Cartoons Underground 2019 (9 November 2019) Shines Spotlight on Women Animators

Animation movies are more than just Disney princesses and a bunch of talking toys. To get familiar with the sheer variety of topics and directorial styles, head down to Cartoons Underground 2019, Asia's leading indie animation festival, at Kult Yard, 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace next Saturday, 9 November, 6PM to 11PM.

The Cartoons Underground festival began in 2012, by founders Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria, and Vicky Chen. This will be the event's 8th year celebrating the visual wonders of animation films.

There was a record-breaking 1,416 entries from all around the world, as film makers vie for a spot in the festival's screening schedule, as well as to compete at the coveted Golden Durian Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Student Film and Audience Choice Award. After much deliberation, 19 short films were selected for screening by Cartoons Underground's Programming Director and recent Singapore Young Artist Recipient Tan Wei Keong.

Some of these entries have won awards at Ottawa Animation Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival and Edinburgh international film festivals. 13 of these films showcased during the event are by women directors.

Get Enchanted By ArtScience Museum's Disney: Magic of Animation Exhibition

Be ready to be enchanted (or bewitched) at the DISNEY: MAGIC OF ANIMATION exhibition, which opens at ArtScience Museum today, 26 October 2019. With displays consisting of over 500 over pieces of original drawings, concept art and paintings from the vault of Walt Disney Animation Research Library, this specially curated exhibition is something that a Disney fan should not miss!

Visitors are taken on a journey on Disney's 90+ years of animation, from a recreation of both retro and modern versions of an animator's work desk, to the various processes related to the iconic movies, like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to The Lion King (1994), to recent hits, like Frozen (2013), Big Hero 6 (2014) and Moana (2016),

Upon entering the first gallery, Red Dot Diva felt like she had stepped into animation history. The area was about the brilliance and skill of 2D animation, and includes a tribute to Steamboat Willie (1928), the black and white short film that featured Mickey Mouse's very first appearance.

Fans can get step into a recreation of the famous steamboat and get their selfies, while the Steamboat Willie is screened beside it. Even though the art of animation has progressed in leaps and bounds by now, the old film is still as charming as ever.

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Only on Singtel TV - Warner TV Premieres Batwoman On Demand, 25 October 2019!

The BATWOMAN series which focuses on the adventures of Bruce Wayne's cousin Kate Kane, will be available for Red Dot Island fans after all. The premiere goes live only on Singtel TV's Warner TV Encore, an on-demand channel, on 25 October 2019. Each new episode is available, on the same week as the U.S. telecast. Bravo, Warner TV Asia!

This is the first lesbian superhero series on TV, and it stars gender fluid, openly gay actor Ruby Rose as the titular character. The BATWOMAN series has since attracted a gamut of reactions from the audiences and comic book fans. However, Red Dot Diva feels that there is a need for more stories that champion women power and LGBT communities. (Although, Red Dot Diva is not sure how heavy handed censorship would be, knowing how conservative it is here.)

A fully-costumed Batwoman in her classic red wig, first made her appearance in the Arrowverse last year during the Elseworlds crossover. Contemporary and sleek, the Batwoman costume is designed by the Academy Award-winning costumer Colleen Atwood.

HBO Asia - "Watchmen" Premieres 21 October 2019, Same Time as the U.S. Telecast

“Anybody who has anything to do with any of these shitty Watchmen travesties, even as a member of the audience, will be dragged screaming to hell by their nipples,” ranted writer Alan Moore in an interview that he did with creative arts blog, Inside The Rift last year.

Well, considered Red Dot Diva to be one of those willing to be dragged straight into brim and fire, because she is all set to catch the premiere of HBO's WATCHMEN on Monday, 21 October at 9 AM (SG); 8 AM (THAI/ JKT). The new series by executive producer Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers), is neither a prequel nor sequel to the brilliant original graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. In fact, Lindelof calls his version a “remix”, and he was also the writer of the pilot episode.

So what does this “remix’ look like? Based on the trailers, the series has mostly new characters, and is set some 30 years after the events in the graphic novel. This is still a time when costumed superheroes have been outlawed, but now, a group of white supremacists have decided to put on masks in the likes to the deceased vigilante anti-hero Rorschach.

Warner Asia TV - DC Superheroes Return for New Seasons of Supergirl, The Flash and Arrow! (SPOILERS)

It's the fall in the USA, and that means your TV screen will be filled with superheroes once again!

Warner Asia TV has brought in three series from the DC Universe back to the region's schedule, so it is time for fans to immerse themselves in their adventures in the new season.

Note: There are some spoilers, so tread with caution!

SUPERGIRL
From the House of El, Kara Zor-El aka “SUPERGIRL” returned with a new season last Monday.

In this 5th season of the superhero TV series, Supergirl (Melissa Benoit) faces challenges at work when a new owner takes over Catco, and a mystery shapeshifter villain with a bone to pick with J'onn J'onzz (David Harewood) drops in from the Phantom Zone - and she does it all in a brand new and sleek costume with pants! PANTS!

Kara has also personal issues to resolve with best friend, Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath), who found out about Supergirl's true identity in the last season's finale. Will their friendship be able to survive this broken trust?

Watch new episodes of “SUPERGIRL” every Monday at 9:50 PM (SG/ MY/ PH), 8:50 PM (JKT).

Gamestart Asia 2019 - The Cool and Awesome Games (and Mead!) to Look Out For!

Gamestart Asia, the region's premiere gaming convention for both hardcore gamers, casual gamers and industry players kicks off tomorrow for the 6th and probably, final time.

Red Dot Diva attended the Media Preview and had a peek of the show hall, which had a look and feel in tune with this year's theme “Asian Mythology”. Of course, the e-sports competitions like the SEA Major, will be the major highlight of the weekend, as well as the games in all its varied forms for fans to try out and play - tabletop, mobile, console, arcade, VR. You name it, the show has it. 

Some of the show's highlights and guests have already been mentioned an earlier RDD article (click here to read it), but there are even more exciting and fun things to look out for in the exhibit hall.


DISNEY/ MARVEL BOOTH

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Disney/ Marvel's booth is the first thing you will see when one enters the hall, and it is brightly dressed with the trademark superhero colours of your favourite Marvel comic book characters.

This is the place to have a look at MARVEL Super War, the company's first MOBA game, where you can choose to be a superhero character, like Captain Marvel, the Hulk or Deadpool, and battle with your friends online.

At 2 PM on 12 October (Saturday), The Walt Disney Company will be making on the main stage with the Special Game Showcase. So, don't miss this segment if you love Disney/ Marvel characters!

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - David Mack Returns, Lineup Includes Jim Mahfood, John Layman, Tik Ka and Koh Hong Teng

The guest list for Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 is getting better and better!

In the latest news on the pop-culture convention's guest lineup, there will be fan favourites returning to Red Dot Island, like David Mack, Mirka Andolfo, and James C. Mulligan, as well as first-timer guests Jim Mahfood, Alexander Iacarrino and John Layman together with Asian-based creators Koh Teng Hong, Peach MoMoKo, Tikka from the East and Michael Sng.

DAVID MACK
It is always a joyous time of year when David Mack decides to return to our local comic convention. He has built up a loyal fan base in this region, and his booth is always busy!

David Mack is well known as the creator of the KABUKI graphic novel series, and as the co-creator of Marvel character Echo from the Daredevil comics. His beautiful brush strokes can be seen in varied and high profile projects like JESSICA JONES, FIGHT CLUB 2 and FIGHT CLUB 3, AMERICAN GODS, and Dynamite's new series released this year, XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS.

David was also involved with the exceptional, Emmy-nominated opening title sequence for Marvel TV Series “JESSICA JONES”, as well as the concept design, artwork and sequence for “CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER” together with with Sarofsky Designs. Fans of Showtime series “DEXTER” will be familiar with his art in the Early Cuts episodes, and noticed a his recognisable artwork featured in the series episodes.