Animated Oscar Winners 2020

Its been an interesting year for animation with the return of a more traditional hand drawn look with films like Klaus and shorts films as well. Two animated shorts, which are in competition for this year's Oscars Short Film(animated) catagory are "Hair Love" and "Kitbull". 

Both are in color and are traditionally animated. Both films are sponsored by movie studios; "Hair Love" with Sony Picture Animation and "Kitbull" with Pixar SparkShorts program.

I had seen Hair Love and was sure it would win, however after seeing Kitbull, Hair Love has found its competition.

I'm going out on a limb here to make a prediction, Hair Love is a human film about love, hair and the black community, but its more of a universal story with appeal. Its has a lot of strong storytelling inside it, as well as a message of hope. I am predicting that "Hair Love" will win the Oscar!

If it does, please take a look/listen to this recent interview with the directors of the film. https://youtu.be/7CPvoVOooPk  

Now, don't get me wrong, I like Kitbull too. The story is about a small abandoned kitten who meets an abandoned Pitbull. We learn that the Pitbull wants to play, but is chained up and used in a bad way by his owner. 

The animation of the kitten is great and like Hair Love its colorful, traditionally animated and told with music. Kitbull also is a story of hope, where the two animals finally find a better home together.

I know there is not much time before the Oscars begin on this wet and rainy Sunday, but please leave a comment below. Which film did you like like the most?

Dear Basketball, a remembrance of Kobe Bryant

I never got the chance to meet Kobe Bryant , but I did have the opportunity to see him at an animation awards show for his film, “Dear Basketball,” which won an Oscar for best animated short in 2018.

I watched this kid grow up on television and we both came to Los Angeles the same year, 1996. He always wanted to be one of the greatest basketball players that ever lived, even better than Michael Jordan. And after 20 years with the the Lakers, five NBA Championships, two MVP Awards and two Olympic gold medals, he did just that.

I always had the upmost respect for Kobe as a basketball player, even though I would sometimes root against him. I really appreciated his "Mamba Mentality", as he liked to call it. His incredible work ethic pushed him to be even better than anyone ever thought he could be.

The tragedy that happened to him, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people on that fateful helicopter flight is unimaginable. Our hearts and prayers truly go out to their families.

And although Los Angeles is feeling the pain and grief, I would like to take a moment to reflect on one aspect of his life which I had the privilege to be a part of.

My animated short film, “Watchcat,” was selected to be a part of the animation festival which meant competing against “Dear Basketball.” I had the opportunity to meet the film's director, legendary animator Glen Keane, at the premiere and it was all so truly amazing!  In Kobe’s own words, "It’s a love letter to basketball," a poem on his love of a sport that, even as a child, he believed he could be a part of. The animation was amazing and the music by John Williams was nothing less than spectacular.  It was deep, personal and moving.

I would like to share this short gem in remembrance of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, and the rest of the people on that helicopter.

RIP Black Mamba

 

 

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

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.