HIGHS and Lows...

Hey guys ,

been a few weeks since my last post........ The family has been in town ...

LINE - the film has been on pause since they have been here
Mainly because ..... We have just been adventuring and discovering Portland.

here's a shot from chapter 3 .....Dober gets frustrated-

The only real work we have been doing is TALKing about the film and the STORY.

We really want the story to be clear and strong..... We are willing to sacrifice the
Very coolest moments of animation if the story is better told.

IN or talking we feel like our original story had 2 endings and we have simplified
it in order to keep it clean and crisp. Its sometimes FUN to be presented with a story problem
That needs to be solved.

We now have an even more satisfying ending and the film that keeps what we love from the original while telling a better story.

In LAIKA news- I have had my new record holder of (worst week ever) and quickly followed by
My newest (best shot ever) jeez..... What a roller coaster -I'ts such an emotional process animating on this project....I get the very highest High's and the LOWest lows.

I was given my first shot with the main monsters of the show which was super exciting!!

I really really wanted to perform well....

I did a rehersal that went well enough....But as the real shot was done I was struggleing to control the new puppets on 1's...and the tiny movements required for the characters were very challenging. The shot took me a good long 2 days to do....and just plain wasn't good enough.

I ended up having to reshoot the shot which was a -OUUWWCH- moment .....

This means to all of you- that the directors said it was not good enough to be in the film.Unlike CG where you can adjust your timing posing whatever....In stopmotion this craft I love- it means RESHOOT.

I tried to look at it as a second chance at not having to look at a shot that would bother me for the rest of eternity.This is the best way to look at it...but You carry a bit of emotional baggage having failed.......I finished it but its just not that great.

It was approved though and I felt a bit Like I let down my supervisor.....dammit

...but I gave it my all......and I will continue to improve with experience.

so after that Pain full experience I went into the next shot which had a gajillion new complications to test my resolve....and I ended up doing a pretty good job with it

.....It got a BIG applause at the weeklies and I had several folks from the crew comment on it.

This was Great way to bounce back from the RUFF week I had before....

so In closing- ....In Feature Stop motion animation.....Every Shot I do....FEELS like a fight- like a all out FIGHT....

I get nervous -I am physically a bit beat up in the end and totally exhausted.

-and I think about what I could have done differently- a punch here a kick there...

Its a Brawl guys....but I keep getting back up...cause that occasional Perfect Punch to the chin is quite a High.

Here In Portland-

checking adventures off our lists almost weekly.

Rainforest

....fishing

.....froggin....

helicopter rides

beaches

whitewater rafting

.... Cold wated tubeing

...amusement parks......

playing parks

We have been havin fun!!

Time has moved way too fast though.... They have gone home now and I am missing them once Again.

Tricks of the Week.

Truffle Shuffle with my Ladie Aedie!!

jriggity