Saturday, February 20, 2010

Scene+Heard

So, I got my very first interview! Check it out here.

There are six shorts in total each with very different styles and stories. My film is a mix of many different techniques I've learned over the years including a very comic book take with film. I spent an entire month working on it with getting about 8hrs of sleep in one week (The other two weeks weren't so bad.) So, come check out my little film this weekend if you can! It's screening at the Metro Theater. Doors open at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Storyboards

Happy Valentines day everyone!

These are a few storyboards from 'the white boned demon.'
The music is currently being composed by Marc Junker. The film will screen on February 20th to the 21st at 7pm. There's a poster for it advertising details in my last post, so come check it out if you can!


Monday, February 8, 2010

Scene+Heard


A story from 'the Journey to the West.'
I've been hard at work on my next film for the Scene+Heard event. It's ten minutes in length and consists of fully drawn/animated backgrounds with live actors. The way the story is being told is pretty theatrical and in turn, I wanted the film to be the same.

The story itself is an interpretation from a chapter of "The Journey to the West."
The travelers face the demon monster known
as the White boned Demon!
Anyways, hope you found this sneak peak interesting!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Yellow Submarine



The Yellow Submarine project is an environmental awareness project that I was contracted to do for the Sierra Club. This was a fun chance for me to experiment with a very minimalist style. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

ALSO!...

Amulet 3 update can be read on Kazu Kibuishi's blog as well as Jason Caffoe's blog!!
Check them out!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Astra's Melody Cover Art

SO!... Updates... Well, I've had, once again, the amazing opportunity to help out on Kazu Kibuishi's next graphic novel... Amulet 3! The flattening artists have just finished work on the book last week and almost all the pages have been colored. I must say that Amulet 3 is breathtaking and the story is once again amazing! I can not wait to get my issue of the book coming out in the summer I believe... more updates closer to the time.

Also, I've been working hard finalizing a storybook title Astra's Melody. It's a short picture book that I did just little under a year ago. (Cover up above) I've had many people asking if they could purchase a copy so I'd figured I'd attempt to get it published. I will be selling private copies of the book (perfect bound) some time next month. *limited edition! So let me know if any of you would like to purchase one.

And two days from now!... I will be teaching a manga art class at the Greater Victoria Art Gallery! I'm pretty excited to pass on knowledge of my experience in comics to younger kids, hopefully inspire them!

Anyways, these are all the updates for now, keep posted on more soon!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

What I know about life thus far...

Most of my life, I always thought of ‘art’ as a side occupation while working a regular office job. I would grow up, have a family, go to the office, come home and work on art for a hour or two. But it wasn’t till recently I realized that ‘art’ is my ‘office’ job. And it is something I will do for the rest of my life.

Looking upon life as a young 23 year old, I find we all have wants and needs.

The most basic of need is food. We all need food to survive and we will do what ever it takes to find that means of survival. We all need oxygen, sleep, love.

And we all want many things; a plasma screen tv, a Ferrari, a house on the lake. But we don’t need these things.

Now, think about dreams. We all want our dreams to happen. But do we all need our dreams to happen? The truth for most people is no. We make the compromise. We get lost in the comfort of a day job.

But we can convince ourselves quite easily that we need something. Such as, I need that shirt or that pair of shoes to go to that dance... Or I need that particular stylus to do work. And we find a way to get what we need.


I’ve realized that I personally need to tell stories visually through art. I can’t survive without it and will do what ever it takes to keep telling stories! I will spend the rest of my life making that dream a reality due to the very fact that it is something I love doing, it is the only way I'll ever be happy. Therefore this is something I need!

Once something is a need, we tend to find a way.
We as humans have amazing capabilities and potential. Especially many of us fortunate in this day and age to have a roof over our heads, have money to spend on wine and Christmas presents, or watch a film in 3D... Now obviously we have regular jobs that allow for all these comforts but don’t make the mistake of turning that into an excuse.

There are no rules stopping us from making what we love into reality, the only rules are the ones we restrain upon ourselves. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something! Whether it be your loved one or your parents. I know the discouragement that gives you first hand and it hurts.

I’ve seen a few people who get discouraged by others. They tell themselves that they’ll never be able to paint, or play like that person. But why not tell themselves that they can do just as well? Why not use that as motivation or inspiration?

I’m fortunate enough to have friends as passionate as I am. Friends who are constantly working on a dozen different projects because they love doing it.
And truthfully my friends motivate and inspire me from the work they do, the support they provide, or their involvement on my projects.

And if you think you're not 'talented' at what you love doing, I say that's bullshit. If you love something, that's talent enough.

Set your goals high. Never settle for anything less.

Dreams are life and like the great Ian Malcolm said, “life finds a way.” :)

Hope you all have a great new years! 2010 is the year! Make it happen!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sparky update!

After over a years work on the Sparky Story arch, I've finally gotten down to the perfect timeline!
I've already completed most of the production on the final chapter of the Sparky Graphic Novel - which, originally was meant to be one of the first chapters to the book.

Anyways, I'm tired and do not feel for typing so... I'll leave you all with this art piece. Enjoy. =)

Monday, November 2, 2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

passion for creativity

I have the utmost respect for anyone who will constantly work at what they love – whether it be sports, art, or music.

No matter how terrible you are at something, you will keep going due to the very fact that you are in love with that particular something.

Because I am a filmmaker, I am going to be referring to film as an example.

I recently went to a film screening involving student films for a University film class. I am not one to judge due to the fact that I, like everyone else, am just a young student of the art. However, I will say without exaggeration, many of the films that night sucked.

Now I can list a number of reasons for this comment such as, editing techniques that did not work, sound problems, camera angles, and acting.

Although the films were terrible, I gladly, without hesitation, stood and applauded. Even through terrible editing techniques and awful sound, one can usually tell whether or not the creators enjoyed making that film.

One can usually see that particular spark within a work of art. It was not only clear to see but refreshing as well.

There are three types of people. Claim to fame, The Fearful, and the Passionate. Only one of these three has a chance at accomplishment.

Claim to fame.

I’ve had personal experiences with many people who claim titles.

Many are merely in love with a title rather than the art form behind it.

They want to be called an actor, or director, or producer. But they however, will never move a foot in the direction of that title.

I’ve had the unfortunate experiences of working with such people. They want their opinions to be heard due to their ‘titles.’ They force themselves into a work environment that just creates stress and unwanted anger.

Rule of thumb, if you want to be respected for what you advise, you have to have the experience behind your words.

The Fearful.

There are many artists who are too afraid to produce work. They use excuses like “I’m waiting till I have the resources to make my project, it has to be perfect!”

Bad news mate… it’s not going to be perfect.

If you want to do something, GO DO IT! And no matter how bad the end product is, keep creating because you love creating! Improvement is guaranteed to follow!

The Passionate.

The passionate will constantly create no matter what. They are not in love with a title, or fearful of their end product, but they love the whole process. They love the art of filmmaking, or the art of illustration, or the art of storytelling, or the art of acting. These are the types of people who will do whatever it takes to create and be creative no matter how bad situations get. They do not use excuses like “I don’t have time.”

If you want to do something, you make time!

These are the people I respect the most. They inspire and motivate.

If you are one of these people, no matter who you are, no matter how bad your work is, you have my utmost respects.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Inez commercial work

Past commercial I did for local popstar Inez.