DreamWorks’ Dragons Debut
A Viking named Hiccup. A dragon named Toothless. Their adventures have so far spanned ten books by British author Cressida Cowell. DreamWorks produced a film version of How to Train Your Dragon, directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, which turned into a box office blockbuster in 2010. A trio of shorts followed: Legend of […]
SCBWI Summer Conference 2012
Every year the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators hosts a convention in Los Angeles, attracting writers, editors, agents and illustrators. The latest marketplace conditions are presented, advice is given and the craft of writing is honed. At her blog, Nutschell Anne Windsor details this year’s events and shares some advice from the presentations: […]
The Cosmic Mind Gets Toon Boom
Animation maestro Michel Gagné has produced a trailer to his graphic novel, The Saga of Rex, while learning to use Toon Boom software. Have a look: http://youtu.be/TGiqup-2SlU Pretty cool, isn’t it? The trailer was done in three weeks. Michel will post his appraisal of the software soon.
Swing with Spider-Man!
One of the delights of the 1967 animated Spider-Man series was the unforgettable music, scored by Ray Ellis in the first season. Comedy writer Dan O’Shannon has recently unearthed the cues and made them available online here. Swing music for a swinging super-hero! Thanks to Cartoon Brew for the coverage.
Triumph of the Cosmic Mind
Michel Gagné’s professional career has spanned two-and-a-half decades, yet in all that time, and with all his accomplishments, he never won a major entertainment award. Until this year. Michel has finally won an Annie Award, and, an award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. First, let’s jump back to 2005. Michel’s Insanely […]
Evolution of the Cosmic Mind
In the early 2000s, American studios transitioned to from hand-drawn to cg animation—or they left feature animation altogether. Warner Bros. Feature Animation wound down with Osmosis Jones, a live action/hand-drawn hybrid. Michel Gagné had spent one-and-a-half years on the project, designing and supervising its effects, including the microbes in the opening title sequence. Alas, […]
Passion of the Cosmic Mind
If one superlative can be used to describe Michel Gagné, it would be “passionate.” That is, in everything he does, he does it with a passion. He will do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal. He is a perfectionist. He does not compromise. He pursues excellence. And he does not give up. As a […]
Enter the Cosmic Mind
In the field of animation, one can work with the most amazing people—“amazing” in terms of talent, enthusiasm, generosity and vision. Genius, even. I am speaking of Michel Gagné. I met him when I began working at Sullivan-Bluth Animation at their facility in Burbank. At the time, the creative triumvirate of Don Bluth, Gary Goldman […]
What’s the little bunny saying?
In the Bugs Bunny cartoon, “Rabbit’s Kin,” a hyperactive little bunny is on the run from Pete Puma (voiced by Stan Freberg). http://youtu.be/FNqXmIiqGik What’s the little bunny saying? Find out below: “Rabbit’s Kin” is directed by Robert McKimson, who does another “How many lumps?” gag in “Sock-a-Doodle-Doo,” released the following year, 1952.
Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Chapter Two!
Here’s the trailer for Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Chapter Two! Pretty exciting, isn’t it, folks? Warping its way to Japanese theaters June 30, 2012.
