March 12, 2012
Sifu Kisu, the consultant of all things traditional Chinese martial arts on Avatar and Korra is on Tumblr too! As you can see here, and in his blog posts, the man likes SWORDS! And he knows how to use them. It was the summer of 2002, once Mike and I had entered development on Avatar with Nickelodeon, that I found Sifu Kisu while researching teachers of Northern Shaolin kung fu in the LA area. I became his student, to learn more about kung fu for myself as an artist and animator, and to vet him as a potential consultant. Rather than merely copying moves from movies, Mike and I wanted to tap into the martial arts for the show on a deeper level, so we knew we would need an expert. Sifu Kisu proved to be able to use his vast knowledge and experience in the traditional arts in a creative way. He consulted on an early pencil test, then the pilot, and the rest is history… sifu-kisu: Back in the day…

Sifu Kisu, the consultant of all things traditional Chinese martial arts on Avatar and Korra is on Tumblr too! As you can see here, and in his blog posts, the man likes SWORDS! And he knows how to use them.

It was the summer of 2002, once Mike and I had entered development on Avatar with Nickelodeon, that I found Sifu Kisu while researching teachers of Northern Shaolin kung fu in the LA area. I became his student, to learn more about kung fu for myself as an artist and animator, and to vet him as a potential consultant. Rather than merely copying moves from movies, Mike and I wanted to tap into the martial arts for the show on a deeper level, so we knew we would need an expert. Sifu Kisu proved to be able to use his vast knowledge and experience in the traditional arts in a creative way. He consulted on an early pencil test, then the pilot, and the rest is history…

sifu-kisu:

Back in the day…

1:06am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHsV8hU
(Notes: 662)
  
Filed under: Avatar: The Last Airbender Sifu Kisu Legend of Korra 
March 9, 2012
Chibi Naga, round two, in color! Just did this while sitting in a long video conference… which is still under way…

Chibi Naga, round two, in color! Just did this while sitting in a long video conference… which is still under way…

10:35pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHkoFWj
(Notes: 952)
  
Filed under: Naga Chibi Legend of Korra 
March 9, 2012
Chibi Naga sketch…

Chibi Naga sketch…

5:24pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHjkOQu
(Notes: 499)
  
Filed under: Naga Chibi Legend of Korra 
March 9, 2012
Joaquim’s character posing is always top-notch. 2-cents: Hey guys….. Here are a couple more notebook sketches of Korra I did during a handout meeting the other night. She’s ready to fight!

Joaquim’s character posing is always top-notch.

2-cents:

Hey guys….. Here are a couple more notebook sketches of Korra I did during a handout meeting the other night. She’s ready to fight!

3:56pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHjRfCF
(Notes: 1,193)
  
Filed under: Joaquim Dos Santos Korra Legend of Korra 2-cents 
March 7, 2012
Korra says, “HEY! Don’t worry. Be happy.” This is a good time to be a fan of Korra. No, I can’t tell you the release date at this moment, but I can assure you the announcement will be very soon. I just wanted to clear up some of the confusion and misinformation out there. It was originally announced that Korra would premiere “sometime in 2012” which was right on track with when we’d be ready to show it. Then right before the 2011 San Diego Comic Con, Mike and I learned that the network was going to push it back to 2013, which is what we reported at the panel. That was true for a time, but plans have changed again, as they are prone to do. So although I can’t reveal the exact release date here today, I can assure you all that Nickelodeon is not delaying the series or anything of the sort. In fact, they are putting their full support behind it. You will see Korra as soon as it is ready to be aired, which is soon! I know it is easy to be mad at a big faceless corporation, but the truth of the matter is that now the only thing keeping you from seeing the show is the reality of how long it takes us to make this many episodes of animation at this level of quality. We need to have enough episodes finished to air them regularly, or else you guys would probably get mad again! Korra has taken longer to produce than Avatar, precisely and solely because we asked for a longer production schedule so we would have more time for the storyboarding, design, art direction, animation, etc., all in the interest of crafting a higher quality show, and Nickelodeon gave us the support to do that. (Ask around and find another studio that backs its shows like that… You’ll have a hard time.) We may not love every decision that comes down the pipeline, but the fact remains that this network has made it possible for us to create a series we are very proud to share with you. We fully appreciate your enthusiasm, and we know just how lucky we are to have so many people eager to see our work. But we are only interested in putting out quality work, not doing it on the “fast and cheap” just so we can hurry up and get it out there. So don’t be mad, unless you want to be mad at us for being slow (or more specifically me, the slowest of them all), or mad at animation for taking so long (a daily emotion for me). So be happy! There is much to be happy about. Thank you! Sincerely!

Korra says, “HEY! Don’t worry. Be happy.”

This is a good time to be a fan of Korra. No, I can’t tell you the release date at this moment, but I can assure you the announcement will be very soon. I just wanted to clear up some of the confusion and misinformation out there. It was originally announced that Korra would premiere “sometime in 2012” which was right on track with when we’d be ready to show it. Then right before the 2011 San Diego Comic Con, Mike and I learned that the network was going to push it back to 2013, which is what we reported at the panel. That was true for a time, but plans have changed again, as they are prone to do. So although I can’t reveal the exact release date here today, I can assure you all that Nickelodeon is not delaying the series or anything of the sort. In fact, they are putting their full support behind it.

You will see Korra as soon as it is ready to be aired, which is soon! I know it is easy to be mad at a big faceless corporation, but the truth of the matter is that now the only thing keeping you from seeing the show is the reality of how long it takes us to make this many episodes of animation at this level of quality. We need to have enough episodes finished to air them regularly, or else you guys would probably get mad again!

Korra has taken longer to produce than Avatar, precisely and solely because we asked for a longer production schedule so we would have more time for the storyboarding, design, art direction, animation, etc., all in the interest of crafting a higher quality show, and Nickelodeon gave us the support to do that. (Ask around and find another studio that backs its shows like that… You’ll have a hard time.) We may not love every decision that comes down the pipeline, but the fact remains that this network has made it possible for us to create a series we are very proud to share with you. We fully appreciate your enthusiasm, and we know just how lucky we are to have so many people eager to see our work. But we are only interested in putting out quality work, not doing it on the “fast and cheap” just so we can hurry up and get it out there.

So don’t be mad, unless you want to be mad at us for being slow (or more specifically me, the slowest of them all), or mad at animation for taking so long (a daily emotion for me). So be happy! There is much to be happy about.

Thank you! Sincerely!

4:08pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHdRWtI
(Notes: 2,888)
  
Filed under: Legend of Korra Korra 
March 2, 2012
Operation Kino #52: Legend of Korra Music Debut & Interview with The Track Team

2:59pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHLffQ6
(Notes: 112)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra The Track Team Jeremy Zuckerman Benjamin Wynn 
March 2, 2012
Joaquim drew that! korranation: A collection of character sketches from a production meeting - including Korra and a shot of her father. 3/1/2012

Joaquim drew that!

korranation:

A collection of character sketches from a production meeting - including Korra and a shot of her father.

3/1/2012

11:11am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHLAqMh
(Notes: 3,139)
  
Filed under: Joaquim Dos Santos Korra Legend of Korra 
February 29, 2012
Ki Hyun Ryu (supervising producer) is another major pillar of the Korra production. I first met him in 2003 when I was living in Seoul, working on the pilot of Avatar. A year later, he took the lion’s share of key animation on the premiere episodes, bringing to life some of the series’ most memorable scenes. I’ll never forget when Mike and I first saw the pencil test of Aang sliding down the iceberg and floating up to hug Appa’s head… we were completely blown away. Ryu can make the most mundane scene shine, like Aang’s marble trick and the now-legendary “Foaming Mouth Guy” bit (the latter of which was 100% his crazy idea). After his involvement in those early episodes (including designing Jet and his gang), Ryu moved on to other projects, and eventually moved the U.S., where he’s been working for several years now. We are incredibly lucky to work with him again and to have him be such a fundamental contributor to the new series Korra and its style. I can comfortably say that he is the most talented artist I’ve ever known, and it is humbling and inspiring to work with him every day. And though he is a kind, hilarious, and humble guy, he draws the meanest caricatures. Of me. And everyone else on the crew. I’m sure I’ll share plenty of those scathing and wicked sketches in time, but for now, let’s enjoy some of his beautiful and seemingly effortless storyboard panels.

Ki Hyun Ryu (supervising producer) is another major pillar of the Korra production. I first met him in 2003 when I was living in Seoul, working on the pilot of Avatar. A year later, he took the lion’s share of key animation on the premiere episodes, bringing to life some of the series’ most memorable scenes. I’ll never forget when Mike and I first saw the pencil test of Aang sliding down the iceberg and floating up to hug Appa’s head… we were completely blown away. Ryu can make the most mundane scene shine, like Aang’s marble trick and the now-legendary “Foaming Mouth Guy” bit (the latter of which was 100% his crazy idea). After his involvement in those early episodes (including designing Jet and his gang), Ryu moved on to other projects, and eventually moved the U.S., where he’s been working for several years now.

We are incredibly lucky to work with him again and to have him be such a fundamental contributor to the new series Korra and its style. I can comfortably say that he is the most talented artist I’ve ever known, and it is humbling and inspiring to work with him every day. And though he is a kind, hilarious, and humble guy, he draws the meanest caricatures. Of me. And everyone else on the crew. I’m sure I’ll share plenty of those scathing and wicked sketches in time, but for now, let’s enjoy some of his beautiful and seemingly effortless storyboard panels.

1:51am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvHDrZXv
(Notes: 1,502)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra Ki Hyun Ryu Ryu Ki Hyun 
February 25, 2012
This week we had the pleasure of welcoming twelve members of Studio Mir from Seoul, the studio handling all the animation (also called “main production”), as well as the bulk of the pre-production work (storyboards and black & white design), of Korra’s Book 1. Our Nick Burbank crew hosted a little party so the two teams could mingle and enjoy some of the work we’ve made together. In the wake of Nick’s new TV ad for Korra (which I’d like to distinguish from the trailers we cut with Jeff Adams to the music of The Track Team), it seems appropriate to highlight the incredible talents, hard work, and dedication of Mir’s artists and production staff. Mike and I have worked with Studio Mir’s founder, Yu Jae Myung (pictured in the striped shirt), since the pilot in 2003. As an animation director, he was integral to many of our favorite Avatar episodes, including the epic series finale. We have been through a lot together over the years…

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming twelve members of Studio Mir from Seoul, the studio handling all the animation (also called “main production”), as well as the bulk of the pre-production work (storyboards and black & white design), of Korra’s Book 1. Our Nick Burbank crew hosted a little party so the two teams could mingle and enjoy some of the work we’ve made together. In the wake of Nick’s new TV ad for Korra (which I’d like to distinguish from the trailers we cut with Jeff Adams to the music of The Track Team), it seems appropriate to highlight the incredible talents, hard work, and dedication of Mir’s artists and production staff.

Mike and I have worked with Studio Mir’s founder, Yu Jae Myung (pictured in the striped shirt), since the pilot in 2003. As an animation director, he was integral to many of our favorite Avatar episodes, including the epic series finale. We have been through a lot together over the years…

5:29pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvH1Gg1_
(Notes: 463)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra Studio Mir Yu Jae Myung Korean Animation 
February 24, 2012

Coming soon! REALLY!

korranation:

Sneak peek at the first on-air trailer for The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra!

2/24/2012

8:08pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvGz_xYK
(Notes: 4,203)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra 
February 24, 2012
This was a spotting session yesterday for music, sound design, and foley. We comb through the sequences of each episode and discuss the themes of the story, the psychology of the scenes, the emotions of the characters, possible instrumentation, which sonic element will be the focus, etc… Aran Tanchum (pictured center-left), is our longtime foley editor (and recent four-time Golden Reel winner) who handles the recording and editing of all the naturalistic sounds with a foley walker (the one who performs the sounds). Ben Wynn handles the more stylized sounds, like the bending effects. Jeremy handles the music, Oliver makes sure we’re doing our jobs, and Mike and Tenzin rock the shaved heads. (Jeremy and Aran are also in an awesome ’60s-style funk band, Cousin Junebug.)

This was a spotting session yesterday for music, sound design, and foley. We comb through the sequences of each episode and discuss the themes of the story, the psychology of the scenes, the emotions of the characters, possible instrumentation, which sonic element will be the focus, etc… Aran Tanchum (pictured center-left), is our longtime foley editor (and recent four-time Golden Reel winner) who handles the recording and editing of all the naturalistic sounds with a foley walker (the one who performs the sounds). Ben Wynn handles the more stylized sounds, like the bending effects. Jeremy handles the music, Oliver makes sure we’re doing our jobs, and Mike and Tenzin rock the shaved heads. (Jeremy and Aran are also in an awesome ’60s-style funk band, Cousin Junebug.)

12:22am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvGxLNqq
(Notes: 558)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra Aran Tanchum foley The Track Team Benjamin Wynn Jeremy Zuckerman Michael DiMartino Tenzin 
February 23, 2012
This is a lovely illustration done by Evon Freeman, who worked on Korra as part of Nickelodeon’s new artist fellowship program (sort of like a paid internship) last year. You can see her amazing work here and here.

This is a lovely illustration done by Evon Freeman, who worked on Korra as part of Nickelodeon’s new artist fellowship program (sort of like a paid internship) last year. You can see her amazing work here and here.

12:20pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvGuyqat
(Notes: 1,448)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra Pabu Evon Freeman 
February 23, 2012
Here we are in an ADR (additional dialogue recording) spotting session with the great voice director, Andrea Romano. Although we record the voices first (that’s how we do things here in ‘Merica), plenty of dialogue lines are changed or added along the way as we shape an episode. Once we have the edit locked, we review it to see what scratch performances need to be replaced, what original performances need to be redone, and whatever grunts, sighs, and the like need to be added. Also pictured: Mike, and Sean Gantka, our writers assistant/script coordinator. Oh, and Mako on the silver screen.

Here we are in an ADR (additional dialogue recording) spotting session with the great voice director, Andrea Romano. Although we record the voices first (that’s how we do things here in ‘Merica), plenty of dialogue lines are changed or added along the way as we shape an episode. Once we have the edit locked, we review it to see what scratch performances need to be replaced, what original performances need to be redone, and whatever grunts, sighs, and the like need to be added. Also pictured: Mike, and Sean Gantka, our writers assistant/script coordinator. Oh, and Mako on the silver screen.

1:30am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvGu0dKy
(Notes: 545)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra Andrea Romano 
February 22, 2012
Thanks to Kevin Coppa for making this fantastic puppet, and especially for giving it to us. Although, as you can see, Mike is pretty attached to this one, so no one will stop you, Kevin, if you want to give *ME* a Korra puppet. I think it is only fair.

Thanks to Kevin Coppa for making this fantastic puppet, and especially for giving it to us. Although, as you can see, Mike is pretty attached to this one, so no one will stop you, Kevin, if you want to give *ME* a Korra puppet. I think it is only fair.

10:41am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvGrCm_U
(Notes: 1,084)
  
Filed under: Kevin Coppa puppetbending Michael DiMartino Joaquim Dos Santos Aang Korra Legend of Korra 
February 21, 2012

Sign up with the new Korra Nation fan club at www.facebook.com/legendofkorra!

EDIT: Updated link to the sign-up page. Oh, and apparently ATLA premiered seven years ago on this day. Wow…

SECOND EDIT: Boy, am I old… I can’t get the link to go to the sign-up page. But there seem to be plenty of functioning links in the notes, so use those instead. Thanks, you young whippersnappers!

9:33pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMz7zvGpk3XS
(Notes: 375)
  
Filed under: Korra Legend of Korra Korra Nation Michael DiMartino Joaquim Dos Santos Bryan Konietzko Korra fan club 
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