...and the Ugly

The Bad

Where to begin...? Personal projects are in a holding pattern. High above, they circle in endless flight for the foreseeable future; in sight, but out of reach. For now.
Technical abnormalities continue. One issue is fixed and yet another rears its head, mocking me from behind BestBuy receipts. 
Inexplicable circumstances have led me to the inescapable conclusion that all of my technology is inhabited by gremlins, hell-bent on making life miserable or at least making my wallet significantly lighter.

The Good

Motion Graphics are complete for a documentary, and work progresses for a Kickstarter campaign for Asheville LIVE. In the meantime, it's all about creature design, animation and integration into live action for a feature length sci-fi production.
I am tasked with creature design, texturing, rigging, lighting, animation and compositing about 17 shots. Most of which will be achieved with Blender. There is much to do.

As with most projects, time is not on my side. I have to step in where others have dropped the ball and produce results beyond the expectations of those who have given me the opportunity.


I am also on the hook for a National Film Challenge submission currently in production, in case the team needs VFX. It's similar to the 48 hour film project, but slightly different.

Until next time... Do you prefer Practical FX or Digital FX? and Why?
 
Pixel Pusher - out.

Pardon the Dust

Construction

Several years ago, I built myself a website. It has gone through many changes and iterations, but it has basically remained the same in function and appearance. It's original function was to simply to create an online presence and its appearance was to reflect my personality and visual style.

Mission accomplished. Yay.

Now What?

My recent increase in business has affected traffic, a not unwelcome change in the positive direction,  toward my website. So, I have begun a total redesign which will reflect my current and future goals for Spontaneous Design LLC (soon to officially be renamed as "Pixel Pusher Studio"). There will be room for customization, flexibility, greater interaction and room for growth as the business expands. 

Here is a random gif

Impossible

Nothing is Impossible

A while ago I decided to challenge myself to create an effect that is seldom used because it is difficult and time consuming, not to mention expensive for conventional film making. 
The goal was to create a POV shot looking into a mirror. Below, you can see the result.

To Those Who Wait

Good Things

Lately it seems misfortune, poor weather and technical difficulties have plagued the world I endeavor to create. Personal projects are in holding patterns until things get back on track.
Clients await and tomorrow the new motherboard should arrive.  

Short back story: 

• The main work station decided it no longer wanted to function. 
• New components were ordered.  
• TigerDirect failed to deliver the entire order
• Waiting on the rest

Nothing is more discouraging than not having the tools to do one's job or having to depend on third parties who fail to live up to expectations.
I will not be that third party. 
I pride myself on meeting and exceeding deadlines and delivering product above and beyond the expectations of my Clients.
I will not be deterred. I will not fail. Never give up. Never surrender. To infinity.... etc.

It is what it is. Deal with it and move on.

It's Quiet Out There

Too Quiet

<<Crickets Chirping>> 

Well, not really.
Two clients have me working on some great projects, an eye-opening documentary about a EPA SuperFund Site and a TV pilot which will showcase locally based live performance artists. 

The web series continues. We have 9 episodes scripted with at least 15 more to follow. Tomorrow we have prosthetics and makeup tests.

Lots of fun stuff on the way! So much to do!

Scripting

When a Plan Comes Together

While we dodge thunderstorms and torrential rains in this unusually wet season, we are not sitting idly by. The script is well under way. 
9 chapters have fallen into place with more under construction. We have a wonderful story in the works and I hope you will stick around to watch it unfold.
 
Go to my Facebook page for more news from Pixel Pusher Studio.    

Precipitaion Precludes Production

Rain. 

Once a minor inconvenience, now a hilarious and predictable coincidence of events. But while we wait for the sky to stop leaking, we write more script and experiment with visual effects.

We will not be stopped.

Go For Launch

Try, Try Again

• Schedules ☑
• Batteries Charged ☑
• Location ☑
• Transportation ☑
• Equipment ☑
• Props ☑
• Script ☑
• Cast ☑
• Crew ☑ 
• Miscellaneous ☑
• Weather ?     

Tomorrow we shoot, weather permitting (as usual). The forecast looks sketchy, but we remain hopeful. Given the nature of this recent weather, we may be able to operate between downpours.

Meaningful Title

Descriptive Heading

With the weather being relentlessly uncooperative, we've been forced to postpone shooting indefinitly. All we can do is wait for fairer skies. Until then, we are working on the script and refining characters and other solutions for locations.

Meanwhile, other opportunities have manifested. I had a meeting with someone who wants to create an animated series. His goals are lofty and ambitious, but achievable. There is much work to be done. All that's left to do is to do it. More easily said than done. 

These things just don't happen on their own.

 

Do Something

48 Hour Film Project

If you've been reading, you know I was working on a project. That project is on hold for now, or at least until the universe ceases its bombardment. I can't sit around doing nothing, so with the project on hold, I answered opportunity when it came calling. 

The 48 hour film project was in full swing, and I was asked to be part of a team of people with whom I'd collaborated in the past. I said yes. I had already guessed what my role would be, as people were chosen for their strongest traits.

I was on standby for creating visual effects. My participation was not guaranteed, simply because they had no idea whether or not they'd need any VFX. We all waited patiently for the revelation of what genre we'd be given. The genre was chosen. I would be needed.

Immediately, they went to work on brainstorming plots and stories. Within a few hours they had created a script and I was preparing for whatever they may throw at me. The following day, they shot their footage and began sending me files. They were large enough to make online transfer impractical, so I drove to them, copied the files and returned. I could begin.

The first 2-3 minutes was to be converted from day into night. The idea was simple enough. I experimented with the first 12 second clip. I knew right away it wouldn't work. They agreed and I moved on to the meat of the FX.

It was only 5 shots total, but with the deadline fast approaching, I had to work quickly and efficiently. In doing so, I had forgotten to eat. I won't say I did the bare minimum, but I had to call the shots done when they were done. There was no time to make every second into perfection.

Render time.

Footage delivered and dropped into the final edit.

My work here was finished.

It was a good day, a work day. Keep your eye open for opportunity. If you don''t see one, make one. Do something.

Cumulus Conundrum

Poofy Clouds II: The Sequel

Sunday came and is almost gone. Despite our efforts to alter weather patterns through force of Will, we did not prevail in our mission. 

Shoot one page of script. One. That's all we needed to do. Nature had other plans. Instead of writing about visual effects and filmmaking, I am writing about the weather. Well played, nature. Well played.

We chose to make the most of our time by shooting costume tests and fx reference footage. 

The shoot is postponed, pending schedule conflict resolution. But we still move forward.

Poofy Clouds

Weather, or not.

As we awaited the arrival of our talent, we noticed picturesque cumulus clouds approaching over the mountains. I thought they would be great in the background. Who doesn't love a good cloud? 

The talent arrived on time and we proceeded to location where we set up equipment and rehearsed what we had planned to shoot. All was well. The atmosphere was perfect; overcast and warm. With the exception of swarms of gnats clinging in clouds around us, all was well. We framed up the first shot, ready to call for action... then rain. A light sprinkling. We covered the equipment. Then it stopped. Apparently the worst had passed.

Again we attempted. Again the rain came. This time it was steady, persistent. Not exactly a downpour, but enough to soak within a few minutes. Thunder rolled through the valley and the rain increased. With our equipment, we retreated to cover. More thunder. Lightning flashed beneath the gathering storm. Smoke appeared in a field not far from us. I suspected lightning had struck nearby, but no one was sure. Spirits once high were now dampened and we began to pack up the equipment.

The rain became a torrent and the wind whipped through the valley. All was grey through the veil of rain. The clouds, heavy and laden with moisture were slung low atop the mountains, now were crowned with fog and lightning, and we were besieged by unforgiving beauty. The sky fell on us that day.

So, on Sunday next we go again into the elements to try once more.

Pre-Production

Works in Progress

In two days, myself and an associate of mine will be shooting footage for a great project. It will most likely become a Web Series when all is said and done. This is the infancy of this project as the proverbial ink has yet to dry on outlines, plot points, and characters. Stick around. I'll be posting progress reports as we move forward.

Stay tuned...

Memorial Day

Take a momemt...

It's not about cookouts, fireworks and (your favorite sport here). It's not about furniture sales or used car-lot deals. It's not about having the day off from work.
It's about Remembering that people risk their lives every day so that you can continue to enjoy all of those things. Remember those who have served. Remember those who have served and died.
Our lives come at a price. It's a Memorial Day for those who paid the price.

Shameless subscription request

it's just a click away

Click this link and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Click this other link and subscribe to my other YouTube channel.

You can see some of my work, fx tests and some random stuff just for fun.
Here's a tornado I created. You can watch it here or go to my channel and watch it in HD.

I got your pixels right here

Pushing Pixels 

hey buddy... wanna buy some pixels?

Visual effects also known as VFX. It's what I do, my obsession and my chosen profession.
If you have any interest in the subject, I welcome you to join me. I'm going to talk (ramble on and on) about my experiences and adventures as I delve deeper into this industry.

Since it is extremely difficult to break into the business, I am creating my own... from scratch. 
Why? Because I can. 
I have made it my mission to make myself indispensable to the independent film community. I will be the FX source. If filmmakers want it, I'll provide it.

It's already been 2 years since I began my business and I have had the privilege of meeting great people and working on several projects including music videos and 2 independent feature films. And more work is on the way, both from clients and collaborators.

I'll see you behind the scenes. Til next time...