[OwenCarson]

I was wrong in the old post (now deleted), it was actually team 1573 that won the Israeli Regional. Definitely well worth the look, it's the best competing animation I've seen so far (technically speaking). Too bad it is only available on the DVDs sent to all regionals occurring this week. I really recommend everyone at those regionals watches it.

In other news (and as another reason to bump the post and not just edit it), speaking of regional animations we have set up a machine where we held animation demonstrations/lessons near where the animations were showing. If you are in the Pittsburgh regional feel free to stop by. It wasn't just a one-sided event, I even met someone who shared my minority views about attempting to create photorealistic characters in CG.
It would be neat if there were similar informal animation seminars in the other regionals, since the only thing animators have to do at regionals is judge the other animations. It's a neat way to share ideas and techniques, and quite easy to set up.