You know, I’m re-reading the title and saying to myself … why? Certainly, I’m not drunk. I don’t drink.
But then, the more I study the phrasing and choice of words, it all makes sense and I’ll tell you why. The title of my first editorial for ATLanimation embodies exactly all of what is special, unique and delicious in Atlanta. Yes, character animation is delicious. Especially when it’s backed by a good story.
Atlanta animation has a wellspring of GREAT stories and a strong community of animators, large and small, with a story to tell. What’s more, like the foods and culture specific to Georgia, the animation created here has a distinct flavor of it’s own with an added benefit: dedication to it’s own.
First, let me apologize for the ongoing construction work happening here at the site. There is so much going on in the world of Atlanta and southeast region animation, if I were to wait for a 100% completely populated website of content and witty banter, you would miss everything. So, maintaining a sense of ‘down home realism’; a site that you can touch, ATLanimation will be evolving right before your eyes as I establish more and more connections and conduct more and more interviews.
All this coming from a transplanted New Yorker who originally thought life here was a tad too slow. Turns out, Atlanta life is just what we need when it comes to the patience required to animate just about anything: Gradual, deliberate and the channeling of ones soul into a character (or website) in order to make it come to life.
Frame by frame. Step by step.
ATLanimation is the answer to a recent question ‘what Atlanta animation industry‘?
While I’ve only been in Georgia for five years and disconnected from any art community since leaving New York, I had to find out personally and my first and only stop was with connecting with ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation )-Atlanta’s President Fatimah Abdullah. She has been a wonderful host and gushing with enormous excitement about the regions animation community. Which is why she became the first person interviewed for the magazine. She enlightened me and literally pointed me in the right direction in establishing what ATLanimation was to be about. Quite honestly, I owe her and ASIFA-Atlanta a debt of gratitude for giving ATLanimation the road and initial style the magazine will be walking at our early stages.
During the interview, it became clear that the animation community in Atlanta is so vast, the only reason anyone wouldn’t know about it, and I quote, ‘animators need to come out of their homes and offices and check out what’s going on.’ Animation, like most art forms, can be a solitary ‘private’ experience and form of expression. combine that with the internet, most people may not ever have a reason to leave their man or woman cave. ASIFA proved that ‘social networking’ here in Atlanta would be best accomplished out of the house and, most times, putting down the iPad/Phone/etc., go to a screening or festival … SMILE (that’s important. Many of us need to start working on that. Lord knows I’m still on my correspondence lessons)… shake some hands and say ‘hi’.
I would like to think of ATLanimation as the little brother extension to ASIFA-Atlanta by providing a platform for ASIFA to announce their programs and workshops as well as support other regional animation news within and outside their scope. In the tradition and feel of Georgia: a family with a prime directive (sort of speak) to provide information and bridge gaps.
One purpose together.
ATLanimation has a full list of forthcoming articles that will bring you the ATL and southeast region flavor of animation that isn’t often touched on in other broader, national animation media. A series of conversations with Women in animation. In-depth studio profiles and interviews. The multi-cultural animators surrounding us with so much to say in traditional, stop motion or 3D animation.
So much to say and spotlight on, it’s almost impossible to keep ATLanimation.com shut down for longer than a day. However, at this time, I am only one man and if you have any information or news about animation of any medium taking place in the Atlanta, Georgia and neighboring southeastern states, connect with me and allow me to showcase your information here.
email: publisher@atlanimation.com
The site is evolving, as is this industry as a whole to be honest. I thank you for your patience as the magazine grows and, hopefully, becomes a part of your reading pleasure.
Corey Aaron Burkes
Publisher
About the Author
