Animation Artist www.animationartist.com
At first glance, Animation Artist is a daunting Web site, filled
with tutorials on how to use programs most non-animation folk have
never heard of. Fortunately, there is plenty of content on the site
that appeals to artists and others alike. The site focuses on
computer-generated images for the most part, describing new
advancements in the software, written for the technically advanced,
and no one else. (A sample headline off the news page of the site
is “LightWorks Renderer Comes to OS X.”) Viewers who
can’t keep up with the articles would do best to avoid
“News” and “Tutorials” and skip straight to
“Features” and “Screening Room.” Under the
features section, there are entertaining articles on animators and
projects, which are much more easily understood. In the screening
room visitors can see and critique the work of others, and submit
works of their own. These images include hand-drawn pictures, in
addition to the computer-generated ones. What is disappointing
about this site is that although it is dedicated to the
technologically advanced and the artistic, the design isn’t
particularly impressive. Although many of the images contained
within the content of the site are well-done, the simplistic use of
color and the uninventive presentation detract from the creative
focus. Animation Artist is definitely directed to a very specific
audience. For those select people, it seems to be a good resource
for learning the tools of the computer generated images trade.
Mary Williams
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 UCLA Animation Workshop animation.filmtv.ucla.edu
UCLA’s exclusive animation workshop has its own fun and
informative Web site that is open to more than the program’s
few students. Ever since the workshop was founded in 1947, it has
become a prominent animation workshop driven by one philosophy: one
person does an entire film. The site includes information on the
three undergraduate and seven graduate courses offered through the
program, frequently asked questions about deadline dates and
previous experience that is needed. The site is interesting to
explore with its history of animation before and after film. The
history starts with the first known animated animal paintings in
the caves of Altimira, Spain. It also covers the history of Disney
and the creation of memorable cartoon characters like Felix the Cat
(1920). The historic timeline of animation unfortunately ends short
in 1959, but the Web site recommends a few books on a fuller view
of animation history. Most amusing is the site’s gallery with
film clips and interactive projects from artists who vary in
talent. The film clips run up to15 seconds often with dramatic
sound and color. One of the most unique and impressive film clips
is one titled “Frieden.” It gives an impacting message
of the disturbing effects of war on children with frightening
sounds and images. Another interesting choice is an interactive
project called “Muffin Films,” about a muffin who wants
to find his pants with somber music in the background. This
animation workshop site is most useful for prospective and current
students, but it is entertaining for viewers who just want to
browse.
Sophia Whang
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 Animation USA www.animationusa.com
The magic of classic moments in animation are captured and
offered at this Web site. The art gallery features work from
studios such as Warner Bros., FOX, Universal, Nickelodeon and
Disney. There are also various classic “Peanuts” and
“The Simpsons” production cels and production drawings
for sale. The site’s animation and fine art definitions
include the meaning of terms such as production cels, which are the
final results in the creation of animation using ink and paint
techniques, and production drawings, which are the artist’s
drawings that are used as a basis for the production cels. A
production cel of a family shot from “The Simpsons”
costs $700 and Bugs Bunny’s drag strip costs $300, both
unframed. Although the art is quite expensive to buy, animation
fanatics have something to save their money for. It is also
interesting to see famous clips from the most memorable episodes.
An additional entertaining element to the Web site is its trivia
questions, which challenge viewers to remember the name of Scooby
Doo’s Wild West cousin and Touche Turtle’s sidekick.
Animation USA may not be the most practical place to buy
collectibles, but it is interesting to view animation as art work
and see how much the pictures are worth.
Sophia Whang