Moving!

We're moving!

Or, I should say, I'M moving THIS BLOG on the web from the current home on blogger to a new tumblriffic destination = tumblr.

Nothing to do with blogger-still run my portfolio site off blogger-but I thought it would be good to consolidate this blog and my art tumblr so that I may better update more often.

I will keep this site up with the articles linked from the new tumblr super-site for now or at least until I transfer the favorites over.

So, I'd suggest following or bookmarking the new home @ http://davidhfilms.tumblr.com/

I'LL SEE YOU THERE!

High-Stress, Time-Limited FUN!

MY friend, Ginger, just posted a blog about Global Game Jam and working under competition environments. I've competed and thrived under these harsh conditions. I LOVE IT! It's the most stressful, production-heavy fun you can have!

Anyway here's a link to her blog and you may notice a certain guest addition to her post XD

Things I’ve Learned from Winning the Global Game Jam

Hello Again Web-Browsers

It's been a busy summer here at the heavily-fortified art commune.

Still recovering from SIGGRAPH 2014--the Dreamworks Mixer Rocked!

Most of my current updates will be fed from my Thesis Film (Heard) Blog because I'm spending an awful amount of time over there and I wanna show you guys some lovin' (I CARE ABOUT ALL MY CHILDREN EQUALLY!)

So, you get to see what they're seeing-THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF MY MENTAL BREAK-DOWN/THESIS FILM!!!

Enjoy.

Bass Detail Guide for Animators

via Heard http://ift.tt/1qBGpQX

Thanks and Store Opening

First off, thanks to everyone who came out This past weekend to HeroesCon 2014! Tons of fun and sore feet. Forgot to take a photo of my booth until I'd packed up a bit but here it is:

ALSO, I'm pleased to announce I HAVE A STORE ENVY STOREFRONT (HERE) for prints, artwork, and other items for you to peruse. SO GO BUY ALL THE THINGS!!!

Come Say Hi @ HeroesCon!

I will be tabling at HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC this weekend (20th-22nd) at booth AA-1928.

COME SAY HI-I WILL BE GIVING AWAY (AS WELL AS SELLING) TONS-O-STUFF!

I'M GOING TO SIGGRAPH!!!

Like an infamous team of Jamaican bobsledders, I am invading Canada!

I will be attending SIGGRAPH 2014 in Vancouver, BC.

I'm very excited to visit our neighbor to the North and exhilarated to take part in the event.

More updates to come as the date nears.

(I really cannot wait to explore both the city and the conference!!!)

Tech for Artists: Tablets!

So, I've come across questions about technology and art a lot with growing frequency as technology gets cheaper and better. A particular item of interest is the ALMIGHTY TABLET SCREEN!!!

Many artists are looking into buying Wacom Cintiqs without knowledge of cheaper alternatives. In the interest of transparency, I am typing this post into a Wacom Cintiq 22UX. I have had a great deal of experience with Cintiqs and my hardware works well enough (with an annoying driver that disappears every now and then). Wacom is a good company that makes good equipment and CHARGES FAR TOO MUCH FOR IT IN THIS DAY AND AGE.

I have looked into Cintiq alternatives as well as the growing field of tablet/laptops with digitizers (the ability to sense pen pressure). Here is a little of what I've found:

Atlanta Film Festival - BILL PLYMPTON: Master Class

This past week I had the pleasure to attending Bill Plympton's Master Class panel at the Atlanta Film Festival. Lucky for you: I TOOK NOTES! So, here's an abridged recap including Video.

For the uneducated, Bill Plympton is a staple of American independent animation (particularly in New York City) Here is a link to his wikipedia article.

Rennovations and Updates

I've done a bit of reorganizing around here (THERE'S A NEW BAR-O-LINKS)!

I've linked my portfolio, art tumblr, and Live-Streaming channel which I will alert you of on here.

Also, I have linked the blog for my Thesis Animated Film - "Heard". My previous iteration of this film, "Stand" will cease updates. So, just like your grandparents, I urge you to visit (and call once and a while).

Quick Resource Reccomendation

I'll be brief--this guy (Giancarlo Volpe) has some great advice for Storyboarding/Animation.

GO HERE AND LEARN!

Figure Drawing References #1

Hello again! As the budding school year dawns (I'm on the quarter system....yeah, it's weird) I thought I'd create a rather helpful blog for any and all things people drawing.

I've been working lately on really beefing up my chops

(get it? beef, chops.................*sigh* bunch of vegetarians)

Anyway, I've been striving to get better at figure drawing and in doing so researched a myriad of sites for reference. Instead of hoarding this information for myself (precious) I thought I'd share it with you!

FOR ONLY
3 SMALL PAYMENTS OF
$19.99

Updates To Come and Punky

Hello all! I am currently working on several small updates on my portfolio site as this summer has been quite eventful. I will be adding some storyboards to my flat book as well as an animatic and should have all the updates in place by the middle of next week. I have the animatic (minus sound and polish) for you guys to preview RIGHT NOW!

Basically, I decided to make a PSA about reading using action-packed kung fu moves!

On another note, just got back from DragonCon--always an amazing experience. Got to talk to some truly interesting artists like Sanford Greene, Merrill Hagan, and Joel Adams to name a few. So, big thanks to everybody who came out and made the con fantastic.

Lastly, I have mentioned in a few places my involvement as a writer in the comic anthology Punky Doodle Dandy with the ever-so-talented Luigi Anderson illustrating.

Punky Doodle Dandy is an anthology of all things punk! The anthology features comics and illustrations with punk themes including a tiny dash of cyberpunk and steampunk. Exhibiting both published artists and first-time artists ready to shine, this anthology has a wide variety of styles and stories that can tickle anyone’s fancy. My story revolves around a Brit Punk band in the late seventies who double as MI-6 agents in the middle of the Cold War.

Well, NOW THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

Punky Doodle Dandy is only 10$ so if you’re interested in pre-ordering please email me at selenamcoffey@gmail.com with your name, mailing address, and method of payment. All proceeds from the pre-orders are going towards printing the book! The book will be ready sometime in early September with limited pre-orders so get them while you can!

NEWS.....again! (it's an annual thing)

Hello, you beautiful people out there. Just wanted to spread the good word(s) a bit.

Currently, I am storyboarding for a short fan film about the video games "Portal" and "Dishonored" which is swiftly transitioning into production. The film is brought to you by the wonderful crew at MSM Motion Pictures. There's a kickstarter underway RIGHT NOW(exploit).

I just wrapped as lighting designer on a film entitled "Connect" written by Alan Barnes and Ben Thompson over at Odd Sea Entertainment.

With those same Odd Sea fellas I've been working as Animation Director and Story Artist on a short film called "Cat Band".

Lastly, you can now both purchase and wear my art on your person at all times--especially if you're a fan of AMANDA PALMER! You heard it right, I have designed one of her official shirts for the current tour of shows and it is also available on her site RIGHT HERE! (as seen below)

It's been a busy(awesome) summer. STAY TUNED!

NEWS!

I've been gone a bit from this blog and I have to come clean: I've been cheating on you with ANOTHER BLOG! (dramatic music) I'm sorry, she's just...younger and newer than you. (literally, I only just made it a few months ago) this blog of which I speak is my NEW FANTASTIC THESIS FILM BLOG FOR THE ANIMATED SHORT FILM STAND and you should check it out HERE.

Stand is about a garage band finding the strength to fight off a barrage of missiles armed only with their music. The self-reflective piece begins as rough visuals and sound ramping up to polished, full-color 2D animation as the band strengthens their fight.

I will be posting progress updates on this blog as well as progress tests. I will also be live streaming work sessions to give an in-depth look into production. This film is about self-reflexivity so I will be as transparent with production as I can. I will also talk about the thesis paper which will accompany the film, "Self-Reflexivity in Animation."

I will also make note of such updates and opportunities on this blog so feel free to cross pollinate. There's other news on the horizon I can't quite talk about yet but stay tuned as thing are in development and I can't wait to share the news with all of you! (6 people)

ATL FILM FEST: Dialogue to Be Inserted Later: Writing and Constructing Treatments for Pitching

with Todd Cappello, Matt Harrigan, Brandon Barr, and Chad Crowley

• having a pitch reel is a must
• when you're pitching an idea, the executive's first thought is, "Are you the guy that's gonna lose my job for me?"
• don't make your pitch materials too fancy, fancy commonly means the pitch isn't good
• only pitch projects you are willing to commit to
• be prepared for all questions more than anything else
• executives will try to contextualize your idea as much as possible
• don't over-pitch (read the room)
• for features, make a book of aesthetics to really show how the film will look and create a pitch reel with director/writers/producer interviews and images to help visualize and sell the film
• found-footage materials can help to sell a non-fiction pitch and make them feel like they're discovering it
• don't shoot pilots-just sizzle reels
• don't shoot trailers for feature pitches-waste of time and money
• overall, your idea should fit on a poster and you can use such a visual aid to pitch and idea
• be ready to pitch your idea to anyone at any time

ATL FILM FEST: Group Think - Inside a Television Writers' Room

with Kevin Collins

• Hiring season begins after the holidays for pilot season
• the hierarchy: Staff Writer/WGA Trainee < Story Editor < Senior Story Editor < Producer
• showrunners hire writers but networks can prevent writers from being hired
• hour-long dramas have and A, B, and C storyline

ATL FILM FEST: Can You See the T-Shirts and Dolls? Pitching Animation

 with Keith Ingham, Craig Hartin, Charles Askew, and Stephen Mank

• research what they are looking for
• always pays to meet in person whenever possible
• know your market
• know who will be at the meeting and research them-this can help with small talk at the beginning to find common ground and relax the room
• be able to roll with other ideas on the fly
• try to warm-up pitch to other places you're not serious about to hone your pitch
• make them feel like it's partially their idea-let them have input
• do not be married to any one idea-be flexible-it's collaborative
• be very open to feedback
• grab their attention within 5 seconds
• remember:networks want something completely new and examples of where it has worked before
• don't over-develop
• a pitch is a dialogue NOT a monologue
• if you're green, partner with a studio or someone who has developed shows and pitches before-this will instill confidence
• remember-you're pitching YOURSELF as much as your idea

ATL FILM FEST: How to NOT be Unemployed

with Charles Askew, Neal Holman, Matt Jenkins, Ashley Kohler, and Todd Redner

• keep checking in with studios and connections - VIGILANCE!
• always be a student-never stop learning (I cannot stress this enough-it's the main theme of this entire blog)
• ask how often and when studios hire-be sure to schedule your check-in by this information
• keep a log of who you checked with and when so that you always know where you're at with each connection (this is a fantastic piece of advice from Matt Jenkins)

ATL FILM FEST: Crafting Well-Rounded Characters

with Melanie Schiele and Ya'Ke Smith

• research.
• create bios for absolutely everyone from main cast to minor players
• DO NOT give your bios to the actors, let them come into the character more organically
•  hook and audience through empathy with characters (this is basic up can never be overstated)
• facts about characters can be open-ended but lead the audience through visuals and wardrobe
• write everything, do not be afraid of making a script too long-you will be going back and making cuts anyway, cutting down to only that which serves the story
• research how people speak (YouTube, eavesdropping, etc)
• dialogue is about observation, pay attention to not only what is being said but how it is said and what is not being said