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You have an army? We have a Hulk.

Here’s a nifty little ad promoting The Avengers movie, fresh from the Super Bowl:

There’s more footage from a German trailer featured here:

http://youtu.be/h-qxBQm-4dg

And here’s a more recent trailer:

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MetLife’s Animation Jam

MetLife’s Superbowl 2012 commercial tweaks some chords of nostalgia.  Though some of the  animation is awkward, it’s still entertaining.  Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j1RCplpVaQ0

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The Coming of Tron Uprising

Coming this summer on Disney XD:  Tron Uprising, a prequel series to Tron Uprising.    Here’s the trailer:

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Annie Awards 2012

Tonight, the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, presents the 39th annual Annie Awards at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Live streaming of the Annies begins at 7:00 Pacific Standard Time. Watch it here.

The Animation Guild is also hosting the streaming here.

The program book is online here.

This year’s presenters include Judy Greer, JK Simmons, James Hong, Jib Jab founders Greg and Evan Spiridellis, Brian Posehn, Nika Futterman, Ty Burrell, Kelly Stables, Tara Strong, Daran Norris, Dee Bradley Baker, Logan Grove, and Academy Award-winner Joe Letteri from Weta Digital. Comedian Patton Oswalt will host.

For more information about the Annies visit the website here.

Enjoy!

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Happy Year of the Dragon

It’s the ultimate sand dragon! Top photo by Chris Cho.

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How to Create a Children’s eBook

Recent advances in technology now allow children’s book writers/illustrators to publish their work in ebook format both in color, and with animation. Hazel Mitchell (below) shares how she does it here.

Darcy Pattison, author of How to Write a Children’s Book, provides an excerpt, “Does ePub Change the 32-page Illustrated Picture Book?” here.

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Advertised Burgers vs. The Real Thing

Have you ever been enticed by the tasty-looking burgers, tacos or subway sandwiches you see in ads, only to end up disappointed by what the restaurant actually sells?

Here’s a site with a side-by-side comparison.

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Bobbie Wygant Spotlights The Empire Strikes Back

Here’s a 1980 special on The Empire Strikes Back by Bobbie Wygant of KXAS-TV Ft. Worth, featuring interviews with the cast and director Irvin Kershner.  David Prowse talks about the differences in the Darth Vader costumes he wore in Star Wars and Empire.

(Ignore the annoying beep at the beginning of the tape.)

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The Queen’s Christmas Message, 2011

From Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, a Christmas message, recorded December 9, 2011, presented December 25, 2011:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olEp_3Spc1g

The text is provided here.

Here is an excerpt:

Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: ‘Fear not’, they urged, ‘we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

‘For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.’

Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed.

God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.

In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there’s a prayer:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us we pray.

Cast out our sin

And enter in.

Be born in us today.

It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

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