The Boxtrolls Trailer 2

The next trailer for Laika's The Boxtrolls is out!

This has some nice behind-the-scenes, backed by a smart music choice. One of my shots made it into this one, it is the overhead shot of the boxtrolls at the 1:04 mark. I animated the 4 adorable boxtrolls centered here:

I know all of their boxtroll names, but I don't think I can say them until the film is out. They've each got their own personality, not that you get much from this short clip. I'm told this trailer will show before Disney's Frozen.

*Elements of the single shot stated above are the extent of my contribution to this trailer. All rights reserved to Laika and Focus Features

The Boxtroll Teaser is here

Laika is giving the world a sneak peek at the next feature in a short teaser to show in the previews before Despicable Me 2. But if you can't make it to the theater, you can view it online here:

 

Poster!

*I had no input into the trailer and poster. They are both owned by Laika and Focus Features

An Animated Life

Today we say goodbye to a very special man. Ray Harryhausen has passed away at the age of 92, and with him passes a golden era in stop-motion and special effects history. Ray inspired and influenced countless filmmakers, animators, puppet-makers and special effects artists around the world, including myself. Ray transformed my curiosity about stop-motion into utter fascination. His book, An Animated Life became my bible; from 2010 to 2011 I lived by the good book of Ray, and it still remains my most treasured hardcover that I own to this day. Its safe to say that I would never have made Scrap Metal without the inspiration I received from Ray's work. He was a modern renaissance master of his medium, and it still boggles my mind to think that he animated 7 skeletons without a frame-grabber. That sequence still holds up today. It's sad to see you go Ray, but I will always have your films to bring me joy and to continue inspiring me. Thank you for everything, you truly lived an animated life. Say hi to Ray Bradbury for us.

-Good bye.