Class 2 Progress Reel

I really suck at maintaining a blog. lol

I need to start pulling up this blog and writing my thoughts more. :/

The last update was almost 3 months!!!


AM Class 2 Progress Reel from Barry on Vimeo.

AM Class 1 progress reel.

Its been almost 2 months since i touched this blog.

Been wanting to write so much stuff that was going through my head and about the movies I've watched. Just been so busy doing animation after animation after animation. AM and the Jedi Masters program have been so time consuming. Hope this will help me continue to update this blog.

Wanted to put this up a month back. Here's my progress reel.


Progress Reel from Animation Mentor

Prince Caspian

Had heard alot of comments about this film before watching it. Comments came rather luke-warm saying it was not that fantastic. My overall impression wasn't disappointment, more like.... "yeah.... passable..." Not a really great summer block buster but a good enough movie to sit through and enjoy for 2.5 hrs.

Too tired to into much detail. I actually did mildly enjoy the film and loved the comedy that was placed into it. The only gripes I have about it would be the visual choices, for example the night shots. These shots bothered me a great deal, especially the shots in the opening sequence. Alot of the shots had the scene in the dark with a blue tinge lighting which just made the shots hard to read. I could hardly make visible what was going on in the shot. There was nothing to help eye focus on any particular spot, with no contrast in colour or brightness. But it was still better than Golden Compass's final battle scene.

This film didn't really get me all that excited, but it did entertain me. I was definitely more excited by the trailer. :/

The truth always hurts....

Nah. I haven't been hit by any major emotional blow or set back. Was just thinking about this when I was having a discussion with a friend about getting feedback on my work. I was a little apprehensive fearing to get the words "YOU SUCK!" and yet like a fly to bright lights I just had to know. Human nature is a very interesting thing, we are always so drawn to know the truth but yet when we are 1 step away from "enlightenment" we get cold feet.
I remember somewhere somebody once said that "A person can never accept any outright truths about his/her self that don't meet personal expectations". I find that to be true, we tell another to be frank and honest. But deep down inside, we always have expectations on what to hear. If you're lucky, it might be something good. People who have come to realise this tend to try and thread carefully with their "honest"opinions and words are chosen carefully. Its fun to see this "drama" played out at times, as you can observe many small signs in body language, facial expressions and choice of words that they are not entirely truthful.

Human social interaction is such a fun thing to observe. You'll learn alot about yourself and others at the same time.

End of my random thoughts.........

AM Class 1 poses (part 1)

The pose for the theme "STRENGTH" (This was tough to show):

The pose for the theme "DEVASTATION":


The pose for the theme "EXCITEMENT":

AM assignment on overlap.

One of my Class 1 assignments from AM.

I've learnt alot at LAS and AM.


Animation Mentor Overlap Assignment.

Darn.... the video don't come out as smooth. Makes the hop of the block look weird.

Accuracy of Death a.k.a Sweet Rain

I love talking and discussing about film although most of the time my writing sucks. :p

Caught this movie over the weekend. Although not a major block-buster and something most consumer movie goers would appreciate, it surprised me by turning out to be more of an art-house style film. Initial response to the movie poster and trailer would be pretty much similar to everybody else. "Its probably "Meet Joe Black" in japan." Why not? The trailer looks like it, death walks the mortal realm, learns from mortal, falls in love and poof. I have to say that i was gladly mistaken. Its a film meant to make you think not cry. Its a film which requires active observation instead passive entertainment.

I got my first hint that this wasn't your typical Jap consumer film at the very beginning when Warner Bros credits appeared as distributor (the famours WB shield). These big players wouldn't distribute many Asian films unless they were more than the usual consumer type of films. On to the film.

Plot/Story and Direction:

Based off a Japanese novel, the story definitely wouldn't be bad in anyway. Considering that the novel would already have some success and following. I never read the book so I wouldn't know as well. The key things here to me would be how the story was told in the aspects of visuals, composition and direction. The subtleties and details in the movie rewarded observant viewers. Most of the story, background story and setting were told in the many visuals and acting direction taken. For example the progression of time through a few simple objects of technology. - (The walkman, Ipod and robotic servant.) And the constant motifs that link up the 3 parts and characters. I would definitely find this aspect of the movie pretty well done.

Editing and Visual style:
Nothing fantastic but it was very clear, which is good. The number of films coming out these days don't seem to have this anymore. The basic idea of proper visual communication and editing to easily let the viewer comprehend the movie. There wasn't anything that struck me, except that it was good-old fashion editing and cinematography which served its purpose.

Overall:
I think its a good movie to watch. Maybe a tad bit slow and draggy to some, definitely not your everyday popcorn movie. It had some pretty nice comedic moments as well. Overall its a movie that would have you thinking and reflecting on life or in this case death. I did enjoy the movie but generally I like movies whether good or bad, because there's always things to learn like what to or not to do when filming.

I think the name "Sweet Rain" suits the movie better.