My book is out and I'm signing it in L.A. next month.

Nancy Beiman · My book is out and I'm signing it in L.A. next month.

Hello all,
My book PREPARE TO BOARD! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts (whew) was published on March 1 and is selling reasonably well online.

The Creative Talent Network has organized a book signing for all of its members at the Van Eaton Gallery in L.A. next month, and I am flying out West to attend. I hope that all Angelenos on the board will be able to make it, since there will be lots of books to peruse.

The Van Eaton book signing will be on April 19 (Thursday) from 6 to 10 PM. I hope to see you there!

And you can see a sample of some of the artwork from the book in my 'commercial' --posted at http://www.nancybeiman.com

idragosani · Re: My book is out and I'm signing it in L.A. next month.

DavidN

Nancy,

Glad to hear the book is out and I'm going to make sure to purchase one ASAP . Been looking forward to it.

I'm not in L.A. so I'll miss the book signing , but hopefully can catch up with you one of these days at Ottawa or the next 2D or Not 2D or one of the other festivals and get you to sign mine.

DavidN

Nancy,

Just an aside, but I was wondering if you have thought about distributing your film "Your Feet's Too Big" on the web ?

I saw it years ago and remember it fondly. Love your drawing style and I'm a big Fats Waller fan, so naturally the film has a lot of appeal to me.

Have you seen the arrangement that CartoonBrew Films has ? They are offering independent contemporary films and some older (rare) films for $2.00 per download , with the income being split between the artist and CartoonBrew Films. I don't know the exact arrangement of the revenue sharing ,but I think it's intended to be fair and artist friendly, unlike some of the online distribution "revenue sharing" schemes that only pays out pennies per download to the artist.

Nancy Beiman

Hello all,
I'm not planning any trips to Washington any time soon, but I'm thinking of getting some large Avery notes and inscribing them for people who would like their books signed without the inconvenience of travelling to where I am Laughing

YOUR FEETS' TOO BIG has a copyrighted score. Said copyright was owned by three different publishers because of Waller's business habits...the film was released on DVD as part of the hundredth birthday celebration for 'Fats' waller in 2004. You can probably still find the "Fats Waller 100" discs in music shops or online bookstores (they are green and have a large 100 on the front.) Several Soundies are also included on the DVD that accompanies a short CD of Waller's music. RCA waived any royalty payments since they were the ones issuing the record. I did not get a dime from it, but the film was at least back in circulation. Unfortunately the DVD transfer was terrible--the color is off. Why will this release be the only one? Copyright, dealing with music rights--it's expensive, and a legal mess. I made sure I had the musical rights to the track for my current production, you can be sure.

Nancy Beiman · new film

My new film is nothing like YOUR FEETS TOO BIG except that there is an elephant in it. New century, new medium (!) and new themes. But the music is public domain this time!

Thanks in advance for ordering my book. If you like it do post a review on amazon.com. If you don't like it, let me know what I have to fix in the new edition!

DavidN

Nancy Beiman · thank you

Thank you, David. I hope that you like the book. If you do, could you please post a review on amazon.com? If you do not, please tell me what to change in the next edition!

idragosani

Nancy Beiman

Hi all,
Since the entire film was based around Waller's song, that would be rather difficult. But there's always tomorrow. Or something.

Enjoy the book! and thanks!

idragosani

Nancy Beiman

Waller wrote another song called YOUR SOCKS DON'T MATCH.
Cute idea, but I think I'll stay away from copyrighted music.

idragosani

Nancy Beiman

I'd probably get someone to write the music for me.

Nancy Beiman · THE OTHER EDEN

Well, the event was a sellout--for me; all 35 copies sold and they sent away some purchasers empty handed. I'm pleased with how it's doing on amazon.com and it's selling well in Europe, too.

And whaddaya know, I made another film, too.

I had to do it for a class. This is not character animation; it's graphic though the figures represent living creatures. And it's not funny.

Other than that, it is okay. And this time I got the rights to the music performance (the music itself is in public domain.)

So it'll be entered in Tony's new festival this year. The title is THE OTHER EDEN.

stickman

Congratulations on a great book. I'm reviewing it right now for my school... concise and complete without being too basic. Great!

David

Nancy Beiman · Thank you!

Dear Stickman,

Thank you for the kind words about my book. Would you be able to post your review on amazon.com if it is not too much trouble?
If it is too much trouble, would you mind sending it to me?

Again, thank you. I am pleased to hear that it pleases you.

If you are interested in having a signed copy, please write to me offlist and I can inscribe a nice sticker for you, which you can paste inside the front cover...it's a lot more convenient than shipping books back and forth or waiting for Tony's next show when I should be out West again!

best wishes and happy boarding

stickman

Out West?
I'm in Ludwigsburg, Germany. I freelance consult student projects at the Filmaakdemie. I'll do that - Amazon...
err... may take a few days. So much on my desk right now.

stickman

Hi Nancy - finally got around to writing a review. Let me know what you think!

here's a copy:
The greatest thing about Nancy's book is the sustained tone of exploration and joy - this is what animation is about and she makes sure to point out pitfalls and processes without lecturing that there is any one way of doing anything. Very refreshing...
She covers far more material than the title's implied storyboarding, from character design to story ideas, even a brief color theory - so that I'm tempted to say she covers the whole pre-production and concept phase. With more scope, this would indeed have been the case, but I'm not at all disappointed that she kept the focus on the boards. Of note: how to sell a story, including how to pitch, and how to slide a character macquette under a potential funder's nose... 100% in keeping with my experience.
Another great value in this book are the three interviews with A. Kendall O'Connor, T.Hee (does this man really have a chuckle as a name?) and Ken Anderson, 3 true masters. Nancy - herself a master - lays out the knowledge, while these encounters reveal the remaining distance to true understanding. Thanks for that!
So, five stars and all... here some further notes:
- I would have welcomed a bit about the 3D process from blockmatic to 3D-animatic to camera. Many of my students refuse to touch a pencil, and as much as can't accept this, I feel it important to recognize what opportunities this path offers.
- Likewise, I would have welcomed more concrete encouragement of variation in the concept phase. Young film-makers tend too quickly to be happy with their stories and designs, eager to rush into the production process.

summary - if you are into animation or film-making in general, you can't go wrong with this book.
about myself: I'm a film-maker and educator (Filmakademie, BW, Germany)

My book is out and I'm signing it in L.A. next month.

Re: My book is out and I'm signing it in L.A. next month.

new film

thank you

THE OTHER EDEN

Thank you!