COVID Dystopia: 1500 Minotaur’s Tear up the Street

Posted on November 3, 2024November 3, 2024 by Thor

This was definitely one of the more challenging scenes to animate. I worked each of the Minotaur runs backwards so the scene would end looking like the final painting.

I animated all the minotaurs once and then realized that the resolution of the animation was too low. I had to re-animate in 4k.

Yesterday was the first screening of COVID dystopia at the Orlando Film Festival. I arrived several hours early to watch another block of films. When I arrived one of the staff recognized me and pointed me out to the tech guy. He was having trouble downloading the film MP4. I walked with him back through the maze of hallways to the tech booth. I knew that I had sent the link and made the MP4 fully acceptable. Looking at the Film Freeway site we discovered that the Film Download button was missing. Though I knew the film was easily accessible since other festivals had no problem with the download, I was stumped but agreed to run back to my studio to attack the problem from that end.

I ran several blocks and then got a call from the tech. He had gone to the festival producer who had turned off the film access button for staff. This was an annoying start to the day, but I was thankful that the emergency was averted without a half hour drive back to the studio. The screening of my film went off flawlessly. Other animated films however had many tech issues. One film was submitted in 4K and only one quarter of the film showed up on the screen. The film had sexy Drone Hunters and you might only see a tit or the curve of a hip on screen. Another issue that occurred with many of the films was that they were way too loud. Stella, a former Disney Feature Animation effects artist had ear plugs. I spent much of the time plugging up my ears with my pointer fingers. The bombastic sound tracks might die down for a moment but then they would blaze back and I would have to plug my ears to save my ear drums.

I kind of likes seeing my film with live action horror films at other festivals. Seeing in in a full animation block forced me to sit through some terrifyingly bad animation. People were weightless and when they talked they just flapped their jaws, not always in sync with the words.

I will attend the second screening of COVID Dystopia at the Orlando Film Festival on November 7, 2024 at 2pm, 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 through 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 COVID Dystopia 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: Corpses Clogged up Every Creek

Posted on November 2, 2024November 1, 2024 by Thor

In this shot from COVID Dystopia, all the hazmat wearing men are animated as they carry caskets and load them onto the truck.

Now looking at the scene, I wonder if the semi driving down the highway at full speed, might swerve and jack knife when cut off by traffic. Caskets would crash and scatter all over the highway. I have no idea why such scenes flash into my head.

I went to the opening night of the Orlando Film Festival last night and saw Tapawingo which was a fun low stakes film set in the 1980s. It had Napoleon Dynamite vibes. I was laughing out loud at times and it reminded me of my first job which was sorting junk mail. Two thumbs up. It is screening one more time on Saturday Nov 2 at 8pm, and the director will be attending that screening.

I found it fascinating that the film was going to be filmed in Las Angeles but the city shut down due to COVID. The film was later filmed in Virginia. I am always surprised when people refer to the pandemic in the past tense.

Today I will be attending the screening of my film COVID Dystopia at 4:15pm in Theater 9 in the CMX Plaza Cinema Cafe 155 S. Orange Avenue, Downtown, Orlando FL. I am hoping that the write up in Florida Politics and the NPR radio interview will also bring out a few friends. Actually I might have scared off the NPR folks since I spoke at length about the lasting effects of repeat COVID infections. I forgot that my goal should have been to promote the film not save lives. Some flowery talk about how art can alter a persons world view would have been more appropriate. Oh well, there is no undo button.

I just found out there was a mass shooting at the Halloween festivities in Downtown Orlando on the night of the Orlando Film festival opening. I was walking through the intersection where the shooting happened two hour before it happened. Had I decided to stay for the Film Festival After Party or if I had decided to start sketching the chaos and amazing costumes on the streets. I might very well have been at the location when the shooting happened at 1:07am. 2 people died and seven were injured. The show must go on, I am off to my film screening in a couple of hours.

COVID Dystopia will also screen at the Orlando Film Festival on November 7, 2024 at 2pm, 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 through 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 COVID Dystopia 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: Copses Rained

Posted on November 1, 2024October 25, 2024 by Thor

The former president signed his name and sent it to every American at the height of the lock downs. He was truly obsessed with the idea that he was better than Abraham Lincoln. He always wanted to be seen with the man.

This scene has a depth map, camera move and subtle animation of the former president raising his hands.

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.

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: 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.