When I found out that Crystal Sing & Colin Giles would allow me the privilege of featuring their just completed animated short film “Touched” on the Spotlight Animation page of Animationsoup.net, I knew I had something special.  As it turns out, the first day after it was posted ended up being the busiest day ever on the Spotlight Animation page.  It’s a great short film that I’m sure they are very proud of and I’m extremely thankful they’ve allowed me to share it with you.  Enjoy!

Well, it’s here…the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event opens this coming Sunday, August 14th in the Monterey area of California, and Duffy MacTaggart will be there starring in “Fairway to Elegance.”  He will be playing at an Exhibition during Car Week in Monterey/Pebble Beach.  The Exhibition is called CARS, COLLECTIBLES & CINEMA at the Museum of Monterey from Aug 14-21, 2011.

A few months ago I was approached by Greg Berkin who offered me the opportunity to include a Duffy MacTaggart short animated story into his documentary about this great annual car event and I couldn’t resist.  Next weekend, as the event winds down, I’ll upload a copy of the film onto this website, so if you don’t have the opportunity to see the film at Pebble Beach, you’ll be able to watch it over and over and over again right here on Animationsoup.net.  Thanks Greg, I truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this great event and your film as well.

Thank you Brad Scott at the Naked Radio Zombie Show,  in the Brisbane area of Austrailia, for a great radio interview last night, it was a “BLAST!”  We discussed animation, Walt Disney Studios, Phineas & Ferb, Matt Groening and The Simpsons, John Kricfalusi of Ren & Stimpy, Spotlight Animation and of course Animationsoup.net, as well as some strange and unusual occurences around the animation industry over the years.  Way to go Naked Zombie Radio Show!!!

A huge “thank you” to Dario Sanchez and his talented crew at Lince Studios, in the Madrid area of Spain, for allowing me to display his fantastic “Cosmo Trip” webseries.  Dario, this is a great addition to Animationsoup.net and a great pleasure for me and my viewers.  Thank you!!!

For the last 4 1/2 years I’ve had the great pleasure of working on the hit animated TV series “Phineas & Ferb” at Disney TV Animation and last nights crew & family screening for the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie, “Phineas & Ferb Across the 2nd Dimension” was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable.  Every person in the theatre loved the movie, including myself, and I’ve been a part of this particular project for well over a year.  I salute and say a huge thank you & congratulations to the creators, Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, for developing and nurturing a widely entertaining character driven, well written, made for young and old alike animated show.

For all you Duffy MacTaggart fans out there I just can’t resist telling you why I’ve been so distant lately.  I’m currently producing two new “Duffy” short films and one in particular is very special.  Every year in the month of August there is a very special antique car show held at the world renown Pebble Beach golf course, known as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.  Rumor has it that Duffy MacTaggart is making a special appearance there this year, but you didn’t hear that from me.  The other humorous short film that I’m currently producing is a Public Service Announcement featuring the hot tempered antics of Duffy MacTaggart, which is due out at the end of August.

Wow, what a fantastic time I had at the annual Comic-Con Convention in San Diego, California this past Friday.  Of course, big time credit needs to go to my oldest daughter, who accompanied me around the humongous convention floor, (4 times), as we marveled at the numerous booths, the colorful people, and of course, the amazing artwork, (and nabbed as much free stuff as we could carry in our big bags).  For art, comics, film & animation, etc. enthusiasts there’s nothing like the thrill of participating at a comic-con convention in a major metropolitan city.  Did anyone see the super-cool “Perry the Platy-bus” exhibit put on by the Walt Disney Studios?  What a great representation for the Phineas & Ferb show & crew!!!  There were so many great displays from studios like Fox, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Marvel, Mattel, Dungeons & Dragons, just to name a few.  My entire family has already committed to descend upon San Diego for the convention next year for several days of fun, entertainment and fantastically good times and memories.  If you get the opportunity to go – DO IT!!!

I had the great pleasure of speaking to the students at the University of Texas, in Bruce Barnes “Pre-Production Class” this past Thursday, 7/21/11, via Skype.  Bruce is the Time Based Media Instructor, (I fortunately met through LinkedIn), who invited me to speak to his students just a few weeks ago, and I owe him a huge thank you: I had a great time.  The approximately 28 students are going through a five week Summer class focusing on producing a pre-production Animatic and they had some great questions and even greater enthusiasm.  Thanks to all and good luck!