Stop Motion Geek

If you're not familiar with Stop Motion Magazine, it's an quarterly digital magazine full of the best in the industry, absolute gems of Stop Motion animation.  It's definitely one of my favorite, and by far one of the best sites for Stop Motion interviews, news, and reviews. Their most recent issue includes an interviews with Phil Tippett, the crew behind Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story , and the crew behind the upcoming Stop Motion indie feature, DARK EARTH . You can download issue #14 from their website for free by going here:  http://stopmotionmagazine.com/?page_id=740 Phil Tippett's Mad God Part 2 Kickstarter:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/madgod/phil-tippetts-mad-god-part-2?ref=live Mad God

Well, we have the Stop Motion class from Emmy winning Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, but wouldn't it just be great if there was a character fabrication class...OH WAIT!! (Ta da!) Yep folks, you heard it here first.  Stoopid Buddy has announced that along with their Stop Motion Animation course later this year, they will be offering an Into to Character Fabrication class as well!  So for all of you budding young filmmakers that love animation but have no idea whatsoever how to make a professional puppet, well here you go! "Under the guidance of our seasoned and extremely talented staff, students will gain the tools and hands-on experience needed to design, build, and complete their own creations." Enrollment is limited, so if you are interested or want more information about either class, please email getclassy@leagueofbuddies.com.

These 30-second commercials for Visine aired about a year ago, though I just discovered them recently.  The studio behind these weird eyeball hacky-sack shaped puppets is the incredible  Bix Pix Entertainment , who's other work has expanded a mixed media web series The Rodents , the short film Red Planet Blues , and they have worked with companies like Apple to produce an iPhone commercial. Visine -  Gamer :  http://vimeo.com/33609284 Visine - Gamer from Bix Pix Entertainment, Inc. on Vimeo . Visine -  Tennis :  http://vimeo.com/32523010 Visine - Tennis from Bix Pix Entertainment, Inc. on Vimeo .

I cannot praise, or describe this absolutely brilliant and exquisite music video, other than it is strangely mystic and mysterious, and at the same time strangely familiar and friendly.  It's directed by the madly brilliant Chris Ullens, it is a shame I do not know him personally.  What an honer it would be to meet such a talented filmmaker.  The song is London Grammar's "Hey Now" and is as diverse and original as the video itself. Link:  http://vimeo.com/87017587 London Grammar "Hey Now" from Chris Ullens on Vimeo . [Psst! Read the full article to watch the stunning 'making of' featurette!]

Few commercials conjure up this hilarious of an idea and successfully capture it on the small (or big) screen.  Saying that, I can sincerely say that this Stop Motion/puppet Cravendale commercial does capture this feeling whilst throwing in a playful and interesting mood into the mix. Link: http://vimeo.com/92088233 Cravendale from Matthew Day on Vimeo . BTS:  http://vimeo.com/90374004 Cravendale-The Making Of from Joseph Mann on Vimeo .

In 2012, Phil Tippett ( Empire Strikes Back , Indiana Jones , and is ILM veteran), along side of a small group of dedicated volunteers Kickstartered, storyboarded, shot, and edited, his passion project  Mad God .  Now, comes the 2 part in this four part epic.  In the Kickstarter video for Mad God Part 2 , Phil announces that there will be four parts in this epic.  I find it very funny the way he puts this though, "I got four parts.  Four parts, and I know what I'm doing!  I'm not making it up as I go along, (laughs), honestly! His goal for the sequel is to raise $60,000.  Though there is a number of stretch goals he has incorporated, for instance, if Mad God Part 2 raise $70,000, all backers receive a 'family photo' of Phil and his crew.  Today is day 29 of the total 30 day campaign, and they have raised $1,500 so far.  I recommend supporting this project.  If you haven't yet watched the first part of Mad God , you can do so by g...

Link:  http://vimeo.com/90921141 Goodbye Blue Camper from David Lauer on Vimeo .

The awe-inspiring, Oscar® nominated, Stop Motion artist PES, just completed his collaboration project with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.  A commercial for the new citizenM Hotel in Times Square, New York City.  And if you haven't already clicked on the video, you're in for a big surprise! (Make sure to stay tuned for the end!) PES' most known works are the amazingly successful YouTube short films  Western Spaghetti , Game Over , The Deep , and the Oscar® nominated Fresh Guacamole. Link:  http://youtu.be/F-K-ucVm7NA But wait, there's more!

It's bananas to think that I've been doing this for a year!  I launched Stop Motion Geek on April 11, 2013, so, I guess that it has in fact been a year. Someone once said that 80% of all businesses fail in there first year.  Well, I'm not sure if that guy's dead, or unfamiliar with the tendencies of geeks, if he was he never would have said such a thing. I really want to take a second and thank you , the fans of Stop Motion.  Then, I'll tell you what upcoming flicks I'm most excited for that's coming up pretty soon.  You fans, are amazing!  If it weren't for you visiting the site on the weekends or weekdays, to see what crazy short film I've found or what the next big feature will be, (by the way, it's The BoxTrolls 100%) there wouldn't be a Stop Motion Geek. The fact that there is a hunger for this medium just floors me, it's great!  I don't make a dime blogging, and that's fine with me!  It's great to have found a sma...

The 42nd Annie Awards will be held January 31st, 2015 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles.  And in case you were wondering, I don't have a shadow of a doubt that Laika's The BoxTrolls will walk away with more than one golden film-reel. In case you're not familiar with the Annie Awards, they're pretty much the animation equivalent to getting an Oscar®.  Fun fact: they Annies were created by June Foray, who voiced some of the most beloved cartoon charters including: Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Cindy Lou Who, and Cinderella. Check out their site for more information and a bunch of other specifics:  http://www.annieawards.org 42nd Annual Annie Awards

Link:  http://vimeo.com/91534040 Oregonian "Transformation" from Bent Image Lab on Vimeo .

Link:  http://vimeo.com/90326903 Jugend Gegen Abschottung from Walkingframes on Vimeo .

Stoopid Buddy Stoodios The Burbank centered Stop Motion studio Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, are now offering intermediate and beginner character animation classes.  This will be an 8 week long course taught by they're experienced animation directors behind shows like Friendship All-Stars  and Slam City .  They have produced films for internet and television giants like Cartoon Network, College Humor, and LStudio.  So, they'll be up-to-date with the latest equipment and puppets. For enrollment and/or more information about this incredible opportunity, email getclassy@leagueofbuddies.com. Also, check out their website here:  http://www.leagueofbuddies.com

"She’s young, dreamy and fearless, she drives cars way too fast, she’s also a yamakasi. She likes adventure, fireworks and unrelenting seas. From the day I conceived her, I’ve been a worried father. And a proud one too." Link:  http://vimeo.com/gblanchet/elastika A GIRL NAMED ELASTIKA from Guillaume Blanchet I Filmmaker on Vimeo . "A love story by PES. Announcing the new citizenM Hotel in Times Square, New York City." Link:  http://youtu.be/F-K-ucVm7NA

Aardman animations has released the trailer for the highly anticipated Shaun the Sheep the Movie !  With his roots in Aardman soil, Shaun was an unexpected hit when he co-starred alongside Wallace and Gromit in Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave .  Soon, he achieved new heights with his self titled children's television show.  Now, he stars in his own [self titled] movie. I can honestly say that with the few scarce Stop Motion studios in existence, Aardman is by far my favorite.  They're work has a certain delight and cleverness that no other studio has been able to capture.  (Though Laika's The Boxtrolls does look very promising).  I cannot wait for this feature, and when I does come, I sure I'll be sleep deprived from endless excitement when I'm at the midnight premier!  Here's to Aardman! Their other features have been Chicken Run (Dreamworks Animation), Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Ware-Rabbit (Dreamworks Animation), Flushed Away...

This brilliant piece of film was created by Dwarf Inc.  Their past projects include the extremely popular Japanese characters Domo  and Miffy the Bunny . Link: http://youtu.be/iTOcoDfbAu4    

This is a classic episode of Peter Lord and David Sproxton's Morph .  It is not associated with the brand new , upcoming Morph episodes coming strictly to YouTube.  Though until then you can go watch all of the original episodes on their YouTube channel which are being rereleased.  If you missed Aardman's [successful] Kickstarter to revive the plasticine British entertainment star, than my gosh, you need to go here right now and watch their Kickstarter video!  Until then, happy April Fools! After an amazing response from the public, Morph creator and Aardman co-founder Peter Lord have launched a campaign to bring Morph back for a new series of adventures! Using Kickstarter, Peter appealed to fans to help Morph make a comeback in return for a host of exclusive rewards and the chance to be involved in the production process. These new episodes will be premiere on YouTube sometime this summer! Link:  http://youtu.be/S9H4lJmA8Zw