Animatus News & World Report

Animatus News Blog Is Moving!

2008-10-24T11:37:00.003-04:00

We've made some major changes to the Animatus Studio website, and as a result, we've folded our news blog right into the new structure. Future newsletters will appear there, and all our old posts have been transferred over as well.

For the latest Animatus news, go to http://animatusstudio.com/news

For you blog readers, the new RSS feed is here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/animatus

Emerging Filmmakers Monday Night!

2008-09-26T16:04:00.004-04:00

Emerging Filmmakers at the LittleCome out to the Little Theatre Monday night, September 29, for the latest installment of the Emerging Filmmakers series!

This Monday's screening features work by Animatus creative director Dave Puls, plus a documentary short by Animation Workshop student Adrian Esposito.

TORN ASUNDER
Directed by Bob Barancik , Animation by Dave Puls
This experimental video creatively explores the increasingly frayed American national psyche.

AGING TREES OF KNOWLEDGE: RESISTANCE FIGHTER
One part in a 5-chapter series documenting the lives of World War II-era survivors. This chapter focuses on the Japanese invasion of China, also known as the "Forgotten Holocaust," and the heroism of people like Dr. I-Cheng Chang.

The Little has been nice enough to provide some tickets to our friends and family! So be one of the first ten people to mention Dave's name (or Adrian's) and get in free.

EMERGING FILMMAKERS
The Little Theatre
240 East Avenue, Rochester
Monday, September 29, 2008
9:15 PM

~~~

November Animation Workshops
SIGN UP FOR FALL ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

Our next session begins Saturday, November 1st.
How can you resist four weeks of funny cartoons and frivolity?

Fall 2008
Saturdays
November 1, 8, 15, 22
$159

All supplies and equipment usage included. Each student's animation will be showcased on the Animatus website. Tapes or DVDs are available for an additional $10.

Secure your spot today!

Register online at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops
Or call (585) 232-3949

~~~~

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,
Fred Armstrong
Animatus Studio

Summer Workshop Videos Now Online

2008-09-12T15:56:00.004-04:00

The Summer Workshop cartoons are now online! We've got galloping horses,
frightening spiders, dancing devils, and a tribute to Kindom Hearts. Not to
mention a sandwich who juggles chainsaws!

To view the animation in glorious internet video, visit
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html
Look for the purple box and hit the play button!

For those who ordered DVDs, they can be picked up at Animatus
beginning Monday, September 15. We're open Monday - Friday, 10:00 -
5:30.

* * *

SIGN UP FOR FALL ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

Our next session begina Saturday, November 1st.
How can you resist four weeks of funny cartoons and frivolity?

Fall 2008

Saturdays

November 1, 8, 15, 22

$159

All supplies and equipment usage included. Each student's animation will be
showcased on the Animatus website. Tapes or DVDs are available for an
additional $10.

Secure your spot today!

Register online at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops
Or call (585) 232-3949

Comedy, Animation and Music Under the Stars

2008-09-02T23:24:00.002-04:00

Join Eggwork Productions & Animatus Studio for the Outdoor Screening of Smoking Laws!

Monday, September 8, 2008, 7:30 PM

SMOKING LAWS

The comedy feature Film from Rochester director MATTHEW EHLERS, with a performance by FRED ARMSTRONG as "HOMELESS FREDDY." See the trailer at smokinglawsmovie.com

Also playing: Animation from Animatus Studio! Including the WORLD PREMIERE of "Sirens," also "Clicker Clatter" and "The Other Gods."

Abilene Bar & Lounge
153 Liberty Pole Way
(Across from the Harro East)

$5.00 in advance
$7.00 at the door

Print out the Flyer! It has pretty pictures!

(Note: Feature and shorts contain some content not suitable for children.)

Animatus News July 2008

2008-07-08T15:19:00.004-04:00

LAST CHANCE FOR SUMMER ANIMATION CAMP

Time is running out to sign up for our August workshops!

Fish for New Ideas!
Hike The Hills of Animation!
Challenge the Wild Waters of Creativity!
Experience Glorious Air Conditioning!

Are you interested in drawing? Do you want to see your characters come to life? Have you ever wondered what goes into shooting an animated movie? You just might be right for our Animation Workshops.

This is also a great opportunity for our more experienced Studio Production students. Longer days means more time to devote to your epic cartoons!

Choose either Wednesdays or Thursdays in August, lasting from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day.

Summer Animation Workshops
$88 per day
(20% discount for all four)

Wednesdays
August 6, 13, 20, 27
OR
Thursdays
August 7, 14, 21, 28

Space is limited! What are you waiting for?

Register online at http://www.animatusstudio.com/workshops

***

ROCHESTER HIGH FALLS INT'L FILM FEST WRAP-UP

Animatus Studio and the RHFIFF were pleased to welcome animation guest Linda Simensky for a seminar about children's television programming. Linda was a delight to have at the festival, and offered a fascinating look into the workings of innovative entertainment.

Animatus was also pleased to sponsor the screening of Sita Sings the Blues, which was received extremely well. Director Nina Paley unfortunately had the flu and was not able to attend, but we had a great Q & A with musician Todd Michaelsen and voice talent Reena Shah.

Dave Puls, Linda Simensky, Fred Armstrong, & Mike Boas

For more pics from the fest, visit http://rochestersmoviefest.com

***

HIGH FALLS WORKSHOP VIDS NOW ONLINE

For the last several years, Animatus has worked with the High Falls Film Festival to produce inspirational cartoons with Rochester students.

Now you can watch them all online at: http://www.animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html#highfalls

***

FRESH VENUES FOR FRESH TOONES

Dave Puls' Hate Preachers has two more festival screenings this fall. This animated short takes a look at hate preachers' destructive rhetoric and encourages all of us to speak out to offset their fabrications.

Fresno Reel Pride, Sept 17-21
http://www.reelpride.com

Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Oct 2-12.
http://www.pridefilmfest.com

In other Fresh Toones news, Hate Preachers and Things were recently featured on Tennessee Reid Norton's Confessions of an Animated Mind Blog. Check it out here:
http://www.ananimatedmind.blogspot.com

More about Fresh Toones here:
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

Adrian's Perspective

2008-06-09T17:31:00.003-04:00

One of our students, Adrian Esposito, was recently featured on Rochester's Channel 13 News.

Reporter Jane Flasch spoke with Adrian as part of a series of stories on Autism. Adrian is open about discussing his Asperger Syndrome and how it affects his filmmaking interests. As his instructors at the Animation Workshop for the last several years, it's rewarding to see how Adrian has grown.

Watch the video and you'll see the last document of Mike's wild hairstyle before his summer cut!

See some of Adrian's work on Youtube HERE

Spring II Animation 2008 Now Online

2008-05-12T17:14:00.003-04:00

The Spring II Workshop cartoons are now online!

We've got happy barnyard animals, disco dancing, and undersea fun. Not to mention a baby who refuses to eat, some extreme animation acting, and the continuing adventures of Aaron's dragons and David's Dustbusters.

For those who ordered DVDs, they can be picked up at Animatus beginning Wednesday, May 14th. We're open Monday - Friday, 10:00 - 5:30.

Animatus and the Rochester High Falls Int'l Film Festival

2008-04-28T13:04:00.003-04:00

ROCHESTER HIGH FALLS INT'L FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Animatus is proud to announce our involvement in this year's festival. Come out and meet the filmmakers! Pass this email on to someone you know and love!

Print out the Animatus mini-poster here:
http://animatusstudio.com/highfalls/images/animatus-rhfiff-poster.pdf

Click here for ticket information:
http://animatusstudio.com/highfalls/ticketinfo.html

--

SITA SINGS THE BLUES
An animated version of the epic Indian tale of Ramayana set to the 1920's jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw. This feature film was directed, written, produced, designed AND animated (whew!) entirely by Nina Paley.

Opening Night! Wednesday April 30th - 6:55 PM at The Little 5

--

SOLDIERS OF SISYPHUS (East Coast Premiere)
Director/Producer: Bob Barancik; Animator: David Puls
A meditative look at the futility of war. This short film animated by Animatus' own Dave Puls will play as part of the second Movies On a Shoestring block.

Thursday May 1st - 8:30 PM at The Little 5

--

FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND THE WOMEN WHO FOSTERED AN AMERICAN HERO

Change in Schedule!

We're happy to announce that "Frederick Douglass" will be showing ahead of PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND (starring Bill Pullman) instead of with the children's shorts program as originally planned. This is sure to be a great event, with Bill Pullman in attendance. Get your tickets ASAP!

"Frederick Douglass" is a biographical animated short, produced at Animatus' Animation Workshop by Rochester teens from Community Place.

Friday May 2nd - 7:15 PM at the Dryden Theatre

--

LINDA SIMENSKY: PRODUCING TOONS AND INNOVATIONS IN KIDS' TV
Our animation guest this year is LINDA SIMENSKY, Senior Director of Children's Programming for PBS. In her work at Cartoon Network, Simensky was instrumental in bringing many beloved shows to air, including The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. She is now involved with numerous PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! programs such as Curious George, Super Why, Martha Speaks, Sid the Science Kid, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman, and WordGirl. Simensky will join us for a seminar about animation and what it takes to produce quality children's programming, with clips from some new shows in production.

Saturday May 3rd - 1:00 PM at The Little 3

--

SMOKING LAWS
with preceding animated short KEEP ON WALKIN'
Smoking Laws explores a night in the life of a smoke-free bar during the coldest night of year. It offers a voyeuristic look at the random strangers brought together by addiction. It's smoking good fun! Directed by friend of Animatus, Matthew Ehlers, with a role by Fred Armstrong as a cantankerous panhandler (what a stretch). Adult Themes.

Keep on Walkin' is a music video produced by Phil Geiger of rock group SpiritEast, design, animation and production by Animatus Studio.

Sunday May 4th - 7:00PM at The Little 1

Animatus Workshops & Festival News

2008-04-03T15:34:00.002-04:00

Greetings! Here's the latest news from animatusstudio.com

SPRING ANIMATION WORKSHOP VIDEO NOW ONLINE

We've got morphing, stop motion, scary spiders, and Neanderthal rabbits!

Access the snazzy Youtube videos below:

SPRING 2008 WORKSHOPS PART 1

SPRING 2008 WORKSHOPS PART 2

For those who ordered DVDs, they can be picked up at Animatus beginning Friday, April 4. We're open weekdays 10:00 - 5:30, and Saturdays (during April workshops) 9:00 - 4:00.

***

LAST CHANCE FOR SPRING II ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

Our next session begins this Saturday, April 5th.
How can you resist four weeks of funny cartoons and frivolity?

Spring II 2008
Saturdays
April 5, 12, 19, 26
$159

All supplies and equipment usage included. Each student's animation
will be showcased on the Animatus website. DVDs are available
for an additional $10.

Secure your spot today!

Call (585) 232-3949 to check availability of morning or afternoon slots.

***

ROCHESTER HIGH FALLS INT'L FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Animatus is proud to announce our involvement in several aspects of this year's fest.

LINDA SIMENSKY: PRODUCING TOONS AND INNOVATIONS IN KIDS' TV

Our animation guest this year is LINDA SIMENSKY, Senior Director of Children's Programming for PBS. In her work at Cartoon Network, Simensky was instrumental in bringing many beloved shows to air, including The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. She is now involved with numerous PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! programs such as Curious George, Super Why, Martha Speaks, Sid the Science Kid, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman, WordGirl and The Electric Company. Simensky will join us for a seminar about animation and what it takes to produce quality children's programming, with clips from some new shows in production.

--

SITA SINGS THE BLUES

Director Nina Paley will present her animated version of the epic Indian tale of Ramayana set to the 1920's jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw. This feature film was directed, written, produced, designed AND animated (whew!) entirely by Paley.

--

SOLDIERS OF SISYPHUS (East Coast Premiere)
Director/Producer: Bob Barancik; Animator: David Puls

A meditative look at the futility of war. This short film animated by Animatus' own Dave Puls will play as part of the second Movies On a Shoestring block.

--

SMOKING LAWS
with preceding animated short KEEP ON WALKIN'

Smoking Laws explores a night in the life of a smoke-free bar during the coldest night of year. It offers a voyeuristic look at the random strangers brought together by addiction. It's smoking good fun! Directed by friend of Animatus, Matthew Ehlers, with an appearance by Fred Armstrong as a cantankerous panhandler. (Adult themes.)

Keep on Walkin' is a music video produced by Phil Geiger of rock group SpiritEast, animated by Animatus Studio.

--

CHILDREN'S SHORTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

This year, The Animation Workshop worked with Rochester teens from Community Place to produce FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND THE WOMEN WHO FOSTERED AN AMERICAN HERO. The short will play as part of the children's shorts program.

Winter Animation 2008 Now Online

2008-02-14T13:36:00.002-05:00

The Winter Workshop cartoons are now online! We've got an alligator chase, strange street fights, Mighty Morphers, and a tribute to Yu-Gi-Oh. Not to mention some Dustbusters action, plus the startling conclusion to "Bill's Job Search."

For those who ordered DVDs, they can be picked up at Animatus beginning Friday, February 15. We're open Monday - Friday, 10:00 - 5:30.

---

SIGN UP FOR SPRING ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

Our next session is just weeks away, beginning Saturday, March 1st.
How can you resist four weeks of funny cartoons and frivolity?

Spring 2008
Saturdays
March 1, 8, 15, 22
$159

All supplies and equipment usage included. Each student's animation
will be showcased on the Animatus website. Tapes or DVDs are available
for an additional $10.

Secure your spot today!

Register online at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

Or call (585) 232-3949

---

Note: Returning students who were eligible for the holiday gift of a 10% discount have until February 22nd, 2008 to register for the Spring I workshops.This will be your last opportunity to use this discount.

Animatus Screening Tonight!

2008-01-28T11:36:00.000-05:00

Greetings! Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio and The Animation Workshop.

***

ROCHESTER SCREENING of "GEORGIE"

Dave Puls' presidential sing-a-long "When Georgie Goes Marching Home" will screen TONIGHT as part of the Emerging Filmmakers series at the Little Theatre.

Close, personal friends of Dave get in free! That's right, tell them you're on "Dave's list" and the first ten people will get complimentary passes to the show.

"When Georgie Goes Marching Home" takes the viewer on a surreal tour of the Bush administration and its many misadventures. Like a ride through a fun house, we are taken into the bizarro world of GW. A surprise ending makes this sometimes uneasy jaunt worth the ride.

EMERGING FILMMAKERS SERIES AT THE LITTLE THEATRE
240 East Avenue Rochester, NY
Monday, January 28, 2008, 9:15pm

Disclaimer: This screening of shorts will include scenes of nudity and violence.

***

SIGN UP FOR SPRING ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

Our next session is just a month away, beginning Saturday, March 1st. How can you resist four weeks of funny cartoons and frivolity?

Spring 2008
Saturdays
March 1, 8, 15, 22
$159

All supplies and equipment usage included. Each student's animation will be showcased on the Animatus website. Tapes or DVDs are available for an additional $10.

Secure your spot today!

Register online at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

Or call (585) 232-3949

ROCHESTER'S MOVIE FEST website goes live!

2008-01-18T15:23:00.000-05:00

We here at Animatus have been slaving away on a new website for the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. You can see the results at http://www.rochestersmoviefest.com

The idea behind "Rochester's Movie Fest" is to provide a mini-site where visitors can buy tickets in advance online. There's also a snappy promotional video to show how great the fest has been in past years.

The Rochester High Falls International Film Festival will run April 30 - May 5, 2008. It is the first year for the merged festival, which was formerly the High Falls Film Festival and the Rochester International Film Festival.

Animatus News December 2007

2007-12-12T12:32:00.000-05:00

ANIMATION WORKSHOP SAVINGS

Happy Holidays from all of us at Animatus Studio!

As a special expression of our appreciation we would like to give all of our previous students a 10% discount ($16) to use towards the January workshops. (Returning students who have already paid for the January session can apply the 10% discount towards the March workshops.)

Thanks again to all of our students who have helped to make The Animation Workshop a fun place to learn.

Winter 2008
Saturdays
January 5, 12, 19, 26
With the discount: $143 (regularly $159)

What a great way to start the new year! Experience the joys of animation in a professional animation studio. Gift certificates are available -- makes a great holiday gift!

Because we don't want to rewrite the code for the entire website, this offer is only available through check and cash sign-ups.

Print out a registration form today at http://www.animatusstudio.com/workshops/register.html

Confused? Call 585-232-3949

***

CARTOONS FOR THE POLITICALLY FRUSTRATED

Come out to see cartoons and artwork from Dave Puls this Friday! Dave will share his creative process at the ANTI-WAR CRISIS CENTER on Monroe Avenue. While you're there, pick up his latest Fresh Toones compilation, I'M THE DECIDER.

SHOW INFO:
Friday, December 14th 5pm-9pm.
Anti-War Crisis Center
658 Monroe Avenue
(near Oxford Street)

what's on the I'M THE DECIDER collection? The latest political Fresh Toones, including "When Georgie Goes Marching Home," "Sharks in the Water," "Hate Preachers," "Parallel Worlds," and "True Believers." Plus, a bonus collaboration with artist Bob Barancik entitled "Soldiers of Sisyphus."

Read more about Fresh Toones at
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

***

A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

If you've been watching Oprah, Good Morning America, and R-News lately, you may have seen the ads for Rochester boutique, "A Different Point of View." This store on Monroe Avenue is unlike any other, so we at Animatus created the "shopping fairy" to help demonstrate that fact.

Watch the animated commercial online at http://animatusstudio.com/cartoons/adpov.html

***

NEW ANIMATUS VIDEOS ONLINE

Visitors to the Animatus website can now see a fine selection of cartoons and samples in our new video player!

Go to http://www.animatusstudio.com/cartoons to see our recent work, including the Jack Garner Roast and the ad for A Different Point of View.

***

A MESSAGE FROM SANTA'S WORKSHOP

Animatus Studio recently produced "intro" and "outro" animation for a series of online video messages from the North Pole.

That's right, the people at Yoorit.com can arrange for Santa himself to record personal holiday greetings for your son or daughter.

Visit http://www.yoorit.com to find out more and see a sample video.

***

D'OH! HOMER COMES HOME DECEMBER 18

If you missed THE SIMPSONS MOVIE in the theater, don't fret -- it's coming to DVD and Blu-Ray! That's right, you can get the Simpsons' big screen adventure for your small screen this coming Tuesday the 18th.

We at Animatus are perfectly happy to sell out and promote this movie for a few crumbs of promotional material from Fox. It's just that good!

The Simpsons Movie finds the fate of Springfield -- the suburban setting that has been home to "The Simpsons" clan for more than 18 years -- hanging in the balance when Homer and his new pet pig inadvertently cause a major ecological disaster in their hometown. Forced to flee, it is up to the paunchy patriarch to save his family, the Springfield community and possibly... the world.

The Simpsons Movie DVD is loaded with bonus features including commentaries with "Simpsons" writers/producers, actors and directors, numerous deleted scenes and promotional spots including The Simpsons Judge American Idol and Homer's Monologue On The Tonight Show. The Simpsons Movie single disc DVD will be available at a suggested retail price of $29.98 U.S.

***

ANIMATUS GOES ON HOLIDAY

Please note that we at Animatus will be out of the office between December 22nd and January 1st. We'll be back to the grindstone January 2nd.

Animatus News November 2007

2007-11-22T01:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a run-down of recent Animatus news.

***

THE JACK GARNER ROAST

This last Saturday night, we at Animatus attended the roast of Gannett film critic Jack Garner, put on by the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. To help celebrate Jack's retirement, we put together a cartoon short entitled "Dr. Jackyl and Mr. Hyde." Happy retirement, Jack!

Watch the video here:
http://animatusstudio.com/cartoons/jack.html

***

HOLIDAY DVD DUPLICATION

Time is running out to transfer your home movies for this holiday season! Do you have 8mm, Super 8, or 16mm films you'd like to see transfered to DVD? Or perhaps some VHS tapes you can't watch now that you've thrown away your VCR? Let Animatus put those precious memories to DVD.

DEADLINE FOR FILM TRANSFERS: December 3, 2007

DEADLINE FOR TAPE TRANSFERS: December 17, 2007

See pricing info at http://animatusstudio.com/videoproduction/transfer.html

***

ANIMATION WORKSHOPS JANUARY 2008

What a great way to start the new year! Experience the joys of animation in a professional animation studio.

If you or someone you love has a burning desire to make drawings come to life, sign up today at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

Gift certificates are available -- makes a great holiday gift!

Winter 2008
Saturdays
January 5, 12, 19, 26
$159

***

FUTURAMA RETURNS!

Why is this coming Tuesday, November 27th, so special? An all new Futurama movie is coming to DVD!

Last week, our close personal friend Matt Groening called and BEGGED us to help spread the word about BENDER'S BIG SCORE. Fortunately, we knew that readers of the Animatus Newsletter would appreciate learning more about the continuing adventures of Fry, Leela, Professor Farnsworth, and Bender.

And now, the gripping synopsis...

Fox Home Entertainment presents the first new “Futurama” programming since 2003. Futurama: Bender’s Big Score features out-of-this-world hilarity on DVD November 27 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

As Xmas 3007 approaches, the “Futurama” crew must fight to save Earth in an epic battle against nudist alien Internet scammers. When the evil naked aliens launch a cyber-attack on Planet Express, they make a shocking discovery: the secret of time travel, mysteriously tattooed on Fry's buttocks. Using their devious nudist software to control Bender, they repeatedly send the beer-fueled robot back in time to loot Earth of its greatest treasures. Bender's rampage through history has shocking repercussions when he encounters
Al Gore (guest-starring as himself) during the 2000 Presidential recount. Meanwhile, Leela finds true love, a beloved crew member suffers an embarrassing decapitation, and Fry learns deep secrets about his destiny and his buttocks.

This is the first of three Futurama DVDs to be released in the next year. More info coming soon!

***

SOME RECENT ANIMATUS JOBS

Here are two clients whose projects deserve mention.

Rochester's SISTERS OF MERCY convent is the subject of a new video short, which pays tribute to 150 years of service to the community. The 26 minute video, edited at Animatus, contains historical photos, archival films, and new interviews.

WINGMAN LURES is a company with a revolutionary new fishing lure. The challenge put to Animatus was to demonstrate that lure's movement in Flash animation. Check out http://wingmanlures.com to see the results!

Animatus Roasts Jack Garner

2007-11-19T21:45:00.001-05:00

"Dr. Jackyl and Mr. Hyde" was created for the roast of Jack Garner, film critic for the Democrat and Chronicle and Gannett News Service. Happy retirement, Jack!

Fall Animation Now Online

2007-11-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

The long wait is over! The Fall Animation Workshop video is now
online. Sit back, relax, and laugh!

Want more? Click through the Flash playlist at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html

For those who ordered DVD's, they're available for pick-up weekdays starting
Tuesday, November 13th. Stop by between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM.

MCC Animation Show

2007-10-19T13:40:00.000-04:00

Big fun is brewing out at MCC! For the next month, the Mercer Gallery at Monroe Community College will be displaying animation and artwork from various Rochester filmmakers. Come out and see work from Animatus, plus director David Cowles, and Animatus cohort Jeremy Galante.

Animatus News September 2007

2007-09-26T16:06:00.000-04:00

SIGN UP NOW FOR OCTOBER WORKSHOPS

The Fall Animation Workshops begin Saturday, October 6. How can you resist four weeks of funny cartoons and frivolity?

FALL 2007
Saturdays
October 6, 13, 20, 27
$159

All supplies and equipment usage included. Each student's animation will be showcased on the Animatus website. Tapes or DVDs are available for an additional $10.

Secure your spot today!

Visit http://animatusstudio.com/workshops to register online or call (585) 232-3949.

***

FREDERICK DOUGLASS STUDENT CARTOON SCREENING

We're proud to announce that a recent Animation Workshop short film, "Frederick Douglass and the Women Who Fostered an American Hero," will be screening at this weekend's Underground Railroad Conference.

Rochester's Riverside Convention Center is hosting the Frederick Douglass International Underground Railroad Conference and Freedom Festival, and the animated short will play Friday the 28th at 3 PM.

The short film was produced by Rochester teens through The Animation Workshop, in conjunction with the High Falls Film Festival and The Community Place of Greater Rochester, Inc.

***

A MESSAGE FROM SANTA'S WORKSHOP

Animatus Studio recently produced "intro" and "outro" animation for a series of online video messages from the North Pole.

That's right, the people at Yoorit.com can arrange for Santa himself to record personal holiday greetings for your son or daughter.

Visit http://www.yoorit.com to find out more and see a sample video.

***

FRESH TOONES NOW ON YOUTUBE

Dave Puls has joined the YouTube revolution and uploaded his personal films to everyone's favorite website.

See everything from Sal Monella's Deli to the most recent animated adventures of George W. Bush! Remember, high quality versions of most of these cartoons are available on the IT CAME FROM ANIMATUS DVD.

Visit http://youtube.com/davesfreshtoones

***

ANIMATION SCREENINGS

We've got several Animatus related cartoons screening at film festivals around the country. Here's a look at what's coming up:

"Clicker Clatter"
Directed by Benjamin Radford
Animation by Animatus Studio
California International Animation Festival
Riverbank , CA
October 2, 2007
NOMINATED FOR BEST 2D ANIMATION!
http://www.calanifest.com

"Clicker Clatter"
Directed by Benjamin Radford
Animation by Animatus Studio
B-Movie Film Festival
Syracuse, NY
October 27, 2007
NOMINATED FOR BEST SHORT!
http://www.bmoviefest.com/home

"When Georgie Goes Marchin' Home"
Directed by Dave Puls
Tacoma Film Festival
October 4-11, 2007
http://www.tacomafilmfestival.com

"When Georgie Goes Marchin' Home"
Directed by Dave Puls
Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF)
Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, October 13, 2007
http://www.umff.com

"H.P. Lovecraft's The Other Gods"
Produced by Michael Boas
Eerie Horror Film Festival
Erie, Pennsylvania
October 11th, 2007
http://www.eeriehorrorfilmfestival.com

Also, a short introductory video by Mike Boas will be playing at this year's HPLFF screenings, October 5-7, 2007. See it online at http://youtube.com/watch?v=zG_R-qfGG4U

Mike Boas and his films are "demented"

2007-09-06T02:26:00.000-04:00

From Animatus artist Mike Boas, "H.P. Lovecraft's The Other Gods" is now featured on Animation World Network's "That's Demented" channel.

The AWN Media Center is a new, comprehensive online video portal devoted exclusively to animation and showcasing the work of independent filmmakers from all over the world . When "The Other Gods" was submitted, the powers that be decided it would be a good match for the "That's Demented" channel. Who are we to argue?

To see a selection of "freaky, fun, and frightening flicks," visit http://media.awn.com/popup/thats-demented

But wait, there's more! The Rochester Insider just did a profile of Mike for the August 31 issue. No, his head isn't that big in real life.

Click here read the whole article.

Summer Animation now online

2007-09-03T00:20:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Animatus!

Just in time for Labor Day, the Summer Animation Workshop videos are now online. Sit back, relax, and watch cartoons on your day off!

There was so much content this time, that we've broken it up into four parts. Part 1 is mostly our basic and intermediate students. Parts 2 and 3 contain studio production projects. The last part is a stand-alone episode of "Super Maintenance Man" by Greg Masceri.

Click through the Flash playlist at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html

For those who ordered DVD's, they're available for pick-up starting Tuesday, September 4th. We're open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Animatus News July 2007

2007-07-26T12:39:00.000-04:00

SIGN UP NOW FOR SUMMER WORKSHOPS

August workshops begin next week! Both Wednesday and Thursday sessions still have a few slots open, so now's the time to act. Payment secures your spot in this unique workshop.

NOW AIR-CONDITIONED!

WHEN: Choose either Wednesdays or Thursdays in August, lasting from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day. See our Schedule for exact dates: http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

PRICE: $88.00 per single session. Sign up for all four weeks and get a 20% discount, for a total of $284.

We try to accommodate vacation schedules by pricing each week individually. These classes go all day, with a break for lunch.

All supplies and equipment usage included. Each student's animation will be showcased on the Animatus website. Tapes or DVDs are available for an additional $10. Summer students should be sure to pack a lunch.

Sign up online at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

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SPECIAL EVENT: DAVE'S GARAGE SALE

Dave Puls is cleaning out the house! He has hundreds of BOOKS, COMPUTER GAMES, VIDEOS, LP'S, FURNITURE, and more.

Dates: July 28 - 29
Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
Address: 271 Westfield Street (between Brooks and Chili) Rochester, NY

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ANIMATUS IN NEON

We have a bright new sign for our newly painted orange building on Winthrop Street. Now no one will say "Where are you located again?" Visitors will be able to find us, day or night!

See some pics at http://animatusstudio.com/news

Many thanks to Brent Gillette of Bristol Signs and Neon, Naples, New York.

More Animatus Neon!

2007-07-26T12:35:00.001-04:00

The sign installed! (Pay no attention to the grinning idiot.)

More snaps of the Animatus sign, courtesy of Brent Gillette of Bristol Signs and Neon, Naples, New York

Neon in progress

2007-07-02T14:39:00.001-04:00

Animatus Studio will soon have a fancy neon sign! Here's the first two letters, anyway. Photo courtesy of Brent Gillette of Bristol Signs and Neon, Naples, New York.

Animatus News Memorial Day Edition

2007-05-28T15:00:00.000-04:00

Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio, online at http://animatusstudio.com/news

EMERGING FILMMAKERS MONDAY NIGHT!

Got no plans for Memorial Day evening? Come out to the Little Theatre for the latest installment of the Emerging Filmmakers Series.

This month's show includes a Fresh Toone from Animatus creative director Dave Puls called "Hate Preachers." This musical short takes a look at the destructive rhetoric of hate preachers.

Little Theatre
240 East Avenue Rochester
9:15 PM
Monday, May 28

For more about Emerging Filmmmakers, visit
http://www.little-theatre.com/emergingFilmmakers.php

More about Fresh Toones at
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

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FESTIVAL NEWS ROUND-UP

What else is new with Dave's Fresh Toones? His short, "When Georgie Goes Marching Home" was recently shown at SURGE: the International, Social Uprising, Resistance and Grassroots Encouragement Film Festival. Visit their website at http://www.WeSurge.org

"Georgie" was also featured at the Rochester International Film Festival. Dave received a trophy for his efforts and introduced the theater crowd to his mother, who played a role in the film. She was a great sport, considering her animated likeness is tied up by President Bush and forced to eat dog food! We think she's forgiven Dave by now...

Another film fest nod went to Mike Boas, whose short "The Other Gods" received a certificate of merit from the Rochester International Film Festival.

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SIGN UP NOW FOR SUMMER WORKSHOPS

The summer is upon us, and before you know it, August will be here. Will you be ready for animation? Registrations for our SUMMER ANIMATION CAMP are coming in, so don't delay. Payment secures your spot in this unique workshop, so if you plan to attend, now's the time to speak up!

Register online for Wednesdays or Thursdays at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

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ANIMATUS PROJECTS REPORT

In addition to our standard animation workshops, we've also been doing a specialty project with a group of city teenagers. The animated historical drama tells about key points in the life of Rochester's own FREDERICK DOUGLASS. The short film is being created for the Underground Railroad Conference in September, but may have some other screenings as well. We'll make more announcements if that is the case.

We also had the pleasure of editing a music video for the popular band, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS. They're doing another album of music for kids called "Here come the 1 2 3's" and the song we worked with was "The Number 2." Nationally renowned caricature artist David Cowles acted as director on the video, which was a live action piece featuring puppets. The lively song was stuck in our heads for days (weeks?) and Dave Puls did a great job of editing the wonderful footage captured by cinematographer Timothy Brown.

Animation Workshop Update

2007-05-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

More big news from Animatus Studio in Rochester, New York!

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SPRING II WORKSHOP REEL NOW ONLINE

Visit the Animatus website to see the latest cartoons from the students of the Animation Workshop.

See our beginner students take on morphing, clay, and cut-out animation! See run cycles and horrible encounters with nasty spiders! See the latest installments of Edmund the Stuntman, A Night on Digi-Mountain, Super Maintenance Man, and Attack of the Killer Dust Bunnies!

Visit the student work page and click on SPRING II 2007

http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html

For those who ordered a DVD of student work, those discs are ready for pick-up.

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3D WORKSHOP: INTRO TO LIGHTWAVE

Learn the basics of 3D animation! This four week course will include many guided tutorials and plenty of hands-on creative time. Students will explore the very basics in this beginner level course using the Lightwave 3D Discovery Edition animation program. Lightwave 3D is one of the more commonly used 3D animation packages used in television and the movies today.

$189
Saturdays in July, 9AM - 12noon
July 7, 14, 21, and 28

Recommended ages: 12 to adult

Register online at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/registerfront.html

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CLASSIC CARTOONS ON THE BIG SCREEN

When was the last time you saw 35mm prints of Bugs Bunny and pals projected in an actual movie theater? Most kids only know these cartoons from TV, but they take on a whole new life when projected on the big screen.

Don't miss "WACKY WESTERNS FROM TERMITE TERRACE" this Tuesday at the Eastman House's Dryden Theatre.

This hilarious collection of Western send-ups from the golden age of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies features splendid work from the acclaimed auteurs of “Termite Terrace.” EGGHEAD RIDES AGAIN (Tex Avery, 1937, 35mm); SCALP TROUBLE (Bob Clampett, 1939, 35mm nitrate print); THE LONE STRANGER AND PORKY (Bob Clampett, 1939, 35mm nitrate print); DRIP-ALONG DAFFY (Chuck Jones, 1951, 35mm); BUGS BUNNY RIDES AGAIN (Friz Freleng, 1948, 35mm); PUNY EXPRESS (Walter Lantz/Dick Lundy, 1951, 35mm) plus two of Tex Avery’s best from his years at MGM: DEPUTY DROOPY (1955, 35mm) and THE FIRST BAD MAN (1955, 35mm). Ticket price includes admission to 8:00 pm showing of Wichita.

May 08, 7:00 pm
The Dryden Theatre
900 East Avenue
Rochester NY, 14607

Animatus News May 2007

2007-05-03T13:50:00.000-04:00

Salutations! Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio in Rochester, NY

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REMINDER: "GEORGIE" PLAYS TONIGHT AT THE EASTMAN HOUSE

The Rochester International Film Festival kicks off tonight, featuring the Telly-award winning "When Georgie Goes Marching Home." This will be the Rochester premiere for Dave Puls' short film, which takes a certain government leader to task.

Thursday, May 3rd at 8:00 PM.
Dryden Theater at the Eastman House
Admission is Free! Donations accepted.
Presented by Movies on a Shoestring.

For more information:

http://www.rochesterfilmfest.org

http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

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A WEST COAST SCREENING FOR "HOW TO BE A ZOMBIE"

Long time Animation Workshop student David Zipeto has not only completed his zombie epic, he has a screening at the ZOMPIRE FILM FESTIVAL held in Portand, Oregon. The festival is dedicated to films about zombies and vampires, so David's instructional cartoon should impress the horror movie crowd. Congratulations, David!

To view the cartoon online, click the "How to be a Zombie" link at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html

Find out more about the festival at
http://zompire.com

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NEW WEBSITES DESIGNED BY ANIMATUS

Animatus can spice up your existing site or build one from scratch. Take a look at some recent sites we've worked on:

Powerhouse 27
http://powerhouse27.com
The new soundstage in Rochester offers 2000 square feet for commercial shoots. Browse through the website to see a selection of photos taken in this exciting new space.

Mammoth Production Packages
http://mammothpro.com
Greg Goodhew's Mammoth Production Packages provides equipment rentals for commercials, documentaries, TV shows, and feature films. The new website gives a run-down of equipment rental options for film and video production companies in the Rochester area.

Tuthill Lighting
http://tuthilllighting.com
The people at Tuthill Lighting wanted to add some personality to their site with a "knight-lite" mascot. The lightning bug character is shown turning on lights when visitors first enter the site. Flash animation and character design by Animatus Studio.

See more Animatus website designs at
http://animatusstudio.com/websites

Animatus News April 2007

2007-04-16T13:04:00.000-04:00

Greetings! Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio in Rochester, NY.

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LITTLE BUDDIES AT THE LITTLE

Get the kids to the Little Theatre on Satuday morning, April 28, for a special screening of ANIMATED SHORTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

Our own fearless leader, Fred Armstrong, will lead a flipbook project for all cartoon fans in attendance.

Presented by Preferred Care, Gusto, Warm 101.3, Parent Magazine, and The Animation Workshop.

LITTLE BUDDIES
Family movie series at The Little
Saturday, April 28, 10 AM
Tickets $5
Little Theatre, 240 East Ave, Rochester

http://thelittle.org

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NEW YORK ARCHIVES: THE END OF THE LINE

The Spring 2007 issue of NEW YORK ARCHIVES magazine features an article by Jim Harte regarding Rochester's subway and the creation of the documentary.

As co-director of The End of the Line, Jim was able to convey the history and his own feelings about the Rochester's experiment in mass transit.

Read the article on our blog at
http://animatusnews.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-york-archives.html

Purchase THE END OF THE LINE on DVD at
http://animatusstudio.com/subway

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NEW WEBSITES DESIGNED BY ANIMATUS

We've recently completed work on several websites. Take a look at what they have to offer:

Harptallica
http://harptallica.com
What do you get when you cross Metallica songs with classical harp playing? Harptallica! Visit the website to see photos of this Louisiana-based duo, hear samples of their music, and buy their new CD.

Gribbins Films
http://gribbinsfilms.com
Gribbins Films is the only full-service grip/electric equipment company in Buffalo, NY. The new website lists equipment rental options for film productions, as well as showcasing the work of director/director of photography James P. Gribbins.

Powerhouse 27
http://powerhouse27.com
The new soundstage in Rochester offers 2000 square feet for commercial shoots. Browse through the website to see a selection of photos taken in this exciting new space.

See more Animatus website designs at
http://animatusstudio.com/websites

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"GEORGIE" TO PLAY ROCHESTER INT'L FILM FEST

Mark your calendars for the Rochester premiere of the Telly-award winning "When Georgie Goes Marching Home." Dave Puls' short film, which takes a certain government leader to task, will play in this year's Rochester International Film Festival on Thursday, May 3rd at 8:00 PM. Presented by Movies on a Shoestring.

http://www.rochesterfilmfest.org/

http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

New York Archives: The End of the Line

2007-04-04T13:09:00.000-04:00

The Spring 2007 issue of NEW YORK ARCHIVES magazine features an article by our own Jim Harte regarding Rochester's subway. We are reposting it here for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

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The End of the Line

To some, it was "an adventure in optimism"; to others it was a unique piece of Rochester's history. But for two filmmakers, Rochester's abandoned subway, which ran for nearly thirty years, was an opportunity to discover "subway museums" in basements, films, and memories.

by James P. Harte

The motto of the State of New York is Excelsior, meaning "still higher." Perhaps, then, the motto of the Rochester Subway should be "still below". Rochester's Subway continues to exist as a reminder of the city's plan for itself. Midway between the Erie Canal and a drive to the mall, it is the forgotten chapter of Rochester's history. For me, that chapter has two parts: the story of the subway's construction, and the story of how my friend Fred Armstrong and I made it into a film.

By 1900 the Erie Canal was a downtown relic, halting traffic as its lift bridges rose for slow-moving canal boats and a mule named Sal. In 1905, the state approved funds for canal reconstruction and for rerouting it around several upstate cities, including Rochester. The improved canal would carry larger boats and a new name, the New York State Barge Canal.

A 1911 study recommended turning Rochester's abandoned canal section into an automotive highway, but this was rejected by civic leaders who considered automobiles more of a nuisance than a form of reliable transportation. Instead, they approved $1,800,000 for construction of a subway, making use of the existing Genesee River aqueduct and the downtown section of the canal. Most of the subway's nine-and-a-half-mile route would run in an open cut crossed by bridges, and a new street would cover the downtown canal section. The subway would continue freight service along the old canal route, divert electric interurban trolleys from Main Street, and establish a rapid transit system for a metropolitan area expected to grow to two million. While some criticized the subway project as "an adventure in optimism," City Hall defended it as "one of the greatest investments any American city ever made."

Faster Than a Speeding Trolley

In 1919, the Barge Canal opened, and the City of Rochester purchased the proposed subway's right-of-way within its own boundaries and adjacent towns. In 1922, Mayor Clarence Van Zandt broke ground using a golden shovel. In 1924, the new downtown street opened, unnamed. After considering "The Towpath" and "Aldridge Concourse," officials finally settled on "Broad Street."

As construction progressed, so did Rochester. Prosperity allowed many citizens to purchase their first automobiles, forcing trolleys to compete against the growing love affair between Americans and cars. Debating how to run the subway, Rochester's new mayor opposed any plan that would tax car owners.

During the subway's test run on September 2, 1927, some of Rochester's most prominent citizens (including George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Company, the giant photography pioneer based in the city) rode the completed east end of the line. It was fast––three times faster than a streetcar. A contract was signed with New York State Railways, and the official opening was set for December 1, 1927, with a fare of nine cents. Rochester, the smallest city in America to build a subway, now had a true rapid transit system. Interurbans had been rerouted away from its busiest streets yet still provided access to an extensive regional transportation network. Freight service along the canal route had been restored, joining several rail lines for the first time.

Demise of the Trolleys

The subway's success was short-lived. With the Depression, New York State Railways fell into bankruptcy. Other railroads followed. By 1931, all the interurban trolley lines serving Rochester were gone, leaving the subway with no connections. City Hall washed its hands of it. In 1933, the city engineering department recommended that the subway be converted to a highway, twenty-two years after an identical plan for the old Erie Canal had been rejected

But in 1937, Harold MacFarlin became Rochester's commerce commissioner––and the subway found a new champion. He extended its passenger service to a new General Motors plant, purchased twelve high-speed passenger cars, refurbished and policed the stations, and applied to the Works Progress Administration for funds to build an extension to the suburbs. The bankrupt New York State Railways turned ownership of the subway over to the newly formed Rochester Transit Corporation (RTC).

Then, in March 1941, Rochester preceded most American cities when it completely replaced its streetcars with buses. The trolleys' overhead wires and tracks were torn away, and the cars were burned for scrap. With the removal of the tracks, the subway lost its rush-hour connecting service to Kodak. Some citizens began describing the now-isolated subway as "starting nowhere and ending nowhere."

With America's entry into World War II later that year came emergency rationing of tires, gasoline, and bus service––so Rochester turned once again to its subway to provide mass transit. By the end of the war, ridership had tripled. By its twentieth anniversary in 1947, the subway carried over five million passengers.

However, its high-water mark had been reached. With wartime restrictions gone, Americans purchased both new and second cars. Talk resurfaced of turning the subway into a highway. Even Harold MacFarlin lost hope for preserving it as a rapid transit system and resigned his position as commerce commissioner.

In addition, an interstate highway, envisioned a decade before, was becoming a reality: the New York State Thruway would roughly parallel the old Erie Canal and pass within ten miles of Rochester. The canal had transformed Rochester from a village to a city, and city leaders feared lack of access to the Thruway might reverse the process.

The Subway Becomes Memory

With ridership plummeting, the RTC announced it would discontinue the subway's passenger service in 1950 unless the city paid for its losses. Rochester came through, but ridership didn't increase. By 1952, Sunday and holiday service was eliminated. In 1954 the City Council pledged to promote the subway, but others pushed for the Thruway plan, stressing that it was time for Rochester to enter "the gasoline age." Citizen's groups and individuals fought for the subway, but it was too late. On September 9, 1954 in a secret caucus, the Rochester City Council's Republican majority voted to discontinue passenger service on December 31, explaining that using the subway as a feeder highway to the Thruway was the cheapest way to recoup losses.

Because of construction delays, the subway was given a temporary reprieve until April 1956, when Governor Averill Harriman signed a bill designating conversion of its eastern end into a new expressway. City Hall set a final closing date: June 30, 1956. Many Rochesterians who had never ridden the subway before boarded it for a last-chance ride. At 1:36 a.m., Car 68 moved into the car barn for the last time, and the stations of the Rochester subway were locked forever. All but one of the cars were scrapped; Car 60 was donated to the Rochester chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and moved to a rail museum near Watertown, then to storage at the New York State Museum in Albany.
Subway on Film

In 1981 I was a young filmmaker living in Manhattan's East Village. My roommate, Fred Armstrong, was an animator from Rochester. One day I was riding the New York subway with him when he mentioned that Rochester once had a small subway of its own. I couldn't imagine then that in the next few years I would marry a woman from Rochester, leave New York and move there, and find myself living in the same neighborhood as Fred––right next to that subway.

In 1993, Fred and I heard about a small grant available from The Reynolds Library Video Project to make films about Rochester. We decided to apply through his animation company, Animatus Studio, figuring that Rochester's old subway would be a good subject because there might be archival film of it that we could use as part of a documentary. But as we researched the material, we discovered that there were subway "museums" everywhere: in basements throughout the city, with thousands of catalogued photographs and hours of film footage; and in the city and county historian's offices, which had boxes of photographs and documents that pointed to even more boxes. We found that we had complete documentation on the subway, although we'd expected to find just pieces. What we hadn't expected to find were the excellent preservation instincts of the City of Rochester itself, home of Eastman Kodak Company and of citizens who, as a result of Kodak's presence, knew film and photography, had access to it, and remembered and loved the subway. Everyone welcomed us with open arms, as if they'd been waiting for years for someone to resurrect this chapter of Rochester's history.

"Get a Horse!"

One man had grown up next to the subway as a boy. When he retired, he was determined to preserve everything he could find about it. Another man had found some old nitrate film of the subway as a teenager, which he and his friends had burned, and he'd felt so bad afterwards that he saved everything else he could. Yet another man was blind, but became our "go-to guy" for identifying downtown photos. As a young man, he knew he would lose his sight, so he had been determined to make his mind and memory a camera.

In addition to film, we had the real thing in steel and flesh and blood. The New York Museum of Transportation in Rush had interurbans and streetcars, the State Museum had Car 60––we had Harry Beach, the conductor who drove the subway's last run, and Henry Clune, who at age 103 remembered the old taunt, "Get a horse!" Our fifteen-minute movie turned into a forty-five-minute epic. It took us a year, but we finished The End of the Line––Rochester's Subway on the day it was due, and premiered it that same night.

In 2005 we produced a special-edition DVD of The End of the Line, with forty-five minutes of new material. By then, Car 60 was returned to Rochester to the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Rush, there was an upcoming mayoral election, and what to do with the subway, in terms of historic preservation, became a campaign issue. The city's still deciding.

It was derided as an "adventure in optimism," but the builders of the Rochester subway thought big. Due to their own limitations and to changes they could not foresee, the enterprise failed. But they were proud of their city, and the subway was their best expression of it. It was their excelsior moment. Telling about it was mine.

The Archives Connection

Sources for The End of the Line––Rochester's Subway include the Tom Kirn Collection at New York Museum of Transportation, Rush; the David Lanni Film Collection, Rochester; the Norman Davidson Film Collection, Rochester; the Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society; the offices of the Monroe County Historian and Rochester City Historian; the City of Rochester Records Center; Gannett Rochester newspapers; New York State Department of Transportation; the New York State Museum; Eastman Kodak Company; and many other public and private entities. Firsthand information also came from countless individuals. The film was produced at Animatus Studio in Rochester, and is available at www.animatusstudio.com or by calling (585) 232-1740.

Animatus News March 2007

2007-03-30T15:43:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Animatus!

Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio in Rochester, NY.

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SPRING ANIMATION WORKSHOP VIDEOS

The results of our March workshops are now online. See Flappy go hunting, Edmund the Stuntman in color, and the completed How to be a Zombie!

Check it out at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html

or at http://www.youtube.com/animationworkshop

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SIGN UP FOR THE APRIL WORKSHOPS

The "Spring II" animation workshops begin Saturday, April 7. How can you resist four weeks of funny cartoons and frivolity?

Spring II 2007
Saturdays
April 7, 14, 21, & 28
$159

We still have some room in the afternoon, so secure your spot today!

Coming up in May, we're offering specialty classes in Lightwave 3D and Macromedia Flash. These are smaller classes, so they may sell out.

Visit http://animatusstudio.com/workshops to register online or call (585) 232-3949.

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A TELLY FOR GEORGIE

Dave Puls' latest cartoon, "When Georgie Goes Marching Home," has won a bronze Telly! This prestigious award honors outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.

Congratulations, Dave!

"Georgie" takes a humorous look at what's REALLY going on with the Bush administration, set to the crowd-pleasing melody of "When Johhny Comes Marching Home."

More about Fresh Toones at:
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

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THE OTHER GODS PLAYS SYDNEY AND PROVIDENCE

"H.P. Lovecraft's The Other Gods" continues playing to pulp horror fans around the world. Earlier this month, the silent short from Mike Boas' Subterranea Entertainment played in two new festivals.

First was A NIGHT OF HORROR in Sydney, Australia. The event had screenings devoted to horror, animation, and adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft's works.

Providence, Rhode Island (Lovecraft's hometown) played host to PULP UNCOVERED, a new festival dedicated to literary and film fandom. The Other Gods screened during the "Afternoon of Lovecraft" at the Rhode Island School of Design.

For more about the short, visit
http://maddogmovies.com/theothergods

Animation Workshop Video Released Online!

2007-02-03T00:44:00.000-05:00

2007 is the year of online video, and The Animation Workshop is jumping in whole hog!

Here's the all new extra-special Winter 2007 student reel:

http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html

The video was compressed using Quicktime's Ipod settings, and ooh-boy, does it look good! Anyone with the Flash plugin (and that's EVERYONE) can watch the January workshop cartoons right inside the Animatus Studio website. That means animated morphs, man-eating spiders, demons & devils, a stuntman with a motivation problem, plus zombies and a melting snowman.

It's set up as a playlist, which we'll be adding to it over time. There are a couple stand-alone student projects that would be good to upload, maybe even the Fall 2006 class. If I feel ambitious, the High Falls shorts and our news clips can go up, too. That way, the playlist won't seem so empty.

We're also available at YouTube and MySpace, by the way.

http://youtube.com/user/animationworkshop

http://myspace.com/animationworkshop

Screenings Galore!

2007-01-25T12:40:00.000-05:00

Independent projects from Animatus animators are getting plenty of attention lately. Here's the latest news:

FRESH TOONES

Dave Puls' presidential sing-a-long "When GeorgieGoes Marching Home" will get screentime in our nation's capital when it plays the DC INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL, running March 1-11.

"Sal Monella's Deli" is on the comeback trail! This audience favorite about a questionable diet plan will screen at the FAUX FILM FESTIVAL in Portland, Oregon, which runs March 29 - April 1.

Coincidentally, the Faux Film Festival takes place in the same venue where Mike Boas' "The Other Gods" played as part of the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival in October of 2006.

H.P. LOVECRAFT'S THE OTHER GODS

This silent horror short from Mike Boas, based on the pulp fiction story of the same name, played earlier this month in Houston, Texas, as part of the HORROR DANCE event.

And just this week, "The Other Gods" screened in Park City, Utah! No, not with the overrated Sundance, but as part of the truly independent TROMADANCE film festival.

Finally, for you Rochester residents, "The Other Gods" will be screening at the Little Theatre's EMERGING FILMMAKERS series. Come out and join us Monday, February 26 at 9 PM. The Little Theatre is at 240 East Ave, Rochester, NY.

RELATED LINKS:

http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones
http://www.dciff.org
http://fauxfilmfestival.com

http://maddogmovies.com/theothergods
http://horrordance.org
http://2007.tromadance.com
http://www.little-theatre.com/emergingFilmmakers.php

Animatus News December 2006

2006-12-18T17:07:00.000-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the crew at Animatus! We wish everyone reading this a joyful new year. The rest of you not reading this? Ummm.... Happy Halloween or something.

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ANIMATION WORKSHOPS JANUARY 2007

What a great way to start the new year! Experience the joys of animation in a professional animation studio.

2007 is the year of online video! After each four-week session, Animation Workshop students will be able to see their cartoons online. DVDs will also be available for an additional fee.

So if you or someone you love has a burning desire to make drawings come to life, sign up today at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

Winter 2007
Saturdays
January 6, 13, 20, & 27
$159

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CLICKER CLATTER SCREENING

After many challenging months, our work on Ben Radford's short film, "Clicker Clatter," was unveiled to an eager audience. This past weekend, Ben hosted a screening party in Buffalo to bring together cast, crew, and friends. A good time was had by all, with plenty of sandwiches and Pop Rocks to go around.

"Clicker Clatter" is a five minute short which satirizes our mass media culture. We plan to showcase some select clips on the Animatus website in the near future. Stay tuned!

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FRESH TOONES HONORS AND SCREENINGS

Congratulations to Dave Puls, whose "When Georgie Goes Marching Home" was selected as a BEST OF THE FEST short at this year's BERKELEY VIDEO & FILM FESTIVAL. Dave's "Hate Preachers" received an Honorable Mention as well.

"Georgie" was also an entry in December's Anchorage Film Festival.

For more about Fresh Toones, visit http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

Animatus News November 2006

2006-11-22T17:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a run-down of recent Animatus news.

IRONDEQUOIT LACROSSE DOCUMENTARY SCREENING

We'd like to remind everyone to come out and support Howard Nielsen and
his documentary on the history of high school Lacrosse in upstate New
York. This Friday, November 24th, there will be a screening at
Irondequoit High School at 7pm.

Read all about it at http://stickylipsbbq.com

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HIGH FALLS FILM FESTIVAL A GREAT SUCCESS

This year's High Falls Film Festival went extremely well. We at
Animatus took part in several events, including the festival's
animation workshop screenings, a screening of the French noir/animation
feature Renaissance, and a retrospective for independent filmmaker
Emily Hubley. Emily was a pleasure to have at the festival, and we had
positive feedback from attendees all during the festival.

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NEW TV AD FOR ROCHESTER'S SUBWAY

The holiday season is upon us, and now's the time to buy The End of The
Line - Rochester's Subway for the history buff in your family. We just
cut together a new TV ad that will be airing soon on Time Warner cable.

Catch it on our website at http://animatusstudio.com/subway

***

ANIMATION WORKSHOP STUDENT PRODUCED AD

Young DJ, one of our most enthusiastic students, put together a fun
promotional cartoon for the Animation Workshop. It shows a lot of
charm, so check it out "The Greatest Place on Earth" at:

http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html

***

FLAPPY RABBIT VS. THE TORNADO

Another of our veteran students, Adam, made a short commercial for "OZ
Saferooms," featuring his own character Flappy Rabbit. The people at
OZ have devoted a page to the project (and online video links) at the
following address:

http://www.ozsaferooms.com/kidz%20korner.htm

***

WON'T YOU BE OUR MYSPACE FRIEND?

The Animation Workshop now has a page at MySpace. We'll be publishing
more student videos there in the future, so come on by and add us to
your friends list.

http://www.myspace.com/animationworkshop

New TV Ad for The End of The Line

2006-11-21T17:55:00.000-05:00

Time Warner subscribers! Look for this soon on RNEWS and The History Channel!

Irondequoit Lacrosse Documentary Screening

2006-11-16T14:04:00.000-05:00

For many months, we at Animatus have been doing post production on Howard Nielsen's latest feature length documentary, Irondequoit: Lacrosse Town U.S.A. You may remember Mr. Nielsen's last film, When Football Was Bigger Than Life, about Aquinas football, also produced at Animatus. Well, now he's turned his attention to the history of high school lacrosse in upstate New York, with a focus on his alma mater, Irondequoit.

The documentary will have its premiere screening at Irondequoit High School on November 24th at 7pm. A donation of $5 per person will be taken at the door.

To pre-order your copy of the upcoming DVD, visit StickyLipsBBQ.com, or see some online news coverage at SportsFive.net and InsideLacrosse.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Howard Nielsen, Single Wing Productions
PHONE: 585-451-0066
EMAIL: howie(AT)animatusstudio.com
WEBSITE: www.StickyLipsBBQ.com

LACROSSE DOCUMENTARY PREMIERES AT IRONDEQUOIT HIGH SCHOOL

Rochester, NY, November 2006

Restaurant owner Howard Nielsen is back in the movie business with an all new documentary. After covering Aquinas football in his last project, Nielsen has now set his sights on another local sports phenomenon, Irondequoit High School's legendary lacrosse program.

Two years in the making, "Irondequoit: Lacrosse Town U.S.A." will premiere to the public on Friday, November 24th at 7:00 PM in Irondequoit High School's 600 seat auditorium. Admission will be five dollars at the door.

Nielsen says taking on an enormous movie project just eight months after opening his second restaurant, Sticky Lips Pit BBQ, has taken a toll on him. "It was my son's senior year at Irondequoit, and this would be my last chance to pull off a movie idea that I had been thinking about for a few years. This is my gift back to the Irondequoit community and Section V lacrosse, which has done so much for my son Danny and myself."

Even though the main focus is on Irondequoit, it really is a story about Upstate New York and Monroe County Lacrosse. Lacrosse is North America's oldest and fastest growing team sport.

Take a trip back in time and witness the start of high school lacrosse in upstate New York by way of Irondequoit High School's legendary program. Witness firsthand 50 years of lacrosse history, including the fierce rivalry between coaches Erni Lisi of Irondequoit and Joe Corcoran of Corning East, whose teams dominated upstate New York in the 1970s.

Irondequoit lacrosse teams have won 28 championship titles and have produced 30 High School All-Americans, plus a long list of college lacrosse coaches. Its alumni include such legends as Jeff Long (Navy and Team USA), Paul Cantabene (MLL Baltimore Bayhawks), Andrew Whipple (Maryland), and Joe Walters (Maryland and Team USA).

Relive your high school days as we follow the entire 2005 Irondequoit Lacrosse season through its challenges and successes with the can-do spirit of its players. This full-length documentary includes rare archival footage, photos, articles, and stories from players and coaches, past and present. See clips from the first NCAA championship title in 1971, Cornell vs. Maryland! Plus, a tribute to one of Lacrosse's true greats, Eamon McEneaney, who tragically lost his life on 9/11.

Feel the town's passion for the Indian game of lacrosse. Irondequoit: Lacrosse Town U.S.A. marks the first time any high school lacrosse program has been the subject of such an in-depth documentary.

The documentary will soon be available on DVD for $24.95. Pre-orders will be taken the night of the premiere. For additional information on "Irondequoit: Lacrosse Town U.S.A." contact Howard Nielsen at (585) 451-0066 or visit www.StickyLipsBBQ.com

ABOUT HOWARD NIELSEN - Mr. Nielsen is the owner of Chester Cab Pizza and Sticky Lips BBQ in Rochester. His first documentary, released in 2000, "When Football Was Bigger Than Life," took an in depth view into the famed Aquinas Institute football program during post-war America.

The Greatest Place on Earth

2006-11-14T17:55:00.000-05:00

Young DJ, one of our Animation Workshop students, was kind enough to create an entire advertisement for us. It's charming and funny, so enjoy!

"The Greatest Place on Earth" by DJ

Visit us on MySpace at http://myspace.com/animationworkshop

Animatus and the High Falls Film Fest 2006

2006-11-06T13:24:00.000-05:00

Here's a run-down of High Falls Film Festival events that Animatus is taking part in this year. Enjoy!

***

INDEPENDENT ANIMATOR EMILY HUBLEY IN PERSON

Animatus Studio and the High Falls Film Festival are pleased to welcome Emily Hubley to the 2006 program.

Join us for a special screening:

PIGEON (AND MORE) WITHIN
The Animated Mind of Emily Hubley

Little Theatre 1
240 East Avenue, Rochester
11:15 AM
Sunday, November 12, 2006

Working in a simple hand-drawn style, EMILY HUBLEY has been making short animated films for almost 30 years. Her work explores personal memory and the unexpected turbulence of emotional life.

She is currently working on a feature, THE TOE TACTIC, now in preproduction with Orchard Pictures. Her newest short, OCTAVE, premiered in a program of recent work earlier this year at The Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
She is a 2004 Annenberg Film Fellow named by the Sundance Institute, and attended their 2002 Screenwriters’ and 2003 Filmmakers’ Labs.

Hubley created artwork and animation for John Cameron Mitchell’s HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. She worked in collaboration with Jeremiah Dickey on inserts for the documentaries BUBBLE BOY, directed for American Experience by Barak Goodman, ORIGINAL CHILD BOMB, by Carey Schonegeval, and BLUE VINYL, by Judith Helfand and Daniel Gold.

For a summary of shorts we will be screening, visit http://animatusstudio.com/highfalls/hfmain2006.html

***

LIVIN’ LIFE: TEENS’ VOICES

For this year's HFFF animation workshop, fifteen students from various schools and community organizations in the greater Rochester area collectively produced a remarkable short reflecting critical aspects of teens’ lives.

These filmmakers came together through "Raising 100,000 Voices," a media literacy community education project run by WXXI Public Broadcasting, the University of Rochester Medical Center and The Roadwork for Success in Young Adulthood.

We're proud to say that the film turned out great, and will be screening twice during the festival.

Saturday, November 11 at 5 pm (Little Theatre 4), it will precede the documentary FREESTYLE: THE ART OF RHYME.

Also, "Livin' Life" will play at the Saturday Gala Night Screening at the Dryden Theatre.

***

PARALLEL WORLDS

This Rochester film will be playing as part of SHORTS PROGRAM #1, Wednesday November 8, 9:15 PM at the Little Theatre.

PARALLEL WORLDS
US, 2004, 6 minutes
Animator/Writer/Composer/Editor: Dave Puls
Assistant Writer/Editor: Luann Lindstrom

The abuse of the Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers moved the filmmaker to reexamine his own memories of working at a New York State Mental Hospital in the early 1970's.

Luann Lindstrom lives in Rochester, NY and assists Puls with many of his projects at Animatus Studios.

For more about Fresh Toones, visit http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

***

ANIMATUS SPONSORED FEATURE: RENAISSANCE

Renaissance, the new animated sci-fi feature from France, will be playing Friday night at 11PM at the Little Theatre.

Imagine METROPOLIS and BLADERUNNER, then step further into the imagination where science fiction and digital animation meet to create an extraordinary world, giving film noir a new look and new life. It is the year 2054, and Paris is a city-state where big brother watches from above and all movement is monitored and recorded. The once ancient and beautiful skyline is overlaid with high tech skyscrapers. Avalon – the multinational cosmetic company – casts a long and dark shadow over the city. When a human genome scientist whose research may change the evolution of mankind forever is kidnapped, detective Karas is called in to help. In an underworld of dark secrets, corporate espionage, organized crime and genetic research, Karas finds a trail of dead witnesses and more. Christian Volckman stunning imagery combines high-tech animation, the look of black and white cinema with his own chiaroscuro painting style to bring the illusion of still-frame comics vividly to life. The narrative woven with futuristic imagery is completely absorbing and speaks of unlimited potential. (Kathy Kristich)

Director: Christian Volckman
Producers: Alexis Vonarb, Roch Lenner, Aton Soumache
Voiceovers: Ian Holm, Jonathan Pryce, Daniel Craig, Catherine McCormack
Casting Director: Celestia Fox

· 2006 Annecy International Film Festival: Feature Film Award

Celestia Fox began her casting career in 1978 with THE HOUND OF BASKERVILLE. She has taken on wide ranging projects from the edg: PINK FLOYD THE WALL, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, LOCK STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS to the extremely elegant REMAINS OF THE DAY, UP AT THE VILLA, THE GOLDEN BOWL. She currently resides in London.

http://www.highfallsfilmfestival.com/2006/films.html

Animatus News October 2006

2006-10-02T15:20:00.000-04:00

HIGH FALLS FILM FEST ANIMATION GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT

Animatus is proud to welcome EMILY HUBLEY as this year's animation
guest for the High Falls Film Festival.

EMILY HUBLEY has been making short animated films since 1980 and
providing animation to television, fictional and documentary films for
over a decade. She is a 2004 Annenberg Film Fellow, named by the
Sundance Institute in support of her feature-in-progress THE TOE
TACTIC.

Hubley created artwork and animation for John Cameron Mitchell's
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH and inserts with Jeremiah Dickey for the
documentaries, ORIGINAL CHILD BOMB (which aired on the Sundance Channel
in August 2005) by Carey Schonegeval, BLUE VINYL, by Judith Helfand and
Daniel Gold and most recently, for BOY IN THE BUBBLE, directed by Barak
Goodman. She is a daughter of animators Faith and John Hubley, and
worked at the Hubley Studio Inc. in several capacities from 1976 -
2001.

Visit her website at http://www.emilyhubley.com

The High Falls Film Festival runs November 8-13, 2006
http://www.highfallsfilmfestival.com

******

ANIMATION WORKSHOP ALMOST FULL

Fall workshops begin this Saturday. We only have a few spots in both
Morning and Afternoon sessions! This your last chance to join us for
regular classes until January, so take advantage of this opportunity
while you can.

Fall 2006
Saturdays
October 7, 14, 21, & 28
$159

What's going on in between the Fall and Winter sessions? SPECIALTY
CLASSES, of course. Where else can you learn the magic of computer
animation in such a fun environment? Minimum age of 12, with a Basic
Animation pre-requisite.

3D Workshop, Nov-Dec 2006
An introduction to Lightwave
Saturday Mornings
Nov 18, Dec 2, 9, & 16
$189

Flash I, Nov-Dec 2006
Intro to Macromedia Flash
Saturday Afternoons
Nov 18, Dec 2, 9, & 16
$189

Sign up online at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

******

GEORGIE MARCHES TO CLEVELAND AND TULSA

The latest Fresh Toone from Dave Puls continues to make the rounds!
Here are two more "When Georgie Goes Marchin' Home."

"Georgie" played this last weekend at the Tulsa Uncensored Film
Festival
http://www.tulsauncensored.com/schedule.html

The short will also be playing the Ohio Independent Film Festival on
Wednesday, November 8th.
http://www.ohiofilms.com

For more info on Fresh Toones, visit
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

******

"THE OTHER GODS" TRAILER NOW ONLINE

The latest independent horror project from Mike Boas has a trailer
online at http://maddogmovies.com/theothergods/video.html

In this adaptation of the H.P. Lovecraft short story, a proud prophet
meets with a tragic end when attempting to meet with the gods of earth.
"The Other Gods" will be premiering October 8th at the H.P. Lovecraft
Film Festival in Portland, Oregon.

******

CLASSIC ANIMATION AT THE EASTMAN HOUSE

Come out this Tuesday to the George Eastman House to see some classic
animation of the silent era, with live music by Philip C. Carli.

More Pioneers of Animation
Location: Dryden Theatre
900 East Ave · Rochester, NY 14607
Tuesday, October 3, 8:00 PM

(Program running time approx. 90 min.) A follow-up to our enormously
popular "Pioneers of Animation" program from 2004, this fun-filled
program features some of the most innovative, entertaining, and
influential cartoons from the silent era, all preserved by George
Eastman House. Selections include COLONEL HEEZA LIAR, NATURALIST (1914)
and COLONEL HEEZA LIAR, SHIPWRECKED (1916); early cell animation in
BOBBY BUMPS' DISAPPEARING GUN (1917) and BOBBY BUMPS AT THE DENTIST
(1917); Otto Messmer and Pat Sullivan's famous feline in FELIX THE
CAT GETS REVENGE (1922) and FELIX THE CAT KEPT WALKING (1925); Koko the
Clown in the Fleischer Bros.' FALSE ALARM (1923); Gregory LaCava's
ABIE KABIBBLE OUTWITTING HIS RIVAL (1917) and BY THE SEAWAVES (1917),
staring the Katzenjammer Kids; Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Walt
Disney's SKY SCRAPPERS (1928); and Lotte Reiniger's THE ORNAMENT OF
THE LOVESTRUCK HEART (1919). Live piano by Philip C. Carli.

Georgie Marches to Cleveland and Tulsa

2006-09-29T16:30:00.000-04:00

The latest Fresh Toone from Dave Puls continues to make the rounds! "When Georgie Goes Marchin' Home" will be playing at two upcoming independent festivals.

"Georgie" takes a humorous look at what's REALLY going on with the Bush administration, set to the crowd-pleasing melody of "When Johhny Comes Marching Home."

See "Georgie" at the following:

Tulsa Uncensored Film Festival
Saturday, September 30th at 6:00 PM
www.tulsauncensored.com/schedule.html

Ohio Independent Film Festival
Wednesday, November 8 at 6PM
www.ohiofilms.com

Animatus News September 2006

2006-09-15T11:53:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Animatus!

Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio in Rochester, NY.

============================

OCTOBER ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

The Fall Animation Workshops are filling up. If you're planning on joining us, don't wait till the last minute!

Sign up today and see your drawings come to life! The Fall session begins Saturday, October 7.

Go to http://animatusstudio.com/workshops to sign up online or print out a mail-in form.

What's down the road? Starting in November, we'll be offering more specialty workshops, covering 3D animation and Macromedia Flash. For more info, visit http://animatusstudio.com/workshops/classes.html#specialty

We're now on MySpace! Make us your friend at http://myspace.com/animationworkshop

============================

FRESH TOONES SCREENINGS

Dave Puls' "Hate Preachers," will be part of the line-up at this September's Independents' Film Fest in Tampa, Florida. It will play September 15 (tonight at 9 PM!) on The Education Channel in Tampa, as well as being featured on the festival website in the near future. Visit http://www.independentsfilmfest.com to view the whole schedule.

"Hate Preachers" will also screen at The Great Lakes Film Fest, held September 20-24 in Erie, Pennsylvania. For festival information, visit: http://www.greatlakesfilmfest.com/film_fest/2006/index.html

"When Georgie Goes Marchin' Home" will be screening at the Red Bank Film Festival, which runs October 13-15 in Red Bank, New Jersey. See the schedule of films at http://www.rbiff.org/synopsis2006_sun.php#prescription

Find out more about Fresh Toones at http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

============================

THE OTHER GODS SCREENING

Animatus artist Mike Boas' latest horror project is a silent short based on the works of cult writer H.P. Lovecraft. "The Other Gods" will premiere at this year's H.P. Lovecraft Film Fest in Portland, Oregon, which runs October 6-8. Visit the festival website at http://hplfilmfestival.com

Discover the secrets of "The Other Gods" at http://maddogmovies.com/theothergods

A new view at Animatus

2006-08-22T00:23:00.000-04:00

For many weeks now, we've had this monster house with no roof sitting next door to the Animatus building:

But no more! Today, driving down Winthrop Street was a whole new experience, because the house was gone:

As if plucked from the Earth by a wicked tornado, the blue house is no more. Come, marvel at the hole! Enjoy it now, because someday soon, it just may be a parking lot, or perhaps a vegetable garden.

"Hate Preachers" at Great Lakes Independent Film Festival

2006-08-04T11:56:00.000-04:00

More Fresh Toones festival news!

Dave Puls' "Hate Preachers" will play at the 2006 Great Lakes Independent Film Festival in Erie, Pennsylvania this September.

Find out more at
www.greatlakesfilmfest.com
www.myspace.com/greatlakesfilmfest

"Hate Preachers" wins at The Indie Gathering

2006-07-27T12:21:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Dave Puls, whose short film Hate Preachers has won 3rd place for animation at the 2006 Indie Gathering!

Hate Preachers, one of the latest of Dave's Fresh Toones, will screen during the event, which takes place August 4, 5 & 6 in Cleveland, Ohio. This annual event acts both as a film festival and convention for independent filmmakers, writers,
actors, and stunt people. Find out more at http://theindiegathering.com

Hate Preachers (4:00 min) takes a look at the destructive rhetoric and encourages all of us to speak out to offset their fabrications. See more about this short and others at http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

Pole-A-Palooza & Workshop News

2006-06-29T17:35:00.000-04:00

What are you doing with your Wednesday nights? You're not staying in, are you? What a homebody!

Why watch "So You Think You Can Dance" when you can dance to live music in the streets of Rochester? Get off your couch and come out to Pole-A-Palooza!

It's a weekly celebration at the Liberty Pole in downtown Rochester. This coming Wednesday, July 5th, there will even be Animatus and Eggwork shorts playing at the event. (Ah, now we're talking -- Honey, get my keys!)

POLE-A-PALOOZA
A European Street Party!
The Liberty Pole Plaza (E. Main St. & Franklin St. )
Wednesday, July 5

5:30 pm - 8 pm -- Short films, including:
* When Georgie Goes Marchin' Home
* The Scent of Valhalla
* Motherless Child - Remnants of the Subway
* Keep on Walkin'
* Animungus
Read film synopses at http://thelibertypole.com/art.html

5:15 pm -- Music kicks off with:
* Loulou of Thievery Corporation
* Babaloo
More about the music at http://thelibertypole.com

Pole-A-Palooza will highlight an event-filled summer as the city promotes Rochester with its "Rockin' the City" initiative. The free events will take place Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., through July 26.

In addition to the music, Pole-A-Palooza will showcase artwork by local artisans as well as short films from America's cutting-edge short filmmakers. Visitors can even visit a psychic, have taro card readings and get a spirit drawing to be entertained as they stroll down Franklin Street and Liberty Pole Way.

A variety of food to accompany beer and wine will also be available.

=========================

ANIMATUS PREMIERES TWO NEW CARTOONS

The upcoming Pole-A-Palooza event will mark the first public screenings of two new cartoons produced at Animatus Studio in Rochester. That's right, we don't mess around -- we've got shorts galore in store for you!

Keep on Walkin
3:35 • Music Video for SpiritEast • Animation produced by Animatus Studio

This upbeat song was composed by Phil Geiger and Steve Billow, and recorded by SpiritEast of Rochester. The music video takes our main character on a colorful stroll through a wonder filled world. He imagines a world where he can walk along with people of all races and religions in harmony.

When Georgie Goes Marchin' Home
3:30 • Dave Puls • A Fresh Toone produced at Animatus Studio

This animated short takes us on a surreal tour of the Bush administration and its many misadventures. Like a ride through a fun house, we are taken into the bizarro world of GW. A surprise ending makes this sometimes uneasy jaunt worth the ride.

Other Animatus productions screening will be the Derf the Viking short, "The Scent of Valhalla," and "Motherless Child - The Remnants of the Subway," a feauturette produced for The End of the Line DVD. Also playing are "Animungus" shorts from Eric Merola and Matthew Ehlers of Eggwork Productions.

=========================

LAST CHANCE FOR 3D ANIMATION WORKSHOP!

We at the Animation Workshop are pleased to offer a new 4 week course in the basics of 3D animation. The class size is limited to 8 students, so sign up today to ensure your spot!

SATURDAYS
JULY 8, 15, 22, 29
9AM - 12 Noon
Cost: $189

Course Description:
Learn the basics of 3D animation. The course will include many guided tutorials and plenty of hands-on creative time. Students will explore the very basics in this beginner level course using the Lightwave 3D Discovery Edition animation program. Lightwave 3D is one of the more commonly used 3D animation packages used in television and the movies today.

Instructor Biography:
Paul Tracy graduated from RIT with a degree in Film & Animation. He has been working with Lightwave 3D since its beginnings in 1988, then known as VideoScape 3D. Paul has also been teaching adjunct classes at Monroe Community College in Computer Generated Imagery and Digital Photography. He owns his own 3D animation business in Rochester, NY and has worked with Animatus Studio on numerous projects.

Sign up online at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

=========================

REMINDER: SIGN UP FOR THE AUGUST WORKSHOPS

Fish for New Ideas! Hike The Hills of Animation! Challenge the Wild Waters of Creativity! Join us for the Summer Animation Camp!

WHEN: Choose either Wednesdays or Thursdays in August, lasting from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day. See our Schedule for exact dates.

PRICE: $88.00 per week. Sign up for all four weeks and get a 20% discount, for a total of $284.

We try to accomodate vacation schedules by pricing each week individually. These classes go all day, with a break for lunch.

NOTE: All supplies and equipment usage included. Students attending all four weeks receive a VHS copy of their animation. Additional tapes or DVDs are available for $10. Summer students should be sure to pack a lunch.

Sign up online at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

Rochester Subway DVD Signing

2006-06-16T15:21:00.000-04:00

What's that you say? A personal appearance by those effervescent
Rochester Subway afficionados?

Yes, here's your opportunity to meet and greet your favorite local
documentary filmmakers! Just in time for Father's Day, Fredrick
Armstrong and James P. Harte will be signing DVD copies of "The End of
the Line: Rochester's Subway" at Parkleigh this Saturday. DVD's will
be available for sale.

ROCHESTER SUBWAY DVD SIGNING

Parkleigh
215 Park Ave. Rochester, NY
Saturday June 17th
1-3 PM

MAKES A PERFECT FATHER'S DAY GIFT!

If you or someone you know has a father, they just might love taking a
trip down memory lane with the story of the smallest city in America to
build and abandon a subway.

So don't miss this chance to rub shoulders with these two noted
windbags! They know more about the subway than any man should. Come
on out to Parkleigh, visit scenic Park Avenue -- make a day of it!

For more on "The End of the Line" visit
http://animatusstudio.com/subway

For more about Parkleigh, visit
http://www.parkleigh.com

Animatus News June 2006

2006-06-05T16:32:00.000-04:00

NEW 3D ANIMATION WORKSHOP!

We at the Animation Workshop are pleased to offer a new 4 week course in the basics of 3D animation. The class size is limited to 8 students, so sign up today to ensure your spot!

SATURDAYS
JULY 8, 15, 22, 29
9AM - 12 Noon
Cost: $189

Course Description:
Learn the basics of 3D animation! The course will include many guided tutorials and plenty of hands-on creative time. Students will explore the very basics in this beginner level course using the Lightwave 3D Discovery Edition animation program. Lightwave 3D is one of the more commonly used 3D animation packages used in television and the movies today.

Instructor Biography:
Paul Tracy graduated from RIT with a degree in Film & Animation. He has been working with Lightwave 3D since its beginnings in 1988, then known as VideoScape 3D. Paul has also been teaching adjunct classes at Monroe Community College in Computer Generated Imagery and Digital Photography. He owns his own 3D animation business in Rochester, NY and has worked with Animatus Studio on numerous projects.

Sign up online at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

***

REMINDER: SIGN UP FOR THE AUGUST WORKSHOPS

Fish for New Ideas! Hike The Hills of Animation! Challenge the Wild Waters of Creativity! Join us for the Summer Animation Camp!

WHEN: Choose either Wednesdays or Thursdays in August, lasting from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day. See our Schedule for exact dates.

PRICE: $88.00 per week. Sign up for all four weeks and get a 20% discount, for a total of $284.

We try to accomodate vacation schedules by pricing each week individually. These classes go all day, with a break for lunch.

NOTE: All supplies and equipment usage included. Students attending all four weeks receive a VHS copy of their animation. Additional tapes or DVDs are available for $10. Summer students should be sure to pack a lunch.

Sign up online at
http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

***

WORKSHOP STUDENT WINS FILM FESTIVAL PRIZE

Congratulations to Animation Workshop student Adam Markajani, whose cartoon short won "Most Creative" at the Genesee Valley NYCLU PSA Film Festival. "Flappy Rabbit Learns About the First Amendment" played on the big screen at the Little Theatre along with other student entries in the fest.

Many kind (and well-deserved) words were spoken about Adam's film by the judges and organizers of the event. Adam is one of our studio production students, who used his class time to work on this project with instructor Dave Puls.

***

"HATE PREACHERS" TO PLAY BOSTON INT'L FILM FEST

Congratulations to Dave Puls, whose Fresh Toone "Hate Preachers" will show at the largest film festival in Massachusetts and one of the largest in the United States: The Boston International Film Festival.

It will be shown on Saturday, June 10th, right before Henry Selick's
short animation "Moongirl."

For more info on the festival, visit
http://bifilmfestival.com/biffschedule.html

For more about "Hate Preachers" visit
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones/cartoons.html

***

"WHEN GEORGIE GOES MARCHING HOME" COMPLETED

The latest addition to Fresh Toones has just been completed, and creator Dave Puls is busy sending it out to festivals.

...This animated short takes us on a surreal tour of the Bush administration and its many misadventures. Like a ride through a fun house, we are taken into the bizarro world of GW. A surprise ending makes this sometimes uneasy jaunt worth the ride....

For updates on the film, bookmark
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones/cartoons.html

"Hate Preachers" to play Boston Int'l Film Fest

2006-05-19T13:24:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Dave Puls, whose Fresh Toone "Hate Preachers" will show at the largest film festival in Massachusetts and one of the largest in the United States: The Boston International Film Festival.

It will be shown on Saturday, June 10th right before Henry Selick's
short animation "Moongirl."

For more info on the festival, visit
http://bifilmfestival.com/biffschedule.html

For more about "Hate Preachers" visit
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones/cartoons.html

Student PSA Film Festival at the Little Theatre

2006-05-18T12:07:00.000-04:00

We're happy to announce that one of our Animation Workshop students, Adam Markajani, has an animated short playing in the First Annual GVC-NYCLU PSA Film Festival. It's a PSA about the First Amendment, starring his character Flappy the Rabbit.

We encourage everyone to come out and support Adam and other Rochester youths this Sunday at the Litte Theatre.

=====================================

Genesee Valley Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union
Presents

The First Annual GVC-NYCLU
PSA Film Festival

Featuring films from Monroe County
High School and middle school students
Juried Film Festival

CIVIL LIBERTIES BEHIND THE LENS OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Sunday MAY 21, 2006

3-5pm
Little Theatre
240 east avenue

Free and open to the public

WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?

Judges include:
George Grella, City Newspaper film critic, Professor of English U of R
Marla Schweppe, Computer Animation Professor at RIT,
Zena Collier, local novelist and author of "A Cooler Climate",
Van White, Esq. local attorney and director of the Center for Civil and Human Rights Laws
James Pappas, film critic, Professor, African American Studies, University at Buffalo
Mark Costello, Esq. local attorney, Boylan Brown Code Vigdor & Wilson

ManiaTV to play "Sharks in the Water"

2006-05-06T14:27:00.000-04:00

Dave Puls' “Sharks In The Water” will be airing on Mania TV, Tuesday 05-09-06 during Too Short 4 Hollywood at 10pm. EST.

Watch it online and submit viewer feedback through www.ManiaTV.com!

Too Short for Hollywood provides a testing ground for aspiring filmmakers to find their big break and air their work. They show the hottest free animation, free cartoons, short films, viral videos and hilarious segments every weekday.

Find out more about "Sharks" at http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

The Animatus Playlist from YouTube

2006-05-05T02:53:00.000-04:00

Anything and everything is now showing up on YouTube... including video clips from Animatus.

Here's a playlist of trailers we put together for Animatus products:

To embed the playlist on your own webpage or blog, follow the instructions here.

NYC screening of The End of the Line

2006-04-25T14:25:00.000-04:00

SPECIAL EVENT:

THE NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM PRESENTS
THE STORY OF THE ROCHESTER SUBWAY

Join filmmakers Fredrick Armstrong and James P. Harte at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m. There they will be presenting their Telly award winning documentary, The End of The Line - Rochester's Subway, as well as two featurettes from the DVD release.

THE END OF THE LINE focuses on the story of the smallest city in America to build, and abandon, a subway. Service on the Rochester, New York subway began on December 1, 1927 and ended in June 1956.

PRODIGAL SON presents the stories of that subway's only surviving passenger car, and one of the last men to operate it.

MOTHERLESS CHILD is a final salute to the subway's abandoned tunnel and includes a "PHANTOM RUN" through this mile-long underground stretch.

A question-and-answer session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

Address:
New York Transit Museum
130 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-5106
Tel: 718/694-1794

Saturday, May 6, 2006
1:30 p.m.

Directions to the Museum:
The New York Transit Museum is located at the corner of Boerum and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights. On weekends, local subways are the 2, 3, 4 to Borough Hall; R to Court Street; A, C, G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn; A, C, F to Jay Street/Borough Hall. By bus, B25, B26, B37, B38, B41, B45, B52, B57, B61, B65, B67, B75 - all stop within 1 to 2 blocks from the Museum. By car, the Transit Museum is just five blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge. Take the Brooklyn Bridge and proceed straight on Adams Street; Adams Street will become Boerum Place. You will then go two blocks to Schermerhorn Street.

Just a note - as there is work planned on the 4 line through the Fall, the line terminates at weekends at Brooklyn Bridge. So if you will be coming from Manhattan, we suggest you plan to take Westside trains - or if you are closest to the east side you can take the 4 to Brooklyn Bridge and then just hop on the J train to Court Street, which leaves you very close to us. Other plans for rerouted service are often available on a recorded message at 718-330-1234.

For more information about The End of the Line and its DVD release, visit http://animatusstudio.com/subway

Animatus News April 2006

2006-04-25T14:17:00.000-04:00

Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio...

CARTOONED CLASSICS at the RPO

This past Saturday, we were pleased to be involved with the Rochester Philharmonic's presentation of CARTOONED CLASSICS. It was an afternoon of classical pieces made famous (at least to us) through their use in cartoons. Conductor Michael Butterman was gracious enough to invite our fearless leader, Fred Armstrong, to speak about the process of animation and the use of music in cartoons from the golden age. There was also a quiz to test the animation knowledge of the audience.

We'd like to thank everyone at the RPO for the wonderful experience.

====================================

ANIMATUS SHORTS AT THE ROCHESTER FILM FEST

This year we're happy to announce the screenings of two Animatus shorts in the Rochester International Film Festival.

***

MOTHERLESS CHILD - REMNANTS OF THE SUBWAY
Fredrick Armstrong & James P. Harte
After a close-up study of decay, the viewer is taken on a phantom ride through a vacant tunnel where the now-abandoned Rochester, NY subway once ran. A lone piano and the resurrected sounds of the subway accompany the ride. (Color, 9 min)

8pm Thursday, May 4, 2006
Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House
900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.

***

SHARKS IN THE WATER
David Puls
A disconcerting look at the corporate corruption and political collaboration that plague the US. (Animated, Color, 4 min)

4pm Saturday, May 5, 2006
The Little Theatre
240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.

***

For more about the festival and the Movies on a Shoestring organization, visit http://www.rochesterfilmfest.org

See a preview from Motherless Child at http://animatusstudio.com/subway/subwayphantomrun.html

Find out more about Dave Puls' Fresh Toones at http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

====================================

The Animation Workshop Presents

FLASH WORKSHOP II
Advanced lessons in Macromedia Flash

Four Saturdays
May 13 & 20, June 3 & 10
(No class Memorial Day Weekend)

Time: 1-4 PM
Price: $189.00
Limited class size of four.
Pre-requisite: Flash Workshop for Beginners

In this workshop, we’ll be building on the basics of the Flash program (buttons, sounds, and animation tweening) to create an interactive self-contained website for each student.

Students can create menus and set up personalized pages about topics of their choice. Following this workshop session, students will receive a data CD of their work. Their work can be viewed from the CD or transferred to a computer hard drive.

If they wish to post webpages online, we can recommend several free hosting options.

To sign up, give us a call or send a check to:
Animatus Studio
34 Winthrop Street
Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 232-1740

Animatus News March 2006

2006-03-16T15:59:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Animatus!

Here's the latest news from Animatus Studio in Rochester, NY.

============================

"ROCHESTER'S SUBWAY" DIRECTORS INTERVIEWED FOR TV

This Sunday, hop out of bed and flip on Channel 13 in Rochester to see Jim
Harte and Fred Armstrong speak about "The End of the Line - Rochester's
Subway." Charlotte Clarke of "Many Voices, Many Visions" will interview the
two directors about their recent DVD release and the history of Rochester
transit.

Channel 13 WHAM TV
Many Voices, Many Visions
9 AM, Sunday March 19

Find out more about the DVD at http://animatusstudio.com/subway

============================

ANIMATION WORKSHOPS IN APRIL

Our Spring workshops are half done, so it's time to start thinking about
Spring II!

The Spring II session begins April 8th, 2006. If you'd like to see your
drawings come to life, don't delay!

Sign up online at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops or print out a mail-in
form.

============================

FRESH TOONES SCREENING IN DETROIT

Dave Puls' latest Fresh Toone, entitled "Hate Preachers," will be screening
later this week at Detroit's Metro Shorts festival.

Hate Preachers synopsis:

Hate preachers, for too long, have been fostering hate crimes. This animated
short takes a look at the destructive rhetoric and encourages all of us to
speak out to offset their fabrications. Reasonable people must stand up and
show that we are not intimidated by their bullying or we will find ourselves
living in a world of their making.

Read about the festival at http://www.metroshorts.com/

Find out more about Fresh Toones at http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

============================

OSKAR FISCHINGER SCREENING AT THE EASTMAN HOUSE

Rochester's Dryden Theatre will be screening a selection of work by
animator Oskar Fischinger on March 24th. Don't miss this great chance to see
experimental animation on the big screen!

Oskar Fischinger is best known to the public for his inspiring work on the
first sequence in Fantasia, which set Bach’s "Toccata and Fugue" to an
ambitious series of abstract images. However, Fischinger was so unswervingly
dedicated to his vision that conflicts arose with the producers, and his
efforts went uncredited. Luckily, there remains a body of personal work that
is pioneering in its form and enchanting in its content. Vibrant and
colorful, his films are experiments in the relationship between music and
imagery and could be described as the place where Kandinsky and Thelonius
Monk meet. The program consists of Fischinger’s finest, including: RADIO
DYNAMICS (1942), COMPOSITION IN BLUE (1935), COLORATURA (1932),
SPIRITUAL CONSTRUCTIONS (1927), and more. Program provided by Center
for Visual Music, with thanks to the Fischinger Archive. Prints preserved by the
Academy Film Archive, CVM and Fischinger Archive, with the support of Film
Foundation, Sony, Deutsches Filmmuseum, and Cinémathèque Québécoise.

(program running time, 85 min.)

Visual Music: The Animation of Oskar Fischinger
Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House
8:00 PM, Friday March 24

http://www.eastmanhouse.org/calendar

Website Design from Animatus Studio

2006-02-27T17:38:00.000-05:00

Webmaster extraordinaire Mike Boas has been busy
lately, providing fresh new websites for the following
Animatus clients:

Goldsmith Birdhouses

Karl Goldsmith creates handcrafted, one-of-a kind
architectural reproductions of barns, houses, and
historical buildings.

Visit www.goldsmithbirdhouses.com

The Computer Guru

Allie Peed offers fast, affordable relief of ailing networks
and computers in Rochester, NY. His website,
getyourguru.com, lists his qualifications and certifications.
Plus, read testimonials from satisfied customers!

Visit www.getyourguru.com

Ashley Toman

Ashley Toman is a professional harpist who performs a
broad range of musical styles. Those interested in hiring
Ashley for events can contact her through her site. Also
online are MP3 samples of her performances and links to
purchase her latest album.

Visit www.ashleytoman.com

For More Animatus Web Design

Visit our website
section at animatusstudio.com/websites

Fresh Toones screening in Kansas City

2006-02-27T14:51:00.000-05:00

Dave Puls' latest Fresh Toone, entitled "Hate Preachers,"
will be part of the line-up at this April's Kansas City
Filmmakers Jubilee.

Hate Preachers synopsis:

Hate preachers, for too long, have been fostering hate
crimes. This animated short takes a look at the destructive
rhetoric and encourages all of us to speak out to offset their
fabrications. Reasonable people must stand up and show
that we are not intimidated by their bullying or we will find
ourselves living in a world of their making.

Read about the festival at http://www.kcjubilee.org

Find out more about Fresh Toones at http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

Animatus News, January 2006

2006-01-20T21:26:00.000-05:00

Q & A WITH THE FILMMAKERS FOR "THE END OF THE LINE"

Audio from our Subway DVD premiere screening is now online
for your listening pleasure! Learn about the production of the
documentary and what went into shooting "The Phantom Run."
Also, hear what audience members think about the subway's
past and present.

Visit the subway website to listen to MP3 files online.

http://animatusstudio.com/subway/index.html#premiere

============================

PRAISE FOR "THE END OF THE LINE"

Michael Roque of RAILROAD.NET has posted a new review
of "The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway."

"Overall, this is an excellent DVD with professional production,
high-quality imagery, and a compelling story told with a nostalgic
tone... certainly worth adding to any Rochester railfan’s collection."

Read the whole review at
http://www.railroad.net/articles/columns/reviews/endoftheline/index.htm

============================

NEW VENDOR FOR "IT CAME FROM ANIMATUS"

Our cartoon compilation is now available through the recently
refurbished Animation World Network Store. See our disc rubbing
elbows with the likes of Plymptoons and Avoid Eye Contact!

Buy your copy today at
http://store.awn.com/product.php?productid=17161&amp;cat=285&page=2

"Hate Preachers" World Premiere

2005-12-28T15:29:00.000-05:00

The latest Fresh Toone from Dave Puls, "Hate Preachers," will be making its debut at the 2006 Tiburon International Film Festival in Tiburon, California.

Film Description:

Hate preachers, for too long, have been fostering hate crimes. This animated short takes a look at the destructive rhetoric and encourages all of us to speak out to offset their fabrications. Reasonable people must stand up and show that we are not intimidated by their bullying or we will find ourselves living in a world of their making.

The festival will run March 9-17, 2006. Find out more at http://www.tiburonfilmfestival.com

Read more about Fresh Toones at http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones or see cartoons online at http://freshtoones.com

DERF VS. THE SUBWAY Holiday Card

2005-12-20T22:34:00.000-05:00

Season's Greetings from Animatus!

This year's FLASH ANIMATED HOLIDAY CARD is now online. What happens when our intrepid hero Derf tries to get his tree home safely? Follow the link below to find out. Tell your friends!

See our animated holiday card at http://animatusstudio.com/cards/seasonsgreetings05.html

Animatus News, December 2005

2005-12-05T21:40:00.000-05:00

Season's Greetings from Animatus!

ANIMATION WORKSHOP GIFT CERTIFICATES

Does someone on your Christmas list love to draw? Maybe
they'd like to see their drawings come to life! Sign them up
for the next session of the Animation Workshop (begins
January 7th, 2006). Our introductory four-week course on
the basics of animation is only $159.00.

Go to http://animatusstudio.com/workshops

================================

ANOTHER GREAT YEAR FOR THE HIGH FALLS FILM FEST

Once again, a good time was had by all at Rochester's High
Falls Film Festival. The screenings were well received, and
many attendees took the opportunity to converse with our
animation guest, Teresa Drilling. Many thanks to all the
folks who came out and supported the festival.

Read more at http://www.animatusstudio.com/highfalls

================================

SUBWAY SCREENING A HUGE SUCCESS

Our premiere screening at Irondequoit High School for
THE END OF THE LINE - ROCHESTER'S SUBWAY really
packed 'em in! Roughly 500 attended that evening,
including several Rochesterians who remember riding the
subway back in the day. Filmmakers Fred Armstrong and
Jim Harte took questions and talked about the documentary's
production. Special thanks to the Rochester Audio Visual
Association, who hosted the event.

For those who couldn't attend, here's an online video clip
from the DVD's special feature, The Phantom Run:
http://animatusstudio.com/subway/subwayphantomrun.html

================================

SUBWAY DVD FOR SALE IN ROCHESTER STORES
The End of the Line is available for $29.95 in the following locations:

Borders
Parkleigh
The Creator's Hands
Despatch Junction
The Electric Train Company
Five Seasons Gifts
George Eastman House Gift Shop
Global DVD
The New York Museum of Transportation
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

For the complete list, visit http://animatusstudio.com/subway/subbuy.html

================================

PRESS FOR THE END OF THE LINE

Several newspaper and television stories about the
DVD have now been posted online.

See the video clips from local TV:
- WHAM News
- R News

Read recent articles from:
- The Democrat & Chronicle
(Jack Garner gives us a 9 out of 10)
- The Irondequoit Post
- Golden Times
- Head End: The Journal of the NY Museum of Transportation

Visit http://animatusstudio.com/subway/subpress.html

HFFF welcomes clay animator Teresa Drilling

2005-11-07T21:38:00.000-05:00

The High Falls Film Festival and Animatus Studio present...

WALLACE, GROMIT, CHICKENS, RAISINS AND ME:
Teresa Drilling on Life as a Stop-Motion Animator

Sunday, November 13, Noon
Little Theater
240 East Avenue, Rochester
Admission $7.00, students $6.50

Fresh from her triumph as one of the principal animators for WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, 20-year animation veteran Teresa Drilling will share the behind-the-scenes secrets of working with Aardman/Dreamworks on this wildly successful new film. Drilling has rubbed elbows with an odd cast of characters in her career: dancing raisins, talking potatoes, folded paper peppers, and stallions made of coal, not to mention our favorite cheese-loving inventor and his loyal canine pal. She's worked with advertising agencies J. Walter Thompson, NY; DDB Needham, SF; Grey London Ltd.; Foot, Cone & Belding, NY; and Young & Rubicam, NY for clients including Kellogg's, Clorox, Merck, Beecham's, Tropicana, Chili's Restaurants and Elizabeth Arden.

An upstate New York native and a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Drilling received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for her work on Will Vinton’s CLAYMATION COMEDY OF HORRORS. Among her many crowning achievements are the "Cecille the Ball" series for SESAME STREET, a four-minute holiday sequence for ABC's HOME IMPROVEMENT, animated sequences in the 2003 feature film ELF, and her work as a key animator for CHICKEN RUN. This presentation is definitely appropriate for children!

Tickets are available from TicketWeb, either on-line at www.ticketweb.com or by phone at 866-468-7619. They will also be available at the Little Theatre one hour before show time.

Find out more about the festival at
www.animatusstudio.com/highfalls and www.highfallsfilmfestival.com

Rochester Subway DVD Premiere Screening

2005-11-03T21:37:00.000-05:00

The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway
Special Edition DVD Premiere
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 22
Irondequoit High School Auditorium
260 Cooper Road, Irondequoit
(North of Titus Avenue)
This event is free and open to the public

It's been almost fifty years since Rochester abandoned its ill-fated experiment with rapid transit, the Rochester Subway. Gone but not forgotten, it was news again this summer as plans were announced to fill in the Broad Street tunnel with dirt. Rochester's Animatus Studio, which produced an award-winning documentary on the subway in 1994, has re-mastered "The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" as a Special Edition DVD. In addition to the original film, Animatus has produced forty-five minutes of new material including a restored 1956 film about the subway, a montage on Car 60, the only surviving passenger car, an interview with eighty-seven year old Don Espenmiller, one of the last men to work on the subway, and a "Phantom Run" through the abandoned Broad Street tunnel.

The DVD will be shown as a feature length presentation on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Irondequoit High School's main auditorium as part of Rochester AudioVisual Association's fiftieth anniversary. The event is free and open to the public.

For further information contact Animatus Studio at 232-1740.

Website:
http://animatusstudio.com/subway

Press kit:
http://www.animatusstudio.com/subway/images/endofthelinekit.pdf

Pre-order "The End of the Line" DVD

2005-10-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

ROCHESTER SUBWAY DVD AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Rail fans rejoice! "The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" is now available for pre-order through the Animatus Studio website and Amazon.com. To purchase this special edition DVD for only $29.95, visit http://animatusstudio.com/subway

Animatus Studio has remastered the original documentary (previously only available on VHS) and included 45 minutes of new features.

=====================================

THREE ALL NEW FEATURETTES

* The Steel Wheel
Experience a round trip ride on the subway as it existed in the 1950s.

* Prodigal Son - Rochester Car 60
Video of the subway's last surviving passenger car and an all new interview with one of the last motormen.

* Motherless Child - Remnants of the Subway
A look at the subway as it exists today. Includes a "phantom run" through the abandoned Broad Street tunnel.

PHOTO ARCHIVE
A library of 150 still images.

CLOSED CAPTIONING

CHAPTER SELECTION

OUTTAKES

SUBWAY MAP INSERT

=====================================

"The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" tells the little known story of the rail line that operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its abandonment in 1956. Produced in 1994 by filmmakers Fredrick Armstrong and James P. Harte, the forty-five minute documentary recounts the tale of an American city's bumpy ride through the Twentieth Century, from the perspective of a little engine that could, but didn't.

Billed as the story of the smallest city in America to build and abandon a subway, "The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" originally aired on PBS and The History Channel. It earned a Bronze Telly Award and was voted Best of the Fest at The Rochester Independent Film Festival. For twelve years it has taught young and old the history of New York's third largest city.

"This was a very important production for us," says Armstrong, owner of Animatus Studio and The Animation Workshop. Since making "The End of the Line," I've received letters from customers all over the world telling me how much they enjoyed watching it. I grew up in Rochester and rode the subway when I was about four years old. I could hardly remember it. This project helped me recall an important part of who we are and where we're from. The letters are great because I know the film does the same thing for other people, even those who have never been here. Maybe that's because our experience is similar in some ways to that of other cities."

A transplant from New York City, Harte says, "Our job was to document the history of a subway, but we wanted to do more than that. We saw that the history of the subway paralleled the history of Rochester in the Twentieth Century. That gave us the opportunity to tell the story of a city using the subway as a vehicle. It was great for me because I'd just moved here a year or two before. The subway has a certain sadness to it, but I didn't want that to be the whole story. This place has a lot of heart and guts too. The greatest satisfaction I've had is hearing young people tell how it makes them appreciate what Rochester was and what it could be. I think it makes them proud. I know it does for me."

Collaborating on the Special Edition of "The End of the Line" are Mike Boas and Dave Puls of Animatus Studio and cinematographer Timothy Brown. Providing music are world-renowned composer Philip C. Carli and Rochester's traditional music duo, The Dady Brothers.

Animatus Studio has been operating in Rochester, NY since 1989. The studio specializes in traditional animation for film and video, but also handles web animation, 3D and 2D graphics, and video editing.

Animatus News, September 2005

2005-09-22T21:35:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Animatus! Here's the latest news concerning
our workshops and current projects. (Scroll down for the Subway
DVD update!)

=============================================

OCTOBER ANIMATION WORKSHOPS ARE FILLING UP

If you're thinking of attending our classes beginning Saturday,
October 8, sign up now while spots are still available! We expect
these sessions to SELL OUT, so don't delay.

The Animation Workshop
Fall 2005
Saturdays (choose morning or afternoon)
October 8, 15, 22 & 29

Got questions? Call 585-232-3949 for more info. Or visit our website
at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops to sign up online or print
out a form.

=============================================

ROCHESTER ANIMATION EVENT:
DON HERTZFELDT AT THE GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE

Don't miss the Bitter Films Retrospective this Saturday! The George
Eastman House is bringing independent animator Don Hertzfeldt to
town for a night of films and commentary.

SEPTEMBER 24 SAT. 8 p.m.
Don Hertzfeldt in person! A Bitter Films Retrospective
(program running time approx. 105 min.)

Over the last ten years, a loyal cult following has developed over the
uproariously funny short films of independent American animator
Don Hertzfeldt. Using deceptively simple stick figure protagonists
and brilliant comic timing, Hertzfeldt’s hand-drawn cartoons can
keep an audience in stitches while simultaneously investigating
surrealist and existentialist philosophies. An artist in the great
tradition of Chuck Jones and Tex Avery, Hertzfeldt will be with us
in person as we present this complete retrospective of work
produced at his Bitter Films Studio, including AH, L’AMOUR
(1995), GENRE (1996), LILY AND JIM (1997), BILLY’S
BALLOON (1998), the Oscar-nominated REJECTED (2000),
THE MEANING OF LIFE (2005) and more.

Tickets: $8, $6 members and students.
Advance tickets will be made available in September.
No Take-10 tickets or passes.

George Eastman House
900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
www.eastmanhouse.org
(585) 271-3361

For more about Don and his films, visit his excellent website at
http://bitterfilms.com

=============================================

SUBWAY DVD PULLING INTO THE STATION

We are in the last stages of authoring on our special edition DVD
of THE END OF THE LINE - ROCHESTER'S SUBWAY.
We are making the last tweaks and planning to send materials
off to press next week. The projected release date is October 18th.

The End of the Line tells the little known story of the rail line that
operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its
abandonment in 1956.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
# Over one hundred and fifty photographs
# Artifacts of the subway
# A period motion picture and soundtrack
# Original artwork
# Video of the subway's last surviving passenger car and one
of the last men to operate it
# Unique footage of the subway's doomed remnants

Expect another update when we're ready to accept pre-orders!

Find out more at http://www.animatusstudio.com/subway

=============================================

NEW FRESH TOONES SCREENINGS

PARALLEL WORLDS, the latest Fresh Toone from Dave Puls,
continues to gain festival attention.

Synopsis:

The abuse of the Iraqi prisioners by American soldiers moved
filmmaker Dave Puls to reexamine his own memories of working at a
New York State Mental Hospital in the early 1970's. For all the
scandalous imagery involved the film ends by assuring the
viewer that such abuses can be diminished by two important
measures, now practiced in the New York State Psychiatric Centers.

Here are three upcoming screenings:

Eureka! International Film Festival New York City, October 2005
http://eurekaiff.com/

Vermont International Film Fest Burlington, VT, October 2005
http://www.vtiff.org/viff_films.html

The Education Channel Tampa, Florida
http://www.educationchannel.org

Rochester Subway Documentary DVD

2005-07-29T21:34:00.000-04:00

http://www.animatusstudio.com/subway

Rochester Subway Documentary to be released on Special Edition DVD

Rochester, New York's SubwayThe definitive history of Rochester, New York's subway will soon be available on DVD. "The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" tells the little known story of the rail line that operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its abandonment in 1956. Produced in 1994 by filmmakers Fredrick Armstrong and James P. Harte, the forty-five minute documentary recounts the tale of an American city's bumpy ride through the Twentieth Century, from the perspective of a little engine that could, but didn't.

Billed as the story of the smallest city in America to build and abandon a subway, "The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" originally aired on PBS and The History Channel. It earned a Bronze Telly Award and was voted Best of the Fest at The Rochester Independent Film Festival. For twelve years it has taught young and old the history of New York's third largest city.

Now that Rochester has made the controversial decision to bury its experiment with rapid transit, Armstrong and Harte have decided to re-master "The End of the Line" for DVD. This Special Edition will contain forty-five minutes of extra features including:

• Over one hundred and fifty archival photographs
• Artifacts of the subway
• A period motion picture and soundtrack
• Original artwork
• Video of the subway's last surviving passenger car and one of the last men to operate it
• Unique footage of the subway's doomed remnants

This last feature stands out as the only safe and legal way to tour the subway's Broad Street tunnel before it is filled with dirt next winter.

"This was a very important production for us," says Armstrong, owner of Animatus Studio and The Animation Workshop. Since making "The End of the Line," I've received letters from customers all over the world telling me how much they enjoyed watching it. I grew up in Rochester and rode the subway when I was about four years old. I could hardly remember it. This project helped me recall an important part of who we are and where we're from. The letters are great because I know the film does the same thing for other people, even those who have never been here. Maybe that's because our experience is similar in some ways to that of other cities."

A transplant from New York City, Harte says, "Our job was to document the history of a subway, but we wanted to do more than that. We saw that the history of the subway paralleled the history of Rochester in the Twentieth Century. That gave us the opportunity to tell the story of a city using the subway as a vehicle. It was great for me because I'd just moved here a year or two before. The subway has a certain sadness to it, but I didn't want that to be the whole story. This place has a lot of heart and guts too. The greatest satisfaction I've had is hearing young people tell how it makes them appreciate what Rochester was and what it could be. I think it makes them proud. I know it does for me."

Collaborating on the Special Edition of "The End of the Line" are Mike Boas and Dave Puls of Animatus Studio and cinematographer Tim Brown. Providing music are world-renowned composer Phil Carli and Rochester's traditional music duo, The Dady Brothers.

Animatus expects to have the new DVD available for purchase by mid-September, before the scheduled fill-in of the subway's Broad Street tunnel. The price will be $29.95.

Animatus Studio has been operating in Rochester, NY since 1989. The studio specializes in traditional animation for film and video, but also handles web animation, 3D and 2D graphics, and video editing.

PRESS CONTACT: Fred Armstrong, Animatus Studio
PHONE: (585) 232-1740
FAX: (585) 232-3949
EMAIL: fred(AT)animatusstudio.com
WEB: http://www.animatusstudio.com/subway

"Visual Words" to screen at Maine Int'l Film Fest

2005-06-30T21:33:00.001-04:00

Dave Puls acted as animator on Bob Barancik's latest video project,
"Visual Words." The piece will play in July at the Maine International
Film Festival.

"Visual Words" is an experimental piece inspired by world events. It
combines motion graphics by Puls with poetry and art by Barancik to
present a daring emotional experience.

See some samples from the project at:
http://www.artnothate.com/gallery/VisualWords/index.htm

Visit the Maine Int'l Film Fest site at: http://www.miff.org

Summer Animation Workshops are filling up

2005-06-30T21:33:00.000-04:00

Fish for New Ideas! Hike The Hills of Animation! Challenge the Wild
Waters of Creativity!

We expect these sessions to SELL OUT in the next week or two, so
reserve your spot soon!

The summer animation camp at Animatus is a rare opportunity to work
in a professional animation studio. We invite students young and old
to join us this August to learn the basics of hand-drawn, clay, and
cut-out animation. If you've attended in the past, why not come back
for intermediate or studio production level classes?

Choose to attend Wednesdays OR Thursdays. Classes run from
9:30 AM to 3:00 PM (bring a lunch). PRICE: $88.00 per week. Sign up
for all four weeks and get a 20% discount, for a total of $284.

WEDNESDAYS: August 3, 10, 17 & 24

THURSDAYS: August 4, 11, 18 & 25

Got questions? Call 585-232-3949 for more info. Or visit our website
at http://animatusstudio.com/workshops to sign up online or print
out a form.

StickBoxing by Eric Foote

2005-05-26T21:32:00.000-04:00

Animation Workshop student Eric Foote has completed his epic story of Stick Figures who take their fight on the road.

Check out the Flash animated StickBoxing at Stick Figure Death Theatre.

At 6 minutes 15 seconds, it's one of the longest pieces ever done in our workshops... and darn funny, too! Be sure to give it a high rating!

PARALLEL WORLDS screenings

2005-04-25T21:30:00.000-04:00

PARALLEL WORLDS, the latest Fresh Toone from Dave Puls,
is making the rounds on the festival circuit.

Synopsis:

The abuse of the Iraqi prisioners by American soldiers moved
filmmaker Dave Puls to reexamine his own memories of working at a
New York State Mental Hospital in the early 1970's. For all the
scandalous imagery involved the film ends by assuring the
viewer that such abuses can be diminished by two important
measures, now practiced in the New York State Psychiatric Centers.

Here are three upcoming screenings:

----------------------------------------------------------------------

THE ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL
at the Egyptian Theater
Hollywood, California
Saturday April 23
http://www.artivistfilmfestival.org/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

THE EMERGING FILMMAKERS SERIES
The Little Theatre
240 East Avenue Rochester, NY
http://little-theatre.com/

MONDAY, APRIL 25
9:15 PM
Tickets are $5 and available at the door

If you'd like to get on the guest list, Dave has a limited number of
comp tickets available. Call Dave Puls at 585-232-3949

----------------------------------------------------------------------

ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
"MOVIES ON A SHOESTRING"
Friday evening, May 6
Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman House
8:00 PM
Free admission!
http://www.rochesterfilmfest.org/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

For more about FRESH TOONES, vist
http://animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

Dave Puls interviewed for The Humanist Perspective

2005-02-03T21:28:00.001-05:00

DAVE PULS INTERVIEWED FOR THE HUMANIST PERSPECTIVE

The Humanist Perspective, a half hour public access TV show based
out of Buffalo, recorded a segment with animator Dave Puls this past
week. Dave discussed his inspirations behind the latest Fresh Toones.

The show airs on more than a dozen stations across the nation,
including Rochester's RCTV, Cable Channel 15. Check the Secular
Humanism website for a complete station listing:
http://www.secularhumanism.org/media/tv.htm

The segment with Dave will be appearing in the next several weeks,
so check it out!

The Humanist Perspective
Rochester RCTV, Cable Channel 15
Sundays, 11 a.m., and Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

Shoestring Screening of 2 Fresh Toones

2005-02-03T21:28:00.000-05:00

MOVIES ON A SHOESTRING "BEST OF THE FEST" ANIMATION SCREENING

Join us this Friday night at the Eastman House for screenings of SAL
MONELLA'S DELI and THE SECRET LIFE OF LITTLE RICKY, plus many more
greats!

The Rochester International Film Festival (aka Movies on a Shoestring)
will be presenting a showcase of animated shorts from past festivals,
including two Fresh Toones by Dave Puls and THE ANIMATED STAR SPANGLED
BANNER, directed by Skip Battaglia. Also playing will be THE WALRUS
AND THE CARPENTER, THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, FAST FOOD MATADOR,
and THE DIRDY BIRDY. Admission is free, so we hope to see you there!

---------
Movies on a Shoestring
The Best of the Fest

8pm Friday, February 4, 2005
Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House
900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

A special show of over 20 favorite animated films from previous
festivals.

Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.
---------

For more info about the festival, visit
http://www.rochesterfilmfest.org/

For more about Fresh Toones, visit
http://www.animatusstudio.com/freshtoones

Holiday Card from Animatus

2004-12-09T21:27:00.000-05:00

Click here for a special animated Season's Greetings card from Animatus!

Jack Garner reviews It Came From Animatus!

2004-12-02T21:23:00.000-05:00

Gannett film critic Jack Garner gave us a great write-up in today's Democrat & Chronicle. Both "It Came From Animatus" and "Skip's Pix" are available through the Animatus Store.

From DemocratAndChronicle.com

quote:

Cartoon fans can enjoy clever homegrown fun
Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle columnist

(December 2, 2004) — Animation from some of Rochester's most experienced filmmakers — Fred Armstrong, David Puls and the gang at Animatus Studios, and Rochester Institute of Technology professor Skip Battaglia — is now available on DVD, just in time for the holidays.

It Came From Animatus and Skip's Pix are in local shops and on the Internet. The two packages form a yin and yang of contemporary animation. It Came From Animatus offers rude, crude and brightly colored fun, while Skip's Pix displays intellectual, esoteric and deeply philosophical works. (However, neither is particularly designed for young children. We're not talking Disney here.)

It Came From Animatus ($19.95) showcases the three most prominent series of films from the Winthrop Street studio — three Derf the Viking shorts, two Su & Mo cartoons and seven Fresh Toones, which are short shorts, set to music, and among the most polished of the Animatus works.

Derf the Viking is the creation of studio founder and producer, Fred Armstrong. Derf is a likable if lazy fellow, a blend of Hagar the Horrible and Homer Simpson, as if reimagined by R. Crumb, and with a relentless determination to get into trouble that echoes the Road Runner. (Derf is Fred spelled backwards, and the Animatus crew says he bears more than a passing resemblance to Armstrong.)

Derf stars in three adventures, centered on rabid pursuit of food and booze and featuring a lot of the scatological humor and silliness that are staples of Farrelly brothers' movies. The 'toons are colorful and often clever. They combine crude homespun qualities with surprising sophistication, blending hand-drawn and computer animation styles.

Su & Mo are sumo wrestlers who double as Chippendale dancers in two gross-out cartoons, made in a purposely simplistic South Park cutout style.

My favorite Animatus films, though, are found among the Fresh Toones, especially True Believer, a brilliant, four-minute political satire about the danger of obsessive tyrants on the far right and far left throughout history.

Armstrong, Puls and head animator Mike Boas often work with students at Animatus, which shows in the informative and amusing commentary they contribute to one of the Derf 'toons.

Skip's Pix ($24.95) offers the eight key shorts from Battaglia's 24-year career, starting with his much-praised, award-winning Boccioni's Bike, a fast-paced study of acceleration as glimpsed through fragments of swift-moving, lightly sketched images.

Battaglia's works are experimental, often surrealistic and highly original. Parataxis (1980), for example, was the first film ever made with a Xerox machine, and Geologic Time (1989) details our globe's evolution in a stunningly minimalist and expressionist way.

My favorite from among the eight films remains How the Frog's Eye Sees (1984), which gives us a few minutes in a pond with an amphibian, as seen through his highly limited eyes, which only pick up sketchy echoes of movement.

Battaglia demonstrates his professorial style with instructive commentary options on each of the eight films.

Local DVD 'toons
Titles: It Came From Animatus and Skip's Pix.

Filmmakers: David Puls, Fred Armstrong and Skip Battaglia.

Available: At several area DVD, comic book and music outlets, and at the Animatus Web site.

Online: animatusstudio.com and www.rit.edu/~cfbpph.

Jack's ratings:
With 10 as a must-see, It Came From Animatus rates 7
With 10 as a must-see, Skip's Pix rates 9

==========================

More write-ups of IT CAME FROM ANIMATUS:

January Workshops - Only Mornings Left!

2004-11-30T21:21:00.000-05:00

Our Saturday afternoon workshops are SOLD OUT!

If you're thinking about taking classes in January, call today to secure your slot in the morning workshops.

Winter 2005
Saturday Mornings, 9am - Noon
January 8, 15, 22 & 29

Visit the Animation Workshop website at http://www.animatusstudio.com/workshops to print out a form or pay online using Paypal.

Video to DVD Transfers offered at Animatus

2004-11-30T21:20:00.000-05:00

Film and Video Transfer to DVD

Family Events

Transfer your home movies, anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, and vacations.

Business Documentation

Convert sales and business presentations, trade shows, building construction, and conferences.

Convert your old video tapes to DVD. Video formats include VHS, 8mm, Hi-8, S-VHS, and Mini-DV.

NOTE:
The quality of video to DVD recordings is based on the quality of your original material. If your original is a VHS or 8mm tape, then you will get VHS or 8mm quality. If your original is from a HI-8, S-VHS or Mini DV, you will get better resolution video & digital quality sound.

=======================

Prices start at $20.00

Up to 2 hours transferred to DVD from a single tape.

Includes:

Video transfer to DVD

One indexed title of your program

B&W label with title

DVD Case

Additional copies $15.00 each

=======================

Multiple Tape Conversion to DVD $39.99

Up to 2 hours transferred to DVD from combined multiple tapes.

Includes:

Video transfer to DVD

One indexed title of your program

Label with title

DVD Case

Additional copies $15.00 each

=======================

Custom DVD Production

Starts at $50.00 per hour.

If a simple video transfer is not exactly what you looking for, we may make a custom, feature rich DVD for you.

You might consider:

Start menu (still)

Time markers (chapters)

Slideshows (from flash or memory cards)

We also offer editing to your source material before recording it on DVD.

You may want to:

Merge or split video fragments

Cut out unwanted sequences

Add scene transitions

Add special effects

Replace or edit soundtrack

Other extras include:

Menus with background music ($20)

Printed DVD label in color ($10)

Color DVD case insert with title and/or artwork ($35)

Color Insert (inside) using Glossy paper ($20)

Chapters ($5 per)

=======================

Film to Video Transfers Also Available!

Animatus Studio also offers 16mm, Regular 8 & Super 8 film conversion to video and DVD.

Rates

8mm: 12¢ a foot

Super 8: 12¢ a foot

16mm: 12¢ a foot

Minimum transfer charge: $15.00

After the transfer from film, DVD rates of $20.00 per disc apply.

High Falls review at Radford Reviews

2004-11-30T19:12:00.000-05:00

Friend of the studio Ben Radford had some nice things to say about the High Falls Film Festival, Angela's seminar, and Animatus. Here's an excerpt from his website:

quote:
The seminar that drew the largest crowd was by lesser-known (but not lesser talented) 3-D animator Angela Eliasz. Eliasz was a hometown girl who began at Rochester’s own Animatus Animation Studio. The talk was introduced by Fred Armstrong, head of Animatus. Eliasz showed clips from her work on film such as The Haunted Mansion, Stuart Little 2, and Final Fantasy. She discussed computer animation techniques and new advances in the field, as well as the days or weeks of painstaking effort that goes into mere seconds on the screen. (I also took an introductory animation class at Animatus in 2003; the studio is amazing, brimming with animation and cartoon figurines, cels, equipment, movie posters, and strange gadgets that could just as easily be medieval kitchen utensils as animation tools. Animatus Studios can be reached at www.animatusstudio.com, or phone 585-232-1740.)

Read the entire article at http://www.radfordreviews.com/rr.html

Next Step Magazine Interview with Fred Armstrong

2004-11-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

Here's an email interview that Fred did for Next Step Magazine a while back, concerning careers in animation. I just happened upon the link through a Google search...

quote:
NSM: What kind of education do students need to go into animation?
Fred Armstrong: A basic background in drawing helps, even if you are going into 3-D animation. A degree in animation helps, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get it from an art school.

NSM: What skills should high school students practice to succeed in animation?
FA: Art classes, English (if you plan on writing your own stories), computer skills, math (for timing, exposure sheets and much more) and, last but not least, people skills for communicating ideas and understanding directions.

NSM: Where do animators work?
FA: Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks and ILM are the main companies on the West Coast. There are quite a few smaller companies as well. The West Coast is where the majority of animation is made, but there are a lot of smaller companies throughout larger cities in the U.S. that have 2-D and 3-D animation studios.

NSM: What’s the biggest challenge in animation?
FA: Getting your foot in the door somewhere to get the experience you need. In my case, it’s bringing in good high-paying commercial jobs into my studio.

NSM: Do cartoonists write their own story boards, or is that left to someone else?
FA: Some do and some don’t. It depends on the artist and the company they work for.

NSM: What’s your advice to high school students looking to pursue animation?
FA: Try creating some animation and see if you like it. It can be very labor-intensive and quite tedious. It can also be quite technically challenging. That said, it can be a very gratifying field. There are not too many jobs out there where you can get paid to bring things to life with a pencil or computer.

Animatus Avatars now Available

2004-11-12T18:57:00.000-05:00

Need an avatar for your message board or instant messaging identity? Now you can use Animatus characters to express yourself!

We've got Derf, Matty, Thor, Odinn, Freya, Loki, and Hanna:

Not to mention Su, Mo, Granny, Rico, Crazy Girl, and Punky Boy:

And who could resist the Fresh Toones worms, Dave, Fred, Semore Wantmore, or Sal Monelli?

Visit the It Came From Animatus pics page for smaller (65 pixel) ones.

DRYDEN EVENT: Dreamland Faces Animation & Music

2004-11-11T18:54:00.000-05:00

Can't get enough animation? Here's an upcoming screening at the Dryden Theater...

DREAMLAND FACES present PIONEERS OF ANIMATION

This fun-filled 90-minute program for all audiences will feature some of the most inventive, entertaining, and influential American cartoons from the silent era, featuring: Felix the Cat, Bobby Bumps (and his Goatmobile), Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and very early puppet animation.

Here's what will be screening:
SCALING THE ALPS (Paul Terry and Mannie Davis, US 1923
DOMESTIC DIFFICULTIES (Bud Fisher, US 1916)
WEARY WILLIES (I. Freleng and Walter Lantz, US 1929)
TRAPPED (Max Fleischer, US 1921)
BREATH OF A NATION (Gregory La Cava, US 1919)
FELIX THE CAT FLIRTS WITH FATE (Otto Messmer, US 1926)
FELIX THE CAT TRIPS THROUGH TOYLAND (Otto Messmer, US 1925)
PRISCILLA AND THE PESKY FLY (W. D’Artigue Hopkins, US 1916)
THE OLD FAMILY TOOTHBRUSH (Sering D. Wilson, US 1925)
BOBBY BUMPS AND HIS GOATMOBILE (Earl Hurd, US 1916)
plus early Disney and a few surprises!

Rochester natives Dreamland Faces, featuring Karen Majewicz on accordion & Andy McCormick on musical saw, will provide spellbindingly unusual accompaniment.

Tuesday, November 16, 8:00 PM
Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House, 900 East Ave.
Tickets: $6, $5 students, $4 members

HFFF Animation Workshop Screenings

2004-11-11T18:51:00.000-05:00

The High Falls Animation Workshop was a great success. This year's piece is entitled THANKS TO THE FOLKS WHO LED THE WAY, and it pays tribute to four icons of women's history: Madame Curie, Amelia Earhart, Mother Teresa, and Wangari Maathai.

Nine girls (ages 10-13) from Rochester's Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School worked with the Animation Workshop to produce this piece, set to music by Dave Puls.

There are two chances to see the children's animation...

CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: SHORTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Saturday, November 13 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
The Little Theatre, 240 East Avenue
Tickets: $6.00
Find out more at
HighFallsFilmFest.com

And also as part of the Saturday Gala Screening:
GALA AWARDS PRESENTATION AND FILM SCREENING - OFF THE MAP
Saturday, November 13, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $20.00
The Dryden Theatre, 900 East Avenue

=====================

Rochester's Channel Ten broadcast a news item about the festival workshop. Follow the link to watch the Quicktime video.

Animation Workshop Website Make-Over

2004-11-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

Jeepers! The Animation Workshops never looked so good!

Those workshop pages were getting pretty crowded with stuff. Now we have a new layout that hopefully helps to describe the classes a little better. All the student work has been grouped together for fun downloading, too.

Keep in mind that our January session usually sells out! Sign up now to ensure your slot. Makes a great Holiday gift!

Check out the Animation Workshop Website at http://www.animatusstudio.com/workshops

3D Animation Seminar at High Falls Film Fest

2004-10-28T18:48:00.000-04:00

Animatus Studio & the High Falls Film Festival Present
Angela Eliasz
3D Animation Technical & Lighting Director
From Rochester to HARRY POTTER, THE MATRIX and SPIDERMAN:
A Conversation With 3-D Animator Angela Eliasz
Sunday, November 14, 11 am, Dryden Theatre
George Eastman House, 900 East Ave, Rochester

For this seminar, Angela will screen a variety of clips and give an overview of her career as a senior technical and lighting director in Hollywood. Angela will discuss how she got her start in animation, the complexities of her job, and what it is like to work in the 3D animation world, which until recently was staffed mainly by men.

Join us for an interesting look at one woman’s lifework through the world of 3D animation in feature films. See how the high tech world of special effects and animation are changing the way films are made today.

Tickets for the seminar are $7.00. Only $5.00 with Student ID.
Available at the door (first-come first-served) or in advance from all Wegmans locations.

Angela Eliasz, a native of Rochester, graduated from SUNY Oswego in 1993 with degrees in Graphic Arts and International Marketing. Beginning in 1994, Angela spent three years at Animatus Studio learning the fundamentals of 2D hand drawn animation. It was during this time she was introduced to the use of computers in aiding the process of commercial and industrial animation.

In 1997 she was one of thirteen international students to be accepted for postgraduate work in 3D animation at Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada. After completing her course of study, she eventually landed a job at Square Pictures in Hawaii. There, Angela worked on Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, the first 3D feature film to provide photo-realistic and visually convincing human characters.

Soon after, Angela moved from being a 3D lighting technician at Square to a technical and lighting director for Sony Pictures Imageworks. She has since worked on major motion pictures such as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Stuart Little 2, The Matrix: Reloaded, The Haunted Mansion, and Spider-Man 2.

She is currently working on Sony Pictures Digital's new animated feature Open Season a buddy film about a 600 pound domesticated Grizzly bear named Boog (voiced by Martin Lawrence) and Eliot, a scrawny a one-horned mule deer (voiced by Ashton Kutcher), stranded together in the woods during hunting season.

For more information, visit www.AnimatusStudio.com/highfalls or www.highfallsfilmfest.com

Ottawa Animation Fest Report

2004-09-28T18:47:00.000-04:00

A good time was had by all at this year's Ottawa International Animation Festival. Sure, there was some trouble at the border, but we should be used to that by now. We enjoyed talking to old friends and making plenty of new ones. And the weather? Best ever.

The best night of competition had to be Friday night, with shorts like Fast Film, Ward 13, and Ryan.

Saturday's competition was doom and gloom, but I think we made up for it with our screenings of True Believer, Sharks in the Water, and Su & Mo: Lost in Animation at the Nelvana/Chez Ani party. Not to mention a political cartoon that our friend Bob Lyons worked on, Schlock and Awe.

Some more of our favorites from the week:
Brother, Can You Spare a Job?
Interception
Mr. Reaper's Really Bad Morning
The Shining in 30 Seconds Re-enacted by Bunnies
Intolerence part III
Hair High

We'll be posting festival pictures here soon...

==========================

The life of the picnic: Pilar Newton and Fred W. Armstrong

Mike explains the meaning of life. Dave wonders why Mike has "Duck Lips."

Plenty O' Pumkins

A sure sign of the apocalypse: an army of Chris Robinson clones descending upon the picnic.

Skip knows more than you do.

Pilar has an idea...

Take the picture before we break the bed!

Pilar and Martine played the blues so loud, they should have been arrested.

Bob and Fred disagree on who's the prettiest.

Kia contemplates the death of a pumpkin.

Hey look! It's the OIAF logo in vegetable form!

Photoshop is a wonderful thing.

"It Came From Animatus" DVD Collection

2004-08-20T18:46:00.001-04:00

Here's a sneak peak at our cover pic. More info coming soon!

=====================
Aug 30, 2004

Our DVD website is now online!
Check it out at http://www.animatusstudio.com/dvd

Ogle these specs, why don't you?

Derf the Viking
* The Scent of Valhalla
* The Quest for Happy Hour
* The Search for the Great White Ale

Fresh Toones
* Fresh Toones Theme
* Sal Monella's Deli
* Things
* Self-Employed
* Ridin' This Train
* True Believer
* Sharks in the Water

Su & Mo! The Lap-Dancing Bad Boys of Animation
* A Night at Club Hippendale's (Episodes 1 and 2 combined)
* Lost in Animation (Episode 3)

EXTRAS
* Filmmakers' Commentary on "The Search for the Great White Ale"
* Alternate Scenes
* Pencil Tests
* Storyboard Comparison
* "Derf in 3D" Featurette
* "Derf's Principles to Live By" Featurette
* Collectible Booklet with Character Info and Song Lyrics

We're now accepting orders, too! What are you waiting for? For the low low price of $19.95, you can get all the Zany cartoons listed above, and not gain a pound! That's right, our cartoons are LOW CARB! How cool is that?

Buy your copy at http://animatusstudio.com/store/video.html

======================
Sep 13, 2004

TRAILER NOW ONLINE!

Also, for a limited time, visitors to our website (and our studio in Rochester) can buy their copy at the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL price of $15.95. That's 20% off the regular price. Don't miss your chance to save!

Buy your copy through the Animatus Store.

TRUE BELIEVER screening at Repugnican Convention

2004-08-20T18:46:00.000-04:00

Dave Puls' "True Believer" will screen at the Repugnican Short Film Convention in September. Also playing will be other great political cartoons such as Jib Jab's "This Land."

Check out the site at
http://www.filmblitz.org/

SHARKS IN THE WATER screenings

2004-07-19T18:45:00.000-04:00

We're pleased to announce several new screenings for Dave Puls' "Sharks in the Water."

Maine International Film Festival
July 9-18
Waterville, ME
http://www.miff.org/

Boston Political Film Festival
July 22-29
Boston, MA
http://www.localsightings.com/

DC Shorts
September 10-12
Washington, DC
http://www.dcshorts.com/

The Education Channel in Tampa, Florida will be screening both "True Believer" and "Sharks in the Water." Visit their website here: http://www.educationchannel.org/

============================
Aug 30, 2004

"Sharks" will be screening at the Red Bank International Film Festival in October. Their site hasn't been updated for 2004 yet, but I'm sure it will be soon.
http://www.rbiff.org

Vote for "Sharks" at the Toronto Online Film Festival site! From September 6-11, they'll be taking votes for which films will be shown on the big screen in Toronto.

Visit
http://www.torontoonlinefilmfestival.com

========================
Oct 28, 2004

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Emerging Filmmakers series at the Little Theatre Monday!

I haven't posted the latest screenings here in a while, but here's a list of venues to date:

• Slamdance.com
• Boston Underground Film Festival May 2004
• San Antonio Underground Film Festival June 2004
• Maine International Film Festival July 2004
• Boston Political Film Festival July 2004
• DC Shorts September 2004
• Berkeley Video and Film Festival September 2004, "Best of the Fest" award
• The Education Channel Tampa, Florida
• Ohio Independent Film Festival Cleveland, November 12, 2004
• Red Bank International Film Festival New Jersey October 8-10 2004
• Toronto Online Film Festival Fall 2004
• Emerging Filmmakers at The Little Theatre October 25 9:30 PM

For all the latest info, visit the Animatus / Fresh Toones pages

Arrr! A Night of Shorts at the Montage Grille!

2004-06-17T18:44:00.000-04:00

Join us this Sunday for EGGMARK IV, a night of short films at the Monage Grille in Rochester.

This will be the premiere screening for "Su & Mo: Lost in Animation" as well as the latest Fresh Toone, "Sharks in the Water."

From Matt Ehlers at Eggwork Productions comes "Who's Your Daddy" and his latest, "Hole in the Wall."

But that's not all! Also screening will be, "The Lazy Assassin," "Finding Hermann," and John Vincent's "Mind Rip" short film.

Eggmark IV
Sunday, June 20
Montage Grille, 50 Chestnut Street
7 P.M.
Free Admission (Donations accepted)
Free Prizes for the first 50 people!

For more info, visit http://www.eggwork.com

Check out the Su & Mo trailer at http://www.animatusstudio.com/sumo/episode3.html

Su & Mo Press Release

2004-05-26T18:43:00.000-04:00

For Immediate Release

Rochester, NY

INDEPENDENT CARTOON POKES FUN AT THE FILM FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

Rochester's Animatus Studio has completed work on their latest short, "Su and Mo: Lost in Animation." The cartoon tells the story of Su and Mo, the world's only lap-dancing wrestler/animators. Dancing at "Club Hippendale's" has finally provided the boys with enough tip money to fund their independent film. After a turbulent production period, they journey to their native Japan for a premiere screening at the Tokyo Jokio film festival. Hilarity ensues!

The twelve and a half minute "Lost in Animation" is currently being submitted to festivals around the world. A trailer can be viewed online at http://www.animatusstudio.com/sumo

THE (WIDE) BIRTH OF SU AND MO

The story of Su and Mo began with a trip to a film festival. "Several things went wrong on that trip. We had trouble at customs. One of our animators had a film in the festival -- his picture in the program was printed upside down. We were subjected to an actual autopsy film at one of the screenings," relates Fred Armstrong, co-director of "Lost in Animation" and owner of Animatus Studio. It wasn't a bad festival experience, but the mishaps were odd enough to inspire Fred and the other creators, Dave Puls and Bob Lyons. On the journey home, they conjured up a pair of sumo wrestler who stumble through production on an animated film and have unusual problems at a festival screening.

Why sumo wrestlers? Well, Dave and Fred are rather large in stature, so sexy sumo caricatures seemed the way to go. "We weren't out to make fun of the Japanese -- If anything, we're an equal opportunity offender," says Mike Boas, animator and co-director. "I look at it like the classic Pepé Le Pew cartoons. They're funny not because they mock the French, but because they use clichés and the faux-French language in such an obvious way. We wanted to try for that tone, especially when the boys go to the Tokio Jokio film festival."

The resulting cartoon is part satire and part celebration of the whole film festival experience. In thinking back on festival mishaps, the Animatus staff considered many moments that could inspire Su and Mo's adventures. Fred and Dave once attended a festival without buying tickets in advance... and had to resort to forging their own passes. They've had to deal with the frustration of registering, and then not being on the "list." Fred relates his worst experience: "One sham fest took a substantial entry fee and then didn't show our shorts like they were supposed to. Well, they showed them without sound while most of the audience was still waiting outside to get in, but that doesn't count for much."

Mike sees these flubs as part of life. "You can't expect even the best festivals to run without a hitch, but you're tempting fate if you try to have an outdoor screening during the rainy season." He refers to a recent screening that came to a catastrophic end when a tent burdened with rainwater collapsed, disrupting the projection system. "The thunderstorm was bad enough, but when that waterfall happened onstage, it became one for the record books."

Audience reactions also had an influence on Su and Mo's story. Fred explains: "We've seen our share of existential films that intellectual crowds seem to love. Now some are great, but sometimes there's a sense of the emperor having no clothes. People seem to like them because they're supposed to. So what if our heroes created a film that is perceived as great because of a series of errors in production and screening?"

BEHIND THE FLESH

"Su and Mo" was initially going to be cut-out animation, shot on film. At the time of its inception, the artists at Animatus were learning Macromedia Flash. Two prequel webisodes were produced: "A Night at Club Hippendale's" and "O Brother, Where Fart Thou?" set up the characters as popular exotic dancers, earning tip money to fund their films. The stop motion idea carried over into the Flash animation. "Our initial understanding of Flash suggested that we should construct characters in like paper dolls. So our character design mimics cut-out paper: seams between joints were clearly visible, etc. We used replacement heads, hands and other body parts rather than doing traditional sequential drawings," Mike explains.

By the time the studio was ready to proceed with "Lost in Animation," Fred had decided to do the piece digitally: "We had a great response to the first two episodes, and we had a staff that was familiar with Flash and After Effects. It made sense to keep the look consistent and utilize specific talents of our animators."

Mike agrees. "We knew this would be going to video and entry into festivals. Some of our artists were proficient in Flash, some in After Effects, so we combined forces to create something new. The final piece has camera moves, transitions, and raster images that wouldn't be possible to include in a standard Flash cartoon."

It couldn't look too perfect, however. Su and Mo had been established as crude characters who move in a crude, staccato fashion. To keep their movements "limited," most character animation was accomplished at 10 frames per second and then multiplied out to video's standard 30 fps. Stiff animation was a particular challenge in After Effects, which is always trying to smooth out motion.

The final result is quite satisfying. "Our version of 'limited animation' is a step above the standard definition," says Fred. "We may be working low budget, but we take great care in every frame."

The completion of "Lost in Animation" comes at a time when Animatus is actively seeking distribution for its library of cartoons. With Su and Mo and other shorts, Animatus has over 85 minutes worth of material, plus extras. An "Animatus Studio Collection" DVD release is expected in the next year.

Animatus Studio has been operating in Rochester, NY since 1989. The studio specializes in traditional animation for film and video, but also handles web animation, 3D and 2D graphics, and video editing. Other independent series produced at Animatus include the "Derf the Viking" trilogy and "Fresh Toones" from animator Dave Puls.

FILMMAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Fred Armstrong (co-director, co-writer, voice of Mo) has produced a multitude of animated commercials, industrials, and over a dozen animated cartoons. One of his first jobs in animation came as a result of an almost fatal display of inebriated fire breathing. He worked for many years as an animation cameraman in New York City before founding Animatus Studio, in Rochester. He is also founder of The Animation Workshop, which teaches the fundamentals of animation to young people.

Michael Boas (co-director, co-writer, assorted voices) earned himself an art degree from SUNY Geneseo and then went on to work in some strange places, including a toy truck factory, a garbage dump, and a radio station. He came to Animatus Studio eager to learn the craft of animation and has since become head animator and webmaster. He now knows just enough to be dangerous. Michael directed "Jason: The Rebirth," the second place winner at the 2003 ManiaFest "Friday the 13th" film contest in Santa Monica, California. He has also worked as animator on all of Animatus Studio's "Derf the Viking" shorts.

Dave Puls (co-creator, voice of Su) has been the Creative Director at Animatus Studio since 1992. He wrote and directed the three "Derf the Viking" cartoons for Animatus and has produced eight independent shorts for his series of "Fresh Toones." Voicing Su provides him with a much needed emotional release.

PRESS INFO

Contact:
Fred Armstrong
Animatus Studio
34 Winthrop Street
Rochester, NY 14607

Phone: (585) 232-1740
Fax: (585) 232-3949

Website: http://www.animatusstudio.com/sumo

"Lost in Animation" Specs:
12.5 minutes
Digital Animation
Available in Beta SP, Mini-DV, or DVD-R
Stereo Sound

==========================
May 27, 2004

Skwigly Animation Magazine has posted our story about Su and Mo at
http://www.skwigly.co.uk/magazine/articles/01-05-04/animatusstudio/sum o.asp

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Jun 3, 2004

Follow the link for the Animation World Network write-up of Su and Mo:
Su and Mo Short Skewers Festival Circuit
Rochester's Animatus Studio has completed work on its latest short, SU AND MO: LOST IN ANIMATION, a Flash animated, SOUTH PARK-style story that parodies the festival circuit.
http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=11152

From Animated-News.com:
05/29/2004: "Su and Mo poke "crude, rude and lewd" fun at the Film Festival experience"
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00001603.html

MicroCinemaScene coverage:
"Su and Mo: Lost in Animation" Completes Production
By Tim Shrum
May 28, 2004
http://www.microcinemascene.com/artman/publish/su_mo_lost.php

A nice mention of Su & Mo and Sharks over at Internet Video Magazine
http://www.internetvideomag.com/Videos/video-animation.htm

ToonZone gives us a plug:
"Su and Mo: Lost in Animation" Parodies Film Festival Experience
By Maxie Zeus
05-29-2004
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=112278

SHARKS IN THE WATER at Slamdance.com

2004-05-03T18:42:00.000-04:00

CONTROVERSIAL ANIMATION TAKES ON BUSH AND CORRUPT CEO'S

"Sharks in the Water," a film by Dave Puls, is a hard hitting and disconcerting look at the corporate corruption and political collaboration that plague the United States. It is currently available for download as a Slamdance Anarchy short at http://www.slamdance.com/anarchy/film_detail.asp?film_id=554, and will be screened at the Boston Underground Film Festival in May.

Distressed by ongoing reports of corporate corruption, Dave felt compelled to put a face to both the perpetrators and to the individuals whose lives they have disrupted.

"Such behaviors are becoming more and more an accepted part of doing business in America," says Dave. "I see a very strong similarity between these CEOs and those businessmen who worked with the Nazis. They each showed little interest in how their behaviors were affecting others and were more concerned with their own excesses."

"Sharks" began as a song, which Dave wrote and produced himself. The animation was accomplished with Adobe After Effects with a blend of hand-drawn imagery and photo collage. Dave chose to go with stock images, rather than caricatures, of public figures such as President Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and high profile CEO's. "I wanted them to be quickly recognizable to anyone who has seen these faces in the news," explains Dave.

Dave's own personal confrontation with the corporate world fueled his filmmaking. "After writing the song and working on the film for about four months it was revealed that my neighborhood was affected by a 'release' from a nearby oil storage facility. Everything was eventually resolved, but the whole experience inspired some of the imagery in 'Sharks.'"Dave is from Rochester, New York and has been the Creative Director at Animatus Studio, since 1992. He has worked on many commercials and directed the "Derf the Viking" cartoon trilogy. His independent animated shorts have been exhibited around the world from Vancouver to Monte Carlo.

Dave's first career as a counselor at the Rochester Psychiatric Hospital prepared him well for the crazy world of animation. Since 1993, he has been teaching animation at The Animation Workshop at Animatus Studio and in local schools through Young Audiences of Rochester. "I love empowering the next generation with the knowledge that they can speak out through their animation."

Dave has put together a DVD of eight of his animations, which he refers to as Fresh Toones. For more information about Dave and his Fresh Toones go to http://www.freshtoones.com or http://www.animatusstudio.com/freshtoones.

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June 3, 2004

MicroCinemaScene has posted a write-up of Sharks:
Media: "Sharks in the Water"
By Jason Santo
May 11, 2004, 07:27
http://www.microcinemascene.com/artman/publish/printer_media_sharks_in _the_water.php

There's also a nice mention of Su & Mo and Sharks over at Internet Video Magazine
http:/ /www.internetvideomag.com/Videos/video-animation.htm

Su & Mo Website gets Make-Over

2004-04-27T18:41:00.000-04:00

Go Behind the Flesh! Meat the Meat! All this and more at the new nauseating website for Su & Mo, the Lap-dancing Bad Boys of Animation!

Check out the refurbished site at: http://www.animatusstudio.com/sumo

Plus, the third Su & Mo episode is finally complete. We're in the process of entering it in festivals, and we'll have a preview of it online soon. Hoo boy!

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May 18, 2004

Get your taste of Episode III !

The trailer for Su & Mo: Lost in Animation is online now at http://www.animatusstudio.com/sumo/episode3.html in the user friendly Quicktime format.

You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll believe two large men can fly... to Tokyo.

Derf Review at FilmThreat.com

2004-02-24T18:41:00.000-05:00

"...I must admit to a certain amount of affection for the 'Derf the Viking Trilogy.' Many of the characters, especially Derf and Odinn, are truly memorable comic creations and their stories are often quite surprising and original." -- Daniel Wible, Film Threat

We're getting some great responses to Derf! Check out the latest review at http://filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=5596