Well, it's been quite a while and I've been meaning to put a post out for bit now.... In fact, it's been bothering me that I hadn't, but things have been busy on my end and I've been on an honest struggle to find a topic to keep the subject matter appealing and interesting to my usual readers.
The busy excuse, for those of you who don't know me personally --- I recently moved out to California on a desperate whim to keep my career alive and flourishing in a healthy manner, and I was fortunate enough land work on a feature film called "A Horse Story" with a tight knit company called XVIII Entertainment. The film, set to be released in January 2015, is a family centric plot, about a young girl and her horse and their journey's, together and separate, through the developments and discoveries of their adolescences.
I am credited as an animator, responsible for several characters and numerous shots, to handle facial animation for voiceovers on horses with various accents. The 3D animation will be tracked and composited with live footage, which I have been hired to help with as well!
To be quick, it's my first feature and I'm very nervous about it! But I did my best with the time allotted. Here is MY first IMDB!
And here is the Film's!
As soon I am a given a greenlight to release some of my animation work, I will post it. It was definitely very challenging trying to handle the beats with different drawls, plosives, etc. I had a lot of fun with it, and I am hoping to have the chance to try my hand at more animation soon!
As far as the other stuff? Well, minor bad news.
Ok, ok, you know, life really blows sometimes and it's not all sunshine and rainbows as much we're expected to pretend it's supposed to be that way for some stupid reason. But I'll come as close as I can to avoid melting by highlighting that good, or 'fun' stuff, first.
So, this is what I call a "Carry On"-- blame it on the airlines days. I first started him as a free style sketch at the much-missed NYC Drink and Draw. My first or second time attending, I think. I couldn't figure out what the heck to do with him after I drew his head and initial 'pose'....
I let it sit until I thought of the story I wanted to attach. (Originally he was really darn happy to have VERY big 22oz in his reach). I didn't find that sufficient enough of a story, so I held onto the drawing until I thought about it some more.
Honestly, it's funny timing. I couldn't decide if I wanted him to be a basketball player or a soccer guy. I imagined him long, lanky, and ambitious-- good for both. Someone who doesn't quite fit the card, but is good at what he does. I'm excited to finish him at some point soon... I always try to balance my traditional and digital work fairly, but digital sometimes takes longer than I'd like. :-(
Something for me to work on. But, if it takes me a long time? So be it. All I can do is try to produce fast and good work. Or, wherever I fit. That darn eternal triangle we artists all love and loathe...
Moving along... The bad news?
I was trying install Bluetooth speakers and wound up having to resinstall my entire Operating System. Long story as short as a lady like me makes things? Well, I accidently deleted my Mari files. My one objective critique to the Foundry? A 'save' isn't as simple as a save should be... As fond of the software as I am. It's beautiful (Swahili for beautiful, actually), BUT--- where is everything saving too? Perhaps it is too nested into our system?
Luckily, I archived some trouble I was having along the way of my assignments, packaged them up for some feedback, and uploaded them to my FTP server (which took a good hour). Holy moly, but thank B'jesus....
Now all I am left with? Less than I started with, but something.
So I made the educated decision-- or hypothesis maybe-- who knows anymore -- to head back to zbrush. I figured it was a blessing in disguise to apply all that I've learned and apply it onto my own work so I can put together an updated reel.
So, here I am.... pissed, but not. And working in Zbrush again on Clementine. A model I had originally designed, first, on paper, then, with clay. Here she is at her current "Zbrush" state:
I started her as the centerfold to a comic, which started only as a one page traditional Micron mess when I was a teenager... but I have been working on rendering it into a digital piece in photoshop! On the backburner with a bunch of other personal ventures...
Now, while there is no doubt the digital rendition is definitely stiff and fake looking, I am putting my focus on designing her in a neutral pose before giving her the pizzazz that comes from her look and posture. I think that has been the biggest challenge for me thus far. Because I keep on wondering: "Does it 'look' like her???"
Beyond that, in the midst of it all, I've also considered getting back into writing. When I can't seem to get my images across fast enough to feel comfortable, writing always helps soothe the itch. I'm hoping to get back to the "one page a day" guideline, as I always have. I've learned that one page a day would be 365 pages in a year, which is an industry standard length for a novel. It's harder than it seems, though, when you equate day to day life.... Here's hoping in between it all.
Also, another exciting bit of news.... my friend and confidant out here on the west coast was just awarded a tax incentive for their film. I'm not sure how much I can say about it at this point, but, as I get a more detailed synopsis, I will be sure to shout it out here. I am hoping to help out in some way, shape, or form, because from what I recall when I got the pitch, it sounds pretty unique! And I'd love to dedicate a blog to it. I don't know where I'd fit, but if I fit-- great! Something to look forward to, but beyond that-- a big congratulations is being sent out their way! Tax incentives are the starting point of fairness in the film, television, and the vfx industry in the United States, specifically in California, where the industry its fighting (hopefully fiercely-- Go USA) to keep itself from losing its American-bred workforce from trickling away into more competitive contracts outside of the country, and also from losing its traditional stronghold within the state of California.
It's a uncomfortable subject. And one that gets enough attention already.
So, I avoid blogging about the subject. Firstly, because there is no simple solution due to the state of our economy and, second, because I feel that its within the struggle of the middle class trying keeping our heads above the rising of political tide. This blog is not one pro- or anti- politics, much like myself.... That written, I will carry on back to me and my work. And the work that so many others fight every day to get to recognition, life, and reactions from others that willingly anticipate viewing it. Art being art. In that, there should be both respect and appreciation-- even it is criticism.
Congrats to those artists out there that fight to keep it going as neglected or extorted as it may feel some times...
To close off this blog, I wanted to give a dose of my own screenplay, that I wrote about five or so years ago while in school. This one is about 60 pages at the moment and is about half way through. It debuts a reoccurring character of mine and it is meant to read as a contemporary thriller/mystery.
I hope you like it ;-)
Spin rolls a bottle of water to her. He walks away.
She grabs hold of the bag and tears it. The drug spills across the floor.
Spin pummels Damian. Damian flips a small tucked away switch blade. He swipes at Spin, who counters it with another strike to the face.
Lexi unnoticed exits the cell and retreats down the hall.
PERSON 2
A flashlight swings by. She hides from its view. Moments after the flashlight disappears, she bolts.
He muffles her scream and pulls her back. Spin hides with her in a small crevice in the wall.
They leave.
Spin kneels down beside Lexi.
She backs away from him.
SPIN
Spin looks around, thinking.
SPIN
Spin begins to walk off.
He exits the chamber.
Lexi waits, than darts off.
Startled, Spin turns toward him. A flashlight in his face.
PERSON 1
PERSON 2
SPIN
Splashing heard infront of her. She stops still, and plasters herself against the wall as the splashing gets close.
Silence.
Lexi goes to run. Damian grabs her by the hair and stabs her in the side. He strangles her down to the floor and forces her under the water. She reaches for anything around her. Finding a large jagged rock, she smashes it into his face.
He lets go of her neck.
In a rage, Lexi batters Damian with the rock until his face is caved in and a bloody mess. She falls back against the wall, and drops the rock.
SPIN
Lexi begins crying.
Spin, looking down the hall:
LEXI
SPIN
He helps her up. She falls over. He holds her up.
There is blood on Spin’s hands. He sees the wound.
He picks her up, and quickly hurries down the hall.
The busy excuse, for those of you who don't know me personally --- I recently moved out to California on a desperate whim to keep my career alive and flourishing in a healthy manner, and I was fortunate enough land work on a feature film called "A Horse Story" with a tight knit company called XVIII Entertainment. The film, set to be released in January 2015, is a family centric plot, about a young girl and her horse and their journey's, together and separate, through the developments and discoveries of their adolescences.
I am credited as an animator, responsible for several characters and numerous shots, to handle facial animation for voiceovers on horses with various accents. The 3D animation will be tracked and composited with live footage, which I have been hired to help with as well!
To be quick, it's my first feature and I'm very nervous about it! But I did my best with the time allotted. Here is MY first IMDB!
And here is the Film's!
As soon I am a given a greenlight to release some of my animation work, I will post it. It was definitely very challenging trying to handle the beats with different drawls, plosives, etc. I had a lot of fun with it, and I am hoping to have the chance to try my hand at more animation soon!
As far as the other stuff? Well, minor bad news.
Ok, ok, you know, life really blows sometimes and it's not all sunshine and rainbows as much we're expected to pretend it's supposed to be that way for some stupid reason. But I'll come as close as I can to avoid melting by highlighting that good, or 'fun' stuff, first.
So, this is what I call a "Carry On"-- blame it on the airlines days. I first started him as a free style sketch at the much-missed NYC Drink and Draw. My first or second time attending, I think. I couldn't figure out what the heck to do with him after I drew his head and initial 'pose'....
I let it sit until I thought of the story I wanted to attach. (Originally he was really darn happy to have VERY big 22oz in his reach). I didn't find that sufficient enough of a story, so I held onto the drawing until I thought about it some more.
Honestly, it's funny timing. I couldn't decide if I wanted him to be a basketball player or a soccer guy. I imagined him long, lanky, and ambitious-- good for both. Someone who doesn't quite fit the card, but is good at what he does. I'm excited to finish him at some point soon... I always try to balance my traditional and digital work fairly, but digital sometimes takes longer than I'd like. :-(
Something for me to work on. But, if it takes me a long time? So be it. All I can do is try to produce fast and good work. Or, wherever I fit. That darn eternal triangle we artists all love and loathe...
Moving along... The bad news?
I was trying install Bluetooth speakers and wound up having to resinstall my entire Operating System. Long story as short as a lady like me makes things? Well, I accidently deleted my Mari files. My one objective critique to the Foundry? A 'save' isn't as simple as a save should be... As fond of the software as I am. It's beautiful (Swahili for beautiful, actually), BUT--- where is everything saving too? Perhaps it is too nested into our system?
Luckily, I archived some trouble I was having along the way of my assignments, packaged them up for some feedback, and uploaded them to my FTP server (which took a good hour). Holy moly, but thank B'jesus....
Now all I am left with? Less than I started with, but something.
So I made the educated decision-- or hypothesis maybe-- who knows anymore -- to head back to zbrush. I figured it was a blessing in disguise to apply all that I've learned and apply it onto my own work so I can put together an updated reel.
So, here I am.... pissed, but not. And working in Zbrush again on Clementine. A model I had originally designed, first, on paper, then, with clay. Here she is at her current "Zbrush" state:
Her original Orthographic Views:
And her sculpture:
I started her as the centerfold to a comic, which started only as a one page traditional Micron mess when I was a teenager... but I have been working on rendering it into a digital piece in photoshop! On the backburner with a bunch of other personal ventures...
Now, while there is no doubt the digital rendition is definitely stiff and fake looking, I am putting my focus on designing her in a neutral pose before giving her the pizzazz that comes from her look and posture. I think that has been the biggest challenge for me thus far. Because I keep on wondering: "Does it 'look' like her???"
Beyond that, in the midst of it all, I've also considered getting back into writing. When I can't seem to get my images across fast enough to feel comfortable, writing always helps soothe the itch. I'm hoping to get back to the "one page a day" guideline, as I always have. I've learned that one page a day would be 365 pages in a year, which is an industry standard length for a novel. It's harder than it seems, though, when you equate day to day life.... Here's hoping in between it all.
Also, another exciting bit of news.... my friend and confidant out here on the west coast was just awarded a tax incentive for their film. I'm not sure how much I can say about it at this point, but, as I get a more detailed synopsis, I will be sure to shout it out here. I am hoping to help out in some way, shape, or form, because from what I recall when I got the pitch, it sounds pretty unique! And I'd love to dedicate a blog to it. I don't know where I'd fit, but if I fit-- great! Something to look forward to, but beyond that-- a big congratulations is being sent out their way! Tax incentives are the starting point of fairness in the film, television, and the vfx industry in the United States, specifically in California, where the industry its fighting (hopefully fiercely-- Go USA) to keep itself from losing its American-bred workforce from trickling away into more competitive contracts outside of the country, and also from losing its traditional stronghold within the state of California.
It's a uncomfortable subject. And one that gets enough attention already.
So, I avoid blogging about the subject. Firstly, because there is no simple solution due to the state of our economy and, second, because I feel that its within the struggle of the middle class trying keeping our heads above the rising of political tide. This blog is not one pro- or anti- politics, much like myself.... That written, I will carry on back to me and my work. And the work that so many others fight every day to get to recognition, life, and reactions from others that willingly anticipate viewing it. Art being art. In that, there should be both respect and appreciation-- even it is criticism.
Congrats to those artists out there that fight to keep it going as neglected or extorted as it may feel some times...
To close off this blog, I wanted to give a dose of my own screenplay, that I wrote about five or so years ago while in school. This one is about 60 pages at the moment and is about half way through. It debuts a reoccurring character of mine and it is meant to read as a contemporary thriller/mystery.
I hope you like it ;-)
UNRELEASED TITLE
INT. SEWER CONVEYANCE SYSTEM, CELL
Footsteps. Lexi’s eyes open. Spins stands outside of the cell. He tosses a bag of McDonalds over to her. She looks up at him, surprised.
SPIN
Bacon double cheeseburger. Fries.
The person infront of me ordered it.
Spin rolls a bottle of water to her. He walks away.
INT. SEWER CONVEYANCE SYSTEM, CELL
The cell opens. Damian enters and closes it behind him. He advances.
LEXI
Stay away from me.
DAMIAN
You’re not even going to know what you’re
missing when I’m done with you.
So just make it easy for yourself.
Damian clamps his hand over her mouth and nose. He begins to suffocate her, than lets go. She gasps for air. He forces some of the drug into her mouth and holds her mouth shut.
She grabs hold of the bag and tears it. The drug spills across the floor.
DAMIAN
Shit. Shit! You little--
He pulls her to her feet and smacks her.
DAMIAN
You don’t want to play nice? You’re going
to be begging me to play nice.
LEXI
Fuck you.
Lexi tries to wrestle him away. She stumbles, and leans against the wall, dizzy. Damian settles back.
DAMIAN
How you feeling?
He pushes her down to the floor, climbs on top of her, and constrains her.
DAMIAN
Did you say fuck me? No. Fuck you.
He unzips his pants.
DAMIAN
I can’t wait until I get you tailing me.
I can’t wait until I get you tailing me.
You can be the whore I know you are.
LEXI
Fuck you!
She tries to fight him off. Her shirt is heard tearing. Damian overpowers her.
Lexi sees Spin’s closing in behind Damian. He bludgeons Damian hilt-first with his machete, and drags Damian off of Lexi.
Lexi scrambles into the corner. She realizes the cell door is opened.
Spin pummels Damian. Damian flips a small tucked away switch blade. He swipes at Spin, who counters it with another strike to the face.
DAMIAN
Do it. Do it.
As Spin goes for another shot Damian rolls away and stumbles to his feet, knife out.
He lunges at him. Misses.
DAMIAN
Come on, fucker.
Lexi unnoticed exits the cell and retreats down the hall.
Spin knocks Damian’s blade away, grabs him by the wrist, and cracks Damian’s straightened elbow. The knife falls to the floor. Spin knees Damian in the stomach, and tosses him easily against the wall.
He turns to check on Lexi and sees that she is gone. He runs off after her.
INT. A SEWER INTERSECTION
Four hallways meet a tiny chamber. Lexi, lost, trudges through water. She trips. Lexi has trouble getting back onto her feet.
A flashlight searches in her direction up ahead of her. She takes a turn down the tunnel nearest to her. A flashlight faint ahead of her. She turns around to the hallway across from her. A flashlight.
She runs back the way she came, and climbs into a tiny culvert.
INT. VICINITY OF THE SEWER CONVEYANCE SYSTEM FOOTSTEPS THROUGH WATER. Lexi hides in the culvert as a PERSON passes with a flashlight. She has her hand covered over her mouth. The drugs are in full effect.
PERSON 2 (O.C.)
Where is she?
PERSON 1
I don’t know. She can be
anywhere. Who the hell knows?
PERSON 2
She couldn’t have went down the
other way. She would have hit the
Main Drain. She’s here somewhere.
The voices get farther and farther away.
PERSON 1
What should we do?
PERSON 2
We’ll split up.
INT. VICINITY OF THE SEWER CONVEYANCE SYSTEM
Spin searches by himself. There are flashlights dancing all over the place.
INT. VICINITY OF THE SEWER CONVEYANCE SYSTEM
Lexi quietly treads through water. She holds her hand over her mouth and nose, carefully watching her footing. She keeps low and close to the wall.
A flashlight swings by. She hides from its view. Moments after the flashlight disappears, she bolts.
Her foot hits an object in the water. She falls on top of it. A bloated aged corpse stares at her. She looks up and sees the pile of bodies. A hand covers over her mouth.
SPIN
Shh. Shh. They’ll hear you.
He muffles her scream and pulls her back. Spin hides with her in a small crevice in the wall.
Splashing water. Five cult members enter. Lights swings around the chamber. Spin pulls her down into a crouch. He waits, stiff, as the cult members search the room. As they get closer, he slips from her and stands.
Flashlights in his direction:
SPIN
This chamber’s covered already.
Check the east 7 corridor.
That manholes’ lose.
PERSON 2
I thought I heard a scream.
SPIN
It was the rats. I stepped on one.
(Pause)
What are you waiting for? Go.
They leave.
Spin kneels down beside Lexi.
SPIN
Don’t be scared.
LEXI
What do you want from me?
She backs away from him.
SPIN
Nothing.
LEXI
Stay away from me.
SPIN
Shh... They’re going to come
back if you don’t shut up.
LEXI
How do I get out? Help
me get out of here.
SPIN
I can’t.
LEXI
Please! Please, help me. Just let me go.
Spin looks around, thinking.
SPIN
They’re all over the place right
now. There’s no way. You should wait.
LEXI
Please, please. I’ll do anything.
SPIN
(Pause)
There used to a few open manholes.
I don’t know if they were sealed closed.
LEXI
They’ll find me if I wait.
They’ll find me.
They’ll find me.
SPIN
They’ll find you if you try to
leave now. They’re on alert.
Spin begins to walk off.
SPIN (CONT’D)
Stay here. Hide here. Just wait.
He exits the chamber.
Lexi waits, than darts off.
INT. SMALL DARK TUNNEL – LATER
Spin walks. He reaches a manhole. At reach, above him, is a manhole. He struggles to shimmy the cover off. Dirt falls is his face. Blinding light peeks through. He stares up at the light.
PERSON 1
What are you doing?
Startled, Spin turns toward him. A flashlight in his face.
SPIN
Take that light out of my face.
(Pause)
Did you find her?
(Pause)
Did you find her?
PERSON 1
No.
SPIN
These holes were supposed to be sealed.
(Pause)
Go to corridor 9.
I found a bracelet there.
I found a bracelet there.
PERSON 2
(Suspicious)
We checked there.
SPIN
Well, fucking check again!
What are you waiting for?
INT. ANOTHER TUNNEL - SAME
Lexi blindly feels her way down the tunnel. Voices heard in the distance fade into a eerie hollow silence. She splashes through the water. She looks above her for a manhole.
Splashing heard infront of her. She stops still, and plasters herself against the wall as the splashing gets close.
Silence.
The glint of metal.
DAMIAN
There you are.
Lexi goes to run. Damian grabs her by the hair and stabs her in the side. He strangles her down to the floor and forces her under the water. She reaches for anything around her. Finding a large jagged rock, she smashes it into his face.
He lets go of her neck.
In a rage, Lexi batters Damian with the rock until his face is caved in and a bloody mess. She falls back against the wall, and drops the rock.
INT. CHAMBER OF DEAD BODIES
Spin approaches the place where he left Lexi. He sees that she’s not there. He hears a scream and runs off in its direction.
INT. ANOTHER TUNNEL
Spin reaches Lexi. He sees Damian lying dead in the water.
SPIN
(To Lexi)
Nice job. I bet that felt good.
Beat. Lexi begins crying.
Spin, looking down the hall:
SPIN
Come on. We have to go.
LEXI
I can’t.
SPIN
There’s a manhole close by you
can get out of. It’ll take you out
by the Central District.
Flashlights from off down the hall.
SPIN
Get up. They’re coming.
He helps her up. She falls over. He holds her up.
SPIN
What’s the matter with you?
There is blood on Spin’s hands. He sees the wound.
He picks her up, and quickly hurries down the hall.
