Prepare yourself! That’s all I can say about David Sheahan’s Together! (2009). The first time I saw this film was like a punch in the face. It’s bizarre, unsettling, endlessly inventive, and wicked fun. In a nutshell, it’s a completely original take on traditional cartoon animation. The character animation of Candice is inspired, and the use of space and camera is dazzling. The multi-talented Sheahan also composed the music, and voiced the Spider and Candice (the words “I’m wearing a dress” have never sounded so disturbing). Sheahan made this as a graduation film at Pratt Institute, but his fully-realized vision of Together! pushes far beyond student film territory and into a realm of its own. Discover how a moth and roach come Together! exclusively on Cartoon Brew TV.

CONTEST CLOSED! The first six readers who provided a correct answer to this question in the comments section below will receive a copy of the new DVD feature, Rob Zombie presents The Haunted World of El SuperBeasto (courtesy Starz Media/Film Roman). This film is for adults only and will require the winners to state they are over 18.

Paul Giamatti plays Dr. Satan in The Haunted World of El SuperBeasto. Name any other animated film, animated TV series or independent animated short Giamatti has loaned his voice to.

See the answers in our comments section below. CONTEST CLOSED! NO MORE ANSWERS ACCEPTED!

Are you ready??

What is the name of the actor who does the voice of “Wallace” in the Wallace and Gromit Films?

THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!

The earliest person to correctly answer gets a copy of the latest Aardman Animation production, Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (courtesy of Lionsgate). The second place winner will receive a copy of David Levy’s vital new book Animation Development (Thanks to Allworth Press). The lucky people who correctly answer fourth, fifth, sixth and beyond will get nothing (or as Stan Lee used to say, “a No-Prize”!) The poor unfortunate who’s correct answer is the third received will get an unopened, mint-in-box Scooby Doo and the Samurai Sword, the latest direct-to-DVD production from Warner Bros. Animation.

RESPONSE TO THIS CONTEST CRASHED OUR SERVER. OUR SECOND CONTEST (El SuperBeasto) WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS WEEK!

Don’t say we didn’t warn ya: We will be holding two contests on Monday (10/5) and be giving away a bunch of cool prizes.

Winning both contests require you being the FIRST few people to correctly answer a question about animation, a question somewhat related to the prize. The first contest will be posted at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern and the first prize is a copy of the latest, wonderful Aardman Animation production, Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (courtesy of Lionsgate). The second place winner will receive a copy of David Levy’s vital new book Animation Development (Thanks to Allworth Press). The booby prize third prize is Scooby Doo and the Samurai Sword, the latest direct-to-DVD production from Warner Bros. Animation (hey, they sent me a copy and a gotta give it away to somebody!).

At 11am Pacific Time (2pm, east coast), we will have a second contest question and the first six adults to answer correctly will receive a copy of the new DVD feature, Rob Zombie presents The Haunted World of El SuperBeasto (courtesy Starz Media/Film Roman). This film is for adults only and will require the winners to state they are over 18.

We ask that winners of recent Cartoon Brew contests of the past year not compete, and allow others a chance to win a prize. See you here tomorrow, and good luck to all!

We wanted to take a moment to thank some of our recent sponsors. We’re growing the site and planning lots of great things for the future on Cartoon Brew, and it is in large part due to the support of the companies and individuals who advertise on the site.

Our major sponsor for the past couple months has been Animation Mentor. They do a fine job of training students for CG animation work, and we’re glad to have them on board. If you’re curious to find out more about the school, they are hosting a live, behind-the-scenes look tomorrow evening, September 17, at 6pm(PST). You can register to virtually attend the free webinar at Animation Mentor’s website.

Other sponsors who have joined us recently include:

I Love My Scarf: A Picture Book by Kyle Boyd

Nomad Gallery

The book Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol: The Making of the First Animated Christmas Special

CTN Animation Expo

For info about advertising on Cartoon Brew, please visit Reachout Media.

Today’s 22nd episode of Cartoon Brew TV is a special one as we present an exclusive preview of Disney’s return to hand-drawn animation, The Princess and the Frog. This behind-the-scenes clip, courtesy of The Walt Disney Company, discusses the villain of the film, Dr. Facilier. The piece, entitled “Conjuring the Villain,” includes comments from supervising animator Bruce Smith and voice actor Keith David about their work on the character. Click over to Cartoon Brew TV to catch an early look at Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.

A few months ago I shared my thoughts about the student screening at the School of Visual Arts, and in there I noted that Rebecca Sugar’s Singles was one of the highlights of SVA’s graduating class. Today we’re delighted to present the online debut of her film on Cartoon Brew TV. Frankly, I have no idea how anybody manages to become so adept at drawing and animation by the time they’re 22, but Rebecca’s done it, and the beneficiaries of her hard work are my eyeballs and yours. Click over to Cartoon Brew TV and watch her film Singles.

When I saw this short last month at the student film screening for the School of Visual Arts, I instantly knew it was something that we had to put on Cartoon Brew TV. To be perfectly honest, part of the reason was pure selfishness. It’s because I wanted to watch the film again…and again…and again. Jake Armstrong’s The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9! is not only one of the best student shorts I’ve seen in a long time, it’s one of the finest animated shorts, period.

From the opening scene with its striking blood-red color styling, you know you’re watching a short of uncommon quality. The personality animation in this film is superb, and the physical movement of the alien is Mars and Beyond worthy. The use of cutting and camera shows a confident filmmaker at work. The visual style is refreshingly different and a treat for the eyes. Where the film really shines though is in its storytelling; the humor isn’t gag driven, but rather evolves organically from the interactions between the two main characters. This is a cartoon that is sophisticated in all respects, yet done so expertly that the end results appear effortless.

I could praise this film till the cows come home, but the best thing I can do is to invite you to watch The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9! exclusively on Cartoon Brew TV.