A project worth backing!

My good friend Akin Bilgic is doing a project to help promote happiness in his local community. He is looking to raise $3000 in under 60 days! Donate if you can, promote this to your friends, and help him reach his goal so that he can give some joy to those in San Fransisco!

Here, taken from the site is a description of the project.

PROJECT OVERVIEW: The SF Mirrors Project is a public art project with one simple purpose at it’s core - to spread a bit of random happiness. The idea is to create a public art installation overnight throughout the city of San Francisco (my home) spreading messages of inspiration, encouragement, and hope.

To do this, the plan is to purchase as many mirrors as possible through your support here on Kickstarter. These mirrors will be roughly 3 feet tall by 1.5 feet wide, and made from acrylic for safety reasons. At the top of each mirror in bold lettering, we’ll inscribe a one-sentence inspiring message (some of which will be supplied by the Kickstarter community). Then once all of the mirrors have been prepared, a team of friends and I will choose a late Sunday night to place the mirrors throughout the entire city - onto bare walls, sides of buildings, and other public spaces. It’s my hope that the people who walk past these mirrors in the following days will stop, take a moment to look at themselves, read the messages, and walk away feeling inspired, confident, and happier, which in-turn hopefully gets spread to others they interact with.

And for now it’s just San Francisco, but depending on how well this goes, in the future it could be the multiple cites throughout the US, or even international.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES: Every dollar raised here goes directly into covering the cost of the mirrors. So bottom line: the more money, the more mirrors, and the bigger the project becomes. I’m anticipating a cost of around $25-35 per mirror... hopefully a nice big bulk order will help keep the price as low as possible. If you know someone that might be able to get me a killer deal on the mirrors - please let me know.

SAFETY / LOGISTICS: The mirrors will not be glass based - but will be shatter-proof plastic based. This is for safety reasons as the last thing I want is for one of the mirrors to fall, shatter, or otherwise hurt anyone. The mirrors will be stuck to walls with a strong but NON-PERMANENT adhesive foam tape, so if the owner of a building doesn't want the mirror there - they have the right and WILL be able to take it down without any damage.

SUPPORT THE PROJECT: Check out the rewards section to see what we can give back if you want to help fund the project. Even if you cant afford to contribute, I encourage anyone to leave their comments and feedback about the project. Please spread the word online through sites like Facebook and Twitter or any blogs you like. Thanks for checking out the project - Let’s do something genuinely amazing.

You can help this project by going to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/akinbilgic/the-sf-mirrors-project

Freelance Gig

In order to feed myself and pay off loans I have been doing freelance work here and there. The latest job required me to interpret and illustrate various statues from a miniature line called "Krystonia" and make them look 'animatable'. The job was a blast and I got to get my hands dirty, metaphorically speaking, doing some digital painting again. It served as a nice distraction from my film, put food in my belly, and let me create some nice portfolio pieces. Overall I found it to be a success.

Myzer, a hording, gloating, large bellied man.

There isn't much I can say about the project accept that it is for a possible pitch idea for something larger. That is about all I can divulge.

Kazahk, a broad shouldered, happy faced, adventurer

Help "My Dad the Giant"

"My Dad the Giant" is a work in progress, and has recently been accepted to the Mitten Movie Project. I am looking for funding to help me finish the film for its debut in September 2011. The film is 90% animated, with the rest of the time spent on rendering, doing backgrounds, sound, and composting. I am an independent animator, and a recent graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit Michigan. As you may imagine I don't have a lot of money for a film of this scope, and funding from people like yourself can help me purchase materials, paper, and ways of distributing my film to festivals.

"My Dad the Giant", is a personal film of mine, based on my relationship with my sister, and with my father. The story follows a young boy named Emilio, and son of the great fictional painter Brianelli. All Emilio wants is his fathers acknowledgment, and all Brianelli wants is to be left to his work. What follows is a series of miss-communications until both characters explode out of frustration. I've worked hard on this narrative for about a year. It has been on hiatus for a few months, until I got word that the Mitten Movie Project had seen a WIP of my film and was interested in showing it. I was overjoyed of course, but also realized that now I was faced with the challenge of finishing my film.

The film requires, due partly to my ambition and on how I want to tell the story, a lot of rendering and layers for each scene. Light for one plays a large role in how the story is told, and each animation has been an experimentation in combining illustrative techniques with fluid and believable character acting. The Mitten Movie Project is the first festival I will be premiering my film at, and I hope that will kick-start my films festival run. Other festivals I plan on submitting my film to are KAFI, and Ottawa. So I'm asking you for support in this goal, and I've put together some gift ideas in exchange for donations. From signed animation frames, concept art, and movie credits, to even a production booklet in which I can describe the unique experience it's been trying to create an independent animated film here in Michigan.

It's odd to ask for money like this, but if you feel like you want to help a recent grad get his first film to festivals, then I thank you for your donations and I hope to see you at the Mitten Movie Project in September of 2011.

Proof of concept is below in my first fully colored render!



Check out my pitch trailer here!



I was lucky enough to receive the Stratton Scholarship my senior year of college 2010, and to be interviewed about my project by Doug Stratton himself. Below is the description listed along with the interview which can be found at theStrattonfoundation.org.

This video will act as a way to help possible donors gain incite into the film and its production.



Taken from the Stratton Foundation website

WHAT CAN FILM TEACH US ABOUT FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS? "My Dad the Giant" is an animated film that poignantly shows the audience how sometimes we become too absorbed with our own concerns and overlook those in our family who may be reaching out for acknowledgment and support. Meet Patrick Stannard, a recent College For Creative Studies Entertaninment Arts graduate, and watch his film's trailer. Lean more at MyDadtheGiant.blogspot.com.

To Become a Part of "My Dad the Giant" Check out These Links!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/308950851/my-dad-the-giant

http://mydadthegiant.blogspot.com/

Private SNAFU hits Amazon's shelves!

After much work, toil, and eager waiting the day has finally arrived. The DVD put together by my teacher and good friend Steve Stanchfield, "Private SNAFU Golden Classics" is finally done! I played a small part in the title sequence, boarding it out and then cleaning up the animation done by Mark Kausler. It was a joy to work on and watching Steve painstakingly restore each and every SNAFU short from it's 35mm film copy was both educational and inspirational. The cover art for the DVD was produced by Eric Goldberg, with the background done by my good friend Mel Miller.

Jerry Beck has graciously plugged the DVD at least two times on his famous blog Cartoon Brew! The latest of which hosts a video Steve let me upload to my Vimeo Channel; a special features commentary piece done by Jerry himself.

Private SNAFU, Golden Classics: Jerry Beck Special Feature from Patrick Stannard on Vimeo.

Link to the Cartoon Brew Post below:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/dvd/coming-snafu.html

You can purchase this amazing DVD at amazon.com. It will be under "Private SNAFU Golden Classics".

In other news, I have also been busy helping my friend Mel McCann out with her film "Flight" of which two animations I have done are now featured in my latest demo reel.

Demo Reel 12/14/2010 from Patrick Stannard on Vimeo.

Added to this I have finally finished the boards for a local feature project "The Littlest Angel", and may be brought in for revisions later. I apologize for the scant postings, but hopefully this blog post will demonstrate just how busy I have been.

Now, off to walk for graduation! Best of luck to everyone!

Portfolio and Ottawa

With Ottawa nearly here, I've been scrambling to put together a professional portfolio that showcases my work. I ended up creating two. The larger 8x11 portfolio shown below allows more space for sketches and process work, while my smaller 4x6 portfolio shows off my finished pieces only.

PORTFOLIO

Puzzle Sketch and Vampire

Showing off my independent illustration and attention to design.

SNAFU

My former teacher, friend, and animation director of Thunderbean Animation brought me on to help him develop animated title sequences for the release of the "Private SNAFU" DVD. In order to get a good idea of both the character and construction of SNAFU, I stepped through many of the films and rendered the drawings in an effort to capture that Warner Bros. Style.

Sketches

Some of my favorite sketches from my sketchbook.

"Because it's There" and Red Riding Hood

A poster promoting my 3rd year film "Because it's There" a story about a little boy overcoming his fear of heights, and a concept sketch for my rendition of the "Little Red Riding Hood" Story, set in a post apocalyptic setting.

Life Drawing

Drawings done through independent Life Drawing sessions held by both the school and friends.

Leprechauns

Leprechaun designs based off of the most ancient myths I could find about them, whilst adding some aspects of Norse animals to the mix. Brandishing long red coats, tall tri-cornered hats, and goat like eyes, these are the type of Leprechauns that will leave you without your skin, rather than try and promote sugary cereal to you.

ARMS Masters: Hunter Concepts

My good friend and project lead Mike Winn, commissioned me to produce concept art, story boards, animation, and shadow modeling for "The ARMS Masters project". This design for a bounty hunter, aptly named Hunter, is influenced from panthers, tribal tattoos, and the Hyena Men of Africa. Details were toned down to prepare the designs for animation.

11 Second Club: Herbert and Gloria

Placing 9th out of 158 entries in the June 2010 competition of the 11 Second Club, "Herbert and Gloria" features a sloppy tiger and a sophisticated Ostrich amidst their quarrels at the dinner table.

Sketches

Some of my favorite sketches from my sketchbook.

Environment Design

For a story concept involving prehistoric mammals and their rise to technological feats while riding dinosaurs, this environment showcases a lava distribution and thermal steam power plant that helps turn the gears of war for feuding tribes of prehistoric moles.

"My Dad the Giant": Emilio

Concept and animation sketches taken from my film "My Dad the Giant." Emilio is an 8 year old child searching for acknowledgement from a father who's far too emersed in his work to pay attention. Emilio's design is based off of a candle stick, with bright colors and upward direction to help him feel light and full of energy.

Father Sketches

Sketches of my father in caricature.

Caricatures

Caricatures of friends, strangers, and Marty Feldman.

"My Dad the Giant": Brianelli

Concept designs for Brianelli, the father character in my film "My Dad the Giant." In contrast to Emilio's design, Brianelli is designed to feel massive, slow, lumbering, and imposing. His heavy brow and arms are an effort to make him feel serious and intimidating. Deep set eyes needed to be flexible to reveal his softer side when he has a revelation towards the end of the film.

Big Bad Wolf

Concept design for the Big Bad Wolf in my rendition of the story "Little Red Riding Hood" set in a post apocalyptic setting.

Animal Sketches

Animal sketches done while attending the Detroit Zoo.

DEMO REEL

Demo Reel 10/2010 from Patrick Stannard on Vimeo.

Taught in the ways of the interbutts!

Inside joke alert! Interbutts is Mel-speak for the internet.

My friend Mel Miller has often astounded me with her knowledge and expert handling of the many intricacies of the internet. Promoting her work on multiple sites, blogs, facebook accounts, print shops, and linking them all under one a similar style and main website hub. Meanwhile her boyfriend and my roommate Niles, has largely been absent from the vast seas of information, only recently braving the waters of the internet with a dingy of art to show. Thankfully Mel has agreed to take him under her vestigial wing and teach him "The ways of the interbutts."

I have taken it upon myself to try and promote myself over the over saturated information highway known as the internet. With two art gallery sites, a few forums, my website, and this blog I hope to allow prospective employers to browse my art and contact me with ease.

To conclude this blog-post I will shamelessly self promote myself as well as Mel and Niles.

Mel Miller's Internet Stockpile
Facebook: Mel Miller Art
MelMillerArt.com
MelMilelrArt.blogspot.com
Vimeo
Youtube.com/user/anathemasremedy
Anathemasremedy.Deviantart.com
Print Shop

Niles Bontrager
Vermillion42x.Deviantart.com
Nilesart.blogspot.com
Vimeo

Patrick Stannard (Me)
PatrickStannard.com
KiltedAnimator.blogspot.com
Vimeo
Youtube.com/user/lorddirk
DA Page: LordDirk.deviantart.com
Commissions Page: Pats-Commissions.deviantart.com

...That's all folks!

Pats Commissions

In light of rapidly decreasing funds due to an upcoming festival, portfolio prints, returning text books, paying graduation fees, business cards, and a slew of bank loop holes, I have decided to open a new DA page. Pats Commissions is an account devoted entirely to freelance and commission illustrations, and possibly animations. I have yet to set up a pricing policy, but I have plenty of good advice on the subject, courtesy of my good friend Mel Miller.


The page is designed to show off a variety of work that is both high quality and entertaining to look at. I plan to charge somewhere between student and professional prices as to not scare off potential commissioners while still allowing me to earn the respective amount of money for my artwork.