One of the problems of writing the software you use to animate is that you have to maintain it. I’m trying to do a very needed overhaul of my system, but it’s cutting into general animation time. Rather than disapoint my two fans, I’ve decided to go through my archives and put up stuff you don’t care about. It’s Filler Time!

This is an extremely early (and extremely creepy) test of the technique I currently use for the Movie Monkey. I believe this dates back to the summer of 1999 (!), which means I’ve been working on this technique for the last 10 years. The vocal is Homer Simpson from the “Songs in the Key of Springfield” CD, and the visual was a Barbie that my mom had on hand for making doll clothes (one of her many hobbies).

An old co-worker/soccer teammate Scott took these photos through his wife’s pregnancy and was generous enough to let me animate them. The music is “Six Fourty Five” by OK Jones.

Due to technical difficulties, the premiere didn’t quite go as planned, but here is the video for your viewing pleasure. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Want to bring in Valentines Day with an 80′s classic? Then come to Midnight Movie Madness this Friday at Liberty Hall at 11:45 PM. As a special bonus, a new valentine’s themed Nicreations animation will be premiering at the show!

The winnings from the MC Frontalot video contest came in! Hooray!

A New Movie Monkey! As it turns out his recent acceptance to an Evil League has made him a bit power mad. Will he ever be the same again?

Many thanks to MC Frontalot for permission to use his music!

First, Felicia Day commented on my Dr. Horrible ELE application. Then, much to the internet’s surprise, I was inducted into the Evil League of Evil.

And now, my entry won the MC Frontalot Wallflowers Competition.

I think this officially makes 2008 my nerdiest year ever.

Perhaps I should join a league?

I knew two things after the MC Frontalot YouTube contest deadline was extended.

1. I wanted to make it better
2. I would need help to do that

Thankfully I got some help from Marshall Miller. Marshall and I have known each other since college where we collaborated on The Emperor’s New Clothes together. He’s now an animator at Bazillion Pictures in Kansas City. Marshall added compositing, Z-Ray rendering, and other big words to the animation, taking it to a whole other level. I also played around with After Effects a bit on this one, and let me tell ya – me like. Me like a lot.

Let me know if there are any issues.