Hey folks! Just wanted to wish you all a happy Holidays! It's been a crazy year for me personally and I'm super glad you were all here to share it with. Next year is shaping up to be an exciting one for Sing Along Pictures which I'm super pumped about - we'll have some news to share with you in the new year!
So a happy holidays to you all and a huge thank you for an amazing 2012! See you in 2013!
From the site: "11:57pm Dec 21st, NYC – Come together and sing John Lennon’s IMAGINE while Yoko Ono’s film IMAGINE PEACE plays on billboards in Times Square"
"Ono’s work, IMAGINE PEACE, is this December’s Times Square Moment, a presentation of the Times Square Advertising Coalition (TSAC) and Times Square Arts. Ono’s IMAGINE PEACE is featured nightly from 11:57 pm to midnight every night through December 30, and is a collaboration with the Art Production Fund.
IMAGINE PEACE is Yoko Ono’s worldwide initiative of anti-violence. In the film, “Imagine Peace” is written in 24 languages set over the tranquil imagery of a blue-sky background. The piece has been transformed into a multi-channel work specifically for the Times Square Moment, and spreads the message of peace across Times Square’s monumental screens simultaneously, filling the Crossroads of the World with 24 languages of the world."
Man, Yoko Ono never ceases to deliver. Making Times Square into a gallery to spread a message of peace in 24 languages?! An incredible moment for New York, the U.S., and beyond. The message of peace is incredibly important and that's especially true these days. Attend if you can. This is a historical moment for art and, to me, for people throughout the world. Peace is obviously becoming a priority among the people.
For more info and to see her other work head over to her site HERE
Have you guys seen 13 Assassins yet? If not, sharpen your samurai swords (don't do that, it's illegal) and get that flick. No need to waste your hard earned dough on petty renting (renting isn't petty), my dear readers. Just buy it and send me your eternal gratitude for recommending it to you. (no need for that).
Written by Kaneo Ikegami and Daisuke Tengan and directed Takashi Miike, the film tells the tale of a group of assassins group together on a mission to kill this evil lord who's about to gain additional power.
I don't want to write a review here but I do want to mention a couple things. For one, it's beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. You get a real sense of what Japan was like at the time (or at least from what I gather living a hundred years later across a giant ocean). The lighting alone is stuning, rich environments... for me, some films like this become very stylized and at the cost of bringing you into the film. But 13 Assassins creates a real feeling world for you to get sucked into. Now, Takashi Miike (at least overseas) is sometimes known for very stylized but very violent, unrelenting work. If you're okay with that (which I certainly can be) you should check out his other stuff as well. But with 13, you see a lot of restraint as he focuses the dark parts to only key places in the film. The result are a film that's both striking visually and emotionally.
13 Assassins has a lot of action but also gives you a peek at the societal structure at that time and the actor's performances are incredible. On the surface the film is about a mission to kill an evil man, but underneath you get a story about duty, honor and the choices we make in life. Also, I argue, the single greatest decapitation scene ever captured on film.
Check out the trailer...
There's a lot of samurai films out there but, in my opinion, this one makes the short sword. See that awesome samurai reference, I just did? Clever right? Instead of short list? Right folks?
Damon Bard is one of my favorite sculptors in entertainment these days. Here's just a couple great ones from the Kung-Fu Panda films. For those of you who might not know, as part of the process for creating an animated film, sculptures can be created based on a designer's sketches. This helps everyone see the design in 3 dimensions and gives the cg modelers and/or animators a valuable reference when doing their work. If you want to see a lot more of Damon's work (and you want to), head over to his site HERE
Since we released Sing Along's first project OMO, as mentioned before, we had some questions about the product. Some of the questions concerned the absence of any Digital Rights Management on our work. And what is DRM anyway? Well I wrote a little piece over at the Sing Along blog addressing the question and our current position on the use of DRM.
Skateboarding, for years, consumed every aspect of my life.
My friends and I would skate during lunch breaks at school, I'd weirdly romantically carve my girlfriend's initials into my grip tape, shovel snow to clear a spot to skate in the winters, I even had a small mat I'd take outside at night to practice on in the street so the clack of the wheels and board wouldn't echo throughout my neighborhood. We had gone from curbs to stairs cases, ledges to handrails. We weren't practicing for a competition, we just loved it. When we started, it was right before Skateboarding began to transform into what it is today so we came into it feeling like we discovered this cool secret club. It was amazing.
I skated forever and dreamed about turning pro until one day I realized I had to make a choice - take the time to get better at skateboarding or take the time to get better at drawing. Art was always my first love so that's what I chose, but at the time it was a really difficult choice. There was a ton of great memories tied up in skateboarding, the friends I made, the fear and then thrill of landing that one trick, the feeling of freedom... and even years later I still catch myself scouting out good skate spots.
Anyway! Rodney Mullen was/is a huge inspiration to skateboarders around the world and he was recently featured on TED. Skateboarder or not, worth a watch.
Alright folks, I'm back! Sorry for the quiet spell - had a bit of of break there accidentally... well a break from blogging not from other stuff like writing collaboration agreements. Something you want to eat chips while doing. But I'm caught up and ready to go I keep telling myself. I also may have spent a large amount of time watching Paranorman this weekend. Also in this new watch shop I discovered in this mall I'd never been to before. Both. Amazing.
We had an amazing first week of Omo release! A huge thank you to everyone for all the support, kind words, and shares. It's been super nice to put something out there and get such a great response so thanks so much! Please stay tuned, we have a lot more things on the way.
We had some questions about why we chose a digital format as opposed to print. I talked about it briefly HERE but kind of focused more on it on a new post this week HERE. If any of you kind folks have other questions, feel free to hit me up in the comments section.
Alright take care and bring me your eyeballs this week as I will be back to a more regular posting schedule. Also, I'm making an elixir...*
~D
*I know what I said but please don't bring me any actual eyeballs.
Ah.. OMO is up and ready to go at last! Click on the image or HERE to head over to the sparkling fresh Sing Along Pictures Store!
Which brings me to my next point - creating an online store is... difficult. Not for all you normies out there, just for me. HTML is like algebra to me and if you ask my high school math teacher, he'll tell you that means I suck at it. Well, I sucked at it. Now, I can do it and all it cost me was time. Time to learn and the time it took to collect all the hair I lost. You all collect hair, right?
Anyway, so glad Omo is out there now - it was worth the hair loss. To me, it's not just a project but a bit of a symbol that if you're determined enough you can do the stuff you like.
Happy Monday, folks! Hope all you Americans had a great holiday!
Well I'm getting excited, Folks. The release of our first project is tomorrow (or today if you're in Japan)! I still have some last minute details to finish up but, if you're interested, I wrote an article about of making Omo HERE. You can even find out the nature of my bathroom mirror conversations, I'm sad/proud to say.
Also if you haven't seen it already, check out this little film we made covering the process of creating an Omo painting!
Chuck Close is a painter with a shocking ability to gage colour and tone. Just beautiful stuff. He currently has an exhibition that started on Oct 19 and goes until December 22, 2012 at The Pace Gallery in New York.
Happy Monday night, folks! Running a little late on the ol' personal blogosphere! I've been pretty busy lately - working on a couple projects while going through the final stages of OMO before the release! So things are a bit hectic but going good!
So updates! We announced on Saturday Sing Along Pictures' first project will be being released on Nov. 27th 2012 and today we put up a new teaser for OMO. If you want to check it out and some other little details, head over to Sing Along HERE
I'll have more to say soon but I'm pretty focused on the release so bare with me. We want this thing to be as good as we can get it so we're pouring in the extra hours. Hopefully you guys dig it!
Announcement day! Today we announced the release date of Sing Along Pictures' first project, OMO!
There's still a lot to finish but we're pretty excited to be able share exactly what we've been working on for so long. OMO will be available for purchase on Nov. 27th 2012. Click on the image above or HERE for more information and details about what's going to be available.
Art.sy is a free website that works with hundreds of galleries from around the world to display and help you discover artwork and artists. If you're in close proximity to someone from Art.sy right now, please firmly hug them.
The collection is extensive and allows you to search through by artist name, style or movement, medium, even colour and size. They also recommend similair artists based on what you're looking at helping you to discover new work. Mediums include Sculpture, Painting, Work on Paper/Print, Photography, Performance, Film/Video, Installation, and Drawing. I appreciate very much the variety of work - everything from the Renaissance to pop art, traditional mediums to computer art. Viewers can also examine the art from a gallery view (as if standing in a room) or up close with the ability to zoom in to examine paint strokes.
Anyway, incredible site and absolutely worth a look. Who knows what you'll find...
Good morning folks! Hope everyone had a good long weekend! Unless it wasn't long then I apologize for rubbing it in. It's the start of the week and as always we have some news to share over at Sing Along Picturesand another sneak peek at our first project, "Omo".
Lots to do still so I got to get back to it but hopefully you guys are digging the teasers so far. They'll be wrapping up shortly and Omo will be available soon. It's been a dream making this thing with such amazing artists. Getting exciting and hope you guys enjoy.
The creative folks over at Universal Everything have been experimenting with and creating artwork in the digital world and have had some striking results. Their latest project "Made by Humans" (video above) was commissioned by Hyundai for the Hyundai Vision Hall. Pretty beautiful stuff!
Universal Everything has been busy for years and have a lot of intriguing stuff all of which you can find HERE
Good morning! First things first, we have another update (one of my favs, actually) over at Sing Along. Our release date is going to be announced soon which I'm pumped about so we wanted to share a look at some of the final project. To get updated on what's happening, head over to Sing Along Pictures!
Mondays folks... they day coffee tastes the best on. Hope you all enjoyed the weekend. Apart from working on Omo and another project I can't talk about yet (can't wait though!) I spent an embarrassing amount of time combing through ebay looking for all the old toys I had when I was a kid. Man, I remember as a kid just staring at them. I mean, content with just staring at them. I'd think I'm nuts but I know I'm not alone on this. (Right guys? Right???) I remember thinking that they were the peak of toy making - "they look just like the guys!" Just staring and then audibly sighing with satisfaction.
They were perfect.
Now at 31, cruising ebay and seeing the toys again, I realized part of me didn't feel that way. Evil Dave was sitting over my shoulder heckling me, "You liked these?" I looked around my desk at my current tastes in toys or "collectibles" now and noticed a direct difference between these and my old ebay toys. I realized I now judge the quality of the toy on character likeness and the ability to capture it. I justify it by saying I'm now old enough to appreciate the talent and effort it takes to achieve this level of quality.
I remember using the stairs in my house as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sewer base. The next step up was the city street. The step above was Shredder's Technodrome - and I didn't even have Shredder! A solitary Foot Soldier sat on that carpeted step - but in my mind, he was awaiting Shredder and Krang's orders. He was alone because he was the best. After the orders were received, he moved to the city streets, running through the throngs of startled city people not even stopping for pizza (only good guys ate that). But what's this? The foot soldier noticed a certain manhole cover didn't look right to him. Because he's the best, he knew he found the place. Cars swerved to avoid him as he lifted the cover and jumped through the sewer access, dropping right into the Turtle's base! Of course an epic battle ensued, the Turtles did well for awhile but eventually Splinter had to finish that foot soldier off - but not to death, folks. Splinter tied him up and offered him a chance to turn into a good guy. Which he accepted.
Time warp from those 3 stairs to present day and I'm looking at the actual Turtles Sewer Playset and taking issue with the level of finish and the inaccurate placement of set elements. Did I gain knowledge and experience or lose something more important? (the last one).
Whoops got a little sad there! The point is that as incredible as the new toys are today - they aren't "better", they just make up for the spaces my current lazy imagination used to take care of. Time to whip it into shape.
I don't know about you guys (my spies do...), but I'm fascinated with small homes. Maybe it stems from being a kid and having forts made out of boxes or setting up a cool base under my bed? Or maybe because, as an adult geek, I accumulate a ton of stuff and often feel the need to boil it all down to the bare essentials. Except for my movies. And my comics. And my Star Wars stuff... sigh...
Anyway, check out The Keret House in Warsaw. Designed by Jakub Szczesny, its widest point it measures 152cm and 72cm at its narrowest. That's small. But it remains functional and fresh.
To see more shots and get more info on this place head over to DEZEEN
It's Halloween already of at the studio! Head over to Sing Along Pictures for a look at the card Maki painted and some Sing Along news for Twitter (for Japan users too!) and Google+ users.
Soooo how was your weekend, my dearest, readers? Apart form working on Omo, we've been wrapping up Lost, at last. I'm a little torn. I mean, they keep killing my favorite characters. Can I just forgive that? I mean, I can - forgiveness is important, folks. Just everyone I like on that show meets their maker. Like I'm this awesome death curse. Which I'm not in reality - YOU HEAR THAT UNIVERSE?!
Anyway, just wanted to keep you up to date on my extremely late viewing of a series that ended years ago.
Japan’s leading electronic composer and visual artist Ryoji Ikeda focuses on the essential characteristics of sound itself and that of visuals as light by means of both mathematical precision and mathematical aesthetics. Ikeda has gained a reputation as one of the few international artists working convincingly across both visual and sonic media. He elaborately orchestrates sound, visuals, materials, physical phenomena and mathematical notions into immersive live performances and installations.
I love this guy's work. It's like looking into a world you can't really see - giving you that peek into a vast, infinite world that exists all around us. I'm also impressed with his use of scale and lighting allowing for a communal or very personal experience. Beautiful.
You can check out more of his work on his site HERE.
A good Monday to you, dear readers! The video you see here is 'OMO: Visiting Soon...', a short clip I directed taking a peek into the making of Sing Along Pictures' first project. AAANNND this clip is also the first clip on our brand new YouTube Channel! As always, to learn more about what we're up to you can head over to the Sing Along Pictures site and our Facebook page.
Holy geez, my geek-heart just about gave out when I saw semi-retired Drew Struzan was contributing to a Universal Monsters show at the Mondo Gallery! It's literally a risk to Earth's geek population to have The Struzan contribute to this genre. AND Rumor has it Drew is putting up 7 pieces, 3 of which, ladies and gents, are shown here.
And Drew Struzan isn't the only talented one, the show is full of great artists - check the (above) billing! If you can make it, the The Universal Monsters is on October 19th (this Friday) at the Mondo Gallery in Austin, Texas.
Happy week start, everyone! We got some more news to share over at the Sing Along Pictures site - click HERE to check it out and to catch up on some other things we have going on!
Pretty excited about this news! I'm a huge, what's the right word? ... addict of the 'art of' books from the many films, comics, and other story projects I love out there. I may be biased as the work that goes into these books is where my career stems from, but it goes deeper than that. I think it's because it's a glimpse into this crazy world of potentials and an opportunity to see the work/inside the minds of some of my favorite artists. I love a ton of these but my right now favs are The Art of Porco Rosso, The Art of Kung-Fu Panda, and The Making of the Empire Strikes Back. Oh man, The Art of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, The Art of Up... The Art of Ponyo... Alright you get it, lots of amazing stuff out there. Anyway, just love this stuff so it's really, really, great to be able to offer our own very soon.
Alright that's it - Let's have a good Monday, folks.
Psst. Yeah you. You like reading, man? You wanna reeeeeed? Oh you do? My man, I can take care of you, tonight. 2.99 a read, man. 2.99... top notch words. Top notch words. You a cop? I said, "Are you a friggin' COP?! Sorry man, it was a test - I had to test you, there. Wha? I don't know man, a book about a baby or something - look, you want to read tonight or what because I got a line of folk who DO, okay? Of course I don't have it on me, you think I'm nuts? I know a guy who knows some guys. I can give you their names...
Yeah you can trust them. Good gift - great gift. Tell them Dave sent you and everything will be coo - what? No I "don't sell drugs, too"! What kind of operation do you think I'm running here?!
Man, I love this guy's work and I bet you will too. It's not just the what (although the what is equally wonderful), but the why. Sorry to be cryptic but it's better coming from him, than me.
You can check out more of his work that isn't featured in the film at his website HERE
Big news today for all of us over at Sing Along Pictures - we revealed the big part of of our debut project: Omo. If you're unfamiliar you can go and check out what I'm talking about HERE
It's kind of a special day, at least for me. Although it's not a complete reveal of exactly what we're doing, it's the first time we've shown anybody a big part of what we've been working on for over a year: the main character of our debut project. Which is a bit scary. This seemingly simple design wonderfully created by Maki Fujimoto, has been through many, many iterations, meetings, and 3am epiphanies as we tried to create Omo and his story. To put all that effort into something, and then to keep it secret, is super hard for somebody like me who has a debilitating compulsion to share. But it's been a labor of love so despite my fears, it's a complete joy to share it all with you guys today, and we hope you like it.
Stay tuned to find out just who this little guy is and what he's doing here by checking Sing Along Pictures or by following us on Facebook.
If eating someone's brain meant you gained their skill set (and was an acceptable part of human society - which it is not, ladies and gentlemen), Matthew Lyon would be on my "Brains to Eat" list. Wonderful, thoughtful work that oozes style but not at the cost of the warmth of the work. Super inspiring stuff.
To see more of Matt's work, head over to his site HERE
