Changes, Changes

Hello All,

I have been quite busy as of late, applying for new jobs and recently graduating from college. Now that school is done and out of the way, I should be able to contribute more time to this blog. I have updated the website slightly with a new tab, About Me, and I am now also a contributor to the new website, Character Design References, run by friends in Ireland. :)

With that out of the way, I wish all of you a Happy (Rather Belated) New Years!!

- Natalie

My new business partner.

Hello? One, Two, Three...Testing

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am alive and will resume posting this month. I am almost done with college and have recently relocated to work a new job with State Parks. I was also recently contacted by the owner of Character Design References to write articles for his future website, but will still continue to post on this site.

I've been doing more artwork and writing recently too. If any of you like what you see below, would be interested in me using a future Tumblr site for the art or having me post it here? (Or I could post in both places, but draw individual pieces for certain articles I write, etc.)

A simple digital piece made for a web design class.

Animesque concept art.

Lupin III fan art from a few years back. 

(Click images to enlarge.)

New Year's Resolutions

First of all, I would like to apologize for being absent from my blog for over a month. As usual, I have been exceptionally busy completing my senior year at college and finishing various projects. I promise to post at least 2-3 times a month from now on and hopefully I will be able to post more frequently (around 5-6 posts per month) by the end of next year...

Resolutions List

1.) Complete College and My Senior Project
2.) Post with Gusto!
3.) Start a Tumblr Page to Post Personal Artwork & Other Miscellaneous Stuff
4.) Find a Full Time Job that I Enjoy
5.) Become as Awesome as Bill Watterson Someday

Well, that's enough about me for now. What are your resolutions?

Where I've Been

Hello, fellow bloggers! If you have been following my blog recently, you have probably noticed that I haven't posted anything for over a month. I have been extremely busy with my summer job and preparing for my senior project. (Not to mention, my internet has been rather spotty lately…) I should resume a more regular posting schedule by the end of this month. Sorry to keep you hanging! If you need something to read in the meantime, feel free to check out the recommended websites in the side tab.

Busy, Busy, Busy

First off, I would like to apologize for the lack of posts this month. I have had my hands full finishing up a summer internship, visiting family, and getting settled back at college. I might be able to post an article I have been working on over the past few weeks, but I probably won't be back to my regular schedule until mid October. In the meantime, have a great fall season!

Important Blog Update!

Hello fellow bloggers! I have been pretty busy recently with a paid internship and my internet was out for a while, so I have been posting somewhat less frequently. However, I should be able resume my usual (one post a week) schedule within a short period of time.

On another note, this site is just over half a year old and I have already received over 10,000 page views. I'm touched. I don't really know how to express my happiness, but this GIF of Zenigata dancing with Fujiko comes pretty close. (Sadly, Zenigata still probably dances better than I can, but I digress.) I also plan on launching a tumblr page to supplement my blog, but only time well tell when that happens.  

Early History of Animation Blogathon Begins!

Hi all. I have been pretty busy recently preparing for exams and writing papers. However, I soon plan to do a bunch of posts relating to the artistic evolution of animation up until the beginning of the Golden Era (meaning primarily American animation up until the late 1930s - early 1940s). In particular, I will be looking at the rise and fall of the use of 'rubber hose' animation in Hollywood and how the style still has some lasting influences today.

Bill Nolan's rubber hose animal drawings. 

I will be covering the following:

1. Animation Before Hollywood (1900 -1918)
2. The Age of Rubber Hose Animation (1919 - mid 1930s)
3. The Decline of Rubber Hose Animation and The Slide Towards Realism (late 1930s - early 1940s)
4. Contemporary Examples / Uses of Rubber Hose

New Posts Coming Soon! (I Promise!)

Hi all. Recently I have been very busy studying for finals which is why I have not posted for about ten days. I should begin posting regularly (every three to five days) within in the next week and half. Until then, it is likely that I may not post at all or only write very short entries. Hang in there and wish me luck! Also, thanks for over 1,500 page views. I love you guys. :)

500 Page Views!

Thank you to all of my followers! To celebrate reaching over 500 page views (within the first month that I launched this site!), I have installed a page view counter on this site. Also, here is an animated GIF for you. If you can guess what movie it's from, I will be your new best friend. (Hint: It's a Hayao Miyazaki film.)

How I Judge Films

To make reviews more helpful, I have added a film rating system guide on the reviews tab. Films (and other media) shall be judged as followed:

5/5: A masterpiece! Perfection of film / animation as an art form.
4.5: A truly wonderful movie. Be sure not to miss it.
4/5: A good, decent well rounded movie. May have a few flaws.
3.5: It's not perfect, but certainly not bad either. If you are curious, it's worth checking out.
3/5: Give it or take. A harmless movie, but perhaps a bit too flawed or forgettable.
2.5: An uneven film. Very flawed. May have a few redeeming scenes or leave one wishing for more.
2/5: A bad movie. Boring, borderline offensive, or just plain stupid.
1.5: A really bad movie. It is a chore to watch. In fact, you might leave half way through.
1/5: An unbearably awful train wreck of a film. Avoid at all costs!
0.5: I can only pray that I never shall review a film this horrible.

Welcome!

The ANIMATORIUM is now posting. It is a blog dedicated to informing people about animation from around the world, particularly works that are more obscure or harder to find in the United States. This site will also feature articles about the animation industry in general and occasionally cover other media such as live action film and comic books. Enjoy your visit!