SCAD AnimationFest 2024 was filled with so many amazing conversations, stories, and visuals, making the festival fantastic and insightful.
SCAD AnimationFest 2024 started with enthusiasm and ended with a bang! Huge kudos to all the guests, students, event coordinators, staff, PR, and everyone incredible at SCAD for putting together an amazing and safe festival amidst the weather conditions of Hurricane Helene. The event was strong, capturing the fun, business, and intriguing aspects of all things animation. There were plenty of panels, discussions, and cool talks about industry trends and how students can thrive in their field.
I had the cool opportunity to watch some panels from leading animation teams at Warner Bros. Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Netflix Animation, and many more. It was a very enjoyable experience to watch two student films from SCAD for SCAD AnimationFest 2024: Chelita and Time Flies By. The keynote speaker and award ceremony for legendary animator, director, and writer Genndy Tartakovsky was truly surreal as he has created many great animated series that I often watched as a child. The nostalgia was real!
Here are 7 fun things I saw at SCAD AnimationFest 2024:
1. Learning More About DC’s Creature Commandos
SCAD AnimationFest 2024 kicked off with a stunning behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming DC animated show Creature Commandos. Warner Bros. Animation brought in two knowledgeable guests to discuss the show and delve deeper into the character designs: producer/director Rick Morales and executive vice president of alternative programming Peter Girardi. They showcased and explained many concepts behind the show, including how they ultimately modeled characters with resemblances to the voice actors. Creature Commandos is set to premiere on Max on December 5, 2024.
2. Unveiling Details of Netflix’s Blue-Eyed Samurai
This might have been the standout highlight of SCAD AnimationFest 2024. Blue-Eyed Samurai production designer Toby Wilson delved into the creative inspirations behind the Annie Award and Emmy Award-winning Netflix original series. Wilson guided the audience through the show’s development process, explaining it through visual development artwork. He also showcased some pre-visualization processes. As a fan of in-depth research, I appreciated how meticulously Wilson presented everything.
Set in Edo-period Japan, Blue-Eyed Samurai follows Mizu, a trained samurai on a revenge mission. It was my favorite original animated series in 2023 and a must-watch for everyone! To see some bunraku puppets that inspired its use in Episode 5, “The Ronin and the Bride,” you can visit the Center for Puppetry Arts (CPA) in Atlanta, Georgia.
3. Student Films: Chelita & Time Flies By
SCAD AnimationFest wouldn’t be complete without highlighting some outstanding student films. I had the chance to watch the screening of Chelita, How Painful I Love You by SCAD Animation Studios, and it was amazing. The story follows a young awkward baker trying to reconnect with his first love after finding out she has become an adelita, or a female soldier, in the Mexican Revolution. The filmmakers did a lot of research, requiring great dedication, and even used captivating dance clips as references.
After the film screening, some of the crew came out to discuss the research and process behind the touching film. The panelists included Angela Mauvezin-Quiroga (BFA Animation), production manager; Luis Gerardo Ponce Piñon (BFA Animation, 2024), director and creator; Neko Pilarcik-Tellez (MFA Animation), lead actress; and Riley Quinn (BFA Animation, 2024), one of the directors.
Reactions to Time Flies By will be added soon.
4. Special Preview Screening of Common Side Effects
One of the coolest screenings at SCAD AnimationFest 2024 was a special preview of the first episode of the upcoming Adult Swim series Common Side Effects. The show is created by Joe Bennett (Patriot Act) and Steve Hely (The Office). It’s a half-hour comedy thriller following two former high school friends sharing a deep secret when Marshall discovers the world’s greatest drug—a mushroom that can cure almost anything. However, the DEA, big pharma, and other players won’t stop to prevent them from showcasing it to the world.
My initial thoughts were that the animation on the characters and their environments was outstanding. The subtle character designs added a comedic side as the characters looked very absurd. However, this meant the characters stood out more than the beautiful backgrounds.
5. Deeper Insights into Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio from SCAD Alumni
SCAD alumni working on the Academy Award-winning stop-motion film Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio had a lot to share about its making. While the Pinocchio puppet wasn’t present, they brought in the “Background Fascist Boy” puppet! The lineup included Andrés Eduardo (MFA Animation, 2019), animator at ShadowMachine; Jackie Nash (BA Animation, 2017), model maker; and Naomi Wiener (BFA Animation, 2017), model maker. They discussed various processes and concepts involved in finding the right look and system to make the models move smoothly. The current Pinocchio puppet and some key cast members are also on display at the Center for Puppetry Arts (CPA).
6. Going Back in Time with Animation Genius Genndy Tartakovsky
SCAD AnimationFest 2024 took me on a blast from the past! While many may not recognize the name Genndy Tartakovsky, they surely know his work. The panel started with Tartakovsky being awarded the SCAD Award of Excellence. He has redefined storytelling boundaries, especially on Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, where he developed countless hit animated series like Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Primal, and Primal. This five-time Emmy Award winner also worked on the Golden Globe-nominated Hotel Transylvania series, including two sequels and a spin-off short film.
It was ultimately a fun and mind-stimulating presentation where Tartakovsky gave an in-depth insight into his life, passions, and career. The panel lasted nearly two hours, but I laughed and was amazed by his personal anecdotes, alongside images and clips from his early work. It was also exciting to get a glimpse of what the legend will do next.
7. SCAD Student Animation Showcase
Stay tuned for reactions to the SCAD student animation showcase.
For now, here is the list
For more details on this year’s SCAD AnimationFest, check out the official website.