Edges

In my last post, I mentioned that I was working on an animation. It's funny, because since then I came up with another idea and it's done. It's short and I like it. It's called "Edges."

Time Keeps On Going

I'm working on a new animation. It's about a man trying to hypnotize a bear to make him some breakfast. Here's a screenshot: http://twitpic.com/3t7cob

Also, I created a new youtube account to store all my old Flash animations, so that people with smart phones can view them.

There's a dead fly on my table.

I created BoredBears.com. Bored Bears are decorative desk accessories that watch you while you work. They are bored and want to go home, just like you. They're very cute. I'll be selling them on Etsy soon.

Countown to Christmas

As you may, or may not know, I started a new job last September for a company called Smilebox. They make it easy to share photos and videos online in customizable e-cards. My job is to design, build, and animate them. For the holidays, I had the opportunity of creating this fun advent calendar style e-card titled "Countdown to Christmas." Unlike an advent calendar, you're encouraged to open all the doors at once, but it's got a lot of fun art, animation and sounds behind each door, so Check it out:

The voices for characters were done by Jessica and I. Thanks to Susan, who created a lot of the artwork. If you enjoyed Countdown to Christmas, feel free to download Smilebox and make your own e-cards. It's free to share through email, but if you want to print things--you have to buy a subscription.

New Spot

This is a still from a new TV spot that I animated that is currently airing in and around Colorado. Once it's posted to Youtube, I'll post the link.

Oh, and my car is all fixed, so that's nice.

Interview on WeLoveYouSo.com

I was also interviewed this week on Spike Jonze's blog: WeLoveYouSo.com. It started with a focus on "You Cried Me," but ended up being an all-around look at my work in general. Many thanks to Graham for writing the intro/interview questions!

Answering Questions

This has been an exciting week for me. "Kid Show" is currently featured on Channel Frederator, and they just posted an interview full of great questions (and hopefully great answers).

Check it out "Kid Show" on the Channel Frederator Youtube channel. If my film gets the most views for the month, I'll receive $200, so feel free to spread the word or embed.

Many thanks to Frederator and Bailee DesRocher for asking me questions!

I did another interview this week, but it's not posted yet. I'll update this when it's posted!

blind bed

Greetings. I'm currently floatiny bedo. Blind typing again. Will the wireless signal make it through the wall? I hope so.I've noticed something recently. When I work really hard on animation, and focus, .. and if it's been a few hours, I start to hear things in my head. Nothing from me, but its quiet, faint and sometimes turns out to be advertisements. Sometimes real ads, sometimes made up ones. It's an automatic flow. It's eerie to listen to. The feeling of tapping into, instead of creating..

The current title photo is a shot taken during a power outage on my block, well, more my whole neighborhood. It was great. I mean, it scared the crap out of jess and I, because there was a huge boom at the city light place (across the street from us). Jess screamed and slutched for me. The lights were out. I remembered where a flashlight was. Grabbed it. Lit candles. It was fun. Fun fun. Unusual. Interuptions are good. Excuses to detour.

I'm lying here with my eyes closed. I zoned out for a while. It is late. Jess is snoring in a lovely way.

--
Now back at the computer. It worked again! Wow, I'm impressed with this wireless keyboard. I'm leaving the misspellings and errors above.

You Cried Me

I made a music video. It's for Jookabox's newest album Dead Zone Boys. The song is called "You Cried Me." It's a great song, and great album as well. Check it out.



I animated the video entirely in flash with my wacom tablet. Jessica assisted me with visuals and ideas. This usually consisted of me turning around and saying "Jessica, can I get your opinion about this?" Some of her responses included "His heads too fat." or "Leave it be-- I think you're overthinking it."

I'm excited about it and hope this is a kickoff to more animation and storytelling.

Octobrrrrr

The above is a still from a new animation project I'm working on. It should be done in a few weeks. It's a music video.

The air is cold. It's Fall. My birthday is coming up on the 7th... feeling cozy.

I've been reading the book of Luke. If you've ever wanted a straight-forward look at who Jesus is, I recommend it.

I'm thankful for the mercy of the vinedresser in this parable from Luke 13:

And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

Cowboy

This is a little animated documentary about cowboys.

Kid Show on TV

Kid Show aired on the Nicktoons Network this evening. The above photo is from last weekend when Jess and I flew down to Burbank for the awards ceremony/creator's night. That there is a 4 foot LEGO statue of Spongebob Square Pants.

Kid Show didn't win any awards, but is eligible for an Audience Choice award, so go and vote for it if you can at http://nicktoonsnetwork.nick.com/nnaf/viewshorts.jhtml. You can only vote for the next 24 hours, so hurry. Thanks!

Stan Lee was the special guest at the event. He's such a cool guy. If you're not sure who he is, he's the guy that created Spiderman and the X-Men, etc. I'm the kind of person who can never think of a good question during a Q&A, but I managed to squeeze out a decent one: "At what point did you realize you HAD to do what you do?" and his answer lives on in my mind forever.

He said that he was about to quit. He had been doing comics for almost 20 years already, but they weren't his ideas. His wife suggested he make one his own way just to try it out before he quits. So he does, and it's a comic called The Fantastic Four. BANG

The Cat

I made a quicky animation today. It's called The Cat Part 1. I need to do more of this.

Jess and I are going to Boston on Tuesday for 6 days. That'll be nice.

I'm quite tired.

Bear Wooo

Sometimes I get really antsy and have to make something, however ridiculous it might be. For March 24th, 2008, it's an animation called What I Wanna Do.

Other times you just have to climb a big wooden bear, as the photo illustrates. I wasn't really antsy--tipsy is the better word.