Your Guide to Animation Events at San Diego Comic-Con (Day 1)
This morning, Comic-Con International: San Diego released the event schedule for Thursday, July 18th, the first day of programming at the annual SoCal pilgrimage of pop culture geeks. To help make your lives easier, we’ve combed through the schedule and compiled all the animation-related events in one handy place. Keep in mind, this is only day one! Among the major animation names who will appear on Thursday are Dean DeBlois, Rob Minkoff, Bill Plympton, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Craig Bartlett.
There will also be a couple major treats for classic animation fans. Firstly, 88-year-old animation legend Gene Deitch (Tom Terrific, UPA, Terrytoons) will be visiting from Prague for his first-ever Comic-Con appearance. He’ll be promoting his new book Nudnik Revealed!
Animation Events: Thursday, July 18
MAD Screening and Q&A
The MADness continues in San Diego as MAD once again descends on Comic-Con with their usual-but mostly unusual-brand of hijinks and hilarity. Producers Kevin Shinick and Mark Marek and other hilarious minds from the show promise a wisecracking discussion about the series inspired by the beloved and bestselling humor magazine. Producers will also share new footage featuring all the fan-favorite elements of the show, from animated parodies and crazy commercials to pretend promos and classic gags. This panel is sure to leave everyone feeling MAD. From Warner Bros. Animation, MAD airs Mondays at 8:30/7:30c on Cartoon Network.
Thursday July 18, 2013 10:15am – 11:15am
Room 6DE
Hasbro: Transformers Prime Beast Hunters
Members of the Hasbro and Hasbro Studios team as well as special guests give fans a peek behind the curtain of the popular animated series currently airing on the Hub TV Network. Attendees will learn details about the upcoming epic conclusion of the award-winning series, including the Predacons Rising DVD launching in October and a TV movie event airing on the Hub.
Thursday July 18, 2013 11:00am – 12:00pm
Room 25ABC
Dreamworks Animation Filmmaker Focus
Join chief creative officer Bill Damaschke and directors David Soren (Turbo), Rob Minkoff (Peabody & Sherman), and Dean DeBlois (How to Train Your Dragon 2) as they discuss putting a great story through the animation process and onto the screen. Moderated by Anthony Breznican (Entertainment Weekly).
Thursday July 18, 2013 11:45am – 12:45pm
Room 6A
The 14th Annual Animation Show of Shows
Ron Diamond (program curator, president of Acme Filmworks and AWN.com) presents the best and newest in international animation. Included is Disney's Oscar winning Paperman along with 10 animated shorts culled from the most notable festivals from around the world. Shows annually at Pixar, Dreamworks, Disney, ILM, Blue Sky, Sony, EA, UCLA, SVA, USC, SCAD, NYU, RISD, Harvard and CalArts.
Thursday July 18, 2013 11:50am – 12:50pm
Hall H
Bill Plympton’s Cheatin’ and Kickstarter Funding for Animation
Two-time Oscar-nominated director Bill Plympton (Idiots and Angels) will preview his new animated feature Cheatin'. He will screen pencil tests and finished sequences and discuss the successful Kickstarter campaign that raised funds to complete the film, plus his plans for distribution. Bill will also screen some of the short films from his new DVD release Dogs and Cows and answer questions about his career. Plus, all attendees will receive a free Bill Plympton sketch!
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Room 23ABC
The Pitching Hour
Jermaine Turner (director, current series, Disney TV Animation), Ted Biaselli (VP programming, The Hub Network), Jill Sanford (VP, Nickelodeon Animation Development), Derek Hoffman (VP, Donner Co.), Ivan Brandon (writer/publisher, Offset Comics), Charlie Chu (editor, Oni Press), Lindsay Rostal (game producer, The Odd Gentlemen), Jennie Kong (PR strategist), and moderator Dan Evans III (freelance writer, Stoopid Monkey), will take an idea from conception through production for various media. This process will include creating a pitch document, obtaining agents, and getting a pitch meeting. The panelists will explain, through hypothetical example and humorous stories, the process that new creators should adapt to make their way through the creative battleground of the entertainment industry. Knowing that each project is unique, there will be a Q&A to allow the audience to really hone in on the solutions to obstacles they may encounter. Also on hand will be Brendan McFeely (IP lawyer, Kane Kessler) to give creators insight on protecting their ideas as they navigate Hollywood!
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Room 5AB
Spotlight on Gene Deitch
Comic-Con special guest Gene Deitch is a legendary cartoonist, animator, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and creator of Tom Terrific. Join him for a tour thru his 70-year career, including his years directing cartoons for UPA and Weston Woods, as well as creating the comic strip Terr’ble Thompson and crossing paths with everyone from Pete Seeger and John Lee Hooker to Maurice Sendak and Jules Feiffer. Moderated by animation historian Jerry Beck and famed movie critic and author-and Comic-Con special guest-Leonard Maltin!
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Room 8
Cartoon Network: Annoying Orange
The cast and crew of Annoying Orange offer a slam-packed, manic musical mash-up, featuring an exclusive look into the show's unique production process, an epic episode premiere, a live musical number, a Toby Turner dance, and insight into the emerging creative bridge between Internet and traditional television entertainment. Panel includes Dane Boedigheimer (creator, Orange, Pear, Midget Apple, Marshmallow), Toby Turner (Nerville), iJustine (Passion Fruit), Tom Kenny (Coconut, Guava), Rob Paulsen (Broccoli Alien Overlord), Tom Sheppard (co-creator, director, Li'l Squishy, Old Man Banana), Gary Binkow (EP), and Conrad Montgomery (Cartoon Network creative executive).
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:45pm – 1:45pm
Room 6DE
Hanna-Barbera
After a pair of droids set the world on fire in a galaxy far, far away, Hanna-Barbera reconvened their super-terrific Sixties space superheroes for a second round of intergalactic adventures. Joining the already iconic masterpieces of Alex Toth design Space Ghost and the Herculoids were newcomers Teen Force and Astro and the Space Mutts (yes, THAT Astro) – and best of all, the heroes would frequently unite in fantastic team-up finales. Warner Archive Collection presents a look at the legacy of Space Ghost and the Herculoids, preview the upcoming release of Space Stars, take a detour to examine everyone’s favorite pre-historic superhero Captain Caveman, and discuss a very special upcoming Blu-ray release. Join WAC Podcast hosts Matthew Patterson and DW Ferranti and notable guests James Tucker (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) and Steven Melching (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) for this entertaining survey of some truly super-toons.
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Room 6A
Cartoon Hangover: Bravest Warriors, Bee and Puppycat, and Friends
Breehn Burns (writer/director of Bravest Warriors) and the cast of Bravest Warriors, Tara Strong (voice of Plum), Alex Walsh (voice of Chris), John Omohundro (voice of Danny), Ian Jones-Quartey (voice of Wallow), Michael-Leon Wooley (voice of Impossibear), along with Bob Boyle (storyboard artist), discuss season 1 and the upcoming season 2, moderated by Eric Homan (producer of Bravest Warriors, VP of development at Frederator). Don't miss sneak previews of new Bravest Warriors episodes and other exclusive news. Seven-year-old Sam Lavagnino (voice of Catbug) will make a special appearance. Natasha Allegri (creator, Bee and Puppycat) will talk about her first original cartoon and will present a sneak peak of Bee and Puppycat part 2, as will other Cartoon Hangover stars Miss Kelly Martin (creator, Dr. Lollipop) and Aliki Grafft (director, Dr. Lollipop).
Thursday July 18, 2013 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Room 28DE
Nick Re-Mix: It’s Time to Go Behind the Slime!
Nickelodeon brings together Craig Bartlett (creator, Hey Arnold!), Chris Viscardi and Will McRobb (creators, The Adventures of Pete and Pete), Jay Howell and Jim Dirschberger (creators, Sanjay and Craig), and Steve Borst and Gary Doodles (creators, Breadwinners) to offer an insider's look at the creative process behind some of our funniest, most endearing, and fan-favorite cartoons. These creators will discuss what inspired them and reveal what it's really like to bring a show to life at Nickelodeon. Plus get a sneak peek at Nickelodeon's new animates series Breadwinners. Moderated by Chris Hardwick.
Thursday July 18, 2013 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Room 7AB
Animated Effects in Live Action
When the word animation is used, we think of cartoons. However, the line between live action and animation is becoming blurred due to technological advances. This panel includes industry professionals who create some of the most memorable animated visual effects, discussing how they blend animation with live action seamlessly. Appearing: Daniel Jeannette (animation director, Happy Feet and animation supervisor, Where The Wild Things Are), Roger Kupelian (matte painter, The Lord of the Rings trilogy), and James Parris (animator, Spider-Man and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).
Thursday July 18, 2013 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Room 7AB
How to Build a Portfolio for the World of Animation
Industry leaders share an insider's look at what it takes to build the right portfolio to enter the world of animation. Attendees will gain an understanding of the creative roles of animated television, feature animation, and visual effects industries. Dawn Rivera-Ernster (director of talent development and recruitment, Walt Disney Animation Studios), Brooke Keesling (manager, animation talent development, Cartoon Network), and Diane St. Clair (VP, recruiting and artist development, Sony Pictures Imageworks) offer an insider's look at what it takes to build a creative animation portfolio.
Thursday July 18, 2013 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Room 23ABC
I Know That Voice: The Documentary: Special Preview and Q&A
John DiMaggio (executive producer of IKTV, also voice of Bender from Futurama, Jake The Dog from Adventure Time, IFC's Out There, and many more) brings the cast and crew of IKTV together for an exclusive sneak peek at the most anticipated film about voice-over (in animation and video games) ever made! Included in the panel are Billy West (Futurama, Ren and Stimpy), Rob Paulsen (TMNT, Pinky and the Brain), Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Wars, Ben 10, American Dad), Fred Tatasciore (Hulk, Ben 10, Mad), Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants, Brickleberry), Andrea Romano (25-time Emmy nominee, 8-time Emmy winner for Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and more), Tommy Reid (producer, IKTV), and Lawrence Shapiro (director, IKTV). You won't want to miss this panel, especially with this bunch! You never what's going to come out of their mouths!
Thursday July 18, 2013 4:45pm – 5:45pm
Room 6BCF
PAC Is Back! PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures
PAC-MAN returns for a new generation of fans! PAC-MAN producer Kunito Komori from Namco Bandai Games and Avi Arad, founder and director of Marvel Studios, discuss rebooting the iconic video game character for an exciting new animated series for Disney XD and a blockbuster video game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and PC.
Thursday July 18, 2013 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Room 25ABC
The Legendary Animators of Classic ’60s Cartoons
Legendary and award-winning animators Bob Singer (character and background designer, Bugs Bunny/Scooby Doo), Art Leonardi (designer/director, Pink Panther), Willie Ito (layout artist/Bugs Bunny, Flintstones), and Iraj Paran (character and title designer, Super Friends, Josie and the Pussycats), share their vast experience shaping animation history and creating hundreds of classic characters and cartoons we love from Disney, Warner Brothers, and Hanna Barbera, with over 100 years of experience among them. Leslie Combemale of ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery moderates.
Thursday July 18, 2013 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Room 9
South Park: The Stick of Truth
The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, will discuss their upcoming South Park videogame, South Park: The Stick of Truth. Parker and Stone will talk role playing games, their vision for an interactive South Park adventure, and creating The Stick of Truth, the epic quest to become…cool.
Thursday July 18, 2013 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Room 6BCF
The Goon Kickstarter and Beyond with Eric Powell and Blur Studios
Back in November, legions of fans rallied together to raise over $400,000 to put together a story reel for the David Fincher-produced feature film based on Eric Powell's hit comic book series The Goon! Now, Kickstarter supporters and Comic-Con attendees alike will have a chance to catch an exclusive glimpse of this work in progress! Creator Eric Powell, Blur Studios owner Tim Miller, and veteran visual effects guru Jeff Fowler present an update on this crowdfunded full-length motion picture.
Thursday July 18, 2013 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Room 9
A New Generation of Spike and Mike’s Festival of Animation
A dazzling collection of the most artistic, award-winning and funny animated shorts from around the world. Featured are 15 international, critically acclaimed animated short films, including Oscar nominees and winners. Entries include Bill Plymptons new film Drunker Than a Skunk, Pound Dogs, Dumb Ways to Die, and many more.
Thursday July 18, 2013 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Room 6BCF