Happy New Year

I hope y'all have a great New Year!

A few things on my 2006 resolution list - (not in any particular order)

- continue excercising every day (going on for over two years now!)

- draw more

- post more drawings

- finish a few children's books! (they are so so so close!!!)

- increase spirituality

- build stronger relationships

- finish my musical cd / sheet music booklet

- motto "happiness is in the journey, not the destination."

Super Duper Blogs

I came across some wonderful artists here on Blogger.
wow.......
http://shawnscott.blogspot.com/
http://www.rajeshindulkar.blogspot.com/
http://bobbychiusubwaysketchgroup.blogspot.com/
http://amiga-team.blogspot.com/
http://andreiriabovitchev.blogspot.com/
http://ericsthomas.blogspot.com/
http://aurelieblardquintard.blogspot.com/
http://tanyalyon.blogspot.com/
http://alcornstudios.blogspot.com/
http://gogeckogirl.blogspot.com/
http://lionsong.blogspot.com/
http://lorrainealvarez.blogspot.com/
http://geenpool.blogspot.com/2005/11/huddle-and-gene.html
http://eddiepittman.blogspot.com/
http://bbinitials.blogspot.com/
http://hansranum.blogspot.com/
http://www.eddiepittman.com/
http://www.saltysugar.com/
http://hansranum.blogspot.com/
http://www.navone.org/
http://www.shaneglines.net/
http://stephensilver.blogspot.com/
http://markmcdonnell.blogspot.com/
http://www.andyice.com/
http://www.peterdeseve.com/
http://mad-t-party.blogspot.com/
http://ulimeyer1000.blogspot.com/
http://desoluz.blogspot.com/
http://reynoldsben.blogspot.com/
http://ryansmithsblogspot.blogspot.com/
http://brentgordon.blogspot.com/
http://john-nevarez.blogspot.com/

Christmas

This is a great season for Thanksgiving.
I have so many blessings to be thankful for.
This year has been a wonderful year celebrating many projects I have worked on.
(some have been years in the making)
I received a gold award for the MMA "In Awe" animation award. And a silver award too!
A script I wrote is in full production. (stop motion animation)
I was selected from 300+ plays to receive a special award. My musical was performed in a beautiful Assembly Hall for two nights. And if that wasn't enough, my musical may be performed in two theaters next year. And if that still wasn't enough, I am teaming up with a famous producer who has worked with Barbara Streisand, George Bush, Osmonds, Senator Hatch, and many more to help produce my cd.
My dinosaurs I worked on for National Geographic made the front cover, and filled the pages.
And so much more.

I am so appreciative of all the wonderful blessings given to me this year.

The nine old men....who are they?

Ok, if you really need to ask who the famous 9 Old Men are, um...then you must not be an animation enthusiast.

Walt Disney's most talented group of animators ever assembled were dubbed "The 9 Old Men". These men were extremely talented not only in the art medium, but also as directors. Their contribution to the animation world is incalculable. They have touched millions of lives. They were truly the pioneers of animation as we know it and emulate today.

There must have been a synergy when these men got together that pushed them and inspired them to excel. Will that ever be duplicated? So far, I haven't seen it in the films pumped out year after year.

Some of the best films that ever came out of Disney Studios were from under their direction during the memorable "Disney Years". Looking at the slough of so called Disney films to surface over the past 10 years makes you wonder, "Where did things go wrong?".

Walt will never be replaced. In my opinion, neither will the visions of the 9-old men who worked with Walt under his direction and continued his vision after his untimely death.

The nine old men are . . .
Les Clark
Marc Davis
Ollie Johnston
Milt Kahl
Ward Kimball
Eric Larsen
John Lounsberry
Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman
Frank Thomas

A book written by John Canemaker called, "Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation" is available on Amazon and well worth getting.

Greatest Family Films according to Devourax

These are what I consider to be the finest family films to ever grace the screen . . .

Ok, most Disney films via the Nine Old Men are considered among the greatest...in fact, while Walt Disney was alive, I would say every picture under his direction was "family gold".
Here are some more...

- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder version)
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
- Chroncicles of Narnia
- Pippi Longstocking (dubbed versions)
- A Christmas Story
- Sound of Music
- Wizard of Oz

Family Film Criteria According To Devourax

The criteria for a great family film in my book is as follows . . .
- must stand the test of time
- avoids pop culture references
- is family friendly
- no cuss words including "Oh My G**"
- is G rated (maybe PG)
- easy on the "scary" factor
- isn't bound by demographics
- makes trends...not follows trends
- original and fun characters
- characters we can relate to
- endearing and sweet
- has a moral...but not in your face morals
- isn't afraid to reference God or religion
- the underdog always wins
- avoids agendas
- avoids violence
- portrays respect for people and elders
- avoids sex and risque content
- avoids cigarettes and drinking

So what films fall into these catagories?....hmmmm.....

What do You think?

I'll post my favorite family films soon.

Christmas list

So, with Christmas around the corner, I am going through my wish list.
I'll only mention a few...
- Frank and Ollie DVD (I have the vhs version)
- Chuck Amuck DVD (I have the vhs version)
- King Kong DVD (ape crazy)
- Twilight Zone Collection 4 and 5
- Rob Thomas solo cd
- Celtic Woman cd
- Flight issue 1 and 2
- Spectrum (any)
- Brady Bunch season 4 and 5
- Gilligan's Island (all)
- Land of the Lost (all)
- Took
- A rasberry lemonade, tunes, and a tan on a deserted island......

Sweet Bidness

Some great books and sites I came across recently in the animated / art world.....

How To Write For Animation
http://users.adelphia.net/~getjeffrey/HTWFA.htm

Digital Character Design and Painting
http://www.seegmillerart.com/

Mike Kunkel
http://www.animationartconservation.com/herobear.html

Spectrum Book
http://www.spectrumfantasticart.com

Nice tutorial
http://www.sofos.com/adi/

Must see DVD

If you are a fan of Walt Disney, like I am, you need to check out the dvd titled "Walt Disney: The Man Behind The Myth". It is so enthralling and informative, that I couln't even take my eyes off the screen.
Walt Disney is my hero. A man who was driven by his dreams. A man who overcame obstacles of all sorts and emerged as an icon and a legend.

Anyone who can take a mere $40, and turn it into a multi billion dollar dream is a story worth listening to. He was a man before his time....I only wonder what could have been had he not died so young.

Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Stork Sketch

 

Here are some more creatures I modeled....

I modeled these creatures in MAYA....

and yet more.......

sweet.......

More National Geo

fun stuff!

National Geographic

The December issue of National Geographic is chalked full of the dinosaurs I worked on and modeled. The Dakosaurus or, "Godzilla", even made the cover!

It's a pretty sweet spread with a poster included. Above is my Kronosaurus.

neato.

Artwork

I will be posting some new stuff soon.

I will post caricatures and sketches.

So keep ypur eyes peeled..........

Toy collections

Yes. Most animators adorn their office space with toys galore. I am no exception.
Why?
Because I believe we are surrounding oursleves in a creative world. I personally love the disney maquettes. I also enjoy the cartoony looking toys.

Tonight I went through boxes and boxes of vintage toys I have collected since I was a kid. (30 years ago!) I am quite tempted to find new homes for all of it. It doesn't do me much good having the toys sitting in boxes. Plus, I could take the money and treat the family to Disneyland or something cool like that.

I am really talking boxes and boxes of stuff (20 boxes) ...opened and unopened. I have alot of Spawn, Bump in the Night, Star Wars, Johhny West, Playskool, Muppets, Planet of the Apes (70's stuff), Alien, Disney, Nightmare berfore Christmas, Dinosaurs, Jurassic Park, Toxic Avenger, Kiss, and more and more.......

Children's entertainment

I have been working on various forms of children's entertainment for over 15 years. I am now starting to test the concepts in the entertainment world. I will have some of my children's stories on my website. I am also moving forward with a television pilot.

This past year I received a big response from a musical I wrote. There are many doors that are opening for me because of that.

Overall, 2005 has been a year of many accomplishments. There have been a few highs, and a few lows. But I keep on keepin on.

Isn't that all we can do?

comments on 3d?

feel free to comment

My 3d work

Here is some 3d work I did for National Geographic....

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0512/feature3/multimedia.html

have fun!

Bring back Cartoons with stories for all

What happened to the Cartoons we used to love?

I find myself buying many box sets of old cartoons I used to watch. Looney Tunes, Fat Albert, Schoolhouse Rock, Tex Avery, Walter Lantz, etc.

The Tex Avery collection was released on laser disc. I paid a pretty penny to have them transferred to dvd. They turned out awesome. The funny thing about these cartoons, is that the audience is so general. They are basically, great stories for all. Kids love them and so do adults. You don't get that anymore in cartoons. Writers and producers have target ages they seek after.

Why not go back to great stories for all?

Animation Inspirations

Lat night I was interviewed by a kid (animator) who I once taught in an art class when he was 9 yrs. old. It got me thinking about who inspired me when I was younger.

I remember being into animation since I was a kid waking up at 1am just to catch Saturday morning cartoons in the 70's. (Ahhhh...when cartoons used to be good)

My inspirations are across the board. From animators, to creative minds, children's television producers, puppeteers, etc.
There are a few key people that have really made an impact on me and what I do today.

Walt Disney - He is my hero. No one can compare. I have watched "The Man Behind The Myth"
many times. I am so inspired by him like no other.
9 old men - These men are the pioneers of animation. They have brought me so much joy.
Tex Avery - Edgy, yet fun. He took cartoons to a new level.
Fred Rogers - My television friend. Kindest, most sincere man on tv.
Jim Hensen - A gifted creator and dreamer.
Frank Oz - Wonderful director and talent.
Mort Drucker - The best caricaturist that ever lived in my opinion.
Sid & Marty Krofft - I watched these shows every day. Crazy, goofy, and fun.
Sherwood Shwartz - He produced some of the best family shows that have been on air for years.
Astrid Lindgren - Pippi is such a wonderful character. (english dubbed versions)
Rod Serling - I lived and breathed Twilight Zone as a kid. Great storytelling here!
Schoolhouse Rock - I love these mini cartoons....especially Bob Dorough's songs and voice.
Hal Roach - I have watched the Little Rascals over and over. Innocense never to be had in kid
actors nowadays.

Maybe one day, I can give something back like these inspired creators have done for me.

-dev

Intro

I'd like to introduce myself.
I am a 3d animator that has been in the 3d industry for over 10 years now.
My expertise is across the board from storyboards, concepting, story development, pitching, script writing, 2d, 3d, character design, 3d modeling, rigging, texturing, animating, post, sfx, jingles, music composition!
My passion is children's books and stories. I am currently developing some stories for my website and a children's television pilot.
I have written an award winning musical that may be performed in two theaters in 2006. So I am excited about that. (as well as keeping very busy)
My favorites places to visit are, Leo Carillo beach, London, Kenya, and Montana. (love Idaho too!)
My favorite websites I frequent are . . .
www.animationnation.com
www.cgtalk.com
www.animationmeat.com
www.devourax.com

I will be posting random pics here and there. Feel free to drop me an email or comment.

 

Devourax

a happy place.....