Welcome Operabot 2.0

Operabot 2.0 has invaded the opera world!

Last season's Operabot animation contest was so successful, we decided to build another Operabot. Watch out world - Operabot 2.0 is slicker, faster and more cunning then its predecessor.

Animators from across North America will again be challenged to create a 4 minutes or less animated short, but this time of an interpretation of VO's season closer, Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata.

The top three winners will be chosen by a panel of judges from Vancouver-area animation studios including EA, Rainmaker Entertainment, Rival Schools, Nerd Corps and Bardel. Prizes up for grabs will include Wacom Cintiq 21UX (first prize), Toon Boom Animate Pro (second prize) Adobe Creative Suite 5(third prize). One prize per winner.

Submissions will be uploaded to Vancouver Opera's Youtube channel. Music for Operabot 2.0 can be found here and are courtesy of EMI Music Canada.

Selections include:

* Libiamo ne’ lieti calici
* Sempre libera
* Ah! Dite alla giovine
* Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo

The contest runs September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011 and is open to all residents of the US and Canada, 18+ years or older. Official rules can be found at www.vancouveropera.ca. Everyone who enters will receive 2 tickets to La Traviata, so everyone is a winner!

To give you an idea of all the amazing and inspirational talent that is out there, here are the top 3 winners from last season's Operabot contest.


Created by: Brandon Cathey, Art Institute of Colorado


Created by: Gabriela Meijia and Chris Holbrow, Vancouver


Created by: Arron Robinson, Olaf Miller and Curt Spurging, Vancouver

We can't wait to see all the mind-blowin' brilliance this year. Good luck, Operabot-ers!

9/28 Update: Rainmaker Entertainment joins the panel of Operabot 2.0 judges

11/5 Update: Here are the updated prize packs for Operabot 2.0:

PRIZES (3):

First Prize (1) Wacom CINTIQ 21UX (value: $1,999 USD), (1) Toon Boom Animate PRO (value: $1,999 USD)

Second Prize (1) Toon Boom Animate (one license value: $699 USD), (1) Wacom Intuos4 Wireless (value: $400 USD)

Third Prize (1) ToonBoom “Animate” (value: $499 USD)

Sponsored by:


Illustration by Roy Husada

~ Ling Chan