Reinventing Animation

Animation is on the march. Not just major studios such as Warner and DreamWorks are focusing on it, making animation films is also popular among individual computer users. That is also getting easier and easier, thanks to greatly improved software. Internet has a wealth of graphic novels, cartoons and interactive animations. Reinventing Animation looks at the future of animation: what does the new animation form look like, how is it related to cinema, how far does the influence of stories and characters from animation films reach? And what will be the role of the audience? Peter Girardi Peter Girardi is a leading designer of digital media. He was a pioneer in designing web sites and producing CD-ROMs and has won many prizes. With his own design bureau Funny Garbage, Girardi makes technologically and artistically exceptional productions, co-operating with artists such as Robert Wilson, Philip Glass and Art Spiegelman. One of the latest projects by Funny Garbage is the development of an interactive cartoon series on Internet. Girardi explains how the new media is changing the nature of animation; the traditional cartoon film on TV, experienced passively, is no longer the only option. The challenge for making interactive cartoons is in the retention of a strong story and familiar characters, while the users acquire control over the course of the story. Girardi will show fragments from two shows he is producing for Cartoon Network at present to illustrate his presentation. Glenn Kaino Artist Glenn Kaino is active in a wide variety of fields. He exhibits in several museums, produces web sites, runs a gallery in Los Angeles, writes screenplays and stories and is founder of the non-profit organisation On The Line Media, where young people are brought into contact with art and technology. In addition, Kaino works on commercial commissions for television and Internet for e.g. Disney Online, Sega and Universal Pictures. Kaino looks at the development of animation technology and how this will eventually lead to a high-quality do-it-yourself animation on the Internet, comparable with the rise of digital magazines. He also discusses the possibilities of narrative structures for online animation, giving a demonstration of the interactive adventure animation series THAW, that he wrote and designed with Douglas Gayeton. Koji Morimoto Koji Morimoto is a Tokyo-based animator whose short films have earned him cult status in Japan. He worked as artistic director for Akira (1988), perhaps the most famous manga feature ever, and directed the animated films Franken's Gears (1985), Memories (1995) and recently EXTRA, a collaboration with techno musician Ken Ishii. His latest film Noiseman Sound Insect is selected for the festival. Morimoto is currently experimenting with new forms of animation on the Internet on his web site Beyond City and will talk about hi-tech digital animation. (http://www.beyond-c.co.jp)