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!!!!!!!

The Reel

I was going to make a blog post showing off my inspirations for my videos, but thanks to these things called laws, they have been taken down from the internet. So instead, I present to you, my demo reel.

Josh Wohlbach Demo Reel V2 from Josh Wohlbach on Vimeo.

I'm graduating!

I haven't updated lately, mainly because I've been working on graduating. I've been doing everything form designing business cards, DVDs, and postcards, to creating a second demo reel and marketing myself.

Today was my defense, where I present all my work, and depending on if it's good or not, I pass. Long story short, I did pass! And the judges really liked my work. I only have to make minor changes (Like adding phone numbers to cards, easy stuff) so I'm feeling great!

My career adviser seems to have an idea on how to market me now, so I'm not as worried for post-graduation as I was before. I'm very happy right now.

And guess what? To make things even cooler, we finally have a Bemani arcade in Las Vegas, complete with Drummania/Guitar Freaks V6, DDR X (jp) and Taiko 12. I should celebrate there when I can.

The silver lining

Graduation is only in less than three months, and I'm finishing everything that needs to be done. That means the reel, handouts, and whatever else I've forgotten to type at the moment. Thankfully I have a ton of artwork to recycle for postcards and business cards and the like, and my school schedule has become easier since Advanced Broadcast Graphics was taken out for a life drawing type of class. I also have a housing arrangement that has worked out, where I'll be moving in with a buddy of mine. I haven't lived with a friend in years, so I'm genuinely excited about this. Some people say college years are the best years of your life, but I feel like my life will only be starting once I graduate. I'm in some sort of larval stage right now.

So outside of all this school stuff, I'm trying to get my other life issues in order. Saving money is a good place to start, and I've always been pretty good at spending wisely. I've finally finished my "wants", so I don't feel obligated to do any more collecting at the moment. I am very happy to say that I've bought nearly all the music I've been hunting down since starting college, and I have a strong collection of my favorite songs now.

Still don't know what to do about JET, but I'll be talking to Sensei Eubanks about it on Thursday, so I'll just take that one day at a time. However, this means that a decision will have to come up later, where I'll have to decide on working at Glenbrooke Studios and the school where I teach, and give it all up for Japan... Tough decision... I'm honestly stumped on that one.

But hey, school is most important now. I'll post some videos up or something later.

And maybe get more fans, huh.

Everything American died in 2005.

So I have this weird tradition of watching an episode of Joan of Arcadia every Sunday night while I eat dinner. I figure I can go through both seasons once a year, so I've seen it quite a lot, I guess. However, it is one of the only TV shows I have been able to watch a whole series of. I don't even stay current with The Simpsons, which is one of the other few shows I love.

What is it that's so great about this show? I don't know. Maybe it's the inspirational approach the show took, when most other shows were "GRITTY IN UR FACE REALITY" or generic 30 minute toy commercials. The characters are all likable, and you can find one that you totally relate to (Joan is absolutely my female counterpart, if I ever had one).

So you're probably asking "Josh what's up with the title are you a weeaboo or something?", but no. I'm not going off on my usual tangent on my "Just because I like other cultures doesn't mean I hate America or just watch anime". Don't get me started on why I don't like anime. Actually, maybe I'll blog that another day. But the point of the title (which is the point of this paragraph), is that it seems anything I was ever interested in American-wise ended in 2005. I never liked a TV show that premiered after that year, and I can't really point out any good American music that came out after that period (although I can argue that 2006 was somewhat good in this instance).

Seems like the rest of the world is getting ahead of America. Japanese music seems to have an edge over American. Their games are much better too (Well, music games, not those RPG's, I don't know how those fell so hard).

Actually, after that statement about RPG's, maybe it's that I'm wearing rose-tinted nostalgia glasses. But, I mean, when kids in today's generation start nostalgia-ing, are they really gonna say "Man, I sure do miss Ben 10". It's bad enough that I see message boards with statements like "Remember Catdog?" and remembrance topics for Beyblade, of all things. The media today is nothing compared to what I grew up with. And I'm not even saying old things were best either, I think the 80's had even worse cartoons than today.

Oh well, maybe the 90's and early 2000's really were the best eras for entertainment. I'll stick with Joan of Arcadia DVD's over whatever MTV is showing today, thanks. What is it now, Rob and Big?

Super table

I do talk a lot about what's going on, whether anyone listens or not. For anyone who does listen though, you have probably no doubt heard about me graduating in June. That's right, no more school. All done.

So what is on my mind the most about this event? Not my demo reel. Not even where my future will take me after this.

It's that little table I have to put together for the portfolio show.

What am I supposed to PUT on it? I don't have a fancy plasma screen TV since I'm

1) Broke
and
2) Blind

So I am going to look poor and be assumed blind by super perceptive people. Now my demo reel feels like it's gonna turn out nicely, so I'm not worried about that. Just the table.

I don't know if it's good or bad that I worry about little things like this. On one hand, I usually don't have to worry about catastrophes. But if little things like TABLES make me tense, then imagine how I might react if say, my demo reel exploded in the portfolio show.

Or if my non HD tv exploded.

DARN IT.

"Here we go again!"

It's like the ending of a cheesy sitcom, where the main character of the sotry (being my life, that would be me) gets into the same old situation that he always does. Yuo could also replace that quote with "That's our _____" for added cheesiness but I won't go there.

I guess I'm trying to say that I'm falling for somebody again. This time she intimidates me though, because she's so good with words. She also has this wit to her that makes me smile (and get jealous of her wittiness) at the same time.

Without going into more details, it's exciting and frustrating and sad all at the same time.

Why do I always fall for the amazing Asian girls.

Adventures in not spending all my money

Today I woke up and was like, "Hey I feel like going out and doing something today,". And so I did. I guess I work in bursts of inspiration.

First stop, of course, had to be Sunset Station, so I could play DDR. It may not be as fun as years ago, but hey, it's about the only workout I get. Still can't get an Encore Extra Stage though, although I was very close today. Played some old guy too, his hair was graying so he must've been older. He was decent though. I hope I can be a cool old guy who plays Japanese music games when I get to be his age.

Next stop was Wal-Mart, because I had an inspiration to go there. I think ti was to finally find a Season 8 boxset for The Simpsons. Except Wal-Mart doesn't have The Simpsons, but of course they have Family Guy (and quite a lot of it too). After getting lunch there I left to the Gamestop across the street, where my next inspiration was to buy a PSP and DJ Max. Thankfully, I had a Plan B if this didn't work, because I was not in the mood to waste all my money. I did not get the PSP, and I went off to my next location.

Best Buy. I don't like this store, as it's so overpriced. Skimmed for some hard drives since I've gotta make that DEMO REEL this quarter. UGGGHHHHHH. But yeah, didn't buy that. Stopped in the Gamestop there and bought some Sega Gensesis collection for 10 bucks, that should be fun. Noticed Season 8 of The Simpsons though, but passed it because I wanted to see if the mall had it cheaper.

It did not, so back to Best Buy. Bought it, and surprisingly, it was on sale for 20 bucks, nice!

So this is where I decided to take the bus home on a different route, because I didn't think. Traveled all the way out to the Strip, and came back. Actually, it was kind of interesting, because now I know how to get to the Strip by bus if I ever decide to be insane and go to the Strip.

Anyway, came back, and went to the REAL bus stop, because my sanity returned. There was this lady there, and we started talking about her husband who watches anime, and we proceeded to talka bout how we don't really like it all that much (but we agreed that Fullmetal Alchemist was good, which is a thumbs up in my book).

And you know what, I still have a good amount of money left, I did not blow it all like usual. Maybe I'll save it. Or buy some music. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh here it goes.