#FolktaleWeek2019 Starts November 4th & You Are All Invited!

Promotional art for sharing for #FolktaleWeek2019 by @carolinebonnemuller

Did you know there is now a yearly #FolktaleWeek happening on social media? (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook)

Originally created by a group of talented artists and children's book illustrators from all around the world, #FolktaleWeek has now expanded to include folks of all kinds, both amateur and pro, and people are encouraged to submit any form of creative work on the theme they wish. Last year they had writers, illustrators, painters, textile artists, embroiderists (!), photographers, papercrafters, cosplayers and more. They're hoping to see even more variety, from even more people this year.

Please note: in this post we have included just a few (truly!) of a huge variety of lovely pieces by folks declaring their commitment to being involved. Most of these here are by pros, but if you're not a professional artist or illustrator, don't let that stop you! (Have a look at the hashtag on Instagram HERE for a look at the HUGE variety of styles and contributions - there are so very many already, and of all levels and styles.) If the idea has you intrigued, you probably have something to contribute! There are many forms of response to the prompts and every expression is personal and unique and appreciated. It's a wonderful challenge and you might just surprise yourself...

Here's the info for this year and the directions to follow:

As temperatures start to drop and leaves start to change, it can only mean one thing: #folktaleweek is coming. This year, we’re releasing the prompts even earlier, so you’ll have plenty of time to discover folktales, work on art, or even write your own tales. And to help you get off to a good start, our friends at @illostories are dedicating their October workbook to Folktale Week!* 

by @carolinebonnemuller

Are you in? Let us know by reposting this image or making your own! 

How it works:We’ll release the prompts on Oct 7th. Then on Nov 4th, follow the prompts and share a piece of art each day. Interpret the prompts however you like. Everyone is encouraged to join in the fun. 

Use the hashtags #folktaleweek and #folktaleweek2019 to show your work and interact with other artists. The challenge hosts will pull work from the hashtags to share in our stories! 

*To get the FolkTale Week prep workbook released on Oct 6th, artists *You can join IlloStories via the link on their profile. Membership is open to artists who answer a few short questions. Doors will open to the IlloStories FaceBook group on Sept 30th and will close on Oct 13th. This is not a paid endorsement. We’re just buddies who support each other. 

Folktale Week 2019 was developed by a group of talented artists from all around the world. 

* * * * * * * 

Although this was a ridiculously difficult task, we chose a small selection from the many (many!) available, to show you the range of styles and approaches. We're didn't even get to see them all and didn't have room for all our 'favorites' but hopefully, you get the idea that anything-you-feel-like-creating goes! Click on any image to see it much bigger. Each artist's Instagram handle is below the corresponding row so you can see more of their work and follow them if you'd like. (Apologies for any odd formatting - there are a lot of pictures for Blogger to handle!)

We hope these inspire you!

@clara.phil / @sich2.1 / @irenesilvinodesign

@meg.vermaak / @debrastyer / @trudi_murray

If you're a writer, artist, doodler, comic-creator, multimedia artist, sculptor, animator, filmmaker, crafter, poet, puppet-maker, printmaker... heck, anyone who is inspired to respond in any manner on the subject of folktales and that days' prompt, take a chance, jump in and join the fun!

They are a really supportive bunch of people who love fairy tales and folktales, just like you do. You'll be in great company.

@mustudiomagic / @vonderstang_e / @sofiamoore_studio

@lunartcy / @laurairrgang / @paululadesign

@elizabethsparg / @yaga_blackhouse / @suwin.chan

@kudjakam / @hannahjdyson  / @creativebrenda

@desertcritters / @chelsealearnstodraw / @sara_netherway_illustration

@sandrabowersart/ @cinderellasews / @junulabean

@maxineleemackie / @nadjasarell / @ul_zak

@jinjermarkley / @melissagardenerart / @theuglymugwort

@caroleemcmullin / @illostories / @kimberlyjthorstenson

@spikedeane_art / @neelydaggett / @alena_selenina

@khabibova_alevtina / @light_drops  / @artbyemilyskinner

 @jessica.flores.design  / @jumbradshaw  / @samrudddesign

@kaizendoodles  / @annna_oparina  / @robotswebe2

Already so many styles, tales and approaches!
Make sure you go to Instagram HERE to see many (MANY!) more.
We are very much looking forward to seeing all the fairy tale creations during #FolktaleWeek2019!

by @kathryndurst

Disney's 'Gigantic' Adds 'Inside Out' Writer Meg LeFauve As Director

It happened on Frozen and it's happening, now, on Disney's upcoming animated feature Gigantic. Announced yesterday (Monday), Meg LeFauve, who was already writing on Gigantic, was just promoted to Director, joining the original director Nathan Greno, for being recognized as adding key creative direction to the script and development. It will be LeFauve's first directing credit.

Sources say the move is akin to what transpired on Disney’s 2013 hit Frozen, on which Jennifer Lee was promoted from screenwriter to director alongside Chris Buck. (source)

We applaud the recognition of female writing talent and recognizing the potential for the position of director, we hope this shows the long-coming acceptance of women in leadership roles in the "good-old-boys club" of feature animation. There's no doubt LeFauve has the talent and ability. Her credits and track record testify to that. (LeFauve is most recently known for her work on the upcoming Captain Marvel.)

There has been a trend in recent years of Disney adding a second director to their movies during development and production, as seen in Big Hero 6 and Zootopia, as well as Frozen, so it's not without precedence. We're very interested to see what a Greno-LeFauve team looks like in terms of creative output.

Official description: Set in Spain during the Age of Exploration, Gigantic follows a teenage adventure-seeker Jack as he discovers a world of giants hidden within the clouds. Along the way he meets Inma, a 60-foot-tall, 10 year-old girl, and agrees to help her find her way home. But he doesn't account for her super-sized personality. Who knew giants were so down to earth?  

"Jack befriends the female giant Inma, who’s “11 years old, 60 feet tall, fiery, feisty and a lot to control” and treats him like a living doll", Greno said. (D23)

It should also be noted that Kristen Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen) are confirmed as writing the music. Gigantic is currently scheduled for release on November 21, 2018.

Found on Tumblr as a Gigantic/Star Versus the Forces of Evil crossover
(both Disney properties). You can see the character of Inma mirroring Star
very well (by an anonymous Drawfriend) 

Fairy Tale Bonus of the Day:

New Character for Gigantic: The Golden Goose

(reposting, extracted from Tumblr)

If people were not aware, there’s been a new character revealed for Disney’s Gigantic. It’s the Golden Goose. Thing is though, the character hasn’t been finalised. From the concept art by@pbcbstudios (voice of Marshmallow, Mr. Yama), we see that it’s going to join the ranks of Maximus, Sven and Pua of non-speaking Animals. This means to say that there’s going to be some gimmick with this character (Maximus was strategic and engaged in combat despite being a horse and Sven was able to speak through Kristoff). But, there’s some more interesting details that people may not realise…

It nests in human hair: On the concept art, we see that it nests on human hair, and, it has strands of blonde all hair over its body. This elaborates on a lot more than people may presume. For instance, it’s a size indicator of the Golden Goose being regular human size if it rests on giant hair strands. Also, if the hair is blonde, we can assume that the golden goose is associated with Imna. And before you wonder, I don’t think it’s even Imna’s pet, because…

The significance of birds: Linking back with my previous point with the Golden Goose being associated with Imna, another point to stress out is a world building aesthetic of Gigantic. Now, I want you to evaluate this picture (LEFT) very closely and identify anything that particularly stands out in this art…

Still haven’t figured it out yet? Well, birds are insects in the world of Gigantic. This leads to a lot of creative scenarios, for instance, pigeons and seagulls being pests instead of flies and mosquitoes. 

But how is the Golden Goose significant to the plot? We'll have to wait a little longer to find that out.