition hostess, Lady Tottington, commissions Anti-Pesto to catch
it and save the day. Lying in wait, however, is Lady Tottington’s
snobby suitor, Victor Quartermaine, who’d rather shoot
the beast and secure the position of local hero - not to mention Lady
Tottingon’s hand in marriage. With the fate of the competition in the
balance, Lady Tottington is eventually forced to allow Victor to hunt
down the vegetable chomping marauder. Little does she know that
Victor’s real intent could have dire consequences
for her and Wallace and Gromit.
MPAA Rating: G
Distributor: DreamWorks Animation SKG


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Classes/Workshops
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13. 3-D Computer Animation [Portland, OR]
Tuesdays, September 20-November 22, 2005; 7-10pm
This introductory workshop provides the basic principles, vocabulary and
process of computer animation utilizing Lightwave 3D, the premiere
software program for feature film and commercial special effects, corporate
production and logo animations.
Northwest Film Center School of Film
www.nwfilm.org

14. Pacific Northwest College of Art [Portland, OR]
Information: 503-821-8903; secure.pnca.edu/ce/reg

Classes offered this fall:
After Effects - Rose Bond, instructor
    September 20-November 8, 2005; Tuesdays; 6:30-8:45pm
    Tuition: $365; Department fee: $50
Specific topics include: orienting to the interface, keyframes, layers,
alpha channels, nested compositions, and rendering considerations for
finishing in video or DVD for single or multi-screen projections.
Students encouraged to create work of personal interest in a
collegial atmosphere.

Digital Video + Filmmaking - Linda Kliewer, instructor
    September 19-November 28; Mondays; 6:30-9:30pm
    Tuition: $450; Department fee: $60
In this intensive course, the student will experience the basic stages
of digital filmmaking, storyboarding, shooting, editing and output
to tape or Quicktime Movie. Hands on digital camera work and editing
will be emphasized.

Flash Animation - Phillip Kerman, instructor
    September 19-November 7; Mondays; 6:30-8:45pm
    Tuition: $325; Department fee: $50
Learn how to use Macromedia Flash, the premier animation tool for
the web. This class includes lectures, demonstrations, and
hands-on practice with Flash. The course covers creating and
importing artwork into Flash, animation techniques, and optimizing
animation for the web.

Graphic Novel: Cartooning - Neal Skorpen, instructor
    September 21-November 30; Wednesdays; 6:30-8:30pm
    Tuition: $220; Department fee: $20
This class examines what makes a drawing a cartoon, and what
characteristics make a good cartoon. Particular emphasis will be
placed on line quality and contrasting values in monochromatic
ink drawing.
Class projects are organized around specific topics, including iconic
imagery, drawing with a brush, exaggeration and understatement, comics,
animation, and digital cartooning.
15. Experiments in Animation [Seattle, WA]
September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 2005 - 12-3pm
Tuition: $125 WigglyWorld Members / $145 General Public 
Instructor: Tim Miller
This class will be presented as a package of four workshops, each one
introducing students to an accessible animation technique that does not
rely exclusively on drawing ability. Camera-less film making, animating under
the camera, flip books and zoetropes will be introduced as opportunities for
experimentation and exploration of the animation medium. Appropriate for
ages 14 and up. The class will make use of digital animation equipment
(camera and computer) available for rental in WigglyWorld’s non-linear
edit suite. The class will not include training on the Oxberry animation
stand, but skills learned in this class are applicable with using the Oxberry.
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 - 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Movie Line: 206-267-5380; Office: 206-329-2629 
Info: www.wigglyworld.org

16. Oxberry Animation Camera and Controls [Seattle, WA]
Oct. 2, 2005 - 12-4pm
Tuition: $40 WigglyWorld Members / $45 General Public 
Instructor: Katherine Enos 
Learn how to set up for a shoot on the Studio Mecanique animation stand.
You’ll learn how to load the pin-registered 16mm camera and how to use
the Oxberry console to operate the camera. This workshop class will also
show how to use reticle projection to ensure that your art work falls within
the film frame, how to set up the camera for rotoscoping, and how to do
dissolves and fades in camera. Top light and underlighting setups will
be demonstrated, including use of the Sekonic light meter and of neutral
density and polarizing filters. This course is a camera certification
class and does not include in-depth discussion of how to use the moveable
compound to create camera movements. Take this class to be certified to do
basic camera work on the Oxberry Filmaker stand without an animation
assistant to help you. 
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 - 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Movie Line: 206-267-5380; Office: 206-329-2629 
Info: www.wigglyworld.org

17. After Effects I and II [Seattle, WA]
After Effects I
October 4, 11, 18, 2005 - 6-9:30pm - Class limit: 6
Instructor - Brian Racherbaeumer
Members: $240 - non members: $265
Receive a 10% discount on both classes if you sign
up for After Effects I & II. 
Course fee includes a total of 6 hours of independent lab time. The
format of this class combines lecture with hands-on.
Students will need to share use of computers.
Prerequisites: basic computer skills and video editing
experience. We will cover basic manipulation and animation of transform
controls, masks, basic filter effects, and fully explore spatial and
temporal keyframe control over these animating properties (including
speed and acceleration, bezier curves, keyframe velocity
and influence, and keyframe assistants).
Other topics include: media import and render output methods and
options, media editing, interface switches and controls, efficient
working strategies, layer mattes and layer modes, and key commands.
911 Media Arts, 402 9th Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109
www.911media.org

After Effects II
November 2, 9, 16, 2005 - 6-9:30pm 
Instructor - James Culbertson
Members: $240 - non members: $265 - Class limit: 6
In this class we will build upon the basics learned in the first After
Effects class, as well as, explore After Effects 3D capabilities,
expanded filter usage, expressions (FX scripting), motion effects, motion
tracking/stabilization, parent-child interactions, and time remapping.
After Effects 1 or permission of instructor required.
911 Media Arts, 402 9th Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109
www.911media.org
18. Animated Adventures Saturday Morning Cartoon Club [Bainbridge Island, WA]
Saturdays, October 15-November 17, 2005 - 10am-1pm - Ages 9 and older
Instructor: Wendy Jackson Hall
Why spend your Saturday mornings watching cartoons when you can create
your own? The Animated Adventures Saturday Morning Cartoon Club is a guided
independent studio where you can craft your own short movies using clay,
cut-outs, drawings, or other animation techniques. We’ll supply the
equipment and materials; you bring the imagination. The Saturday Morning
Cartoon Club meets for three hours a week over five consecutive weeks.
All animators will receive a DVD of films created in the workshop.
Tuition: $195 + $25 materials fee
Location: Boys & Girls Club of Bainbridge Island, 8521 Madison Ave. NE,
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Info: www.animatedadventures.com
Register: www.biparks.org
 
19. Animation for Young People [Portland, OR]
Sundays, October 16-November 20, 2005 - 9am-1pm
Tuition: $230 - Equipment/lab fee: $25 
Grades 4-6. Enrollment limit: 10.
Instructor: Lee Krist
Make your own animated short! Learning primary techniques and concepts
you will create a short animated video story using drawings, cutouts and
flipbooks. No previous experience necessary. Families and friends are
invited to a screening of completed work after the class. Everyone will
receive a copy on DVD.
Northwest FilmCenter, 1139 SW 11th Ave. Portland, OR 97205
Info: 503-221-1156
www.nwfilm.org

20. Creating Movement on the Oxberry Filmaker Stand  [Seattle, WA]
November 13, 2005 - 12-4pm
Tuition: $40 WigglyWorld Members / $45 General Public 
Instructor: Katherine Enos 
Bring a piece of art work and an idea to this workshop class and learn
how to create basic camera movements on the Studio Mecanique animation
stand. This class will introduce the moveable compound that is the
foundation of any professional animation stand and show you different
methods of registering and layering your art work on the stand. You’ll
find out how to use the moveable compound and a field guide to plan a
camera movement, and then how to plot the movement by using an exposure
(dope) sheet in combination with simple math skills. Samples of camera
movements will be shown. Time permitting, you’ll learn how you can use
the pantograph to create movements without math. This is not a camera
certification class. To be certified to work on the Filmaker stand
without an animation assistant to help you, take the Oxberry Animation
Camera and Controls class. Includes two hours of supervised time after
the class to shoot the move you create.
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 - 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Movie Line: 206-267-5380; Office: 206-329-2629 
Info: www.wigglyworld.org

Newsletter © 2005, Wendy Jackson Hall