Native Voices

Posted on October 31, 2024October 30, 2024 by Thor

Playwrights’ Round Table will present Native Voices: Future Shock at Imagine Performing Arts Center ( 1235 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, Oviedo Florida.) Seven brand new play will be presented by Florida Authors. The website outlined the production as, “A future of AI that knows everything about you. Where AI can decide whether you’re worthy of life. A future of transporters, and clueless ghosts, and murder by chocolate, and how to get in touch with your feline self. And of course, just making your way in a world that changes by the day.”

Director, Chuck Dent invited me in to sketch a tech rehearsal which was my only option since tech went late until 11pm. When I entered two actresses were performing a scene seated at a table. I believe one actress was Susan Woodbury, who I admired for a previous performance I had seen of Control of the Dirt. The other actress was Olivia Rocha. I blocked them into the sketch but then erased them since the scene ended shortly after I started sketching. In general the two were anxious about loosing one another. Susan remained quite animated for such a controlled scene. The larger context of the scene, I may never know.

The stage was reset for a whole new production, which seemed to be film noir detective themed. A Femme fatale actress was quite proud of her large black wig. She was actually quite comedic. In tech the actors don’t really run lines, they just pose in certain scenes of the play so that the lighting tech can figure out what color and intensity of light to use. For me as an artist, it was perfect since, the actors would stay still for extended periods allowing me to sketch them. The challenge came when the theater would go black repeatedly between new light settings. Once the director and light tech were in agreement the settings, they would be set as a cue of the show. The actors must be eternally patient since they were their as mannequins rather than actors. They knew how to keep the rehearsal light and playful.

As I prepared to leave, another play directed by Jac LeDoux, was being set for a tech run through. I can’t really offer any review about the shows. I am not even certain which of the shows I saw. I can say the film Noir looked fun, with a kidnapping, and the female lead clicking a rifle upstage. I suspect it was her partner who was kidnapped but that was never fully established in the rehearsal. I have so many questions and want to see the shows for the answers.

Playwrights’ Round Table will present 7 new plays by local playwrights Nov. 1-3 at the Imagine Performing Arts Center, in Oviedo. Tickets are $20 general admission$ 15 seniors, students and military with ID, and $10 for theme park employees with ID. Tickets may be purchased at the theater or online.

COVID Dystopia: Rebound

Posted on October 28, 2024October 24, 2024 by Thor

Rebound COVID infections are common after a course of Paxlovid. President Biden who proclaimed victory over COVID, tested positive for COVID a second time. He experienced a rebound infection after one course of treatment with Paxlovid.

The media downplayed his symptoms but that same week he pulled out of the presidential race. The president isolated for 5 days, though 10 days are “suggested”. He then went to public events unmasked , to share the virus with others. the White House Press Secretary said his being unmasked was fine since he was more that 6 feet from others. However the virus is airborne and can travel much further than 6 feet. It lingers in the air like smoke or perfume for hours, drifting around the room. Biden proved himself as inept as his predecessor in handling an airborne virus.

COVID Dystopia will screen at the Orlando Film Festival on November 1 and 7, 2024. The November 1 screening is at 4:15pm and the November 7, 2024 screening is at 2pm, both in theater 9. At 8pm on November 7 is the Awards Ceremony which I will also attend in case I need to pick up another award. The Orlando Film Festival runs from October 31 to November 7 at the CMX PLAZA CINEMA CAFE 155 S. Orange Ave, Downtown, Orlando FL. A one day pass is $20 and you can see a whole lot of films in one day. When I attend a film festival I treat it like a movie marathon. If you go to a screening, I will be easy to find as the one person in a KN-95 mask. We might be done with COVID, but COVID is not done with us.

COVID Dystopia: Zeus Came Down With a lightning Bolt

Posted on October 27, 2024October 22, 2024 by Thor

This shot has no actual animation, but a depth map and camera movement.I could have had his hand physically point but I decided to keep it still so the the lightning bold movement is the center of attention.

The lighting bold was animated in after effects. I hand animated the bolt as well but liked the procedural animation better. I did hand animate lightning in another shot with basketball players jumping to tap the COVID ball.

COVID Dystopia: Snatched Up All the Chicks

Posted on October 26, 2024October 24, 2024 by Thor

COVID Dystopia will screen at the Orlando Film Festival on November 1, 2024 at 4:15pm in Theater 9, in the CMX Plaza Cinema Cafe 155 S. Orange Ave, Downtown, Orlando FL.

It will also screen on November 7, 2024 in the same theater at 2pm in the same theater. It is part of the Animation block 1, so there will be plenty of other animated films to see.

At the height of the pandemic, I went to downtown Winter Garden with a roommate and we ordered hot dogs which we ate outside. When there is an outdoor seating option my mask will come off to eat. As we were eating a huge group of high school students in tuxedos and gown rushed by. They went into the central park area and were taking selfies. Crowds kept walking by and I started wolfing down the hot dog or I think it was a thicker brat. Anyway a large chunk got lodged in my esophagus. My fried knows CPR, but didn’t try the Heimlich. I jumped up and down paced and tried to wash it down with the drink but the fluid wouldn’t go down. It was a horrifying situation. Thankfully I could breath fine. I threw out the food and started walking, hoping it would settle itself out. By the time we got back to the car the chunk had finished its course down my tight gullet. This happened a second time around family. It seems I have difficulty eating around people pretending the pandemic is over.

COVID Dystopia: Jesus Snatched Up all the Chicks

Posted on October 24, 2024October 24, 2024 by Thor

Adobe decided to update the Premiere Pro software overnight. Now when I play the edit of COVID Dystopia quite a few shots are offset and partially out of frame. This shot is one of those shots. I had to go in and re-edit the start and end positions of the clip.

As I share scenes I will be digging in and redoing the work that was already done. The only other thing I might need to do to the movie is add captions in case a film festival requires them. I added captions once before but took them back out since they distract from the scenes. The film moves at such a breakneck speed that there is not time to read and also see that is happening in each shot.

I always liked the concept of this shot. Since Jesus has holes in his hands from the crucifixion nails, his hands make for very ineffective masks when held over one’s face.

COVID Dystopia will screen at the Orlando Film Festival on November 1, at 4:15pm and November 6 at 2pm in theater 9 of the CMX PLAZA CINEMA CAFE (155 S. Orange Ave, Downtown, Orlando FL). The film is part of Animation Block 1. Orlando Film Festival passes are on sale now. A 1 day pass is $20. You can see a lot of films in one day if you are up for a marathon.

Winter Park Village

Posted on October 22, 2024October 15, 2024 by Thor

On Easter Morning I sketched at the Winter Park Village. For a short time I lived across the street from Winter Park Village on Gay Road. I rented a condo from a snow bird. While there I re-tiled the whole place which was a monstrous job. I lived there shortly after the Pulse Nightclub shooting. I remember sorting the 49 portraits on the newly tiled floor. I had to make prints for a play produced by David Lee.

I usually go to Winter Park Village to go to the Regal Theater. The Florida Film Festival uses that theater as one of its venues. I am planning to return to the Winter Park Village to get much needed camping supplies for my emergency evacuation gig bag. I realized as I was packing for Hurricane Milton that I don’t have candles for my candle lantern and I need Coleman fuel for my mini camping stoves. I also think I need to get a good backpack which will fit under an airplane seat for my many trips to Film Festivals. I have just been using my art bag, but on the last trip, my sunglasses popped out mid flight. At least that is what I assume happened. The backpack would have the advantage of having zippers to secure such items in storage pockets.

UCF Studio Art MFA program Mid-term Reviews.

Posted on October 20, 2024October 19, 2024 by Thor

I got to experience a rare glimpse into what it might be like in a Master of Fine Arts program at UCF. Stella Abelaez invited me to stop in for the Studio Art Mid-Term critique.

When I first arrived, I saw all the students gathered around this common room table. I paused, not being sure if I was in the right place but then masked up and went inside.

Meeting each artist in turn was such a thrill. First Stella explained how she planned to engineer a huge outdoor sculpture he plans to assemble. She sketched her ideas on a large newsprint pad which I can identify with since I communicate best while putting lines on paper. I will not describe the sculpture since I am hoping I might sketch the piece as it is assembled.

In my sketch there is a knot of red and pink tubes hanging on the wall. This was done by Abigail (@artby.AMF). Her studio was straight down the hall from the large knotted sculpture. The knotting represents the bitter discomfort when the reproductive cycle is off. Her work was largely about women’s reproductive issues. The multi media work glowed with bright pinks and reds. For some women the egg does not make the journey down the fallopian tubes each month. This would result in the woman not having a period for that month. The eggs just congregate in the ovary like pearls. I say that since some of her soft form sculptures have pearls sewn onto the ovaries. The conversation was fascinating and her work helps bring to light issues that even many doctors are unfamiliar with.

Another artist, Alicia (@ally.artistic), had multimedia work that reflected her Japanese and Catholic roots. A sculpture of an angel reminded me of what the Greek goddess Artemis sculpture must have looked like when they were in full color. Another sculpt of a woman felt like Venus Rising from the Sea thanks to a found object of an opulent shell that she saves from the trash. Another sculpture of cakes was reminiscent of Wayne Thiebaud with the vibrant colors. She had magnificent golden sculpture by Bernini on her studio walls and perhaps someday she will produce work on that scale and grandeur.

I got to meet (@staciebecker) who is also a tattoo artist who works with women who have had breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer. Stacie tattoos the reconstructed breast making it glow with new life.She explained that women who felt they did not need the tattoos were often the ones who came back into their own bodies thanks to the process. Another piece of hers showed crows flying. Each crow held a string and I was shocked when I saw severed fingers at the end of each string. Each finger has a letter tattooed onto it. I was searching for some meaning in the letters when Stacie held up her two fists which had the same letters tattooed onto them.

After I finished my sketch, I spoke to (@Anna.Vic.Webb). Her bright vibrant paintings were in the print lab area. Most of the pieces seemed to focus on the apparent comfort of the bedroom, while the neon colors alluded to something more. A modern day Cheshire creature grinned from under each bed. Her glowing enthusiasm for art was contagious and I spent much time discussing the artistic process with her because of that enthusiasm. Stella told me she was working on her Masters degree because it will allow her to teach college age students who are excited to learn about the lifelong pursuit of art. I have had many students who were going through the motions, and I must say it was so exciting to talk to artists who are pushing themselves in new directions.

There were about 22 artists in all, so it was a whirlwind getting to hear a bit about each of their artistic journeys. Since I have been locked away in my studio for so long, it was a thrill.

Cocoa Beach

Posted on October 19, 2024October 19, 2024 by Thor

Sunday is the one day that I do not teach virtual art classes. On this Sunday I decided to drive straight East to Cocoa Beach.

It was a challenge finding parking, but I finally found a lot by driving north on the side streets close to the beach. I figured any parking spots that had numbers in them must be assigned parking for condos. When I located un-numbered spots I took one.

I had a sandwich packed and some water. I have a small pup tent style umbrella. Unfortunately several of the supports have warped which make it open a bit wonky and lopsided. I am a vampire so it is important to keep my delicate dead flesh out of direct sun light. After a quick swim, I dozed off in the shade of the umbrella. I succeeded in keeping in the shade on this day except for my feet which became two red lobsters at the ends of my legs.

I spent the day listening to the waves and thinking about where my life should be heading. Those dreams took me to northern climbs which were closer to mountains than beaches. Perhaps a large lake near un-touched forest trails could make a good studio. I need to get as far away as I can from the sound of huge aircraft coming in to land a the Orlando International Airport.

Macbeth Final

Posted on October 18, 2024October 20, 2024 by Thor

The final version of the poster had MACBETH surrounded by a cast wearing black stocking masks as they lay their hands on the king. The hands on each side of his head imply that the crown had just been placed. it is a bit akimbo feeling not quite set in place yet.

Since the Shakes is under renovation, very few people drive to the theater and therefor they do not see the large posters hanging in front of the theater. I am not sure when plays will once again be stages in the theater.

This production of Macbeth is being staged at Fringe Art Space in downtown Orlando. The cast are UCF masters degree students. Tickets.

NOVEMBER 1 & 2, 2024

Where: Fringe ArtSpace

54 W Church St Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32801

When:

November 1:

Evening: 7:30 – 8:50 PM

November 2:

Matinee: 2:00 – 3:20 PM
Evening: 7:30 – 8:50 PM

Macbeth First pass

Posted on October 17, 2024October 15, 2024 by admin

On my first pass at creating the Macbeth poster, I decided to go with a golden skull with a large drop of blood creating a crown like splash.

This idea avoided me having to depict Macbeth who had not been cast yet. I have a tenancy to express my darkest impulses before finding the concept which has enough appeal draw an audience in.

At the time I also was not aware that UCF students would be presenting the play. Actually younger actors might take more chances and present Macbeth’s darker side.

I like some aspects of this sketch but others I would defiantly want to change. This skull motif would be good for a very tall poster. As it is, the skull seems to float in a vast expanse of black. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I usually populate every inch of space with something to chew on.

These performances are staged at various venues around Orlando since the Shakespeare Theater is undergoing renovations. Tickets.