VALOR!

The Powerhouse Animation team just finished up a really fun project for mobile game company Playmesh. Powerhouse got the opportunity to create the opening cinematic for their new iPhone/iPad game VALOR!

The piece was a great design challenge for us in a variety of ways. First off, since the game is played on mobile devices, we had to compose eveything to work in a vertical format instead of the traditional horizonal composition. It also gave our motion graphics team an outlet to explore some new puppeting techniques that they had been itching to try out.

Check out the video below, or download the game for free at the Apple App Store!

More Holiday Party Photos!

Powerhouse Holiday Party!

We've really been getting into the holiday spirit over here at Powerhouse Animation...

Last weekend we had our annual office Holiday Party at Cannoli Joe's! Complete with delicious Italian buffet, Secret Santa gift exchange, and the infamous Powerhouse jacket presentation, this party was "off the hook" as the kids are saying.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Powerhouse Animation!!

Blue Moon Art Contest

Local radio station 101x (101.5FM) is in search of talented Austin artists and Powerhouse Animation's very own Chris Beaver is answering the call!

101x is holding a contest called the Blue Moon Art Project in which folks enter Blue Moon-themed paintings for the opportunity to win $1000! Chris Beaver happened to be in the right place at the right time, and being as brave as he is he decided to throw his hat in the ring. Here is Chris' submission... which came in THIRD at the initial viewing.

Please visit the project site to vote for Chris' piece (it's #9 on the list)!! http://www.101x.com/bluemoon/

Darksiders II

Our good friends and fellow Austinites at Vigil Games just released a teaser trailer for their upcoming Darksiders II and we think it is really excellent! I don't know about you, but the gang here at Powerhouse is really excited to see how this one turns out and we can't wait to get our hands on it in 2012. Check out their trailer and keep up with Vigil for the latest news on Darksiders II!

Powerhouse triples its candy consumption

One of our end-of-the-year acquisitions was a sweet 3-headed gumball/candy machine. Just so we feel a little better about all the extra candy we will be eating, we are donating all the money it makes to Artists Against Cancer. Maybe we should also contribute to the Diabetes Foundation...

Brad Graeber, one of the founders of Powerhouse, was interviewed by Animation Careers.  There are many interviews on the site by many folks at various animation studios:

http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/brad-graeber-co-founder-powerhouse-animation-believes-staff-pivotal-their-success

Wizard World Austin!

Austin's very own version of Comic Con was in town last weekend, and the gang from Powerhouse was able to make an appearance! Several of our animators made their way over to Wizard World to enjoy the festivities and represent the animation studio.

Stephanie and Willis reppin' Powerhouse at our booth

Sam Lotfi talking to a fan in Artists Alley

Our very own Chris Beaver was there to showcase his talents as well

Aaron Romo taught a group of future animators on Sunday! Here he is demonstrating Mickey Mouse...

There were some celebrities attending the class.  For instance there was a tiny Princess Leia...

and a tiny (but very fierce) Bat...something...?

Thanks to everyone at Powerhouse that made it out to the event! It was a blast!

CTN Animation Expo

Brad and Rachel were in Burbank this weekend representing Powerhouse Animation at the CTN Animation Expo!

Our first stop upon arrival in California was to visit fellow 2d animation studio, Titmouse, Inc! (they make cartoons).

One of my friends and ex-coworkers from Borders in Tucson, Nico Colaleo, is now an animator there! He was nice enough to show us around the studio. Thanks, Nico! If you aren't familiar with his work, check it out... he's amazing!

Brad and I posing with the rock 'n roll Bigfoot at Titmouse

We got our booth set up on the CTN Expo floor and are ready to talk toons for the next 3 days!

There were tons of amazing artists in attendance at the convention, including long time friend of the studio (and animation legend), Stephen Silver. Stephen let us follow him around for much of the weekend while we were in awe of his artistic genius.

Here I am with the very handsome and talented Ryan Benjamin, another incredible artist. Ryan also worked as a Powerhouse freelancer on our SOE DC Universe Online motion comics!

The incredible Kris Pearn talks to adoring fans and spreads his Canadian charm at his booth. Kris was nice enough to make a visit to Powerhouse back in June for a storyboarding workshop and we are still amazed by his talent and generosity.

Ryan Benjamin promoting his latest edition of Pancratia

Rod Guen was there too!

We also got the chance to meet the very talented Mike Yamada and his beautiful (and equally talented) wife Victoria Ying!

At the end of Day 3 we donated our Epic Mickey sign to a very excited fan who was working the Cal Arts booth. I hope she treasures this forever.

And now, several photos of french fries and beer...