This came to us from AN's Facebook page and I'm compelled to feature it here in high profile. Underground animation from the Motor City. It's called "The Ghetto Dump". The filmmaker is Matthew Mcr Ellison II who also creates music and he's correct in saying the ghetto is what's inside of you. I teach my students that there's no such thing as a ghetto in nature. Ghettos are created by people. You can make a hell out of heaven or a heaven out of hell. It's up to us and it starts with the individual.

That said, here's what's happening with some trippy content coming from Detroit. You can access MCRDETROIT's YouTube channel here and check out what's happening with some very unusual animated content. As an added bonus "Ghetto Dump" is followed by "Toilet Tissue Town".

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It's that time of year again as The Academy Award nominees have been announced.

In the category of Best Animated Feature:  Frankenweenie, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Wreck-It Ralph, ParaNorman, and Brave. 

In the category of Best Animated Short:  Adam and Dog, Fresh Guacamole, Head over Heels, Maggie Simpson in The Longest Daycare, and Paperman.

In the category of Best Visual Effects:  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Life of Pi, Marvel’s The Avengers, Prometheus, and Snow White and the Huntsman.

You can see all the nominees for the 85th Academy Awards here. The Oscars will be presented on February 24, 2013. We'll be showcasing content from the animation nominees on the Forum topic as it develops. Congrats to all and good luck!

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Here's something intriguing from Yongil Lee who produces animated films in Korea.

There was the presidential election in December 2012. Yongil created a short called "The Journey in the Dream" in honor of the presidential campaign by the unsuccessful candidate and his supporters. The animation was created with a combination of Flash and After Effects. Yongil focused on a hand-drawing effect by mixing these two programs. He developed a unique effect through adapting this production technique. Yongil explains that it radically shortened the production period and led to an innovative result given the time invested.

This is a one-man work and the total process took about seven days including planning, character set up and production. Take a look at what he was able to accomplish. You can find out more about Yongil Lee through his portfolio and also Facebook and Twitter.

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There' a new animated short from Pixar on the way in June entitled "The Blue Umbrella". A few seconds of the film have been released. Here's a look at what we can expect when two umbrellas fall in love on a rainy day...

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