Eel In A Box Animation

2D Animation, Animation, Eel In A Box, Pencil Test, The Animator's Journal, Traditional Animation, Videos

Here is my final animation for Eel In A Box. An Eel discovers a box – the perfect place to hid out. But will he be able to get the box open?

San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival

Animator's Journal, Figure Drawing, Life Drawing, Professionals, SFIWFF

Tonight marked the final evening of the San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival. I volunteered in the office every week, working with executive director Scarlett Shepard. I had the opportunity to see “That’s What She Said” written by Kellie Overbey (“The Good Wife,” “Law and Order: SVU”) and directed by Carrie Preston (Arlene on “True Blood”). Friendly, lovely ladies and funny film. Check out the link here – it’s an official selection at Sundance and it will be released in theaters this fall.

Here are some sketches from the Q&A:

And here I am with Kellie and Carrie:

Links of Note: Toon In!…to the World of Animation…

Animator's Journal, Brad Bird, Jules Engel, June Foray, Links of Note, Podcasts, Professionals, Steve Hickner, Tee Bosustow, Tom Sito, Toon In to the World of Animation

Links of Note is a weekly post in which I offer a description of the links posted on the right side of this blog. Today I will be discussing Toon In!…to the World of Animation.

Toon In!…to the World of Animation is fabulous. Created by Tee Bosustow, son of Stephen Bosustow, Executive Producer for many of United Productions of America’s most beloved animated shorts, Mr. Bosustow interviewed many of the former and current heavyweights in the animation industry during the podcast’s 2006 to 2008 run, including voice acting maven June Foray, DreamWorks director Steve Hickner, Pixar/live action director Brad Bird, animator and author Tom Sito and even the late great Jules Engel. Along with several other industry professionals, he also helped coordinate the UPA Legacy Project, a feature documentary about the legendary studio, and was instrumental in the recent DVD release Jolly Frolics from Turner Classic Movies.

Mr. Bosustow insists during his interviews that he knows little about animation, however his unbridled enthusiasm, easy-going manner and excellent Q&A sessions with his guests reveals a professionalism that all animators should aspire to.

No word yet if this podcast will resume, but thanks to the internet the hard work and dedication of those involved with the site can be appreciated by students and fans of all aspects of animation.

Image from Toon In!…to the World of Animation

Muir Woods – Spring Break Edition

Animator's Journal, Muir Woods, Photos, Spring Break

My friends and I went to Muir Woods yesterday – one of my all-time favorite spots in the Bay Area. Redwoods as far as the eye can see (and up high too). It is a great place to revive your spirit and get fresh air. Animators need to get away from the computer once in a while.

California Academy of Sciences – Spring Break Edition

Animator's Journal, California Academy of Sciences, Photos, Spring Break

I love Spring Break. No classes. No late hours. Just sleep, sleep, and more sleep. And hanging out with the beasties at the California Academy of Sciences.

Lemondrop – the world’s chillest reticulated python, hangs out in his swanky digs.

An eel contemplates the universe. Or taking a nap. Hard to tell.

Some type of sea plant.

Jellies!

Mmmm…lunch.

Another type of jelly fish. Not particularly attractive. But very cool.

Get out of my hole!

“I feel pretty, oh so pretty…”

Moon Jellies – aptly named.

Even more Jellies. These little dudes were tiny – smaller than the size of your hand.

The Stingray swim meet.

Dun dun. Dun dun. Dun dun dun dun dun dun…

Awesome Dr. Seuss-looking trees

BAWIFM Mentor Meeting Sketches

Animator's Journal, Figurative Concepts, Figure Drawing, Life Drawing, Professionals

I attended the BAWIFM Mentoring Event co-hosted by the Women’s Film Institute yesterday. It kicked off this year’s 8th Annual San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival, an event I have been volunteering for since February. I’m looking forward to the films and enjoyed hearing the panelists. They discussed what it’s like financing and creating their own films, how to work effectively as a leader of a project, being a woman in the field and the importance of assembling a team. As Windy Borman, director of “Eyes of Thailand” stated – “hire slowly and fire quickly.”

Top Left – The Sign Language Interpreter

Center Top – Filmmaker and Historian Lynn Hershman Leeson

Top Right – Associate Professor of Cinema, San Francisco State University Martha Gorzycki

Bottom – Creative Consultant & Film Commissioner Ami Zins

Top Left – The second Sign Language Interpreter

Center Top – Ambika, BAWIFM’s Moderator

Top Right – Director Windy Borman

Bottom – Pixar Story Manager Ryan Lynch

From Left to Right – Ambika, Ms. Borman, Ms. Gorzycki, Ms. Lynch,
Bottom Left to Right – Ms. Zins, Ms. Leeson

Millbrae Library Sketches

Animator's Journal, Figurative Concepts, Figure Drawing, Life Drawing

Here are the people I drew at the Millbrae Library for my Figurative Concepts class. I am amazed that only one person realized I was drawing them. People do not pay attention. Good news for sketch artists like myself.

Animation Drawing Workshop

AAU animation drawing workshop, Animator's Journal, Figure Drawing, Life Drawing

Last Friday we had an excellent model pose for the Animation Drawing Workshop. Here are my 2 and 3 minutes sketches.

The Lord of the Ocean Animatic

Animatic, Animator's Journal, Storyboards, The Lord of the Ocean, Thesis Project

Here is my first pass for my thesis project animatic, “The Lord of the Ocean.” It tells the tale of a young Haida girl and her Grandfather who go fishing with supernatural results.