The DVI Group

Lots of things have been going on for me lately, to where it took me away from blogging. Things are now settling, so I am getting back into the swing of things.

As of late, I am now doing awesome stuff for The DVI Group in Midtown. They create videos for clients, no matter if it's live action or animation. They do amazing stuff, and they inspire me to do the same!

Check out their trailer for their upcoming project, Audio 911:

Trust me, when it hits, it's going to explode! :) I can't wait to see people's reactions for this!

Epipheo Quick Hack

I recently completed an animation test for Epipheo. It's called Quick Hack. They provided me the script, and I went to town with the motion, editing, and voice over. Yup, that's me voicing this video! :D

Take a look, and enjoy! :)

Steve Jobs (Thank You)

I was stunned to hear of Steve Jobs' resignation yesterday, like everyone else. Not only was he an inventor, speaker, and creative, but he was also inspiring, captivating, and enjoyed what he does.

I'm sad to hear the news of him resigning, but I am proud of his accomplishments and drive. Thank you Steve Jobs, for all you have done (writing this from my MacBook). :)

Hayao Miyazaki on CNN

Watching Hayao Miyazaki talk about his work and his company's business is very inspiring. It's inspiring me to want to create my own animation studio, creating animations for clients and for audiences alike. :)

Inking Me and My Kitty

I was requested to record how I ink illustrations/comics. Here's the video, enjoy! :)

Patrick Stewart on Animation

I was able to see this on CNN.com Video today, and I really appreciated what Patrick Stewart had to say. I couldn't have agreed more with his thoughts.

Animation has always been an interest of mine, in every aspect of filmmaking. Drawing, music, writing, characters, direction, editing, acting. All of it. It's a huge challenge, very time consuming, and a lot of work. But it's amazing when it comes to full circle of the time spent on the projects. :)

I'll be there soon, animating, directing, writing, drawing, and acting. :) Editing too if need be (I'll leave the music to the better people lol).

Sketchbook

It's been a full month since leaving Georgia to find a start up here in the North. A full month where I did not have a sketchbook on hand for drawing different objects. Until now:

Trying to get better at drawing females, I never seem to get it right off the bat. Anyhoo, I also got Character Animation Crash Course by Eric Goldberg, the amazing animator that overlooked famous Disney characters (Genie from Aladdin, Phil from Hercules). I'm going to push my understanding of animation while I'm up here, and learn what's it like to be an animator. I'm more of a cartoonist than anything, but I'm gonna take the chance to become an animator. :)

Motion Reel_Tres Swygert

I created a motion reel for the animation/motion design projects I've been involved with. Whether it was client based, learning, or even having fun, I want to showcase to clients, collaborators, and colleagues of what I've done so far. And yes, where it will lead into as I work towards being an animator/motion designer.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think! :)

Facial Expression

I did a little facial expression animation. Just a start for me, to get into animation and push my understanding for timing and use of software. I drew all the facial expressions in Illustrator with my tablet, and composited all the artwork in After Effects.

A little different than doing all the animation in Flash, but it's challenging never the less. I'm excited, and I will continue to push my understanding. :)

Intro to Cinema 4D

I started to try my hand at Cinema 4D. It's widely used in the motion design/animation industry, and it gives me a challenge to try a new medium. This image is just a product of a tutorial from Greyscale Gorilla. Nick is a wonderful teacher in Cinema 4D, After Effects, and Photoshop.

My goal is to continue to learn Cinema 4D until I get an understanding of being able to create projects from scratch. Whether it's character designs, scenery, or even a little animation, I can't wait to learn more Cinema 4D. Onward to a new journey! :)

Cuz Jono Requested (Juniors)

Jono asked me recently how to render in After Effects. While there are many ways to render in After Effects, this is just one way I know. It's worked for me many of times.

So here you go Juniors! :) Looking forward to your kinetic typography videos very soon!

I Skimmed It - Scott Pilgrim

Did this kinetic typography video last semester as a demo for After Effects. I plan to do another one for soon, maybe do one kinetic typography piece each week. More for my portfolio, as well as to push myself. Like drawing in a sketchbook. :) Gotta have a million sketches before you really nail one...and for the fun of course!

Enjoy!

Recent After Effects Projects

In the past few months, I was able to work on some After Effects projects for clients and for a competition. Each were unique in problem solving and meeting the needs of the project. I enjoyed working on each of them. :)

Created a demo reel for voiceover talent Doug Turkel, using kinetic type to showcase his work. It was a great challenge to keep each video unique, but keep it in a consistent flow from one clip to the next. I also wanted it to represent the projects he was voicing over (wanted it to feel like it was Discovery Channel for example). Doug has worked on projects that not only shocked me, but also inspired me. He's great at what he does!

I was asked to be a compositor for Kathy Lea's demo reel, determining how to structure the demo to be at least 3 minutes. Some of the problems were to keep it within the 3 minute mark, as well as transitioning from one video to the next. Working on this project, I learned more about frames, and how they make up the seconds for a video clip. She's a wonderful animator, as she worked on projects for Disney and DreamWorks. She's also a great friend too! :)

This was created for the "48 Hour Repack" Competition. I was invited to join with fellow designers Charles Gary and Michael Manisa to enter as a group. We wanted to show why our package is perfect to for use in this green environment campaign. We wanted to explain our reasons for using this kind of package in comparison of the light bulb packages of right now. I really had a great time collaborating on this video with them, and hopefully we'll do some more collaboration in the future.

Hope you enjoy!

Clean Shave to the New Year

My goal is to complete an illustration everyday - not to where it's very detailed and complex, but to get my juices going and to push myself as a cartoonist and an illustrator. Each day will bring something different, something unique to the thought and concept of the illustration.

Seeing it's the first day of the new year, a clean shave is a must. Enjoy! :)

Waking Sleeping Beauty

The one of the wonderful gifts I received this Christmas weekend is a documentary on Disney Animation, where they were facing a dilemma. The documentary is called Waking Sleeping Beauty, and features the main players of the CEOs and animation artists, telling stories on how power, egos, and passion drove this company we know as Disney.

It's a wonderful told documentary, showing insight of the people who played roles in bringing the animation movies we know back when we were kids: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and the Lion King. Get yourself a copy of this film, it's really worth getting for your artist collection.

And no you may not borrow mine - I'm still watching the special features as we speak. :D

HTC Surround Commercial

I enjoy this commercial. Not just for the clean look of the background and how the phone is being displayed. I enjoy the characters a lot. Especially the blue. The character designs are well thought out. :)

The Studious Designer (Affable)

Did a sketch of Pattie while I was at Starbucks yesterday morning. It's always interesting how tired I am and I still come up with some awesome sketches after drinking espresso.

The sketch came right out, not totally planned. Still, what I admire about Pattie is her love for design and art, as well as seeking new things and wanting to share them with others. Always inspiring, and coming up with wonderful concepts for her projects. I want to grow up to be like Pattie. :)

Something That I Want - Disney

They just had way too much fun with this video! And what a way to celebrate the completion of a film too! :) Enjoy, and enjoy your holiday break!

Glen Keane - Truly Inspiring

Glen Keane is a veteran animator at Disney Animation, and truly his draftsmanship is an inspiration and a joy to watch. If you ask any animation admirer about Glen, they'll light up for sure.

He's been involved with many Disney movies, including the recent movie Tangled. It would be nice to see him get more hand drawn movies produced at Disney Animation Studios. I would love to see that happening.

What makes Glen so great is that he enjoys what he does, and he brings that passion out in his works. It really shows. It really does show.

Here's Glen giving a lecture while he's animating. Watching him handle both graphite and paper is just aspiring. I want to have control on how I construct lines, and have it strong. Just like Glen.

The Best Rebranding Logo of 2010

goes to......



...myspace.

The new feel and imagery is just perfect, and how the used it for their ads recently is pure genius! Congratulations myspace! You're still not the no. 1 website to go and update on daily lives, but the new logo surely is freakin' awesome!