Two cool shows at the PFA

The Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley has two-count’em-two fascinating programs of unusual, experimental and alternative animated films, including classic pre-psychedelia by Oskar Fischinger and new works as well. Shut off the TV and go see:

Tuesday, Sept. 1, ESSENTIAL VISUAL MUSIC; RARE CLASSICS includes: R-1 ein Formspiel (Oskar Fischinger c. 1926-33), Komposition in Blau (Fischinger, 1935), three Charles Dockum Mobilcolor films from 1952 and 1966, Muntz TV Commercial (Fischinger, 1952), Mood Contrasts (Mary Ellen Bute, 1953), Cibernetik 5.3 (John Stehura, 1960-65, screened digitally), Turn, Turn, Turn (Jud Yalkut, 1966), Single Wing Turquoise Bird Light Show Film (1971), Tanka (David Lebrun, 1976), Celebration (Jules Engel, 1978), 3 Arctic Flowers (Engel, 1978), Mobiles (Engel, 1978). 75-min, 35mm, /16mm, digital. 

Tuesday, Sept. 8 SPEECHLESS: RECENT EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION: work by Martha Colburn, Lori Hiris, Ken Jacobs, Lewis Klahr, Kerry Laitala, Scott Stark, Jim Trainor, Fae Yamaguchi (U.S., 2006–2009, 72 mins) Kerry Laitala and Lori Hiris in person Eight vibrant and haunting artist-made films represent a range of avant-garde animation, from cutout collage and puppet animation to 3-D images and chalk drawings. 

Both shows start at 7:30pm, and admission is $5.50 for members, $9.50 for adults. For directions to the Pacific Film Archive and more info about these and other programs, visit their website.  

Academy of Art Prof shows his stuff

Tony Claar has posted half a dozen amusing animations on YouTube. They are all under a minute in length.  They show off his ability to create very delightful looking, silly characters. Tony studied animation at the Zagreb Studio (Fulbright Scholarship) after studying with David Hilberman at SF State. We love him not just because he’s talented, but because he continues to champion tradititional animation (not that there’s anything wrong with that new-fangled CGI stuff. We like it all!)

Wednesday and Thursday at the Red Vic

If you haven’t already caught Nina Paley’s magnum opus, or, you wish to see it again, and again (attention Million Dollar Movie Alumni), the next showing is right here in S.F. August 26-27. If you can’t make it this time, mark your calendars—it’ll also be at the Rafael Film Center the weekend of Oct. 21-24.

Thursday, August 20 at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach!

Renowned animator Steve Segal will be conducting a two hour overview of the Art of Animation, and students will actually create a flipbook and use equipment to make an animated film. This class is $20 and includes all materials. It will start at 6:00 and go until 8:00 PM, but you can stay and play at Playland until 9:00 PM. To enroll, please call (510) 932-8966.

Steve Segal has been in the animation field for over 40 years. He has worked at Pixar as an animator on Toy Story and A Bug’s Life, Geri’s Game, The Brave Little Toaster, Pee Wee’s Playhouse and Sesame Street. In addition he has produced, directed and animated several independent short films that have won awards at international film festivals, including The Cannes International Film Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival, Ottawa Animation Festival and The Los Angeles Animation Celebration.

Tickets may be purchased at the Playland box office or by phone using a credit card at (800) 548-5318 ext 24. Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Museum of Fun. Designed and built entirely by volunteers, the 20+ interactive exhibits celebrate the magic and history of America’s bygone amusements.

Or, have you visited our Facebook Page lately?

Yes, the conductors at the CableCartoon have gone off the tracks lately, what with road trips to the ComicCon, Miyazaki San on tour, The Art of Sleeping Beauty opening next weekend at the CAM, long hours at the drawing board, and general summer lethargy setting in. But the posts and comments continue over at our new-ish Facebook page, already with 75+ members and growing. So if you need a fix of Bay Area Animation news or just some other way to procrastinate (since animators are a notoriously disciplined lot—emphasis on notorious) be sure to check out our page. And a tip of the hat to The G Man for setting it up!