Danno

This is gonna be good: http://www.a-seed.jp.  It's the new Appleseed movie being totally done in 3D and aside from a tiny bit of floatiness I wouldn't have known it wasn't traditional 2D animation (with nice lighting and special effects).  Though I never read the original manga the old OVA was great (it was the first anime I bought on tape). 

After watching the trailer a few times I began to think that one day the look of traditional 2D animation may indeed be replaced by computers.  Before entering into the animation program this prospect would have terrified me.  Now that I've been able to experience what a pain the the ass classical animation can be I can see the appeal of animating in 3D; not having to worry about keeping your character on model and just focusing on the movement and acting.  I can only guess that 3D animation possesses it's own challenges though, something I will no doubt face when I go into digital.  Of course I'm not saying I would want to see 2D be replaced, sequential drawings will always have a warmth and fluidity that a machine can't achieve.

I wish I was working now, money would certainly be nice especially since I've been wanting a new computer for a couple of months now...I'm so bad when it comes to online window shopping.

Don, one of our instructors/coordinators went to India (I think Mumbai) a few days ago to attend an animation and film conference...apparently animation is getting pretty big over there, especially Flash...to the point where he's gone over before to help set up an animation program. I hear the dean is even keen on having some sort of Cap College partnership with one of the schools over there. I'm guessing all the jobs are from work being outsourced from Canada and the US. It's a shame that studios don't leave the work here even if they do have to lower wages a bit. Anyway, before Don left he asked anyone from our class who was interested in working in India to give him a portfolio on CD. I think about five or six of us did, myself included. I always wanted to travel and by that I mean go to another country and work for a while...get a chance to experience the culture. I'm not sure if I'd want to live in India though so I don't know how I would respond if a job was offered. All I know is that I don't relish packing groceries or some crap like that after leaving school and part of the reason I want to go right into Digital is to delay that happening. Of course I'm sure Kelly wouldn't be too happy with me going overseas to work and I'd miss her terribly.

It would be great if Kelly and I both got jobs here in Vancouver. I'm a little worried that if she does find work in Alberta she'll take off...no questions asked. She really wants to go back there and I guess I can't blame her, I sometimes miss the maritimes. And if she did find work in animation I'd want her to take it even if it meant we'd have to be apart for a time. It would be better to take an offered job in the industry than to wait around here in frustration.

On another note, just before Don left he sent me an email saying there's a practicum at Atomic Cartoons if I want it. I called the contact he gave me and I go in Tuesday afternoon to check out the studio and meet the people. I'd be doing Flash builds and could be there for up to two weeks if I wanted. No doubt that this will affect what I have done for my gradshow but I think doing this and making contacts is more important in the long run. I can always continue to work on my portfolio after school.

Anyway, I should get back to work.

Not a whole lot ot report other than I'm super behind in my work schedule and am scrambling to get caught up. Spent a very nice Valentine's day with my sweetie playing Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. It's a lot of fun playing together with the GBAs hooked up even if she is a gold monger :-P Below are a series of sketches I did for my color media class.


Graphite sketch


Warm-cool color contrast study


Full color study

I have a grandfather who’s in his 80’s. He lives a couple of hours from my home city of Fredericton in the small rural town of Beachwood. Both him and my grandmother grew up in that town, raised their four kids in that town, and in early May will be leaving it forever. Back in 1997 my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He went on a trial drug for a time with some good results but now his mind is in a state of constant decline. My grandparents will be moving into a smaller home in Fredericton where they’ll be closer to my mom but it’s felt that before long my grandfather will need to be put into a nursing home. My grandfather doesn’t really know those around him anymore, he’s often in his own world and sometimes reverts into memories of his youth. He often gets up in the middle of the night and roams around in a confused state. There’ve been times when my grandmother has helped him to the bathroom that he wouldn’t want her to come in with him. He can’t recognize her as his wife, just some strange woman he doesn’t know. I’m sure the move will be confusing for him, the only world he knows pulled out from under him and shipped off to another city. If he is put in a home he’ll no doubt feel abandoned at first; he won’t really know why he’s there.

Through all this my thoughts turn to my grandmother. In the later years of her own life she nurses a husband who is no longer the man she married. Deep down inside my mom said goodbye to him a long time ago. Even though he’s alive her father is gone. I remember when my grandfather was sharp and inquisitive, he loved watching the news and for fun started to write his own trivia game. He loved to tell stories and being a farmer for most of his life had quite a few to tell. But the disease robbed him of that, he got to a point where he was afraid to speak for fear of getting things wrong. He knew what was happening to him and knew there wasn’t much he could do about it. In the end Alzheimer’s has robbed my grandfather of his identity and I can only see the cruelty of it all.

So a few days ago I planned out everything I want to get done for my final grad show. One of the things we're required to do for our major projects class is write up a critical path; a day-by-day plan of tasks that need done. Only a few days into it and I'm already behind. I'm shooting for 3 character design packs and 2 or 3 finished storyboards. One of the design packs and storyboards will be based on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". It's a great little tale of murder and betrayal. I think it's going to be great fun storyboarding some of those sequences.

So the final semester has started and I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the whole thing. I had a short meeting with my animation teacher, just to tell him what my focus will be for my gradshow. I'm choosing character design and storyboards. I don't have the patience to be an animator and anything that gets me closer to telling the actual story is good. I think I'd like to direct film some day but all in good time. A concern I brought up was if focusing on one area over another would have any bearing on my going into digital animation next year...apparently it won't, it's all good. I'm feeling more keen this semester than last, I want to stay ahead of my assignments and use my gradshow prep-time to explore different design styles.

I've also started to revisit an online comic idea I had a couple of years ago. I was just looking back on the old pages I did and could see how much I've improved in both drawing and storytelling. That's not to say I'm happy with where I am now artistically but it's encouraging to see that the past year and a half of school hasn't been a total waste. Anyway, it's something I'd like to continue with as I get the time.

It all started when we were approaching Calgary. Kelly called Deb to say she was now in town and at Deb's suggestion the group of us went to the Outback Steakhouse. Once Kelly got off the phone she turned to me and mentioned that her ex-boyfriend Chad was going to be there. Now even though it's been over between them for several years, Chad is someone I've never felt easy about. Kelly was with him for quite a while and Chad still remains part of her inner circle of friends. He also calls at inopportune times but I won’t get into that. In any case there wasn’t much I could do now but meet the guy. Dinner went well enough and at first he seemed ok but then we headed out to a local arcade (Kelly needed to get some DDR action). Well it certainly seemed to me that Chad was looking at Kelly a little too much for my tastes but whatever, I figured it was probably me just being a jealous boyfriend.

Fast forward to the New Years eve party at Deb’s. Chad was doing his best to remind me of his past relationship with Kelly. He would often try to take a trip down memory lane with Kelly (though she wasn’t biting). She saw what he was trying to do and shot him down with a few snappy comments, too bad he didn’t take a hint. He would try to get me to tell stories about Kelly, like our relationship is any of his damn business. At one point he even came right up to Kelly and me and intruded in what was obviously a private conversation. Kelly even told me he tried to unsuccessfully put his arm around her a few times…way too close for my comfort. Now I may sound unreasonable, I could have been reading into all this, but both Kelly and another friend of hers (who I now have an all new respect for) saw what was happening. Chad knew that I had proposed a couple of nights before, he saw the ring when Kelly first showed it off at the party, he saw how happy she was. Yet instead of backing off he spent the night trying to boost his pathetic ego. And you know, the engagement shouldn’t have mattered. If he was a true gentleman he would have respected that Kelly was with someone, I mean we’ve been together for nine months, we got an apartment together. Yet Chad showed no such respect.

Perhaps I should have said something to him at the time but like I said he’s a close friend to Kelly’s other friends and it could have just caused problems. I know Kelly really wants me to get along with her group and I think they’re a great group of people but having Chad there acting the way he did really made me feel out of place.

I am happy to say that Kelly and I are now engaged. In the early hours of December 30 I was blessed with her accepting my proposal. More than anything in life I've always wanted to find my mate and now I have. Kelly Meeks I love you so much! You've made me happier than I ever though possible and I will do everything I can to be the husband you deserve.

Sounds silly doesn't it? Kelly was telling me how she's come across several forum postings where people knock others for wishing them a Merry Christmas all because they're not Christian and that by saying the "C" word they're imposing their beliefs on others. Well I say bullshit to that. I'm not Jewish but if someone wished me a happy Hanukkah I'd be pretty flattered that the person thought enough of me to give me such a greeting. Besides, society has pretty much leeched out all Christian meaning from the holiday so why should anyone feel threatened?

Many traditional carols are religious in nature so why is it so wrong to acknowledge that traditionally Christmas is indeed a Christian holiday? I'm not going to argue if this holiday was originally some pagan celebration that was supplanted by the church because I really don't know enough about that. But I'm of the opinion that there's a selective freedom of speech at work in Canada today. It's quite alright to show simulated sexual acts on a gay pride float in Toronto but it's now taboo to display a nativity scene in public during the holiday season.

I'm a Christian myself but I don't think I've ever pushed the gospel down anyone's throat. In fact I seldom bring it up at all unless someone asks me about my faith.
Anyway, enough ranting.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

I can't really find the words to describe the pure joy I felt watching The Return of the King yesterday, all I can say is that it's the best cinematic experience ever. If this film doesn't win Best Picture I'm going to be pissed. Peter Jackson has already been robbed of his due Oscar twice all because those bitches who do the judging hate the fantasy genre. And what Jackson has had to do as a director shooting those three films back to back...he deserves best director more than anyone.

Well the semester is done, I finished up with my final animation assignment on Tuesday. What an exhausting semester. I really don't feel like I've accomplished much though, not like I did last year. My heart just hasn't been in it like it was. I checked my marks online and for the most part am happy. I was a little concerned with the B I got in storyboards since I thought I was doing pretty good. It turns out my instructor John forgot to include one of the assignments in my mark. It was one I was a little late on and had to email to him. John's cool, by far the best instructor.

Well, even though I'm officially on my Christmas vacation there's still one more animation assignment to do for Tuesday. The extension was to make up for the missed animation class during Remembrance Day. I'm beginning to think I may be coming down with a cold or something...I just hope it stays away for a few more days.

The majority of our class is heading to the big Silver City in Metrotown mall to see Return of the King on Wednesday, I'm so excited. Kelly and I are trying to get the class over on Tuesday to see the two previous films (special edition style). That's like...seven hours of Ringy goodness. Unfortunately most of our classmates will probably have other plans. Not that I blame them...everyone has pretty much put their social life on hold for the program. Sometimes I think the only reason I get to see Kelly right now is because I live with her.

Wow, we're nearing the end of the semester and this week has been nothing but late-night insanity. I'm really getting sick of this whole not sleeping thing. My final layout assignment is all done which is a relief but now I'm trying to get my 3D project done. It wouldn't worry me so much if I knew what I was doing with 3D Studio Max. :-(

Don, who's sort of our program coordinator (but not really) came in to talk to our class Thursday afternoon about what we'll be doing next year. We'll have him for the independent projects portion of our course next semester. I think I'll be focusing on storyboards and character design since I don't feel I have the patience for animation and really REALLY struggle with layouts.

I wish I felt more confident in the work I did. I sometimes think, "OMG I need to be employable by the end of the year" and that just scares me because I don't think I'm even close to being there yet.

Here's some pictures of our place , it's a mess but  whatever.  It looks like Kelly's dad will be spending Christmas with us and then we're to all drive back to Calgary to spend New Years.  Should be fun...I wish we were going to Fredericton though.  I really want Kelly to meet my parents (seeing how they could be her inlaws some day) .

So I was just talking to my friend Gomar on MSN and found out that his brother is a furry, that's pretty cool.  Anyway, back to work.

It's 1:42 am and I'm up trying to get my final layout done; at least I can sleep in. I can't say I've enjoyed this class as much as the others, probaly due to the instructor. Moe's a great life drawing teacher but as a layout instructor not so much. He has a really hard time trying to get his thoughts across to people (probaly because English isn't his native language). I've often made changes that he's suggested only to have him go back on those suggestions the following week and as a result I end up falling behind.

I can't wait for the Christmas break. I'll finally be able to sit down and get some hardcore gaming in. My current game right now is Star Fox Adventures for the Gamecube, I'm hoping to get Final Fantasy X-2 for Christmas :-) Kelly on the other hand is going through Zelda now. She's raved about the N64 Zelda games and due to some stroke of luck Nintendo just released a Zelda collectors disc for the cube that has the first two Zelda games for the NES and the two N64 games. At first I thought the disc was only available as part of the new Gamecube bundle but it turns out I could also get it with a new subscription to Nintendo Power (so guess who's getting a new magazine in the mail).

I have to say it's pretty sweet having a girlfriend who's into video games, hi fyreuni! I'll never have to try and justify the purchase of the PS3 or the Xbox 2, they'll just be must-have items...kind of like groceries.

One last thing, I've met a couple of people through LJ now, namely lope (who happens to be another Vancouver local) and auradeva. Cheers. :-)

Well Kelly and I got our first Christmas tree together. Picked it up at Wal-Mart along with the lights and such.



It seems strange in a way to be picking out a tree with her. I mean it's good...it will be nice to spend Christmas with her but it seems like such a big step, even bigger than moving in together. I'm not really one to get homesick often but this will be my first Christmas where I'm not with my parents. I suppose it was bound to happen at some point and flying clear across the country is expensive. I guess more than anything I just want my parents to meet Kelly. We've been together for eight months and that's a pretty long time in my books... certainly my parents are eager to meet this person who's such a big part of my life.

Some people are just so stupid that it boggles my mind. I've been having problems getting my damage deposit back from John, my last landlord. I was renting the basement in his townhouse for about 3 months, it was a great location since it was only a 5 minute walk to the school. The living situation wasn't perfect though, he was always leaving the kitchen a mess and his 3 (or 4) year old kid would often be quite noisy and would sometimes come downstairs into my living area. Anyway, I decided to move into an apartment with my girlfriend and when I gave my one month notice he freaked out on me...I guess he was under the impression I'd be renting from him for the year even though I didn't sign any lease.

I won't go into all the details but will say that he's a big child who has yelled and screamed but has given me no reason why he's keeping my money. I ended up taking him to arbitration to try and get my damage deposit back. He never did show for the hearing and since he presented no defense (not like he could have a defense) the arbitrator ruled in my favor. About a week after the hearing I got several copies of the order for John to pay my deposit plus the registration fee for the hearing. I sent John a copy of the decision along with a letter stating how I wanted to be paid, the address he was to send the payment to and a deadline of two weeks for my payment to be received. This was all sent by registered mail meaning he had to sign for it.

I went onto Canada Post's website to see if the package had been delivered and found out that he had refused to accept the package. I guess he thinks that if he refuses it he can say that he never received it. However, I THINK that since it was sent by registered mail it's considered to have been received within five days of being sent...at least that's how it was when I sent him the arbitration notice. Anyway, it looks like this may end up going to small claims court. - sigh -

I got my mark back on my last animation assignment and it wasn't all that good...it was a pass but nothing spectacular. I find I'm having a lot of trouble this semester in animation. I know that my instructor marks a lot harder then the one who taught animation in my first year but it seems that no matter how hard I try my marks don't go up. I've been drawing for a little over ten years now...all with the intent of working in animation some day yet I find that I improve so slowly; it's really frustrating. Now I don't want to get down on my instructor...he's a great teacher and his critics are very helpful, I know he's just marking us against an industry level. I think I'll focus on storyboarding for my grad show (which I really need to think about over the holidays). I've been loving that class and feel more confident in that then anything else I've been doing this year.

I think I may be too hard on myself sometimes. I often compare my skills to others in my class and wonder if I'll ever measure up. One the more talented classmates is also my girlfriend. Kelly's very talented, everything comes so quickly for her. Others in the class often ask when she gets her work done since she seldom stays at the school after class. She also does quite well selling work on FurBid...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit envious. I really do love her though, we went to the Starbucks down the street to have coffee and that cheered me up :-)

I thought I would try out this whole blogging thing...seems to be all the rage with the kids (or at least my girlfriend). In a way I have mixed feelings about keeping an online journal...I mean it's allowing others to peer into my life but at the same time it's good to put one's thoughts down. Oh well...I guess I always have control over what I write.