The hottest Animation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

When Japanese Animation Cracked the Oscars

Animation Obsessive β€’ 6099 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Influence
  1. Japanese animation made a significant impact at the Oscars when 'Spirited Away' won in 2003, marking the full acceptance of Japanese animation into Hollywood's mainstream.
  2. Koji Yamamura's film 'Mt. Head' brought Japanese independent animation into the spotlight, showcasing a unique style and storytelling approach that influenced a new generation of animators globally.
  3. The animation world mourned the passing of Akira Toriyama, a legendary manga artist known for 'Dragon Ball,' whose work has had a lasting impact on global animation and storytelling.

After Three Years, What's Left?

Animation Obsessive β€’ 10943 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Newsletter Content creation
  1. The Animation Obsessive newsletter, even after three years, remains a small team passionate about sharing accessible stories on animation.
  2. Reader support has allowed the newsletter to grow into a full-fledged career, without ads or sponsorships with companies.
  3. The team highlights the continuous thrill of learning and discovering new aspects of animation, striving to keep delivering interesting content to their audience.

'Catnapped' Is Weird and Wonderful

Animation Obsessive β€’ 4215 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Director Film Anime Character design
  1. 'Catnapped' is a unique and imaginative anime feature that is often underrated but holds a special place among fans.
  2. Director Takashi Nakamura's journey from being a core animator on 'Akira' to directing his own films like 'Catnapped' showcases his evolution as an artist with a distinct visual style.
  3. The making of 'Catnapped' involved a team of talented animators, art director, and composer who brought Nakamura's creative vision to life, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in animated filmmaking.

A Nigerian Tale on the World Stage

Animation Obsessive β€’ 4574 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Visual art Film Design
  1. The animated film 'Moremi' tells a sci-fi version of the Nigerian Moremi Ajasoro tales, using a unique mix of 2D and 3D animation.
  2. Director Shofela Coker and art director Wian van Bergen collaborated to maintain a visually rich aesthetic, blending Nigerian motifs and traditional painting techniques into the film.
  3. The film's unique visual style was achieved through a custom compositing workflow, blending 3D characters with 2D backgrounds seamlessly, along with incorporating striking neon 2D special effects.
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A Master Animator's Masterwork

Animation Obsessive β€’ 4126 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Awards Artists Technique
  1. Art Babbitt, a renowned animator, considered his best work to be an animation sequence in a lesser-known UPA cartoon called 'Grizzly Golfer'.
  2. Babbitt's animation style for the bear chase scene was a blend of Disney's fluidity and UPA's limited animation approach, showcasing his technical skill and creativity.
  3. The UPA animation style, including 'limited animation,' was a deliberate artistic choice that differed from Disney's constant motion approach, providing a unique aesthetic to animated scenes.

The Origin of a Master Painter

Animation Obsessive β€’ 5471 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Documentary Painter Director
  1. Background painter Nizo Yamamoto rose to prominence in Japanese animation industry and played a key role in iconic films.
  2. Yamamoto's journey into animation industry was filled with twists and turns, from attending vocational high school to becoming an art director.
  3. Animating for documentaries involves speed, character design, and efficient teamwork, as seen in the making of 'May the Lord Watch'.

Masterpieces on the Cheap

Animation Obsessive β€’ 7175 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Creators Storytelling Industry
  1. Animation masterpieces can be created on limited budgets, showcasing that money doesn't guarantee a great film.
  2. Artistry, vision, and talent are key to creating successful animated projects, sometimes taking risks can lead to unique and impactful films.
  3. Japanese anime industry often achieves expressive movement with small budgets, emphasizing creativity over financial resources.

The Nominee You Didn't See

Animation Obsessive β€’ 6189 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Storytelling
  1. The film 'Funny Birds' is a remarkable CΓ©sar nominee with rich realism and attention to detail.
  2. The creation of 'Funny Birds' involved deep research, natural sound recordings, and a documentary-like approach.
  3. The animation process of 'Funny Birds' focused on capturing spontaneous energy and specific performances from real-life sounds.

Animating by Candlelight

Animation Obsessive β€’ 3318 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Community Industry Filmmaking History
  1. During the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, animators faced challenges adapting to life under capitalism with reduced state funding and support.
  2. Some animators, like Yuri Norstein and Priit PΓ€rn, expressed struggles and concerns about the impact of financial censorship in the capitalist system on their artistic work.
  3. Countries like Estonia benefited from renewed state support for artists, resulting in a thriving animation community that continues to produce award-winning films.

The Art of Animated Titles

Animation Obsessive β€’ 986 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Design
  1. The post discusses the art of animated titles during the mid-century era, particularly focusing on the animated movie titles of that time.
  2. The newsletter references Saul Bass's title sequence for Bonjour Tristesse (1958) and how it inspired elements seen in modern films like Pixar's The Incredibles.
  3. There's an invitation to subscribe to the Animation Obsessive newsletter for a 7-day free trial to access more content on animated titles and their history.

The Cartoon That Inspired 'Wander'

Animation Obsessive β€’ 1255 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Influence
  1. Professor Balthazar, a cartoon series from the former Yugoslavia, inspired Craig McCracken, the creator of The Powerpuff Girls.
  2. The series ran from 1967 to 1978 and made a significant impact by influencing popular modern animations.
  3. The episode discussed in this post sheds light on the link between older cartoons and the creative inspirations of modern animators.

How an American Changed Soviet Cartoons

Animation Obsessive β€’ 717 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation History
  1. Lucille Cramer, an American, made a significant impact on Soviet cartoons in the 1930s by helping to industrialize animation in the USSR.
  2. Cramer's work in the Soviet Union led to the establishment of a lasting animation system that influenced classics like 'The Snow Queen' (1957).
  3. Cramer's journey and contributions to early Soviet animation showcase the global reach and influence of individuals in the field of entertainment.

In Flux with Robert Sahakyants

Animation Obsessive β€’ 1345 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Surrealism
  1. Robert Sahakyants was an influential animator known for his surreal, psychedelic, and stream-of-consciousness style.
  2. He was unique in the Soviet animation scene for coming from Armenia and not the more common regions like Russia or Ukraine.
  3. Sahakyants creatively employed transformations in his work to create effects that were ahead of his time before the advent of computer animation.

Learning From the Best

Animation Obsessive β€’ 1614 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation
  1. The post discusses how a master director learned from another across different cultures and languages.
  2. It highlights the meeting between Kihachiro Kawamoto and JiΕ™Γ­ Trnka in the 1960s.
  3. Kawamoto sought out Trnka in communist Czechoslovakia to learn and study at his studio.

'I Love Lilith'

Daily Dreher β€’ 1297 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Animation Streaming
  1. A new adult cartoon series called 'Hazbin Hotel' has debuted on Amazon.
  2. The show features Lilith, Queen of the Demons.
  3. Viewers are encouraged to watch the first few minutes to experience the unique visuals and sound.

An Introduction to UPA

Animation Obsessive β€’ 4664 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Design History TV Comics
  1. UPA studio revolutionized animation in the 1940s and 1950s with modern art influences and unique storytelling.
  2. The UPA animation style focused on emotion over anatomy, leading to groundbreaking visuals and storytelling.
  3. UPA's work extended beyond well-known films like Mr. Magoo, encompassing TV commercials, series, and experimental shows.

Writing 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'

Animation Obsessive β€’ 4036 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Writing News Industry Culture
  1. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends was a script-driven animated series with a personal touch from the creators.
  2. The animation news highlighted 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' success globally and updates from various countries.
  3. The writing process for animation, such as the scripting, revisions, and voice recordings, is crucial for creating successful animated series.

The Phantom Legacy of Errol Le Cain

Animation Obsessive β€’ 2780 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Visual art Anime
  1. Errol Le Cain was an influential illustrator and animator, known for his work on Richard Williams' films like The Thief and the Cobbler.
  2. He had a unique artistic process that deeply involved his personal experiences and cultural background.
  3. Animation in Africa is experiencing a significant growth, with projects like Kizazi Moto and Supa Team 4 gaining international attention.

How 'Chicken Run' Stayed Aardman

Animation Obsessive β€’ 3857 implied HN points β€’ 22 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Hollywood Character design
  1. When creating 'Chicken Run,' Aardman faced the challenge of maintaining their unique style amidst growth and Hollywood partnership.
  2. Nick Park and the Aardman team worked hard to preserve their quirky, British humor while collaborating on 'Chicken Run.'
  3. The film 'Chicken Run' is considered a successful example of balancing creative vision with external influences, retaining the essence of Aardman's work.

Four Magical Minutes from Cartoon Saloon

Animation Obsessive β€’ 3498 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Industry Visual Arts Entertainment
  1. Cartoon Saloon created a visually stunning four-minute sequence in 'On Love' within the film 'The Prophet'.
  2. The project was made possible by a Hollywood production of 'The Prophet' without a screenplay or director attached, allowing indie teams like Cartoon Saloon to participate.
  3. The success of 'On Love' paved the way for Cartoon Saloon's larger projects, including 'Wolfwalkers'.

Animating 'Almost There' from 'The Princess and the Frog'

Animation Obsessive β€’ 4215 implied HN points β€’ 10 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Collaboration International
  1. Disney's 'Almost There' sequence from 'The Princess and the Frog' stuck closely to its concept art
  2. The team behind the sequence had to experiment with a unique animation pipeline to achieve the desired look
  3. Collaboration among artists and a large team were crucial in bringing the imaginative sequence to life

A Masterwork by the Master of Mistakes

Animation Obsessive β€’ 4126 implied HN points β€’ 17 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Filmmaking Cinematography Cartoons
  1. Brigand Jurko (1977) is a unique animated film blending various genres and styles, created by director Viktor Kubal.
  2. Kubal's approach to animation focused on embracing mistakes and prioritizing content over form.
  3. The film Brigand Jurko is praised for its distinctive storytelling, blending serious themes with comedy and surreal visual elements.

'Run, Melos!' Shows the Power of Animated Realism

Animation Obsessive β€’ 3677 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Realism Anime Director
  1. 'Run, Melos!' is a buried treasure of realist anime that breaks away from cliches like high school and superpowers.
  2. The film showcases the perfection of animated realism unique to Japanese animation, creating a solid, three-dimensional world with detailed characters.
  3. The production of 'Run, Melos!' involved a team of talented animators and artists who focused on creating realistic characters, backgrounds, and storytelling.

'The Old Man and the Sea' Is a Tremendous Spectacle

Animation Obsessive β€’ 3498 implied HN points β€’ 20 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Visual Arts Cinematography Storytelling
  1. The film 'The Old Man and the Sea' is a spectacular visual experience that sticks with you.
  2. Director Alexander Petrov used a unique 'paint-on-glass' animation technique, creating a massive, enveloping spectacle.
  3. The film faced controversy for drifting from the original story, focusing more on visuals than the narrative.

'The Man Who Planted Trees' Was an Impossible Task

Animation Obsessive β€’ 3049 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Filmmaking Environmentalism Activism Influences
  1. FrΓ©dΓ©ric Back made a significant impact in animation through his film 'The Man Who Planted Trees'.
  2. The film, 'The Man Who Planted Trees,' took Back five years to make and was a labor of love that symbolized the good humans can achieve.
  3. The task of animating 'The Man Who Planted Trees' was a challenging and historic endeavor, showcasing Back's dedication and artistic brilliance.

'Quentin Tarantino Would Not Like It at All!'

Animation Obsessive β€’ 2601 implied HN points β€’ 24 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Screenwriting Visual art Music videos
  1. Screenwriting for animation is important and can influence the flow and feel of a project.
  2. Good storytelling is crucial in both live-action and animated films, but making a good animated movie is often harder due to the various elements that need to align.
  3. The indie animation scene in China is gaining recognition, with a viral music video highlighting the success of independent animators.

Using Matplotlib To Create The 50th Article Cover Mosaic Animation (#50 Part 2)

The Python Coding Stack β€’ by Stephen Gruppetta β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Programming Animation Visualization
  1. You can use Matplotlib to create animations, like a mosaic of previous article cover images, by following a step-by-step tutorial.
  2. Before starting the animation, ensure you have images ready and the necessary libraries installed like Matplotlib, NumPy, and Pillow.
  3. You can control how images are plotted, resize images in the animation frames, and save the animation as a movie file like an mp4 or an animated GIF using libraries like Matplotlib or PillowWriter.

TITAA #50: Slow Grey Mares Stuck at Exit 8

Things I Think Are Awesome β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 31 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Folklore AI Art Animation VR Poetry
  1. The post discusses the Welsh tradition of Mari Lwyd, a skeletal horse pranking people during New Year's Eve.
  2. Mari Lwyd is associated with village mummers in south Wales in the 1800s and is constructed of a horse's skull and a white sheet.
  3. The post also covers various AI art tools, including an AI animation artist called NiceAunties and AI-generated SVG from images.