One Last Final "Brave" Trailer
The Art of Designing Cartoon Pasta
TALKBACK: "The Legend of Korra"
Brad Bird at the Walt Disney Family Museum
Follow @CartoonBrew on Twitter
YouTube
Vimeo
RSS
Follow Cartoon Brew on Facebook
|
|
|
The Art of Pixar Short Films: Contest, Interview & Reviews
 March 26, 2009 6:20 am
UPDATE: Thanks to everybody who entered! Here are the winners: It’s give-away time on Cartoon Brew! We’ve got three sets of my new book The Art of Pixar Short Films and its companion DVD, the Pixar Short Films Collection, Volume 1. Here’s how to win a set: * We will choose one winner from the comments section of this post. Anybody who posts a comment below, before 12am tonight, is automatically entered. * A second set will be given away to a random subscriber to the Cartoon Brew Twitter account. If you’re already a subscriber, then you’re already entered. If not, just subscribe to our Twitter feed. Winner will be chosen tonight at 12am. * A third winner will be randomly chosen tonight at 12am from subscribers to our new Cartoon Brew Facebook Page. To enter, just join the page. (Note: This is different from our Facebook group.) Want to hear more about the book. Check out this interview I did with Mike Bastoli at The Pixar Blog. Reviews of the book are starting to come in. A selection: “[W]ith the Pixar Shorts book, Amid has written what I consider to be his best book. His writing style is fluid and easy to read, but he doesn’t dumb down the material. His focus is more on the people who made the films than the films themselves, although he smartly lays out what is so remarkable about each film.” (Ricky Grove/Renderosity) “Author Amid Amidi gives wonderful insight into the Pixar process with stories and anecdotes you won’t find anywhere else…It’s kind of hard to do this book justice via a write-up, you really need to take a gander at all the beautiful art that is contained within. I’ve had it in my living room for a couple of weeks now and every time I have friends over they end up getting caught up in it for a good amount of time. The book is definitely an easy way to show off your passion for all that is Pixar.” (Monki/Ain’t It Cool News) “[N]one of the art-of Pixar books to date have taken us behind the creative process, and deeper into the history of the company, the men and women who made the company the juggernaut it is today. That has changed with Mr. Amidi’s terrific The Art of Pixar Short Films. A lovingly packaged and in-depth look at not only the films themselves, but also a de-facto history of Pixar, and their critical importance in the development of digital animation in general. (Brett Warnock/Hey Bartender!) “An always astute Amid Amidi has partnered with Chronicle Books to write a concise but fairly thorough and very smart monograph hidden in an “art of” that, frankly, looks like every other ‘art of’ book Chronicle has ever produced…Amidi provides some excellent historical information and carefully measured editorial observations in a smart, easy to read take on the development of Pixar via the amuse-bouche of animation.” (Rhett Wickham/Laughing Place) “The writeup is great. There’s a short history of Pixar before it was even known as Pixar (founded in 1986). Following on, it details the making of each short film. There are interesting things like how depth map shadowing and tweening were used in Luxo Jr. or how John Lasseter would animate into the morning and sleep under his table.” (Parka/Parka Blogs) “Going through the book, it’s obvious that Amidi wanted to give the spotlight to a wider variety of artists than what one often sees on DVD special features, where the main directors and producers generally get the spotlight. In this book, you get to see work from a large number of artists who contributed to the films. There is no conceit here in terms of making us think that any film is the product of one man; rather, the exuberance of Pixar collaboration is quite evident.” (Randall Cyrenne/Animated Views) “I can really appreciate the difficulty of writing the establishing section, distilling highly technical systems and challenges in understandable terms while avoiding the obvious out of respect for the readers. As each short appears in the book, historic narrative is woven in order sustain the context of the films and their impact.” (Greg Ehrbar/MouseTracks) “What’s particularly nice about The Art of Pixar Short Films isn’t its use of seldom-seen photographs…but – rather – that Amidi isn’t afraid to dig into the more controversial aspects of the Pixar story…Amid Amidi strikes just the right balance with this handsome new hardcover. There are just enough new stories to interest history buffs like myself. While – at the same time – there are enough great illustrations to be found in The Art of Pixar Short Films that animation professionals & students of the medium will probably want to pick up a copy of this new Chronicle Book just for inspiration and/or reference purposes.” (Jim Hill/Jim Hill Media) “I’d like to start off by saying that The Art of Pixar Short Films by Cartoon Brew’s Amid Amidi is, in one word, beautiful!…The Art of Pixar Short Films will look great next to your other “Art of…” books, but on the inside it is more like To Infinity and Beyond!: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios (also from Chronicle) although it focuses on the shorts in more detail than ever before!” (Martin/Pixar Planet) |
ADVERTISEMENTS
EVENTS
RECENT BREW TV EPISODES By Sitji Chou. A man tries to understand the futility of creating human connections when they’ve been impeded by the microcosmic void between material particles.  By Nikolas Ilic. A story of a Scottish sheep farmer who shears his sheep and tosses them cliff side…  By Dylan Hayes. Lesson 1: Everyone gambles, not everyone loses. Lesson 2: The world is full of traps. Lesson 3: You cannot win if you don’t take risks.  By Jean Yi. A personal and humorous exploration of being the ‘Nice Girl’ and coming to terms with the label and all its different meanings.  By Ferg Brennan. A lonely fisherman catches an unusual fish, which he decides to keep as a pet. |
Ceci n’est pas une commentaire.
Whoaaa, nice giveaway there. Now to catch up on today and yesterday’s posts…
My comment is … I’d like a free book Amid!
count me in
Amid, pick me to prove that when it comes to love of animation, international shipping costs don’t matter.
How ’bout youse gimme da book n I’z dont breaka ya face.
Count me in for a free copy. It will sit next to the copy I purchase!
I am looking forward to this book. I think Pixar is the most creative animation studio producing film right now.
free book pleeeeze!
After seeing Jim Hill Media’s review, I am very intrested in getting the book. I’ve always been a fan of “‘Art of’ animated feature” books and I usually get them or take a look at them after seeing the movie, but with the Pixar Shorts, I’ve already seen them throught the years.
Haha, this is awesome! The short films are total works of art and in my opinion they’re even better than the movies ;)
Sweet, I love that they make these books.
I am posting a comment!
looks good!
I’m a huge fan of the your blog and am looking forward to this new book. I own cartoon modern and I found it to be a great read and I refer to it often. Keep up the great work.
Whoo Hoo!
Here’s hopin’ that #1 will be my lucky number!
I want one!
I’m leaving a comment because I would love a copy of your book! :D
I’ve heard much good about the new book. Congratulations, Amid.
YAY! I’ve already got several art-of Pixar books- I’d love to learn more! If i don’t win a copy I’ll certainly be buying one :) thank you for writing it, Amid!
Hi,
I’m in!
Looks like a cool book!
No comments yet? That’s insane. I’d LOVE to have this book! I’ve seen all the shorts and they’re terrific.
Posted!
Sounds Good I’m in.
I’m interested in reading/owning this book.
can I please win?!?!?!
Looking forward to checking out this book. The shorts are an underappreciated part of Pixar’s history, imo.
Awesome!…can’t wait to read it!
I really enjoyed “To Infinity and Beyond!: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios”. “The Art of Pixar Short Films” looks like a great companion book. I can’t wait to see it!
It’s a great book, and everyone should have their own copy.
The Pixar’s “Art of” are really superb editions. So… I can’t wait to read this.
Wow! A contest! And u dont hav to do nethin! NIIIICE!
Am down!
I see your book and raise you a comment.
Yay, I wants to win.
Mmm, animation art…
Very excited for this. Happy that the early word is that it is a relatively unfiltered look at these great shorts. Congrats on all the great parise! Can’t wait to get my hands on one.
We wantz it…….well, I wantz…..I can haz it?
I’m Amid biggest fan! To have this book would really make my day and the rest of the week.
count me in
Anything with Pixar involved is worth a shot!!!
Great Idea for a contest! Count me in.
I would love to have this book. I was just watching the PIXAR short films collection on DVD yesterday, and it would be great to learn more about how they got to that point.
I can get a free book and DVD just for posting this? Wow, thanks Amid and Jerry!
oh man, this would be pretty sweet on my shelf
Thanks for running this.
I’m in! Love this stuff.
Sounds like it’s a great book. I really like the pre-Toy Story stuff that’ll gety covered in this book. Just curious about two things. Is this going to be the censored version of Knick Knack or not? Also, is Presto in this at all? I have a friend who worked on it.
Nothing says interest booster quite like free stuff.
So, all you have to do is add a comment? No bloodtest? No obstacle course? No paperwork? Sounds too good to be true.
You got to love pixar for brething life back into the mainstream animated short, if not animated movies, if not movies in general.
Well here is my comment , because I would really like to win the book.
While I’m commenting, I can also send you the link to the work in rpogress blog of my current animation project SLim Pickings Fat Chances: http://slimpickingz.blogspot.com/ !
Have a look and tell me what you think!
thanks
David
I’m your huckleberry.
I like Geri’s Game but I’ll play Amid’s.
hand over the book and no one gets hurt…….please?
Can’t wait to add this one to the shelf next to the previous “Art of” books!
ah how nice, a book to go along with the Pixar short dvd:)
Excellent! Thanks for putting this together.
Thanks, Amid for helping to preserve this valuable history.. Technology and animation is changing all the time. these books will be well treasured as captured moments in an exciting time…rock on!!
I was paging through the book yesterday at Barnes and Noble. It really is one of the better Art of books.
Looked through this book at Borders. Looks amazing!
Yessss, free raffle.
Definitely would like a cool book for my new cubicle.
I would love a copy of this book so pick me!!!
Count me in too, you’ve got to be in it to win it.
*looks at neat pile containing Art of Monsters Inc, Art of Incredibles, Art of Nemo, Art of Ratatouille, Art of Cars, Art of Wall*E and Cartoon Modern*
..yeah, time for another art book :) Can I play?
I’m slated to review this next week, Amid- and I haven’t received a review copy yet, so -if I win, I’ll meet my deadline!
WOooooo! This would look great on my coffee table.
“The Art of Pixar Short Films” looks amazing. “Cartoon Modern” is getting worn out – I need a new book.
OOh I like games for free stuff.
Boop.
woo!
Walt sent me…
I’m in!
All the pixar art books have been pretty awesome, this one is no exception. I so want this.
So I don’t have to come up with anything witty or original to be in with a chance of being given a prize? I feel just like Dreamworks!
“It’s not the principle of the thing, it’s the money.” ~ Daffy Duck
woot!
count me in!
I love the Pixar ‘art of’ books. Its really inspiring to look through all the amazing art work all those talented guys get up to. Look forward to seeing this one too!
Entered!
I’m down!
i love me some pixar!
I want a free book! Or maybe just some way I could get a copy of it here in Brazil??? Hum…
woo free stuff.
Telling the background and creative process makes just another “Art of” book so much better! Congratulations on another triumph.
I can’t wait to see all of the wonderful work in this book. My kids get a kick out of seeing how these films are made. It always inspires them to grab their crayons and start drawing.
if you pick me, i promise to learn how to read and not just look at the pretty pictures
I dig all these “Art of…” books, even if I didn’t like the movie it’s of. Always fascinating.
Cartoon Brew Rules!
Is nice to see a good process for shorts films, PIXAR is a master in that. Is always inpiring looking how these little films are made.
I’d like to make a comment:
Book contest. YES!
Am I too late, guise?
I used the copy of The Art of Pixar Short Films that I purchased last month to shield a busload of Taiwanese orphans from a rocket launcher-attack, and then used the charred pages that remained as bandages for the injured victims of an earthquake in Tehran last week (the page containing the wireframe baby from Tin Toy miraculously healed 5 crippled/blind children, FYI.)
Needless to say, I need another copy.
Free is on of my favorite words.
Pick me!! Pick me!!
A comment from me; thanks!! Got a quick look at the book a few days ago – fabulous stuff…
I’d like a copy so I can be a hero like Mudron.
Cartoon Brew is the best!
I’ve been seriously wanting to comment on various articles I’ve read on your wonderful site over the years, but I’ve been far too nervous to do so. But this time I have a great excuse!! Thanks for giving us all this opportunity, Amid!!!
gimme gimme
Salut!
Yep another comment
from zeP
THERE WE GO !!!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORKS!!
Here’s my comment! Love the site!!
Thanks for the opportunity. WINNER WINNER! Pixar dinner. Ha!
VR/
i NEED this! :) Call it a graduation present (I graduate today! 3/26). Great giveaway!!!!
This makes me so happy!
Would love to win the book! :D
Book ‘em Dano!
Muldron,
Your hardship tale probably won’t land you one of Amid’s books but you just won a free ride to UCLA.
Here’s my ticket!
I would love to get this! Am I too late?
DO WANT!!
I had been thinking that it would be a shame if Pixar’s shorts were never given the same “Art Of” book treatment that their longer features had enjoyed. This book is exactly what I was hoping for.
The shorts seem to anticipate technological and storytelling advances for the features. I’m thinking that, for example, the broad, silly action and stylized design in Presto will soon be seen in a major piece. This book will be a great addition to my collection, definitely.
Comment. Comment. Comment? Comment. Comment. Comment!
Actually I’m just gonna go ahead and say Mudron deserves the book
Free awesome book? Yes please!
Here’s a story with how strange
Life with it’s changes,
And it happened
Not long ago…
Thru comments on the blog,
The Brewer’s did slog,
And sent some prizes,
Up to the snow…
DO WANT! :)
Please let me be da’ weiner!
Yes Please!
Well of course I would love to try to win this as well. Who wouldn’t?
Wow! What a great giveaway. If there’s anything better than Pixar’s films it’s the raw production art. There’s so much expression to it.
Gah. The level of talent there is INSANE. Is there any way, if I win, that I could have two copies of the book? One to drool on and one to stare at from a drool-safe distance?
I make very good BJ´s
No Blu-ray? haha
Gee golly. I sure would like to win something like this . . . it would make my life as a poor, sick orphan so much better . . . *cough cough*
Can “retired” editorial cartoonists enter?How ’bout just tired?OOH! OOH!
Looks like a wonderful book! :)
Just the one I’m missing, I cant wait to read it, see the beautiful pictures and read all about the (good) old days.
Can’t wait for the Up art book either.
Cheers,
Make it grand!
Win it or not – This is definitely something I’ll be picking up at some point. It’ll certainly look good next to my ‘Art of ReBoot’ book and plug-in on my book shelf!
I’m in!! yeeeeiii
pick me!
I would love to have this week. sounds like a great read.
Free book!!! Thanks :-)
Minimal comments sometimes says a lot.
wow, well here’s hoping comment Number 127 is the winner. You have definitely chosen a great studio to write a book about. It’ll be a classic!
I would love to have acopy of the book. Pixar is such a great studio.
The space on my bookshelf is reserved. :)
This looks like a great book and I like the DVD contents a lot too.
This book looks just incredible
Looks great….I hope I’m picked!
You know what you can do for me…SHOW ME THE BOOK! I can’t hear you… SHOW ME THE BOOK!!! What you gonna do for me Amid? SHOW ME THE BOOK!!! Louder I can’t hear you… SHOW ME THE BOOK!!!
WOHOOOOOOOOO!!
Looks great!
That book would look sure look great on my desk. Congrats on the publication no matter who wins.
I remember seeking out Pixar shorts like “Knick Knack” in otherwise lackluster “CG shorts” festivals while in art school in the 80s…
Sounds great! Can’t wait to check it out!
Sounds like a pretty neat book.
Gimme gimme!
yeah.
I can’t wait to look through this book. It will be very interesting to read through the history of the Pixar studio; especially the early days.
Amid,
I’d like to know all of the avenues you took to research the history of Pixar. You must have spent time in the studio and interviewing past and present employees.
The book sounds great. Crossing my fingers…
Woo-hoo…. I hope I win!!!
Count me in! :)
students on a budget require priority :)
let me know when you need my address!!!
If this latest Amid book is on par with his others, it will be a grand addition to my already graoning bookshelves.
Here is my comment. Good job with the blog!
Hooray for random chances of winning. :)
I’ll give it a try.
Thanks!
Hi there, I’m an animation student and I’m really looking forward to owning this book & the dvd!!!! been a big fan of pixar all my life!!!
I love the “Art of…” books! Inspiration galore!
Count me in, too – Thanks for the chance!
My comment is full of win.
maybe i will win!
MAYBE!!!!?!!
I have no problem shamelessly giving this one a shot!
I might be better off if you don’t pick me-I have over 3,000 books now (30 or so on animation) and I’m likely going to be a News of the Weird entry in the future (Man crushed by falling bookshelves).
But I like what Pixar’s doing, so I’ll test my luck!
May this find you happy and healthy.
Robert Reynolds
Tucson AZ
Count me in too.
Sounds good to me!
Great Brew!!
I’m av animationstudent in Norway, it is almost no books about animation here, I’d love to have this one! By the way Amid I remember you from the animationfestival in Fredrikstad last year:)
Ooooh, me wanne!
excitement!
I guess I oughta pick this one up too. I finally found my set of the other art of pixar books I’ve been looking for, for over a year they were stacked, hidden in a box.
Wonder you did with this book, Amid. You tend to have interesting stuff to say (and you’re at an advantage cause it won’t get YOU into trouble…)
Looks wonderful…
I’d share with all the animators at school
Oh my, so many people. I pray to the god of randomness, me he bestow a book on me! Ugh.
Is it too late to enter? =)
I Heart Cartoon Brew!! :-)
Oh, How exciting! I haven’t had any chances to go to the book store lately for my own pleasure, but I’ve always wanted to check out this book!
A chance? Here goes! I do love Pixar art books!
I deserve this more than anyone else, because I just do.
Honestly, I’m not sure what my chances are, but here goes nothing.
The book looks wonderful!
Awesome, thanks for holding the contest guys!
Amid, I already have the book, very good it is too. But another would be nice, you know….because I’ll have two. I don’t have the DVD, so that would be nice.
Well as a newcomer to CB (only found it last week) I’ll certainly enter the comp.
Frankly (and this is totally unbiased), an Australian (like myself) deserves this book more than any American. We’re having to put up with what you guys did to the global economy. That and Americans should be punished for making “Shark Tale”. (Oh hang on, we made “Happy Feet”. Hmmm… ignore that last point).
free book
Oh and Amid, echoing the comment by John Tallacksen earlier, I’d also love to read a “Behind the scenes” blog for your new book.
Everybody’s all about the Facebook. You know why I don’t like Facebook? Takes all the fun out of a good zombie apocalypse. If I find myself in a city, seemingly the only person left alive (or at least not undead), there’s no wondering if I’m the last man on Earth.
No, I just hop on to Facebook and see who’s updated their status in the last while.
Bitter Animator is not eaten by zombies yet.
Just no fun.
I don’t have a Twitter account or Facebook account (I’m low-tech like that) – but
there’s nothing more charming than a Pixar short and nothing to drool over more than an “art of” book; plus, there’s nothing more heart-warming for a *starving animation student* than free art-related quality stuff :D
you guys rock!
Looking forward to reading this soon!
Who wouldn’t like this book?
Me! Me!! Pick Me!!!
im in
Crossing my fingers… I’d love to have this book!
I got to be in it to win it.
That would be so cool if I win. Please please please!
What the heck…I’ll give it a shot. Either way I plan on owning this book very soon. I’ve been looking forward to reading it.
If I win, I will use it to spread the good word here in Fort Worth, Texas!
After the fantastic ‘Cartoon Modern,’ I’m really looking forward Amid’s new book!
I hereby enter.
Thanks to Cartoon Brew, my free evenings are now filled with lectures, screenings, and other events. Hopefully, there will be a few nights free to read the book.
Long-time reader, first time prospective prize winner. I won’t let it go to my head, I promise.
At nearly 200 comments in, I doubt my chances are too good. But, what the hey ..
Ohhh I would like to own this book, even if I have to pay for it.
Hey, Amid,
Congratulations on your latest book. I’m looking forward to reading it.
It’s animation time!
The things people won’t do for a freebie…
Might as well comment!
Pick me, pick me.
I really enjoy the Brew. Thanks for the opportunity…
Tweet.
I mean, post.
Looks like a great book, Amid!
This looks fun.
me too!
I hope I win!!
Thanks for the opportunity. I love animation. The art of evoking life should be kept alive as a beautiful and visual art form of any possibility.
Here is my comment.
‘The Art of Pixar Short Films’ looks terrific in Borders and Barnes & Noble. I bet it would look even more wonderful on my bookshelf! Seriously, fellas, as this is my first time posting, thanks for creating and maintaining such a quality site. (And, no, I’m not just sucking up in a futile attempt for a free book. Or am I… ; )
I would never post in a thread JUST to win something. Never! Never ever! Shame on you all for posting just to win some Pixar goodness.
;)
DOINK!
:)
cool i’ve been wanting this book for a while
If your book is successful, Amid, you may be encouraged to write an updated one ten or twenty years from now. Pixar is still a relatively new film company, and there’s no telling what they’ll produce in the years to come.
what would you do for a klondike bar, post on CB.
I would happily welcome this book and the DVD into my possession. Please consider me for both.
cooooooooommmmmmeeeeeeent. Thanks for the opportunity Brewmasters. :0
hey hey
I look forward to seeing this!
Amid:
I would have bought it even without all the glowing reviews…
but its good to know the book will be a big success.
Much congrats!
Thanks, guys, for holding my spot in line. :-)
Comment! :D
I’d make a comment at this site. So can I have my set and my klodike bar?
This looks like an incredible gift. And my birthday is coming up soon too…
awesome book… keep em comin!
Ding! This is my post. I like books.
lets us watch comment number skyrocket!
I have the Blu-Ray of the shorts and I would love to have the book to go along with it :)
Wow, that book looks fairly incredible. I really need to start collecting more books like this…
Here’s hoping one of the sets might be on its way to Utah.
Free things are nice. I like free things. Gimme, please!
Pick me! Pick me!
I’ve loved Pixar since first seeing Knick Knack at an animation festival in Vancouver lo so many years ago.
I don’t really take the time to post comments… reading them takes up enough time but who could pass on such a great opportunity?
Peace and Love!
A chance at a *FREE* prize, count me in!
That book looks incredible!
I really want your book. I have been a huge pixar fan from the beginning. I am poor. Hook a brotha up!
Love
Raph
It’s not 12am yet…is it?
Ummmmmm……. Can I have a book and DVD set please?
Good luck, everyone. I’ve got a niece who is hoping to enter the art world once she graduates from Cabrini College, so this would be frpm me to her to show her how proud I am of her, and also show her the great company she will be keeping when she is successful.
BOOK ME! (Please)
pretty book!!!
wow, biggest post I’ve ever seen on the site, ha. I’m in…
I never say no to free books.
Gobbledegook! I’d like a free book.
Fiddle dee dee! Please send it to me.
Bahrain and Quatar! That rhymes with Pixar (sort of).
Wow…I’m #226! One thing I love about this site is that there’s something new and something pretty damned cool every day..so much so that it’s become a part of my morning and evening routine. Quick glance before work then a more in depth peruse when I get home in the afternoon. I’m a rabid animation nut and I gotta tell ya this is an cartoon junkie’s dream. I get the majority of my ani-info news here, and there’s nothing that makes me happier than to see so many other like-minded folk going out of their way to keep the rest of us informed and to share their vast knowledge of this wonderful art form. Think I’ve bought just about every book I’ve seen on here and wouldn’tcha know it, you guys come up with yet another gem to add to my collection….it’s Pixar too! Keep the good stuff coming, Jerry, Amid and all you other dedicated ani-philes that make this site what it is….thanks, thanks, and thanks yet again!
Very great book, so I hear.
I’m in.
I’d love this book, as animator I find these books inspirational!
I’m looking forward to reading that book –free or not.
I’d love to add this to my signed copy of Cartoon Modern!
Ah-sum!
Thanks for the opportunity to get another good/great animation book!