The Big News: The Annies!

So here is the big secret! I had the unbelievable opportunity to volunteer for the 42nd (HHGTTG ref here) Annies Awards on Saturday! I got to work behind the scenes and see the script being worked on, help set-up for the event and then attend! Seeing everyone from the industry there and cheer them on as they won awards from their peers was AWESOME! I didn't get a lot of chances to take photos, but here are a few!

     

Good lord, when everyone was making their way in, the sound
was enormous! It just rattled the entire building! Everyone talking at once- reconnecting with old co-workers, bumping into friends, greeting the significant others, whatever it was- it was GLORIOUS!

My view of the stage from my seat. I loved being a gargoyle and looking down below at all the winners. The best dressed of the night HAD to be the two guys in tuxes with glow-in-the-dark light strips on them- like TRON! XD And Converse, of course.

     

Me walking the red carpet... sort of. haha! We were actually in the Green Room. And if anyone asks.... I have NO IDEA what happened to that missing trophy! Never saw it! <.< >.> *shifty eyes*

I think the biggest shock for me was that TWO of my classmates (not just "CalArts alum", but my ACTUAL CLASSMATES) were up for awards that night! My second year cubemate, Louise Smythe and everyone's favorite epic animation guy, Toniko Pantoja. I was so happy for them both to be acknowledged for their amazing work, and yes, sad that they did not win- but MAN! It was good to see them both again at the party.

Rainy Day Post

I have a To-Do List for this weekend, and to update this poor blog is number one on the list, but one of the last to actually get done. Now that it is not quite time to start dinner and it's raining outside, I find myself in prime condition to do this thing!

I haven't been able to get to this bad boy for quite a while now, what with the holidays and the new job and all. I've moved (again)- hopefully this time, I can stay for a while!- but moving always throws me for a loop. I never feel "settled", but now things are starting to cool. On top of the new job, Christmas hit. For the first time in two and a half years, I got to see my mom & dad. I surprised my mom, who thought I was flying in on Christmas Day, by showing up on December 23rd. I got to spend nine beautiful days with my family, including my baby sister, and got to see a bunch of my friends. I came back to LA on New Year's Day- VERY early in the morning- guh!

Went back to work on the 5th- and missed it so much! I missed work, I missed my car, and I missed this beautiful city. (Yes, I love this stupid city.) Every time I leave and come back, I am reminded how this city calls to me. I feel at home here. It's that feeling that tells me that I am in the right place.

Work got busy this week. Deadlines and learning new skills. I think I have learned more in a month in the biz than I did in four years at CalArts. Man, all my teachers were right! I mean, geez- don't get me wrong, CalArts taught me SO much and I don't regret one moment, but working at Bento Box has given me a depth that I never experienced before. While I sat at work this week, finishing up some work, I realized that if you had told me a month ago that I would be doing what I was doing, I would have told you you were crazy!

One class that has come in SO MUCH use it's ridiculous was Nicole Panter's screenwriting class! OMG! I get to format scripts- and there is no way I would be able to handle it if it hadn't been for Nicole! Writers are awful- hahaha! Spelling, grammar, format- you name it. No consistency whatsoever! haha

I am truly enjoying the job and I think my coworkers are fantastic. I love asking them about what they did before. Everyone is just so nice and I feel like I belong. Very similar to how I felt my first week at CalArts: all these new people from all over the place, clumped together in a small place, who all share this beautiful thing in common. Even though I had never known my classmates before in my life, sitting around the Cafe tables (all pushed together to fit more of us together), I felt "at home" with them, as we all sat there talking about animation, and movies, and such. Work is just like that. These people have come from all over the biz, from different studios, different backgrounds, different formats, but in the end, we come together and get to make cartoons all day. We have the best damn job in the world!

Finally, I have some big news coming at the end of the month, so make sure to look for a big post on January 31st/Feb.1st! See ya soon!

The Next Step

SO, I suppose I should announce that this happened...

I started my first official job in the animation industry today! I am a Production Assistant at Bento Box, working on The Awesomes TV show. I am beyond thrilled and VERY excited as to what the next phase has to offer. I am working with some very nice people and I can't wait to see what we make.

Part of me wants to wax on about how all the hard work I have been doing for the past -- years have led up to this point, but let's face it- I am too freaking excited to be poetic right now! WEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Joker & Harley Quinn FOR SALE!

Hi readers. I am guessing most of you have followed the progress of my Harley Quinn & Joker sculptures coming into existence. Now, I am offering them up for sale.



I am showing them in their final state here first- since you guys have been with me from the beginning. I am very proud of this project, and also very glad to have completed it! haha!

That is all for now. Another sculpture update soon!

Hard Times Hit / Need Help

Hi blog-readers. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I have reached a point where I need outside help. My car, which I need to find a job and is currently part of one of my gigs, needs new tires. I cannot afford to buy them now. But someone else's safety depends on my car and being able to purchase these tires.

gofund.me/gmn55w

If any of you can spare a few dollars, it would mean the world to me. Or, if you cannot donate, would you please share my story, in the hopes that someone else may? In some ways, your spreading my story is more helpful. I appreciate you nevertheless.

Halloween SNEAK PEEK!

For you only, my blog-readers! Presenting the graphic design for my Halloween costume this year!



Everyone be safe and have a good time tonight!

New Work! Well- old "new" work!

Now that Joker is completely finished, save for affixing them to a new stand, I am starting work on a new piece! Only... it's old. But it's new again!

Long story short, I started this sculpture last year, at the beginning of the semester before Harley! But... I didn't finish her before the new model came in (slow worker!), and got wrapped up with Harley, so this lady took a back seat. She just sat on top of my cube for ages. Now, I am pulling her back out and starting again. I have to fix some heinous anatomy errors and add her little "friend" on the end of the wire coming out of her arm. I so want to keep what it is a secret as long as I can- I dunno why.



I am making her a little more "lumpy" now, so that when I refine and polish her, I will still have some of that mass left. I want her- not "ripped"- but well defined. Taut, if you will. Except in certain places. Grr! Too confusing to explain it, even to myself! Basically, she's gonna be a BADASS!
I am modeling he after one of baddest badasses I know- Grace Jones!


The last image is all you get for a tease as to what she is holding.