“Coaster” A Creative Ride
Every once in a while, two animators will form a strong connection, like two unbonded hydrogen molecules. The story of Coaster (2019) is the story of Amos Sussigan and Dan Lund, two artists with major studio credits that formed a creative partnership. In our first event of the year, ASIFA East had the chance to […]
It’s a Jungle Out There: Virgile Bage’s “NYPDQ”
by David Howard NYPDQ tackles the dirty streets of New York and the work of two hard-nosed detectives as they clean up the city one case at a time. Except one of them is a bird so he’s more “hard-beaked.” The other is a rat. In fact, this concrete jungle is full of animals. NYPDQ […]
PIG GOAT BANANA CRICKET!!!!
Most corporate offices are content to dress their entrances with glass doors, frigid marble and post-9/11 turn-styles, which means Viacom is not most corporations. The 1515 Broadway lobby has those features and more: a leviathan of a yarn sculpture, which adamantly refuses to camouflage itself. Porous and vibrant, it winds its way past you […]
Hit the Road!
On the road, which is frequently 9th avenue, it is difficult to keep track of animation events in the city. With one hand on my keyboard and one holding a drink, I try to allot my time on this Earth accordingly. There’s an increase in international animation events in the city, and whether it’s attributed to personal awareness […]
Croodly Stated
On March 12th, “The Croods” screened at the Union Square Regal Cinemas. John Canemaker hosted a Q&A with directors Kirk De Micco & Chris Sanders. It was a rather special evening for NYU students and alumni. Mr. Canemaker (an NYU professor and Academy Award winner) orchestrated the affair mainly so that his students could benefit […]
The Importance of Being Signe
On Wednesday, Feb 20th, I noticed an intriguing Facebook News Feed item that wasn’t a meme, paid-ad, or desperate-cry-for-help. Signe Baumane invited people to hob knob with animators in a free screening with a free drink. The evening was a celebration of New York animators. In the Disney Screening room of all places, which is […]
The Greatest Animated Film Never Made
Persistence of Vision Review of Kevin Schreck’s new documentary, by Richard Gorey There’s something so compelling about genius, to us mortals who might never achieve such dizzying heights. There’s something even more compelling about failure, which fascinates people in a very different way, as when we find ourselves slowing down to examine a wreck on […]
A Chat with Animator Chris Conforti
Interview by Richard Gorey Last month I spoke with New York Animator Chris Conforti, whose work I first saw when I guest-lectured in Dave Levy’s “Careers in Animation” class at SVA. At that time Chris was in the throes of finishing his thesis film, and he was zonked for much of my endlessly fascinating […]
A Visit with Animator Dustin Grella
Interview By Richard Gorey This month, I visited with animator/filmmaker Dustin Grella, whose film Prayers for Peace won an ASIFA East award (and several others) last year. I’ve been speaking with several East coast animators, asking them how the industry has been treating them, whether or not a career in animation is still viable […]
Chatting with Animator Jane Wu
An ASIFA Interview by Richard Gorey This month in our continuing series of visits with New York animation professionals we’re chatting with Jane Wu, whose short film, Book Girl and Cabinet Girl, has been making an impression at festival screenings. The film is a gentle and offbeat animated parable about friendship. I asked Jane if […]
