For the sixth consecutive year, Animation Magazine is devoting a section of their Summer issue to the animated “Pitch Party Contest“, as they call it, where independent artists are invited to promote their animated properties at a greatly reduced ad rate. Since the magazine is read by more animation decision-makers world-wide than any other magazine, it’s a nice way to get exposure for a project and for a studio.

The “Pitch Party” campaign is also designed to be a judged contest, where winners will receive a profile article in the subsequent issue of Animation Magazine, as well as an opportunity to pitch their idea in person to one of the contest judges of their choice, most of whom are decision-makers for major animation enterprises.

There are three separate voting categories: The judges panel will select their favorite pitch entry, the staff of the magazine will select *their* favorite pitch entry, and the magazine’s subscribers’ internet public can select *their* favorite through online voting.

A submitted entry is simply a 2.5″ by 4.5″ magazine ad that presents an idea for an animated project using just a brief description (less than 30 words), an image and some contact info. This year Balance Studios has opted to unveil not one, but three projects in the Pitch Party! (One to win in each category. wink)

“Seamus the Brave” is a blending of history and fantastical fiction and features a boy named Seamus O’Connor who lives in a place and time similar to that of ancient Ireland. He must learn what it takes to grow into a man of integrity and strength of character, and though he doesn’t know what fate has in store for him, he will be put to the test. …

“The Darkwoods” is a whimsical idea for an animated series featuring a village of long ago that’s located very near to a haunted forest. What the villagers don’t know, however, is that the ‘haunting’ is simply an on-going effort by a misfit group of four tiny faeries of varying sorts (the “Darkwoods Gang”) who merely want to maintain the privacy and security of their woodland home, so they scare away all intruders. …

“The Fabulous Flamingos” depicts a madcap family of circus-folk flamingos living in the Louisiana Bayou and traveling the countryside. Brimming with music, spectacle, slapstick, and heart, the project is under development for both a feature film and an animated series. …

Check out http://www.animationmagazine.net/pitch_party_07.html to see all of the entries, and if you’re so inclined, we’d appreciate your votes for the Balance project of your choice!

We work hard at Balance to conceptualize unique, quality content, and we’re excited to see the fruit of our labor lined up amongst the other entities. Let us know what you think!