I discovered the remarkable bluesman, Robert Johnson, after reading a remarkable music book, Mystery Train by Greil Marcus. After buying the Columbia record of all 16 of his recorded songs, I played that record until the grooves wore out. This was back in the early 70's when I was driving an El Camino, reading science fiction and trying to cope with alchoholic parents. The blues have been a part of my whole life. 

So I was excited to discover that two different animators have created short films around two great Robert Johnson songs. Both are in very different styles, but I think represesent the essence of each song perfectly. If you have never heard of Robert Johnson, these films with their amazing songs (all recorded in a hotel back in 1936), are a good introduction. 

Crossroad Blues by Robert Johnson (at Nowness.com)

Me and the Devil Blues by Robert Johnson (at Vimeo from article at OpenCulture.com)

This year I've dedicated myself to spend the entire 12 months of 2012 learning Modo EVERY DAY. Yep, even if I only spend 15 minutes using the program, I do it every day. Part of the reason is that I want to get past the "this is too complicated" barrier that comes with actually trying to create something in a major 3D package. 

To that end, I've created a coffee cup in Modo using the excellent tutorial that comes with the Modo in-line help system. Yep, modeled, textured and rendering entirely in Modo 501. Had to start over at least 3 times because I got lost, but it finally came out and I'm very proud it the model. 

By the way, Modo has a new version out, Modo 601 and it's a HUGE release. They have added over 100 new items to an already meaty program. The big addition is character animation, so I hope to release a short film at the end of the year created entirely in Modo 601. Stay tuned....

More info at the Luxology.com site and their youtube channel. 

Next model: a water bottle (50% completed)

Still, I'm healthy. I've got someone who loves me and whom I love and trust in return. I've made some good friends this year and travelled more than in years past. 

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I tend to be more melancholic at the end of the year (Dec is not my favorite month). But, spring is not far off and I am feeling better. 

Couple goals for the upcoming year:

1. Get out and see more movies in the Theater this year
2. Listen to more music. 
3. Finish an animated film (that I direct)
4. Clear out the clutter in our apartment
5. Learn Luxology's Modo 3D program
6. Write every week. 

I'm looking forward to this new year. I want to enjoy myself and spend time with my friends. Only 15-20 years left and I want to make the best of it. 

www.ubu.com

Founded in 1996 by poet and dj, Kenneth Goldsmith, ubu.com was originally a site devoted to concrete poetry, but expanded to include music, documents and film. It's a completely free site whose goal is to make experimental and avant-garde works easier to access. The experimental in any art form is often marginalized with little commercial distribution. Ubu.com is a treasure trove of artworks many of which are in the public domain. 

www.mediahistoryproject.org

I came across this fabulous website recently by way of the remarkable davidbordwell.net cinema site. David is a film scholar who has written many excellent books on cinema and cinema history. He always has interesting comments, guest bloggers and up-to-date links for anything cinema related. And mediahistoryproject.org is no exception.

Basically, the Media History Project describes their site as:

We are a non-profit initiative dedicated to digitizing collections of classic media periodicals that belong in the public domain for full public access. The project is supported by owners of materials who loan them for scanning, and donors who contribute funds to cover the cost of scanning. We have currently scanned over 200,000 pages, and that number is growing.

Our Collections feature Extensive Runs of several important trade papers and fan magazines. Click on the arrows below to learn more about these periodicals and select volumes to download and read. You’ll find more material and options at our Collections page.

The site is a treasure-trove for those interested in early Hollywood film/radio history. And all of it is public domain. You can download in pdf or use their excellent reader to read online. I love the many covers of magazines they have archived as well. 

This is a young site and deserves your support. Try their blog and sign up for their newsletter. It's a fascinating glimpse into history. 

(download)

Click here to download:

website-of-the-week-www-biglistofdeadpeople-com-bHDszqznDAlgmjqDmgjA.zip (797 KB)

In addition to drawing, writing poetry and creating wonderful animations, Mike also creates his own music. His music for The Fall is really neat (created with toy instruments, I believe). He's created comics using the www.issuu.com publishing site (very cool) and even has a section on his site devoted to puns. I also found his compilation film "Man Dies Goes to Hell" quite amusing and original. 

I just love Mike's spirit which comes through beautifully in his website and design. Funny, DIY, retro, imaginative, silly, sad; all of these words come to mind when I visit his site, which I plan to do often. He's got a collection of his animations out called "Baby is Mamas Favorite Toy" which is being sold at another great site called www.crankyyellow.com

I hope I get a chance to work with Mike some day on an animation project. He's the kind of artist I admire. Now, take a look at Mike's version of Albert Camus' The Fall

Came across this remarkable abstract artwork using 2D images projected onto 3D sculpture and also flat paper. The result is a continually moving collage of colors and abstract shapes. Catch it in HD at Vimeo. The creator, Robert Seidel, has a cool website where you can get more info and download the film as well if you want to study it further. 

Robert is also the creator of several remarkable abstract films including _grau which has won awards at festivals all over the world. 

Madame Tutli-Putli is a stop motion film created in 2007 by Montreal artists Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, known collectively as Clyde Henry Productions and produced by the National Film Board of Canada. I came across it while browsing through the NFB's extra-ordinary online archive of films. It took five years to make and broke new ground in using compositing as part of stop-motion production (the characters eyes were composited on to puppet bodies).

Madame Tutli-Putli has won many film awards around the world including an Oscar nomination in 2008. This is the kind of film I admire and love. It inspires me because it shows how, with hard work and passion, you can create an entire universe using your imagination.

The film is also available at the NFB in HD at this link: http://www.nfb.ca/film/madame_tutli_putli_en 

or simply select the drop-down link on the video player below, switch it to HD and go full screen. 

Steve Sczcepkowski, the audio director of the just-released Deus Ex: Human Revolution, talks about creating sound for games. His comments are thoughtful and funny. I wish I could work for him. I'm playing the game right now and it's excellent. Check more on Deus Ex: Human Revolution at metacritic.

Second Hand from Isaac King on Vimeo.

I love the combination of new and old style animation in the little gem of an animated film. Isaac King has created a nearly perfect film where the form/style is imaginative and yet acknowledges past cartoon series like Mr. Magoo and the Rocky & Bulwinkle Show. It's what author Amid Amidi calls "Cartoon Modern", although Isaac King's take is uniquely his own. The form of the film also perfecly expresses the plot and theme. Sound effects, music, animation, design and editing are simply masterful. Second Hand is made with imagination and care. It's the best kind of work created by someone who not only is a master of their medium, but obviously loves creating.

I felt at one point as if I could see myself in the lead character as he throws everything away after one use and clomps along pushing his way ahead. I suspect there are others who might feel the same way. The message of stop and enjoy your life is an important one for us in these hyper-modern times. I won't be watching snail TV anytime soon, but I will take a deep breath and look at the trees. Thanks to Mr. King and his animated film. 

Check Isaac Kings website for his bio and other works. His Vimeo site is quite good as well.