A is for Animation

It's April and that means the A to Z Blogging Challenge!
This year my theme is film terms.

The art of animation has changed quite a bit since this French 1908 hand-drawn animation film Fantasmagorie.

Paperman (2012) is a charming love story told without dialog. A perfect example of animation magic.

Full length feature animation appeals to children and adults alike. Pixar Animation Studios created the delightful Ratatouille (2007) about a rat who aspires to be a chef. 

What are some of your favorite animated films?

Carpe Diem!

I am working on my new film, The Book of Simon, a story about a man who finds a magical book that narrates his story. It's "The Twilight Zone" meets "Stranger Than Fiction."

We start shooting April 2 and I'm pretty excited. The weather should cooperate and melt some of this snow that we've had this week.

My motto for this project is Carpe Diem! 

My Film for the Wyo Short Film Contest

Lion's Park in Cheyenne, WY

We are set up to shoot the film on April 2. Actors are lined up. I'm working on the script and shot list. Also experimenting with video effects I'd like to use. Location scouting this week and have found some great places in downtown Cheyenne, including a bank exterior with mirrored walls. STUNNING. I hope it will work in one of the scenes. Ya gotta be careful with mirrors.

The other location is Lion's Park. Heading out there tomorrow to see what it looks like. We just got 13 inches of snow the other day. 

Making progress.

New Movie Project

I'm pretty excited to be writing a script for the Wyoming Short Film Contest.

Contest guidelines state that it should be no longer than five-minute film and inspired by the phrase "WY am I here?" I'm going to try to implement some new film techniques that I'm learning.

Deadline is April 15.

Stay tuned.

Van Gogh Film - Painting Animation

The Daily Dot is creating a stunning animated video about Vincent Van Gogh using actual paintings from artists around the world. It is the first ever of its kind. Truly magnificent!

Film about Vincent Van Gogh

I've never seen anything like this.

As an artist and art history buff, I am thrilled to see these stunning paintings presented in a such a creative way. I'm amazed at the talent of the artists involved in this project and the skill of the computer animators in putting it all together to tell the story of Van Gogh using his actual paintings. A true masterpiece.

Nixon in the Movies and My Election History

Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford in All the President's Men

I remember the day that President Nixon announced his resignation. I was 17 and my family and I were visiting friends at their home here in Cheyenne. We were all gathered around the TV and my parents and their friends were discussing what this means for the country. I wasn't interested in politics at that time and only had a vague idea of what the Watergate scandal was about.

But I knew this was something big and that it was one of the most historic moments in American history.

When I saw All the President's Men (1976), I was mesmerized. It beautifully dramatized the incredibly journey of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and everything they were up against in exposing Watergate.

Of course, Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman made it that much more appealing.

I wasn't impressed with Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995). It was uninspiring. Perhaps it was the script because I can't blame Hopkins, he was SUPERB as always.

Anthony Hopkins in Nixon

Thankfully, Ron Howard directed a film about Nixon that was on par with the near-perfection of All the President's Men. Frost/Nixon (2008) is based on the play by Peter Morgan,about the famous David Frost/Richard Nixon interviews. Michael Sheen as Frost and Frank Langella as Nixon were astounding performers. Both actors appeared in the stage play and reprised their roles for the film.

Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in Frost/Nixon

So where am I going with all this Nixon stuff?

I was reflecting on my voting history. I have been voting in presidential elections since 1980. I've noticed over the years that there were very few times in which I voted FOR someone. I was usually voting AGAINST the other person.

Here is my voting record:

1980 - John Anderson
It was my first time voting. I was eligible to vote in the 1976 election but a lot was going on my life and voting was at the bottom of my priority list. I voted for the Independent John Anderson because I was rebelling against the Party System. It was not a vote FOR Anderson.

1984 - Ronald Reagan
Reagan had been president for four years and I thought the country was on the right track. Hubby was active duty military at the time and Reagan was VERY supportive of the military.

1988 - George H. W. Bush
I wanted to continue the Reagan legacy.

1992 - George H. W. Bush
Not really a fan of Bush, but did not like Bill Clinton.

1996 - Robert Dole
Not a fan of Dole, but again, not a fan of Clinton.

2000 - George W. Bush
Voted FOR Bush. I liked him and trusted him.

2004 - George W. Bush
Voted FOR Bush again. I thought he handled 911 well and even though we were immersed in war, I believe he did the best he could under the circumstances.

2008 - Barack Obama
I voted for Obama because I was totally AGAINST Sarah Palin. If McCain had chosen any other running mate, I would have voted FOR McCain.

2012 - Mitt Romney
This was simply a vote AGAINST Obama.

2016 - ?
I would like to vote FOR Ben Carson, if he becomes the Republican candidate.  I will not vote for Donald Trump and I do not trust Hillary Clinton.

My Quirky Valentine

One word I would you use to describe my wonderful hubby of 39 years is Quirky.

The dictionary definition of quirky is "characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits." Synonyms include eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, unusual, strange, bizarre, peculiar, odd, outlandish, zany.

Yep, that's hubby.

You might be asking yourself, "Just how quirky is he?"

Lately he's been wearing bizarre bright green sneakers. He gets odd looks. I'm getting used to it.

We decide to go to Tortilla Factory for dinner and then he changes his mind and wants to go to Olive Garden and then he changes his mind and wants to go to Ruby Tuesday and then he changes his mind and wants to go to Tortilla Factory after all.

He DVR's Alaska wilderness shows and Hallmark romance movies.

His latest episode of quirkiness was inspired by the movie You've Got Mail. We both love the movie and watched it again a few days ago. Now he's quoting a line from the movie. He looks me in the eyes and with a dramatic flair, proclaims, "I just can't help myself!" It's a line that Frank (Greg Kinnear) says when he's talking about the news anchor lady on TV.

Hubby says it when he makes coffee, when he eats pistachios, and when he kisses me good morning.

He's my Valentine!

Beyond the Veil - Lindsey Stirling

Watching Lindsey Stirling movies and getting super inspired to create a music video. I love the stories she creates.

Best Scene in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I'm watching The Hobbit trilogy again. I love these films. Peter Jackson really brought Tolkien's wonderful story to life. My favorite scene in The Unexpected Journey is where the eagles save the day.I  was mesmerized, not only by the incredible cinematography, but the story of rescue. All was lost and then Gandalf used his magical powers to speak to the butterfly to bring help.

Giant eagles soaring high in the sky, toss those evil dog creatures into the abyss and gently carry Bilbo and the dwarves to safety high on a rock.

There's nothing like a good story!

Lindsey Stirling

I've become a huge fan of Lindsey Stirling the dancing violinist. Her videos use stunning cinematography to tell a story. I'm currently working on some short films and her videos inspire me with their beautiful shots and effects. Here are some of my favorites:

Roundtable Rival

Take Flight

Radioactive with the Pentatonics