Baton Rouge Gets Animated Product: Red Stick Animation Festival When you think film festivals, you usually think of Cannes. Think games and animation and you think Red Stick -- at least that’s the association the organizers behind the Red Stick International Animation Festival are aiming for. The 2006 Red Stick International Animation Festival, which is taking place from April 20 – 23 in downtown Baton Rouge, LA, is a celebration of the creative side of animation, providing industry professionals a forum to share their ideas and help the art form to reach a greater audience acceptance. While most are likely to think of Saturday morning cartoons when they think animation, Red Stick aims to expand people’s perceptions of animation as being more than what we usually think of as something, “Just for Kids”. While traditional animation is still a big part of the art, the Red Stick also brings in more modern techniques, namely the use of computers in animation. This not only includes feature films, such as Over the Hedge, which attendees will have to opportunity to nab a sneak peak of at the Festival, but the growing field of digital art in video games. Red Stick will provide a host of viewing opportunities for both families and adults. On Saturday, April 22, a free family-friendly cartoon-fest will be held at the State Capitol. The event will feature space-walks, face painting and a special talk by Bob the Builder designer, Curtis Jobling. The event will also be catered by IHOP. The event is free, but registration is required. Those looking for not-so-family-friendly entertainment will be able to attend after-hours screenings showcasing works from Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim line-up as well as Mike’s Sick and Twisted Animation Festival. These screenings will be held after 9 p.m. and are not intended for younger audiences. In addition to showcasing up and coming works, Red Stick will also offer a number of workshops where budding artists can learn from industry leaders. These workshops will include speakers such as Barbara Slade, a writer for the Nickelodeon series Rugrats, as well as Illustrator/Concept artist Ken Wong, Pixar’s Mark Walsh, and Clint Ourso of Volition Games. Unlike other areas of the festival, workshops are not open to the public and require the purchase of a Gold Pass ($50/$35 for students). Red Stick will also play host to a competition featuring both student and professional works from a variety of fields, ranging from 2D and 3D animation to Stop Motion Animation and Game animation. The organizers of Red Stick also hope to generate new venues for economic development for the state of Louisiana and the Baton Rouge area. The 2006 Red Stick International Animation Festival will be held on April 20 - 23. Passes are available at the official site. See you there! -Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker Related Links: 2006 Red Stick International Animation Festival -- Official Site Red Stick Festival Pass Information & Registration Red Stick Festival Events