Moved to Tumblr!

We are moving our blog to Tumblr! Come see the new format where we will be more focused on showing off the artwork that comes from our artists. Come see and share the talent.

http://houseofcoolinc.tumblr.com/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!

Today our very own Ricardo Curtis is one year older! He is currently out in Annecy "working hard" at the Annecy Film Festival in France. So because he'll be having to "work" on his birthday we decided to party for him!

Rainy Days

The past few days have just been gloomy, grey skies, and nothing but wet weather. We turned to an old favorite game in order to beat these wet weather blues!

A small visitor came out to join in the fun!

Structural Integrity

Supporting One Another

Whats better then having friends? Supporting them! 

Come check this out:  

All Dahl'd Up : Artwork from the Animation Industry, this time round it's Roald Dahl inspired.  It's taking place at the Gladstone Gallery from June 11-16th, with a reception on Thursday June 13th from 7-11pm.  Come out for a nite to support friends and colleagues and see what's sure to be some really great art.

Here's a bit more information for you:

https://www.facebook.com/events/157368521103513

Movie Day With The Fam

Last Friday the new Blue Sky film "Epic" came out to the big screen. The HoC team had the amazing opportunity to work with Blue Sky on some of the pre-production work for the movie. So naturally we wanted to take everyone out to see the end product! What a film, the kids thoroughly enjoyed it and were not talking about Ric, Wes, Joe, Mike, Myke, Raymod, Lubo, Andre, Mike, and Pepe. The other kids :p
"One Tree Many Leaves"

No Thats not the poster thats Jeff :P He would make a good sidekick to "Mub" though, career change Jeff?

Lubomir Deep into the commercials.

Wes is easily distracted, Ronin is not.

Andre being extremely excited about the movie!

Big Birthday Boy!

Someone turned 1 year older over the weekend so we thought we'd share some of the office festivities that happened. Nothing big just cake and champagne and lots of happy people! This is how we roll.....

Hungry Hungry Artists

This puts a whole new meaning to "Hungry Artist" lol. I think it was partly because the sun was out, we had a skip in our step and a song in our hearts! Nom Nom. Who doesn't like ice cream.

Small Post FMX Blog

With this business being a "Worldy" person definitely gives you new inspirations and creative ideas. Wes recently came back from visiting Stuttgart, Germany for FMX 2012 a conference on animation, effects, games and transmedia. Here are some pics and a short blurb on his experience overseas, don't be surprised if you start seeing schnitzels and beer postings!

" Check out pic's from FMX conference in Stuttgart, Germany.  DMIO, City of Toronto, OMDC and the Ontario International Marketing Centre spoke on the technical and artistic achievements and collaborations of the VFX and Animation Industry.  Thank you to all the organizers and show runners.  One of the best in the world!"

- Wesley Lui

Who said the animation business wasn't glamorous!

Cool Trailer!

We love everything cool, so here is something we stumbled upon! Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/64386008

Poster Pieces

Ok so the last poster piece was too simple so I decided to make the game a bit harder. Heres another photo of part of our new decorations up in the studio. Who can guess this one? Good Luck, Happy Friday!

House Health Kick

So for the past few months the HoC family has been on a big health kick; gluten free, wheat free, push ups, chin ups..........fish tacos. You get the point! So I have stumbled upon some great food recipes for all those amazing things we love but that might not be the best for our bodies when trying to get in the best shape possible. It has nothing to do with animation, unless you consider animation to be delicious goodness, then I guess yeah it has everything to do with animation. Enjoy!

Raw Chocolate Truffles
w: http://barreworksto.tumblr.com/post/46516362252/raw-chocolate-truffels

Ingredients
10 – 15 Medjool Dates
1 Cup Walnut
¼ Cup Ground Flax Seeds
¼ Raw Cacao Powder (+ a little extra for rolling truffles)
Water as needed


MethodIn a food processor blend nuts and seeds until well chopped and mixed.
Add in dates and cacao and mix well.
If too dry, add a little water as needed to create a mixture that sticks together.
If too sticky, add more walnuts.
Using palms, roll mixture into 1” balls.
Roll truffles in cacao powder until covered.
Place in freezer until ready to serve.



Flourless Pancakes
w: http://www.edibleharmony.com/2-ingredient-flour-less-pancakes/

Ingredients:1 medium ripe banana
2 eggs


Preparation:

• Using a blender or a bowl and a fork mash and combine the ingredients together until a batter is formed and most of the banana lumps disappear.

• In a large skillet over medium heat pour the batter to make the pancakes, grease the pan with coconut oil or butter if necessary.

• When the pancakes are starting to set and bubble on the top, turn and cook them on the other side.

More working out

The guys decided that push ups weren't enough in their quest to get HUGE, so they decided to install this the other day. Oh boys and their chin up bars. Whats next a Bowflex?

Rare Creature Found at HoC

This rare creature was found the other day asleep at HoC. It's believed that the open body position with tilted head back is used to optimize the air ways to allow the creatures core temperature to stay cool. They are usually found in this state at desks, on the couches, and sometimes at the mall. It is not advised to wake one, as it becomes confused and disoriented if disrupted before it has fully recharged the body. Scientists have labeled this mysterious creature as the "Exhuasteduos Newis Fatherus". The meaning derives from the North American phrase "Who knew a kid could be so exhausting".

All jokes aside Wesley Lui really is the man of the house these days, between his newborn baby work and being the ping pong champ we believe he really does deserve a few minuets of peace.

A shout out to Colin Jack

The HoC family would like to give a good ol' shout out to our pal Colin Jack and his amazing book "Galaxy Zack", now on sale on Amazon! Congratulations Colin, your book is "out of this world" ........ haha sorry had to do that :)

For more information check out Colin's Blog, or to purchase Galaxy Zack go straight to amazon.ca!

Enjoy the journey!

Spotlight on Daniel Lafrance

We would like to take the time to acknowledge the great works created by some of our family members. This spotlight is on Daniel Lafrance who recently finished and launched a graphic novel called "War Brothers" with Author Sharon E.McKay.

" The searing story of a child soldier.

When fourteen-year-old Jacob is brutally abducted and forced to become a child soldier, he struggles to hold on to his sanity and the will to escape.

Daniel Lafrance’s striking artwork and the poignant, powerful text capture the very essence of life as a child soldier. Readers will never forget the experiences of this young boy struggling to survive, unsure who to trust, afraid of succumbing to madness, and above all, desperate to get to freedom. In the end, Jacob engineers a daring escape.

This graphic novel is based on the acclaimed novel of the same title, winner of a 2009 Arthur Ellis award. The author spent time in Uganda and based this story on real-life accounts of the horrors inflicted on child soldiers and their victims. This is a story of unthinkable violence, but also one of hope, courage, friendship, and family. " 

- www.annickpress.com

For more information check out his website http://danlafrance.com/comics/war-brothers/.

Congrats Daniel!!

"War Brothers captures the terror, poignancy, and hope of children forced to join a brutal rebel army. In the best tradition of graphic novel, this one brings an immediacy and power to a story that will sear itself into the mind of every reader."

http://site.annickpress.com/catalog/catalog.aspx?title=War%20Brothers