SF – PIG: The Dam Keeper Poems Screening

Press Release:

Join SFFILM Education and Academy Award nominated animation studio Tonko House on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM for a special Bay Area premiere screening of their newest work PIG: The Dam Keeper Poems, and a book signing of their debut graphic novel The Dam Keeper. Since 2014, SFFILM Education has been proud to support and showcase the beautiful filmmaking and storytelling from this local treasure of the independent animation community, founded by former Pixar art directors Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi. This event, perfect for educators, families (with children ages 5 and up), and fans of independent animation will feature a screening of the new work, a Q & A and behind the scenes peek into the making of the series with a live drawing demo, and a meet & greet session where attendees will have an opportunity to get autographs and photos with our guests. Just in time for the holidays and last minute present buying, Tonko House will also have a number of unique items for sale, including their brand new graphic novel, written and illustrated by Robert and Dice. All children in attendance will also be eligible for a free raffle of a few special items, including a signed drawing from Erick Oh.

About the series:

In Tonko House’s first short-form series, written and directed by Erick Oh, we see how Pig remembers becoming the Dam Keeper. Seen through Pig’s youthful perspective, the visuals are abstract and surreal, but the source of his pain and his joy are clear. Produced in both Berkeley and Tokyo by a variety of international and domestic artists, the series showcases Tonko House’s global community through a story featuring universal themes, such as family, grief, responsibility, and growing up. The series is made up of over 31,000 frames, all individually hand drawn and painted.

Space is limited, so click here to reserve your FREE ticket today…

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Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-6120

SF – The Dam Keeper Signing

Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi appear at Kinokuniya in San Francisco on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 2:00 PM to sign the new graphic novel adaptation of THE DAM KEEPER! 

Based on the Oscar-nominated animated short film of the same name, The Dam Keeper is a lush, vibrantly drawn graphics novel series by animation studio Tonko House co-founders Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi.

In early 2012, art directors Dice Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo found themselves searching for ways to expand upon their filmmaking experience in Pixar’s art department. They decided to write and direct an independent animated short film together. The film, The Dam Keeper, was an 18-minute short that garnered an Academy Award Nomination.

About the Author:
Robert Kondo lends his unique design sensibilities and passion for storytelling to The Dam Keeper. Originally from Southern California, Robert graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and has worked at Oblique Strategies and Angel Studios. Robert’s film credits include Sets Art Director for Ratatouille, Toy Story 3, and most recently Monsters University.

Daisuke ‘Dice’ Tsutsumi, originally from Japan, is a celebrated illustrator, painter and philanthropist. Dice’s paintings have exhibited around the world, and in 2009, his first children’s book ‘I Can Hear’ was published in Japan. A graduate from The School of Visual Arts in New York, Dice has worked as a visual development/color key artist at Blue Sky Studios on Ice Age, Robots and Horton Hears a Who! His credits at Pixar Animation include Lighting Art Director for Toy Story 3 and Monsters University. Dice is passionate about charity work and spearheaded both The Totoro Forest Project and Sketchtravel.

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Kinokuniya Bookstore
1581 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 567-7625

SF – The Dam Keeper Signing

Daisuke “Dice” Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo appear at Kinokuniya Bookstore on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 3:00 PM. They are the two masterminds behind the intricate hand-painted short story.

At the height of their career at Pixar, the two left to create their own visionary company, Tonko House. Join us to hear their journey to where they are today.

This event is free and open to the public. For a limited time, there will be a small exhibition space at our second floor window with Tonko House props and many more starting May 14! Tonko House merchandise will also be available for purchase!

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Kinokuniya Bookstore
1581 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 567-7625

Supergirl Stars Soar Into Emerald City ComiCon 2016

Emerald City ComiCon announces MELISSA BENOIST and CHYLER LEIGH, the stars of SUPERGIRL, will be guests at the convention on Saturday April 9th and Sunday April 10th!

Melissa Benoist is an American actress and singer, known for her portrayal of “Marley Rose” on Glee and as Nicole from the acclaimed feature film Whiplash. She currently plays the title role on the breakout hit Supergirl.

Chyler Leigh is an actress best known for her role on the Seattle-based medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Previously she appeared as a series regular on television shows including The Practice, Girls Club, That 80’s Show, and Reunion. Chyler made her feature film debut alongside Chris Evans in the 2001 spoof Not Another Teen Movie. She currently stars on Supergirl as Alex Danvers, a DEO agent and adopted sister of Supergirl.

Previously announced celebrity guests include:
Christy Carlson Romano (KIM POSSIBLE, EVEN STEVENS), Dameon Clarke (DRAGON BALL Z, BORDERLANDS 2), Danielle Panabaker (THE FLASH, JUSTIFIED), Dante Basco (HOOK, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER), David Anders (IZOMBIE, ONCE UPON A TIME), Jenna Coleman (DOCTOR WHO, LEGO DIMENSIONS), Lana Parrilla (ONCE UPON A TIME, 24), Nathan Fillion (FIREFLY, CASTLE), Robbie Amell (THE FLASH, X-FILES), Rose McIver (IZOMBIE, ONCE UPON A TIME), Sean Maguire (ONCE UPON A TIME, SCOTT & BAILEY), Will Friedle (BATMAN BEYOND, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, BOY MEETS WORLD)

Comic guests include:
Aaron Conley (SABERTOOTH SWORDSMAN), Aaron Kuder (ACTION COMICS), Adam Gorham (DEAD DROP), Alé Garza (GET JIRO: BLOOD & SUSHI), Alex de Campi (NO MERCY), Amy Chu (POISON IVY), Babs Tarr (BATGIRL), Chad Hardin (HARLEY QUINN), Chris Burnham (BATMAN INC.), Chris Mooneyham (FIVE GHOSTS), Chris Moreno (ZOMBIE DICKHEADS ), Clay Mann (POISON IVY), Dan Parent (KEVIN KELLER), Daniel Warren Johnson (THE GHOST FLEET), Dice Tsutsumi (ICE AGE), Dustin Nguyen (DESCENDER), Ed Brisson (SHELTERED), Emi Lenox (PLUTONA), Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner (GREEN LANTERN), Faith Erin Hicks (THE NAMELESS CITY), Fiona Staples (SAGA), Jake Wyatt (MS. MARVEL), Jason Howard (TREES), Jim Mahfood (EVERYBODY LOVES TANK GIRL), Joe Keatinge (SHUTTER), Kevin Wada (CATWOMAN), Kris Anka (CAPTAIN MARVEL), Leila del Duca (SHUTTER), Liz Prince (WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME IF I WET THE BED?), Marguerite Bennett (A-FORCE), Matthew Southworth (STUMPTOWN), Mitch Gerads (THE SHERIFF OF BABYLON), Nick Pitarra (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS), Noelle Stevenson (NIMONA), Philip Tan (GREEN LANTERN), Raina Telgemeier (SISTERS), Sean Gordon Murphy (TOKYO GHOST), Shawn Crystal (ARKHAM MANOR), Terry Moore (RACHEL RISING) and many more!

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Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) is the premier comic book & pop culture convention in the Pacific Northwest. Join us April 7-10, 2016. For tickets and more information please go to the website: www.emeraldcitycomicon.com

 

SF – Sketchtravel Exhibit

Artists Ronnie del Carmen, Bill Presing, Erik Tiemens, Eli Harris, and Dice Tsutsumi appear at the Cartoon Art Museum on Saturday October 20, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm.

Press Release:

The Cartoon Art Museum proudly presents Sketchtravel, a unique collaborative project bringing together 71 talented artists from around the world.

Acclaimed artists Dice Tsutsumi of Japan and Gerald Guerlais of France originated Sketchtravel as an international charity art project. A simple red sketchbook was passed from one artist to another, not unlike an Olympic torch, in an artistic relay through 12 countries over the course of four years. The end result was a beautiful sketchbook containing the personal visions of 71 exceptional illustrators, animators and comic book artists including Bill Plympton, James Jean, Rebecca Dautremer, Glen Keane, Frederick Back, and Studio Ghibli founder and animation legend Hayao Miyazaki. This sketchbook was sold at auction in 2011, raising funds for Room to Read, an international literacy non-profit, and helping to build five libraries in five third-world nations so far.

The Cartoon Art Museum’s latest exhibition, Sketchtravel, features full-sized reproductions of this material, painstakingly recreated as giclee prints to allow the highest quality presentation of the original Sketchtravel paintings and illustrations.

Cartoon Art Museum
655 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105