Michael Sporn Animation – Splog

- On my birthday, back in April, my friend Adrian Urquidez (he, who wonderfully constructed this site and connected blog) gave me a copy of this graphic novel, Guy Delisle’s Pyongyang. I’m not a big fan of graphic novels, so it sat on my desk for months. But I did read it yesterday and found it more than compelling. The book is worth searching out.

It’s the story of an American cartoonist working in France who accepts a job in North Korea, Pyongang to be exact, working as a supervisor for a French animation company.

Through his eyes we see what it’s like for a foreigner living in North Korea, and we see what it’s like as an animation supervisor in such a distant/different country. It’s a very interesting read; you’re somehow sure it’s all fact not fiction.
(Click on any image to enlarge.)

Guy Delisle has another book in print, Shenzhen. I’m certain to read that one next.
Here are three samples from this book that have to do with animation:

- Hans Perk is back from Annecy with a few photos of sunny Annecy as well as a small glimpse into the jury’s confused state. This is always the case, in my eye, at this festival. Note that I’ve posted the award winners a couple of days ago.

- Also back writing on his site is Michael Barrier. He gives us a bit of a tease review of CARS. However, I think he leaves no doubt as to which way down his thumb is pointing. I’m looking forward to his review.

My interest has been strong enough to read about two dozen reviews of this film. I’m looking for one to tell me why I should want to see it other than to see what the best cgi studio work looks like and an obligation to a life in animation. From trailers and clips I see everything I expect: something loud and too-fast-for-its-own-story. I’m hoping I’m wrong, but that’s the film they’re selling. I’ll see the movie this coming Saturday (at an Academy screening).

- If anyone has a particularly useful review to point me to, please do.

- The only really interesting one I’ve found so far is this: ‘tooned out By Christopher Kelly of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He uses this film as a jumping off point to talk about the difficult task cgi animation has in telling a story. Very insightful, I think – worth reading.

- The new New Yorker magazine comes with a good (though not positive) review by Anthony Lane of Cars. It expresses many of the expectations I had on the subject and handling of the film. Again, I’ll have to see it for myself.

There is also a very good article about Gregg Toland that is not available on line. It doesn’t mention Song of the South.

There’s also a good article by Oliver Sacks about stereo vision. Also not available on line. This is a good issue.

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