Oops sorry

So I realized I haven't updated my blog since December. So, what's been going on lately? Well, a lot.

Our show got picked up by some affiliates. I'm not exactly sure what's going to go on, but it will air in many areas. At this point though, I'm so sick of seeing these things, I doubt I'll watch it when it airs. Watching the same thing 45987598758250 times does that to you.

Besides boring work stuff, I've found interest in a social life. Team Love Clutch is doing well. We now have a new member, Rhena, and she's a really good edition. We are currently exploring the art of Derp. I think we need T-shirts for tourneys and stuff, or at least giant bowties so we can troll with them.

I guess I should post a note in here about the animation industry at the moment. Actually no, I wanna say something to the fans. Opinions. Everyone has them. yours is not right. Neither is the other guy. Anime and Western animation are two different things and shouldn't be compared. Episodic animation is different than non-linear aniamtion. Can't we all just get along and support the industry?

And as for what I'm watching currently... Well, I know I usually don't like to say I watch anime, but I've been watching anime. FMA Brotherhood and Gurren Lagan or whatever it is. I'm growing soft.

Some thoughts on animation

I've been doing this animation thing for a few years now. Along with my experience in video and editing, I've kind of had a broader experience than most people who have only done animation. Keep in mind that I'm not insulting my fellow peers when I write this, but that I'm just giving my opinion on the industry.

Actually, I want to start by saying The Thief and the Cobbler inspired me to write this entry. The sad story behind its production, and how the AMAZING characters and story got ruined to make it more "appealing" to audiences.

WHAT IS APPEALING THESE DAYS?

Apparently Ben 10. Now, while these shows are super marketable, they are popular for a reason. Not because the animation (in Ben 10) is great, or because some famous actor plays his voice, but because kids like the idea of it. they like the fact that this kid transforms into cool looking aliens. It's the story behind it. Now, I'm not into the series (I'm kind of passed the 30-minute toy commercial phase of my life), but it's been around for 5+ years for a reason. It's got a good story that drags kids into it.

Ben 10 could have been the most beautifully animated cartoon on Earth though, but if it were just about a kid who had funny adventures at school, it might not have been popular.

I think a lot of animators today miss the point. We DO create a work of art. However, we are not the stars of this show. We aid the writers. A cartoon is only as good as its writing, and the THIEF AND THE COBBLER PROVES THIS. When it was changed to a worthless shadow of its former self in the 90's, it still LOOKED nice. But the story was stupid. It changed its lovable silent, but strongly characterized cast, with loud mouthed narrations and dull songs to try to "appeal" to an audience they didn't understand.

I see a lot of animators acting like they are hot stuff. Yeah, we're pretty cool, but face it. We'll never get the credit we deserve. We have a great gift, and it's tough work, but in the end, you need to be humble and remember that we are the worker bees to the writers and directors. Story is most important. Not how pretty or technical or nice your cartoon looks.

Because if you have a great animation about a Cobbler but it doesn't make sense, then nobody is going to care about it AT ALL.



I will say though, for those of us who can appreciate the art of animation, great work makes us very happy inside.

Some more Christianity.

I've been thinking a lot about what's going on in my life lately. I look at all my fellow Mormon friends, and see how their lives are going. they have families that aren't divorced, they have strong bonds with siblings, parents, friends. They are getting MARRIED.

And here I am. I'm not too social with members, because I feel I don't share common hobbies and outside interests with them. Sometimes I don't feel good enough to be with them, or like I'm just not interesting enough, or maybe that I'm too intimidating, or that they sort of intimidate me.

Whatever I'm thinking though, I know I want to be a stronger Mormon. I have a lot of good things going for me. I've got an AMAZING job, I like to think I have a unique taste in music, and I'm a good leader when it comes to work (believe it or not).

I want to get married soon, I want a good family, I want to be an example to my friends, and future children, and I want people to not only know me as the guy who plays left-handed and flat-handed on IIDX, but as the guy with moral values and a good, inviting personality. I think I've done good with the latter, but I don't think anybody knows about my values as a Mormon.

I decided to take a small step today, by getting some more spiritual songs on my Ipod. I don't have any bad music, or anything spiritually damaging, but I need something a bit more spiritual and strong, inspiring. I'm feeling pretty good about it right now.

I'm also going back to the Robindale Ward, where I believe I'm zoned for now. Like the old days, huh?

This was a pretty intense blog post, IMO.

Busy Summer

It's been a super busy summer, so sorry about the lack of stimulating (any) updates. I got a new job as the senior animation for the kid's show, "Children Talk". Can't say much about it though.

But I'm not feeling like talking about work. I mean, it's cool that I'm a professional animator now, but I just don't like talking about it. I have to sit in front of my work all day, and my blog is not about me sitting in front of monitors.

Actually, maybe it should be about work, but I don't feel like it! Let's talk about Avatar: TLA instead! I've been hooked on it, thanks to the awesome Netflix. I'm currently on Season 2, and after I saw "Zuko Alone", I pretty much decided this was the best cartoon in the last decade. Not that it's saying much, since there haven't been any amazing cartoons in the last few years...

I also started getting into the Xbox 360. After selling my Wii, which was boring and well, lacking in anything interesting, I bought a 360. Blazblue, Deathsmiles, and a bunch of other stuff. It feels like I'm in the future with all the new things you can do online. I'm always behind on technology, so it's all new to me.

So yeah, I should update this more... Maybe with more animation talk.... If I feel up to talking about my work.

"I hate Summer Days"

I really don't like the summer. It's hot, and for someone who can never drive, it's a million times hotter (according to my calculations). And now, not only is it hot, but it's sort of humid too.

I look forward to fall. Actually, in Las Vegas, it's pretty much just Mini-Summer, but hey, that's better than 115 degree weather.

Whenever i think about Fall or winter though, I get really nostalgic. Sometimes music can trigger it, or just seeing something. Then I get transported back to certain moments in college, like Conceptual Storytelling classes and other fun memories.

Then I remember since it's almost Fall that I have to buy Halloween candy and COUNT CHOCULA before it all disappears. I plan this far ahead because COUNT CHOCULS IS THE BEST CEREAL EVER AND IT GOES FAST. Why don't stores here carry it all year? It's a conspiracy probably, just like anything else that doesn't make sense.

In other news my eyes are about to burst from staring at computer monitors all day. I know artists get hand cramps and arthritis, but they never complained about their eyes feeling like they were melting.

I guess it's a trade secret.

Oh yeah, I have a blog!

I kinda forgot to update this thing. That's because I am super busy at work because I'm super professional now except I still don't feel that way but I can say that I have a professional job. It's a good thing there is a spell checker on here, because I can't spell professional.

I'm an animator for Thinker Inc, a company that is creating a kid's tv show. That's all I can really say because I'm signed to secrecy. Also, because I feel like talking about other things, like WHY I'M STILL SINGLE AND ALL MY FRIENDS ARE GETTING MARRIED.

Seriously, nearly all my friends are getting married. Why am I not married? Why am I not dating? Well, for starters, I guess I am not too interesting at first glance. I don't party, I hate clubs, don't play Halo, and my vision does, believe it or not, impair me from enjoying exciting things such as driving to pick up my date (which I don't have). I've been watching a lot of The Office lately, and I realized, I totally had a Jim and Pam relationship at my old teaching job. I should have been more assertive, even though she was seeing someone. We were totally into each other, and her relationship with that guy wasn't going anywhere (Plus he sounded like a jerk), But that's long gone, and now I need a new love interest.

I can pass 11's on IIDX so that should make me very desirable to all the ladies according to my calculations. 9 Oni in Taiko ;]

I'm so cool.

Graduation Day

I am officially graduated from the Art Institute of Las Vegas today! I've signed off all my papers, payed all my fees, and finished my portfolio show.

Now, about that portfolio show. Well, not much about it, actually, because barely anything happened. There were a few really great employers, but nobody was really looking for Film and Video majors.... As is the field in Vegas.

What made me very happy though, is the reaction I go from guests. Especially the kids. Children LOVED my reel, and that was the best compliment I could have gotten from anybody.

But a job would have been nice to, but hey, I won over my core audience!

But forget about that stuff for now, because there is even better news!

TOY STORY 3 OPENS TONIGHT!!!!!!!