Matte Painting

No, it's not cheating. It's a technique used to create a more realistic image, using a photograph as reference for the natural lightning and mood for the piece. It's commonly known that in an FX shot, it will only be as good as the matte painter assigned to it. Not that I have any experience in it, but that's what my friends in "the Biz" tell me. Anyhow, this was done in Photoshop CS2 in about 2.5 hrs.

Here is my first attempt. Thanks to Ben Cammarano for all the tips! Wish me luck...

2nd image is original plate. 1st image is after I'm all done. Click to view at full size!

Two-Fer

I've been watching season one of 30 Rock using my Netflix "Watch it Now" privileges. It's been fantastic! Granted, they don't have a very wide selection of content, but there are some hidden gems. I highly recommend an indie film called "One Last Thing". The movie description doesn't do the film justice, but read through some of the member reviews. It was a very good film, and not at all what you'd expect from the movie description. It is thoughtful, engaging, and an emotional ride.

Also on the movie front, I took the entire family to see Ratatouille at the dollar theater yesterday. We actually took up an entire row! The movie is fantastic, and delivered a wonderful story and great animation. Abbie commented that the rats in the movie could cook, but the rats in our kitchen couldn't.

Puke

It happens with every pregnancy. Mind you, I'm not the one puking, although it can be contagious. More amusing is the attitude of our kids when Alissa is puking her guts out in the morning.

Abbie: "Is mom throwing up?". Goes and checks. "Yup, she is throwing up! Is it green? Mine was green when I was sick and threw up."

Anna: "I wanna watch!"

Miles: "gah! hya ma gupp ada!"

Worse than the throwing up is the complaining. Yes, I know you don't feel well. I don't really need to be reminded 10 times a day. I ask what I can do to help, she says "nothing". Really, I just want to stop hearing about it... Maybe I should just get her a Tshirt that says "I am Pregnant and Sick and feel awful" so she wouldn't feel like she has to remind me.

I guess I'm complaining too. I have sympathy, but really we both knew what happens during pregnancy. No, I'm not a cruel husband. I just want my wife barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen, is that so much to ask?

Busy Bee

Work's gotten busier, but I've still been trying to find time at home to work on personal projects. Here is the latest update. I'm UV'ing the game res model, but that's boring so here's the hi-res sculpt. I've gotta figure out how to make some clean normal maps from this (so far generating really ugly ones from Maya) so I can start texturing this guy....

Beast of Burden

I've been remodeling this character, I lost the original model. I need to figure out how to create better normal maps, since Maya seems to be acting weird and Zbrush3 doesn't export normal maps. Then I need to paint textures for it, which is the important part. I'm wondering if this hi-rez sculpt makes the character too "busy", as the original was much simpler... I will be making the saddle and stuff too....

Me and Bad Movies

Sure, I could have gone to see Shoot Em' Up. Instead, I saw the third cinematic masterpiece based on a videogame. Resident Evil, while ultimately void of anything worthwhile, has never ceased to entertain me. I am still ashamed to say that I have paid full price to see the first and third installment. Honestly, it could be blamed on Milla. Deep in my heart of hearts, I know the movie's gonna suck. Having a good-looking lead character definitely sells tickets.

Actually, the worst part of the whole experience is the fact that a nice young family was there enjoying the movie with us. Dad, Mom, little 4-yr old Mary and still-fresh-from-the-womb Billy. What better way to spend your 9:45pm - 11:30pm than watch infected flesh-craving zombies get their heads cut off by young sweet-looking Milla?

PS. Ali Larter was also in the flick...

Austin

Last week, I went to Austin for the Austin Game Developers Conference. With my $50 pass, I didn't attend any of the panels or classes, instead I walked the Expo floor looking for game studios that were hiring. Unfortunately, the underwhelming presence of Austin-based game companies led to quick boredom. Since I was there with a few friends, it was all good. I did make some good contacts and get a better feel for the area.

Austin isn't what you'd think Texas would be like. One co-worker remarked to me, "the only problem with Austin is that it's surrounded by Texas" - no offense intended for you Texans. Texas doesn't bother me one bit. Austin felt like a breath of fresh air after living in soulless Orlando. The tourism industry is like a vampire here, leeching creativity and good times. Austin is heavy on the arts and outdoors, both of which I enjoy. The Colorado River runs through it, as well as slowing down to form a few nice lakes, all of which is surrounded by some really cool parks. The restaurant quality was approximately 2,000% better than anything I've had in Orlando. Austin's hippie content was roughly 40% of California's, too. There are eco-friendly cleaners, vegan tea shops and vintage clothing thrift stores. Lots of bike shops, too. I hear Lance Armstrong is from Austin.

Highlights of the trip:

- every restaurant we went to was fantastic! Mongolian BBQ right by the convention center, Kerby Lane's, Amy's Ice Cream (Cold Stone was put out of business in Austin by the original Amy's Ice Cream, where they reportedly ripped off their whole gimmick. Any town that can stick it to Cold Stone has my favor!) You might be able to tell that I'm anti-franchise when it comes to restaurants. I can't help it that most franchises serve nasty reheated food. Yes, even your beloved TGI Friday's and Chili's (I'm looking at YOU, Greg).

- Alamo Drafthouse. Not quite a bar or a restaurant, but both in front of a Theater Screen! We saw "The Ten", which I enjoyed for its incredibly well-written albeit crass satirical humor. That place was awesome, tho. Best Cheeseburger I've had in awhile, too.

- Slow motion automobile accident, between a tour bus and some poor guy's Mazda sports car. I guess bus drivers don't always check their mirrors when taking a slow, wide right turn on a wide street.

- Guy at an outdoors gear store (North Face) describing his elation and security when wearing climbing shoes with 5.10 Stealth rubber. "I was like 30ft up, and like all scared and stuff, then I looked down [at my shoes] and was, like, ah....it's all good!"

- College kids (University of Texas is downtown Austin) look like high-school kids. What's up with that? Am I really that old?

- I'm listening to Cas Haley right now. I watched America's Got Talent off and on, and was really disappointed that he didn't win it all. Who loses to a ventriloquist?? Cas is a fantastic musician, and I really dig his style. I'm just listening thru his website, but I really gotta get his albums. Look up Woodbelly, his band. The other members are very good as well. I'm sure his career is just getting started.

Hopefully this longer blog makes up for the lack of blogging I've been (not) doing. I've been busy with getting my portfolio ready for the conference, and this job search thing takes a lot of effort. Hopefully we will be reaping the fruits of my labors soon....

Thanks for reading! Cross your fingers for me, I really want to relocate to Austin!