Guys With Pencils

This week the Guys got to chat with their former professor Mark Mayerson. Back in March Mark did a lecture at the monthly Animatic TO series. His talk was titled "Don't Pitch To the Buyer, Pitch To the Audience". If you missed out on his talk, this episode will be sort of an epilogue on the points he had when it comes to pitching your concept. Here's a link to a MovieBob video Andrew rambled on about regarding Hollywood & Destiny.

This week we got to talk with Illustrator/Character Designer, Chris Battle! Chris has been working for over 20 years in the animation business working on such projects as; Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab, Teen Titans GO! Chris joined us this week to chat about his work as a designer and the advice he shares for newer generations of artists who are looking to get into the same field. Check out his stuff below! Chris Battle Blog Chris Battle Tumblr

Talking movies is what's happening this week. The new animated feature version of 'PEANUTS' was debuted and there is a lot of talk back about it. So of course, you're two favorite cartoon nerds weigh in with their thoughts. It's a discussion starting from the basics of the comic strip to the styles that were chosen with this new feature film.

As the seasons change, so do the jobs. It's a fact of life having to work in this type of business. This week the Guys talk about the transitions that need to be made when adapting to a new job. Sometimes their are risks that have to be taken which can cause a lot of uncertainty. Other times there are periods where one job will end and another will start up and not a bit of effort was used to look elsewhere. It's just the way it goes...But it's not all serious business..Adam goes on a joyous recap of the film JASON X! DONT FORGET: Come to ANIMATIC TO (Hosted by Andrew Murray) Follow the link for more info! HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS MORE HORSE BALLS THAN USUAL.   Katie Shanahan and J. Bone have joined us this week to talk about THEFT! specifically, Art Theft. Why Katie and J. you ask? Well because they are victims of having their own pieces of artwork stolen, traced and displayed without having any source credit to the original works or creators! This is a really interesting topic and we were very lucky to have such wonderful artists who can give their accounts as to what steps they took once they realized their work had been stolen. To find out more about Katie and J. Follow the links below: Katie Shanahan J.Bone

This week the Guys are talking about the future! With some contracts coming to a close and new job possibilities on the horizon, They have a little discussion about the work that is to come. But it's not all about work! They also take the time to reflect upon the personal impact that creative people have in their lives.

You’ve never heard of Jason Reeves? … He  made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs. duh! Well that's actually a lie..but Jason did work for George Lucas. Which is pretty damn cool. We got to talk with Jason recently about what it was like working for Lucas Arts in its final years before being bought by Disney. One of the really interesting aspects about his job was that Jason had already been working in the Toronto Animation scene for over a decade. So this was a pretty big move to uproot his family from Toronto to LA for a job. Have a listen as we dive into the aspects of what it took to make this move possible and the experiences he gained while working for Lucas Arts.

In this episode you can expect more! More TCAF, more comics and more Chris Butcher!

This week we finally got to chat with the creator of the Toronto Comics Art Festival (or TCAF as it's known) Chris Butcher! Chris manages at the Beguiling Comic shop in Toronto and has now been running TCAF for over ten years! Chris is an overly nice guy and he was a fantastic guest to talk to. In this first part of a two part episode, we go on to discuss the festival origins along with the work that was involved into setting it up and making it one of the premiere comic art festivals in the world. Tune in next week for Part 2 of this episode!Chris Butcher's TwitterThe BeguilingTCAF

We got everyone's favorite comic book guru JIM ZUB back in the chair this week! For those of you who are unfamiliar, We spoke with Jim Zub before in a two part episode a few years ago. We brought Jim back to talk about his work on his series SKULLKICKERS and his most recent work for IDW on the new SAMURAI JACK comic! Grab a coffee, plug in your headphones and get ready to be motivated by the overly talented incredible nice guy, Jim Zub! Check out these links; Jim's previous episode on GWP - CLICK HEREJim's Twitter - CLICK HERE

We're chatting with Carla Veldman this week! She's a friend of ours who we went to Sheridan with back in the day. Her grad film "The Scarf" is a stop motion short that touches on the aspects of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. We got chatting with Carla, not only because she's a super nice person who we really enjoy being around, but she is going to be doing a puppet building workshop for TAIS (Toronto Animated Image Society) If you really enjoy stop motion and puppet making you should check it out! Have a listen this week as we talk about all the aspects of artistry behind stop motion animation! For Carla's Blog CLICK HERE For Carla's film "The Scarf" CLICK HEREFor TAIS Workshop info CLICK HERE

This week we got to chat with KAT MORRIS! She's worked on such series as; SUPERJAIL!, THE REGULAR SHOW and her most recent work can be seen on Cartoon Network's STEVEN UNIVERSE, where she works her magic as the Story Supervisor! Have a listen as we chat with her about the things that influence her. This episode is pretty rad, talking about everything from The Simpsons to Roller Derby. Kat Morris is one really awesome lady making some great stories for you fine folks! Follow her on TWITTER Check out her BLOG Check out her TUMBLR

Since the conception of this podcast, both Adam and Andrew have been very fortunate to have been working from project to project with very few breaks in between. And since the beginning, they have said that you will get to hear about the high points and the low points. This weeks episode focuses on some of the not so easy aspects of working as a freelance artist. The reality of a job ending abruptly can occur. Have a listen and hear how they deal with this unfamiliar territory. 

Another year has begun, new resolutions have been made, and some more podcasting is underway. This week Adam and Andrew talk about the new year and the new things that will be going on for the both of them, 2014 looks like it will be a great time! Have a listen as they look back on 2013 with all the ups and downs that it had to offer!

This week the boys visit the Toronto studio Tinman Creative and talk to one of its founders Brett Jubinville! Brett tells us all about his career and what its like to start and run a studio in today's media climate while still being and artist!

This week we spoke with Animatic TO creator Barry A. Sanders! Barry is a local Toronto animator who has been working in the industry over the past 17 years. He has recently created the new monthly animation social get together group, Animatic TO. Animatic TO is a monthly animation lecture series and social event dedicated to education, inspiration and building community in Toronto's animation scene. It's only in its 3rd session, but the reception has been fantastic! If you can make it in to Toronto for Wednesday the 18th, come see Kris Pearn (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 co-director) do his lecture! If you would like more info click HERE

Adam and Andrew were at the Bit Bazaar Winter Market this weekend. It was a great time had by all! If you didnt go, you missed out on one hell of a festival! The Guys had the chance to talk with some previous guests who had been on the podcast before (Rosemary Brennan, Rachel Kahn) But they also got to chat with some new folks, Like Miles Baker (He helps run TCAF!). Adam and Andrew also get to have a sit down with the overly helpful and talented couple Jenny & Henry Faber. Without them there would be no Bit Bazaar. The Bazaar had a relaxed vibe of comradery that you dont really see at a lot of the bigger expos, So it definitely stood out as one of the best community efforts put together in a long time. Have a listen to the episode Check out more info about the Bazaar HERE  Check out Robby Duguay's Christmas album HERE

This week the Boys start off with a little recap of the previous work week, talking jobs, events, and overall the atmosphere and where their heads are at for the upcoming month. December can be a really busy time with work, parties, holidays, etc etc. So In this episode they talk about the future opportunities and ideas they both have rolling around inside their heads.They also received a question regarding Freelance work from a listener, to which they address in this episode."...Im looking for advice about commissions on flash puppets. I get people requesting me if I can make puppets for them. How should I price?..."  ALSO!!!!If you happen to be in the Toronto Area on Dec 7th - Check out the Bit Bazaar @ Bento Miso! MORE INFO HERE

 From the start of this podcast we have always made it a point to be observant of what our effect on the animation industry is. Working as Canadians within this industry we have either been working on content for overseas clients or working on our own ideas and trying to expand the Canadian animation scene at home and abroad.In this episode, we discuss our own personal thoughts based on the past three years. It revolves around the politics, the finances and the culture that we live in that defines our roles in the Canadian animation scene. 

We got to hang out with the awesome talent behind ASTEROID BASE this week! Asteroid Base is a Toronto based indie game studio headed by Matt Hammill  and Jamie Tucker.We got to have a long lengthy chat about their early starting points with the company and the trails and tribulations they have encountered doing what they do. It's a great talk and we learned a lot about their process and personal motivations that help them make the awesome games they want to play!Check their site HERE!