Congratulations to all for completing the second primary story assignment! That was definitely a tough one! I'll post some of my favorite panels soon. Time to move on!

You should all have an original idea you would like to pitch on monday by now. For those of you who wanted a little inspiration in the form of some characters. Here they are! This is a drawing I did for Pascal's Sketch of the Day group. I have no idea who they are, or what they do, but now you can figure that out for me! Feel free to change them however you want, add a character, or delete a character. Just make sure your story has a beginning, middle and an end! Keep it VERY simple and make sure it is clear!!! This is your chance to do whatever you want, so do something you think is interesting and fun. If you are into it, chances are your audience will be too! Now get to work, and fIRE IT UP!!!!

Kathy asked me to post a link to her Flickr page with pictures from our field trip to the Museum of performance and design:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathyt56/sets/72157608768353635/

What great night! Thanks to all who came!





And the winners are....

DON'T BUY A TICKET!!!!!!!! Working on a group discount! Will let you guys know...

Here is the info for the field trip. If you haven't filled out the permission slip yet, let me know ASAP! Please organize yourselves to ride up together. There are parking facilities in the area, but I am sure that they are expensive. If you want to get the cheaper admission, please go to the website and get your tickets before the event. Actually, do it right away just in case they have a limit. Bring your sketchbooks, and please feel free to get dressed up in the spirit of the evening! I say we have a contest for best costume among ourselves...



Museum of Performance & Design and Thrillpeddlers Present
RENDEZVOUS MACABRE
http://www.mpdsf.org/

A Halloween Celebration
Wednesday, October 29
6:30-9:30

Join us for the Museum's first ever Halloween celebration with our special cohost the Thrillpeddlers (recently featured in the “What is Guignol?” documentary on the DVD of Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd).

For one evening only the Museum’s Maestro Gallery will be transformed into a haunted cabaret for Thrillpeddlers special “blue hour” Halloween burlesque. Don’t miss their "First Day" performance with their very own guillotine! Thrillpeddlers can been seen this October in "Shocktoberfest" at the Hypnodrome performing the lurid and spectacular Grand Guignol plays that have made them a notorious San Francisco institution.

Also on hand will be some of their expert gore makeup artists to "uglify" our guests. The evening will also include:

A curator guided tour of MPD's new exhibition "Hello, Carol! A Celebration of Carol Channing."
A costume contest with prizes for best performing arts costume, best horror costume and most thrilling costume of the night
Fabulous guest costume judges Mrs. Trauma Flintstone and Mina Harker of "The San Francisco Vampire Tour"
Autumn sangria and other refreshments
Vegan desserts by Patisserie du Monde
And a musical performance from Ray of Light Theater's production of "The Rocky Horror Show" with Jeff Valentine.
In advance $10.00 General Admission $8.00 MPD members
At the door $15.00 General Admission $10.00 MPD members
RSVP to 415 255-4800 or email tonyb@mpdsf.org

21 and over only, please- Sorry Priscilla!!!!

PS- There will be alcohol at this event. If you are planning on having an adult beverage, DO NOT DRIVE AFTERWARDS!!!! You are all adults (with the exception of Priscilla, HAHAHAHAHA!!!) so make sure you act responsibly. Thank you!

What are these Mad Scientists up to???? You decide!



PS- I feel a field trip coming on....

Hey guys, here is a note and the promised info from Rhode. What a great talk he did! THANKS Rhode!!!!

from Rhode-

Thanks again for inviting me to speak to your class. It's the most I've ever blabbed ( I blame the Australian candy) but I hope they walked away with some useful information. You've got a good batch of students. Hopefully they'll fuel up in school before they battle the outside world. Here are some of the things I talked about that hopefully will aid them with whatever they decide for their path. Again, disclaimer: this is what worked for me and like telling a story there are many ways of going about it. Wish them luck for me and remind them that hard work pays off and that I was just a kid in Stockton asking how I was going to fly to Oakland! :)

-Rhode

Tools:

COMICS:
Comics & Sequential Art: Will Eisner
Understanding Comics: Scott Mc Cloud
Xeric Foundation (The grant that helps self-publish your comic) xericfoundation.org

CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
[How To]
How To Write And Illustrate Children's Books And Get Them Published: Bicknell and Trotman
Ten Steps To Publishing Children's Books: Amoss and Suben (My favorite informative book!)

[Marketing]
Children's Writers & Illustrator's Market (updated yearly) To help guide your Children's book submissions
How To Write Attention-Grabbing Query And Cover Letters: John Wood (didn't mention this, but helpful when writing a publisher asking to submit your manuscript or mock-up (AKA Dummy Book)
Remember: When you get a contract, have a Literary Attorney look at it for a flat fee. Prices range from $100-$175 but well worth it!

[Specs]
Standard kids book sizes according to Penguin: 8X10 (upright), 10X8 (oblong), 9X9 (square)
Standard Page Count: 24, 32, 48 pgs

STORY TELLING:
Story: Robert McKee ( Be warned, after reading this, you'll never watch a movie the same way again. You'll notice the formula and analyze even if you don't want to! BUT it helps with your own story telling.)

AWESOMENESS:
Harold And The Purple Crayon (my favorite kids book!) Check out the ribs on the starving moose at the picnic!

My good friend Rhode will be visiting our class this wednesday to talk about his art, and how he develops stories. Here are some links to his work:

http://www.rhodemontijo.com/

http://www.rhodemontijo.com/blog/

http://www.pablosinferno.com/

http://www.rhodemontijo.com/artwork/

I apologize for posting this so late! If you can, let others know it's up! This is good practice for when your director crashes into your office at 5pm on a Friday and needs you to do a whole sequence! Do what you can to get it done! See you all tomorrow!

Rhode LOOOOVES Halloween, so this is in his honor! 3 costumed "trick or treaters" out for Halloween! WHat happens to them????

Some of our story students hanging out with the "real" Jony at the Ottawa Film Festival!

Details in class tonight!

It came from the depths of the sea!!!! But what did it want???? Well I don't know, but I am willing to bet it's something entertaining!

You guys just keep getting better.... and weirder!

G-


Paul-


Stephanie-


Great job everybody!

Your first primary storyboard assignment will be due September 29th. It's time to move on, so you've got one more week to tune that baby up! Please have all your drawings in a folder on the department server by the time class starts next Monday. The folder should be named with you COMPLETE NAME! I will grab everything off of the server next monday and have grades back to you within a couple of weeks. Things I will consider while grading:

1. Ideas- Did you incorporate strong ideas into your boards?
2. Drawing- Are your drawings clear? Do they read easily?
3. Entertainment- Are your drawings and ideas working to entertain your audience?

And all the basics- Did you follow directions for the assignment, did you complete the assignment, did you put effort into the assignment?

We can discuss more during class. Now get to work!

Looks like little Billy and his grandpa are doin some fishin! I can't imagine what little Billy is about to pull out of that water, can you? Of course you can! Now get to work!

It's official, you guys are weirdos...

Homer-


Cynthia-


Andrea-


Stephanie-

Great job guys!

Rishon-


Christina-


Laura-

Sorry I haven't posted any of the AMAZING submissions we got last week, but I want to get the digital files so the quality is better. I'll get them up this week, promise!

But for now, here is your next assignment! What happens when the Devil is enjoying a drink at the local pub and a butterfly lands on his head? Who the hell knows? Well it's your job to figure it out, so have fun! Be ready to pitch digitally on Wednesday, and make sure you submit a hard copy 8.5X11.

Here we go! Your job is to create a visual interpretation of the following script page. There will be an in-class “kick-off”, where I will act as your director and pitch the sequence to you. At that time we will go over the scene and you can ask me any questions you might have. Use the character designs I have provided and the story panel I posted at the beginning of the semester.

Remember, it is your job to use the script as a foundation. But it is also your job to go beyond what is provided for you on the page. Don’t miss an opportunity to take this sequence to the next level. Be as creative as possible, and really try to make it as entertaining as you can. Keep things simple, but don’t take the easy route!

For the sake of class time, and everyone’s sanity, you are required to keep this pitch to 40 panels or less. First Review will be Monday 09-15-08. Bring hard copies of your first pass and be ready to pitch! Work rough, and focus on your ideas. Don't worry about cleaned up drawings just yet, but make sure your boards are clear and easy to read. Good luck, but more importantly, HAVE FUN!


TRAPPED380

Interior sub-level storage room. Dudeman and TS4 are trapped. TS4 braces himself against the only door, holding back an enormous alien Snog. There is a steady pounding as the Snog attempts to break through the door. TS4 can’t hold out much longer….

TS4
He’s going to get through!

Dudeman
You’ve got to hold him back. I’m thinking of a plan!

TS4
Think Faster!

Dudeman scans the room, looking for a way out. The room is filled with old spaceship parts and miscillanious robot pieces. Something catches his eye…

Dudeman
I’ve got it!

TS4
Hurry up!!!

The door is falling apart now. Alien tentacles reach through the cracks clawing at TS4!! Dudeman works frantically, dragging pieces of high tech rubbish to the middle of the room.

TS4 strains against the force of the Snog, his metal arms stretched to the limit!

TS4
Can’t……. hold……much……..longer!

Dudeman focuses on his pile of accumulated parts.

Dudeman
Almost there…..

Smoke escapes from TS4’s hydrolics

TS4
If only I could have seen her…. One last time….

Dudeman
There!!!

TS4 looks up to see… himself! Recreated using spare parts!

Dudeman and TS4 dive behind some chunks of spaceship. The Snog busts through the door and begins to smash the fake TS4 into the ground.

Snog
SNOG! SNOG! SNOG!

Dudeman and the real TS4 sneak out while the Snog is distracted. They high five on the way out.

Come out and support your fellow Shrunkenheads this Friday:

http://duck218.blogspot.com/



And the afterparty:

http://www.polenglounge.com/

Be there or be square....

Or no class?