Monday, December 16, 2013

Introducing ART: Shreveport's 20 Foot Dalmatian!



Our Moonbot ringleaders William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg have been hard at work creating a new sculpture for downtown Shreveport. The new piece, known as ART, is a 20 foot tall Dalmatian made of solid white fiberglass and was given to the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) as a gift.

The sculpture will feature light up dots that can be purchased and placed on the Dalmatian, allowing community members to leave behind a legacy for family and friends. Each dot will light up when activated by the donor. For more information about ART’s spots, check out SRAC’s website.

Be on the lookout for ART—he’s headed to downtown Shreveport in early 2014!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Shreveport Holiday Book Signing With William Joyce!



Shreveport, join the moonbots and William Joyce for a festive book signing at Barnes and Noble, 6646 Youree Dr., on 12/8 at 1PM. It's a great time to get books such as The Mischievians, Morris Lessmore and the Guardians of Childhood books signed. Bring this flyer and mention our pals at Renzi Education and Art Center and a portion of the proceeds from your sale benefit their art education programs.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Moonbot Studios and William Joyce are honored to receive three nominations for the 41st annual Annie Awards, hosted by the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood. The Annie Awards are the highest honor given for excellence in animation and voted on by society members. Moonbot's nominations are for projects across several media: a viral video for Chipotle Mexican Grill, an animated short based on an app and a PlayStation Wonderbook game. These include:
  • Best Animated Special Production - Chipotle Scarecrow, a partnership with CAA Marketing and Chipotle Creative Department
  • Best Animated Short Subject - The Numberlys
  • Best Animated Video Game - Diggs Nightcrawler, a partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Exient
In addition to studio honors, William Joyce was nominated along with Michael Knapp and Greg Couch for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production for their work on Blue Sky's Epic. The film is based on William Joyce's bestselling book, The Leafmen and the Brave Good Bugs.

"It's mind-blowing to be nominated for the best achievement in three entirely different categories, with three different projects. It's like having a shot at medaling in three Olympic sports. And we are in Shreveport, La, with a team of just 50 incredible people going toe-to-toe with the giants!" said William Joyce. Joyce has previously received two Annie Awards for his work on the television series Rolie Polie Olie. Past Annie Award winners include studios large and small such as Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Laika and Psyop.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Support Movember and enter to win a William Joyce sketch!

For today's Sketch Tuesday, the bots have put together something special and 'stachey. This year, our Movember team has raised $5,000+ to support men's health initiatives on top of growing the raddest moutaches in the universe!

We're upping the ante this year. For every $20 you donate to Team Moonstache or your favorite bot, you'll be entered to win one of the following sketches from a moonbot, including William Joyce! Make a donation today! The raffle drawing happens 12/1.


Lazy Tiger, Kendra Phillips, CG Generalist (pen and pencil)

Spiderstache, Kendra Phillips, CG Generalist (gauche and colored pencil)

Walstache, Kendra Phillips, CG Generalist (gauche and colored pencil)

Robot Sketch, Logan Scelina, CG Generalist (digital print)

Stag, Bo Sayre, CTO (digital print)

Stag, Bo Sayre, CTO (digital print)

Unicorn in Disguise, Heather Shrewsbury, Developer (pencil)

William Joyce (pen and ink)

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

New Mischievians Discoveries!

We've been overrun by discoveries of new Mischievians who are wrecking havoc across the globe! Here are a few that have been documented by an elite team of scientists from Hunters Creek Elementary in Houston, TX. Have you found a new Mischievian? Send your discoveries to us so we can share them here on our blog and bring peace and tranquility to the world.

Don't forget you can pick up Dr. Zooper's earliest discoveries in the latest Moonbot Book.

The Makeup Stealer, discovered by scientist Georgia and animator Lucas

The Eye Stealer, discovered by scientist Blake and animator Andrew

The Lipgloselr, who steals lip gloss, discovered by scientist Colette and animator Kevin

The Gum Dropper, discovered by scientist Attel and creative director Limbert.

The eater who eats everything, discovered by scientist Austin and lead artist Joe.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Pictures from William Joyce's Book Signing in Shreveport

Three generations of William Joyce fans with a copy of William Joyce's Shoes.

A tiny fan created a doll of William Joyce holding Toothiana and an Oscar. 

Fans waited in a line that circled around Toy Fair, sharing stories about their favorite William Joyce books.

Two William Joyce fans loaded up on his new book, The Mischievians.

Two Rise of the Guardians fans picked up the new Sandman chapter book.



Fans waited in a line that circled around Toy Fair, sharing stories about their favorite William Joyce books.
 
MoonSpouse Chris Jay and Moonbot animator John Durbin uncovered the secrets of The Mischievians.

Toy Fair stocks William Joyce books including hard to find copies of Leaf Men and Santa Calls.

The staff of Toy Fair hard at work selling books, toys and other goodies.

William Joyce signed over 400 copies of The Mischievians during the evening.

The best way to pass time while waiting in line!

Shreveport Times general manager and executive editor Alan English stopped by to pick up a few books.

William Joyce and a Guardians of Childhood fan.

Toy Fair employee Justin made his own Rolie Polie Olie plushie.

Monday, October 14, 2013

William Joyce hits the road with The Mischievians and Sandman


The latest Moonbot book, The Mischievians, arrives in stores on October 22nd. It's followed up by the next installment in the Guardians of Childhood book series, Sandman and the War of Dreams, released on November 5th. Our fearless leader, William Joyce, will be traveling throughout the south for book signings. See him at one of these events:


SHREVEPORT, LA - Toy Fair - Oct. 20, 3pm
Book Signing

HOUSTON, TX - Blue Willow Bookshop - Oct. 21, 5PM
Screening of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore and Signing

AUSTIN, TX - Book People - Oct. 22, 7PM
Screening of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore and Signing

FRISCO, TX - Barnes and Noble - Oct. 23, 6PM
Book Signing



DALLAS, TX - Southern Methodist University, Centennial Hall - Oct. 25 4:30PM
Part of SMU's Homecoming celebrations honoring William Joyce as a distinguished alum.
Signing and Q&A, Screening of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Oct. 26 - 11AM Homecoming Parade with William Joyce on SMU Campus

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Octavia Books - Nov. 1, 5PM
Book Signing

BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana Book Festival - Nov. 2, 1PM
Screening of The Numberlys short film and presentation at the Louisiana State Library, signing to follow

MIAMI, FL - Miami Book Fair - Nov 22-24
Details to come!


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Morris Lessmore honored by SIBA

Each year, hundreds of booksellers across the South vote on their favorite "handsell" books of the year. These are the "southern" books they have most enjoyed selling to customers; the ones that they couldn't stop talking about. The SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance) Book Award was created to recognize great books of southern origin.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore has been selected by these booksellers as the Children's Winner. It's an incredible honor to be chosen by these independent booksellers.

For more information about the SIBA and the award, please visit their website.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

An Epic Summer at Artspace


This summer, artspace in Shreveport is hosting an Epic Summer of Family Fun with hands-on activities, workshops and events  to compliment "The Making of Epic” exhibition. On display through July 27th, the exhibit features a collection of William Joyce’s art and follows the evolution of “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs” to Epic. The collection brings the gallery space to life with 3D art, sketches, and more.

Fun events include:

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm:
Bring the kiddos to "bug out" at Moonhaven, an immersive installation inspired by the Leaf Men's lair. There's also fun hands-on art workshops where kids can learn to draw their own epic hero.

Saturday, July 20 - 11:00 am – 5:00 pm:
A free William Joyce movie marathon! Get your fill from dawn to dusk: THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE, ROBOTS, MEET THE ROBINSONS, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS. Popcorn, candy, drinks and ice cream available for purchase!

Thursday, July 11 - 6:30 pm:
Hear the story of Bill's epic journey from author and illustrator of "The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs" to Epic. Taste chocolate-covered crickets and Leaf Men-inspired lettuce wraps, sip leafy libations at the cash bar and dance to the tunes of Engine! This Epic evening is $10 per person.

For more information, contact artspace.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Epic Premieres This Weekend!

Fans of William Joyce's The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs can look forward to the premiere of Epic this weekend. The animated feature-length film is set in the same world as the book and follows a teenage girl named Mary Katherine into the secret world of tiny woodland creatures, including the Leaf Men.  She teams up with this elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures, to save their world and ours from the evil Boggans.

William Joyce served as a writer, producer, and production designer for Epic which was produced by Blue Sky Studios and directed by Chris Wedge, the director of Ice Age and Robots. This is Joyce and Wedge’s first collaboration since joining forces for the visually stunning animated film Robots in 2005.

For more information about FOX/ Blue Sky Studio’s Epic visit www.epicthemovie.com.



Monday, May 20, 2013

Toothiana in the Cereal Aisle


Next time you are riding your lunar rover through the cereal aisle, take a look at a box of Honey Nut Cheerios®! There may be a special surprise inside. This month, Cheerios® is expanding its Spoonfuls of Stories® program to reach older kids through chapter books, including William Joyce's "The Guardians of Childhood" series.

3 million chapter books for older children will be included in specially marked boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios® for the very first time, including:
  • “Toothiana, Battle Is Waged”
  • “Toothiana, Tooth is Lost”
  • “Toothiana, Panic Sets In”
  • “Toothiana, A Queen Takes Flight”

Each book contains a selection from Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies and a special new cover created by Moonbot Studios. Take a look at some of the covers below and keep your eyes peeled for Cheerios® at your local grocery store.





Friday, April 19, 2013

Pre-Order William Joyce's Newest Books


Coming October 2013: The Mischievians


Strange smells. Disappearing remotes. That itch you just can’t reach. It’s not your fault! It’s the Mischievians, an ancient race of global mischief-makers who do all the things that embarrass you. All the things that bug you. All the things that YOU get blamed for!

There is no cause for alarm (sorta). Come meet the Homework Eater, the fiend who steals your homework! See the Endroller, the villain who uses up ALL the toilet paper! Discover the Yawn Mower, the creature who makes you yawn at the worst possible time! And many, many more. Read on, and be free.

Pre-Order The Mischievians on Amazon.


Coming October 2013: The Sandman and the War of Dreams

In their fourth chapter book adventure, the Guardians of Childhood recruit Sanderson ManSnoozy, the sleepy legend also known as the Sandman, to their cause.

When the Man in the Moon brought together the Guardians, he warned them that they would face some terrible evils as they strove to protect the children of earth. But nothing could have prepared them for this: Pitch has disappeared and taken Katherine with him. And now the Guardians are not only down one member, but a young girl is missing.

Fortunately, MiM knows just the man to join the team. Sanderson ManSnoozy—known in most circles as the Sandman—may be sleepy, but he’s also stalwart and clever and has a precocious ability to utilize sand in myriad ways. If the other Guardians can just convince Sandy that good can triumph evil, that good dreams can banish nightmares, they’ll have themselves quite a squad. But if they can’t…they might never see Katherine again.


Pre-Order The Sandman and the War of Dreams on Amazon.

Monday, April 15, 2013

2013 Christopher Award for Morris Lessmore

William Joyce is honored to receive a Christopher Award for The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore in the "Books for Young People" category. Since 1949, the Christopher Awards have annually saluted media (TV programming, feature films, books for adults and children) that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.” 

Tony Rossi, The Christophers’ Director of Communications, says, “The creative forces behind the projects we’re honoring are improving our culture by telling stories that awaken hope instead of despair, acknowledge the necessity of sacrifice in the service of a greater good, and light a candle rather than curse the darkness.”

It's an honor for our team to share Mr. Morris Lessmore's story and to share the life-changing and enduring power of stories with the the world. William Joyce previously received a Christopher Award for his illustrations in Humphrey's Bear in 1987.

Find out more about the Christopher Awards and other winners on their website.