Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fall Color Soup
Writer's Thoughts
It's fairly easy to see, I like color. Perhaps, it is because of the vibrant colors of the fall season. Everything is bursting with gold, red, and orange. There's intense color, and there is muted color. The more intense, the more energetic. The more muted, the more laid back, or classic.
Animating lately has brought out the 'intense color mode.' Although, I have been studying muted tones for a classic-look project. I tone-up. Tone down. A lot like my exercise routine.
Stories continue to unfold. Like a hearty fall soup, I launch them after the flavors/characters have had opportunity to meld. I am stirring the pot, or plot. And, cooks, and/or writer's love a good soup/story. Wouldn't you agree?
It's fairly easy to see, I like color. Perhaps, it is because of the vibrant colors of the fall season. Everything is bursting with gold, red, and orange. There's intense color, and there is muted color. The more intense, the more energetic. The more muted, the more laid back, or classic.
Animating lately has brought out the 'intense color mode.' Although, I have been studying muted tones for a classic-look project. I tone-up. Tone down. A lot like my exercise routine.
Stories continue to unfold. Like a hearty fall soup, I launch them after the flavors/characters have had opportunity to meld. I am stirring the pot, or plot. And, cooks, and/or writer's love a good soup/story. Wouldn't you agree?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Cartoon Or Animation?
Writer's Thoughts
What is the difference between a cartoon and an animation? When you say 'cartoon,' perhaps, the first image that comes to mind is of something such as Bugs Bunny, or Spongebob Squarepants. Then, if you say animation, the image may be Toy Story or The Incredibles...I think there is a conspiracy amongst adults. Why? Secretly we love animations. But we don't want them called cartoons.
"Mom are you watching a cartoon?" "No, dear, it's an animated film."
There is a difference. We think. Or, at least pretend.
In technical terms, being in animation. See, I said 'animation.' There is a difference in the process and the look between a classic-rendered cartoon and a digital animation. Roget's Thesaurus expounds on 'cartoon' as this; a sketch, drawing, caricature, comic strip, funnies...Am I splitting hairs? Is this apples and oranges? Yes. Cartoon apples and animated oranges.
Animation, simply means, the illusion of motion.
Animation is bringing things to life. It can be a cartoon-like look or realistic digital. It can be a painterly Monet-style, or a darkly colored Rembrandt-style. Animation is art that moves. Which is why it can be enjoyed at any age.
Go ahead, let the kids call everything 'cartoons.' And, adults will say 'animation.' But one day grown-ups might get to the point where they just don't care what people think of their enjoyment of...art that moves with color.
What is the difference between a cartoon and an animation? When you say 'cartoon,' perhaps, the first image that comes to mind is of something such as Bugs Bunny, or Spongebob Squarepants. Then, if you say animation, the image may be Toy Story or The Incredibles...I think there is a conspiracy amongst adults. Why? Secretly we love animations. But we don't want them called cartoons.
"Mom are you watching a cartoon?" "No, dear, it's an animated film."
There is a difference. We think. Or, at least pretend.
In technical terms, being in animation. See, I said 'animation.' There is a difference in the process and the look between a classic-rendered cartoon and a digital animation. Roget's Thesaurus expounds on 'cartoon' as this; a sketch, drawing, caricature, comic strip, funnies...Am I splitting hairs? Is this apples and oranges? Yes. Cartoon apples and animated oranges.
Animation, simply means, the illusion of motion.
Animation is bringing things to life. It can be a cartoon-like look or realistic digital. It can be a painterly Monet-style, or a darkly colored Rembrandt-style. Animation is art that moves. Which is why it can be enjoyed at any age.
Go ahead, let the kids call everything 'cartoons.' And, adults will say 'animation.' But one day grown-ups might get to the point where they just don't care what people think of their enjoyment of...art that moves with color.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Bringing Animation To Life
Writer's Thoughts
I can't describe how awesome it is to take an animated object and watch it come to life. Birds are flying! One of the things I've become fascinated with is creating ambience with atmospherics in animation. I'm taking a 'painterly' approach with my latest project Candle Dance. This is a tricky feat, considering it's all digital.
The trend in digital animation, at this time, is how 'realistic' we can make things. But in some ways that defeats the purpose of animation. If it's too real, then it's just imitating live action. Then, why not do live action? I don't want to take away what makes animation it's own creative medium. I'll be sharing some scene-shots next week. Pure fun.
I can't describe how awesome it is to take an animated object and watch it come to life. Birds are flying! One of the things I've become fascinated with is creating ambience with atmospherics in animation. I'm taking a 'painterly' approach with my latest project Candle Dance. This is a tricky feat, considering it's all digital.
The trend in digital animation, at this time, is how 'realistic' we can make things. But in some ways that defeats the purpose of animation. If it's too real, then it's just imitating live action. Then, why not do live action? I don't want to take away what makes animation it's own creative medium. I'll be sharing some scene-shots next week. Pure fun.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Candle Dance Intro
Writer's Thoughts,
In the process of writing the script of this story, I had to work really hard to figure out the storyboard process and color scheme. There's night color and day color. This scene opens in a mysterious blue light and remains fixed on the falling snow for caption sake. I'm very excited about this animated film! I hope you will be too.
In the process of writing the script of this story, I had to work really hard to figure out the storyboard process and color scheme. There's night color and day color. This scene opens in a mysterious blue light and remains fixed on the falling snow for caption sake. I'm very excited about this animated film! I hope you will be too.
Friday, September 17, 2010
New Videos Soon
Writer's Thoughts
I'm very excited to reveal the new video clips to my animated series with the theme of 'dance.' There is a storyline of course and can't you hear the characters shouting "Just dance!" "We'll get out of here if we just dance!" "I don't care what anyone says, I'm going to just dance!" Okay, maybe something like that....Dance!
I'm very excited to reveal the new video clips to my animated series with the theme of 'dance.' There is a storyline of course and can't you hear the characters shouting "Just dance!" "We'll get out of here if we just dance!" "I don't care what anyone says, I'm going to just dance!" Okay, maybe something like that....Dance!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Dancin Up The Downbeat
Writer's Thoughts-
I am very excited about the animation projects that are currently in the works. Lately, the themes that keep surfacing to me is 'dance.' Perhaps, this comes from reading about the days during the Great Depression when some of the most inspiring songs, and some of the most popular dance steps were born. Was it merely escapism? Or, rather optimism? Life imitating art, or art imitating life?
Regardless of the answer, one thing is clear, creative people always look for ways to inspire, and celebrate the good, even in difficult times. My upcoming project includes an "emotionally sensitive" jukebox, and a teenage gang runner with a softspot for candles. No, this isn't a story about an arsonist. It's actually about a character from a previous story, that is in flashback mode. I hope I've whet your curiousity. And, there's the music-driven "Dancetown." Please stay tuned.
I am very excited about the animation projects that are currently in the works. Lately, the themes that keep surfacing to me is 'dance.' Perhaps, this comes from reading about the days during the Great Depression when some of the most inspiring songs, and some of the most popular dance steps were born. Was it merely escapism? Or, rather optimism? Life imitating art, or art imitating life?
Regardless of the answer, one thing is clear, creative people always look for ways to inspire, and celebrate the good, even in difficult times. My upcoming project includes an "emotionally sensitive" jukebox, and a teenage gang runner with a softspot for candles. No, this isn't a story about an arsonist. It's actually about a character from a previous story, that is in flashback mode. I hope I've whet your curiousity. And, there's the music-driven "Dancetown." Please stay tuned.
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