Friday, January 31, 2014

CG Story by Christopher Finch


I received a review copy of the CG Story: Computer Generated Animation and Special Effects by Christopher Finch a few months ago. Due to the backlog of reviews at Mice Chat and Communicore Weekly, this book has been waiting for some attention. A full review is coming soon.

Christopher Finch is well-known for penning the multitude of editions of the Art of Walt Disney, which is truly a definitive work on the career of Walt Disney.

I wondered how Finch would tackle such a huge part of modern film-making. He's been writing about films for years, so he's a natural choice to analyze and write a historical treatise on any aspect of film. It's extremely in-depth and Finch interviewed most of the key players over the past 30 years or so. There are plenty of photos and illustrations, including stills from various films and commercials.

As expected, Pixar is heavily covered, but Finch doesn't shirk a lot of the minor players, either. If I had any complaint about the book, it's that the coverage of television is very limited. Once we hit the 2000s, Finch does spend more time looking at the groundbreaking and award-winning titles.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. If you have an interest in computer animation, then it's a great addition to your collection.


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Mice Chat Anniversary

I wanted to help spread the news about the amazing events taking place during the Mice Chat Anniversary Celebration (February 7, 8, and 9, 2014). There are going to be some amazing programs, meet ups, games and a chance to meet Jeff Heimbuch!

Check out some of the links and if you're going to be in the Southern California area, make sure to be there. They've really pulled out all of the stops on this one.



DON'T MISS OUT: MiceChat Anniversary
February 7th through 9th - at the Disneyland Resort! 



FRIDAY February 7th

ALL Proceeds from your ticket will go toward saving the home Walt Disney was born in!



Journey back with us to the year 1901. William McKinley was President of the United States, Major League Baseball had just been formed, and a man named Walt Disney was born in a small house in Chicago Illinois. The modest family home on the corner of Tripp Avenue and Palmer Street was designed and built by Flora and Elias Disney, Walt and Roy Disney's mother and father. Both Walt and Roy were born in this home and lived there until Walt was four and Roy was twelve years old.


We have already lost too many buildings that were an incredibly important part of Disney history. 


 


Join the folks at the Save Walt Disney's Birthplace project as we explore Walt's early history and discover how we can preserve the home where he was born! We guarantee you'll be wowed and entertained and leave satisfied that you are doing something very important. 




Space is strictly limited to 70 guests for this FABULOUS event. 



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8th


Celebrated Imagineer, Tim Delaney, will lead a fascinating presentation about the building of the most beautiful Magic Kingdom of them all, Disneyland Paris. Learn about the challenges, creative opportunities, and wonderful stories that make this park so unique in the universe of Disney theme parks. This will be a breakfast event at the ESPN Zone (bacon, bacon, bacon) with a 90 minute audio/visual presentation and an opportunity to meet a true creative genius. Event is limited to 125 guests and will sell out quickly.


Tim Delaney's 34 years at Walt Disney Imagineering included 19 years as a creative director and Vice President of Design. He has been instrumental in all phases of design from initial concept through design development, corporate sponsorship, project production and onsite construction supervision through completion. As a designer, illustrator, painter, creative director, producer and art director, Delaney has lead teams that have designed and constructed over $1.2 billion of Disney Parks and attractions worldwide, including Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Hong Kong.Tim has been awarded the 2002 Ray Bradbury Award for Lifetime of Creative Excellence. He was the subject of the popular BBC documentary ''Shoot the Moon.'' And, in, 1995 he was awarded the Themed Entertainment Association award for best attraction for Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris.

Tim will sign copies of Disneyland Paris From Sketch To Reality (copies of this beautiful book are available at a VERY special price for this event only)


Put your Disney skills to the test as Fishbulb presents one of his famous eye spy/scavenger hunt events. This two hour event will be free to enter (you'll just need park admission). There will be fun prizes sponsored by Fairy Godmother Travel and this is always a great way to meet fellow MicePals and have a great time in the park.




Communicore Weekly Musical Meet-up - Feb 8th, 6:30pm

Meet Jeff Heimbuch and learn more about the epic Communicore Weekly Musical project. This event will be presented in the same location as the Game Show. Two great events, one great location. SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE






Monorail Man's EXTRA Limited Time Magical Game Show - Feb 8, 7pm




The game show has become a MiceChat anniversary tradition. Why? Because Monorail Man isn't just a Disney nerd but a game show nerd as well. And what excuse do we need to have a good time and win prizes? The show lasts for about an hour and prizes will be given throughout.SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE




SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9th MiceChat/MiceAge Classic Sunday in Disneyland


Breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace, a grand circle tour of Disneyland aboard theDisneyland RailroadMark Twain trip around the Rivers of America, MiceChat noon meet with prize giveaway, group photo, lunch with friends, D23 Fanniversary Scavenger Hunt, "Practically Perfect Tour," farewell meet withgrand prize giveaway.

It's a MiceChat tradition that's not to be missed. All are welcome to join us for as much or as little of this day of magic as they'd like. All events, except for the Evening with Walt Disney and the Breakfast with Tim Delaney, are free (you just need theme park admission).

Add your email address below to be notified when the final event schedule with dates/times/locations of all of the above listed activities is available. 

SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Perry the Platypus in Caribbean Plaza

Check out my article at Mice Chat to read about the history of the Caribbean Arcade and some new Five Legged Goats!



Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Communicore Weekly Season 2 Finale

Make sure to check out the season 2 finale for Communicore Weekly (the Greatest Online Show™).
  • Includes special appearance from Kevin Yee!
  • DISNEY HISTORY! – Meanwhile, George and Jeff talk about Michael Eisner in this weeks Disney History! 
  • BOOK OF THE WEEK! – Jeff…and then George…talk about Work in Progress: Risking Failure, Surviving Success for the Book of the Week! 
  • WINDOW OF THE WEEK! - Jeff looks at the Main Street Marching Band for the Window of the Week! 
  • FIVE LEGGED GOAT! - And finally, we have a super awesome, super secret Five Legged Goat! 


Download on iTunes here! | http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/communicore-weekly/id496333443
Direct download here! | http://www.bamferproductions.com/communicore/0104-CommunicoreWeekly.mp3 Call The Communicore Weekly Hotline and leave us a message at 424-785-GOAT! That’s 424-785-4628!
Want to wear your love of Communicore Weekly? BUY THE SHIRTS!!! at http://www.communicoreweekly.com 

How to stalk us in style: LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
Follow us on the Twitter: @JeffHeimbuch and @ImagiNERDing

Email: communicoreweekly@gmail.com

Music by Steve Williard and Andrew Taylor from Amplify This Music

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Communicore Weekly featuring the Rocket Rods and the Lone Ranger

Check out the latest episode of Communicore Weekly (the Greatest Online Show™). It's Time for Disney History features the Rocket Rods from Disneyland. George's Book of the Week is the Vault of Walt Vol. 2 by Jim Korkis. Jeff and I review the blu-ray of Lone Ranger. The Five Legged Goat is Star Wars-related!