Hey there everyone, DeepRising here with the Weekly Newsletter and Weekly Topic competition.

We had a great response to last week's topic “Tightrope Walking”, and a selection of our favorite winning entries are coming up.

But first, here's a heads up about an exciting competition we just know you're gonna want to enter!

F.A.T.E. Competition Starting Next Week

With the anniversary of the Flipnote Hatena shutdown fast-approaching, once again, we're celebrating Flipnote Hatena culture in style, with a special two week competition called F.A.T.E. (Flipnote Animation Tribute Event).

This will involve re-animating classic Hatena Flipnotes, as tributes and nostalgique celebrations of the extraordinary creativity from the early days of Flipnote animation.

So get your creative Hatena juices flowing as quickly as possible! And get ready for the event!

(Please note the related schedule changes to the Upcoming Topics at the end of the Newsletter)

And next a word about our ongoing fund raising activities.

Sudomemo Fundraising

We're still trying to raise more cash this month for additional Sudomemo expenditures.

If you would like to make a donation then Sudomemo Patreon is the way to go! It will really help with the upkeep and running of Sudomemo, and there’s loads of special rewards to enjoy.

Here's the link to our Sudomemo Patreon site:

https://www.patreon.com/Sudomemo

Why not check it out! And thank you so much for all your support.

OK, now back to the Topic.

Our Favorite Flipnotes from last weeks Topic "Tightrope Walking"

You can view all of the submissions for this topic on its Weekly Topic channel by clicking this link Weekly Topic - Tightrope Walking

If you're thinking of creating a Flipnote for the topic, check out next week's Topic theme and description. We've included ideas and inspiration to help get you started! You can also find a list of upcoming topics at the end of this newsletter.

And now, our winning Flipnotes from last week’s Topic “Tightrope Walking“.

Well done to everyone who entered.

In this Topic winning Flipnote created by SleepinJac, a captivated audience watches, with their hearts in their mouths, as a circus performer begins a spectacular, net-free, highwire act!

Bringing together multiple construction and animation techniques (such as background-drift, to emphasize height, and straight-line tool-use to show weight on the wire), the drama heightens to a moving audio, that culminates with a stylised rope fray and snap, sending the circus star plummeting in a tragic finale.

A dare-devil stick man attempts to reach a challenging hi-wire goal, using progressively more inventive techniques in this Topic winning tightrope animation by molybdenum.

Along with characterful voice-acting, the riotous action sequence includes an astounding pole vault, a nifty game cheat, and a teetering, tumble-fail that had us re-watching it time and time again!

“Steve” the fearless “Poisson on a rope” shows off extraordinary skills of balance and concentration in this winning Topic entry by Glin.

We loved the use of the ‘Straight-line Drawing Tool’ to render the rope with both fine-pencil, and paintbrush shade. As well as the strong shadows and highlights on the wonderfully colorful character.

It’s definitely Game Over for poor Luigi in this spooky, sprite-rope walking Flipnote Jump-Scare made by ☆¢HⒶwFしⓁ™★.

That’s got to be a win for the ghost!

This Weeks Topic - "Unicorns"

A Unicorn is a mythical animal, typically represented as a horse with a single horn on its forehead.

They are thought to be good, pure, traditionally white, and imbued with magical powers. But in modern popular culture, they are often winged, and can also be any color under the sun.

Your Flipnotes could involve Unicorns in any way you choose;

A beautiful illustration, a majestic animation, a comedy skit, or a magical MV!

The choice is yours

Here’s some cultural sources of Unicorns, and Unicorn characters you may find useful:

Greek Mythology / Fairy Tales / My Little Pony (Franchise) / The Last Unicorn (Movie 1982) Harry Potter (Franchise)

And here’s some video links you might find inspirational:

Unicorn - The magnificent One Horned Horse (Youtube Video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYq0Ygw_GuE

The last Unicorn - Movie Clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1aX1i79rY8

My Little Pony Unicorn Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEIOV2DpIgw.

However you choose to create, why not get galloping on a Unicorn Flipnote today!

We really love the way you're all so creative with these topics and look forward to seeing the Flipnotes you create for them.

Make sure to post your entries to the Weekly Topic channel Weekly Topic - Unicorns and the deadline for your entries is May the 25th (12pm EST / 4pm GMT).

We would also encourage you to add a description to your Flipnotes, to highlight any details you’d like us to feature in our winner reviews.

Tip: The frame you save your Flipnote on will become the thumbnail, so choose your favorite or add a title page!

Keep on Flipnoting and the best of luck with your entries.

Upcoming Topics

Topic - F.A.T.E. (May 25th)

Topic - F.A.T.E week 2 (June 1st)

Weekly Topics will resume after F.A.T.E the competition closes.