Date:	2008-07-14 09:18
Subject:	And there goes 1.0 down the toilet...
Security:	Public
Mood:	okay
Music:	The Moon And The Superhero - John Powell

I think a little update since my last post is appropriate. :)

Last Sunday at the last day of my week off I managed to finish off the moving storyboard of Rapa Nui project against all odds. I felt really content, like I could relax again.

Well not really. You see, the movie wasn't exactly working. It was too long, most dialogue scenes felt boring, the tone of the film seemed to shift all over the place, and worst of all: we thought that Kaula, our main character, was a whiny, irritating little brat, your typical nine-year-old righteous environmentalist with a bad temper. Somehow it happened, somewhere between the umpteenth rewrite of the script and three months I spend storyboarding it we allowed this film to become long-winded and unsympathetic. And it was a deal breaker. We both just couldn't make this film as is. Something had to be done, something drastic and quick - since Alex only has one month left to write the score before it must send to the orchestra.

This resulted in possibly the worst Wednesday of my life where I spend from 11 in the morning to 10 in the evening in a tiny little room with my composer trying to think up a way to save this film: what we could do to make it work again? We had really rough spots in our 6-month preproduction track before, but usually one of us was hopeful enough to pull the other one out again. But this time we both couldn't see the light and we were pretty close to just giving it up, throw in the towel, just wrap it all up and go on with our lives. That's a pretty grim thing to consider after spending a good 300 hours on this thing the past half year for sure, it's been my passion and artistic goal to tell this story well for so long...

But somehow we found a solution at the end of that day and the days that came after. But it's a bold solution. It means clearing out all remnants of previous visions/versions of the script, rewriting about two thirds of the existing dialogue in a new tone and cut out another third. ( zolphia helped us out a tremendous deal with this over the weekend we cannot thank her enough.) And also effectively throw out two months worth of pretty storyboard art and redraw it all roughly in the new vision in a matter of weeks. Painful but necessary: all remnants of the previous incarnation must be purged for this story to work emotionally.

You see, we started out with an epic period piece where the island's native society were a lot like the ones you see in a movie like Pocahontas, but by now the natives are much more like village clan from Asterix. We mock modern-day consumerism and the problems of it's sustainability in a gentle and playful way by placing it within an ancient Polynesian society where the islanders created a totally silly industry of an ever increasing production of Moai statues and their spin-off merchandise.

We've lost a lot of the initial esoteric/ecological themes of the project along the way since we wanted to avoid becoming to preachy or pretentious. Yes, we do have a message to convey, but to do this in a fun and fulfilling matter is really important to us. This is no propaganda film for an environmental organization. The characters and their respective story arcs have to play out in such a way that they’re likable and believable even it doesn't necessarily serve the film's main message. Finally we dared to set our priorities. There's still the change it won't work out ideally... but I'm confident it'll be at least a hundred times better then our initial version. And that'll have to do. The music has to be written, the timing has to be locked.

But I'm learning so much about film making and story telling once again, it's pretty wonderful really. This film is really pushing the limits of my abilities and thus expanding them. It might take infinite effort and patience but animation sure is rewarding if you hold your breath long enough. I still can't think of anything I would rather do with my time. :)

Heh, but so much talk yet so little to show for it. I promise to release some material here as soon as were happy with it again. :)

Date:	2008-06-13 11:34
Subject:	project update - 2nd week of June
Security:	Public
Mood:	rejuvenated
Music:	Prins Caspian OST - Harry Gregson-Williams

Heh, I purchased a paid lj account again because I got fed up with not being able to edit comments. :P Oh well, it has some other benefits besides that silly little thing, expect some neat new user pics as soon as I think up some... I now have 35 slots instead of 6 after all. :)

I had a very fruitful progress meeting on Wednesday. We hope to finalize the dialogue in next week's session, record a temp track to roughly time the storyboard the week after and in 4-5 weeks time record it with the real voice cast. I've got till then to finish the moving storyboard, and make character sheets for Lizemijn to get into drawing and modelling the characters in a uniform way throughout the production. All and all a fruitful meeting and I feel like going forward again.
It was also nice that zolphia could finally join us in the discussion since she's more or less involved since the beginning in building the story but she had never met Alex and Lizemijn up till last Wednesday. Hurray for shorter communication lines.

In other news, my new graphics card arrived in the mail yesterday and Alex is coming over in the afternoon to install it. Let's hope the problem is fixed this way instead of making it worse. (like a completely dead computer. ;)) I'm still planning to buy a new system somewhere next month, but I rather do that with a good running system in the mean time.

And to conclude this post a little appetizer. Here are some newly coloured (or rather, grey scaled ;)) storyboard images I've done the past couple of days, respectively out of scene 3 and 10.

( 8 more )

Date:	2008-06-07 09:57
Subject:	oh shit...
Security:	Public
Mood:	aggravated

Something very annoying is happening to my computer this morning, and I have no idea how to get rid of it. Everything is looking like this:



Although none of the systems seems affected, I can't work like this on my animation. >_<
I have done nothing out the ordinary last time I used my computer. Does anyone have an idea what this is and how to get rid of it? :(

What a way to start the day.

edit: A replacement card is ordered, and my composer will get it installed somewhere next week so I can continue work on the project full force.

As for now... I going to visit Fiona this afternoon now. Way better then getting totally frustrated with f*cked-up visuals. (the more you draw in an area on the screen the worse the distortion gets. Aaargh!)

And as for tomorrow... it's my mom's birthday party so that's pretty convenient at this point. With any luck I'll have the new graphics card installed before the next long day of work on the animation. :)

Date:	2008-06-02 08:53
Subject:	A little request to all anime-savvy people on my flist.
Security:	Public
Mood:	working

ADK-Japan is at the moment in a pitch to get to do an animated commercial for a navigational system; as in animated anime-style. But the client is hesitant... they see animation with prejudges such that it is the
culture for kids or for very limited maniac people.

Now ee all know that is not true, but if I find some articles on how anime (style animation) is rising in popularity, even for the adult mainstream market it might be just the thing to convince this client in going ahead with this totally ace animation project.

So if any of you knows some article that might convince our client I would be forever thankful.

Date:	2008-02-29 14:00
Subject:	outline v4.05 - Dialogue!
Security:	Public
Mood:	working
Music:	Mr. and Mrs. Jones - John Powell

A good afternoon my dear readers,

What I have for you today is the first version of the script with dialogue. Yes, that's right. But I also know language isn't my strong point nor writing compact, witty, natural feeling dialogue that keeps consistent with the characters personality. I know many of you are strong in the English language and have read/written a lot. So any suggestions for improvements on any of it is more then welcome!

Here we go...

Date:	2008-01-21 09:35
Subject:	Easter Island outline 3.03: Getting close yet?
Security:	Public
Mood:	nervous
Music:	Some early morning Mozart

Good morning my dear Livejournal readers.

The past two weeks have been pretty intense writing-wise. The feedback I got on the previous outline I posted here (v. 2.01) proved to be very helpful. A lot has changed though, the story got more whimsical (talking statues, WTF), the background conflict emphasis changed from environmental issues to religious dogma, I had to cut the love story (bye, bye Manu) that became quite impossible to rhyme with the larger scale drama and focus more on a daughter-father relationship since the Chief is naturally torn between the two ideological fires with a daughter that deviates from the cultural established way of life and his role in the island society.

The story has become… big. Dauntingly so. It will even require a lot of spoken dialogue. (We have to find good voice actors as well as people able of writing clever dialogue since I know that’s not exactly a strong point of mine) but that’s all of later concern. First the story needs to be right. And I know no other group of people as sharp and inventive plucking on stories as you. So hereby we gladly offer our outline for your eyes-only and in the hope that this story appeals to your senses and imagination.

Date:	2008-01-07 09:45
Subject:	The Easter Island project
Security:	Public
Mood:	working
Music:	Chariot Race - Hans Zimmer

Good morning my dear livejournal friends!

First of all: happy New year everyone! (I mean, it's my first post of the new year)

Remember that first fairytale outline of my new animation project? It's off the table. I spend the past two weeks brainstorming with Alexander and we came with quite a different concept since we want a slightly unusual exotic setting, personal drama and press an environmental issue.

But, as always, the story is far from 'there' yet. Especially the way to end it is something were not exactly sure off. So if you, my livejournal's 'writers room' have any ideas or suggestions on any aspect of the story... don't hold it back!

Date:	2007-12-30 17:10
Subject:	Persepolis is finally coming?
Security:	Public
Mood:	surprised

This makes me incredibly happy.

This animation is breath of fresh air to me. In it's subject, style and technique. I really like the style/animation technique: it's raw and personal but doesn't seem to conflict with telling the story. that's rare in European animation.

I just hope the movie will be as involving and energetic as this excellent trailer suggests.

Cool stuff. :D

Date:	2007-12-17 11:00
Subject:	Flash test
Security:	Public
Mood:	working

good morning everyone!

I'm still making progress on my new website. Since it's still extremely quiet at work I'm spending my days learning Flash. That's right, my design just begs for a Flash site if I want all the little man animated.

Anyway, here is a rough early test with the little creatures animated as buttons, I created an over and a down state for all of them so please: try them out! :)

To all Disney enthusiastics on my friendlist: (Eyes especially luna_puella and ilona)

I recently acquired the soundtrack to the new Disney 2D animation/life action hybrid Enchanted and put a smile on my face so broad it almost runs off.

The movie or what I've seen of it seems a pretty much sugarcoated romantic comedy taking a shot to the typical Disney (animated) Princess movies. But a sense that this parody might be done with style I got when I heard the soundtrack. Which is awesome. It's Alan Menken & Stephen Swartz back in full force.

Just listen to this.

It's Menken's persiflage of his own early style of Disney scoring (Think Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast) thickened with some broad Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish musical tricks and typical wishful-speech-going-into-song bridges very reminiscent to classics like Snow White and Cinderella. It's a musical patchwork of old Disney songs cliches, and yet it sounds fresh and powerful. (I'm telling you, if you play this a few times you'll be humming it for days!)

'The working song' is another excellent example of this.

It fills me with so much joy to hear some satisfying new Menken material (I still think Home on the Range was horrible.) This stuff makes me hopeful that Disney is heading in the right direction again. :)

And for the real enthusiast, here an excerpt of the musical score. More Classic Menken you can not get. :D

But anyway... I can't wait to actually see the movie that is accompanied by such brilliantly jolly music.

Date:	2007-10-21 14:02
Subject:	Marin on Youtube
Security:	Public
Mood:	nerdy

That's right, I 'published' Marin on Youtube.




First I hesitated because it might disqualify me for some animation festivals if your animation is already 'out there'...

And then I thought, fuck it. I want to share it with world. That's the point of animating in the first place now isn't it?

And the festivals? I just have to wait and see I guess. :)

Date:	2007-10-18 10:16
Subject:	New animation
Security:	Public
Mood:	creative

Please go to the (soon to be finished) new website of ADK-europe and you'll find a first taste of a new animated series I'm making at the moment that form the backbone of a blocky universe that'll be the new company's identity.

I really am having fun with these blocky guys. Without being distracted by complicated physical features I can purely focus on movement, posing and timing. :)

I hope to refresh this animation with a sound version before next Monday.

Date:	2007-08-22 15:15
Subject:	Graduated!
Security:	Public
Mood:	accomplished

As you know, I showed my animation to the exam board yesterday... and were totally blown away. The end result exceeded their expectations, even coming from me. Especially with the new Alexander music it was total overkill as far as the general school's standards were concerned. ;) To put it in their official words:

Presentation

very good

Elaboration on thesis

very good

Elaboration on project

very good

Integration of thesis part and project part

very good

Focus, depth and range of underlying research

very good

Realistic, innovative, balanced concept / approach

very good

Artistic achievements

very good

Technical achievements

very good

Positioning within the discipline

very good

Progression since MOCK exam

very good


Particular strengths

Buitengewoon professioneel en af product.


Particular weaknesses

-

MA TRAJECTORY ADVISE EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Based on current evidence of progress the commission advises the student regarding the successful completion of the Masters trajectory (48 weeks)

Advice:

green


Additional comments

Kies voor jezelf!

In other words: I HAVE GRADUATED FOR MY MASTER! :D

Just some final tweaking of the music to be done the next week and I can finally show you guys with what exactly I graduated. :) For the moment I have to get back to work!

Date:	2007-08-17 11:21
Subject:	2 MB
Security:	Public
Mood:	bouncy

What the...

My Hotmail inbox is just upgraded to a whopping 5 GB. o_O Does it make me ancient that I still vividly remember that my hotmail inbox was a measly 2 MB?


Anyway, I'm off to Hilversum to record some sighs and grunts for my animation. Almost there now. :)

Oh, and for those interested: this is a really ace piece of modern string music I've been listening to all morning. The textures, the dramatic highs the even more dramatic lows... awesome.

Date:	2007-08-16 09:47
Subject:	Picture from work
Security:	Public
Mood:	nerdy

Good morning everyone, I thought it would be fun to show the picture that's taken of me by a professional photographer, since ADK thought it would be nice for their clients to know who works for them. And let me tell you, it was rather a bit different from the school photographer since he took his time and made several shots of everyone.

And I quite like the result. I love how you can see clearly out of the window without the foreground being underexposed.

Date:	2007-08-12 12:28
Subject:	the last shots
Security:	Public
Mood:	content

It's almost there. Just a few more shots and my animation will be... finished. I can't really believe it yet. So many months I worked on it continously. But then, I still have a week to polish it, so that's good. :)

In the evenings I usually get out into the city with friends to unwind, or I draw really silly oekaki's, like these:

You know, I always find it cool when a film company logo is animated in the style of the movie...

...so I actually animated the bunny swimming into frame... by it's ears! XD

So much fun.

Ugh. I have to get back on writing the final touches of my thesis. It has to be completed and turned in before the 8th of August afterall.

But in a few hours: Ratatouille! :D

Date:	2007-07-31 14:47
Subject:	one scene to go
Security:	Public
Mood:	bouncy

Yesh! One more scene to go! Just the last one! ;)

heh, I felt to need to update my bunny logo for this new production, see here the result.

Date:	2007-07-28 16:11
Subject:	finishing scene 7
Security:	Public
Mood:	cheerful
Music:	Prelude to War - Bear McCreary

It's amazing, but my desire to finish my animation is stronger that finishing Harry Potter, I just read about 150 pages of it. Animation really is my ultimate addiction. o_O

Yesterday I finished scene 7. Which leaves me with only the transport sequence of scene 2 and the final scene, scene 8, left to do. In other words: give me one more week and I'll have the whole damn thing finished. Leaving me with two whole weeks to fine-tune. And let me assure you, two weeks to fine-tune is a lot of time if you consider that I produced the entire animation (backgrounds, puppets, effects, etc) under eight weeks. So it appears I really will have the time to give a lot of the less convincing shots some extra care, hopefully enhancing the whole experience even further. :)

Today I spend my morning building the cast of transit extras. I'm quite pleased how they turned out, even though most of them won't enjoy more then 3 seconds of screen time. :)

Date:	2007-07-24 14:10
Subject:	Taking that extra mile
Security:	Public
Mood:	accomplished

Sigh.

I just spend my entire morning (8 AM - 1 PM) working on a measly 4 second shot. I had to rebuild the Mayor in a three quarter angle after fiddling with the frontal one for over an hour, it just didn't feel right.

And go here to see the animated fruits of my labour.