New Animation from Michael Jantze

The Norm Creator Michael Jantze is the man behind a new video outlining the way YouTube works.

"It's a project I've been working on for six months," says Michael. "It took five
scripts and hundreds of drawings to get the story and characters just right. And it's also my first "talkie" cartoon. And yes, even after a very wide casting for voices, the client went with the 'scratch tracks' ... my son and I. It's been a real fun project."

Check it out on the YouTube site

Keni's Booklands Trailer

ROK Comics creator and MuseToons creator Keni -- also a gifted animator who has also worked as a set painter and scenic artist -- has just published an excerpt of his new animation Booklands on YouTube.
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The animation features characters seen in MuseToons and was created in a variety of programs including Lightwave and Final Cut Pro.

Keni has strong views on art of any kind. "Art is a process more than a product," he feels. "It doesn't start with the paint, nor does it end with the picture. The process starts in the heart of the artist and continues in the viewer where spirits, minds and emotions interact through the body of work; testifying to the notion that paint, pastel, bronze, and now, digital art, are indeed mediums.

Art can be a powerful force for social change," he adds. "Knowing this, I tend to create work that revolves around personal and global matters of concern. It’s my way of enlightening, while creatively promoting an awareness in my viewers that hopefully inspire to take action."

• View the animation on YouTube
• Read MuseToons on ROK Comics
• Visit the official MuseToons web site

Michael Jantze goes to Cannes!

Michael Jantze, creator of the internationally-syndicated comic strip The Norm, whose outlets include ROK Comics (see www.rokcomics.com/thenorm) has had his animated short accepted into the Short Film Corner at Festival de Cannes 2008.

Mr. Lux: At Your Service, Jantze’s first animated short, will be part of the Short Film Corner at Festival de Cannes this month. The animation is a fast ride of traditional animation utilizing both pencil to paper animation and the latest in computer software.

A new character from Jantze, Mr. Lux is only happy when he delivers five-star service to his hotel guests.

Jantze’s script was brought to life by a story team consisting of himself, David Andrews and Kelly McNutt. Jantze created the layouts and designs as well as directed McNutt’s animation. Jory K. Prum provided the Sound Design and Jared Emerson-Johnson wrote and performed the Mancini-esque soundtrack. Nicole Jantze served as Executive Producer.

Michael and Nicole Jantze will be in the Short Film Corner at the Festival de Cannes between 19 and 21 May to speak with interested buyers. The four minute short can be viewed on the Cannes Short Film Corner website or at Jantze.com (www.jantze.com/animation) along with other recently finished shorts. There's also a clip on YouTube, linked below.




• In related news, Michael Jantze's The Norm web site has just had an extensive makeover: not only can you read about the character but related merchadinse and other many gems are now on offer. Check it out at www.thenorm.com