Shady Pines

More than a month of work, and more money than it ever should have cost, and my experimental animation final is done.

The credits are wrong for that reason.

My comic book running buddy: Mark Crnolatas wrote the thing like we always do, unfortunately it was over the phone instead of over cigars this time.

My girlfriend: Roxanne Anzelc made the costumes, and let me break her hair dryer while I dried the latex on the puppets.

As with most of my first semester at AAU, I really feel like I leveled up. Understanding the process soup to nuts now, I think I could put together something much better next time.

I don't think I will, though.

It's not so much the process (as much as I love spending ten hours on 30 seconds of animation) as it is the cost. I spent a lot of time in the art store for this project, spending money I don't have. It's really hard to justify props when you're wearing the same pair of jeans, and freezing without a hat. Stop motion is charming, but it rarely enhances the story you're trying to tell. This is the same reason I started inking digitally.

(nevermind that it's lots easier)

So, you'll for sure see A LOT more animation from me, it'll just be digital as much as I can help it.

Illustration Friday : Entanglement

None Of Them Knew They Were Robots

My experimental animation final has me teaming up with Mark Crnolatas, my old running buddy from comic book days. It's about an old folks home, and if you've ever found our stuff funny I think you'll be happy with it.

It's coming along nicely, even If I would prefer to do it in After Effects (I hate any art form without an apple z option nowadays)

Here's a walk test:



Notice how 2 steps in: I remember that he's supposed to be old. The fingers need to be toned down, and i could use some recoil on those steps.

(all things I could fix with apple z)

Here's his costar:



I'm really trying to push the contrast between the two, which is difficult given the limitations in my puppet building skills.

I've got two weeks to build a set and get this thing filmed for the final, but it feels really great to be working with friends again.

Even if it is across the country.