Blah

My Dog's Surgery Day: Save Sophie 2013

Thanks to everyone who donated & supported :)

Week # 16

Blog Post # 16: The Fox - by Ylvis

So I'm ending my blog posts with a funny one, because I can. The song "The Fox" by Ylvis has become viral over the summer, coming all the way from Norway as a legitimate song (no, really) to millions upon millions of hits on youtube. Most people can associate it with "Vine", a social media site dedicated to fun 7-second videos made by its users and shared. Whether or not you think this song is completely idiotic, it's catchy as hell. I personally have it downloaded in my phone because I can't get it out of my head its so funny. I watched the video again in my Digital Media / Marketing classes and analyzed why the song appeals to so many - especially children. My professor stressed the fact that this was not just a willy-nilly funny dance song, but a carefully organized and planned out shoot. Everything from the animals to the sounds to the subtitles, to all the lights and dance moves make this irresistible fodder for children. My professor went on to say that is was like "the Ol' MacDonald" of the newer generation. It's interesting how seemingly weird these Europeans are when watching the video - but really, they're geniuses. I love the video even though it's stupid. It's just a fun beat and a good time. Like Psy, Ylvis found a way to transcend language and culture barriers and hit us mashed-potato-brained Americans with a flourish of whimsy. And being the pawns we are, we ate it all up. What does the fox say? Pow-Pow-Pow.

Week # 15

Blog Post #15: The Christmas Creep

Go into any store during the Halloween season... what's in the back? CHRISTMAS TREES. Its not about spreading cheer anymore. Once September hits there's only one thing on America's mind. $$$$ - Money. Making profit. the Holiday season is the biggest money maker of the year, #1 every single time. It seems that Christmas starts early every single year and that is known as the christmas creep. This PBS station in Texas shares their story about how Christmas has taken over Thanksgiving. I think it's atrocious I hate it. I want to hear about Christmas in DECEMBER. After all the trick or treating is done, after the turkey is eaten, and after the football game is over. It starts with the horrible music in the stores. It starts with Black Friday beginning earlier and earlier. Stores used to be closed on Thanksgiving - now? They're opening as early as 7pm on Thanksgiving night. No one who works retail can even have a dinner with their families before having to work for people desperate to make a deal for Christmas. It's sad. The only store that I see is closed for Thanksgiving is the family owned and operated PC Richard's & Son. They publicly went out in ads to say that all their deals will be there on Black Friday, and that their stores will be closed so that people can actually enjoy Thanksgiving with their families before consumerism stuffs Christmas Carols down their throats. It's sad to see. I hate it. I don't give into the hype, and I hope people will start to see it soon. Screw the economy, it's been a mess long before Black Friday shopping. Enjoy your Thanksgiving - and then enjoy your Christmas. After you eat your turkey.

Week # 14

Blog Post # 14: Social Media Revolution - Welcome to the Downfall of Organic Human Interaction

I remember seeing this video in my US History 2 class, almost 4 years ago in my senior year of highschool. It seriously, scared the shit out of me (please forgive my language, its just that crazy). I can honestly say there was a time where I did have a Myspace, a Facebook account, PhotoBucket, I had an iPod, I uploaded to Youtube and helped edit Wikipedia pages. I even had an instagram for like a week. I no longer share my info on the internet (I do have a blog, though) but I can see where the world is heading. There is no longer a natural way to talk to another human - we can instantly be transported anywhere in the world via social media. Advertisers are getting off the TV and Radio and getting savvy about FB & Twitter, eReaders are selling faster than paperback books, and everyone meets on the web. Hell, I even met my fiance on FB (we did go to highschool together though so its not that bad). Watching this video in 2010, I remember thinking "what the heck is going to happen in a year or two, where this is going?" I felt a sense of despair. We are the generation of limitless technological possibilities, and yet we sext body parts to each other's phones and share irrelevant info with a million hastags. No more contributions to society, except on FB timelines. This video had such an impact on me that I couldn't t forget it. Plus, I liked the song. haha. The scariest part? This was in 2010 - almost 4 YEARS ago. Can you imagine how much the stats have changed since then? They change daily! Google "social media revolution" on youtube and see for yourselves. Watch this video, and think twice about that next status update.

Week # 13

Blog Post # 13 - Animating Avatar: the Last Airbender

This video shows an old featurette from the show Avatar:TLA that aired from 2004-2008. I know I'm getting a little dorky here, but I am probably ATLA's (& the new show Legend of Korra's) biggest fan. I know anything and everything about the ATLA universe and the animation thrills me even today. This featurette was aired back in 2005 during the first season. It shows the animation behind the four styles of "bending" and the ancient martial arts reflected in each style. The animators had a martial arts master as their reference and supervisor for all the fighting done in the series. In the show, each nation has a style based on a natural element, and this power can be used by those born with the abilities to bend. Air, Water, Earth, and Fire have a style of Chinese martial arts behind them, and the fighting is shown by their nation's reflected style. The animation in contrast to the martial art reference is spot-on, and I absolutely love that its steeped in tradition and emotion. This show is great and if you haven't yet - you should really watch it. Like, now. Do it Now. ATLA is on the internet & LOK just aired its season 2 finale on Nick.com

Week #12

Blog post # 12 - The Art of Motion-Capture (Batman: Arkham Origins)

Most of you have seen how "new" motion-capture technology has helped to create worlds like in James Cameron's AVATAR (2009)  or even as recently with Bruce Banner / the Incredible Hulk in 2012 with Marvel's the AVENGERS. Motion-Capture allows the production team of a film set up and recreate human--like fluidity and movement which transfers to CGI. Instead of animators having to create these movements and actions themselves, motion-capture technology gives the animators a frame with which to work from that creates photo-realistic images on the computer from an actor's movements or facial expressions. With a reference camera, a 3D-camera, and a motion-capture camera, the actors (in suits fixed with dots on major points to transfer information back to a computer) can actually act out scenes without makeup or costume or set, and yet still be in the movie. The game Batman: Arkham Origins is the 3rd installment of the "Arkham" series of Batman games. The first two games were made by Rocksteady, a video game company. Although easily one of the most critically acclaimed video game series of their respective years, a new company stepped in to create the newest one. Warner Brothers Montreal decided to use motion capture technology to really step up the graphics in this game to set it apart from the first two, and I could tell the change in fluidity of the characters while playing the game first-hand. This video shows how motion-capture was used in the making of the game, and shows how well the final product came out. I absolutely love this game, and can't wait to be animating future Batman games one day.

Week # 11

Week 11 Blog Post: Dogs 101 - English Springer Spaniel

In honor of my pup Sophie, who has been recently diagnosed with a tumor and is awaiting surgery. Springers are the "golden retriever" of Europe, and are used as military/police dogs in the UK's subways, armies and forces. These dogs are amazing hunters and very loyal companions. I was originally studying to be a vet as a kid - but I'm squeamish. haha. I also have been learning a lot about animal training /behavior, and would love to be a zoologist. If my art doesn't work out - I've got back up! This video is from a popular show on Animal Planet about the many different breeds of dogs in the world, and whether they'd be suitable for you as a pet. I love to learn as much as I can about the animal kingdom, and apply it to my art. This video is educational not only to dog lovers, but to people who are very bored and have nothing better to do. Love it. Love my pup. Also, Please click this link to help donate to save my dog's leg -

http://www.gofundme.com/5cmvsg

http://www.gofundme.com/5cmvsg

http://www.gofundme.com/5cmvsg

- Thank you!