Jo Rivers

2011-07-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Generating content is a never ending journey. It amazes me how much drawing is done just to get to one usable sketch. It really is more about the exploration than it is the actual rendering. There will come a time to focus in on objects but until then there are still endless objects that I'll need to draft before I can occupy the sets with the appropriate amount of detail and keep it all cohesive is style.

Sketches of cigarette packs, cans, jars and bubble gum wrappers.

2011-06-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

Returned from my Father's Day/ Birthday retreat at Wilbur Hot springs. Feel energized and ready for the summer production schedule.

Made solid strides in revamping some character work. It's a trip getting back to work. So many projects so little time

2011-06-10T19:16:00.001-07:00

Know when to Hold em...

I spent the better part of the week battling the flu. It was not fun. The desire to work through tough times is tempting. " Rise to the challenge", " perservere", "tough it out" were all the thoughts running through my head on Monday morning but by 12:30 I was feverish and shivering and called it quits for the day.

Tried again Tuesday with the same results. I'm not used to being sick so this week really put my holistic training to the test. Wed-Thur took lots of Vitamin C and liquids and I'm happy to say I'm feeling better. I enjoyed a fair bit of success today and hope to get back to building on it next week.

Hazzah!

2011-06-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

The more production sketches I do the more I realize there is that needs to be done. I'm still focused on producing for the set "Trailer" and most of the work is currently localized on interior design. Mostly set dressing items.

I have enough rough drawings of the set to work from. Filling in the details and making sound choices will hopefully save a great deal of time when it comes to producing the actually 3D assets.

In creating an old fashioned kitchen, with all the odds an ends, I have a lot of freedom to draw from many eras that predate the 70's. Wearing the hats of both set designer and producer I'm at a decided advantage. I can always as the artist to produce more and expect that I'll grumble a little and then get to it.

At some point, however, good enough should will have to jump out at me. Until then I've got to continue to produce enough content so that I can make an educated decision.

2011-05-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

I've been lax in updates regarding my short film. The volume of drawing has gone up and It'd good to stay on top of what's done and what's left. If I'm lucky I can cross some of the home interior items of the list. I'm happy with the focus and now just need to get into the details.

2011-05-18T12:06:00.001-07:00

I've been focus on branding and identity lately. Happy to have completed the logo design for Bendy Berry Yoga. Some of the concept art and final product.

The task was to create an ident that would offer a playful interpretation of a reposed yoga child both boy and girl. The challenge was to create something childlike but not to naive. A striking graphic that would engage young and old.

The final designs.

2010-04-14T17:14:00.000-07:00

Need to deal with some environment details. Fences, hills, trees, shrubs... those sorts of things. Where a place is has so much to do with how a story is received. It tells a lot about the characters and expresses a great deal of the spirit of a story.

2010-04-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Wow time can sail when your busy not being busy. Lots of new work on the film but not a lot of posting. Gotta resolve that. Might move all this chit chat over to FB...has to be a better way to have less stuff to maintain.

Some of the latest work has been focused on building objects to fill in my sets. One set has "wrapped" the family trailer. I don't want to return to it and add more clutter even thought I think it needs it.

living room1.

living room 2.

Dinning Room1.

yup a desk w/ no legs and a type writter with no keys...I'm not sure they'll end up in a shot but I'll go back to them if I have to.

Dinning Room2.

Kitchen.

Fridge.

exterior.

I'm currently working on the gas station set. Like where it's going but have a lot more to do there also.

Sort of dreading the shading and texturing phase. Files start getting so bulky once you start adding texture maps and image files!

2010-02-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

Having a production schedule is great. Keeps the focus. Not having a holiday schedule, big mistake. I've fallen so far of schedule that its hard to know where to jump back in. November bled into December. December blurred into february. It'll be March before I know it and the project has taken a crap turn. So what next. Well rigging has begun and weight painting will allow me to put some articulated characters in front of some cameras. I still have a truck load of models to build and shade and then there is the lighting rendering. Uhg it seems so daunting.

the Key is one thing at a time. Keep a focused mind and let mistakes happen. They're bound to occur and there's no reason to let them sabotage the whole process.

2009-12-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh.. Today I truly let go of all of my characters. It took a while to wrap up all the little details but I can move in to sets knowing that there is no more modeling involved in characters only fixes.

Sets... Uhg. there's something daunting about designing and building models for sets. There are so many little things that can add authenticity and also just bog a project down. Add to much and it'll look like clutter. Don't add enough and it looks like a "set" which can look cheap. As I draw more to figure out what and who my characters are I'm torn by a desire to have the project rock and also trying to meet deadlines. It's a tough line to tow but without a proper producer to crack the whip I have to accept my over runs and move forward.

2009-11-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

Letting Go!

There are phases in life, like in production, where you just want to make sure you've gotten everything right. Just perfect. Done your absolute best job. Put forward the greatest effort... you get the picture. there are the other times when you just have to accept what it is you've done and keep moving despite a less then perfect product.

I'm at the end of character modeling for my short and feel like there are lots of things I need to keep working on but for the sake of staying on target w/ my schedule I just have to put some things on hold and hope I won't get bit in the ass on the other end.

I've had a good time exploring MODO and really do enjoy a lot of the feature that package has to offer. I hope the hard surface stuff goes as well as the characters.

2009-11-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

I often get hung up trying to and forgetting how to, stay motivated. There's something to be said for just getting up to sped and staying there. However it's the getting going and knowing what to do when you're stalled that's the hard part. I credit improv for keeping me on my toes and yoga for keeping me flexible but jump starting the mind requires the right kind of exercise.

Brainstorming can be a great way to get out of a funk. Take 5-10 minutes. Choose a word or phrase that you would like to use as a foundation that you'll want to build on and then write down whatever comes to mind. Don't edit your self. Just accept that you mind needs to vent and you don't want to hold back. It's a great way to clean house and also find ideas that may not have occured to you in oth forums

Another tool is memorizing insprirational sayings.
Robert McKee's book Story has a quote that always pushes me back into action.

"We often put off doing something for as long as possible, then as we finally make a decision and step into the action, we're surprised by its relative ease. We're left to wonder why we dreaded doing it until we realize that most of life's actions are within our reach, but decisions take will power."

It's the little things in life that help and reminders and inspirational words can work wonders for the stalled creative mind.

2009-10-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

Working in Modo.

Didn't "finish" any models but progress is progress. The most important thing in the modeling phase is having good source
material. Gathering reference images is the least glamorous and most time consuming aspect of the design process.

Its tempting to attack modeling and drawing and design using solely ones own creative memory. Starting with excellent reference adds an extra bit of authenticity to the project. Its a way of making sure that the details have been well considered.Even simple blueprints can go a long way toward improving the overall look development.

I've decided that what I really want in a car for my police/sherrif character is a 66 Chevy Chevelle.

The hard part has been assembling useful source images that will make the modeling and design phase simpler. I could easily chose a different vehicle however the era that I'm trying to capture would look a little less correct if I short changed the process.

2009-10-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

Working on another character this week and hope to finish 4 more in the next 2 weeks to complete the character modeling phase of my short film. The most challenging thing about producing a short movie is staying on schedule without losing track of other aspects of the project.

In this case it's making sure that while I'm modeling the characters I don't lose sight of the set design or the details that other aspect of the production deserve.

Learning a new modeling package and working it into an established work pipeline will be an interesting challenge. I'm looking forward to testing the Modo--Maya work flow and seeing how the articulation/rigging phase will be effected.

2009-10-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Well I started in on the models for my project. I like the character design and feel like the first pass on this model has some together o.k. any feed back would be nice though.

2009-10-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

I tend to work all over the place when it comes to personal projects. I have so many divergent interest that it can be difficult to stay focused or feel closure on any one thing. Dabbling can lead to a sense of lost momentum or even a feeling that nothing is getting done even when progress is being made.

It's important to keep track of what you're doing and stay organized. Keeping a personal journal to help with staying on target has been a great help for me. Also taking the time to document my work and share it with others. Feedback can only make you stronger as a creative entity.

My story project has gone well and I'm at a point where sharing the development seems appropriate. Thinking about producing an independent 3D short film can be over whelming. I'll post regular updates and scheduling notes as best I can. I've gotten to a good place with some of the character design and have the story in a 2nd draft phase. I'll be sure to post panels as the story progresses.

j

2009-05-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

Well I want to be a better film maker and what better way is there than to look at what I consider to be great films. This is my attempt at a break down for my favorite Miller's Crossing seq.

Enjoy
j

2009-01-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

took a long break. the holidays kinda got in the way of things and leaving work was also a big factor. You'd think with all the "free time" I'd have gotten a ton done.

Not really. Have been tying up loose ends on some projects though.

Have a rough pass on a pencil test thing that I'm finally starting to like.

I need to do a decent amount of cleaning up and tightening but it's getting somewhere.

2008-10-29T06:51:00.000-07:00

Early to rise. I'm trying to wake at 5:30 to put in at least an hour of painting a day.

That really doesn't get me a lot of instant progress but it starts to add up. I'm pretty close to having all the blocked in values for each panel. It's almost time to go up in resolution and start doing some detail work and more advanced value adjusting.

I still think that I can get a long way toward finished by thanksgiving but finished. I have to let that go.

If my contract runs out in December that will be the perfect time to make head way on this and other personal projects.

2008-10-06T06:10:00.000-07:00

oh man it's hard to keep up. I want to believe I can finish these paintings by thanksgiving but i'm not sure. I've done plenty of updates but frankly the free time is lacking. more later... honest

2008-08-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

O.K here's a bit of an update. any comments are welcome. Of course I could send updates but....

2008-07-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

I've made a few new updates to the panels that I'm painting. I'm, so far, happy enough witht he general direction. I'd like to continue making progress but, honestly, I need to pick up the pace. I've got a hard deadline of "the boys" birthday and that isn't going to change.

These are some of the latest additions to the book. I don't know what to make of them just yet. My first pass is to get everything into a state of blocking and then start refining the color scheme from there.

Directional lighting is going to be a challenge. I've got a few unrealistic compositions and they're going to ask me to be really creative with my solutions.

Speaking of creative. I'm looking forward to learning more scripting and programming. I've had a blast learnign unix and can't wait to get deeper into python.

Here are some of my recent panels.

comment if y'a like.

2008-07-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

Well the beginning begins. I bought a new monitor today. 22 inches of madness to go w/ the 17 in powerbook. I'm excited to finally have a space to get some tings done. The goal is to finish my kids book for phoenix's birthday to give as gifts to our guest. I'm settings a high bar. Wish me luck. I need to post my wip. This is the last page. I'm just going to rough in some color and block in shapes and go from there.

2008-07-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Man have i been in the woods. Lots of new happenings, lots of good happens and plenty of just regular life things.

It has been my intention to use this blog to post story progress and ideas. I still believe Iprobably need to get of my good intentions. Lets see what the future holds...

peace out hommies.

2008-01-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about some of the movies that have lead me into this new career I've launched. Movie making was not on my agenda when I was watching thes but they've all gone a long way toward solidifying my belief that I'm doing the right things. In no particular order.

Lion of the Desert. Anthony Quinn, desert warfare, cultural, visceral...

jacob's ladder- changed my perspective on non linear storytelling. not flawless but certainly a powerful movie

brazil- terry gilliam has sucha unique vision its hard not to like his flair despite the short comings of almost all his movies

the jungle book- louie prima... nuff said!

Hotaru no haka ( Graveyard of the Fireflies) - you don't know anime until you've seen this movie

Ran- Akira at his best. oh the blood!!!!!

Blade Runner- a seminal work. society would be bankrupt without dayrl hannah flopping around on the floor!

hard boiled- um hello chow yun-fat at his best... guns guns and more guns. oh and when john woo actually still "kinda" mattered.

Once upon a time in China (best martial arts movies ever.) tsui hark

children of men- a modern classic if ever there was one. sure to go down as a cult classic

2007-12-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

O.K my project at Pixar is almost over and I am almost out of a non-job. I'll be back to working on my reel. I'll miss making the rounds on the campus. I meet some really great people and I think I've left a good impression on my peers. I can only hope to use the good will and continue to make strides toward becoming a more permanent fixture in the motion picture industry.

I'm trying to look at movies w/ a new perspective. Rediscover old favorites and strike out and find new films as well. I've ot so much to learn... time to get started.

Graduation is coming up soon also. Man that school thing kinda whizzed by!

2007-11-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

Would you work for no money? Probably not. I didn't think I ever would either but then I was offered an internship at Pixar and I really didn't care if I got paid. O.K. I care but I didn't want it to get in the way of learning from and being around some of the best in the world at what they do.

I'm working in the education department at Pixar University. It's the internal training and development devision that keeps all the employees up to date on the company and on new tools and methods. Lot's of Final Cut Pro for me. That and a lot of render wrangling.

I'm not animating at all really, just some pencil test walks but, I can't complain. I get invaluable resume credit, I get to be around during some class time and pick up bits about production ideas, software use, procedural methods, and I work inside the fabled halls of Pixar. Kinda cool, huh!

On other fronts I'm going to smoke not 1 but 2 turkeys this thanksgiving! I know a little overkill but doesn't everyone want a drum stick? Its a 2 day affair. I'll need to soak them in a brine to get a little extra flavor then on day one and then I need to spend a fair chunk of time in front of the grill on turkey day. Fun!

2007-11-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

Ok I'm done with school. If you didn't know yeah I've been in school for 2.5 years. If you did well I'm finished and may endo up doing more, but until then... now what. Well get a job! Anybody need an animator?O.k I need to do more animations. write stories. draw. Man there are so many new things that I'm interested in doing. It's so hard to just pick one and focus in on it. i Just don't get how to be happy doing just one thing? I want to model and texture and design and rig and composite and... o.k. maybe not composite and definitely not rig but still, Ugh there just can't be enough time. Well there must be a way so here's to hoping I find it.

Had the pleasure of going on an interview and not getting the job. Step in the right direction for me though. there are worse things then rejection. ElementFX.com a real inventive group of artist. All with tons of industry experience. You can read up about them on cgtalk.

Posted My new website finally. Has some old and some new stuff on it. needs a lot more new but in time. I hope to have a more regular life style now that my plate is down to just a few major things.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner then x-mas then new years... man the holidays. If they didn't rock they'd suck!

2007-10-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

I'm into the last stretch with school. Just 3 more days. I want to finish my first pass on my lift animation and then tidy up my student demo reel just a bit. I won't have anything truly worthy to shop around to get a job for a few more weeks but I'm really close. I need to get some feedback on my cycles and then dive in and start refining my 2 lip sync animations. I know that those are the things that are really going to separate me from everything else I see.

I just want to get better and theres no other way then to get more feedback. Website is mostly done with the exception of exceptional content!

2007-10-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

Yeah haw! school is almost over with. Its been great but now for the hard work. Need to finish my stinking website. Special thanks to Kiril for the layout help. Mr. Vernon for untold assist and all of class 53,54, and 55 cause this is a group effort no matter what anyone says about " doing my own thing".

2007-03-08T22:18:00.001-08:00

O.K.

Hard to believe I'm finally getting around to posting some work I've done since going back to school. It's been fun juggling family and academics but I'm having so much fun!