I will be at HEROESCON this weekend!

You can find me HERE:

Generally walking around, talking to artists, and handing out the free promo mini-prints:

So, if you see me feel free to flag me down!

Poll Addition (revised)

So, I initially put this in a post but thought it was better suited for the sidebar.

Quick little Poll about what you guys wanna see on this blog moving forward. Thought I'd gauge your response and make sure I'm giving you the proper insight into the making of this film. Feel free to choose more than one answer.

And again, the poll is now on the sidebar and will keep going for as long as it is helpful. Go at it!

FX Tests

So, we've been working with out Lead Effects Animator, Colton Richardson (Twitch), to figure out the right look for effects in Heard. One particular effect somewhat crucial to the look of the film is the sonic bass blast. We started with some tests.

These first two were roughs on a few ideas to get feedback.

I gave some feedback and roughed out an idea for him to play off of.

After some time he came up with this new rough test.

I'm really loving how the effect is shaping out and though Twitch is working on cleaning up the test I just couldn't wait to show you how the effects are coming!

SURPRISE LIVE-STREAM!!!

So, having been a bit vacant from the blog I decided to hold another live-stream animation session Friday 5-21-15 (tomorrow) from 4-6pm @ HERE.

Come on out and see me attempt to draw mid-air tumbling anatomy and you can ask questions in the comments and I will answer and whatnot.

ALSO, last live-stream I did had trouble clearing music SO I've created a Pandora station HERE so you can play some tunes in the background of my animation rambling.

Also also, feel free to go ahead and throw questions at my Twitter which is @davidhfilms.

The Big Move.

So.

Many of you were probably not aware I just made a move...

...across the country...

...in the middle of production...

...........smart.

Yes, I JUST packed up my trusty U-haul and hightailed it from Atlanta, Georgia to NYC!!!

I am now in New York though Georgia will always be on my mind...as will most of my production crew! Luckily we have kept production rolling through the miraculous series of tubes!!!

Animation is a great medium for collaborating with many artists remotely and is actually how I've worked most of my jobs in the industry so this doesn't really affect much.

More updates will be coming to the site including some bits of sound and behind the scenes from our recording session. We will also be updating the intro video with something a little less wooden on my part.

In the meantime I am still unpacking and getting used to my new studio space so enjoy this photo of my krag of boxes!

New Story Reel!

New Reel:

Integrating more and more finished work as we go along and things are just ramping up!

Some Thoughts on Whispers

So, as we go through recording all the sound for the master score of the film I'm also recording stuff from the scratch track (or rough sound). This includes the barrage of negative inner thoughts whispered into our hero's head near the beginning of the film. When I initially sat down to script out what I'd be saying I had to thing hard about the most clear statements that cut straight to my own insecurities as an artist. At the same time I wanted what I was saying to hit a broad audience of artists and their fears. Though I'm sure you can't make out all of them in the film I'd like to share the list with you:

-You're never gonna be good enough

-All your work is derivative

-You're better off staying put

-You'll never achieve anything

-They're all so much better than you

-You're too far behind

-You'll never be as good as them

-Everything you do is unoriginal

-You don't have the connections to make it

-You gotta have money

-You're weak

-Don't even try

-You're not talented

-You're not worth it

-They'll never notice you

-You don't have a voice-you never will

-You're not strong enough

-You're not creative enough

-Stay where it's comfortable

-Stay where it's secure

-Don't take risks-they will never pay off

-Just go back

These aren't even all the things I could think of but 22 is more than enough for the sequence.

I wanted to share the same sentiments I've had and have seen loads of other artists say to themselves. This negativity is rampant in what we do as artists and I thought it was very important to include in the film as the road block for our hero. I actually originally conceived of these two shadow characters that represented and spout this negativity at key parts of the film but had to balance and focus the plot a bit so they got left on the cutting room floor. Though those characters didn't make it I really didn't want to downplay this factor in the artists' journey.

Artists today are exposed SO MUCH ART on the internet and it can be REALLY EASY to get discouraged. Top that with the anxieties a lot of artists already feel and the weight can be crippling. I have seen it. A lot.

That's why I feel it's a very important aspect to show in the film.

I hope that this film is able to communicate how the hero's resolve and determination help him through those anxieties. I reeeaaalllly hope this encourages artists of any medium to plow through that roadblock.