Shoutout Sunday: Amadhia (formerly Timothy) Albee

Amadhia Albee, formerly known as Timothy Albee, is also one of my earliest influences, like M dot StrangE and Terrence Walker.

I can't recall how Albee entered my radar but I'm glad she did. When I learned of her self-made, 22 minute film, Kaze, Ghost Warrior, I immediately bought both the DVD and the book that explains its creation. I especially like how then-Timothy's name appears exclusively in ALL of the credits of the film except for executive producer, the only credit she shares with others.

Albee left her studio job, moved to Alaska and, in the company of her sled-dogs, created this film in six months using two computers. Now that's some hardcore DIY!

Albee then released a book, CGI Filmmaking: The Creation of Ghost Warrior, detailing how she made the film. It's definitely worth the read. The book contains the complete script and final shot list, production and location stills and a thorough explanation of the film's entire creative process. While thumbing through the book as I typed this post, I realized it would be helpful for me to re-read it since I'm deep in the production process of my own film.

I recommend that DIY animators watch Albee's film and read her book. Despite it being published in 2004, the overwhelming majority of the information isn't dated. Albee talks about filmmaking principles that will always be relevant.

Shoutout Sunday: M dot Strange

M dot Strange is undoubtedly one of my biggest influences. No one defines DIY better than Strange. Plus he doesn't own a car and rides a bike so what's not to like?

Here's his bio from his website:

Self taught animation filmmaker born and raised in San Jose California. Currently runs Mysterious Doll Films, the worlds smallest cg animated feature film studio which has completed three films in the past six years. Starting in 2013 the studio will release a new original animated feature film every year.

M dot is also a musician that has produced over 15 albums including scores to his last three films. He is also an author having published two books in 2012. He's married to an Icelandic artist and has a bike.

His first feature film WE ARE THE STRANGE premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and it won the Golden Prize for most groundbreaking film at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal the same year.

M dot was crowdsourcing and crowdfunding before they were buzzwords. He was been featured in the New York Times, Wired Magazine and other international publications as well as being invited as a featured speaker at several international events.
M dot's current work includes the animated feature film I AM NIGHTMARE, the comedy series BADASSERY and music videos for the bands Rabbit Junk and Mindless Self Indulgence.

Admittedly, I like Strange's DIY attitude and work ethic more than his work. His aesthetic doesn't appeal to me which is fine, I'm confident that my aesthetic probably wouldn't appeal to him. That's irrelevant. What's important is that he's an ARTIST. He has something to say, a burning desire to say it and he's not stopping until he's done saying what he has to say. He won't let technology, money, experience or any other factors stop him from telling the stories he wants to tell. He takes time out of his busy schedule to share his experiences at festivals, conferences, books, on his blog and through his videos.

If you're an indie artist of any kind, Strange is someone with whom you should get acquainted. I'm confident that he'll inspire you as much as he's inspired me.

Thanks for the inspiration, M dot Strange!

The Seven Sure Fire Ways for an Artist to Stay Broke

Courtesy of DrawnbySuccess.

Seven Ways to Stay Broke as an Artist.

Lie
Complain
Prophecize
Whine
Settle
Regret
Stop/Give up
(and Bob adds one more )—Procrastination.

Yep, that pretty much sums it up!