Raven Tales, the first all Native American computer animated short film that we previously reported on, is about to have its production documented in a new book. Read Raven Tales Productions’ press release here:
June 14, 2004 Vancouver B.C./Calgary Alberta/Las Cruces, NM – Raven Tales Productions, the animation studio and makers of the computer animated TV show Raven Tales, has been contracted by Charles River Media to develop a how-to book for aspiring film-makers. The book will follow the development and production of the first computer animated film written, produced, designed, voiced by and directed by an all Canadian/aboriginal team.
Charles River Media is a leading publisher of computer animation, game design and development books. This will be the first book published by Charles River that follows an entire production from pre-production development to final distribution.
“We’ve been waiting for the right production to come along and Raven Tales was the perfect fit,” said publisher Jenifer Niles. “The writing and animation talent are the best we’ve seen for an independent production, and we believe we have a huge audience for a work of this kind.”
Raven Tales follows the comic misadventures of Raven and his friends Eagle and Frog among the first people and the strange creatures at the beginning of the world. Raven Tales: Raven Steals the Sun is the first episode of what will be an ongoing series of thirteen stories. Each story is based on aboriginal myth and features designs by internationally known artist/carver/storyteller Simon James.
The Raven Tales book will be published for filmmakers, game developers, multimedia producers, and students interested in mastering the techniques of computer animation production from inspiration to final distribution. Following the steps of the Raven Tales CGI production, the book takes the reader through the entire process of creating their own animated production. Readers will learn story writing, scripting, budgeting, and project management, character design, sound design, distribution, and includes tips on porting the production assets to a gaming system.
Chris Kientz: “Being approached for the development of this book by Charles River Media has really made us realize that what we are doing as a totally independent production will help to serve others who want to develop computer animated films but don’t know where to start.”
Raven Tales is currently in the middle of production and will premiere to Canadian audiences in February, 2005 and the United States later that same year. Raven Tales will also play in film festivals internationally as well as a number of Museums dedicated to North American Aboriginal Art.
If you’d like to know more about Raven Tales, please call 604-990-9099 or e-mail us at raventales@shaw.ca.
Press information is available at 505-678-6403/505-526-2781 or raventales@hotmail.com.
