Earlier this fall we created an animation to open an annual Alumni Celebration Event for George Mason University. That animation just won a Pixie Award from the American Pixel Academy. The Third Annual Pixie Awards received a record number of submissions this year, and honored 213 entries from all over the USA and Canada. The Pixie Awards honors outstanding work in animation, effects, and motion graphics. Our work was honored among a number of major consumer brands, including Sony, Bose, Lego and Pepsi – as well as some of the top animation houses and ad agencies.

For more information on the Pixie Awards, visit www.pixieawards.com.

Here is the animation for the 6th Annual Alumni Celebration.

Philadelphia Business Journal just ranked Crossbow Studio in 2011′s top 25 video production firms. This makes the third year in a row! Still feels incredible to be on the same list as some of Philadelphia’s most creative and inspiring companies. Three cheers!

Every year Scriptfrenzy.org puts out the challenge to any writer who wants to participate: 100 pages in 30 days. Thousands of screenwriters from all over the place participate, logging their progress and sharing stumbling blocks and encouragement along the way. It’s tiring, specially if you have a ‘real job’ and/or family that you should be paying attention to, and have to squeeze the writing into odd hours. But at the same time, crafting 100 pages of story out of thin air, proves you can CREATE, in any and all circumstances, no excuses.

I wrote 103 pages and completed the script on April 27th, three days early! Whoo hoo! Now that the event is over, my challenge is to go back and re-write. This was only draft one…

Do you know anyone that participated in ScriptFrenzy? Leave a comment and share tips that work for you to reach unreasonable goals.

I just received the call today. The video I made for the Ford Focus ‘Start More than a Car’ Global Drive just won $10,000 for Mighty Writers! People submitted from all over the world to support their favorite charities. For being selected, Mighty Writers gets the grant and I’ll be going to Madrid to be among the first to test drive the 2012 Ford Focus! Fasten your seat belts, I’ll be posting pictures right here.

The Red Carpet at Miami Short Film Festival

Level Up finished its festival run for the season at the 9th Annual Miami Short Film Festival, where we were one of five shorts nominated for Best Narrative. Out of more than 500 entries from 27 countries, I was proud to have been in such good company!

The winning film, LASTRAIN, was was a beautiful film and it was a joy to discuss its development with the writer and star, Raul Alvarez.

The festival screening was held in a first class theater, packed full with an appreciative audience and followed with a thoughtful Q&A session.

I was also invited to sit on a panel at the festival with a group of extremely talented directors, discussing the art of short film.

Opening Night with Festival Director William Vela

Q&A after the Level Up screening, with Program Director Maggie Drayton

Art of the Short Film panel at Miami Short Film Festival

Oh, yeah, Michael Moore was at the Miami Short Film Festival, too

Level Up received Best Comedy at FirstGlance Philadelphia Film Festival 2010. This was twice as exciting to be recognized this year, since our last short film won Best Comedy at the same festival last year! Thanks to everyone who came out to the Franklin Institute and supported us!

Philadelphia Business Journal just listed Crossbow Studio in 2010′s Top 25 Video Production Firms. This is our second time making the list! This year, we also made the list of Top 25 Web Design Companies and Top 25 Graphic Designers. Onward!

Level Up just received a 2010 CINE Golden Eagle Award! CINE has been widely recognized as a symbol of excellence in filmmaking for more than 50 years. Level Up won the award in the Independent Fiction Short category.

Level Up received the Audience Choice Award at the 2010 West Chester Film Festival and was runner up for Best Film by a Pennsylvania Filmmaker. This was doubly thrilling to get such a warm reception, since our last short film won Best Comedy at the same festival last year!