Shannon Muir’s Take on the Animation World

Sorry for the short notice, but I just got word that I will have a 60 minute programming slot at Pacific Media Expo, November 9-11 at the LAX Hilton.  My panel’s currently slated to be from noon to 1 that Saturday.  More details as I have them.  You can find out more about Pacific Media Expo at: http://www.pacificmediaexpo.com.

My very first podcast is now available!  I had the great fortune to be interviewed by Samuel Vera of CATCH DA CRAZE, a show about all things independent.  Hear me talk about how I got into the animation industry, my collaborative webcomic FLYING GLORY AND THE HOUNDS OF GLORY, and my book GARDNER’S GUIDE TO WRITING AND PRODUCING ANIMATION.

http://catchdacraze.com/episode94.html

Take a listen to Sam’s part (the first section of the program).  I really like what he has to say about charity and donating your time.

So Catch Da Craze!

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held tonight a lecture and showing of four shorts (three nominated and one winner) by Canadian female animators.  It was an incredible diverse evening, from work directly to cel to paint pushed under the camera to oils/rotoscoping to traditional 2D.  The four were THE TENDER TALE OF CINDERELLA PENGUIN (directed by Janet Perlman), THE STREET (Caroline Leaf), WHEN THE DAY BREAKS (Amanda Tilby and Amanda Forbis) and THE DANISH POET (Torrill Kove).  I think my favorite of the four was THE DANISH POET. 

If you haven’t seen this, do!  I admit foreign animation is relatively new to me (at least non-Japanese ones, the only other one I’ve seen is the TRIPLETS OF BELVILLE), but this is so amazing on so many levels.  Persepolis is good story and character, and even more powerful is that it is based on a autobiographical graphic novel from one of the two people behind the film.  It follows the true story of her growing up during the overthrow of the Shah in Iran and the times forward.  I saw it in its native French in subtitles as well (and I struggle with subtitles) yet I could follow everything about it.  I don’t want to give away more save that it is one of the most incredible animated films I’ve seen this year.

I’m now in a position where I can begin offering script and concept review services again, if there’s anyone out there that’s interested. More details at my website — http://www.shannon-muir.com

I’ve disappeared from all the Amazon lists now, because being out for 3 months one’s no longer a “new release”. But I’m been pleased with the response to date.
I’d love to hear from people who have read the book, and what they think.

I’ve been invited to be one of the guest speakers at Anime Los Angeles, happening January 4-6, 2008, in Burbank, California at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. There I’ll be talking about animation writing and production, the topics discussed in my book GARDNER’S GUIDE TO WRITING AND PRODUCING ANIMATION.
My bio on the site is here:
http://www.animelosangeles.org/ala/content/view/88/42/

I’ll let you know when the official program schedule is announced so you know where to find me and what all else is happening at this convention. I look forward to meeting those of you who can come!