Conan & Andy Visit Bang Zoom Studios

For the second time, Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter have come to Bang Zoom and "ATTEMPTED" to dub some anime. Check out the segment from The Tonight Show.
CLICK HERE: http://vimeo.com/10662248

OTAKON 2008

While at AX we were invited to attend Otakon. There wasn't much time to prepare, but we threw some stuff together, jumped on a plane (got zinged with a $190 overlimit baggage penalty) and flew to Baltimore!

Lisa Marie (aka "Ms. Curves") ran the booth and brought a few boxes of AiVA dvds with her, which she sold at a discount to attendees. She said that many people were excited to be able to purchase the dvd.

Lisa Marie with Voice Actor Peter Fernandez (Speed Racer)

Voice Actor/Director Tony Oliver ran the panel on Saturday, and screened a few minutes of AiVA in addition to some other video clips such as outtakes from Lucky Star and a new trailer we just cut for Gurren Lagann. Voice Actor celebs Mela Lee and Steve Prince attended the panel as well.

Voice Actors Tony Oliver & Mela Lee at the Bang Zoom! booth

It was a fantastic experience and we will definitely be back next year, hopefully with some free voice acting workshops!

Manga Minutes - Now on Manga.com

We've been working on MANGA MINUTES in complete secrecy since the beginning of this year. And now, finally, the webcast has launched on www.manga.com and iTunes. (Currently #5 in "Arts & Entertainment" and "New & Notable" on iTunes.)

We first pitched it to STARZ MEDIA in Fall of '07. They loved it but contracts took a while to finalize. Meanwhile we designed the characters and look and feel of the show.



Currently we're producing 24 episodes - one will be uploaded every two weeks.

This is a clip of some early test footage.

We write the script, record the dialogue with two actors in the booth, working together. Then animate the characters to the dialogue, just like all original animation is done in the US.

After that, the show has a lot of editing and motion graphics put in place and then it's handed over to the audio dept. There we add SFX and music - trying to put in as many "audio gags" as we can. Each episode ends up between 2 to 3 minutes long.

The Characters

Rogue - Somewhat of a geek, but at the same time, pretty fly... for an "anime guy." He's got his opinions, and plays the tough guy sometimes, but in the end, he's a loveable goof that is known to ham it up for his co-host, Yoko. Rumor is he has a crush on her. But she's pretty irritated with him most of the time!

Yoko - Street-smarts, cute and sexy all in one package. She's got an opinion about everything, and is not afraid to say it. Stay out of her way. A little hot-tempered, Yoko is constantly trying to keep Rogue focused on the reviews at hand. And tries hard not just smack him in the head sometimes. She's not one to reveal her true feelings, so who knows? Maybe she has feelings for Rogue as well. We'll see!

Watch the show here! www.manga.com

Aya Hirano - I May Never Wash My Hand Again

Long Beach Arena. Anime Expo 2007. Backstage. Everything is running late. There are problems with the playback and the singers can't sing in sync with the music. They're taking it pretty well, you'd never know there was a problem. But the producers are running around with furrowed brows, and grim faces. Things are not going smoothly. We're waiting for The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya concert to end so we can start AX IDOL. Kaeko, Bang Zoom's Vice President and Casting Director is up on stage emceeing and helping to keep the show running smoothly as a favor to Bandai President Ken Iyadomi. (She used to be a pro emcee in Japan and she's a natural on stage.) Everyone is smiling and having a great time up on stage.

Backstage however, it's another story. People are screaming. People are crying. There is much unhappiness. We're running almost 2 hours behind.

Aya Hirano, who plays Haruhi in the Japanese version of TMOHS finishes her number and exits the stage, heading towards her dressing room. Someone introduces us. Hirano-san, this is Eric P. Sherman, the director of the English language version of TMOHS. "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu." We shake hands. I realize on the spot that I don't have any intention of washing that hand for as long as I live.

Looking back on that experience, just over a year ago now, I think to myself:
I wonder how much money I could get if I tried to sell my hand on ebay.
I figure it's worth a lot.

Photo lft to rt: Mami Okada, Eric P. Sherman, Aya Hirano at the Bandai/Kadokawa Wrap Party