Waiting for Vic Mignogna, a Surprise Opportunity!
On Saturday, January 11, actor Vic Mignogna made an appearance at Awesome Collectibles in Bell, California. I took the occasion to give him a copy of The Animated Voice, Volume 2, which features the cast of Dragon Ball Super–and among them is Vic. While waiting in line, I happened to be behind Kevin T. Rodriguez, who has a channel on YouTube, The Autograph Hound. He saw me with my book and lo and behold, did an impromtu interview, posted online here:
Thanks, Kevin!
Website: http://www.icritic.net
E-Mail: greatmediauniverse@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MovieWizardcom
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevinTRod
Mike Milo’s Advice for Becoming a Storyboard Artist
On Facebook, Emmy Award-winning animation director (among many other talents) Mike Milo offered some advice for people interested in storyboarding as a career. Here it is:
Someone asked me to give ‘words of wisdom’ on how to be a storyboard artist so I wrote back and I figured I might as well post it here in case it IS useful to someone new at storyboarding. If you want to add to it feel free.
For me, storyboarding is all about three things….Clarity, staging and excellent drawing skills.
Part of the clarity can come from the drawings themselves, good silhouettes, clear poses and good solid acting. But staging adds a tremendous amount of clarity as well. By staging I mean place everything in such a way so you can direct the viewer to what you WANT them to see not let them decide for themselves.
As a board artist, you constantly need to ask yourself, Is the joke clear?
Do we understand the drama?
Is it easy to tell what’s going on?
Am I clearly telling the intent of the story?
For me most of what makes something clear, is often the amount of drawings used to convey that action. that may sound crazy but the truth is that many artists can be lazy and they cut corners to get the job done and it’s not always clear what’s going on in their boards. Humans use a lot of nuance to show emotion and in their communication and it usually can’t be displayed in a few drawings.
A lot of new board artists simply do not draw enough poses to show what’s happening, thinking that someone else will fill in the blanks. The truth is that the buck stops at the storyboard artist. There IS no one else. It’s the last line of communication. Some think the animators will ‘fix’ it and make it clear.
The animator’s job is to simply clean up what’s there and inbetween it, not figure action out. that’s the job of the board artist. Many seasoned board artists might argue that it’s not their job to do so much work and they’re right but the fact remains it’s essential in this day and age.
If you want to be a good board artist, you have to be able to draw well, be able to act well, have excellent draftsmanship skills, understand perspective, know how to draw backgrounds, props, design characters, as well as be able to set up a joke clearly, and understand WHY we’re cutting to a close up not simply doing it because you feel it’s time. You also need to understand pacing, staging and good layout. It’s a hard job and it’s not for everyone but if you work hard and pay attention to the disciplines above you can do it.
***
Mike’s talents are on display here. His sister website, Animation Insider, profiles animation professionals throughout the world. Be inspired! Learn! Create!
Try It Before You Fry It
Today, January 8, 2020, the new DragonHeart Vengeance trailer premiered at SR Trailers and Reviews. Siveth in action!
Joseph Millson, posting on Facebook, says, “I want to tell you all, with full understanding of those who didn’t get past 2 👀that this is a gorgeous film. I’ve seen it. It works really well. Proper family movie. Great action some actual laughs and the Dragonheart magic. I had the most wonderful time shooting it. But didn’t expect it to come together as well as it has. I hope doubters might at least try it before they fry it. And fans love it as much as I suspect they will. Big love.”
Coming to Blu-ray, DVD & Digital on February 4, 2020.
Siveth is Coming
On December 5, it was announced on social media that Dragonheart 5, called Dragonheart Vengeance, is coming to Blu-ray, DVD & Digital on February 4, 2020.
Here’s a synopsis:
Lukas, a young farmer whose family is killed by savage raiders in the countryside, sets out on an epic quest for revenge, forming an unlikely trio with a majestic dragon and a swashbuckling, sword-fighting mercenary, Darius. Helena Bonham Carter voices Siveth, the ice breathing dragon who was once banished from the kingdom for failing to save the king’s life. Compelled by the young man’s cause, she emerges from hiding, using her fantastical powers on the trio’s adventurous journey which brings revelations and rewards beyond vengeance. Dragonheart: Vengeance is an exciting action-adventure filled with fantasy and humor that will thrill the entire family.
I don’t think “PG-13”-rated violence will enamor the entire family, but that’s what we’ll get.
Here’s a clip:
Look at her breathe ice!
And here she is giving romantic tips:
Charming!
The Dragonheart series has a history of killing off its dragon heroes, leaving a bad taste in the viewer’s mouth and discouraging repeat viewing. One can only hope the same fate doesn’t befall Siveth.
Batman vs. Darth Vader!
From Bat in the Sun Productions, posted online March 5, 2015:
BATMAN vs DARTH VADER
Directed by Aaron Schoenke
The series is produced by Aaron Schoenke, Sean Schoenke and Nikolay Zamkovoy.
KEVIN PORTER/BATMAN
DAMIAN BEURER/DARTH VADER
DAVID BAXTER/DARTH VADER UNMASKED
JON-CHARLES CORDERY/DARTH VADER’S VOICE
JAKE ALLYN/SUPERMAN
Original Music and Sound by Sean Schoenke
Cinematography by Joey Rassool
Editing by Aaron Schoenke
Make Up by Jeff West
Stunt Coordinator Shaun Piccinino
Written by Aaron and Sean Schoenke Rafael Jordan
Co-Produced by Bryan Morton Joey Rassool Nicole Klepper Damian Beurer Michael Bender
Bat cowl sculpted Reevz FX
Special Effects created by Nikolay Zamkovoy
Be sure to check out our special effects artist channel.
The concept of the SPBD web series is to take two super powered legends and make them battle! Every new episode the viewers will be able to vote to determine the winner!
Death Star hangar reference
Harold Okafor-Withers
Matte paintings by
Bryan Morton
special thanks
Collector’s Paradise
What Happened to Harrison Ford’s Cigarette?
Some behind-the-scenes footage of Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill taking a break in the Death Star set. Note the cigarette between Ford’s fingers.
On November 28, 2019, “Star Wars” posted a featurette, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” talking about the legacy of the franchise.
Notice the footage at 1:12:
What happened to Ford’s cigarette?
George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, October 3, 1789
The first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation under the U.S. Constitution:
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
George Washington, President.
Thanksgiving, October 3, 1789
