Because I Wanna

Border Patrol Spot hits market.

2008-07-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

A few posts back (* My Part in the War on Terror ) I showed off some illustrations I did for a spot for JWT for the US Border Patrol. The spot has hit the airwaves (so keep your eyes peeled). Below is a link that hopefully will lead you to a posting of the final spot. As you can see, the final spot is very different from what we started with. Still, it's nice to see the effort pay off.

For the time being, you can see the spot here:
Border Patrol Spot on Adwired.com

And the Emmy goes to...

2008-06-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

Well, somebody else. Somebody far less deserving and nowhere near as handsome as the Disney crew! But how could they be. Even so, they can't take away the fact that we had a fantastic time (it's never bad to see all your old friends, and dressed up no less!) I always thought the only time I'd see Dave in a tux he would be in a casket! We met such great people from the rest of the Disney nominees to some really great talent from other networks! But we're the kind of group you could put to work on a chain gang, and bitch as we may, we'd have a great time together. Thank you Disney for making this such a magnificent event. Special thanks to the most supportive team I've ever worked with: Dave, Don, Brian, Angi, Nancy, Lisa, Nicole, Rob and of course Rich and Gary (and a backward thanks to Jeff for the opportunity and my man Joe for the support). (I think I should wear tuxes far more often!)

Up for an Emmy...

2008-06-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the fantastic work of David Harman (director), Don Mackinnon (director) and Kurt Anderson (storyboard), I have been included in the nomination for Outstanding Main Title Design...or something like that...for My Friend's Tigger and Pooh. I have been rehearsing my acceptance speach all month in which I thank everyone and Disney and of course my Animation-widow of 16 years (for those partners of Animation artists, they'll understand). In all actuality, I have no delusions about winning, but it's really nice to receive the support from the people who's opinions matter most to you. So in case I don't get to say it out loud, thanks Dave, Don, Kurt, Angi, Lori, Nancy, Mary and everyone else at Disney...and thanks Joe.

Kickin' Shell and takin' names

2008-05-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

Decided to try something a little different and show work that is a little rougher than I usually post. These are my thumbnails for a new opening for a long running kids show. Action! Action! Action! 2 different takes on a drive by fight:

Since it's a new opening, we get to play more with CG backgrounds and a higher grade of animation than we can usually get in an episode. So the action here is all presented in 1 camera move; pulling out panning and spinning around. Anyway - just thought it was pretty fun to look at and hoped it might be a bit informative about my process.

Avengers...RECESS!

2008-05-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Did a little segment for this project for Marvel under the excellent direction of Jay Oliva (a fantastic artist, great action boarder and all around great friend). Buy 2 for every kid you know! Should be a fun movie (brought to you by the same kids that made the Ultimate Avengers movies, Iron Man (oh yeah - worked on that with Jay also! - check it out too! - in Best Buys everywhere!).

My part in the war on terror...

2008-05-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

This recent spot is nothing if not "All American" I didn't even post the tricycle with the American flag on the back of it (no joke - but it works!), but you get the picture. Not all pieces are here (it's actually quite extensive) so don't worry if you feel like you're missing some of the story. Keeping the style realistic, simple and elegant really helps sell the concept without sending the whole thing overboard emotionally (which could happen all to easily). With great writing and art direction (all this info will be updated once we get closer to air date) this is a good example of how people who might, at first blush, be a bit cynical to a clients message can really connect with the parts that resinate with all people and produce an effective campaign.

Arm like a tornado...

2008-04-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

Like this recent drawing for a client, I'm working like mad, but keeping the light at the end of tunnel in sight. Since the move to New York it's all about getting the balance right. So far, so good. Very good. So much cool stuff coming down the pike, I'll probably be posting a lot more often.

Does anyone else smell...Turtles?

2008-04-11T13:34:00.001-07:00

Here's just a sneak peak at one of the 99 things I'm up to right at the moment. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I think I've worked on every season since they started back up (my 1st boss Chuck Patton was the founding director of the new series). !

It's always fun to play in the Turtle pond, and this latest season is really great. New toys, new worlds and best of all...a new title, which I'm working on as well! I can't show you anything yet, but stay tuned, because when it's done, it's going to be less of an opening and more of a RIDE

YouTube me and Smile.

2008-04-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

A little while back I did some work for one of my favorite clients; Copacino & Fujikado. We did some work on a campaign for Washinton Dental. Well now you can see how a little drawing can go a long way. I've posted pics from the pitches (2 that got made and 2 that I just liked the images) and the advertisements that came from them.

Now go brush your bicuspids!

Shakespeare (abridged)

2008-03-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Did a little promotional piece for a theater. Thought I'd share:

Going after the Pope Diamond

2008-03-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

Just posting a drawing from one of the many projects I'm playing around with. Oddly enough, it reflects how I'm feeling as of late. I've finally found my way to New York, now I'm just reaching for the final piece of the puzzle. A very exciting time. Believe it or not, it's actually part this same project: Pearl's Girls

I'm with Stupid

2008-02-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

Changes are a-foot here at Selfish Children Control. As things play out, the posts will undoubtedly reflect and eventually reveal the nature of my professional evolution. Til then - here's a sample of something hot off the table for the ad agency ______(name withheld 'cause the pitch is still so fresh, I don't want any lazy CD's googling the competition for ideas). More soon!

Back at it...

2007-11-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a bit more difficult to just post something from work, as the stuff I'm working on is all top secret these days. (National security, sovereignty of the the motherland, queen and country...all that. Hrumph hrumph). I also just relocated to NYC and it's been a very busy time. So I'll have to start posting some other things I've been working on to make up for the time away from the blog.

This just in...a set of spots for a print campaign. Love these and hope they make a big splash!

Dragonadoodle

2007-07-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Just a little doodle of a family of dragons on the fly. I love the little goober that just is either ready of lunch or just plain ol' lazy. Hehe.

Tut tut - looks like rain, Pooh

2007-07-18T17:48:00.001-07:00

A sneak preview of the opening shot to one of my favorite episodes of Pooh - (watch Pooh now on Disney TV!) One of the best things about working on the show is that because of the level of quality (and the amount of control over lighting and atmosphere) we were really able to approach the layout and storytelling with a strong cinematic style. This moment, when Pooh is sitting on his porch, eating honey and watching the rain, is one of my favorites that I did. Reminds me of home.

The new Moleskine

2007-06-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

So I've be inspired lately to do some on-the-spot sketching; something I haven't done in a long time. As it happens, I have weekly dinner plans with friends, and so I'm trying to get there a little early so I have time to whip out an on site drawing. Each of these comes from waiting at my favorite restaurants here in LA. Malo, Allegria, Cafe'Angeli. Anyway, something different to post, if nothing else. And fun for me.

I Miss Saturday Mornings

2007-06-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

Never seem to get that giant mixing bowl of Apple Jacks and my morning Cartoon fix anymore. sigh

Nothin but a bit of fun

2007-05-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

A few minutes to myself listening to Amy Winehouse so I whipped this out. Just thought it's about time I posted a little somethin somethin.

Here I come to save the daaaaayyyyyyy!

2007-04-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

This just in - a new campaign to save the Puget Sound. Did a bunch of board illustrations for spots so I thought I would share a few examples of the work:

Ze Perfume' of Love

2007-04-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

Renata & Pom

Otto notices the Badunk-a-dunk

Not all chairs are made for Ladies of Stature.

"How Rude!"

I spent the weekend a few weeks back and whipped up a storyboard for a short! A very productive weekend indeed. Once I get it all assembled into an animatic, I'll post it for viewing (that'll be fun!), but for now, I've just got a few little images to 'vet your vissle' (It's my German short, starring two people who are vaguely inspired by my high-school Deutch teacher and her husband). (I'll post more images as I cut them apart for the animatic).

An new gig...Me and the Mouse

2007-03-05T01:54:00.000-08:00

A quick posting to say that I am still alive, just very very busy. Started a new job at Disney on a preschool show called Mickey's Clubhouse. It's been an intense month, with a bit of a sidetrip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans (a must do for everyone) to recharge my batteries. As for Mickey, well I'm working with some of my favorite people, so there's nothing wrong with coming to work and seeing such great people everyday. I'm just having a little trouble getting the hang of the characters. What do you think? Am I getting close to being on model yet?

Pearl's Girls

2007-01-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

A fun little illustration of some chararcters from a project I am working on.

Santa Clause is Coming to Town....

2006-12-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

...and he's not wearing any pants! Xmas was such a stressful time of year, I wish I could have just joined Santa and ran naked in the snow. PS - this was my Xmas card this year, and though I've posted it elsewhere, I thought it made sense to post it here too.

Happy New Year

A tiggeriffic birthday to you!

2006-12-16T17:48:00.000-08:00

A birthday card for a fellow employee. My humor can be a little dark sometimes, but so is hers. Hope she likes it. I do.

Happy Birthday to you too!

Turtle's Need for Speed

2006-11-29T16:32:00.000-08:00

My last show for the season and my final Noir Themed Cover page. (In addition to the usual cast of Pooh, this episode also featured great voice work by Mark Hamill!)
Now I'm staying on and helping with Post, and eventually moving on to Mickey's Clubhouse, a preschool show that is for the...um...preschoolers in middle america..if you know what I mean. That said, it's a really great group of people working on it and Disney has really gone out of their way to take care of me and keep me on staff. What can I say, I'm a lucky boy.