MONSTERJAM: Part the Last.

Greetings, my monstrous minions. This one thanks you for your patience; would that I could say with an honest heart that matters of great import prevented my promised delivery of this two weeks ago, but, alas, 'twas more the matter of the weather than of work.

Recriminations aside, I have promised and I have (finally) delivered. The completing half of our monstrous whole lies above for your delectation. And for those who prefer YouTube, it lies below.



Special thanks to one and all, the TAIS board, the animators, NFB staff, Monster Factory, The Beguiling, and everyone else who had a hand in making this a truly monumental event in TAIS history.

A special note: MyToons currently has the film featured on the main page, and I have it on good authority that Channel Frederator will be programming the films into episodes coming very soon. Thanks, thanks, a thousand times thanks once again to our terrific sponsors...you, gentlemen and ladies, as they say in the vernacular, rock.

I'll leave you on this note: what will we do for an encore in the New Year? The mind fairly boggles. Good morrow, one and all...may your pencils never dull.

Blogger's Choice 1st place: Anuwat Vongtanee

The day has arrived, my fine freaky brethren. My next post will contain what you've all been waiting for, MONSTERJAM Part the First. Uploading to Channel Frederator's submission servers as I type this, I'll be sending it to the TAIS MyToon's page before afternoon's end. Be ready.

But first, our last prize must be awarded. That prize? P.A.X., one of the Monster Factory 'Monsternauts'. Monster Factory makes the greatest hand-crafted monster stuffies in the known universe, and they make 'em right here in Toronto. They're also proud sponsors of this TAIS event, so let's hear it for 'em! They're debuting new monsters at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition this weekend, so go get you one!



P.A.X. goes to Anuwat Vongtanee, who submitted this damn clever composite peice...you'll never hit your sink to do the dishes without flinching again. A great reveal, great effects and a terrific monster...all round goodness. Great work, Anuwat!



Thanks to all the animators far and wide who heard the call and took the time to create these amazing lil' monster films. As I said before, I'll be shouting your names far and wide on them there internets for all to see. Thanks to you, the TAIS MONSTERJAM was the crowing glory of the 2008 Animation Showcase. You, sirs and ladies, rock.

Now, don't go too far. Later this afternoon, the big show. Until then.

MONSTERJAMmers: Rafa Toro

Now that the MONSTERJAM submission deadline has come and gone, I'll be spending my time in June profiling some of the filmmakers who sent us animated monster goodness. Meet our first monster-mator, Rafa Toro. Hailing from Spain, he's a graphic artist, animator and character designer with a serious monster fetish...here is but a sample of what Rafa is dishing up. John Martz profiled Rafa's creepy-groovy takes on Batman's villains in 2006. Ya gotta see what Rafa sent us, it's 10 seconds of pure awesome. More monster-mator's in the coming days!

Well, I've been alluding to this for a few weeks, so before I heads off to grab a copy of Condemned 2 (scary as hell) I'll make the big announcement. The Toronto Animated Image Society is proud to announce...MONSTERJAM!

Yep, we've organized a new anijam this year, and this time around the theme is monsters. Animated 10 seconds however your want of whatever story you want, but it's gotta be about monsters. Send us a 720x480 Quicktime (give me a shout if you've got conversion or upload issues) along with a couple of stills and your contact info by May 30th. We'll edit all your creepy goodness into a big-ass anijam film that'll be first screened at the National Film Board in June as part of TAIS' Animation Celebration. Afterwards, we'll post it up on MyToons and submit it to Channel Frederator, and it'll be featured on the TAIS main site.

Did I mention prizes? The guys at Monster Factory and The Beguiling were kind enough to throw some goodies our way to use as prizes for the coolest, creepiest entries. We've got hand-made monster stuffies and author-signed copies of Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi and Kean Soo's Jellaby! I'll post some pictures of them goodies next week, as well as keepin' you posted on all our entries here on the blog, as well as supplying you with the occasional sneak peak.

Special thanks go out to the folks at Channel Frederator and MyToons for the promise of pimpage for this event. Don't just sit there, there's monsters to animate...go, go, go!

Guster: One Man Wrecking Machine

Check out this bit o' lovely, an animated video for the Boston band Guster. Toronto natives and monster fans in general will note the puppets are all Monster Factory stuffies...click the link and browse their collection of sweet-ass monstery goodness. Directed by Drew Lightfoot over there at HeadGear Animation. There's another connection with monsters and TAIS that I will illuminate on come the first of February. Meanwhile, enjoy.