Just wanted to pass along a shout out for GIRAF: Independent Animation Festival. They are looking for a call of entries. Information below

Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival (GIRAF)
Wednesday, Nov 3-7, 2010
at Plaza Theatre, Calgary, AB

Call for Submissions

The Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival is the only exclusively independent animation festival in Canada, with a focus on experimental and self-produced animated film. GIRAF plays an essential role in the promotion, education and appreciation of independent animation from around the world, exposing hungry local audiences to the best animated content from at home and abroad.

Important Note: Submission deadline August 2nd, 2010

Visit

http://www.giraffest.ca/

Here is a sketch I did of a WWII soldier. I was trying to capture the feel of someone who is a bit shell shocked and has been walking for days with little food or sleep. I did post this drawing up for Don Bluth to Critique. He gave some good advice. He had mentioned the soldiers gear is still to neatly in place. Everything should be sagging more or off center. Like his back pack might be leaning more off his right or left shoulder. The rifle could be hanging off the shoulder as opposed to strapped perfect against his back. Also He felt the face did not quite portray him being shell shocked. I have started some thumb sketches of the revisions. I hope to get some free time to do another round.

Wanted to give some props to my Class 4 Mentor Brett Coderre who worked on Toy Story 3.  I feel this film is the best in the series. I think it was by for the most emotional. It still had plently of laughs and light hearted moments. The cool thing I have noticed is that one of Brett's shots is the one being used in promo's for video and magazines. How cool is that. Below is a photo of his shot from Entertainment Weekly (or as long as it is live)

I also recently discovered that Brett had dug up some of his old work for Finding Nemo and updated it to use in the new attraction at Disneyland called world of color. More can be seen in the Video Here about it including comments from Brett himself. So Congrats to seeing his work getting out there!

I thought I would have some fun and color my drawing I did for the Bluth competition. Which by the way I completely for got to submit :( . Thats ok though because in the end all I wanted a new character drawing. That is what I got. Sure it is not perfect but was a fun learning process.

I can't believe this is the last week. It started off feeling like it was going slow. Which was cool because I love animation. Now that I am at the end...it feels like the whole thing was a blink of an eye. Everything is a "last" this week. I turned in my last assignment on Saturday. Last lecture this week. It is all kind of sad. However I should not focus on what I am leaving behind but reflect on what I have gained. One can easily say skills. I certainly have. Considering 18 months ago I did not even know how to use Maya. Now I can bring characters to life. However the friends and connections I have made are really amazing. It is awesome to have been apart of something like this that I have shared with others. 

When it comes to my portfolio I still have a lot to work on. The good news is AM has given me the road map to keep going. To keep refining my skills long after being out of AM. AM does have a alumni section of the site where we can still work on our animation and get feedback from fellow alumni. I am looking forward to utilizing this. I am behind on updating my AM blogs. Once things calm down I will have some time to update and organize the AM blogs. To put a big shiny bow them and call them done. Later this summer I will be planning on heading out the AM Graduation as well as their annual BBQ!