Chihiro and Haku

I finally had the opportunity to see Spirited Away a few nights ago, it was absolutely amazing. :) Here's a sketch of Chihiro and Haku.

Jolteon

How to Train Your Dragon

It's been a while since I've updated this blog. I've got to get more into a schedule with this thing. XD


Anyways, a movie review maybe?

How to Train Your Dragon is an incredible movie. I've always been a fan of Chris Sanders, but he and Dean Deblois have really done it again with this fantastic film.

Quick synopsis(and by quick, I mean one sentence) of the plot from IMDB: "A hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed."




To be completely honest I can't find a part of this movie I don't like. I love everything- the story, the animation, the designs (bravo Nico Marlet!). It's paced well enough that you're not disconnected from any particular part of the story for too long, and every sequence is integral to building towards the climax. You don't see many movies this focused unless they're coming from Pixar.


Along with the adorable movements of Toothless, Hiccup's gestures always seem to amaze me as an animator. I can't wait for the DVD so that I can frame through all the animation. This is one movie I'll definitely be watching the extras for. 


That said, if you haven't seen it yet, go. You won't regret it.

Job Fair

Hey guys! I've just finished putting together a portfolio for the job fair, go and take a look if you're interested. I know I haven't updated this blog a lot recently, but summer is coming, so watch for some new drawings in the near future. :)

http://vanderpaardtdesigns.blogspot.com/

How to Kill A Mockingbird - Completed Film

Older Sketches

Flim's going well. Will be done soon.



Here's some sketches that I did during Christmas break for an old film idea.

Brad Bird Lecture

Every time a new week approaches, it seems a new celebrity in animation is coming to CalArts. Today, Brad Bird came to give a lecture in storyboarding and staging.

It was flat out incredible to see how he dissected shots in The Incredibles and Ratatouille. He talked about how important it was to figure out what you want your audience to know and what you want them to question. He also talked about knowing who your characters are, all of their habits, etc.

Basically, it was a really awesome lecture. There's so many ideas floating around in my head for my Mockingbird film that I want to board now. I think my film is definitely going to improve. :)

And, for the sake of posting some film artwork here, a sketch of the Mockingbird: