My new character animation, something iv been working on for the past week or so. Originally animated the character traditionally using pencil and paper during my freshman year at CCS, just decided to bring it into flash and clean and color it. Then I figured id animate some explosions and put him into a revolutionary war era battle! I may end up using this character more :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pclq637S4o

As Streetlights Come and Go

Whew, I am finally done. After nearly a year, it feels good to have this under my belt.

Streetlights come and go. When the snow falls, will you touch my lips? If cars drive past, do we stand together, motionless? A fire beneath our feet. I see these mistakes, and a bee has lost its wings. The mailbox is starting to get mad, the phone doesn't answer me anymore. Midnight rush hour, goodbye summer breeze. The spirits are present. Can you hear them? They want to know about us. So will you run with me? The rails are covered in rain. Can we write our will across the sky? If this is what it means, can we jump? Do you know where to land? In the stars? Or in the sea? Why don't you look at me? Iv been looking for you. This darkness helps me see, and here it is. Don't look at yourself that way, I love your wings. The sound of droplets bouncing from pamphlets, and your eyes just won't let go. To the beginning of all this, we stand at the edge of our balcony, red drapes illuminate your skin. If you can see this far into the sun, grab my hand and nothing will stop us. I can't say I understand, but this will never end. The birds will talk, and the trees will watch. Do you know what it means to never stop?

As Streetlights Come & Go Narrative Test

      Iv been thinking a lot about the sound for this, my senior project. Its due in 1 month and the narrative is not as good as it needs to be. Im not happy with my voice for this I dont think. Im gonna have to get somebody to do it. The music on this test is from Kare Kano, but eventually I hope to use music created entirely by me.
      The project itself is an extremely different style than I have become accustom. Using flash is a far cry from After Effects, and its a very far cry from paper cut outs and stop motion. The result has been an anime style that has surprised me, and I really enjoy creating it this way and honestly, it is what Iv really been aiming for ever since I began drawing dragonball z at age 9. I can really see where my work is heading these days. My awakening drawing abilities have allowed my mind to really explore topics dear to me. I can now follow in the footsteps of my favorites such as Cowboy Bebop, Kare Kano, Gravitation, Hajime No Ippo, Great Teacher Onizuka, and of course Dragonball Z.
      This particular film is pretty experimental. It just follows a character through a winters night and day as he decides on where to go with his life from here. By the time the semester is over I will have been working on it for 9 months. I plan on continuing work through summer though, and really try to flesh it out. Im excited with this so far, its not as good as I had anticipated, but one day, my television shows will be.

Narration Preview of "As Streetlights Come & Go" By AJ Powers

          
Heres the original writing that has become the narration for the piece:                                                

Streetlights come and go.

When the snow falls, will you touch my lips?

If cars drive past, can we stand together, motionless?

A fire beneath our feet, calling to you. I see these mistakes, a bumble bee has lost its wings.

The mailbox is starting to get mad, the phone doesn’t answer me anymore. Midnight rush hour and summer breeze, the spirits are present. Can you hear them? They want to know about us.

So will you run with me? The rails are covered in rain.

Can we write our will across the sky?

If this is what it means, can we jump? Do you know where to land? In the stars? Or in the sea? Why can’t you just look at me? Iv been looking for you. This darkness helps me see, and here it is. Your light is showing itself, calling to the air. Don’t look at yourself that way, I love your wings.

The sound of droplets bouncing from pamphlets, and your eyes just don’t let go. To the beginning of all this, we stand at the edge of our balcony, red drapes illuminate your skin. If you can see this far into the sun, grab my hand and nothing will stop us.

I can’t say I understand, but this will never end.

The birds will talk, and trees will watch, do you know what it means to never stop? 

And just for kicks, heres the original animatic

Rainbow in your Jail Cell *SITCOM TEST*

             Iv been working on a sitcom with the cast of the Rainbow in your Jail Cell. The Apple, the Princess, the Alien, and the Human all trying to live life and get by the best way they know how.
        In this test I sort of threw some voices on. I didnt write any dialogue before I started to animate, so I just had to think of what they were saying on the fly. Its kind of stupid but oh well, It took me 10 minutes. Then I just threw some basketball sound effects and some bbc library outside sound effects. Im gonna keep working on this for a while. It wont be my number 1 priority, but I wanna see where I can take these characters.
        Ill have to write a script first next time, just something simple. Ill put it up when im done. Eventually I envision this being in the same vein as south park, the simpsons, family guy, etc... but with a dragonball z, gravitation, super mario world twist :D. The characters will hang out around the kame house, just talking and playing basketball and fighting. They will get into relationships, go to school, and go on adventuress. They'll learn life lessons and connect with the viewer. They will also get into fights with the bad guy. It obviously wont be ready for the next few years, but hey everything starts someplace.

Sound Test