Dec 6, 2018

Video Roundup: Koji Yamamura, "Motown Magic," "Bird Karma," etc.

A compilation of recent video works, including animator interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of anime production.

The Japanese art program "Tokotoko" spent some time with animator Koji Yamamura ("Mt. Head" and "Country Doctor"):

After visiting his atelier, we meet Yamamura, who set up his studio in Jiyugaoka and opened a store selling DVDs, books, illustrations, etc. to promote the independent animation culture, " We follow Mr. Yamamura, who opened "O Praxinoscope", a shop selling DVDs, books, illustrations, etc., with the aim of promoting the culture of independent animation. As a founding member of the Animation Department at Tokyo University of the Arts, he supports graduate students in the production of their works.

Netflix produced a mini-documentary, "Taking Up Space," about their efforts to incorporate diverse voices into animation production: [That's why shows like "Motown Magic" are important, and why black writers, animators and behind-the-scenes voices are so important. This is what it means for black people to come together to create beautiful animated films and elevate each other in the process.

A shot progression reel from the Academy Award nominated DreamWorks hand-drawn short "Bird Karma" directed by William Salazar:

A behind the scenes look at the unique production process of Sam Gainsborough's British student film "Facing It" which combined clay animation and live actors. Behind the Scenes of the Process, a National Film and Television School short that won a student award at Animafest Zagreb and a general award at the Ottawa animation festival. Currently nominated for an Annie Award for Best Student Film:

Behind the scenes of the making of Adult Swim's new horror-comedy stop-motion series, The Shivering Truth, debuting December 9.