tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post3274235794908825356..comments2023-12-31T01:23:39.943-05:00Comments on Mayerson on Animation: Pixar in Vancouver Continued or The Good, The Bad and the UglyMark Mayersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00065971589878678848noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-3116617754446523622009-08-18T09:53:43.753-04:002009-08-18T09:53:43.753-04:00hi nice blog. I am a business analyst and would li...hi nice blog. I am a business analyst and would like to talk to you but I am unable to reach your e-mail id. could you please drop me a mail giving your contact details at ankur.maheshwari@evalueserve.comankurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03021863258126623502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-47970334861739349302009-05-26T23:02:25.072-04:002009-05-26T23:02:25.072-04:00Thanks for sharing this insightful article about t...Thanks for sharing this insightful article about the sorry state of animation in Canada. Your analogy about Canada being a branch plant of Pixar is sad, but true and in keeping with Canadian tradition (GM, Chapters, you-name-it)<br /><br />That metaphor about sweat shop animation is so true too.<br />As I have learned from our daughter and her husband who graduated from Sheridan in the 1990's and are currently working in a 'model' Californian animation studio that even the top places take advantage of their youthful, enthusiastic workfore. It may be super creative, and pay great wage but the long 10 to 12 hour days and 6 day work weeks are more the norm than not....and that's in the 'best' studios!<br />I feel sorry for the many students who will graduate from places like Sheridan with 10's of thousands of dollars owing in student loan debt, with talent, and with slim chances of any employment.<br />Creativity and art are essential to our health and well-being as a species. Perhaps it's time to restore funding to the National Film Board? Maybe 5% of film profits should go into an 'animators' fund' to pay for a publicly owned studio-lab where applicants could collaborate on independent works.<br />Good for you for publicly discussing the "Elephant in the Room". that is the North American animation industry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-2723269726276443332009-05-24T16:59:53.026-04:002009-05-24T16:59:53.026-04:00Holy!
This is a raw honest truth!
I was actually d...Holy!<br />This is a raw honest truth!<br />I was actually discussing that with a Studio Owner the other day.<br /><br />Im Colombian ,I studied animation here in T.O and I'm trying to get people interested in a pitch idea...<br />and its not going so well...<br />Im even thinking about going to the states.Juanmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664747898763872503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-47377201049864821792009-05-23T03:05:05.304-04:002009-05-23T03:05:05.304-04:00Nice blog! See also human frame-by-frame animation...Nice blog! See also <A HREF="http://staminadrink.blogspot.com/2009/05/her-morning-elegance.html" REL="nofollow">human frame-by-frame animation</A> on the bedcar2nerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02319886751088860896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-40913266540168923292009-05-19T12:23:00.000-04:002009-05-19T12:23:00.000-04:00Scratch that 'moving out of the country' statement...Scratch that 'moving out of the country' statement, I'm moving into the Van! Thanks for the tips on where to apply, guys... :)warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034823254751468446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-44364314109685564602009-05-18T16:27:00.000-04:002009-05-18T16:27:00.000-04:00Would "Ed, Edd n Eddy" count, though?
Yes, the sh...Would "Ed, Edd n Eddy" count, though?<br /><br />Yes, the show is/was produced in Canada at aka Cartoons, but it was created for American television and Cartoon Network owns it outright.<br /><br />AFAIK, the show never aired in the country it was produced in.Brubakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10741995395720022279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-47627111482113703702009-05-18T01:55:00.000-04:002009-05-18T01:55:00.000-04:00the only popular series to come out of vancouver h...the only popular series to come out of vancouver has been Ed Edd & Eddy.<br /><br />Viva Pinata? who the fuck watches THAT?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-19298310272177587262009-05-15T18:02:00.000-04:002009-05-15T18:02:00.000-04:00What about Vancouver animation studios like Bardel...What about Vancouver animation studios like Bardel, Rainmaker (formerly Mainframe) and NerdCorps? They don't count?<br /><br />ReBoot was the first CG television series ever made...your telling me that didn't take guts and brains?<br /><br />Viva Pinata is, at the very least, a mild success is it not?<br /><br />How much did Space Chimps gross at the Box Office?<br /><br />Of course these don't compare to Shrek, Toy Story et al...but to completely overlook them is a gross injustice imo. <br /><br />Rest assured animation is alive and well in Vancouver...maybe not in the form of big-budget movies, but definitely in television, video games and direct-to-DVD....combined these industries are larger than Hollywood.<br /><br />Just sayin'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-47742883472294265812009-05-14T03:43:00.000-04:002009-05-14T03:43:00.000-04:00And as much as I hate the show, the season finale ...And as much as I hate the show, the season finale of "Total Drama Island" (a Teletoons show) gave Cartoon Network one of the highest ratings in its history.Brubakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10741995395720022279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-82459150814648514822009-05-12T22:10:00.000-04:002009-05-12T22:10:00.000-04:00Anyone remember The Raccoons? They say that got po...Anyone remember The Raccoons? They say that got popular outside of Canada.Zartok-35https://www.blogger.com/profile/00449976580118722879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-11137894282732952472009-05-12T21:29:00.000-04:002009-05-12T21:29:00.000-04:00@Mark: Well, I'm young, naive & idealistic...@Mark: Well, I'm young, naive & idealistic. A triumvirate of...something...not good. :D<br /><br />Anyways, I think you might of misunderstood me? I was trying to say, for those studios you're thinking of, the quality/ amount of the guts + brains must be overrated. If one truly has both, finding a compromise with the money people should be natural and easy. <br /><br />But that's probably just the above speaking. :)<br /><br />@Anonymous: "I hope you don't teach yours students to be so gothic and hopeless in their approach to life as animators."<br /><br />I read this post and saw it more as a call to action rather than either of those descriptors. Especially this line: "Name a Canadian animated character who is a worldwide success." I can't and it tears me up. Everything I think of is either too small or a product of a co-production. If the situation can be described like this; pragmatic changes are needed.Molasseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03226553020536865068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-15030615615034278552009-05-12T20:34:00.000-04:002009-05-12T20:34:00.000-04:00"There are no Canadian animation managements with ..."There are no Canadian animation managements with the guts, brains and resources to create original material that entertains a worldwide audience."<br /><br />Sure there are Mark. There are many taking chances and now succeeding.<br /><br />But is a a David Vs Goliath battle - and those who've finally cracked the US market with original TV are laying the groundwork for how it will be done in the future.<br /><br />Film will follow - I'm sure of it. They don't all have to be blockbusters with talking animals (Thank god). The world is flatter and flatter and western sensibilities (and now wealth) are finally extending beyond the US border (or US wealth is collapsing!).<br /><br />I remain cautiously optimistic - and the caution diminishes with each passing year!<br /><br />I hope you don't teach yours students to be so gothic and hopeless in their approach to life as animators.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-21373942419212349752009-05-12T19:39:00.000-04:002009-05-12T19:39:00.000-04:00Okay, you win.
But you will note that domesticall...Okay, you win.<br /><br />But you will note that domestically, it grossed less than $38 million. You will also note that with a production budget of $80 million, a $102 million worldwide gross does not put the film into profit.<br /><br />The bottom line is that nobody in Canada or at Disney considers The Wild a hit.Mark Mayersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00065971589878678848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-22296332118522609562009-05-12T19:18:00.000-04:002009-05-12T19:18:00.000-04:00"Canadian studios have yet to produce an animated ..."Canadian studios have yet to produce an animated feature that grossed $100 million."<br /><br />CORE made a film that made more than $100 million (even before DVD sales):<br /><br />http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wild.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-91214512714861769672009-05-12T17:49:00.000-04:002009-05-12T17:49:00.000-04:00Awesome post, and I must agree with you with most ...Awesome post, and I must agree with you with most of the stuff you said. It's a bit sad that we're just a country that does the dirty work but oh well, at least it creates some jobs. I don't see it being a huge competitor of the Canadian entertainment companies since it won't produce any blockbuster movies. Thanks for the article!<br /><br />Take care, LorneLife Insurance Canadahttp://lsmvideos.blip.tv/#1981377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-67331054014620736262009-05-12T15:22:00.000-04:002009-05-12T15:22:00.000-04:00Anonymous, I am not an expert on the gaming indust...Anonymous, I am not an expert on the gaming industry. If what you say is true, I think that's great.<br /><br />I'm genuinely curious here. Are the games being made at EA Vancouver originating there in terms of content? Or are they handed to EA Vancouver from somewhere else?Mark Mayersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00065971589878678848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-42578285993606349102009-05-12T15:19:00.000-04:002009-05-12T15:19:00.000-04:00I have a feeling that Lasseter was completely oppo...I have a feeling that Lasseter was completely opposed to the Vancouver satellite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-14475058861251397422009-05-12T15:17:00.000-04:002009-05-12T15:17:00.000-04:00Justin, what generally happens is that the people ...Justin, what generally happens is that the people supplying the resources end up overriding the people with the guts and brains.<br /><br />There is an abundance of talent of all kinds in this world. So much of it gets wasted or ill-used by people with money who don't understand it. There are many studios with guts, brains and talent who have been unable to find money or who find money with too many strings attached. Guts and brains are not over-rated, they are under-appreciated by money people who are either too protective of their money or who feel that their money somehow makes them smarter than the people they're financing. In either case, they get in the way of people with guts and brains.<br /><br />I haven't read Scott Kirsner's book yet, though I intend to. My thinking these days is that the goal of creators should be figuring out how to deliver their visions as inexpensively as possible. That allows them to test ideas via the web and to build an audience. The fewer resources you need, the more likely you'll be able to find them.<br /><br />However, this is not a recipe for Canadian companies to go up against Pixar, DreamWorks, etc. The few larger companies that have the resources need more guts or brains if they're going to compete, but my feeling is that they are comfortable with their current market niches and unwilling to take any chances.<br /><br />Creative people will try anything. Business people will only try the sure thing. That's why I hope for a business model where the creative people can do without business people, but maybe I'm naive.Mark Mayersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00065971589878678848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-16585158436654375052009-05-12T15:10:00.000-04:002009-05-12T15:10:00.000-04:00Great article, and for the most part of it, I conc...Great article, and for the most part of it, I concur. However, one has only to look at the creative talent that is born out of Vancouver including, Black Box, former EA Sports, Radiant, and the list goes on, to realize, that this city is host to a roster of skilled product developers, company creators, and incredible entrepreneurs in the gaming industry, that exude brains, and the guts. Guts enough to build companies, that are later targets for the world stage. I have seen the city's reputation grow by leaps over the last 10 years, and quite frankly, it is one of the best hotbeds for talent, and creativity on the planet. We may not have Lassie, or Pinochhio, but, one only has to look at the brands created here at EA and other studio's alike to know, that we are not a production outsourcing city only.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-39597549556803833612009-05-12T14:37:00.000-04:002009-05-12T14:37:00.000-04:00@Mark: Is it possible to have guts + brains but no...@Mark: Is it possible to have guts + brains but not resources? Imo, their guts + brains must be overrated.<br /><br />Could you continue this discussion on the Canadian industry into a series in some way? Love to hear more of your thoughts on it.<br />Maybe as it relates to "Sita" and the opportunities afforded by the internet? Or the book "Fans, Friends & Followers"?<br /><br /><br />@JPilot: I believe in Black Swans too but imo Triplettes is not the exception.<br /><br />Directed and written by a Frenchman. It was made in Belgium & Canada. I believe the Canadian one was Production Champion and it was only formed for the film. Both studios closed after production. <br />It was produced by so many different companies & countries. Mainly Les Armateurs in France. The others in the UK, France, Belgium & Canada.Molasseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03226553020536865068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-74785816050826394112009-05-12T12:23:00.000-04:002009-05-12T12:23:00.000-04:00I'm afraid it all boils down to business, how to m...I'm afraid it all boils down to business, how to make more money for less money. These 'creative' industries are owned and run by business men, they couldn't care less for the craft. Unfortunately there are thousands of artists who are willing to sign up and follow these men, because we understand that if you have a brand name on your CV it will turn heads. Yet this only perpetuates the problem further......... if we want this industry to change, it must start with us. Artists need to develop the confidence in their own ideas, trusting in their abilities and committing to the craft, realising that they too can develop to the level of a Pixar animator without ever having to work there. Its not magic.... its just good hard work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-44990271557404706552009-05-12T12:08:00.000-04:002009-05-12T12:08:00.000-04:00Triplettes of Belleville was done in Canada. Guts ...Triplettes of Belleville was done in Canada. Guts + Brains + Resources = critical acclaim and a nice little profit.<br />But once it was done, the powers that be decided Scotland was a better place to do their next films.<br />There is no rule without the exception.JPilothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07948005987931788144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-80413614469034552002009-05-12T10:05:00.000-04:002009-05-12T10:05:00.000-04:00Matthew, there is no shortage of Canadian studios ...Matthew, there is no shortage of Canadian studios with big ambitions and hopes. Their problems are that the Canadian market is too small to provide them with the opportunities they seek and that they are too small to compete with larger companies in the U.S. where there are greater opportunities.<br /><br />The problem is systemic. There is a similar systemic problem in the U.S. where smaller independent studios have been eliminated from most TV work by the fact that the broadcasters now own their own studios.<br /><br />My hope for the web (and I may be over optimistic) is that because creators can go directly to the audience, without having to satisfy gatekeepers, perhaps we'll see a new business model where creators have more opportunities.Mark Mayersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00065971589878678848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-70925552044153781622009-05-12T08:55:00.000-04:002009-05-12T08:55:00.000-04:00Anonymous # 4 really hit the nail on the head for ...Anonymous # 4 really hit the nail on the head for me! <br />Mark, I’m really sorry to hear about the lack of guts at Canadian studios. How much longer will a films success revolve around the US market? In the end none of us should be giving excuses about what we were 'able' to create with our time, even if by all accounts we could have.Matt Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689750474645953368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-1667061484636194792009-05-12T07:40:00.000-04:002009-05-12T07:40:00.000-04:00Australian animation studios managed to produce so...Australian animation studios managed to produce some highly original work (see MARY AND MAX and HARVIE KRUMPET) using a combination of provincial, federal, and private funding. Why is nothing like this in place in Canada? Perhaps the National Film Board was seen as the solution, but what has happened to the Film Board?<br />I believe that Canadian animators can do what Australian animators have done, if they decide to make it original and not aim it at some theoretical American audience. Live action television has accomplished this, why not animation?<br />Oh, and the arrival of Pixar in Vancouver cannot but be beneficial for animation schools in Canada and Canadian animation in general. Don't knock it too much.<br />(why don't some of the new hires work up an idea for their own short film? It's easier to present them on the 'inside' rather than out.) Good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com