Official Aunty Acid Animation Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Richmond, VA – May 21, 2013

Eastwood Media has teamed up with The Backland Studio to release an animated TV pilot for the character “Aunty Acid,” the sassy social media phenomenon who tells it like it is to a over six million fans each week.

Aunty quips such one-liners as: “Don’t you wish some people would use glue instead of lipstick.”

In addition to animated and live-action films, Eastwood Media operates numerous social media channels with fans totaling in the millions. “The combination of our alliance will help Aunty Acid reach even more fans than ever before,” said Eastwood Managing Partner Kevin Harrison. “The energy levels have been through the roof as our two teams work closely together on extending the story to an animated show.”

Eastwood Lead Animator Elias Dancey has brought to life popular commercial brands such as Pop Tarts, Chex Mix, Nokia, Fisher Boy Fish Sticks, and Otter Pops. Dancy says, “We are delighted to broaden our film release slate to include Aunty Acid, which features an exciting roster of voice talent, a powerhouse creative team and an original witty storyline.”

“Aunty Acid” was created by Ged Backland of the The Backland Studio, a character-creation shop located in Haworth, West Yorkshire, Northern England. The Backland Studio has been praised for its widely successful Goochicoo brand along with other characters that appear on licensed products around the globe. Backland, a former creative Head of both Hallmark and American Greetings, has a long history of successful character creation.

The entertainment alliance will, for the first time, bring to life this wildly popular character for eager fans everywhere.

About Eastwood Media
Eastwood Media is an award-winning animation studio creating moving experiences for entertainment, gaming and advertising. The company boasts world-class animation talent, along with an experienced management team and industry-leading technology and techniques.

About The Backland Studio
The Backland Studio is one of the most successful U.K. character creation studios. Set up in 2004 by Ged and Kaely Backland, it’s characters can be seen across the globe on licensed products. They have a small studio based in Bronte country – not far from the moors above Haworth in the village of Thornton where Wuthering Heights was written and set.

Contact:
Kevin Harrison
hello@madeineastwood.com

https://www.facebook.com/auntyacid
http://www.auntyacid.com
http://madeineastwood.com

The appeal to Wawa’s Hoagiefest animated spots is instantly noticeable: style!

The Richard’s Group uses a fashionable 60’s Beatles look, right out of Yellow Submarine, and wonderful era music composed by Parry Gripp.

The animation is as lively and colorful as the music. The animation is simple to be sure. Naïve designs match perfectly the 60’s retro look; as does the limited animation techniques and simple motions. The production, however, adds a few twists and turns with a subtle use of 3D elements. In 2010, the entire roadway and environment (including Hoagieman himself) where given dimensionality and depth without every quite becoming “models.” In 2011, the Hoagie-blimp rotates with a graceful move as it shifts through the flatland clouds.

This year’s Wawa Hoagiefest website includes download material where visitors can create their own “Where’s Hoagieman” image and submit your groovy photo for a chance to win prizes. Previous years have include visitor songs and video contests.

http://www.hoagiefest.com/#line-up

Memorial Day Salute Wallpaper

In honored glory of our fallen soldiers, we humbly salute you. We remember and thank all those who have given their lives in our country’s service.

In the words of Benjamin Harrison: “I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.”

This wallpaper was inspired by my Uncle Bill Eldredge, a proud veteran who served his country and continues to serve others today.

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Three Olive Vodka has produced a series of animated spots that deserve high recognition for advertising, and for their use of animation.

The concept is brilliant. Three Olives. Drinks. Three Characters walk into a bar. How wonderfully simple and clever.

Each spot features a different group of three as they enter the bar and a mini-story unfolds to play out the familiar joke situations.

The entire “Three walk into a bar” series can also be congratulated for being perfect examples of how tv commercials can operate as 30 second short movies. Each tells a different story, and yet all of them highlight the product very well….something that occasionally gets lost when doing humorous story plots.

“Three Sugar Daddies” gets points for somehow pulling this off while staging the majority of the action off camera!

My favorite is “Three Cowboys walk into a bar.” I was impressed by how entertaining the spot was – but additionally, I admired the risk. Not every alcoholic beverage company would feature gunslingers, let alone one that shoots his pals at the end to take their drinks. It was handled with great humor and style, but you can easily ask yourself this: how many other corporations would have actually produced this concept? I would say many would laugh about it around the table… and then shelve the idea before it got anywhere close to a greenlight.

It also underscores the power of animation. I could see this concept working very differently in live action vs. how innocent, fun and smooth everything takes place in this animated world of the Three Olives bar.

As a small business owner, I have to play multiple roles to help my company achieve success.  I’m a technician, an accountant, a secretary and some days even a janitor.  But no matter how many hats I wear, at the end of the day I’m just one thing: a salesman.  Same holds true for every other business owner out there, big or small.  We’re all hustling to keep our businesses alive and buzzing.

But I don’t want to be a common, run-of-the-mill salesman.  I want to be a rockstar salesman.  Someone like Donald Trump or Richard Branson.  These guys hustle with style and class and there’s no denying their results.

Rockstars need a stage to perform and for the business owner, that stage is the trade show floor of a sales expo.  So here’s five rules to help you “go big” at your next sales expo or conference:

1.  Lose the swag bag

You’re dressed for the show, business cards at the ready, breath-check complete.  You sign the register, get a name tag and then bam!  An oversized, envio-friendly sack stuffed with tons of compelling, well-designed brochures and handouts is thrust at you.  You begrudgingly accept because how else will you carry all the swag offered by the multitude of vendors on the floor?  Nothing says fanboy like a swag bag.  Rockstars don’t carry swag bags.  They exchange business cards but only when appropriate.  At least swag bags have handles so you can carry them over your shoulder….not!

Bonus Tip: If you really want all the business info that swag bags have to offer, you can go to the expo website and download what you need.  Not big on digital?  Pick up a bag on your way out or call the expo organizers to have info mailed to you.

2.  Lower your expectations to raise your success

Trade shows can be exciting.  With so many people, the opportunity for business connections seems unlimited.  But before you go rockin’ the floor, know this:  the people you really want to connect with (decision makers) are not working behind the booth.  And if they are, they are exhausted from endless conversations and standing on their feet.  Either way, rockstars know this is not the time to make a meaningful connection.  Instead, use the expo as a fact finding mission for companies you want to work with.  Ask targeted questions such as “who is the head of marketing?” or “when is your busiest time of year?”  Remember the 4 S’s: Subtle, Succinct, Sincere equals Success.

3.  Realize that sales is a borderless state

Everyone at a trade show is there to sell.  But vendors behind a booth paid for the privilege to pitch their ideas to you.  Rockstars know this and don’t try to turn the tables or push their agenda on exhibitors.  A rockstar’s goal is to see and be seen, to show interest without lingering.  When you sense mutual interest, exchange business cards.  Your good impression will carry over to another meeting.

4.  Avoid going solo

Rockstars give the impression that they alone have all the bases covered.  But in reality, they depend on a team.  Having others in attendance with you gives immediate social proof that you are worth doing business with.  If you’re thinking this is starting to sound like a popularity contest, you’re right because it is.  As Jeffery Gitomer would say:  “All things being equal, people want to do business with their friends.  All things not being equal, people still want to do business with their friends.”  Bring your friends and make some new ones.

5.  Comfort is your enemy

People are drawn to the familiar which in a trade show environment means clinging to the people you know or wandering the floor hoping lightning will strike.  Now is not the time for stage fright.  Yes, even rockstars get butterflies but the difference is how they deal with them.  Rockstars use their nervous energy and channel it towards their goals.  Your goal is to avoid being static by moving around the floor, smiling and saying hi to people you don’t know.  If you find you are standing around talking to the same people from your company, you’re doing it all wrong.

Perform these 5 steps and you’ll be the main attraction at your next business expo.  Keep selling!

Dino Sticker Gone Green

February is typically colored red, at least up to Valentines on the 14th. But why not color the rest of the month green as you look forward to St. Patrick’s Day and the coming of Spring! Our freshly designed Dino Sticker Wallpaper is here to help you go grrrreen.

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2011 New Years Time Spirit Wallpaper

Time to ring in the 2011 New Year with a creative wallpaper designed to liven up your desktop! We decided to let our “creative spirit” loose and enjoy a bon voyage dance with time.

On behalf of the team at Eastwood Media, we wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that 2011 brings you much success and prosperity in all your endeavors. And don’t forget to let your creativity loose every now and then.

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Santa: Christmas Defender

When you have a well advertised, annual round-world trip carrying a planet-load of Christmas treasures, it’s not all Christmas carols and milk ‘n cookies. Would-be assailants, cut purses, and grinch copy cats lust for the stolen joy of nabbing someone else’s Christmas wishes from Santa’s sleigh of Yule tide booty. Few realize the jolly fat man is more than able to stay his course…with a little Kung Fu panda, a dash of CTU’s Jack Bauer, and more than enough stockings full of coal, he can kick butt and take names when his Christmas delivery is endangered. Just one question remains: Have you been naughty or nice?

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Eve

This week’s wallpaper is an artwork from Louis Gonzalez. Louis is a very talented artist from Richmond, VA and he brings a wide range of style to his illustrations and 3D based art.

What Louis has to say: This piece was created for an artist event called Artists of Eden hosted by And Design, Inc. in Springfield, VA. It had been a while since I created something fresh and I was inspired by the possibilities of the theme. “Eve” has a funky urban edge which is a driving force in my work lately. Hope you all enjoy!

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