Instructing FORCE on MEGAMIND

So a little over a year ago, Jason Schleiffer, Head of Character Animation on Megamind emails me to inform me that he is a fan of the FORCE books and the next thing I know I am lecturing to the animators in Redwood City and Glendale!  I had an amazing time instructing at DreamWorks and want to thank Jason for collaborating and defining some innovative lectures.

Looking forward to experiencing the work of this amazing group of artists!

Objectified

Great documentary I watched this past week on product design.  I saw it on Netflix but you can also find it on youtube.  Enjoy!

My new favorite Iphone app/ Black Hawk Down

Just downloaded Netflix on the Iphone.  This past week I loaded up Black Hawk Down, listened to it driving to work. Don't try watching it while driving, please.  Amazing sound design.  There was a line in the film I have not payed attention to in the past.  Soldiers were in choppers flying over the coast, one of them mentioned how beautiful the ocean looked.  The other soldier described how warm the water was but it was filled with sharks..a great parallel and foreshadow to the Somalia they were going to contend with during the film.

Today

It is days like today that I truly appreciate living in the Bay area.  The weather is perfect.  Hot sun with a cool breeze.  Gonna barbecue tonight on the deck, have dinner with my family and relax.  Have a great day everyone.

Epigenetics

I have been a devout belever in waht you think is what you get.  I have seen evidence of this in my own life ona day to day basis.  I listen to the pod cast STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW and I recently listened to a show about epigenetics....Epigenetics is now proving scientifically that your environment and how you perceive it affects your physical genetics and that can be passed on to your children!

Below are tow links to videos discussing Epigenetics.  Enjoy!


Link to "Ghost in your Genes"

Epigenetics-How does it work?

Frank Frazetta- a great inspiration!

Frank Frazetta passed away today at the age of 82 from a stroke…I want to share this with you because he has been an ENORMOUS influence on my life.  Throughout my college years I studied his work at great length.  I visited his museum in East Stroudsberg, PA numerous times and had great discussions with his wife, Ellie.

As I started to teach, I shared his amazing abilities with thousands of young artists that I had the chance to teach.  His ability to draw and design vivacious, fantastical imagery is unsurpassed.

I miss the fact that he will not create more art to amaze us with and I will miss his artistic experiences and images…

A tear shed and a moment of fond admiration to one of the greats of our generations.

Enjoying my deck this Sunday afternoon.

Pixar lobby 02

I have to say, I really enjoy visiting Pixar.  What I did not photograph yet is the straight on shot as you walk in which looks like a LARGE hanger.  It inspires me to think big.

pixar visit 01

some photos of the lobby for those of ya that have never been there.

Gladiator Film studies

One of my favorite past times.  The act of drawing the shots teaches me layout, editing, design, tones, lighting etc.

SW baby Zebra

This little guy was less than ten feet from our jeep!  Mom was close by keepin' a close eye on us.

Just makes me wanna drive fast!

This hood ornament on an old Chevy could not be passed up for a photo...Found it in the center of Glen Ellen during my weekend trip.

Bigger block Head?

Always been told I have a big, square head....Thought maybe I found my competition.

Safari West jeep (Jurassic Park Style)

Amazing giraffe encounter at Safaari West

I was at Safari West on Sunday and it was cold and drizzling..fortunately for my wife and I, SW offers blankets for their open air jeep tour.  Anyhow, because of the weather, some of the giraffes were in a barn like structure that we were allowed to enter on the walking section of the tour.  This brought us closer to the giraffe than I have ever been before.  I was told to take my baseball cap off because the giraffe may grab it off the top of my head.

The price of admission was more than compensated for with this intimate encounter.  I will post more photos and some video throughout the week.

Safari West

Visiting Safari West this weekend to conduct research for the new FORCE Animal Drawing book I am writing.Check out Safari West. Click here.

Great video! The power of the pixel!!!

Click here!

Writing

This year is about writing...I am writing my third FORCE book and a live action screen play.  Sounds cliche but I do wish there was more time in a day or that I needed less sleep.