Countdown to Comic Con 2014 - Animation
San Diego’s Comic Con is one of the largest
pop culture conventions in the world and has become not just a place for
comic book enthusiasts as its name suggests, but one of the premiere
events for those in the television, film, book, toy, collectible, and
gaming industries to unveil new products and information about upcoming
releases. Multiple panels and workshops feature actors, directors,
artists, costumers, authors, and other guests. This year the event runs
from July 24th – 27th and though many fans (such
as myself) won’t be able to attend, I thought it’d be fun to go through
the San Diego Comic Con Event Schedule and write about some interesting
panels and workshops I’ll be keeping an eye on as I count down to Comic
Con.
Note: All quoted descriptions of the panels and workshops are from the programming schedule found here.
Posts in this series:
1. Superheroes
2. Sci-Fi
Animation
Even though I never studied animation in school, I often would use the excuse of "I'm an art major, I'm watching for the animation" to explain my love of animated films and television shows. In high school, I often preferred watching animated shows instead of the seemingly soap-opera/angsty dramas aimed at teenage girls my age. Despite many recent strides, animation still seems to have a stigma of being "for kids." However this isn't usually the case for events such as Comic Con. Here are a couple of panels I'm looking forward to.
2. Sci-Fi
Animation
Even though I never studied animation in school, I often would use the excuse of "I'm an art major, I'm watching for the animation" to explain my love of animated films and television shows. In high school, I often preferred watching animated shows instead of the seemingly soap-opera/angsty dramas aimed at teenage girls my age. Despite many recent strides, animation still seems to have a stigma of being "for kids." However this isn't usually the case for events such as Comic Con. Here are a couple of panels I'm looking forward to.
Nickelodeon: Legend of Korra: Book 3
Friday July 25, 2014 11:15am - 12:15pm
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| (c.) Nickelodeon |
"Executive producer and creator team Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino (Avatar: The Last Airbender) give a behind-the-scenes peek at how they create one of animation's most stunning television productions. Panelists include voice actors Janet Varney (Korra), David Faustino (Mako), P. J. Byrne (Bolin), Seychelle Gabriel (Asami), John Michael Higgins (Varrick) and Mindy Sterling (Lin Beifong). Including an exclusive sneak peek screening of a new episode for Book 3, 'Change.' Moderated by Megan Casey (VP of current series for Nickelodeon)."
Avatar the Last Airbender: Legend and Legacy
Saturday July 26, 2014 10:30am - 11:30am
"For over 5 years, The Avatar Legacy Fan Panel has proudly organized this gathering. Moderator Avatar_Mom, Kevin Coppa (Puppetbenders), Elizabeth Furr (fan artist/Amira Ink!), Gene Luen Yang (writer/cartoonist), Angela Song Mueller (character designer), Josh Hamilton (writer), and Jessie Flower (voice actor for Toph) share stories and answer questions ..."
One of my favorite animated television shows currently on the air! Though they do draw heavily from several Eastern religions and legends, it is combined with compelling plots, memorable characters, vivid world-bulding, and martial arts choreography that rivals live-action works. The official panel was overflowing last year (many had to be turned away from the hall) and 2014 should be no exception. I believe it will be John Michael Higgins and Mindy Sterling's first time on a Korra panel at Comic Con. It should be quite an experience for them, since Varrick and Lin are fan favorite characters. Also of interest is the fan (unofficial) panel on Saturday, which features panelists such as Jessie Flower (who voiced Toph on the first series), Josh Hamilton (one of the screenplay writers), and Gene Luen Yang (who is the author of the Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels which are to bridge between the two series).
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| (c.) Hasbro Studios |
Hasbro Studios: My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic and My Little Pony Equestria Girls
Friday July 25, 2014 11:45am - 12:45pm
"Guests from Hasbro Studios My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic airing on the Hub Network in the U.S. and My Little Pony Equestria Girls share details of the making of the popular animated series and a sneak peek into the new My Little Pony Equestria Girls Rainbow Rock movie coming this fall. Q&A with members of the Hasbro Studios team and voice talent."
I remember always wanting a real My Little Pony toy when I was little, but only ended up getting the Happy Meal versions, ha ha. Years later, in 2012, I saw a video link one of my friends shared on social media for a My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic episode and thought the character designs were cute. I DVR'd a couple of episodes and I was hooked (taking down a couple of my siblings with me *wink*). I enjoyed the fantasy elements and world building of the pilot episode. Though the "Mane Six" ponies have clear, distinct "types" (the bookish-smart one, the tomboy, the shy introvert, the fashionista, etc.) that immediately brought to mind the protagonists of Ann M. Martin's The Baby-Sitter Club book series --anyone remember those? --I found myself growing attached to these colorful ponies and their adventures. I'm sure a lot of "fanponies" will be in attendance for this panel ... I'm still skeptical about the "humanized" pony character designs of Equestria Girls, which seem to be Hasbro's attempt to compete with Mattel's "Monster High" doll line, but it is kind of neat to see how they transposed each pony's coloration, mane style, and cutie marks into a human form ...
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| (c.) Hasbro Studios |
Edited 7/23/14: Attempted to fix picture formatting.
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4 comments
I follow MLP sometimes. Fluttershy and Apple Jack are my favorite characters. Spike is pretty cool, too.
ReplyDeleteComing from it as someone above their target audience, it's a pretty good, entertaining show for one aimed at children. Some of the educational/moral "lessons" are ambiguous or incorrect, in my opinion (especially episodes featuring Discord and Fluttershy), but not enough to outweigh the good. Good choices! I love Apple Jack's relationship with her siblings. Twilight Sparkle is my favorite character ... she reminds me of myself when I was younger, ha ha. =)
DeleteSo much has changed on MLP from the time my older chldren started watching it. It is still a great show and teaches children some good lessons.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Deanne. One of my favorite episodes from the most recent season was the one with the ponies trying to help Rainbow Dash study for her big test. My sister who's studying elementary education loved it as well, as it showed that everyone has different learning styles. It actually reminded me of trying to help my brother with his papers. He hates writing and I often would get frustrated with him (totally like Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash) but that episode made me think about how he might feel (e.g. how Rainbow Dash felt like Twilight "never failed at anything" school related). LOL, I think I love MLP way more than someone my age should. =P
DeleteThank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! Comments are always welcomed and appreciated.