Brad Bird - Playful Cinema (By Royal Ocean Film Society)

Here's a fantastic analysis of some of Brad Bird's cinematic choices, and a good reminder for those of us telling stories, of focusing on the story!  This same thought process can be applied to animation by making choices based on story, character, and entertainment rather than purely by style, or because it moves with satisfying visual design.  Squash/stretch, contrasting poses, and rhythm are important, and part of visual art, but are more powerful when we use them to serve the story of the character (and just as importantly don't use them when it distracts from it!)

Angry Birds International Trailer!

Hey people!  Not sure who all stumbles upon my blog anymore, but here's a new trailer for The Angry Birds Movie!  I worked on this at Sony for the bulk of last year, and it was pretty fun work.  Lots of great anim, fun characters, and opportunity to focus on acting choices and humor as the foundation of each shot, so I was happy about that.  Here it is!

Demo Reel Update! -- Big Hero 6

I've added a few of my shots from Big Hero 6 to my demo reel!  I plan on making a "Big Hero 6" only reel with all my shots from the film as well, but for now, here's the update!


Demo Reel 2015 from Kyle Mohr on Vimeo.

Minor Demo Reel Update, Thoughts on performance

Hello!  I added a few shots from Radiator Springs 500 1/2 to my demo reel (at the end).  These three shots were a fun challenge, because we wanted to try to get as much character differentiation in the four baja racers as we could, but these shots were all we had for their introduction.  They didn't need to be extremely deep characters for this short, more like different character roles in this gang, (the leader, the dumb one, the mysterious one, the hyperactive one).  With the cars, they are pretty much eyes and mouths, and by default their eyes are basically identical in their rigs.  It was fun to look at the character design sheets, and try to get the personality of their eyes back into the character.

For the opening of this short, the directors, Scott Morse and Rob Gibbs, took inspiration from the old westerns like "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly", which they suggested I look at before animating.  I noticed these actors barely moved in the duel scene, and always looked out of the corner of their eyes in their stillness.  It's tense.  It's highly stylized acting, but not in the broad way we animators often think in terms of stylization.

Up until this point in my career, I usually had the goal of making the animation as stretchy or broad as I was allowed to.  The Cars world, however, is often more hard and "real", in terms of materials, and this restraint forced me, (sometimes frustratingly), to focus on acting and nuance of performance, which I also wanted to achieve.  The cars themselves provide an obvious challenge as well.  How do you communicate meaningful expression, with a severely restrained head?  It's not just about facial expressions, but gestures, angles, and timing that communicate how we feel.  In animation, it's very tempting to animate a character's movements to match the rhythm of the dialogue, and the cars make this temptation stronger since you have so little to work with.  Animating any type of character this way makes a performance passable, and appear to deliver the words, but does it achieve the full amount of expression possible?

These shots, while far from meeting the restraint in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly", challenged me to not move the characters very much, to support the parody and genre we were going for.  I animated these in the order that they appear, and I feel like I can see my comfort improve with each one.  Having three similar shots in a row can start to feel a little repetative by the end, but it gave me the opportunity to practice, which I am grateful for now.  The lesson I learned is not that subtle is always better than broad, it's choosing what's appropriate for the moment, and hopefully learning more about how to create more expressive, sincere performances either way.

Radiator Springs 500 1/2

**UPDATE 10/03/14**The full short can now be viewed on the Disney video website, so you don't have to create an account on Disney Movies Anywhere to view it.  Also, just watch it here, embedded below!


Radiator Springs 500 1/2

Hey all!  Just wanted to post that "Radiator Springs 500 1/2" was recently released on Disney Movies Anywhere, Disney's streaming website.  It's free to watch, but does require creating an account (also free).  RS500 was the second to last short we produced at Pixar Canada, and I think showcases how much all departments in the Vancouver studio grew over three years, specifically in the "Cars" world.  The next one I believe we were even more fluent in that world, and it will always be a question as to how much better we would have gotten.  As I'm sure anyone would tell you, we grew a lot, but of course had more to learn.  I see that in my own work already.

Still, with the distance I have now, I'm proud of the end result, and the care that really brought it to life.

Which leads me to a quote that I think is appropriate for ending this post.  It's a lesson that was really a big take-away from the whole Pixar Canada experience.  I'd experienced it before, but perhaps appreciate it more maturely now.  I was reading The Illusion of Life today for inspiration, (some of it, it's long!), and the third paragraph of the Preface says something that I think is often forgotten when trying to produce "great" work, or when creative people are afraid of making a good impression, or demanding it from others, or themselves:

"It is, perhaps, misleading to credit specific artists with the drawings we show in the book, since this might imply that both the idea and style came from one person; for this was seldom the case."

It truly is the caring, generous, and forgiving team, or people, who help us reach for our goals.  Take pride in your accomplishments, yes, but take comfort in this good news.

Geeks, Restarted!

I've been redeveloping my old characters and comic on my off time, have some new ideas, hopefully I will have time to draw them!  Same general idea, just took time to develop the cast further, and refine and contrast the designs more.  Since there were only two completed comics before, figured I could just restart, and tell how these characters meet, and why they stick around each other.  Even if I don't get many completed now, which is likely, it's been really fun!  I hope to come back to it when I can!

Demo Reel Updated

Check out my new reel, featuring much of my work from Pixar Canada!

I've got arms...I can get this party started up in here!

So, in case you missed it last weekend, Partysaurus Rex opened in front of Finding Nemo 3D in theatres! (In the US and Canada at least.)  Be sure to go check it out!  Nemo looks great in 3D by the way, I'd heard good things and have to say, I think it arguably improves upon the scope and feeling of the film, visually.  Especially the wide shots of Marlin and Dory, small on screen but floating in the middle of the water.  It just seems to enhance the scale and environment, making it really feel like it's filmed in the ocean.  It's hard to describe--point is worth seeing.  It's a beautiful film, and I really discovered a new appreciation for its story too.  It's quite a different movie in how it progresses, and as has been pointed out, it keeps you invested and interested in the character's problems without a villian or other character intentionally trying to stop them.  It also takes time just to create a sense of wonder and beauty about the ocean.

Also worth seeing--Partysaurus Rex!  This is our 4th short at Pixar Canada, and it's a doozy.  After seeing it many times on a small computer screen, this short really fills the theater.  It looks great on the big screen, and the sound just fills the room!  Honestly, if you are interested in seeing it and can make it, don't miss the chance to see/hear it this way.  Every department was challenged in some way by the scope of it, and if you know something about computer animation, you'll see why.  Anyway, check it out if you can!

The kick butt poster was released over at Fandango!

And in case you missed the preview, here it is!  It may look like the party is starting in this video, but trust me--the party has not started yet.

No, it can't be! I just sent you back to the future!

Check out what we found on Amazon Instant Video and iTunes tonight!  Looks like Time Travel Mater is available for download!  Though according to these prices, I'd bet most people pay the $1.99 to Amazon and not $19.99 to iTunes... ;)  (No knowledge on this, but it seems like a typo.)  This was news to me, as was the poster image they used...Mater, McQueen, and Stanley, from one of my shots!  Check out the poster, in all its low-res glory! 

Also, I can't believe I missed the opportunity to use a Back to the Future reference when posting the broadcast date/time for this short.  It was aired on a Saturday night...so ya know...something like "Next Saturday night, we're sending you back--to the future!" would have worked.  Alas, that time has passed.

Oh, but if you missed it on ABC, and you get Disney Channel, check the schedule and set your DVR.  I think I read online that it will be airing multiple times throughout the week.

Later Mater!

Good news everyone!  Our third short, "Time Travel Mater" will be airing on ABC this Saturday, June 16th, during the broadcast of Cars, 8-11pm (eastern).  This is our second Cars Toon, and I think you'll see how much more comfortable we are animating the cars since Air Mater.  There's some really fun animation in it, and I think it's a really endearing and entertaining short!  Personally I'm really pleased with how it turned out, check it out if you can!

A couple of released images:

Here's a short clip from the film!

Freelancing stories from Animation Mentor

Yep, I'm still alive. :) I just noticed this article in this week's AM newsletter, which has some stories from animators who for one reason or another settled into a freelance lifestyle. They're all quite different stories from when I freelanced, I didn't seek out clients to create work myself out of my home, (I sought out work at studios), but the mindset about permanent vs temporary work was the same. Permanent work is hard to come by, and while I lucked out with my current position, I still think many animators and artists just don't know about opportunities outside of film or vfx, or think that's the only venue to produce high quality, gratifying work.  I also didn't find working job to job so bad when I didn't have to move to another city for each one, and was plugged into a good network of friends.  Anyway, it's always good to learn a bit more about the scope of our industry, if you find yourself looking for work.  The article has stories from Avner Engel, Martin Bell, Kenny Roy, and Chad Stewart.

Oh, and sorry that my blog update is half done, and that "test page" is still there ;) At some point I will get the full revamp up and running with links to my work, etc!

See "Small Fry" in front of The Muppets this week!

In case you haven't heard, our second short, "Small Fry", will be debuting this week in front of The Muppets!  We're all really proud of this short, it's really funny, and was our first venture into the Toy Story world!  You'll enjoy it, and from the looks of Rotten Tomatoes The Muppets is getting very positive early reviews.  Go check it out!  There's a bunch of press on it out there, check out this interview from IGN, with director Angus McClane, as well as a 30 second clip...that is, if you don't mind spoiling some of the gags ;)

Also, in case you missed it, you can check out Pixar Canada's first short, "Air Mater", already available on the Cars 2 DVD and Blu-Ray!

Side note, you may notice some significant changes around this blog...more to come!  With patience ;)

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements!

  I like this guy

Good news everybody!  They've FINALLY announced what we've been workin on over the past year!  "Air Mater" is a new Cars Toon that will be on the Cars 2 dvd/blu-ray release this fall, and "Small Fry", a Toy Story toon that will be released in front of "The Muppets" in November!  That's a ways off still, but so great to finally have these projects publicly announced!  There's a short clip from "Air Mater" online, just a teaser really, but it's something! 

Air Mater teaser:

Bulletpoints

Hey all, just thought I'd post a few interesting things and combine new post ideas into ONE ULTIMATE NEW POST.  Ok that may be overstating it, but here we go:

David B. Levy's blog "Animondays" is a great source of advice for animation students, industry newcomers, and I assume, anyone else too.  He's a well known New York animator in the 2D-preschool tv-indie animation circles, and is (I think) currently president of ASIFA-East.  He recently posted a couple great articles (for lack of a better term) about tips to finding work and networking in animation, in the genuine, natural, non-brown nosing way.  They're directly related to being freelance, but obviously in the state of the industry today, good advice for anyone who finds themselves looking for the next job.  When I get asked about how to live the freelance life, these are generally the types of things I usually say, and guided by a similar philosophy.  Check out these two posts:

Checkin' In: One of the Secrets to Getting Work in Animation 

Make mine MoCCA 

 Check out his book "Your Career in Animation:  How to Survive and Thrive" for more great advice.

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Next up, check out who's on the install screen of Maya 2012! (Not my image)

 Nathan Love is all over Maya 2012 promotional materials and apparently the installation screen as well!  So far I've seen images from one of the Pop Secret ads from last year, as well as Polly the Porcupine and Barry the Sheep from the Baskin Robbins spots.  Of course I now work somewhere that doesn't use Maya for animation, but perhaps I should download the free trial, haha.

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As far as me and my life now, I'm still settling into Vancouver and slowly seeing the rainy winter season turn to spring!  Pixar Canada is off to a great start, and for anyone who's curious, I can say with confidence that they have the same expectations for us and follow the same philosophies as they do in Emeryville.  While I don't have personal experience at the main studio, I can tell it is extremely important to them to maintain the same values up here.  It's been quite a life-change for me moving here, adjusting to this new position, company, and phase of life, and I'm thankful that I get the opportunity to do it in a close personal environment.  I can't really say exactly what we've been working on, other than the announcement video for Pixar Canada basically tells what we are doing up here.  The team is super talented, the studio is beautiful and being renovated to be even more so, and I'm excited to see how we grow and what sort of identity we develop up here in the Great White North...(wait...I'm not sure those words fit Vancouver!)

Frank Naranjo's Rigging Reels

Check out my buddy Frank Naranjo's new reels and rig demos he uploaded to Vimeo!  I had the good fortune of working with Frank on various projects at Nathan Love over the course of 8 or 9 months, where his awesomely fast and animator friendly rigs made animating exciting and freeing.  Check out the cool rig demos of a couple of the characters from the Baskins campaign, as well as his full showreel!  Metal Approved, Frank, Metal Approved.  :)


Baskin Robbins - Harry - Rig Demo from Francisco Naranjo on Vimeo.


Baskin Robbins - Polly - Rig Demo from Francisco Naranjo on Vimeo.


Francisco Naranjo - 2011 Rigging Reel from Francisco Naranjo on Vimeo.

Cedar Rapids

So obviously I don't post often anymore.  Honestly right now I'm not sure what to blog about, as my life has changed from the freelance world of New York, the original intent of this blog, to full time staff in Vancouver.  But when I do post, I'll have a reason.  I don't want to turn this blog into an opinion shouting place,  or one of those bloggers who just loves to hear the sound of their own booming voice while they hide safely behind their computer screens.  If you know me, (which if you read this blog you probably do), I'm not one who usually stands on a soap box.  But forgive me for this one time, where I really feel like there's something important to be said.

"Cedar Rapids" is awesome.  Go see it.

(If you're unfamiliar with the movie, watch the trailer here.)  Now at first glance it just seems like a quirky comedy, with a bunch of raunchy humor, and to be fair it has a lot of it (not, ahem, a "family" movie).  You've been warned.  But if you get passed that (and realize that it all supports the story) you'll see a gem of a movie, you'll see what I see...a rare film that tells the story of a small town midwestern guy, in midwestern culture.  It's personal to me because it's also my story, growing up in rural Iowa, living in New York and now Vancouver, I've come to realize it's one that a lot of people who aren't from there just don't understand.  Despite our internet connected world, very few people on the coasts understand midwest culture, and more specifically small town culture, unless they originated from it.  The reverse can also be said, though I'd argue that mass media and entertainment provide a wider and more frequent view of city life on the coasts.  Of course even that is usually from the perspective of a small demographic.  And even for people who've relocated from other states to the coasts, many of them may have negative views of their home, as they've found a new place to call home in which for whatever reason they may feel more comfortable.  Movies, television shows, and political pundits all play a role in creating modern stereotypes that while may contain truth, also hide it.  This movie is different. 

This is a movie that neither condemns nor glorifies small town life, small town "folk".  It doesn't make fun of those "backwards rednecks", it doesn't succumb to modern stereotypes (mostly) because it was made by people who know, and more importantly have affection for, their roots.  This kind of truth comes partly from the fact that many of the actors are from the midwest, the writer is, the director isn't, but he obviously still related to the story.  They did this on purpose.  (See interview with the director.)  

If that was all the movie did I might still like it.  But it does even more than that.  It's a counterpoint to our jaded, Great Recession (as I've heard it called), cynical selves.  The message we get today, I feel, is more often one of bitterness, cynicism.  The idea is that in our modern world, there is no room for childish things as hope, faith, and kindness.  Who can believe in good, when there is so much bad surrounding us?  When monetary greed on wall street leads to people without jobs, when dictators oppress their people, when politicians seek power, when wars are waged on the world and personal level, when the planet is in need of caretaking.  To think of any hope, one must be naiive, and naiivety is something to be hammered out in favor of a more "realistic" (read: jaded) view.  These things wear on us, they've worn on me, and feed into a greater, emotional, depression.  Is it any wonder that the largest previous economic downfall was called The Great Depression?  "Cedar Rapids" is a counterpoint to this negativity, because it is a modern story, a believable story, of a guy finding out the world isn't so great or perfect as he thought, not even his own small town, yet finds out that decency and hope isn't lost.
  

"Hollywood doesn't make movies about these kinds of people. It doesn't tell their stories. Usually, it tells stories about other people, the ones who tried to get away from these people, because movies are most often written by people who transplant themselves to either coast. So "Cedar Rapids" is especially welcome. It's fair and refreshing and almost makes you want to visit Iowa."--SF Gate review

I don't know what you will bring to this movie if you see it, I don't know if you will react to it the same way I did, (and oddly enough we all seem to think that art is objective when it isn't).  But at the very least, I felt a deep need to post for anyone who genuinely thinks that if they show up anywhere in the country, a guy in a pickup WILL hold a gun to them and say "We don't like your kind here", for anyone who sees people only by their color...red and blue..., and for any of you who just want a reason to hope again.  As well as for those of you who feel alone in your hope.  Maybe you can return the favor for me one day.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  From Wikipedia article on the town.  Only exterior shots in the movie were filmed there, but the setting is still present.  This isn't my hometown, but I spent a lot of time there.

"When Harry Met Sally" gets nominated for an Annie!!!!!

Holy crap!  I'm not even sure what to say about this right now, except...holy crap!!  :))  The third Pop Secret spot I worked on at Nathan Love has been nominated for an Annie Award for Best Animated Television Commercial!  (Check out the full list of nominees here.)  Wow, it's so awesome to have this recognized by our own industry.  Congrats team!  So very proud.


Pop Secret "When Harry Met Sally" from Nathan Love on Vimeo.

Nathan Love: Pop Secret "When Harry Met Sally"

At long last!  The third and final Pop Secret commercial we worked on at Nathan Love has been released and will be airing later this month and during some big tv programs!  While we were proud of the entire campaign, and certainly we all loved Dark Knight, we saw each subsequent spot improve in quality (Dark Knight to Caddyshack to When Harry Met Sally), so I'm really happy this third one will finally air!  It was a huge treat to work with largely the same team on each one of these, and watch our work progress from spot to spot.  Luckily not long after this we moved on to the Baskin Robbins campaign that aired during the summer, where we continued to hone our skills and build upon the trust we'd established as a team throughout the past few months, starting with Pop Secret.  I don't want to over-state anything, but I can't help but compare it to the stories I've heard of other productions, where the right team was there at the right time, people were inspired, and proud of the work being done.  There weren't any egos getting in the way, just the right people, inspired to make something great...and having a ton of fun in the process.




Keep it up Nathan Lovers!

Oh hi Vancouver!

 

 Just wanted to make the official announcement...I've been hired as an animator at Pixar Canada!  I started 3 weeks ago, and am very excited about what lies ahead!  If you didn't see the announcement video earlier this year, you can still view it at their website, http://www.pixarcanada.com/.  Needless to say, it's a bit surreal to be working there now.  They have big goals, we'll be working on stuff with their franchise characters.   Plus Vancouver IS that awesome.  Even if I'm mourning the loss of a good pizza or burrito, and the convenience of "the city that never sleeps".  Still, it's great to be working at Pixar on a small team, and in the downtown of a great city...not all that different from my experience in New York, which I loved!  Anyway, watch the video if you haven't, and I'll keep posting when I can!

P.S.  I also updated the blog with a new template, as mine was severely out of date and couldn't utilize some of the fancy new blogger features.  It's pretty similar to before, but nice to have a refreshed look!