aumantm

Auman Video Production Logo (a work in progress)

2011-05-17T17:02:00.005-04:00

The week has just begun and already my post-work time is set to be filled with personal projects. First project to tackle is a logo for my video production company (for site and end of video signage).

I'm attempting to utilize the astronaut images I'm so fond of while creating a simple and recognizable logo. The image was originally designed around the astronaut. Although I'm happy with the astronaut image I've created it wasn't simple or scalable for how I intend to use it.

I went back to simple shapes, such as the circle, in order to encapsulate the astronaut to make it scalable. Working from the circle I began to play with a combination of recognizable video shapes (stop, play, pause, fast forward). While I was at this step of the process I opened up to the idea of using the letters 'a' and 'v' from my production studio's name.

"AV" is not only Auman Video but it is also "audio/visual". I created a thin custom font for the letters and used the inner part of the 'a' to encapsulate my astronaut.

It may not be the final logo but it is a step in the right direction.

Be a Collector and Not Just a Consumer

2011-05-02T21:44:00.006-04:00

"Where do your ideas come from?" If you've been in an interview for a creative position, you've probably have been asked this question. I've made it a point to ask any student I'm considering, for an internship position, this question and I think it's an important question to ask. It's insight into how a person thinks and their creative process.

When asked, I say "I'm a huge consumer of media." What this means is that I spend a lot of time watching film and video. I watch for styles, techniques, concepts, characters and ideas. If I find an interesting visual technique or style I write/sketch it so I wont forget. I wasn't the first to work in video and I'm not the last, so theres no point in reinventing the wheel.

But I'm not just consuming, I'm collecting. I save video links, I share them, and showcase them to others. I'm sure you've watched a video at some point and loved it so much you had to share it. There are entire sites dedicated to showcasing an individual's (or group's) collection of video, an example being www.devour.com.

If you stumble across a video, whether it's informative or entertaining, don't just be a consumer, be a collector. If you write a blog, share it with your readers, or if you or your business has a Facebook or Twitter account, share it with your friends and followers. What you choose to collect and share tells others just as much as what you produce.

30 Second Videos

2011-04-28T21:01:00.010-04:00

When I meet with clients about potential video productions one of the first things we discuss is the length of the video. The average person/client will expect videos over 5 minutes and sometimes even 10 minutes. The ideal online video is 2 minutes or even shorter.

Recently at work, while discussing future projects with our writer, we decided we would pitch the next food district video less like a traditional 2 minute virtual tour but as a series of 30 second commercial-esque vignettes. With 30 second videos, we can hold attention more easily while making videos students will watch, share and post to Facebook/Twitter.

By creating 30 second vignettes, we could produce four videos in the same amount of time it would take to produce one 2 minute video. The smaller videos are more likely to be watched and by increasing the amount of videos on our Youtube channel it would also increase the total amount of views on all videos. This would then create more opportunities to click to our other videos or back to any Food District web page.

Jack Daniels has recently and successfully used this method of creating 30 second vignettes rather than one longer video for their new Tennessee Honey.

Their videos are short simple and by labeling it as a "Part", if you enjoy the video, you will proceed to their channel and continue to watch more of their videos. With a longer video, once the viewer is done watching they could easily move onto the next page leaving you and your product behind.

Simple short videos allow the user to watch more of them, while making viewer feel like they've spent less time watching and making viewers more likely to share them through social media channels.

North Food District

2011-04-14T13:45:00.007-04:00

Check back for some behind the scenes look at my process.

North Dining Commons Preview

2011-04-06T14:41:00.002-04:00

NACUFS Invitation

2011-03-30T14:01:00.003-04:00

You can find more of my videos here.

Kiteboarding Photos

2011-03-25T15:01:00.002-04:00

Steam Plant Interview

2011-03-22T10:24:00.002-04:00

Sights and Sounds Preview

2011-03-17T14:26:00.004-04:00

Photoshop Everyday

2011-03-09T10:10:00.001-05:00

Gear On

2011-03-07T15:34:00.005-05:00

Before I began to work on a snow crew project at work I came up with the concept of a smaller video to help students dress appropriately for the weather, especially to wear the proper shoes to prevent falling.

I wanted the video to be short and clear but to not sound as if we were talking down to the students. I based the style off of the Rudimentary section of the Put This On blog's videos.

Unused Dining Commons Video

2011-02-23T09:27:00.005-05:00

This is an unused video for a dining commons on Penn State main campus that I had pitched to my client in late 2010.

The previous concept was to use a popular chef from the dining common and to give him the Jib Jab treatment as he made puns about eating at the common.

Given the assignment I was told we needed to keep the previously recorded audio track of Stew, the popular chef from the dining common, but that I was allowed to update the concept. I choose to switch from a Jib Jab style to the use of a puppet.

Working with a puppet had a lot of challenges, mostly in syncing the old audio to match the puppets mouth. The solution I was hoping for was to record both puppet movements and a new audio track at the same time but was told keeping the old project audio was a must.

Given the limitations I was very pleased with the way the video turned out. Although the concept was approved internally, it was eventually dropped from the project and replaced by a more traditional tour concept.

NACUFS wrapped

2011-02-21T22:13:00.003-05:00

Last week I wrapped on shooting the NACUFS footage and while I wait on customer approval here's one more look at it.

NACUFS Invitation Continued

2011-02-16T15:52:00.003-05:00

Here's a look at a few more stills from my current project.

NACUFS Invitation

2011-02-11T09:54:00.003-05:00

My current project at work is an invitation for next years NACUFS conference being held at Penn State. The concept comes from the California Tourism commercials.

New Banner - Process

2011-02-10T10:18:00.003-05:00

Before I began working on a new banner, I had to decide on an image that would reflect my work and the personality of my work and thought process.

Towards the end of August I had done a small animation to learn After Effects. The result was an animation of a bird astronaut climbing into the mouth of a human astronaut and flying the astronaut head towards a distant planet. My favorite shot that I had worked on was a close up of the bird in his helmet flying towards the surface of the planet, with the surface being reflected on his vizor as he got closer.

Knowing this was my image I brought it into Photoshop added text and began to play.

My first banner was the basic set up. Bringing in my elements to understand how they would play together.

Having converted the image to black and white, I began laying the text over the image. This resulted in the look of cutting the letters out of the bird image.

I then used the text as a cut out, removing it from the image and laying the image textured text to the right of the bird. I achieved the look I had hoped for but didn't care for the repetition of my name.

I reversed the cut out to make a mirrored image of my name, creating a more interesting interplay between the image and the text.

Return of the Blog

2011-02-10T09:23:00.004-05:00

It's about that time when I make my glorious return to the interwebs and begin posting current, future and past projects. I'll also be posting anything that inspires me, whether it's print, web or video.

So enjoy the new banner and keep checking back to the blog for more images and videos.

-aumantm

Rhino - Photoshop Everday

2010-06-05T20:46:00.003-04:00

Smoking Man

2010-04-14T09:36:00.000-04:00

Photoshop Everyday - Antlers

2010-04-13T14:52:00.001-04:00

Photoshop Everyday - Crows

2010-04-09T11:51:00.002-04:00

Photoshop Everyday - Arm

2010-03-25T15:14:00.002-04:00

What Tim Burton has taught me - "Sketch Everyday"

2010-03-23T23:00:00.004-04:00

Last week I finally got to visit the Tim Burton Retrospective at MOMA in NYC. The massive amount of sketches and work done by Burton that essential no one ever sees is just mind boggling. While at the show my sister turned to me and said "Now what did you learn today Tim?" to which I immediately knew the answer. "Sketch everyday."

Since my return back to my apartment I have not sketched everyday. Partially because I'm lazy but also partially because I'm not confident enough in my ability to sketch. Which is why I've changed my motto from "Sketch everyday" to "Photoshop everyday".

I would describe myself primarily as a digital artist before anything else. So it only makes sense to adapt what Burton has taught me and apply it to my own practices. Well, it starts today. I need to work, make anything, once a day. Just like working out your muscles, you need to train and keep your artistic muscles fit by working them everyday.

New Animology Prints

2010-03-09T21:49:00.003-05:00

Here are the new prints from my Animology collection now available in my Etsy shop here!

Follow your Leads

2010-02-20T22:32:00.005-05:00

Everything is inspiration, no matter where it takes you. Dead ends don't exist, everything will influence your work on some level. This is especially true across mediums and styles. If an idea doesn't work for one style test it out on another.

Failures are lessons learned. Doesn't necessarily mean that your work is terrible, there are things you can take away. Ideas are transferrable. Concepts or images can be used or reused. Everything you see, magazine clips, television, advertisements, books, anything you see you record.

If you feel like you've hit a dead end in you work, or your concepts seem stale work back around to the beginning. You'll approach your first style or concept with all the information and images you absorbed over the project. This will make you see your work in a whole new light.

Follow every lead, every interesting image or concept. Once you feel you've hit a dead end, work back from the beginning applying all your new images and concepts to your work.

Stores Back Open

2010-02-09T23:04:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that my Etsy shop is back open. I'll be posting a new item picture tomorrow. So check back again after lunch.

Who is this?

2010-02-03T22:26:00.002-05:00

I have no idea who the artists is that made this? But I love it. Can someone tell me who it belongs to?

Regardless,

it's amazing.

A Well Read Audio Book

2010-02-02T11:21:00.002-05:00

Reading is something I wish I did more often. Recently I discovered the awesomeness that is - audio books. I've spoiled myself though, with the first book I listened to being Douglas Adams "The Life, the Universe and Everything". Read by the man himself, it just doesn't get any better. You really get a great sense of his voice and style. The more I read his work the more I enjoy his style. Theres no greater way to read a book then to have it read to you by the author.

So I highly suggest you listen to any "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" book in the series read by Douglas Adams.

Squid Noodles - Serve Immediately

2010-01-12T22:46:00.004-05:00

Here's a print I'm working on.

The Artistic Conundrum a.k.a. Somebody buy a shirt please!

2009-12-29T22:38:00.004-05:00

A looming concern over anyone, artist or not, is how to make money. Like it or not, you need money just to live from day to day. As an artist in the digital age you would think that gathering enough exposure to spread your work while bringing in some change would be easy, but in reality it is becoming increasingly difficult.

Taking into consideration the amount of sites on the internet which sell artwork, the number of artists on those sites, the number of customers browsing those sites (those willing to spend on art during the recession) and mixed into that the number of people trying to make a quick buck off of anything they can sell (craft or other). If you're an artist, you're probably at this moment drowning in this electronic ocean. So the question is how does one sell their work in hopes to make a living or just anything at all.

I don't have that answer and I don't think anyone really does. But don't sweat it, artists aren't the only one with this particular conundrum. Large studios and corporations are looking for their money on the internet as well, and discovering that there is no particular equation. The internet is in a position of flux, which is why it's so popular. Internet allows the people to control the culture, they no longer receive it but adapt it and make it their own. So there really is no silver bullet, magic equation and if someone tells you other wise they are selling you snake oil, you probably know more than they do.

So why am I telling you all of this. To sell you something of course. The internet with it's multiple solutions and it's infinite wisdom has taught me to be thrifty and to sell out at any chance you get. So when I recently heard of Razzle, with it's no money in, turn a profit off of your designs I was sold.

Without further explanation here is my first Razzle attempt (tell your friends):

http://www.zazzle.com/rawr_tshirt

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-28T17:30:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holidays, before I disappear for another week into the physical world.

Holidays are a great time to relax and come up with new ideas. Although some genuine ideas are created through pressure, I prefer to create ideas through relaxation.

'How Birds Breathe' available in January!

2009-12-20T11:31:00.003-05:00

My 'How Birds Breathe' print will be available on my Etsy shop beginning of January. Although I had hoped to sell my Intaglio prints from school the quality of the prints weren't as great as I had hoped. So I've decided to print on the same white stonehenge paper as my intaglio but printed using my Epson print.

So look for my print starting in January!

More of my Current Work

2009-12-19T13:35:00.002-05:00

The semester ended and you know what that means...

more of my fun personal work. Continuing my Squid 'n Bear comic and working on Christmas cards.

Bonsai

2009-12-16T16:27:00.000-05:00

Finals - Sculpture

2009-12-15T23:39:00.004-05:00

My final sculpture this semester was supposed to take a song from the 50's, 60's or 70's and relate it's message to ideas from today. My opinion that I expressed in my sculpture was that there is a disconnect between that music and current generations because we are unable to fully understand what previous generations have gone through. it is impossible and silly to compare each generation to the next because each is so different.

So I went out of my comfort zone and created a performance piece to show this disconnect and separation of generations, through visual and audial support. Here are some pictures from my one and only performance for the class.

Quick Update- Really Quick

2009-12-08T23:43:00.004-05:00

Since this is the craziest time of the year, I will make this quick... very quick. Heres one of my latest images from print making. It could be a possible theme I may want to continue through my work as I look forward to applying for my MFA.

The theme if you haven't picked up on it, is the scientific dissection of every facet of life. It's also are need to classify, organize and understand all things living.

And if you haven't done your Christmas shopping like me, then maybe you should visit my Etsy shop and get your loved one a monster or animal print!

The Octopus as Design

2009-12-02T09:51:00.003-05:00

Just did a little digging into the octopus as used in art and design. Mycenaean pottery.

The Value of Value - Cont.

2009-12-02T08:39:00.003-05:00

If you couldn't see the value of value in my previous post you should be able to see it now. The amount of depth and volume created by placing a light source and shadow into your work is incredible. Because of shadows tentacles seem to inhabit the space rising up out of the tub rather than laying flat against it. The head and tentacles also are given new life, a sense of roundness.

You can see why value is so important, but before I took Fundamentals of Drawing I gave the concept of value little to no thought. Now I can see the value of value.

The Value of Value

2009-11-26T12:04:00.005-05:00

I'd hate to say it but I'm really benefiting from returning to undergrad at IUP and learning the basics. It's the studios in which I can see what I've really missed out on. Fundamentals of Drawing has really taught me lessons that extend beyond drawing and has found it's way into my digital art work.

Working in film and video you really take for granted being able to set up lights, tear them down and reset them within minutes. Within that time you can create several different pictures without having to finalize anything. In drawing,more or less your final drawing is your final drawing. You can visualize and play with your lighting set up before you begin but I feel it's real easy to ignore that step and just draw better or for worse what you see.

This concept of light and values has really made me step back and look at the work I've recently produced. It's made me realize how flat my images really were. And so I've come to value the use of value in my work, being able to create depth and volume. Making me consider setting and composition in my image.

Initially I wanted to go back and add value to an older image to show my point, but all my work is located on my external HD in my apartment. So I created an image used a lot by professors teaching values. If anyone ever tells you to go back and learn the basics, don't laugh or take offense because it really can benefit you. I've learned this the hard way but I've still learned it.

Gilles and The Sleep of Reason

2009-11-20T10:40:00.007-05:00

Since September I've been taking two Art History courses, and while I find them absolutely fascinating the work it's self has not been my style. The closer my class gets to viewing contemporary work the more I find myself enjoying the artist's and their work. So I thought it would be a good change for me to show some work that I liked rather than show my own work.

The first painting is from Watteau and is entiteld "Gilles (comedia del arte)". Watteau painted during the 18th Century prior to the French Revolution. His other works were typical to the time in which he painted Aristocrats in a Rococo fashion.

The second image I viewed this week caught me partially with it's title. It is Francisco Goya y Luciendes' "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters". It is an etching from 18th Century Spain produced before his Disaster's of War series.

Keep Working, Keep Working, Oops forgot to study!

2009-11-17T13:29:00.002-05:00

Oops, I kept working on this when I should have been studying. Time to hit the books!

It Begins...

2009-11-15T15:08:00.004-05:00

Take a Break, Create for Fun

2009-11-13T10:50:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you just have to take a break from academia and just create for fun. Theres nothing better than making an image you want to make and for no reason.

From Concept to Finished Product - Obstacles

2009-11-07T13:29:00.004-05:00

If theres anything to take away from the craziness of this week's classes it's that from concept to work of art you are bound to have road blocks and obstacles. The stubborn artist muscles through to create as close a product to the concept as possible. My sculptor professor told me the true artist works his concept around that obstacle, works with it, and changes their concept. Thats the true artist, and that is a true piece of art.

If I didn't believe him right away I certainly believe him now. Both of my current projects in sculpture and print media have both had their share of obstacles and both have seen serious amounts of change from the initial concept. And the changes are for the best, it has allowed me to review my idea and make it truer than in my original idea.

Sometimes facing obstacles and making changes equals out to more time spent on a piece, but who says thats a bad thing. If you hate your idea and your work by the time you've finished it, then chances are no one else will like your work. But if you can work through from an idea to a finished product and still feel strongly about your work then it will reflect in your work and the piece will become more interesting to the viewer.

Trying to stay Updated

2009-11-01T22:18:00.002-05:00

Finnaly a chance to use my photoshop skills in printmaking. The last two assignments dealt primarily with hand drawn images and thats something I'm still working on.

So I'm currently working on lithography which inovles printing my images onto special paper rather than transferring hand drawn images onto plates. The image you see above is my first test image, I'll receive some feedback Tuesday and then make changes before the print onto the plate.

Hopefully tomorrow I can post some notes on my latest sculpture assignment, if I make it through the day tomorrow. I'm trying to open a computer monitor without shocking myself, I only need the plastic frame.

The Clouds - In Progress Halloween Animation

2009-10-23T22:54:00.003-04:00

What's Your Alpaca Lifestyle

2009-10-11T22:23:00.002-04:00

As Promised

2009-10-05T17:00:00.002-04:00

Here are the pictures of my book sculpture, as promised.

I'd Rather just Show you My Work

2009-09-29T21:51:00.002-04:00

Sometimes there's no meaning, or in depth thought process. Just keep working at it and soon you'll have a digital sketch book of sorts.

Quick Update - and New Pic

2009-09-28T21:17:00.002-04:00

Busy busy busy with all of my studio art courses but I haven't forgot about you. No I have not. Just to share some love with you enjoy this picture.

Where the Wild Things Ought to Be

2009-09-19T23:50:00.003-04:00

If you haven't been following We Love You So blog at weloveyouso.com nows a good time to check it out.

If you don't know what it is, it's the blog for Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are film, describing all of his inspirations for the film.

One of the most recent things is a contest in which you show a picture of where you think the wild things ought to be. Here's mine.

The thing about Education

2009-09-17T00:36:00.002-04:00

The thing about education is that as an Undergrad at Juniata College I found it to be unrewarding and boring. It was like stepping through the hoops for steppings sake. There were the required courses for my major and even my major, at this point in time, doesn't seem to be doing much for me. I would always say that the educational system is flawed and that I would never attend Grad School, it would be a waste of money and time.

What I'm discovering as a Continuing Education major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is that now that I've stepped through the previous "hoop" I'm much more comfortable and excited to learn and to be constantly learning. There are so many things, techniques, styles, critique, discussion, writing, presentation, history, artists, and research that would have previously seemed boring. But now I have this passion to learn and absorb everything my professors are saying, to follow what they teach and treat every single class as being taught something substantial (no matters it's size).

If everyone viewed art with the same intensity and curiousity as Da Vinci, people wouldn't simply brush aside the arts. When art is done right it involves all the things I mentioned above and it becomes a much deeper subject. To really want to learn art you have to have a curiousity and passion for what youre doing and youre subject, which in turn will greatly enhance your voice in your work.

First Project for Print Making - Octopus!

2009-09-11T20:09:00.002-04:00

Since I haven't updated in a while heres a look at my design for a linograph print. I still have to carve it but heres the basic idea.

Bonsai

2009-08-28T21:11:00.002-04:00

Hmmmmmm.... what could this be. Future project?

My Etsy Video is finally up!

2009-08-26T22:27:00.001-04:00

You can watch it right here:

Watch full screen for more viewing pleasure.

Enjoy and let me know what you thought of it!

Home

2009-08-21T20:36:00.001-04:00

A Man Trying to Find His Place in the World

2009-08-20T01:38:00.003-04:00

It's difficult to be an artist and not question yourself, your talent, or whether or not you will be recognized. And as I sit on unemployment and am about to throw myself back into the collegiate world and even further into the art world, I can't help but question myself.

The first time I watched Wes Anderson's Life Aquatic I enjoyed the film primarily for it's visual style (the wonderful blend of colors, cinemotography, animation, and full ship cut away). But everytime since in the end when Zissou finally tracks down the Jaguar Shark he says "I wonder if it remembers me." I can't help but tear up. The film is about a man trying to find his place in the world and leaving something behind to be remembered for.

A fear I have is not being remembered. I couldn't think of anything worse then one day not being remembered after I'm gone. It's not because I crave the attention I just want to do something truly unique and memorable.

The Laziest Ad Ever

2009-08-19T01:34:00.002-04:00

Hollywood Casino in PA. It's billboard read:

"Your Closest Casino"

which I read as. If you have a gambling addiction we already know. Were a quick fix, like the nearest crack dealer. Were not good or bad, just close.

And goodnight.

I Am Not

2009-08-04T20:43:00.002-04:00

Even though a piece you've been working on has not turned out the way you hoped it to theres always a bright side to having something to work on. Even though I may not find my newest animation to be my best work I've definitely learned a lot by doing it.

What have I learned?

Flash is no longer the program I should be using to animate. It has an incredible amount of limitations, too many to even count. I'm ready to move to a new program, even a 3D program, but only to use with 2D animation (think puppet theater). So if anyone knows of any good programs worth investing my limited money into please let me know.

Another thing I've learned is that when your'e not good at something, admit it. I'm not a composer among many other things I'm not. But this is something I definitely have learned the hard way.

Busy little bee I am

2009-07-29T21:39:00.002-04:00

Since I haven't blogged in such a long time (20 days from yesterday) I figured I'd go two days in a row.

I've been working my little fingers off to get my etsy animation finished. I'm nearing completion of the animation (a mere 3 scenes from the end... out of 11) and not quite sure if I'm happy with it. Happy with what I've learned, yes, with the final product not as much but their is definitely pride in doing so much with it.

I've also been traveling a smidgeon visiting Johnstown, PA's film festival and speaking with the film makers as well as attending a Juniata College Networking event in NYC, NY. Both were great learning experiences. I got out there and asked questions until my lips fell off, don't think thats possible. Oh well, glad to have those experiences under my belt and glad to have shown Over the Rainbow to another crowd of people.

And if that wasn't enough to have completed within 20 days (it's actually not that much, I'm exaggerating) I've also decided, and have received confirmation that I will be continuing my education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for some Post BAC work and hopefully my MFA next year.

You've probably missed me while I've been gone, but not enough to read this whole darn blog post I'll leave you with a present. Enjoy!

I'm the only one up here and the time machine

2009-07-28T17:17:00.004-04:00

Have you ever noticed that when you are thinking it's your own voice in your head and that you can't talk over yourself. Try saying "yes" in your head while saying "no" as well. what you here in your head is "ye-no-ss". It's just not possible.

The human body I've discovered is also a time machine, albeit a limited one. Close your eyes for 3 seconds and open them. You've just traveled 3 seconds into the future. When you go to sleep time passes by and you aren't even aware of it. It is limited though, only being able to move forward and not backwards. And it's only limited to it's one speed.

In the same fashion as cathedral - t'horns

2009-07-08T21:40:00.003-04:00

Heres another scanned image in a similar idea to the cathedral. This is called "t'horns".

Things found outside the Cathedral

2009-07-08T15:04:00.000-04:00

Gone for too Long - Update!

2009-07-06T15:50:00.004-04:00

I've been gone for way too long. Here are some updates on my projects:

I've finished a new piece of art work that will be available for purchase within a month. Take a sneak peek here.

Also I've begun animation on my etsy video which you can see a sneak peek of as well.

Don't forget my "Dead Animal Parade" animation. Heres a bit of updated concept art for you.

What's in your Book Stack?

2009-06-27T20:23:00.003-04:00

Currently I'm reading two books. The first is one I've owned since my birthday and I'm very happy to finally get to read it. It's "The Pixar Touch" by David Price and it doesn't read like your average informative book. It plays out Pixar's story in at times what could seem like a fictional tale. But what I'm the most interested in getting out of it is more detailed knowledge of the history of Pixar's animation as well as a more detailed explanation of how they run their studio.

The second book which is less of a book and more of a resource right now is "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market". If you couldn't tell by my fascination with Maurice Sendak and Eric Carle that I'm interested in Children's Literature and especially illustration then I guess this book is a dead give away. Hopefully this book will lead me into a proper direction to see if my artwork can be put to good use.

Now beyond the books I'm currently I have several others stacked at the end of my desk, reminding me they have yet to be read. They are "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" the graphic novel vol. 1, "Paper Puppet Palooza" by Norma V. Toraya, "The Art of Disney Pixar's UP", "Beware of Dug!" a children's book based off of UP that uses some very neat paper cut out illustration technique, and the last book at the very bottom of the stack is "Authentic Decor The Domestic Interior: 1620-1920" (if that one confuses you see my other blog here).

What's in your Book Stack?

New Platypus Print in my Etsy Shop

2009-06-26T10:04:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I posted a new print on my etsy shop, currently only available in a medium size. Check it out here and the rest of my shop here.

Your Desk Space

2009-06-23T00:05:00.004-04:00

Ever since I learned of Warhol's desktop boxes I've always been fascinated at the desk space people keep. It's great insight into how they work and how they think. Just today I read on twitter:

"RT @jggube: I liked this quote via @CJCUK: "Creative clutter is better than idle neatness". INDEED."

I've always kept a messy desk full of books I intend to read, have finished projects, toys and tools scattered all about. What about those more well known than myself, what kind of desk do they keep.

Roald Dahl's sleeping bag

Eric Carle's work space

And then there are those who almost make an art of documenting there work space. The photos give you information about the current projects but the pictures were taken with careful framing.

One of Megan Auman's workspaces

What's your desk/work space look like?

Ok so a Deviation from my Deviation

2009-06-22T13:33:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I get too excited and deviate from what I'm working on, even if it was a previous deviation from what I was working on (you still following). I've doubled back and threw in some textures on my Dead Animal Party moose concept art. You can view the progression from sketch to textured in the image above.

Storyboard

2009-06-21T10:51:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned in my last post that I was slightly deviating from my DAP animation, my new project is for a contest for Etsy.com. The theme of the contest is "Handmade Moments". Check out my rough storyboard:

Slight Deviation

2009-06-18T22:30:00.002-04:00

As I continue to work on my new animation, which you will see a lot of in my blogs due to my unemployment, I may get slightly deviated by projects that have a possibility of winning any kind of money. Today is one of those days where I have stumbled across a possible project for me to animate and win some money, and so I deviate.

In the mean time enjoy some more concept art for Dead Animal Party (thats its temporary project name).

Final Two Characters

2009-06-18T14:32:00.001-04:00

Here are the final two characters. Still a little unsure on how the squirrel came out but incredibly happy with the twisted neck deer.

Sorry I ate all the Popcorn

2009-06-17T22:15:00.002-04:00

Two of the Main Characters

2009-06-16T16:48:00.004-04:00

Here are two of the main characters from my upcoming animation.

Dead Animal Party

2009-06-15T12:23:00.002-04:00

Heres some more concept art work.

End of the Story

2009-06-15T01:13:00.004-04:00

My last post I started with the story I was going to animate and I left you with some concept art as well as a test animation. So again I come bearing gifts as well as the end of my story idea. Enjoy the concept art and the end of the story!

At last they came to a clearing in the woods. On one side was a table containing a bowl of punch, a bag of sour cream and onion chips and a vegetable platter. On the opposite side of the clearing was another table containing name cards that read “Hello. My Name is ___________” as well as party hats. The souls made their way into the clearing grabbing their nametags and party hats. More animals appeared at the edge of the clearing. A moose with an exposed rib cage drank from a red plastic cup while a bear missing an arm, stood in the center of the clearing telling a joke. Everyone laughed except the turtle whose head was now where his foot used to be. The party continued until the sun appeared above the tops of the trees and the souls began to fade. The clearing was now empty except for a few party hats that had been left behind and a nametag that read “Hello. My Name is Flattened Squirrel”.

New Short Animation

2009-06-12T01:12:00.006-04:00

So I'm working on a new short animation, applying what I recently had an epiphany about last week. I've completely written the story already and am about to move into storyboards. To give you a feel for what the animation will be about I'll post the first paragraph of the story as well as a bit of concept art I had completed today. Enjoy!

The dead squirrel laid by the side of the road, flattened except for his tail, which pointed straight up, then left, and then back up again. As the cars passed by the squirrel’s soul rose from his dead body, slowly lifting up. His soul mirrored that of his body, flattened except for his crooked wiry tail. Moving from the side of the road into the trees, he marched slowly to some unknown destination. In the woods a bird, completely spherical, bloated by the sun and head of the day joined him. Next came a deer, who would have seemed perfectly healthy if his head wasn’t twisted completely around to face his rear. The last to join this mutilated soul parade, marching through the woods in the middle of the night was an orange tabby cat whose two halves of a body were being held together only by his intestines. They marched on in a single file line under the full moon, passing by a pond that gave no reflection of the souls of the flattened squirrel, the bloated bird, the twisted deer, or the two halves of cat.

Hurray Textures!

2009-06-11T17:41:00.005-04:00

If you have seen my artwork then you should know my love of textures. Today, I'm sharing that love. Here are some high quality scans of some of the recent textures I'm using in my work.

Eric Carle's Blog

2009-06-07T22:56:00.002-04:00

I am so excited for this find because Eric Carle is a huge inspiration for me and my work. Here it is Eric Carle's blog which is truly fantastic. A little insight into his world and what he's been up to.

I'm particularly excited about this post of his.

This may even inspire me into creating a short children's book (primarily illustrations, I'm not much of a writer). There could be a few ideas floating around up here in the old noggin.

Paper Toys

2009-06-05T15:13:00.002-04:00

Heave over to the Small Imaginings Blog for more information.

Find and Animate

2009-06-03T23:04:00.002-04:00

During my unemployment I must continue to work on animation. That's easier said then done but I've broken it down into the simplest formula I can think of.

"Find a story and Animate it"

My problem is that I'm not thinking filmic enough. When I think animation I think of my Hypermedia class in which one individual cut out character can be used through the entire short film. If I'm going to make an animation I have to think like a film maker.
Not every character image can be used throughout the entire film I'm going to need to see the front of the character, the side, the back, his feet, and his hands. Each scene is a new piece of art work, consisted of individually created images for that scene. If it's a class project, sure, using the same character repeatedly makes sense with a deadline. Not if you are creating something worthwhile.

(This would be my epiphany here -->) I have to take a story and create the story boards as if it were a film and then animate it. You can't let the animation dictate the story, the story should dictate the animation.

Random Night Browsing

2009-05-31T22:56:00.003-04:00

Today as I was doing some research for Small Imaginings when I stumbled across a blog that I thought was strange yet incredibly intersting. So here is a random night browsing find:

http://olyblog.net/obscuro-comix-sound-effect-dictionary-p

Also while browsing the interwebs yesterday I stumbled upon a very sweet stop motion video. Check the linkage below:

http://laughingsquid.com/sorry-im-late-stop-motion-animation-shot-from-above-with-a-still-camera-on-the-ceiling/

Long time No Blog

2009-05-29T12:08:00.002-04:00

So it's been awhile since I've last blogged but I've been busy, sort of. I just recently graduated two Saturday ago and moved into my new apartment in Indiana, PA last Saturday.

What have I been doing since?

Practically nothing. Searching for jobs. Working on Small Imaginings. It will probably be another week or so until I get back into my own personal work. I'll probably start by looking at past projects that can be finished or even started. Then I'll be looking into more of the Small Imaginings work which includes playing around with some toy theater kits.

So in the mean time check out my other blog at Small Imaginings and enjoy the start of your summer.

If you haven't seen it yet...

2009-05-21T20:42:00.003-04:00

If you haven't found you're way over to my other blog yet then nows the time. As I have been hinting at for a while I have been working with my previous boss, Nathan Wagoner, on a business proposal. The concept is called Small Imaginings, and to learn more you have to jaunt over there on your own.

smallimaginings.blogspot.com

A lot more where this came from

2009-05-21T01:16:00.003-04:00

Since it's now summer and I don't officially have a job yet you're going to see a lot more blog posts from me. Not that it's a bad thing (ok there may be a few pointless ramblings here and there) but it will mostly be a good thing!

So the first sort of pointless but still interesting thing for me to share is this:

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090521003908449

Enjoy!

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-05-19T01:25:00.003-04:00

If you haven't seen the trailer yet or heard the news Where the Wild Things Are, the children's book written by Maurice Sendak is being made into a movie by Spike Jonze.

Even though the movie only comes out in October (it seems like forever away) I couldn't help but create a digital collage of Max in his wolf suit.

Enjoy!

Do you need a bit more?

2009-05-18T19:17:00.008-04:00

So yesterday I posted a short piece of stop-motion in the hopes someone might attempt to continue the story. Well now I'm providing the airplane so you can finish it.

Click on the image to take you to a larger image then save it, print it or do whatever you want with it.

Still confused heres an explanation:

Finish this story!

2009-05-17T15:05:00.002-04:00

So I thought I would try something new. Last night I made a short stop motion animation of a airplane fly through the clouds. But it's only a few seconds long. I want others to take over the story from here. It doesn't have to be animation. It could be live action video or you can submit a story in writing. A song, a sketching, a digital collage image, anything! Lets see where the story goes!

Watch the video above and start to create.

My Animated Sequence

2009-05-09T13:06:00.008-04:00

Here is a look at my animated sequence in Justin's film Over the Rainbow. Can you name the film?

Visualizing a World

2009-05-08T00:27:00.006-04:00

I guess nows the better time if any to drop the curtain on my latest business proposal lined up with my ex-boss Nathan Wagoner. Two years ago I took a course with him called "Hypermedia" which is a class dedicated to topics that are considered beyond media. For that semester we discussed and created flash animations. This year I helped Nathan by being a teacher's assistant for the course. Throughout the year we had discussions back and forth over the similarities between flash and toy theater when we came up with the idea to create flash animation so anyone can do it and that we would give "kits". These "kits" would contain pre-constructed characters with histories, likes and dislikes, as well as props and back drops. The purpose was that when given these "kits" people wouldn't have to worry about the technical ability to create flash animations and could focus more on story telling, composing music for the scene, or even focus purely on animation without all that Photoshop stuff.

Since our multiple discussions we have come up with a business proposal in order to get what is initially going to be a website up and running. My job is to create a visual for how we are going to present all these wonderful sets and characters so our users can download them. The initial idea was to create a building cut away, sort of like the boat cut away in Wes Anderson's Life Aquatic. This really limited us to just the setting of a city and what we want our users to be thinking about is how to take their stories and animations to the unreal and imaginative. So I struggled with this. How do you show multiple locations to choose from without a birds eye or any other cheesy effect. That's when the idea came to me as I was showering this morning.

Our business is called "Small Imaginings", which plays off of the size of toy theater but the larger possibilities that exist in the structure of what we are giving people. So why not show our worlds inside the mind of a person. Like a building cut away except that building is the human mind. When I told Nathan he told me that it was exactly like phrenology, and it was (see image above).

Wow I wrote a lot. But here is the ending. (Drum roll) this is how we show all the settings and all the characters we have to offer - the cut away of the human mind, displaying all the small imaginings within.

The Best Inspiration Comes from Every Day Interactions

2009-05-03T11:31:00.003-04:00

As I was sitting at my desk trying to finish up the last few projects I have in my college career, I received an email from my girlfriend who was working at the college information desk. This is how the conversation went:

GF: i just spent the first 20 minutes here at the info desk talking to an "ex-alcoholic" reverend from California. It was the weirdest call i ever received and he talked forever! so strange...

Me : hmmmmm.... thats odd. why did he call juniata?

GF : the number was written in his bible.... (i think he misdialed)

Me : why did he call a number in a bible?

GF : he wanted to find out information about some religious seminar in texas, but called me instead. he thought it was a sign from god. He kept saying how blessed he was and "praise the lord”. he even read from his bible and told me all about what this special bible looked like. i gave him juniata's website and connected him to admissions... but not before he went on talking for 20 minutes

I thought this was the greatest thing ever and when I say ever I mean at least for this morning. But the important thing I got out of this email conversation is the start of a new character.

Which brings me to my next point! (Great transitioning) I've begun working on a business proposal with my boss from the Digital Media Studio at Juniata College, Nathan Wagoner. I figure this character would be a great addition to explaining our basic concept. Although I can't tell you much more than that about our business proposal. All you need to know is that it's going to be great and as it develops I will bring you more information.

Cover Art

2009-04-27T08:44:00.005-04:00

Here is a sneak peek at where my art will be featured next. The letter in the picture might give it away for anyone at Juniata... or not. You may recognize what picture of mine this may go with... or not. You will have to see when it's released. I'm just excited to have my artwork featured on this cover (as well as the back of the cover). I'll give you more info when I'm actually allowed to talk about it. Until then it's all hush hush.

Behind the Trailer

2009-04-26T16:41:00.004-04:00

For all of those who have seen the trailer, Thank You for watching and for you comments. Everyone who has worked on the film is really excited to get it finished so we can show it off. I thought it would be nice to talk a little bit about the filming process and what it took to get the trailer down to what you have seen. Also I'd like to drop a couple of hints at what you might see when we show the film in about 2 weeks.

So the filming process took us over 6 weeks with almost 60 hours of filming. We had a crew of 7 dedicated individuals who all brought something unique to the project. We dealt with 25 different actors and actresses and shot on location all over Huntingdon. The amazing thing is that we made this film primarily out of the director's pocket in hopes we will get refunded eventually.

So the director, Justin Guyer, who also wrote the story set out to cut a trailer last week for Juniata College's LAS (Liberal Arts Symposium). The night before it went out I waited until 2 AM to get a look at it and give some feedback, but as always the export time is always under estimated. I woke up the next morning and went in to work. Justin arrived and showed me a 1 minute and 45 sec trailer cut like a short narrative and revealed way too much of the story. So I set to work cutting it down and quickening the pacing. Once I had it cut down Nathan Wagoner color corrected it and we had our trailer.

Now some secrets! In the film we may have had some help from a couple of creative folks at Juniata College. Our storyboards were redrawn by Laura Campbell, who is an amazing artist. We also have Mike Wilson doing a scene in the film for us (but I won't say what!).

I hope this quenches your thirst. Stay tuned for more on Over The Rainbow.

Over the Rainbow Teaser Trailer Online

2009-04-22T22:16:00.007-04:00

Today the trailer went up for the film I'm producing entitled "Over the Rainbow". I am very excited about how the trailer turned out which is making me even more excited for the film to be finished entirely. So within the next 3 weeks the director and myself will be working on cutting the film hopefully under the 20 minute mark so we can premier it by the end of the school year.

So enjoy the trailer and I hope it gets you excited for the film.

New Print!

2009-04-16T01:15:00.002-04:00

If you haven't been to my etsy shop in a while then it's about time you return.

I've posted my newest piece in my monster series (which I am very happy with) and I have also added other countries to my shipping section.

Enjoy!

My New Website!

2009-04-15T22:35:00.002-04:00

After working endlessly on my personal website it's finished. Well it's finished enough to be online and for you to look at it. So here it is:

MY WEBSITE

Now it's currently hosted from my school account so give it some time to load. But It will be placed hopefully under the url www.aumantm.com in the near future.

So please leave some feedback and let me know how my site is.

Complete Waste of a Week - but I'm Rallying Back

2009-03-28T12:06:00.004-04:00

You are always bound to have one of these happen to you eventually. With all the momentum I had on several of my projects everything just came down for a week. As depressing as it is the only thing you can really do is pick it back up and just rally from it.

We had to cancel three film shoots this week and only filmed one individual shot but yesterday my director and I rallied and now have all of next week booked to shoot, Monday through Saturday.

I had no opportunity to work on any of my art. But for my Technical Writing course I managed to convince my professor to allow me to design my own personal website for my online portfolio. So I have been at least developing that. (See the image above for a sneak peek of my website)

So today is an important day for me! I'm going to begin designing a new monster print to continue and create a series. I really enjoy monsters, Monsters Inc. is one of my favorite films. So the idea of this ironic situation in which a monster, typically a scary thing, especially a squid monster... accustom to water is keeping dry under their rain slicker is absolutely hilarious to me. To continue with this kind of ironic monster series I will be designing a few more within the next month or so with the ideas I recently came up with.

And so I leave you to begin working. Make sure you check out my etsy (I just made my first sale!) and I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Some Concept Art

2009-03-18T14:53:00.002-04:00

Although Clouds is still in progress I always like to explore new ideas and concepts. So I've begun to play with my new idea which revolves around an older man who collects keys... well that's as far as I've gotten but the image is burned into my brain so I had to create it.

Heres a little taste of the image. Even though it's not finished I just had to share what I did so far because I just love the image so much.

So enjoy and please leave some feedback!

First Production Still from "Over the Rainbow"

2009-03-05T21:46:00.004-05:00

Today was the second day of filming on the film I'm producing titled "Over the Rainbow". My friend Justin Guyer is directing it for his senior thesis and he asked me to be his producer at the beginning of this semester. Of course I agreed and here we are, day 2.

So far so good. Yesterday we shot an indoor scene where Nevaeh, played by Grace Canfield, is having a heart to heart talk with Mrs. Elder. We got access to the gravity project house here on the Juniata College campus, which has fantastic wall paper.

Today we shot, one of the most complicated propped scenes in the movie. Remind me to never work with balloons again. But the shots turned out beautiful thanks to the fantastic job by the crew and the actors. The scene filmed today was a flash back to our main character's past which ends with the untimely death of his parents, thanks to a sudden lightning strike, and the loss of his ability to see color.

I hope you enjoy the picture and I will keep everyone updated on how the film is turning out.

Story Work

2009-03-01T20:43:00.008-05:00

Right now I'm working on the story still. I want to really write it out and work and re-work it, because film is all about telling a good story. I value the work Pixar does because of their story telling abilities and the amount of time they actually invest on their stories. So I really want to get this right.

In the mean time school work comes first so I thought I'd share another photo with everyone. You can see all of my photos here from the assignment.

Self-Portrait

2009-02-23T23:56:00.002-05:00

Since I've been working like a mad man I figure I'd share a little bit of my photography work that I've been doing for my Digital Photography class.

Enjoy!