Get Animated About the Oscars!
By Sue Booth
sue.booth@animationschoolreview.com
Animation School Review Columnist
When you think of the Academy Awards, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture usually come to mind. Don’t forget about the animated short film category! Go to animation school and take your chance at becoming an Academy Award winner.
And the Nominees are…
Several animators vied for the Oscar limelight this year. This year’s 79th Annual Academy animation hopefuls were:
The Danish Poet—Torill Kove
This 15-minute illustrated short emphasizes how small and unrelated instances in a chain of events become important factors in the outcome. The hand-drawn cell animation took three years to complete.
Lifted-Gary Rydstrom
The latest short from Pixar Animation Studios is marked by its great sound and visuals. Rydstrom describes the five-minute film as “driver’s-ed meets alien abduction.” The plot surrounds a young apprentice alien student trying to abduct a sleeping farmer while his instructor watches over him.
The Little Matchgirl—Roger Allers & Don Hahn
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale about a poor young girl trying to sell matches to bystanders while she envisions more colorful times and comfort and happiness in her life. The seven-minute animation is very detailed-oriented and includes music to emphasize the emotional tone. Animators spent three years experimenting with alternate endings before releasing the short.
Maestro—Geza M. Toth
This five-minute computer-animated short film adds a humorous twist to a somewhat suspenseful plot. The Maestro prepares for his grand performance with the assistance of a mechanical arm.
No Time for Nuts—Chris Renaud & Michael Thurmeier
Scrat, the animated squirrel who debuted in Ice Age, discovers a time machine and travels the ages. This entertaining seven-minute computer animation short features the new CG technology and took eight months to produce.
And the Winner is…
The Danish Poet came away a winner. And so can you, someday—if you develop your talent with solid animation skills. Whether you choose to specialize in new 3D animation technology, 2D animation, or the latest animation software, there’s a place for you on the big screen. Go to animation school and take home a gold statue.
Sources
About the Author
Sue Booth is an arts and education freelance writer with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and has experience with CAD.
Posted on April 5, 2007 at 12:16 PM
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