Thoughts
An archival look at the mental state and artistic choices of the director.
March09
Went to CAA in LA and then went to Miami for Spring break which really delayed any new developments in the film. In spite of all the distractions, I only feel that success will come with time. What's the rush? Major developments in the other film have been promising. While the animatic is now complete, the film covers over 4:30 seconds. I have been playing with the dialogue of the teacher, making sure his character stays 'the bad guy.'
Jan09
Went traveling and began researching the look and design of my 4th short film which is currently untitled. I don't know if this is good for me but juggling between short films is a first. Like most artists, they work on multiple paintings at a time. Maybe this is the same thing. Either way, production has officially stopped for Dear Teacher. I may have to schedule my time better to fit everything in. So officially as of now, the production of Dear Teacher has stopped.
Dec08
The delays continue as the training conference in SF took a huge chunk of my time before and after as I scrambled to catch up with administrative work with the University. Planning my trip to Asia is also taking some time as I ramp up on some new tech toys: hyper zoom lens, underwater camera, HDs, CF. With the PAD closing the airport, I'm starting to think of other ways to have fun if my flights get cancelled. After pitching this story to my many friends, the thoughts are positive. The production speed is depressing but at least I might have a soundtrack guy to make the short shine.
Nov08
The grant got approved and I've been working on other projects so this film has been delayed even more. I'm scrambling to get my consultants on board. Right now, I was thinking of a rigger and a particle effects person but with decent autorigging software available, I might be able to push out a rigger and find an animator instead. I also need to finalize students to work on this project. At the same time, I will be teaching an advanced 3D animation class so I also plan to produce another film. I have had a hard time securing a story to produce. I'm sure something will come up soon.
Oct08
Already trying to get the next film ready. This is probably a terrible thing to do but the grant deadline is fast approaching. Characters are being made and their texturing may change once they're in their scenes. This is a different approach to my production pipeline but I realized on the last film, I did too much detail work that wasn't seen. Time to cut corners and see how it works!
It is taking a while to get to remember how to rig. Maybe for the next film, I need to find a rigger. It doesn't help that I have 15 characters I need to rig but I'm running into a lot of simple rigging problems. You tend to forget how to do things if you haven't rigged in over 3 years. Besides the rigging, things are going well. A test animation should be done soon with fixes to the main char. rig. From there, another 7 models will be made and rigged and we'll be read Aug08
Finally back from vacations. Moving always takes a month from the film. Summer was good, went to Macau last minute as well as BKK. Will be applying for a grant to get students to help on this film or the next one, if this finishes by Dec. Realized the black bg on white text was burning my eyes so hopefully this helps everyone too. Going back and fixing things is a very tetious process. Trying to find time everyday to work on this would be benefittial however, I always run into prepping for classes or managing files on my 4 machines. Apr08
Continuing the cartoon research while in plane rides. One of my papers got accepted to CAA where I'll be talking about Japanese Videogame Art in the Western context.
Feb08
Found my inspiration in that the film's environment will be based far in the future in a super high tech world, with humans and aliens living together. Actually, the film will have more alien/cartoon type character than humans. After seeing the crazy nightlife in Tokyo, it will be a film covered in LEDs and projecters. Saw a part of a friend's short film and it has inspired me again. Talked to my current employer to help fund my short film. We'll see what comes of it. Still haven't narrowed down the look development but researching a lot of different rendering techniques. Randomly ran into an old prof of mine at a Dallas Conference who said I shouldn't be spending as much time developing classes or curriculum. Thought that was funny.
Nov07
Waited for a proposal outline by the Canadian Government to apply for funding. Never came .... animatics are through. Script is being written. Title of the film is given, "Edu-ma-cation." Going to Tokyo and China to find some inspiration .....
Sept07
After brushing up my 3D skills teaching at Stanford University, I'm back but moving to Phoenix and coping with the new job title, Assistant Professor is really slowing down production.
June07
Making the money, no time for the short film .... how sad ...
April07
Almost everything is ready for the main character. He made an appearance at the Brock University Open House wearing a Brock University sweater. Hopefully I can complete this film by the Fall so I can use it as leverage for getting a FT position at Brock. The main setting is completed however it also is running with some major design flaws. What is the look of the film going to be?! Students modeled and rigged some of the character designs for the film. None turned out but it was a good try as that was their first models made in 3D ... hitting a mental block
March07
Look development of the main character is weak, it looks a lot like Winston's Shuttle. Something that I don't want to do is be to settle with my style. Began rigging and facial rigging the main character. Ran into some production hiccups as the main character is currently lacking personality.
Feb07
Went to Cancun for another vacation, I think my downfall is the vacationing ...... the modeling of the main character is almost done. Lots of sketches for the other characters are done. However, the characters lack personality in their design.
Jan 07
Finally back from my trip to beaches around the world, the relaxation was perfect and straight to teaching 3D. It's been hard but I have tons of time to work on the short. Mom cooks food on the fly so I can be like her little boy and just work and stay home. Since it's so cold out, why go out. Cabin fever is setting in, countered with a gym membership to burn the extra energy ......