The Cartel: Causing a Stir

This past year, I worked on a couple animated segments for an independent documentary by Hoboken filmmaker Bob Bowdon, called The Cartel. The film explores the NJ education system and asks why increased spending has not produced results. The film premiered last month at the Hoboken International Film Festival and sparked quite a media stir. It is screening at the Jersey Shore Film Festival on July 8th, 14th & 15th.

For more information and screening information, visit the film's website www.TheCartelMovie.com.

Smuckers Ice Cream Toppings

The team at ATM (specifically Keith and Julie) created 3D ice cream and toppings using Mudbox and 3D Studio Max for the recently launched Smuckers interactive promotion "Cover Up! Your Vanilla is Showing." Check it out and create your own sundae!

Planet Sky: Green or Purple?

Which one do you like better for the atmosphere of a far away planet?

Astronaut

Character concept for 3D. Drawn & painted in Photoshop. Julie has started modeling him!

Reese's Puffs Dance Battle

Another new ATM game is live!


This time it's Reese's Puffs Dance Battle. Customize your character and make him dance!
Compliments to the team - especially Jay for the dance animations and Rob for programming.

Polyocular Green Blob

Hey guys, unrelated note - You can follow me on twitter now! twitter.com/KatHulka

Have a lovely day!

Goldfish Mini-Golf

The new mini-golf game ATM created is live in the arcade section of www.pfgoldfish.com. I helped out by testing it. Tough job.

The man, the myth, the banana.

I was lucky enough to get one of the hot tickets to see "An Evening with Don Hertzfeldt" last night. The NYC animation community and droves of fans filed into the IFC Center last night for the chance to meet the filmmaker at a rare public appearance. Originially, only a 7pm screening was offered, but when that sold out so quickly, a 9:15 show and eventually an 11:15 show were added.

Audiences were treated to Rejected, Billy's Balloon, The Meaning of Life, Intermission in the Third Dimension, and the first two films of his in-progress trilogy -- Everything Will Be OK, and (the NYC premiere of) I Am So Proud of You.

The new film was both new and familiar -- utilizing more non-linear storytelling and the same type of divided frame lighting effects as were used in Everything Will Be OK. We learn more about Bill's daily life and a lot about his family and conditions to which he is genetically predisposed. I thought it was great -- the writing, the timing, the sound, and the incredible range of subtle emotion that Don can get out of his simplistic characters. It was funny in an absurd, honest, and ordinary way while being sad and dreary and philosophical. Such an exquisite blend.

The screening was followed by a Q&A moderated by Cartoon Brew's Amid Amidi. Don was really relaxed and open about talking about his process and his passion. Seems like a super nice guy. That's always something I hope for when meeting someone I admire -- and unfortunately a lot of those people can be cold, distant and uninterested -- but Don lived up to and exceeded my hopes. Hope he comes back around with the next film. I can't wait to see it.

Don signing my Bitter Films Volume 1 DVD.

View Don's Blog.

Pier A

Here are a couple sketches from a beautiful day spent at Pier A park in Hoboken.

gone fishing

Here's a new render from an upcoming project. Credits to myself & Adam (and free fishing rod & lure models). Oh, and thank you V-ray!! You make the most mundane stuff look delicious.

Pearson NSM Intro

After a few absolutely crazy busy weeks at work, our nearly-insane deadline has successfully come and gone! Below are a few stills from the 3D animated short that we just finished that will serve as the Intro to the Pearson Careers August National Sales Meeting (which, I think, starts today). Should we get permission to post the video up for the masses, I'll be sure to post it. My primary roles in the piece were production managing, rigging the characters and animating the last scene. Credits to Adam, Keith, Chris, Dave and Rob for making the impossible possible.

Animation Block Party!

Happy 4th of July weekend everybody!

We just got the news that "Conflict Resolution" will be featured opening night of this year's Animation Block Party in Brooklyn!

Friday July 25th
50 Bedford Ave.
btwn N 12th and Lorimer,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Tickets and info available at www.animationblock.com/summerfest08

as promised... Opie and Anthony short #2!!

Children may want to leave the room. This is an explicit cartoon.

Without further ado... I present "Conflict Resolution"

Opie and Anthony Animation Festival

I dropped off the face of the earth for the last few weeks (sorry) because we had to finish our second Opie & Anthony animated short. It will be premiering at the O&A Animation Festival tomorrow, June 5th at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. The show is sold out and we're all looking forward to a fun night of animation and comedy!

I'll be posting the short online after the festival... so check back soon!

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