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Sundance 2014 - Day 1-3

 

Here I am at Sundance! I still can't believe I can say those words. After a month and a half of preparation, planning and postcard printing it feels like the end of a long journey on the start of the first day.
I arrived at my relative's mountain house last Thursday and sleepily looked out upon the gorgeous mountain landscape of Park City. It's cold and snowy and there are unreal views everywhere you turn. I couldn't imagine a more unlikely yet perfect setting to snuggle in and watch some films. The festival kicked off with a huge opening party and a lodge up in the hills. I was too busy dancing to take any photos.

 

The following day my film Passer Passer premiered at the Redstone theater in Park City. I'd seen the film on a big screen before, but nothing can match the excitement of a premiere at Sundance, plus hearing the sound mix in 5.1 surround for the first time. That's me on the right and on the left is the insanely talented sound designer Katie Gately, also a USC alum, who did sound work on the film.

Saturday was the director's brunch up at the Sundance Resort, a unique gathering exclusively for directors who have films in the festival. After a delicious spread of food, Robert Redford shared his thoughts on the creation and evolution of the festival. He admitted that the idea of a festival up in the mountains in the middle of the winter sounded crazy when he first proposed it. But the peculiar location of the festival is actually its greatest asset. Filmmakers and fans can escape to nature and indulge in a week of pure film. Later on Mr. Redford was very gracious in chatting and snapping photos with any director who wanted to, and I somehow managed to sneak my way up there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nose Hair - Through the Glass - The ADR Tank

Last weekend was packed with ADR magic as the talented Bethany Sparks and I recorded 5 voice actors in two days. The month long process of auditions and filling out USC forms finally ended, but it was all worth it. The actors really gave it their all and we got some wonderful performances.
The Nose Hair is really starting to form a solid mass now. I've been boarding like a fiend with the ADR in place this past week and hope to have the entire film boarded and locked down with sound very very soon.

Passer Passer now Online!

Passer Passer from Cartoon Brew on Vimeo.

Featured on Cartoon Brew, Animade and Vimeo Staff Picks

Nose Hair - The Doctor

Things are moving along on my next film Nose Hair. Here are the designs for The Doctor (slightly crazy with an ambiguous Eastern European accent).

Passer Passer at Animation Block Party!

Passer Passer made its East Coast debut this past weekend at Animation Block Party in NYC!

It screened on Friday night as part of the Rooftop Films series. The whole line-up was fantastic: http://rooftopfilms.com/2013/schedule/animation-block-party-short-films/

Nose Hair - Parents

Character design on Nose Hair continues, here are Nate's parents.

Nose Hair - The Matty Gang

Lugnut




T.J.




Matty


More Nose Hair character designs, these are the members of the Matty Gang, the enemies of Nate and his crew.

Nose Hair - Richie

Richie is Nate's slightly wiser and taller best friend.

Nose Hair - Jimmy

Here's Jimmy, the third member of Nate's crew.

Passer Passer at Long Day Short Film Festival

Last Friday my thesis film Passer Passer premiered at the Long Day Short Film Festival in Alameda, CA! Alameda is across the Bay from San Francisco, an island that used to serve as an air force base. The screening was inside of a giant hangar that used to be used for painting aircraft, but is now used for storing massive amounts of wine.

I was in the festival in 2011 with Moe's Musical Morning, and it was really great to be back again and see how the fest has grown.

Passer Passer on Cartoon Brew!!!

I'm thrilled to report that Passer Passer will be premiering soon on Cartoon Brew, as part of their Student Animation Festival! The whole line-up looks outstanding, check it out HERE.

Nose Hair - Nate

Character design of Nate, the hero of my next film, Nose Hair.

Passer Passer Poster Poster

The poster for my thesis film.

Character Model Pack

Some expressions for Mel, the wise, pie-making advice-giver of Nose Hair.

First draft of the character line-up for Nose Hair.

Passer Passer Cafe Experiments

Experimenting with the lighting and color scheme for the cafe scene... but eh... I dunno...

Character Turn Around

First draft of Mel, from my Sloan Grant film Nose Hair.

Character + Background Design

Character design assignment / early character and scene development for Nose Hair, my Sloan Grant film.

Passer Passer - Style Frames

Passer Passer - Style Frames