tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293453542024-03-13T11:08:28.372-07:00crazy_asian_mancrazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-41535779145689962312019-02-14T08:49:00.000-08:002019-02-14T08:49:09.265-08:00Huh? Cookies? Consent? I guess you have to read this first....Haven't been here in awhile, I don't quite understand all this that I have to include now, so here it is copied:
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crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-26450280173212034962016-11-18T11:54:00.001-08:002016-11-18T11:54:59.057-08:00Bummer... no more City of Angel/ Angel tv show website?Well..
Just found out that the official City of Angel website is no longer an "Angel tv show" site, so expect the link to come down once I figure out how to...
:(crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-81861282688256380372016-08-19T23:22:00.001-07:002016-08-19T23:22:30.429-07:00So, it's been awhile.... two years?Well... Been gone awhile.
Long story short, I sidetracked my postings into joining Facebook- but for various reasons, FB turned out to be a giant headache because of its format & whatnot.
I stop in infrequently, but I have to say while FB's format apparently improves some folks' communications and friendships, I have to say its format caused more irritations and headaches...
So, if anyone really wants to know more about me and what's going on with me, they can call or check this blog out.
Anyhow-
Finished up a summer session teaching various classes, with some positives and negatives as well.
In any case- as summer starts to wrap up, time opens up to start figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Certainly, I feel like there's a ton unfinished creatively that I look forward to.
Will see how it goes.
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-76589320985349214732014-10-08T09:52:00.000-07:002014-10-08T11:43:38.471-07:00APE CON 2014 - Pictures from the front lines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOTuvHCWN3k/VDVo65oHsoI/AAAAAAAAAsA/JWO6TG5-8pU/s1600/giant_pano_ape_morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOTuvHCWN3k/VDVo65oHsoI/AAAAAAAAAsA/JWO6TG5-8pU/s320/giant_pano_ape_morning.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok- how to start? 8:00am in my Antarctican bed- I actually was flip-flopping over going to APE, when I was freaking slightly that there was only going to be a limited amount of parking spaces there--- and didn't relish the idea of circling Fort Mason for hours, nor lugging my portfolio blocks away. Fortunately, I got there early enough and had my first experience inside the gates of Fort Mason. Very pretty place, actually...
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOtVazU9mJw/VDVpO9277tI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/_H0U-aLCIIk/s1600/IMG_2307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOtVazU9mJw/VDVpO9277tI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/_H0U-aLCIIk/s320/IMG_2307.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
10:00am- Got there early. 10:15am- Enjoyed the wonderful view of San Francisco bay at Fort Mason. 10:15am- Got bored of the wonderful view of San Francisco bay. As there are no benches, I park my but on this granite post (no, it's not my weight that cracked this)...<br> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9D-HZk0vA0/VDVpqkKWNBI/AAAAAAAAAsg/GHpCrhcGSrw/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9D-HZk0vA0/VDVpqkKWNBI/AAAAAAAAAsg/GHpCrhcGSrw/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br>
10:30am- Look to the right and see this sign and realize my granite butt-warmer is actually a historical monument of sorts. (!) Brief moment of panic, worrying that it's a holy relic of sorts that my posterior has somehow blasphemed and made unholy...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gRrljh6jNxk/VDVplNelKfI/AAAAAAAAAsY/9dqvNREEhQs/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gRrljh6jNxk/VDVplNelKfI/AAAAAAAAAsY/9dqvNREEhQs/s320/IMG_2318.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br>
Doors open! Even though APE apparently started here- I'd only seen it at the concourse- it seemed much huger in this venue. Being next to the bay with Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge just outside the doors also made the event feel a lot grander and 'epic' than the building in downtown SF where it was originally...
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9gjizO9AKs/VDV45VM3fwI/AAAAAAAAAuA/STzAJuai6DY/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9gjizO9AKs/VDV45VM3fwI/AAAAAAAAAuA/STzAJuai6DY/s320/IMG_2329.JPG" /></a>
Circle the floor and come across a booth celebrating the Jack Kirby museum. Have a great chat with the guy who was hosting the table- and talk with a dealer who actually informs me that NO DC or Marvel comix are allowed whatsoever at the APE con.
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Equ0m0J-J0c/VDVpHWckzYI/AAAAAAAAAsI/fD20IaGB56Y/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Equ0m0J-J0c/VDVpHWckzYI/AAAAAAAAAsI/fD20IaGB56Y/s320/IMG_2315.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I mentioned that there was a guy last year who did have some- he shared that the dealer in question did get a warning of sorts.... so.... interesting, made sense. On another note- was also interesting to hear in the buzz that Dan Vado would be taking BACK Apecon for San Jose next year-... but, back to this year's APE report....
</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5n0rjB7dFM/VDV6Wos06qI/AAAAAAAAAuM/MRVV0N74OdU/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5n0rjB7dFM/VDV6Wos06qI/AAAAAAAAAuM/MRVV0N74OdU/s320/IMG_2376.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyhow, I see my friends from the writing group there- Anthony and Nathan- who both have an AWESOME site on plotting/designing comix (that could easily give Scott McCloud a run for his money) are hosting the 24 comic event and stop by there. By the way- this is the site: http://www.blitzcomics.com/go/<a href="http://www.blitzcomics.com/go/"></a> I brought my comic there, but didn't really have the 24 comic in my head as a mission per se, but it was a lot of fun as it started. Stayed there and chatted with folked who stopped by and joined in the 24 hour comic event- hours flew by, lots of fun.... in my normal day to day I NEVER come across other comic artists- so, it was really pleasant to sit at a full table of people of all ages/races who took out their pencils, rulers, and papers and just jump into it.... stayed there until 4pm happened and I was due to attend the WRITER-ARTIST meet & greet event I was registered for.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LQ195OzIGo/VDWBiJjnb-I/AAAAAAAAAuc/elGjdEkrGHc/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LQ195OzIGo/VDWBiJjnb-I/AAAAAAAAAuc/elGjdEkrGHc/s320/IMG_2321.JPG" /></a>
4pm- (Unfortunately no pix of the meet/greet) Just made it to the writer/artist meet and greet- it was set up like 'speed dating'- each person had two minutes to make their pitch, exchange contact info, and move on. It was a lot of fun, and it was a great feeling to experience being across the table from other folks (more than a few that had come from OUT OF STATE just to make the connections)- to share bits of their dreams, that could- like mine- end up in ridicule and obscurity. The range was varied, but the feeling that came out was this: I'm NOT ALONE in being crazy about devoting my time and energy to a comic that may or may never have an audience. It was almost like experiencing an external family you didn't know you had or were part of--- sort of... <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeNh6O-I2Do/VDVqDlrdlaI/AAAAAAAAAsw/q4uWKRfsgvk/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeNh6O-I2Do/VDVqDlrdlaI/AAAAAAAAAsw/q4uWKRfsgvk/s320/IMG_2328.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6:00pm- afterwards, went back to the 24 hour table- where the event was going to continue on another venue..... but, unfortunately I had made other plans- but I do regret not attending this all-night event.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4LaCBHar48/VDVqQrBX8bI/AAAAAAAAAs4/M4Ud3eWW6vE/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4LaCBHar48/VDVqQrBX8bI/AAAAAAAAAs4/M4Ud3eWW6vE/s320/IMG_2339.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4irVhwGVxd4/VDVqSdJ-ctI/AAAAAAAAAtA/DFD8myeoZoI/s1600/IMG_2346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4irVhwGVxd4/VDVqSdJ-ctI/AAAAAAAAAtA/DFD8myeoZoI/s320/IMG_2346.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njWlHH3NIDE/VDVqaWjUaFI/AAAAAAAAAtI/XEk7G2nqTJk/s1600/IMG_2347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njWlHH3NIDE/VDVqaWjUaFI/AAAAAAAAAtI/XEk7G2nqTJk/s320/IMG_2347.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
DAY 02: The Farmer's Market kills the parking in the lot, but I end up getting a parking spot at the same location as where Spock and Kirk were looking for pregnant whales in Star Trek IV, so that was kind of fun...
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oER1XegvMo8/VDVq_MoxOlI/AAAAAAAAAtg/BvsJhebjmtU/s1600/IMG_2349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oER1XegvMo8/VDVq_MoxOlI/AAAAAAAAAtg/BvsJhebjmtU/s320/IMG_2349.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XIPwEsb_FYA/VDVqorcn9fI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/56vAY3NbYIM/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XIPwEsb_FYA/VDVqorcn9fI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/56vAY3NbYIM/s320/IMG_2351.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12noonish- Found my friend Nate's brother Ben Costa- and stopped by to introduce myself and buy a very cool t-shirt at his booth (would have to buy the book next time as I was on a tight budget) (unfortunately no pix) Though post-APE, I guess I should congratulate his kickstarter for his book: $27k??? WOW! Nice guy, glad I got the shirt....here is a link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1643629860/pang-the-wandering-shaolin-monk-vol-2 <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1643629860/pang-the-wandering-shaolin-monk-vol-2"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7VyUPBim9Y/VDVq4i9CnUI/AAAAAAAAAtY/NrpVWeayxxQ/s1600/IMG_2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7VyUPBim9Y/VDVq4i9CnUI/AAAAAAAAAtY/NrpVWeayxxQ/s320/IMG_2374.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later on, have a chat with Andres Salazar, great guy, whose book I bought last year- this is his project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andresjsalazar/pariah-missouri-the-graphic-novel<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andresjsalazar/pariah-missouri-the-graphic-novel"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--J_Ubi7FHqE/VDVrI3ZqmzI/AAAAAAAAAto/jmg938BBqHY/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--J_Ubi7FHqE/VDVrI3ZqmzI/AAAAAAAAAto/jmg938BBqHY/s320/IMG_2375.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Also talked with Andres Salazar, who shared some great stories about the process of creating his book Anyhow.... an interesting APE con... will see what happens next year! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-XRynBztgo/VDVrRNR9nAI/AAAAAAAAAtw/fqSQG3t-EVU/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-XRynBztgo/VDVrRNR9nAI/AAAAAAAAAtw/fqSQG3t-EVU/s320/IMG_2383.JPG" /></a></div>crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-26160723238017616522014-07-31T23:41:00.002-07:002014-07-31T23:41:50.632-07:00Wassup???? What's been going on in the background.....Well--- Been busy with health and life stuff- long story, but hopefully it's on the path for things getting better soon, I hope I hope!
But more importantly, on the side, I've been doing a lot of research into the history of China for the project I've slowly been preparing that I hope to unveil soon.
Today, I was thrilled to get my 'sampler' package from Printninja.com- which was highly recommended to me by two friends.
Also--- came across a graphic novel reprint series called "Vagabond" at my local library which I'm finding VERY interesting art-wise, and because it deals with much asian imagery.
Many ancient asian-based comics don't seem to do well at the local comic shops.... the ones I know of, have tried getting them, but they seem to end up in bargain bin purgatory.
I hope the project I'm working on doesn't end up in the same purgatory, but will see soon enough....
(crossing fingers)
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-82998368184549071422014-04-27T21:33:00.001-07:002014-04-27T21:33:46.343-07:00It's been awhile- but it's also been EXTREMELY creative! (Yea me!)It's been a long time since the last post-
Mucho changes going on in my personal life which I won't bore anyone with-
BUT...
Creatively-
It's been REEEEALLY pretty good, albeit extremely slow.
Lots of research for two titles that I've been working on and hope to self-publish by August or September.
One is a martial arts one- but one that I hope is different enough from what's been out there-
Sadly, a LOT of asian comics seem to end up in the 'clearance' rack at comic shops and wrestling with the
right approach and concept that I hope has some appeal.
After all-
It's not Marvel. It's not DC. It's not Dark Horse-
Yet-
It's not Manga either.
But, anyways, it's been a LONG time percolating.
The second one is a somewhat more lighthearted fare that is having a few concept problems, but I like the characters.
Anyhow-
On another note:
Going to be what looks like a really fun (I hope!) summer at the movies.
Really enjoyed (though not quite as tight as the Dark Knight) the new Captain America movie--- Scarjo has never exactly been my choice for Widow (especially since Emily Blunt was originally cast and is by far a better choice imo) but I admit that for her version of Widow, this film put her to best use & Marvel has been REALLY smart in realizing that the supporting cast is just as important to the appeal of their Marvel properties as is the lead character.
Batroc? Black Widow? Falcon? How cool is that in a Captain America movie?
Anyhow---
The worry comes that the title I have in mind, that someone else will come in first before I reach the publication date.
Oh well... will see...crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-80320904191231153282014-01-01T08:26:00.001-08:002014-01-01T08:26:04.685-08:002014 New Year's Creative Goals and Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMtrXbPVE54/UsQ-Z9UlbAI/AAAAAAAAArg/lOEDy3jJ89k/s1600/wingchun001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMtrXbPVE54/UsQ-Z9UlbAI/AAAAAAAAArg/lOEDy3jJ89k/s320/wingchun001.jpg" /></a></div>
2014 has officially started- no time to waste!
<p>
Ok..... So, the biggest danger is standing still or being paralyzed by indecision. This is one of three graphic novel projects that I hope to complete (at least a first draft) by the end of the year.
<p>
Concept notes to follow, plus creative figuring out....crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-25199888491038494462013-12-31T09:06:00.001-08:002013-12-31T09:06:09.550-08:00Buh-bye 2013.... The year that coulda been better, coulda been worse....Hard to believe that the end of the year has popped up again so fast. At the end of each year, I try to go over for myself whether or not the year I made the year successful enough for me or not.
<p>
Short answer: Yeah. Enough, though of course not nearly as successful as I would have liked. I just have taken on too many projects and that wasn't that smart. On the other hand, I did try out some things or re-visited some things that I'm glad that I did. <br>
Quick shout out to shout out to Benton and DeAna.. Thanks for the wonderful xmas cards all these years !
<p>
(By the way, happy xmas to all, though belated)
<br>
Memorable bits for myself in the fan realm...
<p>
JANUARY - MARCH:<br>
* Went back and took a beginning film class as a refresher. It was good review, the saddest thing is remembering not only how difficult it can be for a class of strangers to necessarily get along (I didn't get into any arguments- but I was suprised how things have not evolved in that almost every writing and film class seems to devolve into people backing into groups rather than all blending together by the end)- but it really was 'survival of the ones who most pesevered' by the end. Bottom line: I was reminded that no matter the person(s), it's NOT easy to get people to work on your project. I was thrilled that I kept mine fairly modest by design but was able to complete a phony trailer and short film at the same time. Helped a few people out at the same time, helping a few other students complete their first short film- and that had was rewarding to be able to help them and vicariously feel that joy again of COMPLETING one's first short film- and it was exciting to get over my own phobias about being too over the hill at this point to ask complete strangers out of the blue to be in a film for no money. (Yes, it still is terrifying to be rejected at any age, but how thrilling when people say yes, and when you put together something worthwhile to yourself at the end.<p>
MAY<br>
* Was 'pushed' to attend the Big Wow! convention in town. Saw a rather cranky (too bad, he was awesome in person years ago at Comicon) Neal Adams, talked to a few indy publishers, and was wowed by the mid-size scale of the convention. Also suprised how friendly the conventiongoers were, made a few friends just waiting in line- (Doesn't happen so much at Comicon- it's too damn huge) - it's certainly has grown. Also finished my pencils (for the most part) of the Faith graphic novel that I brought to Big Wow, as I was searching for an affordable inker/finisher. There, I also got a great review of pencils by a professional inker who works for DC/Marvel- which was a giant boost to the ego- very honest on what was rushed, but he seemed to genuinely find them done well. <p>
JUNE-JULY<br>
* Created a graphic novel class for kids... which on the surface can seem odd if I haven't been published, but I gave the pitch as to what I was designing. Essentially, I was/am passionate about creating a class that I would have loved to have had as a kid. The first session was disappointing, but I'm glad that the reviews don't reflect that. Even though it was small enrollment for session one, most of the kids voted it up- and the second session was fantastic- As with most classes, I find the first go-round is nerve-wracking because it's untested except in your head. Then, one does a post-mortem - review what worked/what didn't, then go back and try it again- and the second time had a standing-room only enrollment and there were so many great talented kids in there that were hungry to create- that I really learned probably as much from me, as I did from them.<p>
SEPTEMBER<br>
* Found an 11x17 scanner! But.... still haven't set it up yet. Must do today! Bad crazy asian man. Very bad.<br>
* One of my good friends who freelance writes for a living comes to visit, and we shoot the breeze over the creative frustration.
<p>
OCTOBER<br>
* Start a new writing class that gets to be a bit much- in juggling what's going on in life, too- but the instructor extended an invite to retake it. The content is great, for sure. Will see... but considering how some life things came up in conflict with it later on, no regrets.<br>
* A friend nudges me to go to APE-CON! Fun to be a dealer, although admittedly we got into a few heated disagreements about the booth. Met some very cool people there who had/have been doing it for years. Attending the self-publishing chat was part inspiring and depressing at the same time. On one hand, it's nice to know that there are others who are broke but genuinely love the art form as I do. Bummer because we're all freaking old and Dan Vado says that he feels that self-publishing in the current form may be dead and that on-line is the future.<br>
* On the flip side, the writer in the booth next to us did a kickstarter that was successful and shared his story about being a scientist who quit his day job, to pursue doing his graphic novel.... and had GREAT success this weekend. And, no, his wife is not thrilled with his decision. <br>
* What's odd is that I notice a pattern of one thing I wasn't planning on attending leading into something else rather cool happening instead.
<p>
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER<br>
* Another side effect of APE is that I found out about a local writing group that was also trying to do comics, so I have started to attend that. That, in turn, got me to moving further ahead in the comics' realm and prepping a few graphic novels- along with learning much with my friends' self-publishing ventures this year.<br>
* Well, the bummer side is that the year wrapped up with a full-time teaching position falling through & health issues that are on-going..... but I look forward to getting things revved up this new year.
<p>
Happy new years to all!
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-85874941268299319802013-11-01T00:50:00.000-07:002013-11-01T00:54:40.840-07:00Realization that I shoulda had many moons ago: It's not IMPOSSIBLE to create alone, but.... easier if you're part of communities....<br>Been a crazy month. Job stuff and life and family stuff, juggled in the air with a few meetings with the new writing group, full of very kind and generous folks. I'd been part of (and even had started) writing groups before, but more often than not, they fall by the wayside after a few months. Why does this group succeed whereas the others failed? I don't know all the variables, but one thing seems to be key: NO CRITICISM is the rule. Odd how just sharing with an audience and sitting at a table writing together can be calming and suprisingly far more productive than I would have thought. (The previous writer groups were critique- based, although I still think there is merit to those as well) Anyhow... </br>
<br>The problem of working alone has it's pluses and minuses. The plus side is: nobody is giving you a deadline, and there's no need to be accountable to anybody but yourself. There's no pressure.</br>
<br>The bad side to working alone is just that: there's no pressure.</br>
<br>In any case, the group is full of very nice folks, but I know full well that if I want to be more productive, I can't just depend on one group to keep me on track. However, I compare it to having to meet someone to go out and jog. If there's always an excuse NOT to jog, it's harder to dismiss jogging or putting it aside if there's going to be another person waiting for you at a certain time to be there.</br>
<br>So, what am I saying? </br>
<br> Writer's group was a great start. </br>
<br> Maybe this time around I should be part of a FEW creator groups. More than one writer's group. And artist's group as well? Maybe...</br>
<br>In any case, still lots of juggling before the end of the new year...</br>crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-53323413488480310952013-10-20T22:21:00.000-07:002013-10-20T22:21:19.148-07:00The fun begins (well, for me, anyways)... Doing art research for my graphic novel series....<br>The writing group was incredibly welcoming, although I admit I felt incredibly small and intimidated when I found out how many there were published authors.</br>
<br>Still... the main thing is- it's got me enthused and got me to get STARTED on what might be my 'life's work'.</br>
<br>Now, in saying that, it's not like I expect any great masses to actually enjoy the book(s), but I feel great in that I feel like I've gone through giving a damn about what others might feel or think about my work- and now... FINALLY, feeling confident that what I'm doing will be so personally rewarding that I honestly won't care. (Hopefully)</br>
<br>Right now, I'm embracing two things that I felt used to be obstacles in creating a comic: (1)the idea that there are TONS of comics already out there, and (2)the idea that there's MILLIONS (perhaps billions?)of fabulous concept and art designs that will always dwarf what little I can offer. But-- the difference between this go-round and the last go-round, is that I'm going to look at those two factors as allies- and not competition to what I'm trying to do.</br>
<br>One thing that I'm currently doing is 'dream casting' my ensemble of characters. Finding that's a lot of fun- although the tough thing might be what I have to do AFTER I set up the panels and have to bring these characters/images to life. Too often I see art references used in books, and the result feels like- well - (and I've been guilty of this, too)- traced photos. </br>
<br>Ralph Bakshi once said that the difference between bad rotoscoping and good rotoscoping was the artistry that was used so that the reference wasn't totally depended on, but merely used as a basis. I need to keep that in mind. </br>
<br>In any case, story ideas are influencing some art ideas; art is helping come up with story bits. Cool fun. Hope it lasts.</br>crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-18039656849975054852013-10-15T08:16:00.001-07:002013-10-15T08:16:35.193-07:00Starting again.... from the ground up. How DO you become any good at BOTH writing and drawing, if you're not even 100% (or 50%?) at one? <br>Being impatient for results; not having enough access to art teachers that I needed in the past; and not having a community of folks that wanted to pursue the same thing led to me pretty much trying to make it up as I went along. </br>
<br>That worked fine for some who became professional artists who are self-taught.... But I bounced in/out of illustration so many times, and saw so little progress, (and life was lacking in other things), that there just wasn't enough joy in it to keep at it.</br>
<br>It's definitely hard to stay committed to something if you feel like it's going nowhere. I had spotty encouragement, but too often/more often than not, I felt like I was spinning in space without a foothold or real solid opportunity to get anywhere.</br>
<br>So, this time.... I need to empty the cup and start fresh in both writing and drawing. I need to be more well read. I need to draw more regularly until my eyes fall out and my fingers are unable to continue. </br>
<br>Tonight, there's a free writer's group, I'm curious about. Will see how it goes... though I need to remind myself that I have to find the mindset that'll keep me producing no matter what any feedback might be to what I do.</br>crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-50992823928929305522013-10-15T00:38:00.000-07:002014-04-27T21:38:37.248-07:00Seeing another side of the Ape--- and Apecon Part Deux for me! <br> With the number of creative projects that I announce I'm excited in pursuing, then don't have follow up on, I'm more hesitant to talk about projects until I can guarantee the deadlines that I say they will be.</br>
<br>Having said that....</br>
<p> While video/filmmaking has been wildly fun and exciting (as well as being simultaneously frustrating and stress-inducing), my first love has always been comics. I've had three long-term "dream" projects gestating in the background, but life distractions and insecurity on my skill level has kept them on the far backburner.</p>
<br>However, that hasn't stopped a couple of friends and acquaintances from going full-throttle on their own comic book dreams. One acquaintence wrote his book, self-published it cheap (thanks to China's cheaper printing processes) with a 500 print run, and just had his first 'comic book sales tour' and made his first rounds at a convention. On his journey, he shared some tips: like on buying a used upc code to save money (a upc code is something apparently many comic shop owners desire), unexpected 'extra' charges that can come from a cheap China printer, that you CAN have a full-color nice paper comic for about $800 (500 copies) if you shop right, and that there is a mixed bag when you approach comic shop owners- that (to my suprise)--- some comic shops ARE still open to consignment or even buying a copy or two of an indie comic that's not Marvel or DC.</br>
<br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88Sdm3LgwIA/UlzR_3x6NLI/AAAAAAAAAok/JKvTrcZLyHQ/s1600/co_outpost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88Sdm3LgwIA/UlzR_3x6NLI/AAAAAAAAAok/JKvTrcZLyHQ/s320/co_outpost.jpg" /></a></div></br>
<br>(This isn't my photo, but this is one of the coolest stores came across in SF during my friend's 'world indie comic selling tour' & hopefully they don't mind the plug.)</br>
<br>Anyhow... Oddly, this is the second year in a row where I attended APE-Con primarily because of a friend dragging me along- but I was damned glad that they did! It was like church for wannabe comic book geeks like me.... and I got a LOT of learning in church this time around, I think- and some of which I'll try to recollect and share here!</br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: ;left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aY5gjhgOJKY/UlzZ_ZXlLzI/AAAAAAAAAo0/HVbP48YWdIk/s1600/apefloor01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aY5gjhgOJKY/UlzZ_ZXlLzI/AAAAAAAAAo0/HVbP48YWdIk/s400/apefloor01.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol0iRKDvR0I/UlzaKKnknCI/AAAAAAAAApE/quiN5Ud9_GM/s1600/apefloor02.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol0iRKDvR0I/UlzaKKnknCI/AAAAAAAAApE/quiN5Ud9_GM/s400/apefloor02.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Glzg4HrvK8/Ulzag60lMnI/AAAAAAAAApM/6r_Otxxl940/s1600/apefloor03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Glzg4HrvK8/Ulzag60lMnI/AAAAAAAAApM/6r_Otxxl940/s400/apefloor03.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br>Anyhow- the rest of these ARE my images from a rather weak flipcam (next time I'm bringing a better camera, dammit!).... As opposed to last year, where it was more of a social event with a friend who I rarely get to see, this time around- it was really more about 'clicking into' what it might be like to BE an indie comic creator.... 'research' perhaps might be a way to look at it. </br>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZ8LBtM7TiQ/Ulzas8t0o8I/AAAAAAAAApU/rFTJBNiJZzk/s1600/apefloor04.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZ8LBtM7TiQ/Ulzas8t0o8I/AAAAAAAAApU/rFTJBNiJZzk/s400/apefloor04.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VtKXfC2JFTk/UlzazXQOefI/AAAAAAAAApc/CkSB1ozQaLo/s1600/apefloor05.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VtKXfC2JFTk/UlzazXQOefI/AAAAAAAAApc/CkSB1ozQaLo/s400/apefloor05.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br><b>QUESTION IN MY OWN MIND: PART TWO: WHAT'S THE REASON TO DO IT?>/b></br>
<br>This has been dogging me for... well, forever. All I had to do was look on the internet or go to a local comic shop to see a wall of current comics by artist that have such consistent talent- that it's incredibly easy to go: "I give up. I not only don't have any talent, but I never will get good enough in time to make any difference or be able to create anything worth a shite to the general public."</br>
<br>My counterargument to that is: There's TONS of slick professional art in comics today. You might not win. No one might give a real shite about anything done. But.... it's no excuse not to keep trying, if the process of creating, and trusting that eventually you see SOME improvement happens. </br>
<br> Plus, I'm starting to realize: creating isn't always about the end result. Sort of like exercising.... it's not just about the hopeful reward at the end--- but maybe it's that you get your head into 'that zone' and for that time enjoy that mental state where age and mortality disappear and it's all about romancing one's imagination, that one often lets reality bury under negativity and despair over unpleasantries that can't be avoided or changed in life. </br>
<br></br>
<br>So.... I'd like to think that the reason to create something from beginning to end- is, in a way, its own reward. Sorta. But.... I know something has always been missing in my motivations (otherwise I wouldn't have let life distractions push my own creativity aside for--- well, most of my life- It might have been never seeing art as even possible for me to do professionally, so it could have been part of a self-confidence thing, but, also, it was more fear and not knowing how to confidently make a living at it at a time when family concerns were more pressing. Eh. Who knows. I just know, there's something freeing about knowing that it's OKAY to make something that exists for you, and may be valued by you and you alone... (Though some might call that 'loser talk', I don't see it that way. Success could be overcoming personal lack of confidence to just CREATING and COMPLETING that thing that you thought you could never finish. Ya know?</br>
<br></br>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAgqxv1vJWU/UlzbQejE5KI/AAAAAAAAApk/YS8crNwkxvY/s1600/apefloor06.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAgqxv1vJWU/UlzbQejE5KI/AAAAAAAAApk/YS8crNwkxvY/s400/apefloor06.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRFX-9Wswlk/UlzbXtK021I/AAAAAAAAAp0/AyBw-I9XCDM/s1600/apefloor07.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRFX-9Wswlk/UlzbXtK021I/AAAAAAAAAp0/AyBw-I9XCDM/s400/apefloor07.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ho3rCV6E4JM/UlzbUM8WIaI/AAAAAAAAAps/osQwOr_J1iQ/s1600/apefloor08.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ho3rCV6E4JM/UlzbUM8WIaI/AAAAAAAAAps/osQwOr_J1iQ/s400/apefloor08.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zFOwf-3ndM/Ulzb27NlJFI/AAAAAAAAAp8/5p9FlmuoSp8/s1600/apefloor09.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zFOwf-3ndM/Ulzb27NlJFI/AAAAAAAAAp8/5p9FlmuoSp8/s400/apefloor09.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br><b>WHAT I LEARNED FROM APE THIS YEAR: A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS AREN'T MAKING MONEY OR DOING IT FOR THE MONEY EITHER!!!</b> </br>
<br>I have one friend who is convinced that self-publishing is an all/nothing game.</br>
<br>If something has quality, then it will find financial success.... and conversely- if something doesn't get financial success/if it doesn't SELL.....it sucks.(And, by extension, so does the creator of such property. Ow.)</br>
<br></br>
<br>So.... having two panels of a 'current' generation with self-publishers and creators who have had LOUSY sales for YEARS proudly sit there, made me feel great. It was OKAY to put something out there that didn't sell. These folks didn't feel like failures (or come off that way). They laughed about it. They didn't expect to make a mint (or a profit). And it's.... OKAY. That was very encouraging. You're not alone if you create something out of love and passion, and have that creative child be less than GQ-beautiful or perfect.</br>
<br> Like Salieri going around the end of the movie Amadeus and forgiving others of the sins of creating mediocrity.... it was almost like having imaginary shackles lifted from limbs before even starting to write or draw, when listening to these folks on the panel talk about their 'failures' and invisibility to the fans at large.</br>
<br> Re-emphasizing that was the last panel at Ape-con with an OLDER generation of indie creators/self-publishers who talked about dealing with going out on the floor and knowing that their work and the works of their colleagues were never heard of, though they were big 'names' in the day. </br>
<br> At first, I was startled and more than a little unnerved by the idea of being forgotten in more ways than one- echoing once again: "Is creating worth it if nobody gives it any love or attention?". But then- here, there WERE people who got the (comics history-wise) fame and no fortune--- and then, even that's disappearing. So, in the end--- why do it?</br>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOpLN1q4EnA/UlzcKJBM0RI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Z43E1H4OGZ0/s1600/apefloor10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOpLN1q4EnA/UlzcKJBM0RI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Z43E1H4OGZ0/s400/apefloor10.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpeeY1lIfEI/UlzcI21Q5BI/AAAAAAAAAqE/XiWys5E9Gzc/s1600/apefloor11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpeeY1lIfEI/UlzcI21Q5BI/AAAAAAAAAqE/XiWys5E9Gzc/s400/apefloor11.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSUZMwC5yfY/Ulzc0U-smAI/AAAAAAAAAqY/QiCT-LLmmx0/s1600/apefloor12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSUZMwC5yfY/Ulzc0U-smAI/AAAAAAAAAqY/QiCT-LLmmx0/s400/apefloor12.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br>What's funny is that I met two amateur creators who seemed at two different points of the universe:</br>
<br>One had gotten giant support from Kickstarter.... in the thousands... and he had a really nice stream of sales and positive comments coming his way in the two days. In looking at his work, I was pretty confident he would do well at Comicon.</br>
<br> As I ponder/ed this, I also met a new friend who was a modest fellow who spent a good chunk of money at a table to put out his personal book, and was just happy to be there at the table, and sold perhaps one or two books the whole convention. He had a regular day job, but had worked on his project for twenty plus years, and enjoyed just being there, and in talking to him, I could see and hear the joy he had in making the characters he thought up in his head materialize into tangible print form... and hearing his excitement and enthusiasm over the characters' next adventures. </br>
<br>Ron Shelton on the panel talked about how amazing comics were in that it was the next best thing to telepathy: while it may take a crew of hundreds to make a movie- it only takes ONE person to create a comic book. It's that immediate. Dan Vado (publisher of Slave Labor Graphics) talked about how comics that were more personal were the more potent ones... and, as far as money goes- Dan suprisingly said that he, as a publisher, may no longer exist soon in this digital comics world- and saw comics as a vehicle for story and image---- he didn't feel that print nor digital were competing for what was a 'real' comic- that both were comics. Period.</br>
<br>I also met a couple of other artists on the 'trail' so to speak that were incredibly generous sharing information: one taught a class in entrepreneurship for artists (that I might well take), and talked about his philosophy of not looking at the world as competition with other artists for an audience's dollar- because it was not only limiting, but the wrong approach as well. He felt that one should fake the 'right things'- like faking confidence in oneself. But that one should aim to do business to get to art.... rather than art to make business. (He sold merchandise that wasn't a comic- though art related. He did have a comic as a passion project on the side, but had no aspirations for that project to sustain his living. He also talked about making a living without unrealistic expectations for money as an artist. Interesting guy.</br>
<br>I also met another artist who talked about being a janitor for 4+ years as he struggled to make a living as an artist professionally for a company.... and that floored me. I assumed that if he did do the 40+ hours a week that it would have killed the hours needed to develop well as a professional. But, there you go. Maybe I didn't try hard enough or had unrealistic expectations or whatever.... but these were eye-openers.</br>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rxhgx3YU2c/Ulzc6HkXVVI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Nv55LufkOTk/s1600/apefloor13.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rxhgx3YU2c/Ulzc6HkXVVI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Nv55LufkOTk/s400/apefloor13.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xygBxFejFE/Ulzc5H1FlMI/AAAAAAAAAqg/OiM0WEOxmxI/s1600/apefloor14.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xygBxFejFE/Ulzc5H1FlMI/AAAAAAAAAqg/OiM0WEOxmxI/s400/apefloor14.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubTAvJnRyZQ/UlzaIOPyNWI/AAAAAAAAAo8/WhjfTGh1l2s/s1600/apefloor015.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubTAvJnRyZQ/UlzaIOPyNWI/AAAAAAAAAo8/WhjfTGh1l2s/s400/apefloor015.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-312Rmg11uHE/UlzdjkRrGYI/AAAAAAAAAq4/WgqyaIURdow/s1600/apefloor16.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-312Rmg11uHE/UlzdjkRrGYI/AAAAAAAAAq4/WgqyaIURdow/s400/apefloor16.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIkz3npsER4/UlzdfrK-yxI/AAAAAAAAAqw/Hm2ktrr8Row/s1600/apefloor17.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIkz3npsER4/UlzdfrK-yxI/AAAAAAAAAqw/Hm2ktrr8Row/s400/apefloor17.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5ukcichIas/UlzdjsJgXiI/AAAAAAAAAq8/tqsI9l5RKok/s1600/apepanel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5ukcichIas/UlzdjsJgXiI/AAAAAAAAAq8/tqsI9l5RKok/s400/apepanel.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8JG9M3iEW8/Ulzdv1UHCTI/AAAAAAAAArI/t7COUJUs_ZA/s1600/watercolor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8JG9M3iEW8/Ulzdv1UHCTI/AAAAAAAAArI/t7COUJUs_ZA/s400/watercolor.png" /></a></div>
<br>At the end? I saw and heard a lot.... and saw and heard a lot of ways one COULD live as an artist, part-time, no-time, or full-time. In any case, the one that gave me the most encouragement was the smiling guy who wasn't a fast talker, but loved just being proud of his book and being there in the middle of other artists being a vendor. I don't think at this age that I necessarily have it in me to be a professional artist in a traditional sense, but- it was encouraging as hell to see and remember that art and the romance of art could be a life-saver anyways even if you don't sell a single book or have a single person remember your name. That's pretty cool.</br>
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-48864998894245803192013-10-08T00:22:00.000-07:002013-10-08T00:37:15.584-07:00Pencilled FaithYeah.... Well.... It's not inked, and it took forever, and it's not quite done yet--- I suffered too much from a case of procrastination, too many projects, and too many life interferences and honestly not enough inking practice.
BUT... It's sat on the shelf long enough- On the recommendation of an artist I respected, (and Kristy's blessing) I'm putting up the pencilled version of Kristy's Faith story. Hope ye like the rough version.
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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmZbUpCeUjE/UlOu-yIlIhI/AAAAAAAAAm0/FS9GpSDSib8/s320/Page_51.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hdtjxA9wSA/UlOw53272OI/AAAAAAAAAnM/vONy_uyntpI/s1600/Page_52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hdtjxA9wSA/UlOw53272OI/AAAAAAAAAnM/vONy_uyntpI/s320/Page_52.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJyHsxCxgIE/UlOvuCM9CjI/AAAAAAAAAm8/MtMWGWNHhM4/s1600/Page_53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJyHsxCxgIE/UlOvuCM9CjI/AAAAAAAAAm8/MtMWGWNHhM4/s320/Page_53.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFCWDUH2qYI/UlOwSnuIh3I/AAAAAAAAAnE/MpUfo46-bL0/s1600/Page_54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFCWDUH2qYI/UlOwSnuIh3I/AAAAAAAAAnE/MpUfo46-bL0/s320/Page_54.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7k8785Wae8/UlOw7JHpSJI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/OCEaQ4vxhiI/s1600/Page_55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7k8785Wae8/UlOw7JHpSJI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/OCEaQ4vxhiI/s320/Page_55.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIDErsiJr3s/UlOxighN-EI/AAAAAAAAAnc/XGclBS3mLvA/s1600/Page_56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIDErsiJr3s/UlOxighN-EI/AAAAAAAAAnc/XGclBS3mLvA/s320/Page_56.jpg" /></a></div>crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-78234202002997096772013-10-01T10:38:00.001-07:002013-10-08T01:26:38.758-07:00The year 2013 so far: From January to October<br>JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2013 QUICKEE REVIEW</br>
<br>Oy. Well, mainly I'll go over the creative stuff.
The regular life stuff is usually a snooze, so I'm not gonna go into that here.</br>
<br>JANUARY- MARCH</br>
<br>Decided to take a one-night-a-week basic film class as a refresher-</br>
<br>low-res REALLY compressed version here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEsF-E0TKjs&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEsF-E0TKjs&feature=youtu.be</a> </br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYIHKJ0yjQ8/UlO9JD8f35I/AAAAAAAAAn4/jq73u2YLZZY/s1600/rodzilla01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYIHKJ0yjQ8/UlO9JD8f35I/AAAAAAAAAn4/jq73u2YLZZY/s320/rodzilla01.png" /></a></div></br>
<br>Great course- it was like stepping into a time machine and seeing how people felt when they made their first film- and it was great fun being in the middle of that again.</br>
<br>As the class went on, though... the 'innocence' of the first assignment went mostly away from many, and the class generally split into a mixed camp of high ambition, competition, and frustration. Many in the class were there for professional reasons, but I was there because I was so unhappy over how things had turned out (in no small part due to budget and poor management of my own creative ambition) for Black Canary.'</br>
<br>Anyhow- I don't know how it was for the others, but I had a blast (and made sure to... classes are what you make of them, for the most part, or what you can push out of them), and recruited as many members of the class as I could for a fun zany 'Rodzilla' trailer (think of a coke-snorting Tony Montana meets Godzilla, and there's Rodzilla) and a concentrated 7-minute short about a fight over a quarter.</br>
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74HiKR27iDo/UlO-w99tlOI/AAAAAAAAAoE/5LYmGrItf0E/s1600/punchingj.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74HiKR27iDo/UlO-w99tlOI/AAAAAAAAAoE/5LYmGrItf0E/s320/punchingj.png" /></a></div></br>
<br>Oddly- it was fun- but not in the way I expected. The shooting and racing against the clock because of people's time was not fun, even though the people were great. Editing was fun, seeing how it came together and how things could be saved/improved. Not having the camera behave they way you wanted it to was not fun. Having to truncate the ending was not fun. Being 'in the zone' for filming on location was fun. The concept had to change greatly for what I thought was going to be a very simple short, and there was frustration- but the extremely funny and perverse thing was seeing again how just getting a couple of people together for a film (well, without pay, anyhow) isn't as easy as you would assume. There were a lot of ambitions and great plans with big casts talked about in class, from people who had great confidence and no confidence.... but only half of the projects ended up getting completed, to my surprise. </br>
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WWwUo5QIvM/UlO_Es6trgI/AAAAAAAAAoM/r1BjwNw2rTA/s1600/inthecarbob.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WWwUo5QIvM/UlO_Es6trgI/AAAAAAAAAoM/r1BjwNw2rTA/s320/inthecarbob.png" /></a></div></br><br>I started off in the class feeling as if I had been out of it too long- but the lessons learned from my other shoots had helped. It wasn't outdated.</br>
<br>I was very glad to have had the fortune of having two folks from class and my cousin to be a second camera to do the film- and it turned out much nicer because of their time... although I was in 'pit bull' mode and know I would have pulled people off the street (I actually did do that for a couple of extras) to get my short film done.</br>
<br>So, anyhow- that class was January-March. Two shooting days... and two ten minute class breaks for the Rodzilla trailer. </br>
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-17aXQrGq1EQ/UlO_cwXgWyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/tC4_MXZ3J0Y/s1600/lightsaber.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-17aXQrGq1EQ/UlO_cwXgWyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/tC4_MXZ3J0Y/s320/lightsaber.png" /></a></div></br>
<br>APRIL- MAY</br>
<br>Must have been asleep. I'll have to get back to this. I don't remember anything particularly significant happening then.</br>
<br>JUNE-JULY</br>
<br>Was asked to teach/create a class in comics to kids- and that was a giant joy for the summer. When I grew up, finding anyone else remotely interested in comics was extremely rare around me, and I often lost interest due to the environment I was living in. To have a classroom full of little ones who were genuinely passionate about creating something with their bare hands and willing to put the concentration and time in was fantastic. It's said that roles reverse: at times, the teacher teaches the students, other times, the students teach the teacher--- and I got a lot from them. I was heartened to see especially the kids who, on their own, were part of creative groups writing and drawing comics, and learning from the web and libraries about the best way to write/draw. In many many ways, they definitely have the environment to have the talent to get that cartooning career that I dreamed of, but never really had the right circumstances to ever get. Anyhow, I hope that they got as much from me as I learned from them. </br>
<br>AUGUST-SEPTEMBER</br>
<br>Invested in comic paper, giant scanner, and other sorts of tech material, and signed up for a one-night-a-week screenwriting course. The previous two screenwriting courses well.....weren't all that, but a little production is better than none, if one doesn't produce enough. On the flip side, was thrilled to find out that a friend of mine not only self-published two versions of his own comic book (color and painted, no less), but that he got many of the local comic shops to pick up copies and he's almost out of them. Given that he's not a 'name' and has no ties to DC/MARVEL, it's very inspiring. </br>
<br>OCTOBER</br>
<br>Anyhow, a lot of suckiness this year, but some great things, too that I enjoyed on a personal level. Going to do my best with this class and wrapping things up this year (Faith pencils are done, but I need to upload), but I really hope 2014 is better than 2013.
Will see....</br>
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-5630634140451080252013-05-24T01:11:00.001-07:002013-05-24T01:11:49.275-07:00Rough updates - Big Wow convention and other stuff...Hmm....
So much for more consistent postings in 2013...ah well...
Started off the new year taking a once-a-week beginning film class as a refresher course-
I was a little nervous at first, insecurity worrying about being the oldest one in class... but fortunately it wasn't quite the case, and there were 25 students all over the map on levels- <b>
I'll eventually write a more detailed post about the experiences for the three-month class, but for now I'll mention that it was a blast- maybe because once I got started, that I had a certain amount of fearlessness in casting students at the college... coming from a time of feeling pretty frustrated for (ugh) years of Black Canary being in limbo--- it was a great joy to be uninhibited in filming an experimental narrative (albeit a silly one) and complete it from beginning to end. It really reminded me of the 'ups' of filmmaking and not just the downs that I've been frustrated by for awhile now.
</b> <b>
Anyhow... That's the most (creatively) interesting thing that happened from January-March. Helped out a couple of folks as well in class, and was very glad to do so. The appreciation level of helping someone who'd never made a film (video) before is great. The unexpected reward was being able to stand on the side and being able to vicariously remember the euphoria of shooting one's first short film ever. I hope it doesn't sound pretentious, but sometimes shooting a short at this point is painful- maybe because what I want in my head is a specific thing, but in the beginning.... there's perhaps less expectation and just a thrill to see what you write on paper get transformed into people performing it and it becoming this tangible piece of film (or video) that you can keep forever. </b><b>
So... it was a great way to start the year off! April and May was a bit clunky--- I had hoped to continue the momentum of creativity by taking a one-day-a-week animation class- and hopefully use the class discipline to complete the Back Canary shorts I'd wanted to start- but, it turned out that it was primarily a Flash class (Something that I'm teaching soon!).</b>
<b> Anyhow.... Caught a couple of sequels- Iron Man III (which was a mixed bag--- It was far better than the horrible Iron Man II, but since it was Shane Black, I was expecting something akin to his Lethal Weapon I and II- IM 3 was very good, but it wasn't quite Shane Black's best work) and Star Trek II (which was a big disappointment--- One critic called it 'the Star Trek Supermacy', which was a good title. It was more about the chase than anything else--- which I guess is okay, but after watching it, I immediately longed to rewatch one of the classic Trek movies (except for the Shatner directed one) as I remember the joy of those films not only being more about the characters as a family, but also having more substance at the end of the films as well. JJ Abrams might not be Michael Bay, but it's nice to have SOME attempt at trying to have a little depth along with the flash and explosions in a movie franchise.)
</b><b>
Anyhow- that's cool. I'm more looking forwards to MAN OF STEEL and THE WOLVERINE anyhow. How cool is it that there are a set of scifi/superhero films each summer now? </b>
<b> On the dvd tv front, recently caught up with DEXTER Season 7--- interesting stuff with Manny Coto as one of the head writers/showrunners there (yeah!) and am currently viewing ALPHAS Season 1--- which was only interesting to me because I'd read that Steven Ira Behr (of Deep Space Nine fame) was fired on Season 2 because he was taking the show into controversial territory. The pilot by Zack was flat, but once the series started with Ira, it's not bad. I partiuclarly like the Rain Man-like character on the show and David Straitharn.
</b>
<b>
On the creative front, attended the 'Big Wow' convention this weekend. Very interesting.... will have a long post later soon - but in short, I have to say a number of different interactions with different folks have me VERY inspired on a creative level of what I want to do longterm. More later, but in brief, this is what I've been up to & I will soon be uploading the entire pencilled "Faith"- long story for later on.
H. </b>crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-65308208305061128432013-05-07T12:26:00.002-07:002013-05-07T12:26:37.382-07:00APRIL recap/ Jerry Ordway out of work.... What the heck?First- yeah, I'll be fixing the formatting/pictures for the previous post soon.
In the meantime...
April-
Was the break & I was planning on taking the "Animation with a Professional" class as a way to also push myself to complete the Black Canary animation short project I was mentioning that would sub the live-action one.
Anyhow- Because it was all about Flash, I dropped the class (for good or bad).
Fell back a bit into the funk- not good- In short, I was happy to: (1) FINALLY complete the idea I had in my head for a short film for years, but sat on--- and (2) that I was able to make it 'better' than I had previously felt good, and (3) that most of it was shot on my ipad 3 and got good response, made me feel good, too.
May-
Starting up. I am very tempted (although it will be a FAST shoot) to do a kungfu film one day a week. New script.
I have an interested actor and possibly kungfu students, but will see. Not 'greenlit' in my head quite yet.
On another note, I was trying to find OLD comic fanzines that I threw out, and see if they were available for sale on the internet--- and came across Jerry Ordway's blogspot- and was shocked shocked shocked to find out that:
(1) he wasn't as rich as Jim Lee or Chris Claremont (or John Byrne) even though he worked in the 'gold rush' time of comics.
(2) he was still a freelancer with no health insurance from a company
(3) he was more/less cut OFF from work from DC via poiitics.
And then- a number of professionals clamored similar stories.
To me, it was a dream job growing up. I wanted to break into Marvel/DC- it was an obsession....but.... I simply was not a good enough artist, and didn't know how to improve (despite searching for teachers/taking classes that might help).
I sat back and saw fan artists in fanzine become pros like Jerry Ordway, and just hang back in envy/frustration.
I went another path after banging my head against the wall too many times, but I was envying this artist to no end---
And now?
Now..... I'm shaking my head in disbelief.
He has the rug pulled out from under him- but I never could even get the rug.
Wow.
Hm...crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-73662640658990809992013-01-20T14:33:00.003-08:002013-01-20T14:33:28.523-08:00Return to school, Dredd 2.0, random stuff...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bP-sdGHHotM/UPxrsGLac4I/AAAAAAAAAdw/mVbRh62JP_g/s1600/dredd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bP-sdGHHotM/UPxrsGLac4I/AAAAAAAAAdw/mVbRh62JP_g/s320/dredd.jpg" /></a></div>
So-
Returning back to school from the ground up was great.... Things could have swung either way, where it could have squashed any interest whatsoever in creating ANYTHING for the rest of my life.... or be an interesting re-ignition of a love affair with creating, after a marriage that went really really sour for awhile.
The odd thing is:
First time I started taking film classes, I felt indestructible and it was ok to make all the mistakes in the world- and everyone was enthused because it was all fresh and new to everyone else, too.... with no idea how far things would go, or where it would go.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_Lwdv7785c/UPxrk62uMpI/AAAAAAAAAdk/rwLAELKfxI4/s1600/mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_Lwdv7785c/UPxrk62uMpI/AAAAAAAAAdk/rwLAELKfxI4/s320/mama.jpg" /></a></div>
I was pretty voracious with creating short films for awhile (no, a large percentage isn't up on youtoob)--- and I was enthused with jumping onto other people's shoots, helping out as well--- but I have to admit the disappointing reception to Vangelis and the immediacy and criticalness of the internet strangled the fearlessness that you SHOULD have in creating.
Thus, the endless procrastination with many of the projects that got uploaded later on:
Black Canary and Faith, are the most immediate things that come to mind. Announcing it on a blog and then not meeting deadlines just makes it so much worse. Ug.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DTaLGpzeF0/UPxrkgOYL5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/pmK2JtsrGkk/s1600/andersen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DTaLGpzeF0/UPxrkgOYL5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/pmK2JtsrGkk/s320/andersen.jpg" /></a></div>
Anyhow....
It's weird and pleasant going back to night school. Before, I used to fret and care what the world thought about what I put up- to a point of paralysis.... now, so much time and pain has passed, (plus huger-scale real life issues that come with age), I don't care anymore... in a good way.
So, that's where my head is at.
In the meantime-
Yep, yep, yep...... I didn't forget Faith. The school is only a short few months. I want to finish Faith the comic- and -am figuring out the style choices for Black Canary- the whatever-format-I end up doing (not ruling out film, but more likely animation or comic).
And....
If you're wondering about why I've got "Dredd" images on this post, it's because I finally caught the new "Dredd" movie that got some buzz on the net.
At first I thought it respectable but WAYYY underwritten (especially with great actors in the roles)--- I think with "True Blood" and "Game of Thrones" on HBO, it's upped the ante for doing a good balance of character and action. Those shows don't have great budgets (although they look pretty nice), but they make up for it by having great character development.
Still- in any case, the old "Dredd" movie with Stallone was goofy, noisy, and felt a little too Stallone-ized. (And not in a good way)
The new "Dredd" movie made me excited about the possibilities and wonder more about the source material more, enough so, that I ordered the Brian Bolland collection of it.
Anyhow- the year is off to a bit of a clunky/slow start. But hopefully this year is a game changer creatively. The community that's already come from a beginning film class has given me a much-needed jolt of enthusiasm, which perhaps was squashed by more fear of what the world thought these last few years.
I don't know who said that you need self-delusion to really create, but if that's not true, then definitely I think you need to feel a life force to create that's so big, you don't give a shite who thinks you're an idiot to ignore everything and everyone around you and just do it.
Wonder if that's how Steve Jobs and Ed Wood did what they did?
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-73034835795368776182013-01-06T18:50:00.002-08:002013-01-06T18:52:21.723-08:00Peter David Stroke???Now and then when I actually peruse the web (not very often in the last few months, mainly use the internet to check any emails from my work)--- I usually pop on over to friends' work/blogs/videos when I can.
In surfing a little bit, got a huge shock when I went to NealAdams.com blog, talking about 'helping out Peter David'---I was curious. What did that mean? Then I went to PeterDavid.net (a site I've put in my links and often visit) and found a few posts detailing Peter David's stroke while on vacation on his family for this new year... and almost fell out of my seat. The posts resonate on a lot of levels.
Hopefully he makes a full recovery, but from what the posts are saying, it doesn't sound likely.
Been mulling over what now seems like minor irritations today... hearing about a health issue of this magnitude about someone that you admire and imagine is a bit of an icon and isn't all that old is a great way to wake one up and get perspective again.
Worst possible way (to say the least) for them to start a new year.
Wish his family the best and for his health to return as much as possible.
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-86445674091907529112013-01-06T18:09:00.000-08:002013-01-06T18:16:40.000-08:00The Hobbit and taking a chance....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well---
Started the first week of the new year ignoring my health resolutions, but at least catching "The Hobbit" on the magnificent supersize screen (non-3d, but far far better than Liemax) in town & actually committing to being on a waitlist for a (drumroll) return to school.
First off:
My own impressions on "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Prequel"....
Short review is: Good film, was thrilled to read that Peter Jackson was directing again, as I had big love for his "Lord of the Rings" movie adaptations. It was also fun trying to play 'hmm...where is the Guellerman De Toro influences' bits to myself. (Ironically, had a great 'trailer pre-show' with the same Del Toro's "Pacific Rim", Nolan/Sndyder's "Man of Dark Steel" and Gigi Abrams' "Star Trek into Darkness").
Was great to see Sir Ian McKellan & Andy Sirkus come back (as Gandalf and the Gollum, who really steals the show once again- really, there shoulda been a spinoff: "the Gollum monologues", if you're reading this, Peter J.) In fact the best bits involved seeing cast members pop up and return from the Lord of the Rings movies--- and- while the 'new' cast is fine.... the lesser bits involved a lot of exposition and setup involving them.
While I enjoyed the extended editions a lot, I have to admit that on first viewing, "The Hobbit" really could have lost about 20-30 minutes towards the beginning and I would have been fine with that. But, still, at least it's nowhere near the horribly disappointing movie experience that was "The Dark Knight Rises (badly)".
On another note-
After much lagging and stagnation with my projects, decided to 'dive in' and actually commit to going back to school to take a filmmaking class again on the side.
I have to admit---
There's something both encouraging and paralyzing about putting stuff up on the internet. I used to have a lot more output when I was making student films, and far less so after "Vangelis" and--- well, yeah, even more of a mess (my fault) with "Black Canary" not even reaching the finish line.
So-
Yeah. Will see if I get into the class and see if it helps... or hurts.
Eh.
Like I like to say: "What doesn't kill you.... doesn't kill you."
:)
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-31514822825684369532012-12-31T17:49:00.002-08:002012-12-31T18:07:15.109-08:00Quickee Incomplete Wrapup of 2012 before the Fiscal Cliff Deadline
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Came back recently from Vegas, a great break from life woes this year.
Saw (of all things) a great exhibit on the life of Leonardo DaVinci at the Venetian Hotel (highly reccomended) and my first time ever of seeing the Blue Man Group perform (the new show advertised as: "Now with Balls!") on stage (also highly reccomended!), and wanted to at least have ONE entry before 2013 started.
Ok-
So, creative projects update:
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* Faith- is fully pencilled, but not inked. I'm just too slow of an inker to do it properly.... so, I'm planning another way to finish the art and have it finished by
the end of January 2013 (if all is as planned).
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* Black Canary- is going to be comic book form/ animation. I HATE the idea to no end about an unfinished video project, but at least I really learned a lot of things post-mortem on this project as a live-action. If only things had worked out better, and I'll go in-detail later this year about so many things learned on a future blogspot.
* Claim- an old long-gestated project that never got edited, I hope to edit and finish by end of Febuary 2013- March 2013.
* Spec comic adaptation project- I'm planning on working on a comic adaptation of a series of novels by a famous silver age comic book writer. More later.
* My own old comics project- Three babies that I'll share more after Faith and Black Canary are done.
Ok-
So, onto stuff that I loved/liked/or just checked out outside of real life in 2012:
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JANUARY:
GAME OF THRONES. WOWZA.
Forget Lord of the Rings. Aces in all categories.... it takes a couple of episodes to figure out who is who, but I'm hooked. One good/bad thing about the show: no characters are safe from getting killed off.
Top five cable tv series in my book, for sure. The graphic nudity and violence aren't necessary, but it's HBO, so, that's their selling point.
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FEBRUARY:
Walt Simsonson's THOR Omnibus. I've been a major fan of Simonson's since his short miniseries "Manhunter" with Archie Goodwin back in the day (which won a number of comic book awards back then)--- and heard that "Thor" was considered his best work by many.
My opinion?
Neither the writing nor the art impressed. I would have rather have seen a recolored expensive "Manhunter" Omnibus- but NOT colored by the rather-insane (he must have been, given his recoloring work in reprints) Klaus Janson.
Don't get it.
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MARCH:
JOHN CARTER.
Well done, good but sadly not great film. I was initially wowed- moreso of how they were able to throw in so much from the books faithfully- but in hindsight... it's one of those cases where maybe the love of the detail of the books might have sidetracked making a film that could have resonated more with non-Carter fans.
John Carter books are primarily wish-fulfillment stories- and for Andrew Stanton to have tried towards designing a world away from that direction felt like it lessened what could have been a visually breathtaking film into one that was merely 'ok'.
(Not that that was the main problem with the film moving on all thrusters, but I'm also really picky visually when you've got all the money and technology in the world to take your breath away on a fantasy film and you don't.)
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JIM LEE's "HUSH" pencil hardback.
For some reason, I thought I'd learn at lot from this. I like the book, but don't really feel like I got as much out of this as I'd hoped.
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APRIL:
BREAKING BAD SEASON 4.
Still amazing show. No wonder Frank Darabont loves it so much.
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YOUNG JUSTICE VOLUMES 1-3.
Very entertaining and impressive. There was a lot of love for this show, I can see why, now. Neat that they actually got Peter David to write a few episodes.
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MAY:
AVENGERS.
Damn, I knew Joss Whedon was the only one who could pull it off.
When I'm in a nit-picky mood, I might pick on some bits feeling like it was directed like a tv show at times, from how it's staged.... but, this was a near-impossible job to pull off, and JW did it. I just wish that Emily Blunt would have been cast instead (as she initially was under John Favreau) for Black Widow, but otherwise Scarlett Jo comes off FAR better here than in the disappointing IM 2.
Best news of all: Joss Whedon is in charge of AVENGERS 2.
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JULY:
TDKR.
As pleased as I was with Avengers, is as much as I hated TDKR.
Totally agree with Harry Knowles review of this disaster. I guess ANYONE can make a mess.
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NOVEMBER:
Double great news-
Obama wins. Thank God. I may actually have faith in America (overall) after all.
007 rocks under Sam Mendes. Sam, come back and do a sequel!!!
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DECEMBER:
Did I mention the Blue Man Group and Leonardo Da Vinci?
crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-2136810756718728872012-04-16T23:24:00.003-07:002012-04-17T00:04:57.957-07:00Art of George Perez thoughts...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du24BWNEy-4/T40Neqfm3yI/AAAAAAAAAYM/rVtDpa1Vq6E/s1600/perez.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du24BWNEy-4/T40Neqfm3yI/AAAAAAAAAYM/rVtDpa1Vq6E/s320/perez.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732252721166606114" /></a><br /><br />Received my hardback copy of "Art of George Perez" in the mail recently, really nice book from the same IDW folks who previously came out with the great "Art of Jim Starlin: A life in Words and Pictures".<br /><br />From Amazon, it's a steal...but definitely an interesting contrast to the Jim Starlin (and definitely the Jim Lee book previously mentioned)- and, in fact, there's a rather odd foreward by Jim Starlin as well in it- (In which Starlin himself muses, of all people, why he was even asked to write the foreward. Not horrible, but just a little odd.)<br /><br />One thing right off the bat is just how many years Perez has been at it. Definitely makes me feel old. The choices of art pieces- like the Starlin one before it- are mostly very nice, although there are others that are just 'meh'... but that's how it goes, I suppose with these things. For sure, it's on great paper, great artist's views on his evolution of his own work, and is a nice weight and size that you definitely feel like you've got your money's worth. (Well, at least from Amazon)<br /><br />With Starlin's book, much of it was dedicated to sections of his greatest comics' work- in contrast to the Perez book that breaks things up in decades (70's, 80's, etc.) <br /><br />Perhaps it's appropriate, as Starlin was a writer/artist for much of his career, whereas Perez was known mostly for his art--- ((*Outside of his writing/drawing the Wonder Woman reboot and his co-plotting credits on the Crisis on Infinite Earths/Teen Titans stuff with Marv Wolfman. (His current writing on the Superman reboot has been pretty savaged by fans everywhere- and hate to say I don't see being able to defend it myself, but that's another story.)<br /><br />But, anyhow- not a session on bashing Perez, as I'm not a professional artist peer but a hobbyist/fan discussing thoughts and differences between the two contributions by Starlin and Perez. <br /><br />Anyhow- back to talking about the book- Perez has a lot of great insights as to what he was thinking, and his own personal feelings of his evolution during the many decades (wow) that he's been in comics. <br /><br />I think I may have detailed before my suprise at the story of how Perez fell into a bit of a creative funk for awhile that got him (temporarily) a bad rep at completing deadlines that led to him getting 'blacklisted' from comics work at the two majors for awhile- <br /><br />But more suprising to me were two bits:<br />#1: Perez talking about the importance of health insurance, looking ahead to physical limitations slowing down, and the business side of things (as opposed to Starlin's financial windfall with the novel he and his first wife wrote that got optioned by Spielberg at one point)-<br /><br />#2: Perez talking about his self-published venture "Crimson Plague" and how it was just killing him financially to do the self-publishing and the lack of discipline that was implied with doing the book.<br /><br />Later on in the book, it's also interesting to read about Perez's other passions- theatre and fetish videos (though I would be neglectful to also mention much press about Perez's generosity in doing much work for charity as well).... but, on a visual level- it is odd to read that Perez constantly talks about detail vs. clutter, but the further Perez's work goes- the more I feel like there's MORE clutter and more 'sameness' to his work than anything else, despite his talking about progress in his work.<br /><br />I still feel that Perez's work in the 70's were perhaps his strongest material, but in the end, I question what is the 'it' that makes some images burn in one's skull (for some reason, I LOVE many of Michael Turner's covers even though I'm not all that crazy about his interior work), even when it's not as detailed or is more cartoony than I usually like.<br /><br />Anyhow, still enjoy the book, and love that it helps complete a picture of the artist behind the art. <br /><br />But- it also makes me question quantity over quality--- it looks like Starlin may have had less output, but his best stories still get mentioned by high profile folks like Joss Whedon and Grant Morrison- whereas Perez's art is dazzling, but has its limits. <br /><br />Not sure if it's too much detail in some of his work, or too much clutter.<br />Sometimes less is more, but finding out what should be the 'more' and what should be the 'less' is tricky.....crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-89435663072959148462012-04-08T12:11:00.002-07:002012-04-08T12:19:24.472-07:00Quickee status updatePencils mostly done on "Faith", damned if likenesses aren't a pain to get right... and I know I didn't exactly, but I put in a lot of time trying my best. I recently came across the "Game of Thrones" comic adaptation and was a bit irritated that the art didn't seem to have the effort that it could have had.... I think I really got spoiled by George Perez's "Logan's Run" adaptation--- while the likenesses aren't exactly there, either, I could see the blood/sweat/tears (and enthusiasm) of the adaptation. I tried to do the same.<br /><br />But then again, I doubt the publishers wanted to wait years for an assignment to be turned in. <br /><br />Anyhow, really turning my attention on inking now. I have a few pretty interesting books on comic book inking that I'll share more about next time. But, oddly, one of the things I'm also 'studying' is/are old issues of Dick Giordano's run on "Wonder Woman" and how he drew hair.... VERY interesting on how he uses big black blotches for her hair, and yet is able to get it to work. Hmp.<br /><br />Hopefully will be able to post the work next time--- by the way, God bless "Comic Life" for comic book lettering software. I LOOOVE it. Man, it makes things look much better than they have any right to be. ;)<br /><br />CAMcrazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-14051711140685118462012-04-04T13:31:00.004-07:002012-04-04T13:46:48.067-07:00Catching up on March 2012: And...an update on the art stuff-March has been filled on the side with meetings and catchups with friends- writingwise and drawingwise...<br /><br />Picked up a few art books in March, one "Classic Human Anatomy" by Valerie Winslow, who turns out to be a bay area art teacher--- and marveled/sighed at the level of detail that I probably will never be interested enough to know all the names of the parts of the human body that she lists, but should-<br /><br />Picked up: "ICONS- Jim Lee", which, by comparison to the first book, in retrospect, feels a bit silly in its title. With all due respect to Lee- (and I hear he's a great guy in person to pros and fans alike--- not always something you hear about those in the biz)--- It's a nice fluff book, but in comparing it to the first one- it feels so lacking by comparison. (I've been recommended a Bruce Timm book by my cousin that supposedly outdoes it by far)<br /><br />Drawingwise, I've finished pencils on "Faith", but inking has sucked--- so I'm deliberating what to do on that, for the moment.<br /><br />Black Canary-wise, just haven't had time to complete the story in comic book, animation, let alone live action form. <br /><br />Anyhow, oddly that hasn't stopped me from still trying to multitask and plant other seeds as well...<br /><br />* One collaboration may be for a startup - more details later...<br /><br />* Another collaboration is for self-publishing with a great writer that I'm meeting with in a couple of weeks, big hopes that it can work out...<br /><br />* And--- there's still 80 hours of footage to edit.<br /><br />So, for anyone curious about the stats on those projects, it's (sadly) still on 'SLOW....but not DEAD YET', mode...<br /><br />;)crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-25009332489217379832012-04-04T12:57:00.004-07:002012-04-04T13:28:11.992-07:00Catching up on March 2012: Game of Thrones loveOk, so soon after really enjoying John Carter, bought the bluray of "Game of Thrones", which had gotten a lot of buzz, and...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RFXLYN4OeIk/T3yoAZZA9GI/AAAAAAAAAX0/U89ggEHt7Eo/s1600/games-trailer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RFXLYN4OeIk/T3yoAZZA9GI/AAAAAAAAAX0/U89ggEHt7Eo/s320/games-trailer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727637550877701218" /></a><br /><br />Short review: WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! I'm in BIG love with a tv series again.<br /><br />Slightly longer review: This has been called an 'r' rated version of "Lord of the Rings", but I think it's underselling it. (Although I recently revisited the extended versions of those films and was amazed at how much I wished that Peter Jackson had directed "John Carter" instead of Andrew Stanton- but then again, Jackson never had to deal with Disney over his shoulder...)<br /><br />In times past, my 'big love' for tv has been: ROME, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, SIX FEET UNDER (although with some weak slow episodes in season two), ONCE AND AGAIN, FREAKS AND GEEKS (easily the best work Apatow has ever done- on network tv on a family show, go figure)--- <br /><br />There's been some romance with TRUE BLOOD (But season two then three weakened the love greatly), DEXTER (Not interested in the supporting character storylines and each season except for the last one has had some major flaws), CHUCK (Seasons 1-3 are fantastic with Anne Couffel Summers as story editor, then afterwards, it takes a giant dive in quality), WALKING DEAD (uncertain about following season 2 after Frank Darabont got screwed out of a job) but I have high hopes for this series based on season 1.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocflkqh3ONs/T3ys1cS1JkI/AAAAAAAAAYA/K1ibDAX6BCY/s1600/got-covers-ew.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 98px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocflkqh3ONs/T3ys1cS1JkI/AAAAAAAAAYA/K1ibDAX6BCY/s320/got-covers-ew.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727642860236645954" /></a><br /><br />The nice thing about the series is that it's following more/less an actual series of books that already had acclaim with a showrunner that's an author himself (25 Hours)... and - like ROME - I like that all sides of the social class are represented, and the facination comes from how each of the players stuck in social classes negotiate with the rules of their society and one another to get the things that everyone wants in their lives- self-esteem, love, respect, family (in one form or another), and/or what extent they would go to protect anything that might threaten it.<br /><br />The heart of the story (rightfully so, imo) is the conflict between two main family units: the Starks and the Lancasters. The Starks are (almost) the ideal family, that gets splintered and torn apart by outside forces as the father tries to live an honorable life--- and the Lancasters- a powerful and rich family who are cruel and unmerciful in their pursuit of domination.(except for the drunken, cynical but most decent youngest dwarf brother, Tyrion, who is played by the brilliant Peter Dinklage who rightfully won an Emmy for this role).<br /><br />Anyhow, the players in the first few episodes is a little tricky to follow, but once you get who they are- then it's incredibly easy to fall into this show, that hits every mark just right- if Star Trek: The Classic Series was groundbreaking for scifi/fantasy for the 60's, and Trek: TNG (and its extensions) broke even more ground decades later for the quality of scifi/fantasy--- Game of Thrones breaks it again, with supernatural elements to a minimum (there's very little, and very little necessary, thank goodness) but human elements to a premium. <br /><br />Game of Thrones I should say, also doesn't mind killing off characters the audience falls greatly in love with--- and (so far) there are no magical 'resurrections' or 'time reversals' that only make mainstream fans (rightfully so imo) groan or dismiss fantasy as something unrelatable to daily living. <br /><br />Game of Thrones--- kinda like an updated English HBO version of "Legend of the Eastern Condors". <br /><br />That's as a high a praise as I can give it.<br />:)crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345354.post-24823021776907747762012-04-04T12:03:00.006-07:002012-04-04T12:57:14.627-07:00Catching up on March 2012: John Carter of Arizona<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDP2H3O1ktY/T3ycs33dxtI/AAAAAAAAAXE/kXxoe2VdDJs/s1600/john_carter_ver7_xlg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDP2H3O1ktY/T3ycs33dxtI/AAAAAAAAAXE/kXxoe2VdDJs/s320/john_carter_ver7_xlg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727625120833193682" /></a><br /><br />Short review: I REALLY ENJOYED IT!<br />Slightly longer review: BUT....<br /><br />Peter David put it best- Andrew Stanton was sort of in a lose-lose situation.<br />If he was 100% faithful to the books, then the movie adaptation might have felt extremely dated. <br /><br />If he updated/reinvented things to compete with all the scifi/fantasy movies that have come after that have already been influenced by the John Carter books- then,loyalists would have felt betrayed.<br /><br />So--- given that- it's a pretty amazing tightrope that he walked. The movie is very enjoyable.<br /><br />THE POSITIVES:<br />The script adaptation itself--- it introduces a world that's not going to be all that easy to begin with to relate to (the civil war era) and take us to another world that's not all that easy to relate to, nor is all that magnificent to look at (MOre on that later)... so we're introduced to many characters and many situations but without too much confusion nor exposition. That's a task in itself.<br /><br />The CAST is amazing. I'd argue that Stanton might have taken a short cut or two by choosing actors in similiar supporting roles in "ROME", but who cares? Well cast is well cast.... particularly the leads. <br /><br />80 percent of casting John Carter I think has to be the looks. Fortunately, the guy from Friday Night Lights (fantastic show btw) works just fine. He makes a good lead, although I'm not certain how much acting is required of him in parts like this. There wasn't a second I didn't buy him, but...<br /><br />More amazing casting is Lynn Collins as Dejah Thoris. While she doesn't look exactly like the Dejah Thoris I've seen in the comics, she steals the movie imo- In many ways, the story centers around the relationship between Carter and Thoris (Why the marketing team wasn't fired by Disney is a complete mystery to me) and while I may have had problems with some of Stanton's other choices, Lynn Collins is a powerhouse in her performance as the Princess of Mars. (If you view her interviews, she's VERY different in person from her character).<br /><br />And-- beyond being a fan of the books...I can't say I'm totally unbiased- for an outsider I'd imagine the movie works, but again, can't say for sure. (One relative didn't believe the film at all, another thought it fun.)<br /><br />In any case, it certainly deserved a better fate than what Green Lantern got. <br />But, on the other hand....<br /><br />NEGATIVES<br /><br />Where the hell did the $250 million go, Andrew???? I've seen Arizona deserts! Boo! Hiss! <br /><br />As a visual medium, I would think that artists would salivate over movies of this kind that are RIPE for eye candy. Where was the eye candy? For years I've heard that John Carter was the movie that George Lucas, John Favreau, Robert Rodriguez wanted to make--- but to be frank, the ultra-campy FLASH GORDON of the 1980s were far more memorable visually! <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aeHH7x50Rg/T3ylQNuXidI/AAAAAAAAAXc/XSy1M-SoUV0/s1600/flash62.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aeHH7x50Rg/T3ylQNuXidI/AAAAAAAAAXc/XSy1M-SoUV0/s320/flash62.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727634524089059794" /></a><br /><br />Or David Lynch's "DUNE" (Forgiving the unfortunate poster taglines, insulting one's experiences or imagination) ;p<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnBN6AQfyl0/T3yl-47KaRI/AAAAAAAAAXo/BDE3_s_jCP0/s1600/DUNE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnBN6AQfyl0/T3yl-47KaRI/AAAAAAAAAXo/BDE3_s_jCP0/s320/DUNE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727635325959432466" /></a><br /><br />Even the horrible Star Wars prequels didn't cost $250 million but had pretty planets! What the hell, Andrew?<br />(Though truth be told, as a movie, "John Carter" is better actingwise and storywise than all three Star Wars prequels combined, but still--- eye candy opportunity greatly wasted)<br /><br />Also..... the sad thing is, even with what was chosen--- wasn't photographed in a particularly interesting way as "FLASH GORDON" or "DUNE". Sad because Stanton had all the resources available, (I bought the 'art' book for John Carter as well), but if it's not on the screen, it's not on the screen.<br /><br />What's there is a really good movie, but why couldn't it have been a visual spectacular at the same time? Oh well.... thankfully, I have Game of Thrones for both content and style (more later)....crazy_asian_manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15604766496515925697noreply@blogger.com0