Final semester animation

Yar! So here it is, my final semester animation. I wish computers were friendlier with me while they rendered these things. Damn things crash to much. Dammit.



Sometime soon: my animation VHS footage.

Run Cycle tests

Just doing some quick run cycle tests for my film character. It's hard animating a run in this perspective! Had to kinda lay out a stencil beneath the rough and so forth. Still needs some work.



I'm really much more comfortable animating on paper. But in the meanwhile away from school, I'll do tests in flash. Here was my process:

And so Semester One comes to a close!

Calarts is an animation boot camp. Period. You're picked up, thrown to the ground, and just when you're trying to get up, you're suddenly hanging upside down trying to juggle pianos with on arm behind you're back. Metaphorically speaking of course. Or somethings.

Um.. sorry, what I meant to say is.. it was a freaking huge ton of work. But I loved it all! It was an experience like no other. You're pushing yourself to do better, and others are pushing you. The talent pool here is insane, and it really humbles you, but the drive to improve is increased too. Say goodbye to your bed, sleep, and even daily showers, because the Character Animation program at Calarts will drag you through the rocks and back. You'll never work harder in you're life. But in all, it's an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. I already miss the school.

And that's my summery of Semester 1. Bring it on Semester 2!!

I wish I had more of my work scanned to post... but yeah, the flight back for break left little time to do much. Anyway, here are some old perspective assignments. Stay tuned for my Animation Semester Final Assignment thing. And my reel perhaps.






I think I'm set for my film idea, and after extended feedback from classmates and teachers, I think I'll be able to refine the story and boards by the end of the break. Hopefully I can begin animation by January. You'll be seeing a lot more of Leonardo soon.

Possible first year film character.

His name is Leonardo.




Might just be my final character. Maybe. Need to do some animation tests first..

48 Hour Hair Spectacular.

Lockdown film.

So here's the rundown,

Well usually I don't post because I'm really forgetful or enslaved with work, but this time it's because of an entirely different reason. In a nutshell, medical reasons threw me into the hospital for exactly two weeks, and amongst the post release, recovery and catching up with school work there just hasn't been time to keep up posting. But in time I should have a lot more content to post. I hate that I missed two weeks, but I'm totally better now and happy to be in full swing back at Calarts.

And of course the lockdown! It's been Calarts tradition for the past 5 years or so to hold an event called the 48-hour lockdown. Here you have 48 hours animate a short film. On the eve of the lockdown there's a drawing of a word from a hat that reveals the lockdown's topic. This year's word was "hair", and you guessed it, you need to animate up some hair. Actually you can pretty much do whatever you want, as long as hair appears in a frame of the film.

The drawing was the week I was let out of the hospital, and being the nut that I am with all my backed up homework, I did the film anyway. I'm happy to say it's finished and awaiting to premiere with some other hilarious stuff this Saturday. I'll post it here after the Lockdown show.

Here's a preview still:
Stay tuned for the upload this weekend. STAY TUNED DAMMIT!!!!

Life drawing action!

Off to a shaky start after a long break from life drawing... Need to get better. We have awesome models here. They put the ones you find normally to shame. Anyway, here are the drawings I didn't hate.
If they look kind of janky, it was because they had to be pieced together from the scan. All are 15-20 mins.

Arrival at Calarts: I love this place so damn much.

Although free time is really short, and homework is quickly piling up.

Anyway, Calarts is frikken amazing and the people here are so goddamned talented...! It's really the place to be if you want to push yourself to improve. Only here can you have spontaneous sketch sessions while watching the Iron Giant on the big screen. The people are super cool and friendly and you can finally have those nerdy animation discussions you've been aching to have.

Student films for freshmen are locked at exactly 90 seconds, credits included, no synched sound or dialogue. Sophomores get 2 mins, Juniors 5, and Seniors up to 7. Classes are about to finally pick up steam next week, but so far they seem pretty cool. Our storyboard teacher works at Disney, our CG teacher is currently working on Bolt, and our Animation teacher was one of the animators on Hogarth in the Iron Giant and is currently working on a 2D soccer film.

FC100A02	BEGINNING ANIMATION	Nguyen, Mike	1.50	T 7pm to 10pm	PALACE
FC101A02	BEGINNING CGI ANIMATION	Aquino, John	1.50	Th 7pm to 10pm	A108
FC105A02	INTRO TO DIGITAL PRODUCTION	Lebow, David	1.00	T 9am to 12 Noon	A108
FC110A	BEGINNING LIFE DRAWING	Mitchell, Michael	3.00	Th 9am to 4pm	PALACE
FC115A02	BASIC PERSPECTIVE	Hansen, Dan	2.00	M 9am to 12 Noon	PALACE
FC140-02	COLOR AND DESIGN I	Hobaica, Leo	2.00	T 1pm to 4pm	PALACE
FC155A02	BEGINNING STORY DEVELOPMENT	Lee, Chong	2.00	W 7pm to 10pm	PALACE
FC371-02	STORY FOR ANIMATORS II (SOPHOMORES)	Meeks, Chris	2.00	F 1pm to 3pm	A221O

Apparently there are going to be 10 guest speakers this semester alone, although a solid list of dates have yet to materialize. So looks like an exciting year ahead, and everyone seems anxious to start, I know I am.

I guess I'll try to post more artwork too, I have a habit of not doing that. Here's this perspective thing I did.

Portfolio Guide is up!

For me, it was tough to search the web for solid info on how to make a portfolio. Especially one as ambitious as a Calarts portfolio. So alongside finally uploading my atrocious work online, I tried to write a thorough guide to provide as much info as possible on this endeavor. It has almost all the useful information I can recall learning from others, students, teachers, and myself in my tribulation in creating my first portfolio.

Calarts Portfolio Guide

It also has links to other guides that are really useful as well, so check it out!

I'm a bad person.

I said I’d update this blog, I yet I haven’t. That... makes me a liar. Or lazy.

^I’m good at this.

Ok, so maybe it’s harder to consistently update these blog things than I thought. But anyway, yes, I’m asleep at the wheel.
BUT! There have been exciting developments! For one, Calarts has finally blessed me with my hideous portfolio back.


^It’s back! And yes, It flew me home.

A little late, but everything’s intact, blood, tears and all. And, as promised I will post the entirety of my portfolio’s contents online, probably on a separate blog link. I know how useful it is for those looking to apply to Calarts to look at other’s work as a point of reference, so within the week it shall be uploaded. But personally, although it got me accepted, I’m still not totally happy with my portfolio. Looking back on some of it is cringe worthy in areas. Perhaps I’m being my worst critic, but I have so many areas to improve on it’s overwhelming. But ehhh. Enough of that.

Looking at the calendar reminds me: It’s freaking August already. Like, Jesus. Where has the time gone. I’m really leaving my hometown, my family, and everyone I know in a month. It’s a massive pool of anxiety and excitement for the future. But I’m not here to spread my angst, no, none of you want that. Instead, look for a portfolio post very soon.