SNB on Yelp, review posted Nov 1, 2010

The list of places to find Stuart Ng Books on social media and the internet gets longer..
Here's the link to a review for SNB on Yelp:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/stuart-ng-books-torrance

Can't resist sharing these thoughts from the review:

"Stuart is always friendly, cheerful and kind......The staff are really chill and cool - You feel that they just love art & animation and want to share. Search on their website if you're looking for something in particular. They ship everywhere and if not, check out their store hours (limited) or find them at the next WonderCon / APE / ComiCon in San Diego / NY / Seattle and other conventions.I love Stuart Ng Books!"

CTNX 2010

We saw so many friends at CTNX (Creative Talent Network Animation Expo) in Burbank Nov 19 - 21st. Another smash year for this show that's only 2 years old, but already on the radar as a "must" for attendees and exhibitors alike. Stuart picked up a number of exciting new books at this event. Great event to meet artists... not only at their tables, but attending the variety of programs, doing demos, etc....

Dreamworks artists' "Moonshine" Signing Nov 13, 2010

THANK YOU!! We were thrilled at the great response to this event. The local South Bay newspaper.. the Daily Breeze... included our press release in their weekend calendar.... and we welcomed new patrons from the area as well as those knew came to the signing because of our newsletter and website:

What makes our signings different is the low-key, personal interaction that happens... not only between the patrons and artists.... but between the guests and their friends and colleagues.

In the tradition of an "artists' salon," there is an amazing exchange of information and inspiration. Here are Christophe Lautrette and Devin Crane in conversation with Dean Yeagle...

And here are Marcos Mateu-Mestre and Nicolas Weis...

At the end of the evening, Devin Crane contributed a sketch to our drawing board...

Here's Stuart with Devin and Nicolas...

A Big Mahalo to everyone who came out to visit.... especially all the friends and family who came along and added to the party atmosphere at the showroom. It was great to see everyone..... like a big luau. So come see us in Torrance soon.... your little oasis of Hawaii AND France right here in So Cal!

Holidays at the Happiest Place on Earth...

AS IF... Stuart Ng Books isn't enough of a reason to visit Torrance... we're also only 45 Mins from DISNEYLAND! Enjoy these views of the holiday themed attractions!

And of course... the Haunted Mansion gets the Holiday treatment too!

This snap is special.... the ride stalled out right in front of Jack and my hero.. Zero!!!

ELECTION DAY -- SPECIAL TREAT

Get out and vote! Then click this link for a musical treat:
"I am the very model of a Modern US President"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y54FRMedT_s

SNB at APE, pics of Stuart & Steve

Here's Stuart at our table at APE....

And this is Stuart's brother, Steve..

Here are Stuart's own comments about APE from our Facebook page: "Back from APE with goodies! Dreamworks story artist Dave Pimentel's excellent art & instruction book Evoke was a hit at APE and is in the store now. And we've just received two big pallets of French imports to unpack! Somewhere in the pallets are Blacksad volume 4, the new Moebius Arzak graphic novel, Pierre Alary's Sinbad volumes, and Jordi Bernet 50 Years. "

And details on the EVOKE book from the "New Arrivals" page on our website: David Pimental. EVOKE. [SN29533] $30 David Pimentel, 2010. 1st. 31 cm., 100 pages, b&w illustrations, pictorial boards. VF. Signed by the artist. A great collection of David's art, accompanied by brief lessons such as "Egg Heads and Egg Shapes," "Caricature Is Essential," "Tapering Body Shapes," "Hair Tip," "Long Lines" and more. Foreword by Don Hahn.

POV Shot - Secretariat & The Black Stallion.. the winner is...(updated Nov 2016)

NOV 2011 UPDATE, a few new pics plus some video embedded....
NOV 2016 UPDATE, links to articles about equine star and behind the scenes

THIS POST UPDATED OCT 2011: Welcome world... Two of my all-time favorite horses are Secretariat and theBlack Stallion. Obviously, I'm not alone.... as searches for Big Red and the Black have helped bring 24,000 page views and 80 countries to "Behind the Scenes at Stuart Ng Books." For more horse posts here on the blog, please also check out my "Horse Show" posts; you'll find them every year in Sept. for the annual charity horse show near us. You might also enjoy the Sept 21 2011 post on pony artist Norman Thelwell. For more on this blog and our bookstore, see the post "Your Guide to Behind the Scenes at Stuart Ng Books." I update the "Guide" post frequently; you'll find it on the home page for the blog.

Why so many horse posts on a blog for Stuart Ng Books? We sell art books to artists... and there's a long partnership between art & horses. From cave paintings to modern works as well as our niche of illustration, animation & comic art; the horse has been an inspiration and a challenge for artists. I'm always encouraging our artist patrons to visit the horse events here in the south bay to do sketches and life drawings. The wonderful images in "The Black Stallion" film are terrific reference for artists.... and the movie is one I recommend to film buffs as well as horse fans. Enjoy!

THIS POST UPDATED 11/1/10. No dark horse upset here.... Big thumbs up from me on (Oct 2010 Disney Film) "Secretariat." Made me want to rush home and re-read lots of my books about him. I didn't see "Blind Side" but this film feels tailored for the same audience. I appreciated Diane Lane... and how the film gave insight into Secretariat's groom Eddie Sweat and jockey Ron Turcotte.

Still... in a way I'm happy to report... to me, the best horse film ever is 1979's "The Black Stallion". Here's the Breyer model horse for "the Black", along with film program book and photo "picture book" from the film:

From the program:

see the "wild" black creature here in the harness, tamed by the boy.... is it just me... or is there an homage to this sequence in "The Black Stallion" in one of my current favorite films.. "How to train your dragon".....

More stills, here from the "picture book"...

A review by one of my favorite writers!

End papers from the "picture book" with moments from the famous 20 minutes in the film where it's just the boy and the horse on the island... no dialogue.. all images

For more on the film, here are links with insightful review and commentary on the film from TCM:

http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=59910&mainArticleId=339775

http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/962202%7C0/Behind-the-Camera-The-Black-Stallion.html

2015 article:
"11 Things you Never Knew about the Making of the Black Stallion:
http://www.horsecollaborative.com/11-things-you-never-knew-about-the-making-of-the-black-stallion/

And these gems from You Tube:

Tribute to real life horse Cass Ole, who played "the Black" (yes, he had white socks & a star; his markings were covered up for the movie)...

Here's You Tube clip w/ footage of Cass Ole..... Click arrow to watch video...

Below is clip of match race scene from the end of the movie.... watch for the moments at 4:40, 6:33, and 7:52:

As unmatched as the race footage is in above clip... this sequence doesn't include the best part of the movie.... the 20 mins. on the island! Let me tell you... "The Black Stallion" in the theaters when it came out was something amazing. It holds up fine on DVD.... but on the big screen, with these images, breathtaking sound and mythic, lush score... it comes the closest ever to capturing the magic that happens when you are actually riding a horse. Great work by everyone on this film... especially DP Caleb Deschanel (dad of Zooey) and score by Carmine Coppola (Dad of FFC and granddad of Sophia).

HERE ARE YOU TUBE CLIPS FEATURING BLACK STALLION SOUNDTRACK:

Below are some pics from the island sequence...

You Tube has many clips with real-life horses that trace back to Cass Ole... Here very charming interview with all-grown-up Kelly Reno recalling his experiences making the movie. He's interviewed with Tim Farley, current author of the Black Stallion series, and son of the original Black Stallion author, Walter Farley. The footage isn't edited, so you get all the pauses and asides, but that adds to the very natural and relaxed tone of the clip...

Let's not forget that "The Black Stallion" started as a book... and is still a successful series. Author Walter Farley was in his late teens when he started "The Black Stallion" and it was published when he was only 26 years old! Here's a link to the author's bio on the official Black Stallion website:
http://theblackstallion.com/web/?page_id=21