Film history project.

I have this problem chatting with my american friends.  I can understand every word they are saying, but I can't get the joke!

To me, language is much simpler than culture.  A lot of these jokes come from the movies that were popular before I am here.  So I got this idea of going through all time favorite films in US, or in film history.  Maybe by the end of this project, I will be able to understand more of my friends' jokes, also be able to use these films for my own animation reference.

This is already day 3 into my film history project.

I have watched Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino on day 1.  I now understand the reason a few years back my friend Cory made a huge deal when he got his bad mother f****r wallet.  I imagine this film is very innovative when it first came out.  The non-linear story structure still hooked me in after many years. And Uma Thurman is hot~~

Day 2, I watched The 400 Blows by François Truffaut, the defining film for the french new wave, a new way of telling story in a non linear form.  Directors have become the author of the story.  Yup, a lot of directors nowadays are influenced by this movement,  such as Quentin Tarantino, Wong Kar-wai.  Also last month when I was in Pixar master class, this film was mentioned for its acting.  A lot of the lines are improvised.  I guess that's one reason why it looked natural.  This movie is a character study film.  Later on Francois Truffaut made more films about this character, how he grew up, how he fell in love, got married.  I watched it on a rainy day, good mood setting, lol.

Today's menu~ Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick.

Interview of Pixar President, Ed Catmull

Weekend with pop-up book and figure sketch

Wow, it seemed like all the things just chose to happen in this one weekend, and it doesn't seems like it is slowing down.  Friday evening and Saturday morning, I had a great time with Roger's friends.  Now  fast forward to the art part!

Saturday afternoon we went to Brooklyn Comic and Graphic Festival.  It was very crowded when we got there.  I did not expect so many people going to that festival!  I was there mainly for Paul Pope.  Waiting around for Paul Pope to  show up, I found a really cool artist instead, Sam Ita.  He is an artist now makes pop-up book.  I was instantly attracted by how he elaborately crafted the pop-up with the story.  I bought one of his book, "Moby Dick", as Roger's nephew's Christmas gift.  Sam even drew a cute whale next to his autograph!  As for Paul Pope, he looks way cuter than I thought!  Although, that's all I remembered of him.  Since the autograph has a "suggested donation $5~$20", we decided just to give it up.  Since when autograph requires money?
   

very cool, isn't it?

Sam Ita's autograph!

On sunday, my usual figure sketch meetup,

the indoor got a little bit too cold that the model has to put on her clothes for the last pose.  Still interesting to work with.

Nostalgia: Princess Sarah

I can't recall why I pick up this anime again recently.  

I do remember though, when I was around 5 yrs old, my happiest time of the day was at 6 pm.  Not only did I get to devour my grandmom's homemade delicious dinner, I also get to watch cartoons at the same time! And this cartoon, "Princess Sarah", was among my favorite ones.

Princess Sarah

The story is based on a novel called "A Little Princess" written by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  It has 46 episodes.  I am only at episode 7 right now.  When I was a child, watching this animation for the first time, I imagined that I was Sarah.  I figured at that time I would think Sarah is such an adorable little girl, and I want to be like her.  How time has passed! 

Two days ago, when I picked it up again, I remember I was yelling out,  "What a troublesome little bitch!! "  I was amused by how I am watching the animation as a adult now.  Complete different view!  I wonder if my mom ever pray in the dark that the animation ends early, so I would stop copying Sarah.  Nonetheless that doesn't take my love away for this animation now.

This animation was made by Nippon Animation Studio in 1985.  Nippon Animation Studio is famous for taking the literature novels and made them into numerous cartoons.  Their anime series includes, The Adventure of Tom Sawyer, Marco From the Apennines to the Andes, etc. They are also the studio that responsible for Chibi Maruko Chan anime, Cooking Master Boy anime.

This studio has created so many good memories for me, make me happy even now when I think back.

This, is the power of animation.

Do you dare to stay in here?!

Candies for the art brains!  What is called a Unique Hotel?? If you have seen this pictures, you would agree with me!  No doubt!  Propeller Island City Lodge is definitely the winner!  But do you have the guts is the question!

natural feeling!~ Nice..pretty normal though..

Japanese Anime! Highschool of the Dead!

So some entertainment for the animation brain!  I have been watching Highschool of the Dead recently.  Just finished the whole season.  I love it! The story is about a group of high school kids got stuck in zombie apocalypse.  I can use only three words to describe this anime, zombies, girls, blood.  Sounds perfect? Good!

  

Using the girl's boob as gun tripod?! Which genius comes up with that idea...

naked girl in a kitchen?! in zombie apocalypse!? pure awesomeness! This tells us this animation gotta be funny!

and of course the zombies...and blood...THE THRILL~ yesss

But there are only 12 episodes now.  The story itself is far from finish.  I did hear some people say there will be another season.  Lets really hope that will happen.  This animation is too hilarious too violent and too sexy to end right here!

Some music for working.

Calming! Not distracting either. I love it.
Shine Radio  http://s-radio.whyza.net:8000/
go to lize, then click the listen button on right corner.