Watchcat at CTN Roadtrip

The Burbank Arts Festival was held on San Fernando road between Magnolia and E. Angeleno Ave or also known as beautiful Downtown Burbank. We set up our table as a part of the CTN Roadtrip to let people know we have a project on YouTube called Watchcat and attempt to build more of any audience.

The weather was fine over the weekend and even though it rained over night, everything dried out by mid-morning when the event resumed on Sunday.

We came to sell Watchcat T-Shirts, Coloring books, Pins and gave away a lot of Watchcat Postcards directing people to our Watchcat Films YouTube channel. We also handed out flyers for our NOIR Indiegogo champaign.

Welcome to the modern way of Self Promotion. Having a website is fine, however any event where you can actually meet your future audience is a very special place to be.

Oh sure, most of your audience is passing by your booth, walking their dogs or pushing their kids in strollers and often at the same time. They're looking around for something new and there were a lot of artists to see this weekend.

We learned a lot about displaying artwork to the audience passing by the booth. We need to invest in a large banner which will hang behind our table of wonders. The passersby often are looking up to see what is at the tent they are approaching. Any signage taped to the front of a table is often missed or only seen by small children, who can't read yet.

Walking around to see the other booths was a real education, some people used the wires above their tent to display artwork. Others created simple displays to hold prints or books they created.





We learned a lot about exhibiting artwork this time around and have a whole year to see if we want to do this again or not. 


We had great weather, met a lot of people, handed out postcards  and even sold some T-shirts, Coloring books and pins as well.

 And so, until the next Burbank Arts Festival.

If we met you this year or enjoyed this post, please let us know. You can also visit and subscribe to Watchcat Films or learn more about animation at Animateducated. Or at least, click on the ads to show your support.

NOIR the film

Four years ago, two writers decided to take one of their scripts and make it into their own feature film project. Its been quite a journey up to this point, but now the end is in sight for an upcoming feature film known as Noir. 

NOIR Indiegogo Pitch from Lee Anthony Smith on Vimeo.

Greg and Tony set up their first Indiegogo campaign and were able to raise enough money to begin the production. Being a very low budget film, they knew they had to have a good cast to help flush out all the characters in the film. A lot of time was well spent in the casting process to find the right actors with the most patience during the production process.

Here's a short interview with Greg Bradley and Lee Anthony Smith about Noir and how you can help them finish the film.

The Indiegogo campaign is up and running, please visit it here. You can also learn more about the film by visiting @noirthefilm on Instagram and Facebook, 


Was that worth a few ad clicks for the price of admission? Let us know with a like or subscribe to either Animateducated or Watchcat films on Youtube, maybe even both at the same time.

Next Post: The NOIR launch party results and the upcoming Burbank Arts Festival (Watchcat Weekend) May 18/19

Watchcat Xmas 2018 is here

Sometimes, it is better to give than to receive and Watchcat will be there to keep eye on the holidays this year. Please share this video with your friends, families and have a happy and safe holiday season...

Watchcat has even been there when Santa needed help...

And it was this first Holiday episode that started it all...

Did you like these? Want to see more Watchcat adventures? Let us know with a comment below, or a click on the ads to give us some dough or subscribe to Watchcat Films.

All ad clicks will be donated to a local charity.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Watchcat Reviews: Spider-Man into the Spider Verse

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!
Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse review by Gregory J. Bradley

Spider-Man: Into The Spider Verse is an Awesome Film! Go see it! And after you do, see it again, and bring a friend. I know I will! I could just end my review right now, and save us all a lot of time. 

This movie is that Good!!

Not only is it the Best animation film, Best superhero film, and possibly one of the best film of the year, but it’s definitely the best Spider-Man film ever! 

This movie has everything a great classic film needs, a great story of a heroes journey, his mentor, a terrific female character, and a overpowering villain. Now add great animation and soundtrack to match, and that equals a masterpiece! 

This is the Spider-Man of 2018 that we needed, if not the one we deserved. 

I grew up loving Spider-Man comics.
Spider-Man was one of my favorite superheroes outside of Batman and Black Panther. Thanks to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, they gave me a character that I can identify with in Peter Parker, a nerdy high school teenage kid who lives with his aunt, works part time at a newspaper as a photographer and has trouble getting the girl, and never having enough money. I totally could relate. And in his spare time, he fight bad guys as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. 

This movie pays tribute not only to the history of Spider-Man, but a very touching and meaningful tribute to his co-creator, the Late Stan Lee, with one of his best cameos,
while also giving millennials a new teenager to cheer for in Miles Morales, an African-American, Puerto Rican kid Who lives in Brooklyn. (He’s the first biracial Superhero, it’s about time.) The story does a great job with creating interesting three dimensional characters and fantastic world building. We care about Miles and his struggles with being the new Spider-Man while dealing with his complicated relationships with his father and uncle. How nice it is to get an origin story that feels fresh and real. It is through this character that we understand the importance of the movies message, which is that anyone, no matter what race or sex you are, can wear the mask.

The Animation on this movie was Amazing! It looks like a live action comic book, with such incredible colors pushed to dazzling effect. It was a feast for the eyes, without ever being overwhelming. I’ve never seen animation looked quite this good before.  

And the voice talents of Shameik Moore as Miles  Morales and Jake Johnson as a older different Peter Parker were some of the excellent casting choices that makes this movie such a delight. The movie was masterfully directed by
Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and
Rodney Rothman, who also co wrote the screenplay with Producer Phil Lord and Cris Miller. I have to give them thanks for deciding do a Miles Morales’s Spider-Man Story. 
When I saw the cover of the first 
Miles Morales:Ultimate Spider-man #1 comic book in 2014, the first black Spider-Man, I couldn’t believe it!! I was so excited, I couldn’t wait for him to hit the big screen. And a special shout out to Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli who created Miles Morales in the comics. Like Peter Parker, they created such a fascinating, realistic and relatable character. One that is worthy to carry on the Spider-Man mantle for the new generation.

And just like Black Panther earlier this year, you now have African-American kids who can go to this movie, and see themselves being represented.
Because of Miles, they can now say,  I could be Spider-Man.

Like this Review? Click on the ads to show your support.
Thank You!

Watchcat Birthday!

This Watchcat Wednesday lands on Gregory J. Bradley's Birthday, Co-Creator of Watchcat!

WCHD_Greg from Toondini on Vimeo.

Last weekend was the 10th annual CTNX Animation Expo and even though we didn't have a table this year, we handed out lots of Watchcat post cards in hopes of gaining more viewers.

We hope you are enjoying this blog and are amazed we have had 46,222 views and are up to 182 subscribers to our Watchcat Films channel on Youtube. 

A new Christmas short is in the works and will premiere sometime before the holiday season begins. More details to come. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and are thankful for your viewership!

Interested in animated interviews, check out my new YouTube channel, Animateducated and subscribe.

Give us a few clicks on the ads or leave us a comment below. Thanks!

Top Cats

On this Watchcat Wednesday you can hear some interesting stories  from the "3 Tooners", aka Tony 
Benedict, Jerry Eisenberg and Willie Ito. Three of the last remaining Animation artists from Hanna Barbera era.

Each one has his own story to tell and they have all have remained friends after all these years. 

Listen to the Ambassador Goodtime Ear Tango Radio hour to hear some great stories about working at Disney, Master Animator Iwao Takamoto, an Errand boy who became a famous actor, Drawing with both hands at the same time and many more...

Part 1 of the show will play from Tuesday, Nov 13th until Monday, Nov 19th. Part 2 begins on Tuesday, Nov 20th until Monday, Nov 26th. Tune in at 4pm or 10pm to WU Radio.

Its CTNX's 10th anniversary and you can visit it this weekend starting on Friday, Nov 15th! Here's how to attend.


And sadly, we say goodbye to Stan Lee who passed away at 95 on Monday.

Watchcat Wednesday Upcoming Interviews

Well we hope you exercised your right to vote as a part of your privilege of being an American citizen yesterday.

I got a chance to spend some time interviewing "the 3 Tooners", also known as Tony Benedict, Jerry Eisenberg and Willie Ito. 
These three gentlemen were involved with the creation of many animated series including "The Flintstones", "The Jetson", "The Yogi Bear show", "Top Cat" and "Johnny Quest" just to name a few.

They are the last remaining artists from Hanna Barbera Productions and you can hear their animated stories in the first of two interviews beginning next Tuesday night Nov 13th at 10pm pst on the Ambassador Goodtime Ear Tango Radio hour. Here's a link to how to listen to it.

Until then, you can still listen to the Casey Robin interview playing all this week at 10pm on WU Radio. Check out this link to learn more about Casey and her interview.

November is here and its hard to believe that next week, begins CTNX and its 10th year anniversary as an animation expo. We will be attending again this year wearing our Watchcat T-Shirts, handing out more Watchcat postcards and looking for future guest for the Ear Tango show.

Stay Tuned...

Jeremy Foley Ear Tango Interview

Listen to an interview with Jeremy Foley online at WU Radio starting Tuesday 10/23 to Monday 10/30, every night at 10pm PDT on the Ambassador Goodtime Ear Tango Radio Hour. 

Jeremy Foley began his career in front of the camera as a young actor. His first big film was "Dante's Peak" which lead to other films and TV series. He learned a lot while on set and eventually started to work on his own projects creating behind the camera.

"Mobsters" was a web series he helped produce and direct, here's a link to it from his website.   

Eventually, he began directing his own short films, beginning with a script his soon to be wife Sarah wrote called "Fated". Its a very interesting story set in a world where people are watched over and helped out to achieve their full potential. But there are some people who will never be able to do this even with extra encouragement. My explanation only tells a little bit about the story, but see the film on iTunes and watch the trailer below. 

Fated - Official Trailer from jeremy foley on Vimeo.

After "Fated", Jeremy found his next film idea in a short story that his father wrote years earlier. "The Faceless Man" is a surreal story about a man who wakes up with a mirror for a face and has to deal with his new situation. Check out the entire film below.

Tune into: 
The Halloween Episode
Tuesday 10/30 - 11/5

https://woodbury.edu/academics/resources/wu-radio/

Listen in and get into the Halloween spirit with songs, stories and an interview with the creators of "NOIR", an upcoming feature about real monsters in Hollywood.

The "Ambassador Goodtime EarTango Radio hour" plays music and interviews based on a theme. New shows can be heard every Tuesday night and repeated every night at 10pm pdt thru WU Radio. 


All interviews will be posted to the new Animateducated 
YouTube channel for all to hear at a later date. Subscribe now and listen!

The Ear Tango show is on at 10pm pdt.

The "Ambassador Goodtime EarTango Radio hour" plays music and interviews based on a theme. New shows can be heard every Tuesday night and repeated every night at 10pm pdt thru WU Radio. All interviews will be posted to the new Animateducated YouTube channel for all to hear at a later date. Subscribe now and listen!

This week's interview is about David Dodd Hand, who was Walt Disney's right hand man. He later created his own animation studio in England and here's one about a cat.

There's a new YouTube channel Animateducated features an interview with Mindy Johnson about her new book, Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation.

Also listen to Animator and Producer, Jane Baer tell how she first got into Disney and started working on Sleeping Beauty.

Check out the video podcast below...

If you enjoyed this, subscribe to animateducated to see more when they are posted.

Show your support for the watchcat files by clicking on the ads or leaving a comment below.

Twas a busy week

I'm working on a new radio show that hit the ear waves last week called "The Ambassador Goodtime Ear Tango Radio Hour" on WU Radio. 
Take a listen every night at 10pm PDT, with  new shows premiering on Monday night. 
              Here's a link to the show.

Upcoming shows

Show 01: Animation: Author Mindy Johnson and Animator/producer Jane Baer.

Show 02: Superheroes: "The Helm", author J.R.R.R. (jim) Hardison. (now playing until 10/14)

10/15 Show 03: Hands: Author David Hale Hand's new book about his dad, who was Walt Disney's right hand man. 

10/22 Show 04: Hollywood: Actor, Writer and Director, Jeremy Foley talks about life in front and behind the camera.

10/29 Show 05: This is Halloween:
Stop by WU Radio in costume on 10/30 between 2pm - 3:30pm and get a treat.

All interviews will be posted to YouTube channel, Animateducated. Subscribe now and listen in later.

Every beginning of October, the 24 hour animation contest rolls around and animation school across the world participate in this event which grows larger every year.


Woodbury University this year, participated with 8 teams taking on the 24 hour challenge and here's more about those teams and their films.

And here's the announcement of this year's Winning teams...

And what about Watchcat???
Check in next Watchcat Wednesday and find out!

Famous Birthdays for this Watchcat Wednesday

Sept 26th: On this Watchcat Wednesday, Windsor McCay was born in 1869. Considered the Father of Animation, this American cartoonist and animation pioneer created the first true animated character in the form of Gertie the Dinosaur. 

McCay premiered the film at the Palace in Chicago on February 2, 1914.

Gertie was drawn by hand and that includes drawing the entire background as well. This was way before cel animation was invented.

And speaking of a modern day cartoonist 

Happy 60th to cartoonist and illustrator Bob Staake!

And back in 1888, T. S. Eliot was born. Most famous for his writing and it seemed that he fancied cats as well.

illustrations of T.S. Eliot and the poem “The Naming of Cats” © Nathan Gelgud

Check out one of his poems...

In 1939, T.S. Eliot also wrote his most whimsical masterwork called Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.

This book was later adapted by the British musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and became the longest running musical in history, simply known  as "Cats".

And now more about Noir

Here's Jimmy McCammon's LAaf pocast featuring a talk with screenwriter/directors Lee Anthony Smith and Gregory J. Bradley, who's credits include the action thriller WAR and their upcoming horror crossover NOIR. Click this Link to Listen to Part 1 and Part 2.

News about Watchcat is in the works. Click on the ads to help support this feline adventure. Every little click helps.