Project in Progress

Hello all. Here is a work in progress for my Editing class. Its an interview where Jake is pretending to be a firefighter who was denied an autograph by Richard Simmons. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff :)

Cardinal Creek Logo

Oh and here's a logo I designed for the rental company that Jake's mom works for.  She asked if I wanted to try my hand at it, and I said yes.  The development that it is for is Cardinal Creek Crossings. 

Finally! (I know, right?)

So, does Darah have time for anything anymore?  No, not really.  Haha.  But really, I've been very very busy lately.  No days off.  Its tiring to be a college student with classes, homework, a part time job and an attempt at a social life.  Sigh.  Enough for the self-pity and on to the blog.

So, the last major post I had was before I went to Chicago.  It seems like it was eons ago.  Let me reassure you though, it was fantastic.  A bunch of my friends and I went to the Chicago International Children's Film Festival.  We saw some great films and some decent films.  We saw how accessible it is for even us, mere students, to take the festival circuit by storm.  Jake and I are going to try to put together a short film during J-Term and the spring semester, and we would like to submit it to some festivals.  You can read more about our plans at Jake's blog. 

My favorite feature film from the festival (look at that alliteration!) was "Stella and the Star of the Orient," which was a German film about a curious girl named Stella who stepped through her closet into the same house 100 years earlier and meeting her grandmother, who was a child at the time.  They go on a quest to find a treasure to save their house.  It won Best of the Fest, which is an award voted on by children alone.  Kudos kinderfilm for a great piece.  Also, the entire film was put together for about $2 Million.  This is a lot of money, but in the entertainment industry, its chump change.  This means that filmmakers who make films inexpensively, are given more artistic freedom and the opportunities to make more films, because of the lesser risk and the lesser amount of return required.  Here is a shot from the movie:

My very favorite at the whole fest though, was one entitled "The Sparrow and the Boll" which was an Iranian film done in stop motion using only textiles.  Visually and narratively, the film was stunning.  It was all about helping others and the golden rule.  It was wonderful, simply wonderful.  Here is a shot from that film.

Okay, I've geeked out enough :)  On to other things.

In school right now I am building a robot in Maya for my 3D animation class.  Its turning out a lot cleaner than my snowman.  Its funny how much easier something comes once you've done it once. (Not that I'm good, just a little faster, haha) That will be my final project in this class.  I am also working on my final project for Animation II and my Storyboard class.  For Animation II we are making PSA's with the theme "Thank you For not Smoking."  I am going to leave you all in suspense for that, because I think it is turning out really well right now, and I want you guys to see the lovely finished project.  So, wait for it. It'll be good.  In my storyboard class we are putting together a professional storyboard with a story bible.  This means we will have all the actions worked out in the storyboard panels, all of the story written and the character designs and mock-ups done.  My story is about a guy who's mom died in an accidental shooting by a gang member.  He was a kid when it happened, so he was put in foster care, and is now grown and heading back to his old city to take it back and make it what it once was.  I'm digging it. :) 

So, Thanksgiving is just 9 days away, and I am excited to be spending it with Jake and his family.  Every other year they head to southern Illinois, where Jake's dad, Jim is from, and have Thanksgiving with Jim's family, none of whom I have met yet.  So, we'll see if they like me.  Haha.  Or as my Grammie Morin said earlier about the Thanksgiving situation, "Hey, what's not to love?" Amen.  That's what I'm talking about.  

So you all may be wondering when you get to know this Jake of fabled tales.  Well, my friends, the day nears.  Jake will be coming to Maine for the first week of our winter break to meet all of you.  So, be ready :)  We're both looking forward to coming to Maine and to see all of you!  If you would really like to spend time with Jake and I together, let me know, and I'll work out a time for us to meet.  He'll be available from the 12th to the 16th.  

Fun Fact: I am already listening to Christmas music.  All you Scrooge's out there can just deal with it :D

Okay.  Well that's all I've got for now.  Keep me in your prayers for the busy week ahead of me, and I'll see you all soon!

Love, Darah