Base14

Every year Purdue University has a juried exhibition Westwood, the President’s home. Out of the 34 pieces on display this year, three were mine. Last Tuesday I got to attend a reception where I took pictures. Pictured here is “Overlooked.” Also on display were the “I Like Bike” shirt and a weaving. I am incredibly appreciative that Purdue has such fantastic opportunities for young artists to display and sell their works. This is the first long-term exhibition that I’ve gotten to be a part of and hopefully there are many more to come.

Today I am very proud to announce the next Base14 animated film: The Girl and the Fox. In production since September 2009, TGTF has reached the long-awaited proof-of-concept stage to make it worthy of publication.

The Girl and the Fox is a new foray into dramatic animated storytelling for Base14. Leaps and bounds above our first attempt at animated drama, Ara, this new film channels all the professional filmmaking and storytelling techniques I have learned since starting graduate school here at The Savannah College of Art and Design. TGTF also marks our return to hand-drawn digital animation, which thanks to the talent and resources here at SCAD, will be far superior to anything to come out of Base14 previously. The production staff has grown to over 40 members, including a dozen character animators, half a dozen layout artists, and another dozen or so ink & paint artists. It’s safe to say about 80% of my time is currently spent managing and directing such a large crew, but it’s possibly the most enjoyable and rewarding endeavor of my life. I’m honored to work with such a talented and dedicated team.

To see what they’ve been cooking up, though, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Animation is almost completely done, and we’re now entering the ink & paint / composting stage. Later this month we’ll be launching into overtime with another experimental Base14 Studio setup, this time here in Savannah, to tie up any loose ends in production. By late March, we’ll move into post-production, finalizing editing and sound design. And now that things are really getting exciting, every noteworthy event will be chronicled right here on Base14. So stay vigilant, loyal base14 readers! Much more is on the way.

I know that all of you have been waiting in breathless anticipation to see my line for this year become reality. Unfortunately for you, you’re going to have to wait a little longer to see it all put together. But for the time being, here is a taste of what’s to come. This year’s jeans don’t only work with chunky knits and wool coats, they also look great paired with a Base14 logo tee! (To be fair, I can’t imagine anything not looking great on these two gorgeous models.) If you can’t wait to see the real deal in action (I know I can’t) then make sure to get your tickets for the annual Purdue Fashion show on April 10th.

Here at Base14 we like to celebrate the holidays just as much as everybody else, and what film better commemorates the spirit of of Valentine’s Day than our own Duck Heart Teslacoil? I mean, it’s got the heart right there in the title! So in honor of Valentine’s and to officially launch our newest merchandising subsidiary, Base14 Greetings, I am proud to present the official Duck Heart Teslacoil Valentine’s Day Greeting Card! Absolutely free! Just follow these six simple steps:

1. Download the .pdf file.
2. Print page no. 1 on a letter-sized sheet of paper.
3. Print page no. 2 on the reverse side of the same sheet.
4. Cut out the greeting card along the indicated crop lines.
5. Fold the card along its spine.
6. Give it to someone special!

Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!

I can’t help it, I have to give in to my feminine instincts every once in a while. So in honor of the holiday that celebrates everything girly and eeewy gewy cutesy in this world, I give you the ‘kissy kiss’ necklace. That’s right! What is more absolutely precious than these two little cherubicly plump figures smooching on a necklace? (Except for maybe this.) Either way, there’s no debate about it. This one’s a keeper.

All the charms were handmade and hand-painted by yours truly, as per usual. You might be asking, “Where can I buy it?” And your answer is: You can buy it in a beautiful dream world where I have enough time to mass produce these gorgeous pieces instead of memorizing the differences between various types of togas.

Duck Heart Teslacoil has been chosen as one of the featured films of the “Best of Animation Block Party” traveling showcase! The next stop is Los Angeles, California at the New Beverly Cinema on Thursday February 18, 2010 at 7:30pm and 10:00pm. The New Beverly Cinema is located at 7165 West Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036. Anyone that’s out in L.A. and hasn’t had the chance to witness the film on the big screen yet,
be sure to get out there and see it!

Over the weekend, Duck Heart Teslacoil won two honors at the Smogdance Film Festival. “Don’t you mean Sundance, Tyler?” you’re probably asking. No. I mean Smogdance. It’s a tiny bit lower key but with just as much heart, as far as I’m concerned. We received the Honorary Mention for Student Animation and the Saturday Audience Choice Award for Animation. And this one actually includes some prize money, for a change. Nicely done, DHT!