Luthor Model Sheet/Turnaround—Body

In the interest of time (as of today, I have 278 days until completion deadline), I decided to do a full body design of Luthor in only the front and back views. I'm confident that I'll be able to base all other views on these two:

Next post: Luthor does his sexy LL Cool J lip lick!

Luthor Model Sheet/Turnaround—Head

The final inked model sheet for Luthor's head:

It's neither great nor perfect BUT it's good enough. With my deadline being Dec. 31, 2013 (279 days left) there's no time to fuss around. All that matters is that I'm satisfied with it. I'm looking forward to watching Luthor transform from this neutral expression to all of the dramatic acting he has to do!

Next post: Luthor's full body turnaround.

Creating Model Sheet for Luthor's Face

These drawings show how I searched for the final design for Luthor's face:

Yes, there was a little frustration during this process! :-) But I realized that's the ultimate purpose of the model sheet, to remind me of how he should look so that when I'm animating, I can keep his appearance consistent.

Next post: the final model sheet for Luthor's head.

Sun Valley Film Festival Review

The Sun Valley Film Festival 2013 banner in Ketchum, Idaho.

I recently returned home from the Sun Valley Film Festival in Idaho. In only its second year, the festival brought out filmmakers and film-lovers from the immediate area and around the country.

I'll admit, the festival wasn't on my radar until I saw that Jodie Foster was not only going to be in attendance, but was hosting a free (!) and open to the public (!) Q & A. Within 24 hours, I had booked my flight, hotel, festival pass and transportation from Boise to Ketchum! (Next time I'll fly to Seattle or LA then to Hailey instead of the Boise route. Lesson learned.) EVERYONE in Idaho was friendly and pleasant and it was a constant reminder as to why I want to move out of NYC!

I chose to stay in Ketchum instead of Sun Valley because the hotel is literally next door to the theater where films were being shown (nexStage Theater) and where Foster was going to speak. I knew there was going to be a big turnout for her so by being nearby, I significantly increased my chances of getting a seat.

View of Ketchum from hotel balcony.

And get a seat I did! I was admitted into the theater after the VIP's had been seated (and a very cold 45 minute waitFoster spoke eloquently and carefully about acting and directing and was gracious throughout even when asked some potentially uncomfortable questions (about Hinckley, her lost childhood and LGBT-themes).

Jodie Foster answering questions at the nexStage Theater during the second annual Sun Valley Film Festival.

(Sorry about the blurry pictures but these people would NOT stand still for me!)

Despite the flight delays and illness on my way home, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to interact with someone who I've admired since childhood. And I made a filmmaking connection, too!

Festival Executive Director and Founder Ted Grennan and festival Director Candice Pate during the closing ceremony.

Jodie Foster talks to DeWayne Briscoe, mayor of Sun Valley, during the closing ceremony.

Jodie Foster shows off her key to the city during the closing cerremony.

Since this festival is in its infancy, now is the time to submit to it before it becomes huge like Sundance. I fully intend to submit Adult Toy Story and possibly their screenwriters lab, too.

The moral of this story is: NEVER hesitate to take advantage of even the smallest opportunity because you never know what will come of it.

Scene 16—Luthor's Right Foot

Here's the rough animation of Luthor moving his right foot toes:

It's not perfect, but it's good enough. On to the left foot!

Scene 16—Luthor Layouts

I've FINALLY moved on to scene 16 which is one of my favorites in the film: a pan from Luthor's discarded clothes on the floor, to his wiggling toes, up his body, past his red shorts to a hold on his face at which point he does an LL Cool J lip lick.

One thing I learned from doing the first 15 scenes is that the proper planning up front will save a lot of time in the end. The primary challenge of this scene was to place Luthor properly onto the bed background that had already been created for scene 12 while also fitting his feet comfortably into the frame:

Scene 12 background adjusted for use in scene 16.

These are the rough versions of Luthor's placement on the bed. They evolved from rough to more polished as I figured out the best solution to the problem:

First attempt: figuring out perspective and the pose.

Second attempt: one of four drawings used to make a quick reference animation.

Third attempt: prefer the laid-back pose but the spread legs aren't fitting into the frame the way I originally planned and imagined it.

Fourth attempt: I was happy with this until…I wasn't. His legs are supposed to be in perspective but they just seem too short.

FINAL: Once I elongated the legs, it came together with the other elements of perspective and pose.

I'm slowly beginning to embrace the reality that EVERY animated element of EVERY scene will require this type of exploration to find the best solution. If I accept this idea, it'll make animated filmmaking a lot less stressful!

Tomorrow: a video of rough animation from this scene.