April 7th, 2012
Update
Some updates.
Last summer I took a leave of absence from Pixar, to focus my efforts on two personal personal projects. Pixar has been more than supportive on this. I figured the only way to learn more about this difficult making movies thing was by making more, along the mistakes that come with it. I’m more than excited about both projects. One of them is more of my full-time, which is an animated shortfilm. A lot of unknowns, lessons and work ahead. When the time comes I’d love to start sharing some great work that the crew has been doing. We are not there yet, as we are still figuring many things out as we go (myself included). Story is always a tough one to crack, and that’s why I’ve been missing in action trying to learn more about it. Additionally, as I did with ToyStory3/PlaybyPlay, on my weekends/free time I’m working on a live-action project as well. It helps me to have something to fall on when I get stuck on either one of both projects. I had a great experience with PlaybyPlay, so I wanted to apply what I learned in there to something I wrote myself.
In 2007 I attended an LA screenwriting seminar done by Michael Ardnt, Andrew Stanton and many others. Out of the whole seminar one of the quotes that stuck with me a great deal came from Andrew. He was completing Wall-E I believe. In his speech he said “I make the movies I’d like myself to see in a theater some day”. That hit me like a rock. And it was a big influence in me wanting to take the time off to develop these two projects. Both are dark in tone, and along the lines of the things I’m into. They both have a ways to go, but I’m truly enjoying the journey.
I’ll try to chime in on the blog as much as I can.
Just want to make sure I’m posting something useful for you.
Have a great weekend.
Carlos
April 7th, 2012
John Lasseter at the SmithSonian
A lot of great stuff in this link where John Lasseter talks and answers questions.
To Infinity and Beyond Buzz Lightyear’s
John Lasseter is the main drive behind the Toy Story films, which made me want to become an animator back in the mid 90′s. A lot of really good insights in this link. John has been one of my biggest inspirations for so long, as well as Brad Bird and Lee Unkrich. All three very different directors with different ways of dealing with their films/crews. Be sure to check the clip out.
I also learned that he briefly spoke about Animation Mentor in the clip (around 54:56) in such a way that it made my day. We worked very hard over the years on getting the School going, so the mega-nerd in me was speechless when I heard John speak about AM in such a way.
Ok, back to the real world.
Carlos
April 7th, 2012
PlaybyPlay Update
An update on Play by Play, the live-action shortfilm I completed at the beginning of last year. This was a shortfilm I learned a great deal about things I had not a freakin’ clue. Most of the crew had never done anything like this previously myself included. It was my first experience directing actors (most of them kids) as well as my first experience working on sets with crew, pressure and a lot of unknowns. But it was worth it. I would repeat it all in a heartbeat.
So I wanted to share some good news. Given all the room for improvement the film could of use, it was still well received in Festivals. It was selected in over 15 film festivals and even got some awards. Congratulations to all involved who made it happen.
Arizona International Film Festival
Audience Award
Fresno Film Festival:
Audience Award
John Kelly Award for Excellence Cinematography
San Francisco International Film Festival
Golden Gate Award Nomination
Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival
Children’s Choice Award
Santa Rosa International Film Festival:
Winner Domestic Short Film
Durango Independent Film Festival:
Audience Award Best Short Film
Audience Award Best School Film
San Joaquin Children’s Film Festival:
Audience Award Best Short Film
Children’s Jury Award Best Short Film
Festival Jury Award Best Short Film
Phoenix Film Festival:
Best Live Action Short Film
Sedona Film Festival:
Runner Up Audience Award Best Short Film
Additionally, the film was chosen to be played at Virgin Airlines flights in Fall 2011. I was bummed I didn’t get a chance to see it play there myself. It’s been also played across high-schools in the United States because of its anti-bullying message. I was lucky to attend a couple of these screenings, and glad that making the film served some purpose. Thank to those who wrote about it. It was encouraging.
At one point, the film I believe will be available to view online. While there are parts that I can’t help to cringe because of the gnarly mistakes in it, etc…at one point I’m glad I even completed it and hopefully took the lessons for the next ones.
Carlos
I was fortunate enough to be interviewed at the Napa Film Festival to talk a little about my experience working on this shortfilm:
December 29th, 2011
Progression
Every once in a while there is a scene that hits you like a rock. Cate Blanchett’s acting in the movie Heaven (2002) about a woman being accused of killing four people, is one of those scenes I’ve watched so many times from a realness point of view as well as the strong choices. If given the choice I’d look at real footage of people crying, but this scene I found it so strong that I really wanted to share. Watch in 720p if possible.
Main thing I wanted to point out were the different attitudes throughout the shot, and the overall progression.
- She first starts out pretty dismissive. Expression through half eyelids/mouth corners is pretty self explanatory.
-The next 30 seconds follow with tons of details going on throughout the face before she leans forward. Some of these that really stick with me are:
0:16: “Quattro”. If I turn the volume down, my eyes go to the hesitation through the eyelids.
0:24: the subtle eyebrow move after he says the word “Ascensor” brings great subtext to her taking in what’s going on.
0:26-0:30: this is some of my favorite stuff. Pay attention to the white surrounding the pupils. Again it’s subtle, but less is more sometimes.
Her choice leaning forward and covering her mouth is a great one. Somehow feels real to me. Something that I’d see someone doing in real life under tragic circunstances. If it feels real, to me then it’s a great choice as I can relate.
0:34-0:44: She stays in the same pose. Pretty much what the guy says carries this length beautifully. Again less is more. This is a great example that you don’t need to always have acting/gestures or the face moving.
0:50: from this point on, the way she tries to handle her feelings and emotions and breaks down, is a display of both intense and serious amazing acting. From the subtle looks away to the lip quivers. Watch away and take away what you see.
0:54: great internal dialogue between her and the character played by Giovanni Ribisi without saying a word.
I don’t see acting progression that much different than scene/shot/story progression…unless there is a point to the lack of progression, or there is something helping that progression otherwise. For examples, two characters talking. One is not moving or doing anything, however the other character and the exchange is what’s still helping it move the shot forward.
If there is anything to take away from this post, is to bring your shot somewhere…be it in the acting, the story, etc. Don’t keep it flat or without changes or else it’ll be trickier to have an audience follow throughout. Changes keep things interesting.
I hope this helps.
Happy New Kick Ass 2012 Year for everyone.
Carlos
December 23rd, 2011
Thailand
Just got back from Thailand for 5 days. After working 7 day weeks since June, this was a much needed trip for me. I was going nuts and needed to step away from a computer. Thailand was beautiful, and while it was pretty touristy, there are just so many amazing areas to explore. People were very nice as well. Highly recommended.
I put a small video below of the 5 days I spent there. Shot with my beaten up Nikon D90 and a small GoPro. I have to give it to Nikon, as I’ve dropped, roughed, watered and used the hell out of that camera, and it continues to work. Hope you enjoy.
Carlos
December 23rd, 2011
Malaysia & The One Academy
I wanted to take a moment to thank the wonderful people in Malaysia that treated me really well during my stay. From Tatsun Hoi, Founder of The One Academy and very thoughtful/generous host, to his incredible crew, especially Hooiling Lee, Loh Wong Loon, Ang Choon Khen, Mohd Nazri, Jane Wong, Lee Loong Wun. Thank you. You all made this trip an unforgettable one.
Below are a couple of pictures from the event.
Carlos
Oh yeah, bonus face.
Some additional pictures of the trip in this Flickr link.
December 19th, 2011
Shortfilm: Positions
Hi everyone,
Just getting back to the US after a trip to Malaysia/Thailand. I’ll do a separate post on that, as it was really a great trip in many ways. I’m ready to get back to work. I’d like to bring up that we are in search of some positions on the Animated CG Short film. Since it’s a self-funded independent Short film, the work is essentially volunteered and while everyone involved is financially compensated, I can’t pay competitive salaries. We are looking for people who would like to essentially volunteer to join our amazing team of artists in hopefully creating a visually unique film.
Thanks for understanding. These are the current needed positions.
- CG Coordinator (2 positions)
- Character FX Artist
- Shader Texture Artist
- Set Designer
- Lead VFX Simulation Artist
Please send resumes and/or let me or my Producer Sasha Korellis (sasha@sashakorellis.com) know if you are interested in any of these positions and we’ll send you a full description of what it is that we need and can offer.
NOTE: The work can also be done remotely.
Thank you.
Carlos.
November 26th, 2011
Muppets & Animation
Well, I just got out from watching The new Muppets film. What a beautiful ride. I laughed my ass off, I cried several times and best of all, I had a totally amazing time at the Theater. The crowd was up there, clapping, laughing, etc. And what a reminder of why growing up with the Muppets / Sesame Street is one of the best things that ever happened to me while growing up, and later in my life as an animator.
Growing up it was one of the best things, for so many reasons. I just simply smile while watching them be so alive. Always have and I’m pretty sure always will. It’s the magic of puppeteering and animating. When I’m watching, I’m always involved on the character and not the performer behind them. To this day, I’m still blown away that so many scenes in the film I watched today, affected me emotionally or made me laugh to the point of snoring on my laugh. Yes, I said it.
As an animator, the Muppets have influenced in ways not many other things have. To this day I still use the following Mahna Mahna clip as an example of how you don’t need fancy facial controls, elaborated spine overlap or even IK, to make a character be alive, and feel for him/her.
This is all timing, spacing, contrast…and very creative choices of staging and directing the viewer’s eye. I must of watched this clip hundreds of times, no joke. It never gets old, and it never ceases to entertain me. A great example of simplicity.
Another favorite of mine, you can’t miss. Rowlf’s Piano Sonata moments:
Simplicity is quite an amazing thing. I believe Toy Story 1 was animated to a great extend without leg IK contraints…and to this day is still one of my top animated films I’ve ever watched. So true the expression “The magic of film”. Back to the Muppets. I think I’ve always secretly wanted to be a puppeteer. I just sucked at it. Didn’t take me long to realize that. Same as with stop-motion. I tried, I failed, but I tried. I even tried some Muppet tests on my own a few years back. Warning: some pretty bad film-making ahead. I was learning…I had no friends…no life…
I even recycled the same audio…awful. Anyways. However, I loved doing these tests. No matter how much I suck at it, still have a kick ass time and love anything Muppet related. Watching today’s Muppet film, made me realize that I’ll always love the Muppets.
Go see the film. It’s beautiful, funny, smart and will make you be a kid all over (not that we are not).
Carlos, a huge Muppet fan.
November 14th, 2011
Malaysia Talk & The One Academy
For those interested, I’ll be teaching with animator/Animation Mentor partner Shawn Kelly at the One Academy in early December. Very excited to travel, meet people and take a small break from my current schedule. I haven’t traveled in a while. Here is the information about the classes:
Malaysia Talk at the One Academy
Would love to meet those of you who will be able to make it.
Carlos.
October 12th, 2011
SketchTravel
Fantastic project, cause and Shortfilm created by Pixar Co-Worker Dice Tsutsumi. Check it below:
To find out more about it:
Carlos.
