SACKED

After talking to Joe for awhile about Influenza and why I was doing it, we both realized that I was spending a lot of time on something that was going to benefit me very little. If I want to be a model maker, making a film is not going to help me. Why use real pigs when I can use puppets? This was a question I've had since April but most people said it made no sense to use puppets when real pigs were available. Of a ten minute film, there would ultimately be one minute or so that would even be considered for my demo reel. That seems like a lot of extra work for something that wont help me. I'm not a story teller, a filmmaker, or an effects artist. Yes, I can composite okay and that's ultimately my fall back plan if for some reason I can't what I want or something closer to what I want. Rotoscoping isn't hard and no one wants to do it, so there's always that option...

So I ultimately decided not to proceed with the project and instead do several smaller projects. At the moment, I'm entertaining some of the following ideas:

H1N1 PSA - I've spent all this time on Influenza, why not use some of the work I did to create a little PSA? It could be motion graphics, stop motion, miniatures and just some fun little things I can composite all together to create something fun and exciting or maybe even plain scary. Get your shots, kids, or you're gonna turn to into swine!

Airship - Okay, so this was an idea I really liked when I was developing concepts back in the beginning of the year. I didn't proceed because I couldn't think of a good story. I don't need a story, I can just make it fly and do a turn-around. This big, gold ship is modeled after greek mythology. The gryphon head on front caws to ward off enemies and instead of sails, its graceful wings flap through the air. I just think it would be cool to make something mechanic and metal since I usually make soft, hokey or natural.

Armored Animal - I always wanted to make a fur puppet. I know they're hard to work with but it'd be an ode to the founders, to Harryhousen and O'Brien. My interest in making metal things and making things look majestic and powerful is where the armor comes in. I'm liking armored leopard...

Crustaceans & Scorpions - I realized that these critters would make beautiful yet simple little puppets. Because of the way they are structured, each joint separates different parts of the critter making it easy to break down. Instead of having to worry about skin, fur, feathers and anything else that may get in the way, these can be made of little pieces that fit into each other like puzzle pieces and joined together between each piece. They would essentially be made up of ball-and-socket type joints. It's be an easy puppet that if planned correctly could be made in under a week.

Other than that I know I want to make a set of some sort, but I'm not sure what. Maybe something destroyed, maybe the slums of Brazil, (think of The Incredible Hulk landscape as a miniature) maybe even a haunted house or cool building. Still not sure here.

I'm happy though, I'll have variety now and I don't have to worry about everything fitting together stylistically.