Keep away the Masquerade

The path of an Artist is a rugged one. A narrow windy road, bursting with ego centric folly. Some fatuous thought that your drawings can somehow change the world. Struggles for capacious expressionism. Impossible obstacles to surmount. When I first got into this business I wanted to work at Disney and Pixar. Ambitions are a lot like waves. They often recede, giving birth to new ones. Here is some various personal development stuff. I am quickly amassing a large folder of this stuff on my hardest of hard drives. More commercial work coming soon ;)

With all Fairness

Wow. Almost 2 months no post. tsk tsk. I must do better. Well I have a good excuse.
I've been a busy bee. Turns out that the project I did designs for and didn't know
much about I ended up directing. crazy! Wish I could post more about it but I can't.
Folks won't let me. Soon...Other than that I've been doing alot of design on some
interesting projects. I will try to share more as they come closer to fruition. It's
strange working on stuff for kids. While it can be enjoyable I think I enjoy creating
stories that are more realistic. Those seem to resonate more with me. Perhaps the
kiddie stuff will be redemption for all the sex, violence, and war thats brewing.
Gotta get back on my own Animation voodoo. Above is some work from my film.

Peace.

Laptop Boards

GO SLoW...

Femi watching the Dagu boys playing.

More Kiddie stuff (UPDATED) Animation test added.

Less talk, more post...
Animation Test added Feb 17 2008.
Whats going on here? I believe he's chasing
down the Robot.

Some Character designs

Well its a new year and its back to the grind. I appreciate
folks being patient with me, I tend to post all types of
random things on this blog. Its prob going to get even more
casual and random as I continue, After all if I can't be casual
here, where can I?

Quite a bit of shit going on at the moment. Things are up
in the air. As is the usual come January when things
attempt to regain a somewhat normal atmosphere
after the holidays. Hope yours was da bidness. If not
then, like me, you couldn't wait for it to be over.

Here are some designs. I'm not sure if they will be
used, or even the full nature of the project. I'm just given a
theme and a few guide lines then I run with a few ideas.
Luckily I've worked with them before and they are pretty cool,
so should be fun. This is that flat shaded, no outline style I
mentioned a couple of posts down. Popularized by the
outstanding Samurai Jack I'm sure. Its strength I find lies
in its economy. Its very well suited for vector based
Animation programs like Adobe Flash and Toon Boom.
I'm gonna try to post more often. So if you so care,
check back soon.

P.S. I hear One of America's Icons GARY COLEMAN is
selling all of his stuff on EBAY. The kid used to make 70k per
episode. WTF?

Quantum Human mechanics

Days long past, which make way for the new.
Two thousand and eight soldiers Happy for their cue.
















I don't consider myself a good photographer. These photos are my feeble attempt to capture what I see in life so that it may "inform" me in other areas.

Balaguno Runs de Town.

Been away a bit too long. Dam. Gotta
remedy that.

I'm a Lazy Bum right? cha I know.

Here is a little more Visual Dev on this
Animation project. I started a working
on a Trailer between Projects, should
be finished early next year. If you like
what you see....Stay tuned.

Oh yea I prob won't make it back here
before New Years. I mean I like the
Computer and all but I mean... Dood.
I gotta have life.

Happy Holidays people.

Peace

~J

Political Dancehall Queens

Some more on my personal animation project.
I'll be unveiling more information in the next
few months. I appreciate any comment or
feedback you may have.

Thanks

~J

$2.99 Wacom at Long John Silvers.

Hey beautiful people. I'm feeling pretty good, assisted on some Story boards
for a new Adult Swim show. Errr... its an interesting show. Great Design.
Its no 12oz. mouse or Tom goes to the mayor. Waay better than that stuff.
There is some cool stuff coming down the pipe, Not sure when it will happen
but it looks amazing. More like the primetime stuff on CN. I hope that this
becomes a trend.

Mean while I've got some personal things in the works. Trying to
brainwash some uber talented folks to help me out on it. They are
all saying yes. We'll see how it goes.

Here is a teeny tiny small taste of whats coming...(in Prog)



And Some DINO SMASHING 4 tha kiddies yo...



The Dino Animation was originally created much earlier
this year for a PBS kids show called Between the lions
It has since been re purposed for some shameless self
promotion. Funny enuff its also been featured on Cold
Hard Flash. I used to love this flat shaded style, then it
became over exposed and I hated it. Now I'm beginning
to like it again. Whatever...

Chars...

Scribbles (five)

NOTHING LIKE PAPER

hope ya dig...!

Colored in pshop

KILLER of SHEEP

I love Animation. I've been unknowingly doing it since I was 12
years old. But as of late I've taken an interest in live action film making.

There is something extraordinary about shooting a live human being. The
range of emotion, the subtleties, capturing their essence. Showing these
qualities in animation are no easy task. Your sitting there at your desk, alone,
trying to concentrate, hoping to bring forth some illusion of life. If your lucky
every now and then you stumble on something. A break through! You get excited
and you are recharged. You keep going. On and On plowing forward, looking for
the next plateau, Like a crackhead. Dang.... Yeah animators are crack heads.
I suppose that's where the magic comes in. Why animators do it in the first
place. To get that high. That feeling of satisfaction. Then you play it over
and over, marveling at your new accomplishment. Its supremely
challenging, and can be very rewarding.

Film however is an entirely different story

The thing I love about animation is that you can tell your story entirely by
yourself. You can sit there and create all of your characters, sets, and props.
You could disappear into a dark room for 8 years by yourself and come out
with the next star wars. You don't have to worry about whiny ass prima
donna actors. Every last element is created.

Ironically enough, that's also the same thing I hate about animation. I miss
the human interaction. The bond you develop when you work closely with
others. In animation most of your time is spent at a desk, by yourself.
Focusing and concentrating, trying to create those characters, sets and props.
Your in doors all day, unless you dig laptop glare. Oh and did I mention
that there are absolutely no sistas in animation! I remember hearing
a long time ago that in the animation industry that there are hardly any
women. Well if there are hardly any women in animation. Finding a black female
animator is like finding Al Sharpton at a Ralph Bakshi screening.

Anyway...

Here is a classic I recently discovered that you have probably never heard of.

These are the types of films that greatly inspire me as an Artist and Animator.

Marvelous Film.
Directed by Charles Burnett

South Park Creators Get Online Ad Revenue Deal

Very interesting article from Cartoon Brew.

Not so much the southpark aspect, but more so, what the internet could mean for creators owning control of their products.

"This is a must-read article in the New York Times about the new deal that South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have struck with Viacom. The deal, which is reportedly worth $75 million to its creators, includes a three-year extension of the series and the creation of SouthParkStudios.com, an incubator for new projects that, I believe, Parker and Stone will have an ownership stake in."

"The most attention-grabbing part of the deal, and very likely a first for the creator of an animated TV series, is that Viacom has agreed to give Parker and Stone a 50-50 split of ad revenues on digital platforms, though not on television. The deal was made possible thanks to the duo’s lawyer, Kevin Morris, who in 1997 had the foresight to demand that the creators would share in any revenue not derived from the episode airings on cable. What was then a seemingly minor contract clause has today “created what may be a new model in the balance of power and money between creative artists and companies like Comedy Central,” as so succinctly put in this op-ed in the Times. The precedent-setting contractual victory of the South Park creators is a cause of celebration for all creators, as the antiquated exploitation-based business models of the entertainment industry crumble in this new digital age and artists slowly but surely begin to receive equitable compensation for their creations."

The reasons are unknown. The thoughts...
inexplicable. Bright lights, blinded by the
veil of life's sardonic morality. Souls lost,
devoured by wraithlike beings. Here lie
men, existing, but not truly.

Among them, one stands out in particular.
His eyes are different from the rest. A
perculiar calmness permeates his sight.
utterly amazing, even to himself, that in
times of great despair, an expression of
certainty can yet triumph...

Iyaolde

Char design.

A few character designs

TombRaider Re\visioned.

Sup Peeps! I've just finished some work on a series of Tomb Raider short films for Game tap. Now I remember when Tomb Raider first arrived on the playstation in the mid 90's. It was highly praised for its revolutionary graphics, inventive gameplay, and involved storyline. In otha words... it was da shit.

So now after few games, movies, comics, and novels. Croft finally makes her way into the world of animated filmmaking.

My take on it? Remember that Influential Hollywood "bullet time" blockbuster movie several years ago that spawned the Animatrix?

Well yup....This is the Tomb Raider version.....with a well directed, weird ass, Peter Chung version to boot. The segment directed by Peter Chung was by far my favorite. I'm not a Huge Lara Croft fan. Not that I dislike the character, I sat in a dark theater and watched a few of her films. I suppose the 90's flux of post feminist movement, super invincible heroines is just starting to get stale to me. Seeing her come to life under the supervision of Aeon Flux creator Peter Chung was alluring, but I was far more interested in the quasi religious fundamentalists in the film.

Cool project! Turner Studios produced 3 ( Legacy, Aztec Mummy, and Angel Spit) but there are 10 episodes in all.

To see the shorts visit http://tombraider.gametap.com/

Old Sanguine prince development

ITS BEEN FUN!

Sorry for the lack of updates.... Been silly busy.
A few updates. The TV show I've been working
on is no more. Thats right! Birdman is no more!!....
Its been a good run. I came on during the last
season and didnt know what the hell I was getting
into. Apparently this show has a cultlike following.

So the last episode?

Well its crazy....and

( Andre Benjamin voice)
"Goes a Lil something like dis..."

Birdman falls into a temporal time portal and meets
(Birdman) the rapper, who just happens to need a
third rate superhero attorney to represent him in the
mother of all lawsuits! The case in question? Well
Angry fans all over the world are suing Birdman....
( the rapper) for false advertising. That's right!
Apparently Rap enthusiasts don't think kissing your child
protege is indicative of new millennium gangsta...
Can Birdman surpass this tumultuous feat!?
Will he swoop down gracefully and reignite the world's
Interest in Rap musik! Tune in next time for the final,
last, ending, no more, episode of harvey burrrrd man
Attorney at law!!!

Ok ok,..... this really isnt the final episode. But Adultswim
wont let me say anything w/o tapping a bullet to my
front door. It airs in July check it out.

Image by Brian Mcgee

Scribbles (Four)

SALADIN

Camp Lazlo Animation Test

Aiight so check it. There is this cool show
called Camp Lazlo that I recently had to do
some Animation for a commercial spot. Now Camp
Lazlo is a traditional 2d animated show which
is hand drawn, and the client wanted a quick
Turnaround so the spot was animated Digitally
in Flash and composited in After effects. Now
Being that I was not too familiar with this
show on Cartoon Network, although I've seen a
myriad of posters advertising its existence, I
felt somewhat challeged to emmulate the show's
Traditional thick and thin tapered line weights
in flash. So thus in my short time alloted, I
went on Camp Lazlo binge, watching as much
footage of the show I could get my hands on.

Above are some early tests. I'll post the final
commercial when its available.

The character RAJ and Camp Lazlo are properties
of their respective copyright holders.

Kisura

" My parents moved from Gabon
when I was six. We came to
America with big hopes and dreams.
I would always hear them saying
money is everywhere in America!
You dont even have to be rich! Just
sign here!!. They were so happy.
We have been here for 19 years.
Things are very different now.
I think my parents are still happy.
But I always hear them arguing about
money. I hope they dont get divorced.
Oh well I dont want to think about that.
I have to focus on my books. I'm studying
to be a journalist. I have to make it so my
parents can be happy."
                                           -Kisura

Random pics

The Sanguine Prince (working title)

Some Visual Development.

Moving Foward

After working in Television animation since 2004, I have decided
that While I enjoy working in a Production setting, I would also like
to pursue projects that are unique in cultivating my own personal
Expression. Working on Tv shows is nothing like I expected. You
know how it is when you have this initial perception of something
and you start doing it and you realize how wrong you were! Dont
misunderstand me. I'm sure I'll get mixed up in some more TV
stuff soon enough. But Alas the times are changing. The advent
of new media is looming, and TV will never be the same. The
networks smell the change, they have predicted it for some time
now. Everyone is scrambling. Trying to solidfy their place. Never
in the history of media has there been a time like this. A time
where content is not only restricted to large power brokers.
Thanks to the internet, creators finally have their say, and can
reach the entire world.


So stay tuned. There will be some very interesting projects coming
to fruition this year.

Happy New year Folks!!

Scribbles (Three)

UPDATE

I've found another old animation test.
Instead of making it a new post, I
decided to post it with the other one.
Scroll down to some old pencil tests to
take a look.

I've been working on some Cartoon
network spots that should air sometime
time in 2007. Bloo, Cheese, Puffy Ami
Yumi, and the kids next door all made
the roster. Fun stuff.

The Emperor

Story Idea

Harvey Birdman (Incredible Hippo) Scene Breakdown

Every now and then, someone from Cartoon
network (thanks kevin!) trusts me enough to
let me handle animating characters from Harvey
Birdman. Here's is Birdgirl.

BackStory:
A series of rather strange events have been
occuring in the office of sebbenandsebben.
Sightings of a large, ominous, hulking figure,
lurking in the shadows. Birdgirl, rather adeptly,
confronts the creature in the employee bathroom.

Roughs:

Aiight so here are the roughs ya dig....and er
some notes regarding my thinking process.

Buurgurl enters bathroom...

 
Buurdgurl gets excited...


Buurdgurl thinks for a moment...


Buurgurl confronts the creature...and thus
ending this shot.

If your interested send me an email and I'll
post the vid.

peace

J

Dino Designs (freelance)

Ok I usually shy away from creating cute
characters....but these came out rather
charming.

J

Some Old Pencil Tests!!

Ok I promised some Pencil tests to some folks.
So here they are. This was done a while back
when I was in Art school. I still like this
Animation despite all the flaws. I was able to
get some great energy in there, But the some of
the Timing could be better. There are also some
Volume problems.

Anyway its old and I've learned alot since then.

I'll be posting more tests like this and some quick
rough animation that I've been doing in flash.

Flash is great for Animation although the only drawback
I have to paperless animation is the tactile sensation
you get from drawing on paper.

Maure

Sup Everyone. Hope your holiday was chill.
Im getting back into the swing of things.
(its always hard..... haha). Here's an old
character named maure. Hopefully
I'll have more images of this guy soon.