My dad, Alexander Polyakov is the first person who taught me how to draw, more importantly first person to teach me about life. Without him I would have probably ended up working as a window cleaner in a gas station. And it is a great pleasure for me to present my father’s website http://www.alpstudio.com it is full of my dad’s paintings, backdrops, wooden toys, and nutcrackers. He is an inspiration to me, and I hope he will be an inpiration to you too.

Categories: Blog
No Comments »

It seems like yesterday that I was in Ottawa, feeling unsure and a bit scared as I sat in a Canadian bar covered by the blazing heat of the sun, and slapped by the cold north wind. My shirt was soaked from the sweat of running from one place to the other in search of a place to eat, and not getting a chance to change shirts since our hotel room wasn’t ready yet. All this however, was not the reason I felt strange after arriving in Ottawa. This was the first film festival I have ever attended, and I felt like a newbie on a planet of veterans. Half a year later now, I still consider myself a newbie. But the experience of Ottawa (and now also Annecy) entered inside me, and now I feel more comfortable then ever in going to these festivals. But this year, I have a new experience as “Piper the Goat” is in competition. Wish me luck!
Here is the link to the festival

Now though, my mind is firmly set on my new project. And I am glad to say that all is going very well with it. The animatic is done, and the music is being made.

Categories: Blog
No Comments »

I’m back, baby! Annecy may be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life yet. But this is just the beginning. Anyway, Annecy is a really beautiful city, and the festival was full of great works! I got to meet the talent behind the works, as well as meet back with the guys from NY. Congradulations to “The Mysterious Explorations of Jasper Morrelo” for winning the Annecy Cristal for best short film. But honestly, I would trade 10 cristals for a bunny (which was awarded to the director of a very fun german film)

Categories: Blog
No Comments »

In about an hour, I will embark upon a voyage of immense proportions. The Annecy animation festival is certainly going to be a quite a highlight for me this week. Plus, I am going there two days before the festival starts, to catch some alpine goodness.

But Annecy isn’t the only good thing coming my way so far. I am almost done with the storyboards for my fourth animation. And after I get back, I will do the animatic with music. The music will be done by these guys you see in this picture. They are very talented musicians I hope they hit the big time really soon. Also, I will be animating a music video for them after Annecy as well. Here in this photo, I am telling them about my ideas for their music video, and my animation.

Categories: Blog
No Comments »

First, I would like to congradulate Bill Plympton, Chris Conforti, Fran Krause, Jeff Medinkow, Nina Paley, Patrick Smith, PES, Signe Baumane, Tom Warburton, and those who’s names I don’t know, for winning in The 2005 ASIFA East Festival.

And a special hug for John Dilworth who won “best in show” this year. Here is a photo of him looking at the DVD of “Piper the Goat” that I gave him.

Also, here is a quote of Amidi’s from cartoonbrew.com in response to the Bobblehead caricature I drew of him:

The surest way to get a link on Cartoon Brew? Create a post on your blog titled “All Hail Amid Amidi” and draw a caricature of me surrounded by beaver clouds and other monstrous creations.

The surest way to scare the hell out of me? Create a post on your blog titled “All Hail Amid Amidi” and draw a caricature of me surrounded by beaver clouds and other monstrous creations.

So, guess what Lev Polyakov (a talented and quite young animator out of NY) did?

Thanks Amid, and I hope you have sweet dreams of sweet Beaverclouds in your sleep. See ya in Ottawa (or Annecy)

Categories: Blog
No Comments »