Saturday, June 29, 2013

Bionic Squad - Six Million Dollar Man Animated series Concept Drawings

I posted a video of some character designs I did for a proposed animated series, Bionic Squad, based the Six Million Dollar Man TV series from the 1970's.  In the Bionic Squad, Steve (Bionic Man) Austin's new team was "unwillingly given their super-human abilities after being captured by evil RAPACIANS (aliens), who have a secret underground base on the far side of the moon". The Bionic Squad show pitch was developed my writer Sheri Goodhartz, and Will Meugniot, producer and director of ExoSquad animated series.  I was the oversea animation supervisor for the first season of ExoSquad and co-producer and co-director on the second.   Actually this pitch was done between the first and second season of ExoSquad while we were waiting of the second season pickup, in the fall of 1993.  I had return to NYC from South Korea, so Will ask me to work on development keep be busy and connected (thanks, Will).  I included some of Will's drawing also.  Enjoy.

 Here the sketches: Clip on them for enlarged view.


















The following sketches are by Will Meugniot.










Sunday, June 16, 2013

Sunday MusIc Muse Day

Here are two new additions to my Music Muse Days post.  I have to thank KCRW, the eclectic listener-supported radio station in LA for this.  I listen to KCRW's Eclectic 24 on the web and they always play interesting stuff.

Flight Facilities - Clair De Lune (Feat. Christine Hoberg) is a haunting tune with even more haunting video.  The video has a dark " Thelma and Louise" vibe to.

After listening to the first tune I try another tune of their because the video looked animated.  I didn't care for the tune too much, but the animated video reminded me of a grown up "Astro Boy".
Enjoy.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Dragonfly P.T. - Spitfire PT Nerf War Concept

I posted new youtube video of  a slide show of a Nerf War concept I was working on. The basic concept was to develop a Nerf game center like Laser Tag center, but cooler. I started working on this when my boys were younger and really into Nerf guns.   It actually grew out of a desire to find another area to be creative in after leaving animation and moving East. I either lost interest as my kids out grew their "Nerf gun" phase and/or the basic concepts didn't did hold up well to closer examination. In any case, I did do some nice tech drawings of Nerf gun design concepts and equipment, so why waste them.



















Monday, June 10, 2013

Music Muse: Cream revisted

I picked up this  nice 2-disc DVD set about Cream, the legendary Rock group, with Eric Clapton (guitar), Ginger Baker (drums), and Jack Bruce (bass).  Cream was one of the first great "Power Trios" in Rock and one of my favorite music groups.  Another being the Jimi Hendrix Experience, which is my all-time favorite Rock group.   The DVD set covers Cream's entire story from the beginnings in 1966, to the farewell concert in 1968, and the two reunions 2005.   The viewing the DVD was a great trip down memory lane, but the best part is the music still holds up, just as powerful and driving as ever.



Just a side note:  The only troubling thing for me about the DVD was the so what shabby appearance of Jack Bruce.  He is wearing a very worn, stained, and frayed jacket, like something you'd pull off a homeless guy.  It rises my concern, as I know he was very sick for a time,  that he was still going through rough times at the time of the interview.  You would think the production crew would have given him a better jacket.   I hope all is well the him.  He and the member of Cream deserve the best for all the great music they made together and in the separate solo careers after.


Sunday, April 7, 2013

New Youtube Posts - Atalanta Children's Filmstrip and Molly Daring Magic Lantern Movie

I recently post two new movies to my Youtube site.  The first was another video of a children's filmstrip I illustrated in the 1970's and '80's, titled "Atalanta".   Atalanta is a Greek myth.  Before the big video revolution, this was the  AV stuff teachers used.  The best part is teacher turned off the room lights making it easier to nap through the program.  Enjoy.

The second is another video base on a set of Magic Lantern slide I found in the trash in the 1970's.  "Fare thee Well Molly Daring"  is an old song  I was lucky enough to finally find a recording of on the internet.


There is still one old song I'm looking for to cover the last remaining set of slides.   I'll be sure to share it when I found it.  In the mean time, enjoy.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Sunday Music Muse Day - Jan. 27

Well, I've been listening to several odd selections this past week.   While working I sometime listen to KCRW Sound Eclectic online.  I find I alway hear something the just catches my ear.   Here a couple of examples.

After hearing the two Aasf Avidan cuts I like the original live cut more than the remix.   It nice to know there new tunes to discover.

To round out the week I heard this William Shatner, of Star Trek fame, tune.  "Has Been" sounds like a spaggetti western theme,  It's just fun.



Enjoy.

Sam Woodyard - Happy Birthday Jan. 7th

Here are two pictures I found on the web of my father, Sam Woodyard, from his pre-Ellington days with the Milt Buckner Trio.(That is Sam on the right) Happy Birthday, Sam.