A couple of cool animations

Work has definitely been busy, but a lot of fun.  For years I have been talking about using animation for media, and for years it would get shut down one way or another.  It was quite a mountain to climb, but the view has been breathtaking. 

The Book of Mormon piece was a blast to work on.  Maybe had it's fair share of sleepless nights, but I think it was worth it.   (Well, unless you blame it for causing the Palsy, but my theory is that it was strictly coincidental.)  It was a great group to work with, and I think it turned out excellent.  A huge plus for the animation effort.

And of course the Coat story is a bit closer to the heart for me.  After multiple rejections of animated ideas being pitched, I knew we needed to just create something, something simple something short and to the point to show how animation can be used.  So a couple of friends from work who also wanted to work on animation formed the Animation Underground.  Our goal was to create an animation, as our own personal project, outside of work to show the benefits of animation.  We would meet during lunch, discuss script, make assignments, and it was extremely slow going, but eventually we had a solid script, a decent animatic, and even some music, testing the waters the whole time to see if any organization would want an animated piece.  After about a year of this, finally there was a need within the Mormon Channel, they wanted to fund the project.  Of course timing could not be any worse.

Mid October:
Mormon Channel: "This would be the perfect piece for a Christmas Message, can we have it Dec 1st?"
My voice: "Yes! Definitely!  We can make this happen!"
My thoughts: 6 weeks???? 2 minute animation????? are you insane!!!!!!

Apparently my voice and thought process do not collaborate much.  It was a whirlwind, but I loved every bit of it.  Once again, had an amazing team of artists that did an amazing job, and worked so smoothly together.  I couldn't be happier.   It was rather satisfying to see your work go from idea, all the way to completion.  Of course as an artist, I could pick apart my work with never ending changes, fixes, or spotted flaws, but honestly, it has been a great way to finish up this year.   

(P.S. please share the Coat story with anyone and everyone.  The more views it gets the greater the possibility that I get to do more.)

A few production photos

Had a few shots from the Mormon Message production.  

The girls loved having their hair done.  At first Allie was not sure about the whole thing, but when she realized what was going on she loved it.

A lot of production is the "hurry up and wait".  Sebastian waited patiently as the girls rode in circles around him.

Some pretty sweet camera equipment, and what draws her interest?

Mormon Messages

Both Emma and Allison had the opportunity to get a taste of the actors world.  We were casting for this Mormon Message, and while working with the producer on another project, she was looking at pictures of the two girls and she asked if Emma could cry on cue.  I had never thought about it before, but I knew Emma was good at tears.  One time she teared up because some dude on Wipeout purposed to his girlfriend on the show, or when Polly Pocket got sent to boarding school.  So I went home, asked her if she could cry, and sure enough within minutes she had tears.  So she and Allison got cast in the short film.

Emma said she was nervous at first, but it didn't take long after being introduced to craft services with all the twizzlers you can eat, and having someone do hair and make-up, that she told me she wanted to do it every day.  Allie was a bit shy at first, but once she got comfortable with "fake mom" and "fake dad" she did great.  That was also their names the rest of the shoot.  Fake Mom and Fake Dad.  I also had a lot of fun because I got to spend the whole day with my two girls.

Check out Emma's adutidion