Brad LeDuc's Animation and Sketchblog

Cartoons and math

2011-03-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Yes Virginia, there is a formula involved when making cartoons. Final character design of "Dad," locked in and ready to animate.

Double time

2011-03-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

The middle of the semester always manages to creep up out of now where and clock me in the back of the head with a brick.

To say I am filled with massive amounts of anxiety and doubt is putting things lightly. This week I have hit a GIANT wall, and nothing creative has fallen out of me in almost a week. Now I'm playing catch-up on playing catch-up. Damn it!

Alright, breath. Listen to some calming music. Eat some candy. You being very "un-Dude."

So next week, a lot of work should be down on the film. Count on it.

Here is a couple little doodles from last semester. One of me as a character in one of my favorite childhood cartoon universes. (I chose Ren & Stimpy.)
The other was a bic pen drawing I did of Paul Giamatti one day when I was seriously bored. For how little I was invested in the drawing, it turned out all right.

Inspiration Map

2011-02-19T03:14:00.001-08:00

So while searching through the internet late one night, too tired to work but too bored to sleep, I came across a image map created by an artist, (her name escapes me,) as a visual display of some of her inspirations. I also saw a bunch of other industry pros had taken her image guide, and made their own versions. So, being a slave to trends as I am, I threw this together:

Hopefully, during a future late night deadline scramble, this will give me an extra boost of artistic talent when I'm circling the drain on my creativity tank.

Red-eyed nights.

2011-02-09T01:42:00.000-08:00

After doing this for almost 4 years now, I believe that all animators have the ability to lead a double life as mild mannered artist by day, and crime fighting vigilantes by night. Damn, I am rambling already. Lack of sleep will do it to ya. Here's a little piece that fell outta my art hole during winter '10. I call it "socially awkward Mario."

Progress

2011-02-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

Last background I have been fooling around with for my film. Heavily inspired by Hannah Barbera shorts.
A cintiq pen in my hand and early punk rock blasting in my ear. I'm flying today.

Its the Final Countdown... dun nuh nuh, DUN!

2011-02-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

So I'm back, and well into my final semester at CCA. Adding a final semester was a good idea, and gives me access to the facilities and teachers that are worth far beyond than their weight in gold. I'm in a good mood when I am walking around the campus, knowing that I am a member of a select few talented people. It gives me pride, which is something I regularly lack. Good times, man.

I think regularly about updating my blog, but never seem to get around to following through. Gonna change that habit and answer to myself more these days.

On that note; here are some production bits and pieces from my senior film. First is a background pic of my father character as a kid.

The second one is a background for a old west saloon scene. I added a couple nods to some favorite cartoon characters from my "snot-nosed kid" days.

That's all for now. I gotta pull an all-nighter to get some animation done for tomorrow. Ugh...

Winding down College

2010-11-20T00:27:00.000-08:00

Holy damn. My college career is quickly coming to a close. It seems like only a couple days ago when I started in CCA fresh faced and wide eyed. Now its a bout 3 and a half years later, and I'm a scruffy bearded, blood shot eyed, semi-animator.

Good times.

Quick sketchbook post before I get back to work on my VERY behind schedule film.

Anim Show 2: Electic Boogaloo

2010-04-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Another semester in the bag. My 3D Maya class completely knocked me in the dirt. It literally dragged me out to the desert and blasted me in the face with a shotgun. That's the best way I can describe my experience with the Maya system. I'm looking on the bright side, as it just takes me a bit longer to get comfortable with new computer programs. So next time I take the class, I should be ready to go. Other than that, it was a good experience in classes.

It was a huge turnout to the 2nd annual CCA Animation Show. People were sitting in the isles, and the talent that was shown on the movie screen was so hot, I left the auditorium with 3rd degree burns. I didn't have any films in
Lately I have been looking over the shoulder of the younger animation students, and their flour sack exercises are looking VERY good. Too good in fact. I need to remake my flour sack this summer, but the only program I have is flash. Now that's not a bad program to use, but I don't quite understand the workings enough to use its full capabilities. Oh well, no excuses in animation. Just gotta do it.

I got to sketching in my book during some classes and actually came out with some fun character drawings. I know, I need to keep 'em coming, but finals were pushing into my sketchy time. Here's a bit of some stuff that fell out of my head in the last couple of days.

I was just flipping channels today on my first day of Summer break, and I came across a marathon of a little cartoon that has the shiny brilliance of originality and fun that is lacking in so many shows on TV these days. The show is called "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack."

I ended up in a fetal position, giggling uncontrollably while my mini wiener dogs just sat and stared. The stories are ridiculous fun, all the while keeping the plot rolling. The characters are just fun to look at and have a huge range of facial expressions that reminds me of a early Ren & Stimpy show.

The animation is simple, yet diverse and creative, which makes for great eye candy. Plus, the pirate main character is voiced by Bill Murray's brother, Brian Doyle Murray. Win? I think so!

I'm going to be going to the next Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School and sketch Tuesday event on May 11th. It's a really cool event at a gallery in SF where you can come and sketch live models or just draw your own stuff, and post it for cash! Last time I went my buddies both sold some stuff, so this time, I'm coming back with some high hopes. Come check it out, grab a drink at the bar, and sketch.
It's late, I'm sleepy.

Sunday at the movies

2010-04-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I just got back from seeing "How to Train Your Dragon" at my local rundown movie theater.

Normally, I'd try and steer clear of a family movie till late at night, so as to not be bothered by the little booger-eaters with their yelling and talking during the film. But I needed a break from writing papers, and I had a deep craving for some big screen animation. So I braved the pouring rain and made it into a seat just in time for the opening credits.

It was a good movie, nice character designs and the flight scenes were visually amazing. Yet I have to say, I was very disappointed with the voice of the main character. It was the horrible, nasally voice of Jay Baruchel, (the wimpy male lead in "She's out of my League" and the wimpy guy in "Tropic Thunder." See a pattern?), that made me really disconnect with the film every time he had dialog.

Yes, the role called for a wimpy, frail kind of voice to go along with the character of the weak viking kid. But when the story arc brought in a change to the kid, Jay still used the same monotone, pathetic voice. No difference at all. It really bugged me, because the rest of the cast fit the film perfectly. Craig Ferguson was perfect as the Viking trainer. It's a shame , because all of the other aspects of the film are great. I feel it really made me not care what happened to the guy whatsoever.

All in all, a good film, (if your able to mentally sponge that mediocre voice out of your head.) I'd give it a 4 out of 5.

Things I want to animate...

2010-04-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

If you consider yourself any kind of cool, you would already know about Patton Oswalt and the vast sea of comedy that he can call upon at will like a greek god. His bits are so rich and thick with imagery and creativity, you can't help but be brought along with every word of genius that come out of his mouth.
This bit in particular is something I would love to put some move'n pictures behind. Click and see what I mean...

It starts...

2010-04-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hey all!
So this is the premier of yet another unwanted, yet hopefully entertaining blog on the interwebs. I'll go ahead and field the obvious questions:
Yes, there will be opinions on pop culture
Yes, there will be personal shit, (but will be kept to a minimum)
Yes, I will be recommending a movie and song to check out with each post. I encourage you, the reader, to check'em out to further build your personal "awesomeness repertoire."
and finally and most importantly,
Yes, I am going to be throwing some drawings and animations up on these walls. Feel free to throw me a comment if you dig any of them, or something about it is bugging you. Here's a sketch I did in the style of the amazing Bill Pressing.

My main intention with this blog is to record my life form being an animation student, to (if all goes well,) being a hired active animator in the industry.
So, here goes. Fair warning, here comes some inner monologue:
As my first semester as a senior starts to wrap up, I am finding myself wanting to take on more and more tasks.
In my free time, (which consists of a quick walk to the local Safeway or grabbing a drink from the water fountain,) my mind flashes to my friends that I haven't seen in a long time. I want to be with them so badly, have them talk to me and hear their voice again, but they are spread out too far away to be able to hang out. I have a huge feeling of anxiety that they have forgotten me, but I have to shake it off, and return to my computer to try and bleed out the last bits of creativity before time runs out. Ugh, neurosis and art school just go hand in hand.

Listening to: Yeasayer, "Ambling Alps"

Watching: The Secret of Kells