YouTube channel Awesome Dudeness is kicking off its inaugural year by hosting a fun online competition: the Animation Dance Party. Submissions are open to animation students and amateur animators in the continental U.S. now through January 31, 2015. The contest is sponsored by Wacom, Autodesk and Smith Micro Software.
Participants can choose to animate for the “Dance Cycle” or “Pit Battle” competitions. Dance Cycle submissions should consist of an animated dance cycle set to a music beat track within 85 frames. animation. The Pit Battle contest gives animators a chance to prove their skills in 256 frames (about 10 sec.) or less, animating to the provided beat track, incorporating animation to enter and exit the frame. Submissions will be featured on the Awesome Dudeness YouTube Channel, and can be in any style or method, provided the technical requirement of sequentially numbered 1080p PNG files with a transparent background is met.
Submissions will be voted on through social media (Awesome Dudeness’ Facebook page and YouTube channel) and assessed by industry judges. Judges include Jorge R. Gutierrez, Mike Kunkel, Kathy Zielinski, Paul Linsley and Nick Butera. Animations with the highest aggregate social/judged scores will be awarded prizes from the sponsors. Winners to be announced at Long Beach Comic Expo on February 28, 2015, in Long Beach, CA. Details at facebook.com/awesomedudeness.
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