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Drew Roper

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Drew Roper and I am directing a short animated film called ‘At-issue’ at Yamination Studios.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I’ve been a paper boy, a pizza boy, and a general maintenance labourer – one special occasion was digging holes and trenches to channel out a new sewage system for a local casino.

 

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’m proud of all the projects I’ve worked on. The ones that stand out were having the pleasure of being a crew member on Fantastic Mr Fox and Frankenweenie, and having the opportunity to see how a feature film production is run. I also had the chance to meet and work with some fantastic people. Also, the time I worked on Shaun The Sheep at Aardman Animation studios was incredible being involved in one of the biggest animation studios in the UK, and learning how a professional studio is run.

 

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from a place called Walsall Wood, which was an old coal mining region of the West Midlands, in the UK. After attending University I got into an advertising agency called Razorfish, which was thanks to someone called Milly Harvey. Their clients include; Nike, Apple, Audi, McDonalds, Levis etc. At Razorfish, I was Continue reading

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“Skylanders Academy” to be Activision Blizzard Studios first TV series

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Skylanders-Academy

Mashable is reporting that “Skylanders Academy” is to be Activision Blizzard Studios first TV series.

Skylanders Academy is one of the first projects for Activision Blizzard Studios, the video game mega-publisher’s newly launched film/TV arms. There’s no premiere date to share just yet, nor are there details on the story or delivery mechanisms. We don’t know if this is going to be a standard network series, a Netflix/Hulu/Amazon play or something else entirely. But it’s being driven by an impressive set of talents.

The fictional location called “Skylanders Academy” debuted in the series’ 2014 game release, Skylanders: Trap Team. It served as a hub location where players could retire between levels, and in the series’ fiction it’s where Sidekicks go to train before they can become full-fledged Skylanders, protectors of the Skylands.

The showrunner seat is filled by Eric Rogers, who wrote for Futurama during both eras of its existence. Surrounding him is a cast that includes Justin Long (How to Train Your Dragon) as Spyro, Ashley Tisdale (Phineas and Ferb) as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) as Eruptor and Norm Macdonald (Saturday Night Live) as Glumshanks, plus Harland Williams and Richard Horvitz in unspecified roles.

You can probably expect your first look at Skylanders Academy in early 2016, with Activision Blizzard targeting a mid-year premiere.

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Andy Ice

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What is your name and current occupation ?
M name is Andy Ice. I’m currently working at Walt Disney Television Animation as lead background designer on “Kick Buttowski”.

What are some of the craziest job’s you had before getting into animation ?
I stumbled around for  awhile after graduating college. The oddest job was hauling parts for assembly workers in a Doorknob Factory ! I also worked in a precision metal grinding plant, responsible for setting up, and running a centerless grinding machine that made parts that went into NASA ships. They had to be crazy to trust me with that.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of ?
I will always be thankful for “Kim Possible” at Disney. I came on as a background designer early in the first season, and wasn’t sure if I would make it. I wound up staying all four seasons, and was the sole designer for the last two seasons.
I loved working on “Cats Don’t Dance” for Turner Feature Animation. It was one of the last traditional animated films, done completely in house, and I worked in an amazing layout department, where I learned something new every day. I started doing rough layouts, and some clean ups, then being put on workbook, which I really loved.
One of the earlier jobs was background layout on “Taz-Mania” at Warner Bros. That’s where I really learned the ropes of animation, as we were laying out every scene, and our art was shot for actual production. A great experience.
I could say things about every project , but those stand out.

Where are you from and how did you get into the biz ?
I grew up in Continue reading

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Doug TenNapel

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Doug TenNapel, story teller.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I once shoveled molten cow fat in an underground chamber at one of California’s largest chicken farms. At this same job I had to shovel maggots from under truck scales in the summer heat.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I’m probably the most proud of my graphic novel work. Making Creature Tech and Gear were some of the most satisfying work I ever did as a graphic novel author.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PSrR8JCjec

How did you become interested in animation? 
I never wasn’t interested. But I was raised in front of the television, where those moving drawings came to life. It was all magic to me. When I first saw Continue reading

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Larry Latham

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Larry Latham; currently I teach Maya and Flash at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. It’s a two year program, with a lean toward visual communications, so though we learn both software packages, the emphasis is less on character animation and more on motion graphics. The good news is that when a student really wants to learn character animation, we have a flexible policy that allows me to vary the lessons. Plus, we’re working on getting a four-year degree program, which would allow more time to focus on the finer details.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Whew! That’s a big one. I managed a Taco Bell restaurant, inventoried nuts and bolts (one at a time, not [er box or case) for Lockheed, delivered liquor to retail stores and sold cars.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Talespin is at the top of the heap. I produced and directed 14 episodes and did post-production on about half the series. Right after that would be the two American Tale direct to video movies I produced and directed at Universal.
How did you become interested in animation?
I kind of eased into it. As a kid I loved Popeye and the old cartoons, but could never muster any interest for Continue reading
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Kung Fu Panda 3 trailer

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KUNG FU PANDA 3
Animation, in 3D
Release: January 29, 2016, in 3D
Directors: Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni
Producer: Melissa Cobb
Cast:  Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, J.K. Simmons, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Kate Hudson, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim
SYNOPSIS
In 2016, one of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, KUNG FU PANDA 3. When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters.  But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible—learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!