Inking Me and My Kitty

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

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. :)

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!

This is Sportscenter

One company that I feel has always the best commercials consistently, without fail or mediocre, is ESPN. The tag line This is Sportscenter is always used when Sportscenter comes on, and it's a clear reminder of what Sportscenter is: Fun, entertaining, exciting, engaging, and wonderful personality. Their commercials really remind us of that with the different athletes, subjects, and witty dialogue they display. Check 'em out!

Enjoy! :)

For Sock's Sake

An animation student from Cal Arts, Carlo Vogele, created this beautiful story about a sock captured. The stop motion was wonderful done, very fluid and smooth.

And the best part? He shares behind the scene photos of this amazing composition. Green screen, camera, and After Effects. :) So awesome. Hope this inspires you to go outside of your comfort zone for your passion and craft.

It's Getting Boring By the Sea

I first heard the song from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. I had no idea how interesting the entire song would be. Really enjoy the drum playing and vocals for this song.

As I researched more about this song, I learned of the band (Blood Red Shoes), and stumbled upon the music video. I tried finding a high quality version, but YouTube doesn't seem to have it. However, the direction of this music video is intense! I love the simplicity of the equipment (background, items in the video), while making the editing complex and fun.

Found out the band is from the UK too, also another bonus. LOL :) I need to go back to England someday and visit...or be employed there.

So What If (as Stan Would Say)

This typography animation was first shown to me during my introductory year for graphic design (givin' a shoutout to Paige for the hookup!), and it was always fascinating to me how wonderful this story was through typography. Not kinetic type, but using the characters of a typeface to construct a story along with the music, and having a well conceptual direction for what the story detailed. After having experience with After Effects, I start to see how it was constructed, and grabbing an idea how it conveyed the message through editing and camera use.

So what if there was a story told through type with no dialogue, but just made up of characters of that typeface? Where would the story go? How would you keep people interested? Is there a message to the story? I see a lot of kinetic typography pieces, but barely any projects that showcase a typeface as the main star of its' own production. Something to think about, not just for myself, but for others who are interested. :)

Truly Amazed on the Consistency

(during the 90's and before the recent one)

(recent version)

I'm truly amazed how Disney was able to keep the theme of dreams, hope, and life into their movie intro when they upgraded it. Not only did they keep the theme consistent, but they also pushed emotion element even more, and allowing us to remember back when we first watched a Disney film.

I know that they didn't do this recently per se, but for some dumb reason this morning I had it stuck in my head. It's a magical sense of wonder, that's for sure. :)

5000 - Mission Accomplished

Today, marks my 5,000th view on YouTube. It was a goal of mine to reach 5,000 views within a year for this video, and I'm pleased to see that the goal was met. :)

Thanks to everyone who viewed the video and let others know about it, I appreciate the support!

SXSW Title Design Competition

I'm very interested in participating with this competition. Though I would like to create another title sequence compared to my first one.

If anyone else is interested, you can go to here. It's only $10 and the deadline is December 9. Plenty of time, affordable, and tons of fun! :)

International Animation

I was able to go to the 9th Annual International Animation Day at the High Museum tonight. I didn't get to stay the entire night, but I enjoyed the animation films that were shown tonight. Here are a couple I really think you guys should check out:

Yulia and Logorama were both created in France, and I was very impressed with the storytelling and characters. For graphic designers, you guys will really enjoy Logorama! Keep a tab of how many logos you can spot in this project. Good luck. LOL There's lots of cursing in Logorama, just a warning.

100 Yard Dash

Recently saw this music video, it's been a while since the last time I saw it.

I really like this project, the cinematography is superb with the different shots and editing. Also the typography and other motion graphic elements fit in nicely (smoke, light shining).

Music Takes Me Up

It was some time last year when I saw this music video for Mr. Scruff's Music Take Me Up. A fun music video mixing with live action, animation, and motion graphics. Have a fun weekend! :)

Toy Story Kinetic Typography

Saw this a few months ago, and to this day, I'm truly amazed by the work and craftsmanship for this composition! I wanted to do this scene myself...but after I saw it the first time, I said screw it. LOL :D It was too darn awesome to try and out do. It is an awesome project, taking on a classic animation scene.

Enjoy!

2011 Lexus IS Commercial

Since the first time seeing this commercial, and to this day, I am amazed by the creativity and hard work they displayed. The concept they had for showcasing the vehicle's abilities, along the lines of the structure and power of drums, makes sense. Not to mention the theme of precision, as they mentioned in their tagline.

I played drums for almost a decade, and being precise is extremely important for the drummer's role. Every hit, every second, every move not only has to be tight and crisp, but calculated. At the exact moment. And taking that concept with drums to go with their product, makes the advertising all the more interesting. Especially that the vehicle had to display that in the commercial along with the drums. Very tricky, time consuming, and patience. And the labor was not in vain.

Also, they included a behind the scenes for making the commercial. I always enjoy seeing how awesome people create awesome concepts and how they execute. Enjoy!

I'd Do It All Again (Corinne)

First time I saw the music video for this track. But I'm familiar with Corinne Bailey Rae's music. I have always enjoyed her musical drive since I first heard her a few years ago.

What I enjoyed about this music video, the different shots used to capture her mood and the surroundings. I also liked the fact that it doesn't show Corinne looking at the camera (I'm never used to having the singer/rapper look at the camera as they speak lyrics unless it's live). It makes it more intimate, and makes me wonder what he/she is thinking in the situation he/she is in.

Very inspirational in camera shots and transitions for me, thought I'd share it with you guys. :)

Barbershop - Kinetic Typography

My kinetic typography project in film/tv. Done in After Effects, and I had an awesome time working on this! :)