Behind the Scenes at Stuart Ng Books: Epic post on CTNX 2014 -- UPDATED Nov 28th

If you couldn't make it to CTNX .. or can't get enough of this event .. this post is for you. Enjoy!

Let's start with a quick look at the stellar setting.... The Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Close to Bob Hope airport and major studios. Here's the main entrance to the hotel...

This slightly closer view shows the valet parking at the hotel drop off... as well as some of the park-like benches near the front breezeway..

This is the exterior of the adjacent convention center and main exhibitor building (Hall A)

The CTNX 2014 "Survival Guide" program (l) and hand-out (r)

sample interior page of the program....

Here's closer view of the "big picture" map with all the rooms used for event programs and exhibits.

Entrance for the convention center on opening day ....

CTNX shuttle buses provide free transport to off-site hotels and Center Stage Gallery, just down the street on Hollywood Way ...http://centerstagegallery.com/

There's always a special show up at the Gallery for CTNX .. This year's show continues through Jan 21st. It's for the book "Lovely: Ladies of Animtion":. http://centerstagegallery.com/csg/lovely-ladies-of-animation-nov-14-jan-21/

More on the book here: http://stuartngbooks.com/lovely-ladies-of-animation-the-art-of-lorelay-bove-mingjue-helen-chen-claire-keane-lisa-keene-brittney-lee-victoria-ying-signed-by-the-artists.html

Also just outside the main entrance ... a quick snack buffet with an assortment of food and beverage options available for purchase. The on-site dining options at this show are exceptional .... reasonably priced and lots of healthy choices ... as well as full-service dining at Daily Grill.

CTNX really is "in the house" for this event ... this is a big hotel with lots of rooms and convention halls... all SOLD OUT and devoted to programming for this show.

The show attracts quite a crowd .. but there are still park-like spots on-site to meet up with colleagues or just enjoy a quiet cup of coffee (or sketching) away from the busier areas.

INSIDE THE EXHIBIT HALLS

Artist - Exhibitors set up at tables and booths ...in two areas ... Hall A (inside the main building) and Hall B (large tent just to the west of the main building)

Here's the map for Hall A and a sample shot of the interior...

Here's a selection of just a few of the artists inside Hall A ...
Mike Yamada and Victoria Ying, Extracurricular Activities http://eca-la.com/

Steph Laberis http://stephsketches.bigcartel.com/

Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay http://grizandnorm.tumblr.com/

Liana Hee http://lianahee.tumblr.com/

Sho Murase http://shomurase.com/

Brittney Lee http://britsketch.blogspot.com/

John Nevarez http://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-of-the-day/john-nevarez-104340.html

Lily Wiliams http://lilywilliamsart.com/

Lily's table featured some of her prints that raise awareness on the roles of sharks in the future of our oceans..

more shark art on her prints and business cards

More Hall A artists ....
Pascal Campion http://pascalcampion.blogspot.com/

Alina Chau http://alinachau.com/

sample print and business cards from Alina...

Jillian Altmeyer... Squidbrains https://www.etsy.com/shop/Squidbrains (pictured below right with her table mate artist Zac Retz)

some samples of Jill's art ..... Original art canvas

print (top) and original sketch

Sean "Cheeks" Galloway http://cheeks-74.deviantart.com/ Table Taffy http://table-taffy-studios.deviantart.com/gallery/

Brett Bean http://2dbean.com/#/

David DePasquale http://davedepasquale.blogspot.com/

David SOLD OUT of his smalls of these popular dog prints...

NOTE TO ARTISTS --- never underestimate your SMALLS!!! Postcards and buttons are great for conventions. They are easy to pack and become a great calling card. A catchy image also BRANDS YOU!! Make sure your contact info is included on all small items. Use the backs or sides of buttons. Feature your full first and last name ... not just your "company name" or a logo. And make sure the font is easy to read!!! If someone likes the image and wants to know who did it --- make it QUICK and EASY to find out.

Also, check out my post "Your Guide to Behind the Scenes at SNB" and link to this frequently updated post on Copyright Info for artists .. with resources to help fight unauthorized use of images posted on the internet: http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/copyright-info-for-artists_15.html

Hall B (west tent) ... more artists tables, studios and schools...

here's another shot of the Hall B tent, with the convention center (middle) and the hotel (far right) also in view.

Exterior of Hall B tent.. (folks lined up for Blue Sky Studios portfolio reviews)

another view of the tent exterior

Some of the discoveries inside...

Disney legend artist Tyrus Wong (backgrounds and concept art for Bambi) -- pictured here just before his book signing started at the Walt Disney Family Museum (WDFM) table inside the tent ....http://www.waltdisney.org/wong The line stretched outside the tent.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is a MUST SEE .. much more than you might expect!! Plus great programming and stunning setting in San Francisco... see more at may 2014 blog post http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/walt-disney-family-museum-must-see.html

keeping it old school ... witty gifts for animators from artist Abby Lee http://derpberd.tumblr.com/

She has these amazing little magnets ... a play on 2D animation paper...

UK aritst Meg Park http://megpark.tumblr.com/

She SOLD OUT of her sketchbook. (Stuart is getting more copies from her!) ..... below are her postcards (contact info and bonus image on back).. also her business card has 2 images (the multi-cat also available as a postcard). GREAT JOB Meg getting your art to help you!!!

Nicole McEvoy http://ennemity.com/

fun mini-prints...

Hall C is an exterior tent in the parking lot,

facing the convention center, where more even more panels and programs are held...

SIGNINGS

Besides the exhibition halls and programs ... CTNX is known for its accessiblity to artists and guests. At various locations across the facility, there was almost always an artist signing going on ...Here are just a few samples of the number of signings ... and the level of top drawer talent on hand!!

CTNX is also known for its drop-in Demos and Workshops..

live 2D demo w/ projection..

Live computer demos w/ projections

drop-in drawing workshop w/ live models..

PANELS AND PROGRAMS

Panels ..... panels..... panels... something for everyone from students to pros. The largest programs were held in the main City Ballroom ... here's the entrance to that ballroom...

These programs were also projected onto screens in the hotel lounge areas.... what a nifty concept!!!

Panels held on the "CTNers Live" stage, at the center of the Main Exhibit room (Hall A), featured questions and tweets from online viewers ....

SNB at CTNX
http://stuartngbooks.com/

Stuart Ng Books has been exhibiting at CTNX from the 1st show in 2009. We really appreciate our central space in the main lobby. Lots of natural light and nearly everyone walks by at some point in the show. A big SHOUT OUT to all our SNB crew! We have temp staff that helps out for big shows like this. WE LOVE YOU GALS AND GUYS. We couldn't do these cons .... and keep going as a small business ... without the support from colleagues and patrons! If you stopped by our booth, you might see yourself here in these pics....

Stuart can't get away from the booth to attend the panels ... but he gets to catch up with nearly all the headliner guests at the show. Below he's chatting with Andreas Deja...

MORE VIEWS OF THE SHOW

The vibe of this show is unique. So much animation talent and enthusiasm.

And so much to see all three days...

Major studios have large booths ....

There's lots going on outside as well ... taking advantage of the sunny So Cal weather. Another super popular CTNX opportunity .. ... artist Portfolio reviews...