There’s a post over on the For Tax Reasons site about Level Up and Matt Burnett and my debut as television writers.  However, since I inundate my social networks with posts about Level Up (Tuesdays @ 8pm/7c on Cartoon Network), I thought I’d write about some other topics.

I finally finished storyboarding the music video I’m working on for the Max Levine Ensemble’s “Ghost Song”.  Here’s a few boards I’ve sketched out.

in these next ones. there’s supposed to be ghosts flying around DC, scaring everyone  I’ll be animating them in later so just use your amazing imagination.

On to color schematics and then animation!  And if you haven’t yet, go check out the Max Levine Ensemble’s new EP “elephant in the room”.  It is so choice.  If you have the means, I highly recommend picking up it up/downloading it/donating.  I was lucky enough to see them play it in person when they rolled through Cali on tour.

BONUS DRAWRING:

As I’ve posted before, this is the TV show I’ve been writing on this past year with Matt Burnett and many other talented folks.  So this Tuesday evening at 8pm, make sure your TVs are tuned to Cartoon Network.  If you don’t have a TV, go to Best Buy, or any other giant consumer electronics store, and use one of their many TVs on display to tune into Cartoon Network until the employees wrestle you to the ground.  And if you’re not near a giant consumer electronics store- cut a TV screen out of cardboard (both 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio is acceptable) and I will come over to your house and reenact the episode for you.

Don’t call me that.

“Adventures in Petsitting”- another awesome music video from The Max Levine Ensemble.  Off their new EP elephant in the room.  Go here to download it.  I’ll be posting more about my video from them, but in the mean time.  Rock out.

“Shit New Yorkers Say” one of the most quality additions to the meme.  By my former improv buddies Eliot Glazer, Ilana Glazer and Matt Mayer- writing, starring and directing.  So good.  If you like these comedy styings check out Eliot’s hilarious web series It Gets Betterish and Ilana Glazer & Abbi Jacobson’s web series Broad City.

“Evergreen” a mockumentary about a sad Santa by my buddy Zack Scheer and starring my other buddies Paul Yee and former For Tax Reasons voice over artisté, Emily Tarver.  A little late on linking this up, but better late than never.

“The Real Housewives of South Boston- Christmas Special”- a self explanatory parody starring the wicked funny Happy Endings writer, Jackie Clarke.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

In the meantime, I’ve been getting back to drawing and playing around with Toon Boom Animate as I slowly work on a music video for The Max Levine Ensemble’s “Ghost Song”.

I’m digging the brush and canvas control that Toon Boom brings.   It’s funny how simply adding a Rotate Canvas function makes it 20x better than Flash.  Though the more I venture outside of it, the more I miss After Effects.  After Effects is like some girl you didn’t fully appreciate until you started dating a lame girl who had horrible graph editors and key frame issues and then you realized After Effects had everything you ever needed.  Well, it’s not exactly like that, and After Effects isn’t everything I need.  But if it had a good vector based drawing function it would be close.

But back to the content of the video.  I’m very excited to be doing some work for my friends The Max Levine Ensemble.  They are one of my all time favorite bands.  I’m still in the rough stages of animation for the video, I’ll be sharing more updates as the come, but it won’t be finished until early next year.  So in the meantime, enjoy a finished music video for TMLE that someone else made!

This is will be your first look at the show I’ve been writing on this year.  Be sure to check it out, or at least peruse all the vids they have up on the Cartoon Network site and Facebook.

Below is a link to a little behind the scenes sneak peek:

As I recently revealed, Sir Mr. Matt Burnett and I have been writing for the Level Up TV series which is to follow the movie.  We didn’t work on this baby, but it’ll give you a good taste of what the show will be like.  Click the pic to watch it.

Click to watch the trailer

From the Level Up TV movie

I know what you’re thinking: You’re an animator and you’re writing for a new Cartoon Network show.  Why isn’t that picture of a cartoon?  Cuz it’s live action, dude.  Duh.  Hello?  Helloooo?  Hello?  Seriously, where’d you go?  Oh, there you are.  Jesus, you scared me.  Don’t hide like that in the middle of reading my blog posts.

To give you a little sneak peek synoppy: Level Up is a comedy/action show about four friends battling creatures and monsters that have leaked out of their favorite MMORPG and into the real world.  There’s jokes, there’s hijinks, fun monsters, spells and people getting hit with crazy weapons.  Classic stuff.

There will be a TV movie coming out, followed by a bunch of sweet episodes of the 30 minute kind- a handful of which Matt and myself penned with the other talented writers on the show.  So keep an eye out for it!  I’ll be sure to let you all know when it’s airing.

I had to haul ass across ‘merica and move my life from Astoria to Los Angeles for the job.  I won’t lie.  It was tough.  Took some time to adjust to a life without halaal street food.  Oh, how I miss lamb and rice with that mysterious white sauce.  But now you know what’s been happening.

The Great Final Fantasy Debate- hosted by Anime World Order

And just like most sleepovers, nearly everyone came dressed up as cartoon characters.

A pair of Gurren Lagann cosplayers who were also fans! So cool.

Matt and I were featured guests at the con. We hosted a couple panels, one of which being a “how-to” on animation. I guess Matt and I harbor a lot of deep seated rage towards animation because it spiraled into “the worst motivational speech ever”. We had to make sure people knew what they were getting into! Don’t worry, there was a happy ending.

Matt with a 100 Sided Die!

Regardless of any dismal tirades, we had a great time. Got to meet some fans and hang out with some awesome peoples: Daryl, Clarissa and Gerald from Anime World Order, Alain and Kate from Reverse Thieves, Erin and Noah- the Ninja Consultants, Ed Chavez from Vertical and Walter Amos to name a few.

Big thanks to Evan Minto for hooking us up with this awesome event. He may in fact be one of the nicest guys ever. To Dominic Difranzo for being an organizational mastermind who made sure Matt and I were well accommodated whilst away from home. To all of the staff, especially everyone who gave us rides because we were babies and couldn’t hike through the snow. To Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for hosting the entire event. And of course, thanks to everyone who came out to our panels or stopped by our table. You’re all the best.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Troy, New York come by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for Genericon! Matt Burnett and myself (aka For Tax Reasons) will be hosting two panels:

Friday @ 6:15pm- For Tax Reasons: LIVE AND IN YOUR FACE (DCC 318)

We’ll be screening cartoons, sharing anectodes, answering questions and finally addressing the rumors that Matt and I are, in fact, time traveling robots. Included as a special bonus: a showing of a never before released Ronin Dojo cartoon!

Saturday @ 12pm- It’s Animation, Stupid! (CII 3051)

Matt and I will share our thoughts on independently producing cartoons, navigating the creative process and showcasing work through film festivals and the web. Bring your animation queries! We shall provide the answers. . . or trail off incoherently before changing the subject to early 90s cartoon shows we enjoyed. Exo-Squad!

Here’s the schedule for more info

We’ll also have a table somewhere. We’ll be selling some tee’s and goofing around. So stop on by.