from The Animatazz Director’s Manual

Our Director's Manual shows you how to give your tazz characters facial expressions

Animation is all about moving your actors in small steps around your set and taking photographs of them for each movement.

It could be drawings, but using plasticine and our ANIMATAZZ EASY-ACTION figure, you can get animating your own characters in no time at all and you don’t need to be a good drawer.

With your Animatazz plasticine, you can dress them up in clothes and give them personalities of their own. We even give you a backdrop for your movie set, but of course you can make up your own with cereal boxes, or coloured card, or even just use a corner of your own bedroom with a few toys as props.

Dragons’ toy set for global success

Dragons’ toy set for global success

Sunday Business Post, October 18, 2009 - By Gavin Daly

The firm that distributes the Rubik’s Cube globally is vying for the international rights for Animatazz, the children’s animation kit that won investment on Dragons’ Den.

Developed by entrepreneur Michael Connolly, Animatazz allows children make their own animation films using play dough, a digital camera and computer. It went into full-scale production last month after founder Michael Connolly attracted €80,000 in investment from Dragon Gavin Duffy on the RTE show earlier this year. … Continue Reading

Christmas comes early for ‘Dragon’s Den’ toy maker

Christmas comes early for ‘Dragon’s Den’ toy maker

By Fergus Black, Friday September 18 2009

A self-employed animator who faced the ordeal of the ‘Dragon’s Den’ is poised to take the Christmas toy market by storm with his new creation.

Michael Connolly (39), who came up with the idea of a children’s animation kit three years ago, watched yesterday as the first batch of his new ‘Animatazz’ toy rolled off the production line at the Hasbro factory inWaterford. … Continue Reading

Dragon’s Den idea makes it big

Dragon’s Den idea makes it big

Kathy Donaghy reports that an animator, who received financial backing after he appeared on the RTÉ programme Dragon’s Den, is set to see his toy in the top ten for Christmas.

… as seen on Dragons’ Den.

… as seen on Dragons’ Den.

“congratulations on a super logo, I love the branding, it looks as if it should be in every toy store in the world” Niall O’Farrell

“I like the fact that a child gets everything in a box, has to go and do something with the box, has to go and learn something either on a computer or on the camera and ends up with a product that he or she has created, …there is a beginning and an end to this which really impresses me.” Bobby Kerr

We all know, “All work and no play makes jack a dull boy” but no work and all Playstation stunts your pre-teenagers development.
Instead of watching a TV Animation programme you can, with the Animatazz Animation Kit make your own video from making the character models to shooting the footage on your camera, video or phone and then using the moviemaker software on every pc, you can make your own movies.

“I’m going to make you an offer, …I’m a father of four children, I’d love people sitting down and playing and making little videos” Gavin Duffy

Tip on storyboards

The storyboard is an important part of planning your movie before you start shooting. It will help you to work out how best to tell your story through pictures, and how to get around any challenges that may lie ahead which you would otherwise only realise when you are in the middle of shooting, when it may be too late and require you to go ‘back to the drawing board’.

A storyboard is your movie drawn frame-by-frame in sketches of how you expect each shot to look. As only pencil and paper are needed, it is a fast yet thorough way of working out how you are going to set up and photograph each shot in order to make the story work for your audience.

Top tip from Tazzter

Darklight X 2009 -Animatazz Animation Workshop

The Details!

• Event: Animatazz Animation Workshop
• Date: Saturday, October 10th 2009
• Time: 3:00pm
• Venue: Maldron Hotel, Smithfield
• Admission: Free
• Notes: A free event for all the family!

Animatazz maestro Michael Connolly presents an exciting animation workshop, catered to the needs and abilities of kids aged 8-15 who would love to learn to make an animated character come to life in one fun 90 minute session.

Families are welcome, and advanced booking is strongly advised. Mail info AT darklight.ie NOW!

View the Animatazz YouTube channel HERE.

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Sunday Independent Article 05/04/2009

Lights, camera, action, kids

Sunday April 05 2009

CHILDREN exercise their brains and grow that vital muscle through using their imagination. But most electronic games don’t allow a child to use their imagination. They present the child with an already preconstructed virtual world. When the child eventually drags him or herself away from the video game, they then plonk themselves in front of the TV.

I am no crusader, but I do believe I have created a toy that will help your child to really work their imagination and, instead of them watching an animated cartoon like The Simpsons, imagine their joy at making their very own animated movie. Most importantly, it is hours of endless fun for your child and all in a box for only €29.99. … Continue Reading

Leinster Leader Art. 02/ 04/ 09

Newbridge man Michael stepping into the Dragons’ Den

Published Date: 02 April 2009 By Paula Campbell

A Newbridge entrepreneur will risk the wrath of the Dragons’ Den this week in a bid to secure investment for his animation business. Michael Connolly will showcase his business called ‘Animatazz’ in front of the dragons this week. The popular show, which will be aired on RTE One on Thursday night at 10.15pm, provides hopeful business men and women the chance to pitch their bright ideas in front of five wealthy and successful venture “It is definitely the most nerve wracking interview I have ever done in my life,” said Michael, speaking to the Leinster Leader. “All other interviews pale in comparision. Once I got in there my mind went a bit blank but when I had the pitch over, luckily I was able to relax a bit.” … Continue Reading