Yup, it's a snappy title. I can't help them - they just flood from the keyboard!
Anyway, following on the success and popularity of the first networking event, I'm organising another one to take place on March 12th in Temple Bar. Anyway, following on the success and popularity of the first networking event, I'm organising another one to take place on March 12th in Temple Bar.
The purpose of these events is to bring writers and animation directors together and see if we can't start collaborating with each other on various projects from shorts to features to series to, even, books. Who knows? There was so much creativity in the SDGI Screening Room the last time that if I hadn't called it to a close, I suspect we might still be there now! (Okay, slight exaggeration.)
There will be another event six weeks later on April 23rd and I'm hoping that we can get a Facebook Page up for on-line networking after the next one. There is a waiting list from the last event on Jan 31st but if you want to be part of the momentum, let me know.
And here she is...
Launched April 28 2011
Showing posts with label animation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animation. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Great Blog on Getting Punky Made...
... by Monster Animation's Animation Director, Jason Tammemagi, the creator of Fluffy Gardens. It deals with the difficulties and the rewards of doing something that you know isn't easy. If it works, you can end up with something special...
http://jasontammemagi.com/2012/01/11/punky-ifta-nominations/
Another interesting blog deals with his daughter Daisy's questions on PUNKY. (She's five.) Such as "why did you give her Down Syndrome?"
http://jasontammemagi.com/2012/01/30/creating-life/
http://jasontammemagi.com/2012/01/11/punky-ifta-nominations/
Another interesting blog deals with his daughter Daisy's questions on PUNKY. (She's five.) Such as "why did you give her Down Syndrome?"
http://jasontammemagi.com/2012/01/30/creating-life/
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
PUNKY Dresses Up For The IFTA Awards Night....
Gearing up for a big day on Saturday 11th.
With PUNKY up for two IFTA nominations... with floor length gown and tux specified for entry along the red carpet into the new Conference Centre for the award ceremony... this could be one of the biggest nights for PUNKY!
The nominations are for Childrens/ Young People's Programme and for Sound Design. To everyone who voted for us, a heartfelt thanks.
But then it has already been a big nine months for PUNKY between the launch at the end of April, multiple screenings on RTEjr since May 3rd, to the overwhemingly positive response internationally - virally via the web, DVD's being sent overseas and word of mouth - to Gerard O'Rourke winning European Producer of the Year at Cartoon Forum last September and Target Entertainment coming on as distributor to launch the series internationally at MIPCom last October...
So Saturday already feels like a real celebration of all that has been achieved -- and very far from the scribblings of an idea that I had back in 2007!
With PUNKY up for two IFTA nominations... with floor length gown and tux specified for entry along the red carpet into the new Conference Centre for the award ceremony... this could be one of the biggest nights for PUNKY!
The nominations are for Childrens/ Young People's Programme and for Sound Design. To everyone who voted for us, a heartfelt thanks.
But then it has already been a big nine months for PUNKY between the launch at the end of April, multiple screenings on RTEjr since May 3rd, to the overwhemingly positive response internationally - virally via the web, DVD's being sent overseas and word of mouth - to Gerard O'Rourke winning European Producer of the Year at Cartoon Forum last September and Target Entertainment coming on as distributor to launch the series internationally at MIPCom last October...
So Saturday already feels like a real celebration of all that has been achieved -- and very far from the scribblings of an idea that I had back in 2007!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
INAUGURAL ANIMATION NETWORKING EVENT
Animators need writers and writers who like to write animation scripts need someone to bring them alive.
Here’s an opportunity to informally meet your counterpart and, hopefully, strike up relationships that might lead to new, creative and wonderful work in animation
On Monday 30th at 7pm in the Screen Directors’ Guild Screening Room in Temple Bar, The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) and The Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild (IPSG) are inviting writers and animation directors to the first ANIMATION NETWORKING EVENT.
The idea is that animation directors and writers interested in or already writing in animation can meet in comfort, with a cup in their hand and get to know each other. The hope is that various collaborations and partnerships may form that will lead to interesting work in the field. It came about from a Screen Training Ireland gig when I broached the subject of where, as a writer, I could submit animation scripts. There didn’t really seem to be anywhere. Most companies create in-house and if you can’t draw, it can be hard to get a writing paw in the door.
And we need each other. Take PUNKY. I could have rattled around with that idea for years. As I have done with lots of other animation ideas and scripts. But for Monster Animation deciding to put their creative juices into it, it would still be an idea on a page. This, as a writer is frustrating. (Okay, basically, I wish I could draw!) To date, it’s turning into a very successful series that is on the verge of selling internationally in five countries that I know of, won the Producer of the Year Award for Gerard O’Rourke and has been nominated for two IFTAs.
But it seems to be crucial to develop ideas with the animation directors of companies, for the simple reason that if they are employed by a company, they need to be involved in most ideas produced by that company. Bringing a written idea from outside is difficult.
Surely for animators who need new ideas, who haven’t studied screenwriting or find it less interesting than drawing, it must be equally frustrating.
So this new group will meet on a regular basis. All animation directors and writers working or interested in working in animation are welcome; if you can’t make this one, let me know you’re interested and I’ll put your name down for the next one.
Could be fun!! Could be an interesting way to meet fellow writers and animators!! Could be the start of something amazing!!
Here’s an opportunity to informally meet your counterpart and, hopefully, strike up relationships that might lead to new, creative and wonderful work in animation
On Monday 30th at 7pm in the Screen Directors’ Guild Screening Room in Temple Bar, The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) and The Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild (IPSG) are inviting writers and animation directors to the first ANIMATION NETWORKING EVENT.
The idea is that animation directors and writers interested in or already writing in animation can meet in comfort, with a cup in their hand and get to know each other. The hope is that various collaborations and partnerships may form that will lead to interesting work in the field. It came about from a Screen Training Ireland gig when I broached the subject of where, as a writer, I could submit animation scripts. There didn’t really seem to be anywhere. Most companies create in-house and if you can’t draw, it can be hard to get a writing paw in the door.
And we need each other. Take PUNKY. I could have rattled around with that idea for years. As I have done with lots of other animation ideas and scripts. But for Monster Animation deciding to put their creative juices into it, it would still be an idea on a page. This, as a writer is frustrating. (Okay, basically, I wish I could draw!) To date, it’s turning into a very successful series that is on the verge of selling internationally in five countries that I know of, won the Producer of the Year Award for Gerard O’Rourke and has been nominated for two IFTAs.
But it seems to be crucial to develop ideas with the animation directors of companies, for the simple reason that if they are employed by a company, they need to be involved in most ideas produced by that company. Bringing a written idea from outside is difficult.
Surely for animators who need new ideas, who haven’t studied screenwriting or find it less interesting than drawing, it must be equally frustrating.
So this new group will meet on a regular basis. All animation directors and writers working or interested in working in animation are welcome; if you can’t make this one, let me know you’re interested and I’ll put your name down for the next one.
Could be fun!! Could be an interesting way to meet fellow writers and animators!! Could be the start of something amazing!!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
PUNKY grabs attention overseas
Target Entertainment has reported back on PUNKY's progress after MIPCOM Junior and MIPCOM. The series already has two international offers on the table but there are scores of interesting and interested parties from all over the world now considering it.
This is how Target summed up her progress:
"PUNKY has been extremely well received by clients as unique, bold and a fantastic way to challenge the taboos of having a disability. It was great to hear buyers say they loved it and many wanted to screen more episodes. The team are currently following up on all interest and we expect to have more deals before the year is out."
This is how Target summed up her progress:
"PUNKY has been extremely well received by clients as unique, bold and a fantastic way to challenge the taboos of having a disability. It was great to hear buyers say they loved it and many wanted to screen more episodes. The team are currently following up on all interest and we expect to have more deals before the year is out."
Distributor appointed... Sept 6th 2011
In September, the UK-based leading rights management company Target Entertainment nabbed global distribution rights to PUNKY, with plans to launch the series internationally at MIPCOM Junior.
In Animation Magazine on the 6th of that month, Mercedes Milligan wrote: 'The show has gained rave reviews from its RTE airing and been given the nod by kids and parents who approve of the show’s inclusive, progressive and upbeat message.
'Producer Gerard O’Rourke spoke of why he chose Target as global distributor: “We wanted this series to sit in the middle of any preschool block anywhere in the world and let viewers discover that Punky is a great child but also happens to have a disability … Punky is not a Down Syndrome person, but a person with Down Syndrome. If we can pass this message to our next generation through Punky, then we have created a very worthwhile TV series. Target Entertainment, and in particular Alison Rayson, fully understand how important a series like this can be and we know they will communicate this message to all broadcast mediums worldwide.”@
Rayson, Target's CEO, has a son with Down Syndrome and has said that she feels a special connection to the series and hopes that Target can help spread Punky’s message about this much misunderstood genetic condition, which she said affects about 5.8 million people worldwide:
“Children with Down Syndrome globally now have healthy, fulfilling lives in most countries … There are still countries however where a child with Down Syndrome or any disability is marginalized and mistreated, and that’s just not acceptable.
"Our imperative with Punky then is not just a commercial one for Target, but also a charitable one. We will be donating half of our sales commissions to Down Syndrome Education International, which pioneers inclusion at schools for all children with Down Syndrome. We want Punky to become a global ambassador for Down Syndrome and for all children with learning difficulties worldwide, breaking down old-fashioned and negative stereotypes and championing the joy of individuality.”
In Animation Magazine on the 6th of that month, Mercedes Milligan wrote: 'The show has gained rave reviews from its RTE airing and been given the nod by kids and parents who approve of the show’s inclusive, progressive and upbeat message.
'Producer Gerard O’Rourke spoke of why he chose Target as global distributor: “We wanted this series to sit in the middle of any preschool block anywhere in the world and let viewers discover that Punky is a great child but also happens to have a disability … Punky is not a Down Syndrome person, but a person with Down Syndrome. If we can pass this message to our next generation through Punky, then we have created a very worthwhile TV series. Target Entertainment, and in particular Alison Rayson, fully understand how important a series like this can be and we know they will communicate this message to all broadcast mediums worldwide.”@
Rayson, Target's CEO, has a son with Down Syndrome and has said that she feels a special connection to the series and hopes that Target can help spread Punky’s message about this much misunderstood genetic condition, which she said affects about 5.8 million people worldwide:
“Children with Down Syndrome globally now have healthy, fulfilling lives in most countries … There are still countries however where a child with Down Syndrome or any disability is marginalized and mistreated, and that’s just not acceptable.
"Our imperative with Punky then is not just a commercial one for Target, but also a charitable one. We will be donating half of our sales commissions to Down Syndrome Education International, which pioneers inclusion at schools for all children with Down Syndrome. We want Punky to become a global ambassador for Down Syndrome and for all children with learning difficulties worldwide, breaking down old-fashioned and negative stereotypes and championing the joy of individuality.”
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
28th April: PUNKY is launched
28th April 2011
Upstart writer Lindsay Sedgwick writes about her innovative new animation project for RTE children’s programming:
On the 28th of April, courtesy of the Dublin Lord Mayor, Down Syndrome Ireland and RTE will launch the series I created, PUNKY, in the Mansion House. Produced by Monster Animation, PUNKY will be aired on RTEJr from May 3rd, twice daily on weekdays for four weeks. After four years of hard graft, the idea I conceived is finally ready to be gorgeously birthed!
This has happened thanks to the determination of the producer Gerard O’Rourke who believed as firmly as me that it had to be made.
Why? ‘Cos it’s different. It is the first mainstream cartoon ever – as far as we can ascertain – to be centred around a main character with special needs. Punky is feisty, fun, frustrating and loveable. She lives in the moment and she also happens to have Down syndrome. She is voiced by Aimee Richardson who has brought the character to life. Aimee also has the Down syndrome and is an ambassador for Down Syndrome Ireland, who have been behind the project and excited about it since I first contacted them in early 2008 after getting development funding from the Irish Film Board.
But it all began in early 2007 with a ten minute animated script called Bookcraft where a dog got changed into a rooster and Punky’s brother got changed into a girl…
(Yup, it had a lot going on. Chaos seems to follow me into scripts whether I want it to or not but we’re in serious discussions. Chaos has now promised to stay for inspiration processes only but then slip into a separate file on the desktop and try not to sulk. I’m sure it will sulk though and we’ll probably suffer separation anxiety for a draft or two of each project. We’ll come out stronger!)
But here’s the thing: That short script has since proven to be the germ for an animated feature, a live action feature, this series PUNKY, another short that will go into competition soon and another series idea that will, hopefully, follow Punky’s esteemed footsteps in due course. So the chaos works, it just has to be channelled right!
So, if Bookcraft still hasn’t been made, I can’t complain. Maybe its role was a bit like those magic beans Jack brought home? Meanwhile, I have the bottle of Jameson primed to celebrate Punky’s arrival on the small screen. Though seems a little odd to be celebrating the arrival of a pre-school series with hard liquor, I think I can handle it!
http://upstart.ie/blog/?p=1013
Upstart writer Lindsay Sedgwick writes about her innovative new animation project for RTE children’s programming:
On the 28th of April, courtesy of the Dublin Lord Mayor, Down Syndrome Ireland and RTE will launch the series I created, PUNKY, in the Mansion House. Produced by Monster Animation, PUNKY will be aired on RTEJr from May 3rd, twice daily on weekdays for four weeks. After four years of hard graft, the idea I conceived is finally ready to be gorgeously birthed!
This has happened thanks to the determination of the producer Gerard O’Rourke who believed as firmly as me that it had to be made.
Why? ‘Cos it’s different. It is the first mainstream cartoon ever – as far as we can ascertain – to be centred around a main character with special needs. Punky is feisty, fun, frustrating and loveable. She lives in the moment and she also happens to have Down syndrome. She is voiced by Aimee Richardson who has brought the character to life. Aimee also has the Down syndrome and is an ambassador for Down Syndrome Ireland, who have been behind the project and excited about it since I first contacted them in early 2008 after getting development funding from the Irish Film Board.
But it all began in early 2007 with a ten minute animated script called Bookcraft where a dog got changed into a rooster and Punky’s brother got changed into a girl…
(Yup, it had a lot going on. Chaos seems to follow me into scripts whether I want it to or not but we’re in serious discussions. Chaos has now promised to stay for inspiration processes only but then slip into a separate file on the desktop and try not to sulk. I’m sure it will sulk though and we’ll probably suffer separation anxiety for a draft or two of each project. We’ll come out stronger!)
But here’s the thing: That short script has since proven to be the germ for an animated feature, a live action feature, this series PUNKY, another short that will go into competition soon and another series idea that will, hopefully, follow Punky’s esteemed footsteps in due course. So the chaos works, it just has to be channelled right!
So, if Bookcraft still hasn’t been made, I can’t complain. Maybe its role was a bit like those magic beans Jack brought home? Meanwhile, I have the bottle of Jameson primed to celebrate Punky’s arrival on the small screen. Though seems a little odd to be celebrating the arrival of a pre-school series with hard liquor, I think I can handle it!
http://upstart.ie/blog/?p=1013
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