Off Model Life

Assignment 9

2012-01-22T10:41:00.000-08:00

Schoolism.com

Final assignment. Kept the sketch lines. With more time I'd like to do a more refined version. Especially the lower hand.

Assignment 8

2012-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

JasonSeiler.com

Schoolism.com

Had to put our subject in a scenario, and add a body by taking photo reference. Rough idea below.

Assignment 7

2011-12-18T17:52:00.000-08:00

JasonSeiler.com

Schoolism.com

Picking a celebrity for the final assignment. And a sketch of a supplied citizen. Came across a picture of Bill Walton, a Basketball Hall of Famer I believe. Had to try drawing that face.

Assignment 6

2011-12-04T18:54:00.001-08:00

JasonSeiler.com

Schoolism.com

This time we got to draw some skulls over our sketches. I do like drawing skulls. I haven't since high school, but I sure did a lot back then. Just with sharper teeth and more fire. I'm getting some better likenesses, but having a hard time pushing things. The large fella was the most successful exaggeration I think.

class 5

2011-11-27T19:33:00.001-08:00

JasonSeiler.com

Schoolism.com

The assignment was to sketch and paint Forest Whitaker. Using a complementary pallet. I used Seiler's technique of doing a value painting in photoshop then painting in layers. For a first ever person painting, and the one Bob Ross I did in 5th grade, I think it went OK. Each computer I've viewed this on has different hues. The reference photo looked very yellow orange on the cinitiq, so that is the pallet I used. Went better this time.

I still feel I'm doing more of a portrait then a caricature, but the likenesses were more accurate this time. Had some fun as was able to get lost in drawing.

class 4

2011-11-24T19:49:00.001-08:00

JasonSeiler.com

Schoolism.com

Class 4: do some sketches, pick the best one and do a value painting of it. I've been corrected that I'm actually doing a "grisalle." Regardless, these citizens were very challenging. I have only one sketch of each citizen that I feel is going in the right direction. Non that I am happy with. And I didn't have enough time to paint.

So I focused on the sketches trying to get something I felt bore a resemblance to the subject, while pushing features. Unfortunately I feel like I took a step back on these. Instead of a caricature, I felt like I'm left with a poorly done, very amateur portrait. Getting distracted by details. I'll need to find some examples of simplified exaggerated caricature and copy those some day. Very frustrating, so I just kept plugging along. It just means another breakthrough is around the corner. These are in reverse order. My final is first, and the first thumbnails I did are at the end of the post.

caricature assignment 3

2011-11-19T18:06:00.001-08:00

Assignment 3 is value paintings. We were to do a value painting of the sketch Jason Seiler provided:

And my value painting. First value painting I am aware having done, ever. Not as much time available to work on it as I'd like.

assignment 2

2011-10-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.jasonseiler.com/

http://www.schoolism.com/

Caricature!

2011-10-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Starting the Caricature class with Schoolism taught by Jason Seiler. I"ll upload assignments here. First assignment consisted of drawing supplied individuals and a "final," of Tom Hanks. Every thing needs a lot of work. Started to push things by the last drawings at least. Please excuse the poor quality images.

http://www.jasonseiler.com/

http://www.schoolism.com/

Bert from work:

Bye Gween!

2009-10-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

Our friend Adam Green is leaving us this week. I made this video farewell card for him.

Four Options

2009-10-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

1. Actively and calmly make your situation better.
2. Keep your mouth shut.
3. Leave.
4. Whine like spoiled child.

Lets get this blog back in action, in an effort to live option number one. When working in a studio, don't be number 4.

"Simple ...

2009-03-03T11:10:00.000-08:00

... is more betterer," said the Zenimation master, "study on this."

2009-02-19T06:52:00.000-08:00

Tired. Very, very tired.

So look at this and marvel:

Dude Results

2008-11-25T09:06:00.000-08:00

The full story, and all the other great pics are here.

Once in a blue moon.

2008-11-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

Only the third time in 10 years sans side burns.

Here is the proof that it happened.

Link.

Big News

2008-10-15T08:39:00.001-07:00

I start this coming Monday as a BG Character Animator at Blue Sky Studios. Although terribly exciting, my current mental state is most aptly described by the image below. I shall go out this evening to buy some whip cream for my forthcoming servings of humble pie. Perhaps a cherry too...

Kill the Crap

2008-10-13T16:46:00.001-07:00

The Crap is Dead

Long Live the Crap.

But seriously, big news with in a few days. Just waiting for the confirmation. And watch the other 3 parts to this video on youtube.

Light at the end of a Tunnel?

2008-10-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

And soft serve ice cream that looks like poo. But its ice cream, I swear.

I Knew It!

2008-09-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google

I've been feeling, especially the past year, my ability to concentrate slipping away. I've become frustrated with books for not being able to search all the pages at once with a one word summation of the subject I wished to return to.

The disconnect between my generation and our future grandchildren, will be ridiculous.

And on an animation note, a fancy schmancy new REEL will be on display in a few weeks! I'm working on some GREAT notes from some animators who have been incredibly generous with their time, and honesty.

Despite New York City's efforts to convince other wise, there are some good people out there.

Pointless

2008-09-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

... nope, just hungry.

I Hope ...

2008-09-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

... I don't understand young people when I'm older too. Wait ... I already don't.

Update

2008-09-03T23:46:00.001-07:00

here is the almost final. What about the spliny-ness of the end there, after the hand slaps down, that move to the left, second to last pose?

The hands probably need a little love, but, if you watch it once, and watch the eyes, things are working pretty well.

I added in a few smear frames here and there, (4 to be exact) and I am liking 2 of them, in the air for one, and not so much the last.

Allright. One more go on some simplyfying the gibberish bit again this week, then on to new stuff ... maybe even some recent drawings will be posted ... oooooohhhhhh ...

out by the Roots

2008-09-02T19:22:00.001-07:00

I was reminded of this blog entry: http://splinedoctors.com/2008/06/get-down-to-the-root-of-things/

And another I can't remember the location of that talked about the reason for messy head arcs is often the result of root/torso problems.

I find myself encountering this as we speak. In trying to polish up a shot, I had a few people mention that things were a little weightless in parts, so, I went back and did a cursory "re-do" of the hips/torso, and then started in with the head. I then found myself, when trying for nice clean arcs for the face REALLY "fix." the arc of the head.

Reminded of the above posts, I then got rid of all the head/neck keys, to see exactly how smooth it looked, just being on the torso, and discovered how atrocious the hips/torso really was. The cleaner I am getting the hips/torso, not only is the weight better natually, but the head starts "falling into place."

Any one else encounter anything like this, or have any thoughts.

Discovering this weakness really makes me feel like I need to do a couple walk cycles and weight shift exercises, as I often am less then impressed with the weight of the hips in stuff I see online, but am now finding myself doubting I could do any better.

Blanket_v002

2008-08-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

And here is what they wanted for the blanket shot. My how things change, lol.

Help Please

2008-08-24T01:13:00.001-07:00

How do I take these to the next level?

I'm making some very slow progress trying to polish them, but I feel I'm missing the mark trying to improve these, more then I am actually improving them.

What doesn't work for you guys? And why? How would you suggest fixing it? What works? And why?

I think I need to step back from these for a bit, start some new shots, or get some hands-on tips from some pros. What'd I'd give to be able to walk over the cubicle of a veteran and have him lay down how to make this sing.

Ladies and Gentlemen ...

2008-08-20T19:03:00.001-07:00

... May I present to you, our competition:

http://www.animationmentor.com/quicktime/summer08showcase/

Inspiring stuff. Hope to work with you all some day.

2008-08-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

Still needs a face pass and a polish pass, but I"m liking how some of this is turning out. Still a lot that could have been clearer. lots of hands all jumbled together.

Tets Updates

2008-08-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

No visuals, as I"m pluggin along.

But I have had some great crits.

The dialogue bit, I had taken as far as I knew how. Most recent crit was to simplify and strengthen for clarity. I've had some one else remark that I "had a lot going on," in it. So, i'm thinking the problem is the hand slap and the mouth pop are too close together, and then the hand shaking and head shaking are distracting from each other. Alos my polish needs work, and its still hitting some walls.

Fixing the wall hits is no problem, not entirely sure about how to up the polish, and I have some ideas for the simplyfing. I'm still clueless on the mouths. I'm thinking leave the hand on the table with the hit, keep the attention on the head, and on the final hit, where the hand goes forward, keep that in there, but take out some of the hand shaking. Also, get rid of some of the head wagging.

The long armed piece is coming along. Still over complicated I think, but, too late to change it at this point. I'm trying to get that sort of thing taken care of in blocking, so I need to make my blocking more clear, so people can catch this stuff earlier on. I HATE redoing tail end work. After a certain point, and cencept is signed off on, I'd like to finish it up according to plan. These are wishes, as every production on earth has last minute changes by directors and creators who don't know what they want till they see it.

Ideally, early in the shot in my long armed piece, I'd get the focus of the audience on the hand thats going to trip, much sooner. How ever, this piece has been evolving from just a few jumps of the long armed guy, to adding the second character, and everything else, and I'd pretty much be re=animating the whole beginning, which is irritating. Its "working" as it is, but I completely agree that would make it stronger. I'm hopeing in the future, when I have some direction of my shots, these sorts of problems can be avoided a little more. We'll see. Updates to show come early next week.

Yup

2008-08-12T22:27:00.001-07:00

Phew

2008-08-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

When swinging by youtube, their "your friends are watching:" or what have you, and I noticed Steve Neary, was watching this. I've been looking for this for a while. Very powerful film, if you ask me.

Glory. Yes? No?

2008-08-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

All rigs should have a glory control. They are more fun to make, and the rest of the staff likes the surprise.

Ya, its a semi truck, real complicated I know, but I don't know how to do screen grabs, and controls don't render. Not that a semi truck really needs more then about two.

And far as the blanket. Welp ... its one of those production miscommunications. The kind where I get an assignment I actually enjoy, found myself looking forward to, was feeling competent on, had ownership over with out weeks of revisions because no one knows what they want until they see it, and its a shot that was changed last week, and no one told any one.

I'll probably be able to save the edge fold over, and some of the settle, but all the rest, the being drug up the side of the wall, rigging a blanket, vert animation on ones, to try and get a cleanish silhouette. In the trashy can can. Day of work lost. Doesn't sound that bad, in retrospect, just like redoing some blocking, and one can't get attatched to blocking, but, one of the few things I've been able to do for the ol' preschool programming I actually gave to hiccups about.

Work

2008-08-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Of course, they needed the blanket animated. Couldn't draw it cause the shading needs to match the cg back grounds, and we don't have a sim dept. Gotta have the character getting out of bed, then getting the blanket to drift down and make itself.

This is actually pretty fun, which for preschool TV, is a super plus. And its taking 1/10 the time I thought it would. Joints, lattices, and some vert animation. It has promise, and I might even have enough time to make it look half decent.

Thats my "stand-in" texture till we get some pastel goodness that matches the rest of the preschool show, so until then ... HAIL SATAN! ('s bed sheets).

can't show more of the scene for legal reasons.

And here is where the problems are Ladies and Gentlemen. Smooth out the bumps, still feeling like its bouncing off walls on the way down to me, and not sure about the more exagerated followthrough on the bottom of the blanket this time round, get some fresh eyes on it tomorrow.

Update, What the hell ...

2008-07-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

As you can tell this is about 1/3, 1/2 way through first pass splining. I'm trying to get things pretty finalized when I'm smoothing out. Take 30-60 frames at a time from blocking, and starting at the root, work my way out. Extra love for the head.

From this, parts are not WAY too off when splining out, but I'd sure like to get them closer first time. I need to understand better what I'm going to get from my blocking, in terms a smooth, and how that set up effects smoothing out. Keeping the tension in the long pull is going to be a bitch I know it. And the end expressions are corny as all hell. What ever. Gotta try doing something other then humor and adolescent angst/rage some time.

And keeping on schedule as far as splining out. Clocking in at 35-40 hrs for the first 110 frames smoothing out. They need a face/polish pass, but aiming for 60-100 frames, final animation, per 60 hours, not doing too bad.

I reached the point where I was starting to loose objectivity, and not sure my changes were making it better. The mouth can be simplified, but I need to research that, as I'm fresh out of ideas. Also, I suspect the face needs another polish pass, and the resting hand, needs some love, but, I'm pretty much at the end of my current abilities with this one, and need an expert eye for any more improvements. Help please.

Audio fixed. Stupid youtube couldn't process it correctly.

the Rusty, the Improving and the Ugly

2008-07-31T12:02:00.000-07:00

Recent figure drawing. Been a few months, and I'm rusty as all hell. Going to start making some progress again.

pahLehLeh_v019

2008-07-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

Dialogue update. Making progress on all fronts. Also keeping decently in line with the schedule (100 frames per 60 hours worked). Splinning is so far ahead of schedule, on both tests. That is sweet!

Been learning a lot, and feel like my eye is getting much sharper. How ever, that also means I am not satisfied with anything for more then a few seconds, and the masters, seem to be getting farther away, not closer.

Oh, and PLAN!!!!! I've made this mistake with blocking, and see it profusely on 11 second club, in where, they have 4 "poses" for a 10 second piece of dialogue. I quote "poses," because moving the torso, does not count as a pose. You need STORY TELLING images. This needs to be a whole body pose, facial included, that COMMUNICATES an emotion, or idea, clearly, to the audience. The pose needs to be dynamic, interesting, weighty, balanced, all the principles of what makes a good image.

Then, once those few are figured out, start thinking about how they relate to each other, how one might move between them, then, just start in betweening them. Once you break it down enough, to where the story is told, with a little texture of timing and spacing, THEN, and ONLY then, is your shot "blocked." If what we are calling "blocking," does not communicate ANY ideas, its not blocking, and there is no way in hell we are going to have "happy accidents," and just stumble upon genius when we start splining things out. You'll have to think about it, and KNOW it, eventually, before you can animate it. Good animation, is proof that some one KNOWS something about life.

But there in lies the biggest hurdle. You need something to say, that more then one other human, will give to hoots about. Yes, if your poses are all balanced, and beautiful, and communicate clearly, the thoughts and feelings of the character, your off to a great start. But then the line that separates the artist, from the technical master, is drawn. The artist says something meaningful. The work becomes more powerful, each time it is experienced. The technical master how ever, looses its luster half way through the first viewing/listen, ect. You can't teach some one WHAT to say. Only the words, for HOW to say it. Here is hoping I can say something meaningful eventually.

A special thanks to Lou, for some great tips on refining this. Just few frame difference on the face stuff on the hit, and some larger "off model" suggestions that are really helping out. I need to sleep on it, take another look, tweak, send out for crits, polish, and call it done for now. CLOSE!

Hand Tweak

"Final," chimp test.

2008-07-11T16:14:00.001-07:00

Finished this guy up a few months back, and was feeling too good about myself before I got another awesome critique and notes from Mr. Andrew Coats. A little over whelming, and made me completely doubt myself, so I went back to my cave and commenced trying to make sense of it all. (these are the best times, as long as you don't give up, because you really have to figure out how to get up, and walk, when you think you were already)

Mostly bringing the ideas I have in there, together seamlessly. Like the first move on wait. Get a realy "w" mouth shape in there, and bring things together so its not, here is the pose, then an eyebrow move, then some mouth, now down with the head to the left, ect.

One day... Untill then, keep on trying things out.

Blocking updates

2008-07-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

Here is some, hopefully, entertaining context before the dialogue bit.

The new blocking is about 150 frames, and took 10-12 hours. Which, if the quota is 100 frames a week, one would need to get it blocked in on monday, so, I'm getting closer. Plus, I have no direction, and making everything up as I go along, which I don't really know if its harder or not. Went through about 4-6 ideas/variations on the theme before I got it down to this. Which re-inforces what I've learned before. From initial inspiration its at least 5 idea revisions to clearify what I'm trying to communicate, before I start seeing what I want to see.

TripSlap update below. Spread out the hits, definitely liking that better, not happy with the last two poses though. Still off timing and spacing wise mocing into the second to last pose, and the last move, still seems, kitsche, or cliche, or, just bad acting to me. Not Olie yet.

Face reference

2008-07-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Check out this guys mouth when he speaks.

Hurry!

2008-06-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

All right, a few preliminary crits are in for the tests below. They are great, and I have to agree with what is being said so far. The good and the bad.

There is hope for the two character bit, the slap needs some work, which I am doing, and people seem to like it. I like it, all around.

The dialogue piece is getting a less favorable response, on the grounds of "what the hell am I watching?" I'm sticking to it, because I like the audio, and, non sequitur, fits with some of my sensibilities. This test is fun, and thats what I need right now. HOW EVER. It does need some context. As in, some emotion change/thought, before/after the bit, to give believable justification to his out burst. Which I think is a compelty valid request.

I shall rant about how sick I am of doing long tests, and my failed efforts to do some under 100 frames. But its very frustrating! (and the spell-check for this blog keeps underlining "sequitur," even though its spelled right)

Blocking Updates

2008-06-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

The two character bit has been evolving since I wanted to play around with how a character with the proportions of the Blue guy, might move. Just been making it up as I went along. Which is quite fun, and there are a lot of bits that I like in it, but its not as well staged, organized, or clear, as a piece thats well planned from the beginning, with a purpose, and good idea of who the characters are, and how the shot might be part of a larger story.

This dialogue piece is self explanatory. Both of these, I'm feeling i've done about as much as I can with them, with out wasting time, before I start splining. I'll add in some chair stuff, still in blocking, before I go to splines.

And if you got crits, lemme have em.

Fun times.

Important stuff

2008-06-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

Close freinds and family matter.

Striving for excellence in one's work is necessary, but can be awfully lonely, and unrewardingly frustating some times; emotionally, spiritually, and monetarily, so chose your delusions carefully. Never settle.

Fault is one of the Wild Sound's "best animated films," of 2007. Here, is the screening schedule. Feels pretty good to be included on the same roster as the other big players up there. Pat Smith, who was a formative force in my undertaking of animation is screening, as well as fellow NYU alum, David Pagano.

Another school friend, Steve Neary, will be spending some time up at Blue Sky this summer, so kudos to him.

Aussies like "Fault" ...

2008-04-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

It seems the fine film going fellows from down-under, have, for a second time, honored me with the enjoyment of my movie

It kind of makes the hours, and money, of submitting to festivals worth it. I'm glad some people are getting a kick out of it.

Short on Youtube

2008-04-09T15:52:00.001-07:00

My short film is open again for viewing on youtube. Did about 6 months of festival stuff, and burned out. Not my bag of tea at the moment, so I let that train sail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-_8WgVavqw

2008-04-09T12:49:00.001-07:00

http://eflath.com/iphone/man/

The approved

2008-04-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the pencil test of the shot I've been working on for a while now. Many ideas tried, and versions experimented with, to the frame. Its for the film my Professor back in colege is making. Its ridiculous in what it tackles in craftsmanship, beautiful, and really a work of art. I'm honored I was trusted enough to contribute to it. This will later be cleaned up onto frosted cell, colored with colored pencil, then shot on a bolex.

I'm trying to get some of the versions we went through up on my training log, but blogger is being uncooperative.

APPROVED!

2008-04-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, ladies and gentleman, shot 01_03_028, has been approved. Goal of finishing the chimp shot by end of next Sunday, and then we are back on the zone!

2008-04-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

New training log. For my animation. Check the links.

update

2008-03-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Here is an update with another 8 hours or so. Lip synch is getting better, hands still need a lot of polish. Tear it apart please.

animation update

2008-02-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

all right, finally found some time to get some more work on this test from months ago. I need to loosen up the hands, get some pressure in to them, and the arm reach, I don't like the movement, need to smooth that out a bit.

2007-11-28T20:45:00.001-08:00

Evidently some one likes it. Might get a few more submissions out the door then.

Also the discussion for my film at Wild Sound up in toronto is on their site.

http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/audience_comments_fault.html

Sorry for the lack of art work up here, work has been insanity, plus, I just moved appts, thanksgiving, freelance, personal projects, ect.

In the mean time go check out the newest film at www.fortaxreasons.com. I went to school with Matt and Ben, and have the pleasure of working with Matt at the moment. Probably will be "working for Matt and Ben," in the future.

2007-11-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

VIFF - Victoria Independent Film Festival in Australia. Fault is Screening Sat, November 24th.

Festival

2007-10-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

New festivals to see Fault:

WildSound Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. At the National Film Board of Canada Theater, Noveber 20th.

Veneration Film Festival, in Newport News, VA, on November 3.

2007-10-21T15:42:00.001-07:00

Name of the game is conquering fear. Does not matter of what.

Thoughts

2007-10-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some traditional animation on the film of a past professor for a month now. And very often, it has re-awoken that flame that started me down this path.

As I was mulling along on my way home, I happened accross the thought of how animation connects to guitar. For guitar was my first love, and how I spent my time in highschool (but I'm not a performer). And for some reason, things clicked in my head, as to what exactly that feeling was, that I rediscovered flipping pages these past few weeks.

It felt like I had been practicing, and finally, was just playing, and all the scales, and finger excercises had paid off, and I was watching mysel do something, I was not aware I could do. My next film will be pencil, and rough. I want you to see the feeling of letting your fingers play what they know, and want. Like you are watching the birth, and frollicking of my drawings. Like my pencil on the paper is like the fingers on the fretboard of a guitar.

I have given myself until 26 to get onto feature film animation. As of now, that is a year and a half. By 25 I will have a solid reel. I will finish my dialogue test with the chimps, and will have one reel-worthy new test every month, there after. I will have an updated reel by my birthday, and send it out. If opportunities present themselves before that, I will send what I have. I need to get some place where I can really grow. And be rewarded for the effort.

Lets hear it for Lou!

2007-10-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Lou just earned a permanent position, at a very cool studio. Congradulations. I say earned, cause he worked harder then any one I know. He's quite smart and talented, yes, but he has a work ethic, that no one can match. He works smart, and works hard. This was not given away by any means.

Festival Ho

2007-10-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

My film Fault has now been accepted into festival number one. 2D or not 2D. http://www.2dornot2d.org/index.html. For all you readers in my home town of Everett, go check it out. Yay.

trains

2007-09-16T20:54:00.001-07:00

Thank ...

2007-08-27T22:34:00.001-07:00

who ever you want to thank, for vacations. To all those who humor me, put up with me, and take care of me, I thank you.

Too...

2007-08-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

Life has become WAY too serious. Thats not why I chose the path I'm on. Its all self imposed pressure, so its the hardest to knock off my shoulders.

More Drawing

2007-08-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hit spring studio one last time before vacation.

one minutes:

2s and 5s:

Drawing ...

2007-08-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

Vacation has begun. As well as trying to recover from some burn out. Best way to do that? Figure drawing at Spring studio. Had a great two days, just drawing, no pressure, no deadlines. Felt really good.

The red marks are from Minerva. She runs the place and will give your work a once over if you ask nicely. This place, I think, is a real rarity.

red marks are one and two minutes, some fives and tens up top.

In another 20 years, I might be able to draw. Till then, I'm gonna focus on not being lazy in the details, like knees and such when I'm rushing, and proportion. Like tiny heads, and sloppy appendages.

And the sketchbook:

My Movie!

2007-08-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here it was. Since I am trying to submit to film festivals at the moment, I am taking the film down. In a year, I'll put it back up. If you really want to see it, contact me, or your local film festival and request they screen it, as it really does look better on the big screen and with good sound.

ANIMATION!

2007-07-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

here are some tests I've been doing after finishing my film. (I am contemplating a musical score, so once I settle on that, I"ll have something up on youtube as soon as I am really, totally, done ... fur cerial) Its really hard to get anything of worth done outside of work. I managed to get the film done, but thats cause I bout lost my mind doing it, and did lose the ol'lady. And only took 2-3 months longer then I thought. Hooray, image buffer errors!

Warm up and crash back into the world of character animatino in 3D. this was really rough for a few weeks. like not exercising for a year, then going to the gym with a buddy whos a total gym rat.

here are two versions of hand placement, and starts on the ending. Needs love on "ethical," and both of their eyes through out, specially the sitting guy as the stading one is talking. But made a little progress. The good feelings are allready fading as it is starting to elicit shudders from viewing. But thats a good thing. All past work should appear poor, except after 20-30 years, there can be 1-3 bits that you actually "got."

Sleep

2007-06-27T12:48:00.001-07:00

WTF! welp, so much for enough sleep. I've actually made a point to get enough the past week. try and get a littl more ballance for the past 5 months crazyness and last months extra crazyness, and in turn, get nothing done, and spend all my time on trains.

Looks like the only way to be successful and productive is to be miserable and sleep deprived.

Never to bed and early to rise.

We'll see how this works out.

much to come

2007-06-13T21:01:00.001-07:00

Yup. back to animation tests finally tonight. After a failed attempt at socializing. No seats by anybody I knew at dtv screening tonight, and since the project was before I got there, and I am cranky, I left and came home. I was not about to sit through 45 plus minutes of preschool direct to home theater educational entertainment, by myself. cleaning up blocking and changing over from stepped to splines.

Had a few people bail for an event this weekend, and I am more bummed that I want to be.

Picture is locked on the film.

decompressing for a few weeks, then taking another look at it, and probly giving this great composer I found, the go ahead. he is hooking me up. More money though. I like it better in my savings account ... hmm.

NY asian film festival coming up. going to catch two of the flicks.

Going to give a crack at clean up for my esteemed collegue Mr. Coats.

Start drawing lessons on Sunday again. YES!

Great friend coming in from the west coast tomorrow night.

And finally feeling productive again at work.

My coworker just finished up another script that cuts hand/finger/toe/ect... rigging down by about 9/10ths. Awsome. riggin is now pretty much just painting waits, and modeling, and designing the character, and geometry/design character after I've started rigging. "3d-modeler." I now know, its really "character creator," so maybe I can get a little more fun out of it now.

done some decent drawing the past few weeks, to tired and busy to get em up online. once i feel I've actually accomplished something worth taking a break from, I'll get that back up, and my film, in time.

expect one dialogue test a month. starting now. go!

Requested: "Ham"

2007-05-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

While waiting for, and riding the train. (except for questionable added poo in photoshop)

Life Drawing

2007-05-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

The ugly, the bad, and the slowly showing signs of improvement.

I'd like a bigger scanner.

Train Drawing

2007-05-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Houses and such ...

2007-04-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

Got a working cut of the film into First Run. I won for "acheivement in animation." I got a great lazer printer piece of copy paper that says so. What does the title even mean? Regardless is felt good for a few minutes.

Only 4 shots left to finish drop shadow on, then some cast shadow on the shots that need it, give the credits a once over, and get the final sound from the sound man, and I can call it done.

I managed to get a dialogue test blocked out and partially splined, but I had to go back to the film, as I was geting too little done on either of them. So I'm going try Seeing what I can get done with the dialogue test tonight, as my goal is one a month, till ... I'm at pixar. Then two a month from there on out. And I have a great bit if dialogue I thumbed out a bit on the train a week of so back, but nothing worth posting.

Work, is draining. Been doing some VERY boring things lately. Which results in an odd sensation. There is much reason, and motivation, to keep working on my own stuff harder, and growing as fast as I can, so I can do things much more stimulating then preschool television, and be surrounded by a environment more condusive to growth. Yet this lack of stimulus is incredibly draining of any energy to put said motivation to use. Just feels better when I'm passing out at 1 am, knowing besides eat and clean up some dishes left over from the weekend before, that all I did was keep crusing on my projects.

So here are some quick sketches from photos while I was exporting image sequences from Flash, and a little doodle before I had to get off the train this morning.

And a hats off to Lou, who was recently offered a position at pixar after his internship their ends. You earned that one buddy. Talk about motivation, and inspiration.

Not enough time in the day, or green tea to fuel it.

yeah!

2007-04-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

final push on the film.

Just need some poo and blood continuity additions, the latter half of a shadow pass, some experimental BG painting, finalize sound, and we are good.

Guess what I've been rigging, modeling, and animating the past 6 weeks.

thats right, birds.

More standin train drawing below. One of the good things about being unemployed and working at the lab was coming home at 11-2 am. Always had a seat on the train to doodle. And comeing from journal square, I got dibs on seats. Oh, life is tough :)

and some life drawrin' from recent.

And I'm permanent at work untill december with all of August off, two weeks of it payed! Just need to sign stuff, and deal with insurance and all that jazz.

sleepy sleep.

a buh...

2007-03-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Yeah ... tired boy. That’s not the problem. Self-imposed stress is. Nothing to be disabled by, but better off with out it.

Work: takes a lot of time and energy, and I don't feel secure there yet.
Film: takes a lot of time and energy, and don't have much, because of work, but it does feel good to work on it
Animation Tests: trying to muster up some of the afore mentioned time and energy.
Lifting: great release, as long as I am not drained from self imposed stress from worrying about the above three.

and some skulls for the biker buddy. I am not a biker, but my buddy is. I think helmet is the ultimate goal/ and or tatoo. Plus, I will always have a soft spot for subject matter such as "tits, teeth, and fire," as I like to call the adolescent trifecta that I arguably wasted my teenage years drawing.

Andrew Coats

2007-03-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Check 'im out. And continue to do so as he adds stuff to his page. I know I will.

Andrew Coats

Train Drawin' and Workin for the Man

2007-02-20T20:38:00.000-08:00

Started the new gig at Curious today. Two week trial period to get up and running. Went well. We'll see how the working till 7, then working till midnight on the personal stuff goes in the long run.

Regardless. Here are some doodles since the last post from too much time on the Path train. And a wee bit o' figure drawing.

almost met a fellow blogger in real life

2007-02-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

I was sitting next to this guy at drawing thursday night. Hard to miss his stuff.

Sketch Book Dump

2007-01-22T23:29:00.000-08:00

and some doodls while TA-ing for an intro to 3D class.

Sexism

2007-01-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

More has come. I'm not bitter I swear. I just think this is fun.

Beware

2007-01-19T14:59:00.001-08:00

of angry animators ...

2007-01-17T22:04:00.001-08:00

Sexism

2007-01-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

I had on truth goggles one night, and this is what I saw. More to come later.

Meh-hico and the new place

2007-01-14T21:21:00.000-08:00

My Brother. Own article in ultramarathon magazine. 100 miles non stop ... no big deal. Third place first time he did one, then second, then first. I don't know all the facts, so catch him in the mountains if you want all the details. The quintisential Shaw Family game face. And yes, it is nailed to my wall. I thought you'd appreciate that Phil.Aaahhhh ... desk space and a chair that is not a metal folding one. Still no bed, but I don't have time for that any way.

And the living room, courtesy of my room mate with her new camera. Fancy finding me in the kitchen.
Oh mexico. just the views from the condo window. Grand Mayan. Puerto Vallarta. Christmas.

Holiday doodlings

2007-01-09T21:51:00.000-08:00

8 foot Table. All set up finally so I don't have to work in the living room and on the floorFound some quill tip and ink at the parents. Fun time.

Gramps from memory. This man lived. He was not driven. He drove.

Dragons ect.

Train, Plane, and living room doodles. Art Pen.

Margaritas, Roaches and Boxes

2007-01-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

New Place. Has roaches. Earth boy before me did not realize that keeping a compost bucket, IN THE APARTMENT, and all the general filthyness that accompanies such behavior, might aid in cockroach reproduction.

Mexico was boozetastic ... still recovering.

Vacation was a slightly needed break. More of an effort to relax as I had a great groove going before I left.

My grandpa is amazing. 87 ("whih is almost 90, which is almost 100"). This guy truly lived. Not only was he driven, but he did the driving ... if you want to get sickenly metaphorical.

Found some old ink and quill tips in the desk at home on the west coast and had fun doodling a bit.

pictures of some of the above in a few once I get unpacked. I moved into the new place on the 22nd, flew to mexico on the 23rd, and got back his morning.

Got some potential jobs lined up. Looking forward to it.

and Bruce Cambell has a ad out for Old Spice. Yay.

Hand-me-down

2007-01-07T22:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks Dad.

John Lasseter and Dan Brown would be proud.

"loving you" ...

2007-01-02T16:09:00.000-08:00

... "is a dirty job."

80's hair metal saves the day once again.

Ever have a really good vacation when you didn't not need one, so all it did was throw a stick in the spokes of your routine, and leave you feeling like you wasted something.

I know how to lounge like the best of them, but I did not quite earn it this time. Only about 75% earned it. And now I am stuck at the old home, out of my element, trying to get some work done, with the people I am there to see, giving me some warm hearted crap about not working hard enough.

But on a good note, saw ice age the meltdown finally last night, and quite enjoyed it. Good job! to everyone on it. Quality.

looking forward to getting back to NJ/NYC and working.

Atomic Playboys

2006-12-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

"we are radiation romeos."

gotta love 80s hair metal.

and for a moment, There were two ...

2006-12-03T21:40:00.000-08:00

foOpahzzhEEzoh!

2006-11-13T22:43:00.000-08:00

The deadline at Hurd Studio is wednesday, and we are going to make it. Or at least my stuff will. Good thing I have been spending every minute except for sleeping there, or I might not have.

First real, serious gig I have to say. Very good experience. Excatly what I was looking for. Learned alot, did alot, made a good impression. Cept my lighting skills could be better and faster. But I knew that. I have never done it before.

And regarding the title of this entry. I just finished reading 21 seconds of giberish I orriginally recorded for my short, but passed on because it just was not the right energy, But it will be a blast and one hell of a challange animating to. First real effort at lip synch in 2D. Here we go.

I've been lucky enough to be working on rendering at hurd which leaves many stray minutes to paruse blogs such as the art of Glen Keane. Wow. Talk about inspiriation and motivation.

Goodbye

2006-09-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

Goodbye summer. Although I miss not your heat waves, and dissaprove of your behavior in July and August, it was fun.

Cool

2006-09-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

I want one and I don't know why. Or perhaps a reason to put it to good use.

Good to be back

2006-08-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

Spikes covering his fore-arms, tattoos and scars on his the face, the frail, drunk little man shakes my hand,” good to be back in jersey ... I went through a lot of fights to get here.”

“Worth it,” I ask.

“I don’t like fighting.” He says, executing a miraculous, stumble-free dismount off the escalator.

Blasphemy

2006-07-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

With the release of Monster House, a film which for no reason should be animated, also comes the flood of ignorance unleashed by film critics regarding animation. Behold. Also mentioned on cartoonbrew, and also responded to by Jennifer Lerew. here is the excerpt posted on cartoon brew.

"Animated films always had the advantage of being able to go anywhere and show anything, to defy the laws of physics and follow the imagination as far as it could go. But they never had the ability to show the human face. There was never any point to a close-up in an animated film -- there was never really anything to see. But with the motion-capture process, real actors give their performances with computer sensors attached to their face and body, and that recorded information becomes the template for the computer animation. If an actor is bug-eyed, the character will look bug-eyed. Moreover, if the actor is thinking or is full of doubt, the technology will be able to render subtle qualities of pensiveness or doubt in the animation.

Imagine what Disney might have done with this in the creation of the Seven Dwarfs. Imagine all the things that will be done with this in the future. "Monster House" looks like the ground floor of something important."

I cring at at that thought.

my response:

It would be much appreciated by the entire animation industry if you would cease your diservice to man kind and keep your ignorant, misinformed assesments of the artform to your self. Are you unaware of the past 100 years of heartfelt and oft heart wrenching performances in animation by talents employed at Disney and around the world. I do hope you jest when implying monster house is the first "animated" film to employ subtle facial performance, or close ups. Have you seen "the Incredibles" by Pixar. The area at which mo-cap, that's motion capture, fails the most miserably, is in facial animation. In monster house, as in polar express, their "characters" appeared more lifeless and dead then poorly crafted dolls and mannequins. It was precisly the lifeless close ups that tore me out of the film and made it unbearable to view. Through out most of the film the "characters" lack life, heart, and weight. There is a reason the most grounded, intriguing, captivating character is the house. IT IS NOT MOTION CAPTURED. motion capture sucks out of animation, all that makes it believable. If you would have read about this film at all, you would realise that actual animators had to "accent" much of the facial mo-cap to make it look better. and if you dug deeper, I would be bet, the best performances in the film, relied the least on mo-cap.

Disney did use mo-cap in the seven dwarfs. It was called rotoscoping, but same principle. relying on captured human performance as the foundation of the animation. It was used on snow white her self, the most lifeless and least inter sting character in the film. In fact one of the top animators was getting frustrated using rotoscoping and for one shot decided to just animate it. When Walt saw it, he exclaimed that is what he wanted through out the entire film. The dwarfs and the queen, both animated (caricature of life) how ever, were not.

The sadness of all this is compounded by the terrific performances of the actual human actors themselves, the great art direction, cinematography, and all other facets of film making. It is a pity such talent was obscured, scared, and tarnished by such lackluster visual means of communication.

The moral of the story is: mo-cap sucks. it is a neccesary evil for cheaper produtions, and video games, but if better performances are required, more actual animation is as well. That, and my suspicions about the general populace are right: They don't know shit. Good thing I am devoting my life to trying to entertain them eh?

web site progress

2006-07-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

And my website sees progress. Lets see if anyone gets as much of a kick out of my home page as me.

2006-07-02T00:45:00.000-07:00

Band: Pantera
Song: War Nerve
Lyrics: the very first line

Odd. Now, lets go in the opposit direction.

2006-07-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

United States Postal Service. I detest thee. All hail FedEx.

what the hell?

2006-06-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

Seriously. Even when single, I can't escape their depravity. So here is to singledom, with the ocaisional flutter of anxiety that you might have missed, and messed up, something big in the past...

...nope. They are all insane >:)

Let There Be Sleds!

2006-06-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

So I have all the kids in the neighborhood pulling sleds now. Cept for the teenagers cause they are too cool to show any interest at all. And its not sleds plural, its my sled, and only once, but that is besides the point.

After I was done on saturday I let em have a go at it. Nothing like the biggest, bossy-est kid in the group talk tough about how easy it is, then first time he takes off, jerk to a stop like he's tied to the wall.

The picture blow, although not me, is a about what you will see on the side streets of jersy city three days a week. Cept more weight, hair, side burns, and a sexier ass.

RIP

2006-06-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

And my dog is dead. Put down this morning. it being, 666 and all, maybe satan will be pleased. Now I don't need to sacrifice any virgins.

Thunder and Lightning

2006-06-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

I really missed the rain.

Watch out!

2006-05-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Word of the Day

2006-05-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today's word is "blivit." Definition: "10 pounds of shit in a 5 pound bag." Look at all those around you and be amazed at the common applicability of this innocent little word.

Food for thought ...

Ever have one of those days ...