Devourax

Mayor Hamm before

2010-07-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

This is an early version I made of Mayor Hamm.

He was changed later in the game, but I still like this one.

In game shot of Hamm Mother Ship

2010-07-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

More Toy Story 3 Goodness

2010-07-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a better shot of the monster tires I built. I also built Stinky Pete. I think my "mini- corvette-esque hot rod" turned out cool too!

(When I say built, I mean I build the model in 3d, then I texture and UV them)

At Disney, our character team is fairly small. There was only 4 - 5 of us churning the characters out. We don't necessarily keep to characters. We are always helping on all sorts of objects such as trains, cactus, plants, cars, and just about anything else.

Cool screen grab of TS3 Western Town

2010-07-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

Cool stuff. I built the Car, Dragon, the Miner Blockhead and I built the monster tires in the background.

Fun stuff!

Zurg

2010-07-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is a great shot of Zurg from the game. I really enjoyed working on him.

Normal Maps

2010-07-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest techniques we used on creating the characters for the Toy Story 3 game is that we relied heavily on normal maps. Most of the detail you see in this Hamm Mother Ship is basically normal maps. For those who don't understand how a normal map works...he's my take.

When creating characters for games, you want detail...lots of detail..however, adding the detail in your geometry mesh is very expensive as far as calculating and memory...not to mention time consuming for the modeler to build it all in 3d....so we compensate by creating a bump/ normal map in the texture that holds the detail, rather than the geometry....got it?
Although the Ship has indentations, ridges, etc...its really mostly a smooth mesh. The ridges and indentations are in the map. Cool huh?

The TS3 Family

2010-07-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic/ collage of all the characters our Disney character team created for the TS3 game.

And this image doesn't even have all of the characters we created!!!

My 3d Work

2010-07-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

hellooooooooo

2010-07-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hi.

After a loooong absence, I am back.
I keep rather busy these days. I am trying some new changes to the blog. Cuz I need a change.

I will post a bunch of stuff I worked on for Toy Story 3 the video game. Whewwww....
We finished with some amazing reviews. What an awesome product with a new benchmark in video games. (xbox, ps3, Wii)
Even though it was a great project, we are all too happy to move on to Bigger and Better things. Currently for me, I also just finished Epic Mickey which should be released for the Wii by Christmas.
For my next assignment, I will be working on another Disney IP. (I can disclose when it is officially released by Disney).

Here are some contributions to Disney. I modeled, UV'd and Textured the following images.
The images are property of Disney/Pixar and may not be used for any commercial purposes.

enjoy!

No Rules Animal Art by Mead

2010-03-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

Thanks to MotaCurb!

These are cool.

yikes....

2010-01-12T16:17:00.001-08:00

wow....its been awhiel since I have posted....
I have been really busy here ay Disney. Just alot of work to be done.

However, with that being said...I have worked a whole bunch on more of my stories.
I am getting them ready to send out to a literary agent.

wish me luck.

I am also involved in a writers group here at work. Just 4 of us, but hey, thats enough right?

I am off to a 4 day film festival next week. I will be shopping around some IP properties to investors and see where that takes me.

I will post some artwork soon.

dev

draw draw draw!

2009-06-29T06:38:00.001-07:00

I have been drawing alot lately.
Specifically political cartoons considering that this new administration is the biggest joke to ever run our american politics. I can't help but express my disappointment on this blog about our current politicians....considering that it is my only way to protest...not to mention, they are political cartoons....
thats art, ain't it?

ha

a letter

2009-06-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

(as seen on Glenn Beck)

This is an awesome letter....WE ARE COMING!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(it reads....)

"I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written.

Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

- One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

- Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

- Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

- Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

- Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

- Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

- Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

- Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why ‑‑ what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

- Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

- Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band‑Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

- Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try ‑‑ please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

- Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance.

Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it.

You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. I

f you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent?

Listen.

Because we are coming.

We the people are coming."

"Hubbel Employed"

2009-04-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

I am starting a new blog with my latest cartoon strip. Its all in the beginning stages.
(So don't expect too much for now.)
Its called "Hubbel Employed".
I have had the story in my head for about 7 years and feel like its time to get it online.
Its just another way to express my creativity.
In a weird way.

You can see a short synopsis here:
http://www.devourax.com/properties.htm

and the blog will be located here:
http://hubbelemployed.blogspot.com

Keep checking for updates!

Comments are always welcome.

2009-03-20T12:18:00.001-07:00

2009-03-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

some more

2009-03-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

1994 Mead Animal Art

2009-03-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

In 1994, Mead Corp. released a series of folders with some amazing animal art on them.
I have had them in a file cabinet since then and decided to show off the amazing artwork.

enjoy!

Deep Thoughts

2009-03-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

I found this the other day.
It has some profound insight...Thought I'd share.

(author is ©1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall)

After a While

After a while

You learn the subtle differences between holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn

That love doesn’t mean leaning, and company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin

To learn that kisses are not contracts, and presents are not promises.

And you begin

To accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an

adult, not the grief of a child.

And you learn

To build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans.

After a while

You learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So plant your own garden

And decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn

That you really can endure . . .

That you really are strong . . .

And you really do have worth.

Hi

2009-03-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hi....

Not much to say...I guess I have been in a creative slump lately.
I am too preoccupied with the economy, crazy politicians, corrupt politicians....man, everything is wearing on me.... and its not just rupublican conservatism that is feeling attacked...EVERYONE in America should be fuming at what is going on with the banks, bailouts, PORK barrel spending, tax increases...etc etc. I swear I'm not in America anymore.

But I am 100% American true blue and through. Even if our govt. is turning into a bunch of socialistic fascist commies. Makes me wanna scream....(see image....not my artwork...but is a good representation of pain)

Anyway, I am working on a new art piece to show my frustration with politics in America that I will post soon.

What is wrong with our world?????

2009-02-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

BEWARE: RANT

Our world is going crazy! Obama just signed an 800 billion stimulus that won't stimulate anything but government. (piggie sounds) The 900 Billion before that was to help home foreclosures, yet the money is unaccounted for and went to buying up banks instead. (flushing sounds)

Man, I think we are in for some serious economic trouble ahead.

There are those who blame capitalism. I don't. I blame greed.
There are those who blame republicans. I don't. I blame ALL politicians.
There are those who blame Bush. I don't. I blame ALL politicians.

See, somewhere politicians jumped into the game and forgot about the people who voted them there. They only care about gaining power, leveraging power, and gaining more power.

And Americans are too busy in their own personal lives to take a stand and stop these crazy politicians before they ruin America as we have known it. We all need to stand up for good.

Evil is not good....and good is not evil. We all know the difference....

Stand up and give your voice.....

before its too late...... and your voice is silenced....... forever.

Update:

2009-02-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

I am rewriting a script at the moment which
I am pretty excited about. If only funding wasn't such a bear.

It's snowing today. I love to write when its snowing.
I just framed a pic of Walt Disney for my desk.
He is the man!

I watched Swiss Family Robinson over the weekend.
Why aren't films made like this anymore?
This is such a fantastic film.
It has the making of that you should definately watch. Chalked full
of unknown facts. What a classic!!!!

dev

Fun Tutorials

2009-02-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

I made these tutorials a few years ago, BUT they still work great!
The Mayer shader tutorials are real easy to use.
The Maya chrome tutorial is fantastic. (use the chrome image provided) I used it a lot when I made medical animations years ago.

Hope you enjoy!
dev

How to Make A Gorilla In 3D!

2009-02-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

I put this together. Hope you like it.
Its not super detailed, but it gives you an idea of how I build in 3d.

I will add a texture tutorial later.

How we can affect others...

2009-01-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

We all affect others on a daily basis.
How often do we uplift others?
How often do we discourage others?

No matter what, we all have an impact on everyone we come in contact with on a daily basis, whether the experience is good or bad.
This video is a wonderful example of how we influence others.
Watch it all and you will be glad you did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao

True Heroes

2009-01-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

In our crazy world...its nice to know that there are "TRUE HEROES" among us.

This is so inspirational.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqb2NR5nlBQ

Rick and Dick Hoyt inspire me!

My artwork

2009-01-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

Please note that the game renders are property of Disney....
My own work/ drawings etc are mine. Just keep that in mind. I post them to inspire and to encourage creativity.

As far as what I do, I create the models in 3d. (Maya) Then once the models are approved, I make the textures. Once the textures are approved, I send the models off to the rigger and he adds an IK skeleton. Once that happens, the character is sent off to the animators.
I haven't been animating as much for the last year. I hope to get back into animation to keep my skills greased.
I have so much stuff I wish I could post...but for now...I can't because the IP's are under non- disclosure contracts. But trust me, they are really cool.

Artwork Disney Interactive 2008

2009-01-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

More Images Disney Interactive 2008

2009-01-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

Band Artwork 2008

2009-01-08T13:59:00.001-08:00

UPDATE IN 2009

2009-01-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

I am keeping busy....what's new about that.
I have slowed down on the personal projects, but should get back into the swing of things shortly. I am planning on attending a film festival in a few weeks. Should be fun.

I will be posting some of my Disney work now that the game is out. (Ultimate Band) It was a fun game to work on. We are currently working on a fun cartoony IP that I will let you know about when it is announced and known among the public...but for now it is shhhhhhhh........(however it is a pretty high profile IP that we all know and love...)

For some weird reason, I keep writing new songs. About a year ago I thought that writing new songs was not going to happen for a while. I felt like the river ran dry........but noooo, I have written a few more this month and seem to keep finding inspiration. I am having alot of fun.
I hired a fantastic woman to help me transcribe a Christmas song on paper. It is called, "The Star".

Quote, " Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw

I read an article lately that really inspired me about creativity. It basically said that we are all creators. EVERYONE. Everyone can create something beautiful whether it be an art piece, a music piece, a garden, or a small corner of the house. You don't need money, position, or influence to create. You just have to have a desire.

I quote from the article, "You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.

If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters/sons of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination. But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.

You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

and this is my favorite part.....

"The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."

It is what makes us happy and makes for a happier life.
This is why I create.

Now go and create something wonderful.

-dev

another shark pic

2008-12-22T06:41:00.000-08:00

I quickly drew this shark for an art presentation I did for a local scout group. My objective was to draw something fairly quickly and color it as a reference object. I then took the sketch I made, and erased portions out such as the sharks mouth, nose, fins, tail etc until it had a very basic shape without the details. I then ran copies and gave each kid a half sketched shark on a piece of paper. They had to fill in the blanks based on this quickly drawn/colored ref image.

The results...

I was amazed at these kids. Some had natural art abilities while others had no interest in art whatsoever, but the results blew me away. I realized that if you just draw the basic shape/ foundation, the kids could fill in the blanks and make it look every bit as good as the reference provided.
The objective was to make it look like a great white shark...and they pulled it off with 5 stars. And the best part,... they were proud of what they accomplished.
Some of the kids who never even created an art piece amazed themselves.

It was a great and worthwhile project. (yet so simple)

Simple is good. And simple made these kids believe they could draw.
Fun times!

In celebration of Halloween

2008-10-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a "cute horror" pic I drew.

enjoy...

Sketches 10 2008

2008-10-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some "rough" sketches that I have been promising to post for a long time.

I have a ton of these little doodles.

Maybe I will post more later.

Enjoy!

FEAR in the Ocean

2008-10-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Ever go diving in the ocean?

Ever worry about sharks?

This is my artistic rendition of the FEAR we all have in the open ocean stemmimg from a dream I had. (sorry about the gore side of this image....but it is what it is in my dream........)

I am pretty facinated with sharks, especially the Great White Shark. I have always dreamed of shark diving in Australia, or Africa. One of these days when I'm rich I will do it!

But you might ask, "Will your horrific dream stop you from diving if you ever get the opportunity to dive with Great White Sharks?"

Heck NO!!!! If I ever get the chance, I'm going for it!

You only live once, right?

update: October 2008

2008-10-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Disney has been slow these past few weeks as we transition into another IP. We get to have fun doing our own personal creative stuff.

I have written 5 new songs on the guitar. I didn't mean to. They just came to me in a creative surge. I am going to record them soon on a mini demo for posterity.

I am a little concerned about the economy. If you aren't, then you must be wealthy or own your own house. I have a house, but I am 20 years away from owning it completely. Being in the creative/ entertainment industry will always be good for me, if people still want entertainment. It was proven that during the Great Depression of 1829, people still went to movies for an escape. I think layoffs are inevitable in every job field.... It makes me wonder if I should have majored in business, or something in medical. But then, my passion and happiness comes from what I do...and that is art....so I guess that is where I will be until it is impossible to support my family.

The recent American Economic meltdown

2008-09-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here is my contribution in honor of those greedy pigs who destroyed Wall Street.
(politicians on both sides as well as the greedy banks.)

Burn baby burn......

Some recent artwork

2008-09-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Photoshop is an amazing software package. Here is an example of tweeking an image by using the liquify tool.

Ultimate Band

2008-09-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Here is the game cover for the project I have been working on for the past year. I worked as a character artist creating characters, clothing, and accessories. It was a huge project, but alot fun. I'm pretty proud to be a part of Disney. Maybe I will post more stuff at a future time.
Rock on!

Update

2008-09-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have updated my blog. I have been really busy at Disney. We finished up the DS "Caspian" game and had high hopes for sales. Since the movie kinda flopped , so did the game. We're hoping that "Ultimate Band" for the Wii will be a better title as far as sales. Disney will release it in the next 2 months. (by Christmas) It is a fun game and I really think kids will enjoy playing it.(8 - 12 yr olds) The game doesn't really compete with Guitar Hero or Rock Band because it doesn't need periphials. You just use the nun-chuck and wii-mote. It has an awesome character creator too if I do say so myself. I was on a team of 3 dudes who built all the characters and character pieces (hats, hair, pants, shirts, etc...) for the character creator. We are glad to be done and move on to "Toy Story 3". (however, there may be a band #2 game if it does well)

Creatively, I have sort of taken a hiatus. Summers usually kill me with yardwork, family stuff etc. It's pretty overwhelming. So my art stuff/projects have sort of taken a backseat. I actually pulled some book stuff out the other night and worked a little. I have also written 3 songs.

If you feel it....ya gotta do it.

as I say....."Until I'm not...I am".

My anatolian shepherd pic

2008-09-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

this pic looks like my anatolian shepherd.

Creepo pic

2008-09-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here is a pic I drew for fun. I scanned in a line drawing and colored it in Photoshop.

Maybe I can post some more.

a new drawing

2008-09-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

I made this today.

pic for a cowboy

2008-06-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

I quickly drew this for a birthday program.

1000

2008-06-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Wow....1000 people have been to my blog.

I feel "special".

I got my anatolian shepherd a week ago. She is a handful but very fun.

Update Schmupdate

2008-06-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Man, I am not very good at updating.

Summer is here....which equates to long hours of yardwork. I never get much done in the summers as far as the creative work goes. Just too much to do.
I sure hope this summer isn't as hot as last summer. Man, that was a scorcher.
We have some new ducks and chickens. I am also hatching golden pheasants. (not sure if they will hatch by incubator or not) My female is also sitting on a handful of eggs that we hope will hatch as well.
My long awaited anatolian shepherd will soon arrive from Alabama.
I hope she survives the plane ride...you never know what they go through by the time they arrive into your arms. The breeder is letting her go at 6 weeks. I really like that because I want to get her to our family asap. Most breeders wait until they are 8 - 10 weeks. (that is torture!) The breeder believes that the pups are ready to go as soon as they are weaned from mama. I will start crate training her immediately. I will also intoduce her to some chickens and see how she does. I have read that they are good with pheasants...Maybe I will try that...who knows at this point.
Narnia's "Prince Caspian" game was released a few weeks ago. Our studio went to the theater and saw the movie to celebrate. Hopefully the game does well. (the movie isnt doing too bad)
Our next game should be done in a month or so. (Ultimate Band)

Sadly, I havent been drawing or writing much lately. I have years worth of creative ideas and work piling up...(a lifetime of work is more accurate).......but all I can do is all I can do.
as my book says and as my coined phrase goes, "Until I'm not...I am".

-

Last of the Nine Old Men

2008-04-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

Ollie Johnston died on April 14th 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ollie_Johnston

He was the last living Disney pioneers who Walt dubbed, "The Nine Old Men". He will be missed.

April is nearly gone

2008-04-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

This month is flying by me.... It is still snowing off and on. One day it is snowing, and the next day is 80 degrees. Strange weather.
I am going through my toy collection since I have had since I was a little kid. (still a kid mentally) Although my kids love my toys, I am thinking about selling them. Just another thing I don't need anymore.
I am still doing character design, as well as writing. I will post stuff as I can. (most of the time I post at work....so it is hard to get images up unless I post at home...i know....its complicated)

I have also been finishing up some songs that I have written. I'd like to get them down on professional demos. (more for posterity)

-dev

Sea Monkeys set

2008-03-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

You know you want your own set of monkey pets.

Sea Monkeys

2008-03-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

Man, I wanted these so bad when I was a kid. I would buy comics and stare at the joke/ gimmick ads for days. The comics always had these strange sea-monkeys. I was captivated. "Wow, I could have my own strange family of little sea creatures!". Little did I know that these sea-monkeys looked nothing like the drawings. I was so bummed when my hard earned cash was wasted on crummy brine shrimp.

The sea-monkey family is now available as a toy set. I just had to buy the family set for nastalgic reasons.

Now I have my own sea-monkeys....and they look just like the ad.

I'm a happy camper now.

Story dev/ Animation Notes

2008-03-06T10:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of stuff I have learned from top notch pros.....

Devourax's "Stuff I have learned about Story dev/ Animation and Life" List

http://www.devourax.com/

Over the years I have studied animation/ character design and story development. I have learned alot. I decided to make a list of things that I have learned. It seems like we are always learning doesn't it? These key points consist of advice given by the top animators/ filmakers of our generation and before. Some comments come from the masters (Disney's 9 old men) in the animation field.

- Voice is a key part of character development.

- Make sure your character voices are strong character voices that fit the character.

(example: Baloo in Jungle Book, Mice on Rescuers etc.)

- Don't fear death in a film. Walt Disney didn't fear death in a film because it was true to life.

- When making a film, involve key contributers of the film. They will feel like more a part of the process if they can give opinions. (I love the way that Barry Gordy did this in the early Mo-town days. He would pull together a panel and they would vote on each song release.)

- Be willing to try new things. Work hard, and keep a high standard of integrity. Walt Disney had a simple- complex and sophisticated appreciation for "newness". Walt liked people who took on new things. He liked those who are daring. He admired those who were willing to try something new even if they didn't know how.

- Study live action.

- If your going to follow a leader, follow someone who will lead you to better things. Walt Disney had an air about him that made people want to please him.

- Do your best. Then when you think you've done your best....push for 20% more. Walt Disney had a knack for making the best "better".

- Inspire others. Find ways to inspire YOU. Walt Disney drew out of you what he believed you could do. He made you believe it even when you didn't know how to do it.

- Story is king! Story, Story, Story! To The Story Dept: From Walt Disney, "The world isn't made up of gags. There isn't one of you who could write a romance, lulluby, or a love affair in a picture. You have to have warmth so the audience can identify."

- The artist must believe in the project. (Walt Disney's artists believed in Walt AND the projects he was driving.)

- It is important to share knowledge and help each other on a project. The completion of a film is a BIG job. Communication, dedication, and commitment are crucial to its success.

- Be a visionary. Don't take anything for face value. Most people can't see past the end of their noses. Look for potential. Look at the bigger picture. Walt Disney always brought people up to "His" vision. He didn't settle for a low base. He was always pushing and encouraging.

- Be humble. Be thankful. We are all learning together. Walt Disney wasn't always right. He depended upon his artists and their own individual strengths.

- A wise man once said, "Follow your dreams. The world needs dreamers. Dreams make this world a better place. We need people with visions of a better tomorrow for everyone. We need people willing to risk all for the next guy. We are all here to make a difference."

- Reach your potential. "Walt wasn't a man, he was a force of nature." - Hazel George

- Study constant. Constant study. Study all you can. Study filmaking, action analysis, character, art class, etc.

- Drawing isn't enough!

- Observe!

- Realism isnt it. Drawing isnt it. Outlandish isnt it. It is believability and the ability to reach the audience! That is what matters!

- Get into the character or you will get a flat result.

- Frank Thomas loves animation because it pulls together all that he loves about life. He said, "I'm not sure I'd be satisfied just as a musician, or just as an actor, or just as something else. Animation gave me a chance to use all these interests and work them together. They all helped each other."

hope you enjoy!

I am sure I will add more.......

- dev

My personal work

2008-02-21T17:45:00.000-08:00

You know....I have realized that my blogger lacks alot of my personal work. I spend all day modeling, texturing, designing etc........I have TONS of awesome character stuff to post. I would love to post my Disney work, however, ...I cant. At least until the properties are released....and if I get the proper permissions.

My personal work that I work on outside of Diz is also under wraps until I get closer to the completed project...so it boils down to me only posting sketches......

- sigh -

So, I'll get some sketches going....

-dev

Oompa Time

2008-02-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

Oompas were the creepiest little dudes on tv when I was a kid. But I grew to love that movie....and those little Loompas. It's a classic that I watch every now and then with my kids.

It's funny, because the design of the Oompa is really unique. Who'd a thought green hair, white eyebrows and an orange face? I like how they all vary in size and shape too. They aren't little cloned "mini me's" like the lame version with Johhny Depp.

In fact, I can't stand the new revised "Tim Burton" hack job. It's a perfect example of idiots thinking they can do better with all the latest and greatest in CG. The Oompas in that show look stupid. The original Oompa is clever and made to last. Why did Johhny Depp destroy Willy Wonka? He made him so creepy........ And I like Johnny Depp!

Advice.....Leave the classics alone people!

If there is really a place called LoompaLand....I'm packing my bags!

-dev

heres the text to "Angry White Man"

2008-02-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

Here is the text to the "Angry White Man" article in case the url doesn't work.
(I hope the author won't mind)

In election 2008, don’t forget Angry White Man

Gary Hubbell February 9, 2008

There is a great amount of interest in this year’s presidential elections, as everybody seems to recognize that our next president has to be a lot better than George Bush. The Democrats are riding high with two groundbreaking candidates — a woman and an African-American — while the conservative Republicans are in a quandary about their party’s nod to a quasi-liberal maverick, John McCain.

Each candidate is carefully pandering to a smorgasbord of special-interest groups, ranging from gay, lesbian and transgender people to children of illegal immigrants to working mothers to evangelical Christians.

There is one group no one has recognized, and it is the group that will decide the election: the Angry White Man. The Angry White Man comes from all economic backgrounds, from dirt-poor to filthy rich. He represents all geographic areas in America, from urban sophisticate to rural redneck, deep South to mountain West, left Coast to Eastern Seaboard.

His common traits are that he isn’t looking for anything from anyone — just the promise to be able to make his own way on a level playing field. In many cases, he is an independent businessman and employs several people. He pays more than his share of taxes and works hard.

The victimhood syndrome buzzwords — “disenfranchised,” “marginalized” and “voiceless” — don’t resonate with him. “Press ‘one’ for English” is a curse-word to him. He’s used to picking up the tab, whether it’s the company Christmas party, three sets of braces, three college educations or a beautiful wedding.

He believes the Constitution is to be interpreted literally, not as a “living document” open to the whims and vagaries of a panel of judges who have never worked an honest day in their lives.

The Angry White Man owns firearms, and he’s willing to pick up a gun to defend his home and his country. He is willing to lay down his life to defend the freedom and safety of others, and the thought of killing someone who needs killing really doesn’t bother him.

The Angry White Man is not a metrosexual, a homosexual or a victim. Nobody like him drowned in Hurricane Katrina — he got his people together and got the hell out, then went back in to rescue those too helpless and stupid to help themselves, often as a police officer, a National Guard soldier or a volunteer firefighter.

His last name and religion don’t matter. His background might be Italian, English, Polish, German, Slavic, Irish, or Russian, and he might have Cherokee, Mexican, or Puerto Rican mixed in, but he considers himself a white American.

He’s a man’s man, the kind of guy who likes to play poker, watch football, hunt white-tailed deer, call turkeys, play golf, spend a few bucks at a strip club once in a blue moon, change his own oil and build things. He coaches baseball, soccer and football teams and doesn’t ask for a penny. He’s the kind of guy who can put an addition on his house with a couple of friends, drill an oil well, weld a new bumper for his truck, design a factory and publish books. He can fill a train with 100,000 tons of coal and get it to the power plant on time so that you keep the lights on and never know what it took to flip that light switch.

Women either love him or hate him, but they know he’s a man, not a dishrag. If they’re looking for someone to walk all over, they’ve got the wrong guy. He stands up straight, opens doors for women and says “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am.”

He might be a Republican and he might be a Democrat; he might be a Libertarian or a Green. He knows that his wife is more emotional than rational, and he guides the family in a rational manner.

He’s not a racist, but he is annoyed and disappointed when people of certain backgrounds exhibit behavior that typifies the worst stereotypes of their race. He’s willing to give everybody a fair chance if they work hard, play by the rules and learn English.

Most important, the Angry White Man is pissed off. When his job site becomes flooded with illegal workers who don’t pay taxes and his wages drop like a stone, he gets righteously angry. When his job gets shipped overseas, and he has to speak to some incomprehensible idiot in India for tech support, he simmers. When Al Sharpton comes on TV, leading some rally for reparations for slavery or some such nonsense, he bites his tongue and he remembers. When a child gets charged with carrying a concealed weapon for mistakenly bringing a penknife to school, he takes note of who the local idiots are in education and law enforcement.

He also votes, and the Angry White Man loathes Hillary Clinton. Her voice reminds him of a shovel scraping a rock. He recoils at the mere sight of her on television. Her very image disgusts him, and he cannot fathom why anyone would want her as their leader. It’s not that she is a woman. It’s that she is who she is. It’s the liberal victim groups she panders to, the “poor me” attitude that she represents, her inability to give a straight answer to an honest question, his tax dollars that she wants to give to people who refuse to do anything for themselves.

There are many millions of Angry White Men. Four million Angry White Men are members of the National Rifle Association, and all of them will vote against Hillary Clinton, just as the great majority of them voted for George Bush.

He hopes that she will be the Democratic nominee for president in 2008, and he will make sure that she gets beaten like a drum.

Amen to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angry white men

2008-02-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

I had a nice 3 day weekend. Worked around the most mostly. I watched Hidalgo which was pretty cool. I made two pans of chicken enchildas and basically hung out with the family.

Political Rant:

I read this article written by Gary Hubbell in the Aspen Times.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/2008198091324

Amen.

-dev
(angry white man)

College Shootings

2008-02-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

It's really sad to hear of the recent college shootings where a lone gunman killed 7 (including himself) and wounded 21. It's such a shame. I get really irritated about some who react to the guns....this issue isn't about guns. This issue is about our society and the violence we have embraced for the past 50 years. Everything we watch on television is saturated with murder, adultry, violence, sex, kidnappings, and so on...... We are what we eat.
Some comments I agree with on CNN are as follows.....

Wayne Ellis of Allen, Texas : "This is a perfect example to support allowing licensed people to carry guns on college campuses and even into classrooms as well as everywhere else. This shooter would have been killed before he could have gotten off more than two shots if other people there had been allowed to legally carry weapons. As the old cliché goes: "When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns." The restrictions on law-abiding citizens made them all easy prey for this or any other crazed shooter."

Jeff Tormala of Molalla, Oregon : "It's not guns. Our society has glorified violence and dysfunction for the last 40 to 50 years, and we are reaping the fruits of it. Take a look at prime-time TV today: "CSI," "Law & Order," now "Dexter." It's a lineup of the most disgusting cruelty on display for all. Video games and movies that glorify violence against innocent individuals. What do we expect? It won't end until we as a society say enough is enough."

Martin Wnuk of Friendswood, Texas : "Apparently we've become a nation of strangers. There seems to be very little in common to bond us to our fellow Americans outside of our immediate families. And some don't even have that to fall back on.
Many claim we are a Christian country, yet cutthroat competition and winning are given all the emphasis and rewards over any Christian ideal. And it also seems that things of real value are pretty much being dismissed while worthless things are assigned great value.
So it's not surprising that we are creating these seemingly soulless ghouls who are in reality desperate, lonely, hopeless and ill ... and capable of unthinkable random violence.
I have no answer to it. In a few weeks this will be forgotten, except by the fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and friends of the slain, who will live with it forever."

Ruth Neal of Northridge, California : "I think that there are more shootings now because our children are no longer taught to accept responsibility for their actions. Parents and government are both to blame for this. Parents, because they are not willing to put forth the effort to raise their children to respect others and their right to be different. When something goes wrong, the parents will often find a reason why someone or something else is to blame for the problem, never the child. The government enforces the problems by curtailing disciplinary action in schools, cutting school funding, cutting counseling at schools and eliminating after-school programs. We have raised a generation of me-first children who give no thought to anything beyond their own wants and needs. We have become a society where one person's view can take precedence over the majority. We have allowed God to be pushed aside in favor of the minority. We have become the most violent society in the world. Until things change, we can only expect to see more horrendous tragedies in the years to come."

sad.........

but until America says "Enough!"......nothing will change.

What can we do? Stop watching it. Stop supporting those who make crappy television shows, films, music, games.

Support companies/ people that make good content. (not pointless violence)
Elect officials and political leaders who will fight against the crap.

Do it! before its too late.....

-dev

Scary times two....

2008-02-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

I think I am seeing double scary......

More scary people...

2008-02-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

I'd hate to run into him in a dark alley.... "Hey, Gimmie back my cheeseburgers!"

Yikes....Corky...RUN!

2008-02-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

Um.....Corky is cool, but those creeps behind him give me the willies.

More scary people....

2008-02-15T11:45:00.001-08:00

Need I say more....?

Things that scare me as an adult...

2008-02-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

This has to be real.......I am traumatized by this image....but somehow, in some strange way, it makes sense. I'll keep my crowbar next to my bed in case it gets loose.

Those menacing flying monkeys

2008-02-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

These I feared as a child...

2008-02-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

Kids are pretty impressionable at their tender young ages. I remember that the "child catcher" from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" scared me to death. And don't forget those flying monkeys from one of the best films ever produced, "Wizard of Oz".

Gorilla brain

2008-02-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Man, I have often wondered if a gorilla is smarter that we think. I mean, look at the size of his skull. He has the capacity to store alot of luggage in there, let alone an intelligent alien brain....

man, it sounds like that could be the start of a very interesting cartoon idea. "Gorilla Brain Alien's from Kolob".

You're Hot if your an Animator!

2008-02-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

See for yourself. You're hot if your an animator.

(- sizzle sfx -)

Of course India, China, and Korea already know this.

http://spotlight.encarta.msn.com/Features/encnet_Departments_CareerTraining_default_article_HotJobsinHollywood.html?GT1=10887

Ahhhhh....a relaxing weekend

2008-02-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

I did nothing this past weekend. Absolutely nothing. For the first time in 10 years or so, I slept, watched tv, slept, surfed the internet, and slept some more. Of course I am fighting a head cold, so sleeping is really appealing. I never do nothing. It seems like I always have something to do.

BEWARE: Rant ahead

I have decided NOT to renew my Animation Magazine subscription. I have been an avid subscriber for more than 15 years. I'm just not happy with the articles anymore. It could also be the content of shows these days. They basically SUCK. Animation Mag articles swarm around these "junker shows" and basically, I'm not interested in them. I'm really getting sick of the same ol' stuff. The same look. The same formula. The same trends. I feel like no one is setting trends anymore. Well, ok....maybe one show breaks through all the bureaucracy and becomes a surprise hit. Then everyone has to jump on the bandwagon.

These days, producers are following successful trends and scrambling to compete with the new latest and greatest. They ride the coat tails of a summer "surprise" hit. Or they rehash stuff over and over. ("land before time" part 32 comes to mind) Most shows are second rate and mediocre. Do audiences really want pointless folley? 90% action and 10% storyline? I don't think so. (and don't get me started on annoying idiot sidekicks...thats an entire rant that deserves its own paragraph....but we wont go there today.)

Also, this politically correct crap is getting on my nerves. Do we really have to have equal treatment of sexes, colors, ethnicity, cultures, etc? I feel like that issue alone quells creativity when you have to stick to makeshift rules of the television PC police. As John Stossil would say....

Gimmie a break.

Another thing, when Anim Mag made their website a pay subscription, I felt like that was a terrible idea...even though I was a subscriber and was able to read the articles. I would read something that I wanted to share with a co-worker, but I couldn't because they weren't paying subscribers. How lame is that?

So, I made up my mind. I won't be one to give them my hard earned cash for pointless and crappy articles. They can keep their magazine. Ill visit www.awn.com and keep up on the info there.

-dev

Marc Davis

2008-02-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

I found a bunch of Marc Davis art online and though I would post a few here and there. He is such a great artist. I love reading about him in the book titled, "The Nine Old Men", by John Canemaker.

http://www.amazon.com/Walt-Disneys-Nine-Old-Animation/dp/0786864966/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202411192&sr=8-1

Marc is one of my favorite Nine Old Men because he was so inlvolved with the innovation of Haunted House, Pirates of the Carribean, America Sings, Bear Country etc etc. He will always be one of my favorite character designers.

Oh joy..It's Tak

2008-02-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Tak originated in Utah at Avalanche Software. Now, he's a Nickelodeon animated IP. I think it's inspiring to know that the ip's grass roots were developed outside of Hollywood. And to think that it's now a regular on Saturday morning cartoons. way cool.

My hero

2008-02-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

Walt is my hero. I love working for Disney because of him. I don't think my co-workers have the same affection for Walt and the amazing man he was. Most of them know nothing about him. I do because I have read countless books about his life inlcuding biographies, quotes, his vision for his movies etc etc etc . I value the things that he stood for. He was an advocate for families. His values that he stood for have an appeal families across the world. Sadly, most everything he stood for is trodden underfoot by Hollywood and mainstream america (and that includes some of Disney Co. as it is today).

Still, he will always be one of my heroes.

Treasure Planet 2

2008-02-06T21:04:00.000-08:00

Great art.....great potential as a film....but it sucked in story development. As the movie flopped, Disney's head, Michael Eisner, whined, "Those stinkin finicky 14 year old boys don't know what they want". yeah, whatever. This is the same idiot who declared 2d as dead and screamed, "Where's my Jimmy Nuetron!!!!" when it made enormous amounts of money.

what an idiot.

Treasure Planet

2008-02-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Diz...this looks kinda wierd

2008-02-06T21:02:00.001-08:00

Is this a dead Disney IP? Is it on hold? Anyone know the status?

It looks like they are going the "Gorillaz" direction. Like a combo of anime and Gorillaz style art. I don't believe we evolved from apes, but I love a good caveman.

I'm not sure if I like it yet , but I must say that I am intrigued.

Buhler...

Buhler.

Model Sheet 5

2008-02-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

Model Sheet 4

2008-02-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

Model Sheet 3

2008-02-06T21:00:00.001-08:00

Model Sheet2

2008-02-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

Model Sheet

2008-02-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

larger poster

2008-02-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

Kermit

2008-02-06T20:56:00.000-08:00

When I was a wee little kid, I was a muppet fanatic. I especially loved Kermit and Animal. I still have my old puppets and original Muppet fan club memorabilia. What great memories. Jim Hensen was another one of my heroes.

National Geographic

2008-02-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

I know I have already posted my work I did for National Geographic (3d modeling) , but I thought I would post the entire magazine spread. The 3d models are also on the NG website and are interactive. The movie "Seamonsters" is at an IMAX theater near you. M. Leishman set up the i/k rig and C. Acree did the textures. Our credits appeared under The Lair Group.

more...

2008-02-06T20:45:00.001-08:00

more...

2008-02-06T20:45:00.000-08:00

This image appeared in all the major newspapers and all over the internet.

more...

2008-02-06T20:44:00.001-08:00

more.....

2008-02-06T20:44:00.000-08:00

2008-02-06T20:43:00.001-08:00

creepy

2008-02-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

2008-02-06T20:42:00.001-08:00

Another

2008-02-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

Godzillasuchas

2008-02-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

He looks so cool.

Another

2008-02-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

Another National Geographic creature I modeled

2008-02-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

I didn't model the shark. He's cool though.

My Henodus in National Geographic

2008-02-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Krono love

2008-02-06T20:35:00.000-08:00

Sprite Commercial

2008-02-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

I built this little gremlin with my buddy Matt Leishman for a Sprite commercial.

Director's Cut that bit the dust

2008-02-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

Oh , we had such fun ideas for this movie. Too bad it never surfaced.

A movie idea that is still an idea

2008-02-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

Watch Out

2008-02-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

Watch Out for the Wizzy Wigs. These were made for the National Center For Missing and Exploited Kids. I worked on this project for nearly 2 years creating everything from 2d cartoons, to modeling 3d characters, IK rigging, texturing, animation, post production and I even created all the sound effects and music jingles. It was quite the project.

Atari Gauntlet Dark Legacy Game cover

2008-02-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

Atari Dark Legacy Cinematic

2008-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

This was the Sorceress I built for Atari's Gauntlet Legends video game. I also rigged and animated her in the cinematic. I personally wouldn't have made her so top heavy, but Atari kept upping the size. It looks obnoxious if you ask me.

Largest staue in the world

2008-02-06T20:21:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate to work on the Maitreya project. This will be the largest statue in the world located in India. And to think I had something to do with it. (in a smaller way)

We had to create it in 3d so that it could be milled out on a gigantic scale.

see http://www.maitreyaproject.org/