A brief scare: I thought I lost 2+ years of my blog posts when the database went awry but my host provider was able to restore the database via their backup server so my blog is back! My webpage is going through a redesign. I will be storing all my videos on Vimeo as it…
Read MoreNew isn’t always better
There are several things that I do that amuse a certain demographic of my loving friends- the smart one’s who listen to ‘Les Savy Faux’ on their iPad’s and wear Deth Killers of Bushwick t-shirts. They snort in exasperation and hold their nose high up to my practice of watching movies at the movie theater. “Why?!…
Read MoreWe share the same sentiments
(Though more than I am repelled by the self-aggrandizing nature of FB, I don’t like how it has a way of sucking you in). (Source: Asaf Hanuka)
Read MoreWhere has my afterburners gone?
UV Unwrap progress.. or more accurately, regress? No progress being made… For every 1 step forward, I am taking 2 steps backward. I must work harder.
Read Moreart school
When I was in art school, I was asked to submit a video piece of one of my works for an upcoming show highlighting recent works by the Electronic design & Multimedia kids. I remember being unhappy with my art school. So as a form of protest I submitted this video instead. Take from it…
Read MoreI really like the strong graphic imagery of dvdp’s work. There is something to be said of flipping techniques on it’s head and coming up with a different way of using something that was originally intended for another purpose. (source: dvdp )
Read MoreArtist Statement 2012
I intend to explore and express the existential state of the identity concept by weaving narrative and experimental concepts through utilzing the multilayered and multidisciplinary practices of photography, filmmaking, writing and animation. I will be mainly focused on the relationship between expectations of self-actualization, and the contradictory dichotomy between the concept of free will and…
Read MoreEast chapter
I’m a member now!
Read MoreConcept excercise
Found a concept sketch of a character that I finished last winter. Not the best but I’ll draw more bad sketches out of my system before I start feeling more at ease with concept sketching. His name is Tommy. He works and lives in Copenhagen at a media startup. Tommy has the hots for Suzie…
Read Moreder Geist der stets erinnert sich
There’s no point in being good if you can’t be a good person.
Read MoreCold blog
To my chagrin, my own blog went cold. One of the things that disappoint me is when bloggers more or less abandon their blogs. “She was doing so well! Why did she quit updating?!” Is something that I say to myself when I realize that a blog has lost it’s blogger. Since I started my…
Read MoreMocap Studio visit + Python study
I attended the Mongrel FX open-house studio 3 weeks ago. Currently Mongrel FX specializes in motion-capture and is in production of a yet-to-be-named animated pilot for broadcast television. There are surprisingly few true animation studios in New York, so it’s even more surprising that Mongrel also provides motion capture services. I spoke with Jeff Hipolito,…
Read MoreUniversal Themes in Stories + Xpresso Camera Rig
I was called in to help animate and composite a CG commercial for a studio. I was putting in a lot of hours to help them meet their deadline with their client. I haven’t had much time for personal study and growth but I have satisfied my obligations with that studio and so have more…
Read MoreWhy I study classical Animation technique
When I told my animator friend that I was rebuilding my foundation from Preston Blair’s instructions (ca. 1950’s Disney), he dismissed it “been there, done that.” Of course my friend is a flash animator. The thing is that animation has been going through some changes, mainly cel-drawing/painted animation is being phased out in favor of…
Read MoreConstruction of Pear-shaped bodies
I tackled the construction of simple 2 legged-characters. These studies focused around pear-shaped bodies for the sake of simplicity and clarity. Keeping the body type universal was essential because it allowed me to understand construction, proportion and the flowing details around the construction (clothe, eyes, hair). As John Kricfalusi mentions, pear-shaped bodies are not the…
Read MorePreston Blair on Squash and Stretch in regards to the head
Been going through Preston Blair‘s explanation for squashing and stretching, particularly when applied to the head. John Kricfalusi explains that the most varied area on a cartoon’s stretched and squashed head is the mouth area. The cranium essentially retains its volume because it is composed of bone and cartoons lends its credence to reality, so…
Read MoreUniversal Character Archetypes found in all stories
There are always certain character roles that you will see story after story. An archetype by definition is the original, something that serves as a model to be copied, in the case of stories this would be a person, personality, or behavior. Carl Jung, a 20th Century psychoanalyst studied dreams and the unconscious of many…
Read MoreFigure Drawings
Just a few figure drawings. I’ve missed you pencil.
Read More3-Act Aristotelian plot structure and why all movies seem the same
If you want to understand story-writing and how story is constructed, read Ideas for the Animated Short (written by Karen Sullivan, Gary Shumer, and Kate Alexander). I recommend this book for anyone looking to understand the form and formula of story writing. Aristotle defined a 3-act plot structure 2,300 years ago. The first act established pity…
Read MoreMy yuletide offering to you: a Christmas carol!
Merry Christmas! My gift to all my friends and family, a Christmas carol 😉 Hope you all stay warm, enjoy the holidays and get ready for the coming year! See you guys next year!
Read MoreClarification re: my “vacation” (or when my grandpa passed away)
This will probably be one of the only personal post that I will ever throw up, but I felt that it was necessary since those who knew my Grandpa need to know something regarding a blog post I made a couple months ago. Around May, my grandpa passed away from a ruptured tumor. It was…
Read MorePolygon modeling vs. NURBS modeling. Reel Header render update.
I began working on Robopig and began using the box-modeling technique, which uses a simple polygon primitive and where detail is slowly added via extrusions and edge loops. I didn’t add in much detail and will show post the early phase of the modeling here. The snapshot below shows the un-subdivided model. I attempted to…
Read MoreCreative Integrity
I discovered that someone not only stole a chunk of code from my portfolio website but also left the wording pretty much as I typed it (At least change the words!). This person was someone whom previously copied one of my works for her final thesis project. The secret to good work is very reminiscent…
Read MoreBack from break
Apologies for the long break! I had trouble with the camera I was using to record and put off addressing the issue for a while. That in turn, led to me not posting regularly and also affected my productivity. I’ll consider this a break as I did spend my time hanging out with old friends…
Read More12 Principles Talk + Timing/Spacing in detail
This video was for a presentation class, the subject matter was too valuable for a posting for me not to use. I discussed the 12 principles of Animation and then proceeded to explain timing and spacing in detail. Someone recorded my presentation for review. I see what I need to work on, in terms of…
Read MoreI’m back from my vacation
Hello, I just got back from my 2 week break. I feel re-energized and ready to work. I will finish some freelance assignments and then begin working on my projects. I realize that I have not added on to my motion graphics projects (see: Luminance-Dynamic Breakdown), but those projects are definitely on my work list.…
Read MorePassword to view videos
Hello, A quick note: Because my videos are only meant for the blog, I have temporarily enabled passwords for the videos. To watch a video the password is: password This is only temporary and the password protection will be removed shortly.
Read MoreMissing in Action, next post forward
Hello Guys. It’s usually not a good idea to re-commit to a blog to only not update. And believe you-me, it has been on my mind for a week now. I’ve been in California without access to a scanner or any screen-cap software so I haven’t been able to use the means to post an…
Read MoreCompositing: Straight Alpha vs. Premultipied Alpha? My take.
http://vimeo.com/11099771 I am not saying that one is better over the other, I know there are those who will swear by straight Alpha channels and some who will stand behind premultiplied Alpha Channels. I prefer Premultiplied Alpha channels as I feel it is more a more robust and durable alpha format. Straight Alpha channels on…
Read MoreLuminance-Dynamic Breakdown
http://vimeo.com/11061991 Hello! Here’s an update that provides an explanation of the Luminance-Dynamics video breakdown (below). I explain very briefly what each shot was about and how it ties in to the overall larger projects that I’m working on. I also explain that I might throw some ‘process-notes’ in to the update mix, so I can…
Read MoreRoot Beer Floats are good for you!
http://vimeo.com/11015237 The blog is back up along with my commitment to chart out my progress. It’s been awhile, I know. I’ve been working alot and have had a hard time keeping up with the various projects but i’m back now and in the clear and will try to keep this blog a part of my…
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