Tag Archives: SoDak

Production Update 180: SoDak Wrap Up

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700 miles logged in a road trip over the weekend and it was worth it! As you may know, SoDak Con was this past weekend, which was actually my first time attending it. Over the course of the weekend I held my History of CGI in Anime panel and also had a screening for Cosmic Rage. I had an awesome time at the con. The staff was incredible and the guests were very friendly. I enjoyed my first SoDak con and the convention had a very friendly vibe to it. I hope it is the first of many more.

My panels went really well. I always love sharing the history of CGI in anime, most people haven’t seen some of the older applications of CGI in anime. It’s a blast seeing the crowds reaction to some of the early uses.

The screening of Cosmic Rage went off really well too. It is always humbling to see people show up to learn about the project and watch it. Especially when there was such a good line up of panels throughout all of SoDak Con.

A huge thank you to all of the SoDak staff and to all of the new friends I made at the con. I hope to see everyone again soon!

Now, it’s dive into the production side. I wrapped up the rest of my art grant paperwork, so that will get sent in and be cleared. While filling out the paperwork, it was sort of nostalgic seeing how far the project has come in the last year. I also spent some time on freelance work.

This week I am getting back into the production side. I am going to be working on something special for my next convention, Tokyo in Tulsa! The e-book cover is still at the top of the list for this week to get wrapped up as well.

Another update will be up Wednesday!

SoDak Animation Festival Recap

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My alma mater South Dakota State University had their 4th annual animation festival about a week ago. It was something that I helped with when I was still a student and it is something that I try to get back to each year and see how it grows and progresses.

This year I was able to attend a couple of the speakers and a night of screenings. The festival that started with just 1 night and day when I was a student has now expanded to 3 nights of speakers and screenings in just a matter of a few years. It continues to grow and impress.

The speakers that I had the opportunity to see were Ryan Woodward and JJ Sedelmaier. Ryan Woodward is a storyboard artist for Hollywood and a professor at BYU, but the main reason I wanted to see his presentation was his comic app called “Bottom of the Ninth”. If you haven’t checked it out, I urge you to do so.

That is now 2 conferences I have been to this summer alone and it seems that the lines between gaming, animation and comics/manga seem to be continually disappearing. Bottom of the Ninth will have more chapters so I look froward to seeing how the story and artwork/ interface continue to grow.

JJ Sadelmaier owns a production company in NY and has worked with various big name clients, MTV, Beavis and Butthead, Harvey Birdman and more. He had a very great presentation about the current market and tips for animators in general in the current economic climate.

The screenings always provide a great time. Its a good time to see what is being done in various countries and what ways artists and animators are using software. Are there new techniques they are using?

I also had a great time catching up with professors and even some former co-workers. Be sure to check out the site and maybe give it a visit next year!