Mini Update

Alright, folks. The site's been down for a couple weeks now, it looks like the free host we were using went belly up. So after some discussion with Jenny, I've decided I'm going to *gasp* pay for a new host. Sure, free is nice, but this'll be better as it should be more reliable, plus we'll also be able to do some cool new stuff with the site. We're in the planning stages or redesigning the site now and with any luck, there will be a relaunch soon.

In the meantime, my blog here will serve as my home on the web.

It's been a while since I've actually written any movie reviews, but if you find yourself with a hankerin' for some reviews, do yourself a favor and check out Jenny's reviews here.

In other news, Batman's Gonna Get Shot in the Face is steadily approaching completion and it's looking hilarious. I can't wait to see this baby finished.

I'm thinking I might actually film The Robin's Song after I'm done animating Batman. I've had it on the back burner for so long now, I'd like to finally do something with it.

Ah well, I must get back to work. Until next time.!

Feelin' the Flow

After a bit of an inspirational dry spell, I feel like I'm back in the creative flow finally. I've been working on the storyboards for The Robin's Song and I'm feeling good. They look and flow so much better than I expected, it's resulting in a rush of confidence like I haven't had in months. It's like a barrier has been kicked down and ideas are just stampeding out.
In the past week or so, I've gotten an idea for what I hope will be a beautiful picture for a friend and I've been writing a lot. I'm feeling good about this.

To top it off, tonight I saw my friend, Amanda, for the first time in five years. We just sat as we reminisced and caught each other up on our lives. It was great!

I think I'll start to tell the tale of my adventure from last year now. Stay tuned, kiddies...

It Begins: Follow-Up

How about a short film update?

A few days back, I received from Cathy a CD with all of the pictures from our little photo shoot. Excitedly, I browsed through them, one by one until I had looked at all seventy-five.

The verdict? Cathy rules. Period.

Let me tell you guys, these pictures are fantastic.

Next on my to-do list for the film:

• Put the pictures in order, mapping out the whole thing shot by shot
• Find equipment, a cast, and a crew

Sounds simple enough. That sound you're hearing is me moaning a lovely "in over my head" moan.

As usual, I'll keep you guys updated as things progress. Now I suggest you all go check out Cathy's awesome photography over at her website: catherinesgallery.com

-Jacob

It Begins

Maria and I study the script to plan the next shot.
Photo courtesy of Catherine Weisheit

Well, the early stages of my short film began today. I had been trying to make up some storyboards to help me get a better idea of how everything would flow, but I just wasn't able to get them right and look how I envisioned them. Some artist, eh? At some point I got the idea to try photo storyboards. Much to my delight, my wonderful friend, Cathy, looked at the screenplay, liked it, and offered to help me out.

Cathy is an incredible photographer and I advise you to check out her work right away at her website: http://www.catherinesgallery.com/

So, today I briefly battled my printer and eventually printed the first copies of my screenplay for us to use. A little while later, Cathy came over to see what we could do. Maria also came over and was kind enough to stand in as the main character during our little shoot. I had fun, I'm pretty sure Cathy did too, but I felt a little bad for Maria. It was basically a lot of me telling her things like "Okay, spill the drink", "Sit on the ground", "Look up the sidewalk", "No, farther down the road", "Can you rub your eyes or something to look teary?", and "Get back on the ground." She insisted it was fine and she took it like a trooper, but I still felt for her.

One especially funny moment was when Cathy was laying on her side in the front yard trying to get a shot through the grass. One guy driving down the street was staring as she laid there in the grass and Maria and I just sat by watching. He just shrugged to himself as he passed.

After a couple rolls of film and a few pauses for each of us to vent about various things, we finished up and Cathy and I announced that was a wrap. I got a taste of directing and took a much needed step in the right direction, so I'd say it was a productive day. Now I just have to wait for the pictures to be developed. I'm not worried though, judging by Cathy's other work, they'll be fantastic. I'll keep you guys posted and let you know when I see them!

Thanks again to Cathy and Maria!

-Jacob

Short and Sweet

So, as promised, here's the rundown on the short film.
First off, let me say it's surprisingly difficult to squeeze a whole story into just a few minutes, but I think I found a nice compromise. I ended up writing a short story around a poem I wrote a couple months ago. Funny thing is, in doing so I found myself liking this little poem a lot more. I originally saw it as pretty plain and cheesy (just how I like my pizzas, incidentally,) but as I wrote the story around it, I was shocked to see it worked on more layers than imagined, hopefully you guys will agree.
So to give you guys a taste without totally spoiling the film, I figure I'll share the poem itself. Go easy on me.

-Jacob

The Robin's Song
by Jacob Drake

Spring came in with a sound
Of a robin singing in a tree

It came in swift upon the wind
And made the air alive to me

It came to town along the ground
And made it shimmer with dew

Grey turned blue and brown turned green
As the world was born anew

A royal blue jacket and a walk to school
As the spring sun warmed my face

The snow was gone from winter long
And budding blossoms took its place

Spring came in with a sound
Of a robin singing in a tree

The robin's song's been gone too long
Please spring, come back to me