I've been waiting for this since I found out what I was working on at Bungie. It's gonna be a great game and I think everyone is gonna be blown away by it! Here's the E3 teaser...gave me shivers the first time I saw it.
Back on the Horton production crunch, I thought it would be fun to annoy the hell out of the dude who was sitting across from me. That guy, Adam Green, was fortunate enough to 'participate' in a little photo log....against his knowing and will. Over the period of a couple of weeks, I would take a couple of pictures a day or a few days or something. I don't really remember. But when I told some of the Blue Sky folks that I'd eventually put all the pictures to some wacky music, they demanded to see the final product as soon as possible. Fast forward to over a year, and I have found a way to produce such a video. So all my friends who wanted to see it, here it is. I hope you find it as pointless as I do.
Back when I was looking to break into the game industry, I approached a few companies. Out of the four that I was looking at, I did tests for two of them. Now what you're about to see isn't my best work... in fact, when I was doing both of these tests, I was pushing myself as hard as I could. Staying up late and coming home to lunch to work on these was common. I did one fight scene for Sony Online Entertainment in Austin. That fell through, then I got in touch with a friend at Blizzard Entertainment to help me out and was approached to do another fight scene with an additional walk cycle. Here they are...nothing fancy.
Sony Online Fight Test
Blizzard Walk Test
Blizzard Fight Test
Here are the sketches I did for the Blizzard fight.
Hey everyone...man, it's been a while. A couple of weeks ago I got here in Seattle. The total trip was around the 5,300 mile mark and for the most part, four 13.5 hour drives. My first stop was Atlanta, Georgia to visit my good buddy, Nick Gibbons. I was only there for 3 nights but that was enough time for him to show me around Atlanta and even visit Radical Axis, where they produce the Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Squidbillies cartoons. I liked Atlanta...reminded me of Austin in alot of ways.
Nick in front of the Vortex in Atlanta
Nick and Nancy's wicked cool patio porch thing!
After I left Nick's place...I was headed to Justin, Tx to visit my younger brother, his wife and my totally awesome little nephew, Noah. Spending time with them was great...they have a great home and are just fun to be around. But most of all, little Noah was my highlight. Not to detract from Stephen and Darby, but since I was living in NY, it was hard for me to not want to be around my nephew (or niece...but I'll get to that), it kinda makes me sad that I won't be as close to him to watch him grow up but that just means I'll have to make regular trips to see him. He was sick the entire time I was there, he had this little cough he'd picked up in day care that kept going but every time I would look at him, he'd smile and want me to pick him up. And if you're an uncle to a rad little kid, that burns ya up. All in all, he is a happy little boy. I can tell he's gonna be a social dude. Everyone he met, he would smile at.
Steve holding his shotgun after we shot clay pigeons. I desperately wanted a picture with the shotgun but...alas.
After the 4th night there, I headed South to Austin, Tx to visit my older brother, his wife and my niece. Hal and Jess have a great life together...two really awesome pups, a big uncluttered house, and a cute little girl. It was great to spend even a couple of nights with them. Cameron, my niece, is coming up on 2 and she's already got a big personality. She's completely enthralled with Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba. After watching it I can see why, Yo Gabba Gabba has Kid Robots designers. Gotta give it to her, she's got good taste.
Duke totally chilling out!
Those are some big shoes to fill, little lady.
Yo Gabba Gabba...don't interrupt.
Hal picking up dog poo...Cameron supervises.
So then it was down to Converse to visit my mom. While I was there, I had dinner with my aunt Bertha and Uncle Mike (great folks), got my car serviced at a VW dealership, and spent some quality time with my ma...and her 6 cats. Because most of the family was visiting the West Coast, we decided to have Christmas in Dallas with my Aunt Stella and Uncle Ryan. So I spent a night in Austin to spend Christmas Eve with Hal, Jess, and Cameron and my ma and myself drove up to Dallas the next day.
Ma is a bit shy.
Get off of my car, cat #4!
Hal and Jess got me an umbrella for Christmas. Actually, a perfect gift for Seattle.
Hal got a way cooler gift though.
Cameron got a jiggling Elmo or something. It stands up...high tech.
DUKE!
Christmas in Dallas was relaxing. Usually when a guest comes into town, the hosts try to show them a good time...luckily for me, my family was completely understanding that I just wanted to relax, eat alot of good Mexican food, and get ready for the rest of the trip to Washington. A few days in Dallas, I was ready to go.
Robbie and his son, Tanner, made this. Deliciously impressive!
My uncle built this...even more impressive!
Raddest little dude ever!
Now I don't know what it was...maybe spending all that time with my nephew, maybe being around SO many people for Christmas, or maybe it was all the stress of the holidays (imagine that)...but the day I started my trip to the Northwest, I was getting sick. Around 2 hours after I left Dallas, the aching, chills, the fatigue started setting in. Thirteen and a half hours later, I landed in Flagstaff, Arizona feeling the worst. That night, I had the most ridiculous dreams about fighting bears or something stupid like that, and shivering myself awake every 10 minutes. People, friends, worst enemies...DO NOT get flu-like symptoms during a road trip.
Somewhere in West Texas. Flat.
The next day was much better...not 100 percent but much better. It was more like 38.7 percent better. That night, I was staying in Redding, California. And thanks to my GPS, I (well...IT) decided I should cut through all of Arizona. Now Arizona was beautiful, really it was. But the two-way road has got to go...and passing huge trucks on those rolling roads was SCARY! When it started getting dark, I really had to pick my battles. By the way, Area 51 was billowing smoke.
I also stopped off at the Hoover Dam. Way too crowded.
And to your right, you'll see a dragon.
So I got to Redding no problem. LOTS of winding roads for about an hour toward the end was the only problem. The good news was no more 13 and a half hour drives to a destination. This is New Years Eve and I'm heading up to Portland, Oregon to see my ex-DNA (now Laika) friends, the Gorskis. 7 hours after I'd left Redding, I was at Joe and Michelles. We spent New Years together in a very low-key, sickly, stay at home and eat chinese food setting. It was great. I don't think I had enough energy in me at that point to go out and party...plus, the roads were REALLY crummy. Thanks again, you two!
Joe and Michelles fiesty cat, Jingle.
Smear frame.
And their new pet, Perogi.
Now that all that holiday garbage was over, it was time to go to my destination. Seattle was only 3 hours away. Lucky for me, I have friends up here. The Halifax's were awesome enough to put me up for a few nights. Three nights to be exact...and in that time, I had found an apartment in Kirkland. Since I hate commuting, I opted to live close to work, which is also a good thing for a social life because lots of restaurants, bars, and shopping areas are in the downtown area...a 3 minute drive away. Heh...the 3rd place I looked at. More about my snazzy apartment for another post, but, compared to New York prices, this place is an absolute steal.
She doesn't have a problem...YOU have a problem!
Ok, she has a problem...
It showed the day before I left their place. My car got stuck battling up a hill. The hill was eventually conquered!
My view of the nearby lake from my porch. A block away from the beach!
Just got finished unpacking everything. It looked like alot more stuff when it was in the moving van.
HELL....YEAH to Bungie shwag!
So that's it. Three weeks of traveling and I'm finally here. A few of my friends have told me that a road trip by yourself is the best way to find out who you are. I don't want to get deep here but I think, if anything, it gave me a damn good idea.
I have tons of stuff to follow up on so I'll try to get to all that mess soon. Thanks to everyone who let me stay with them. I love you all. With that said, I miss all my New York friends...ALL of you.
I'll keep this short because I don't really have too much access to all the pictures I've taken and doing all of that on this laptop would take a while....and maybe I'm a little tired from the trip still. But after about 5,000 miles, I've made my way to the Seattle area. The next few posts will include pictures and some things I've figured out on the 3+ week drive here. Since now I have to find a place, get my stuff moved in, familiarize myself with the area, and play a TON of games, I'm so happy I get another 3 weeks to take my time with all of it. Stay tuned! It's gonna be so boring your head will explode!
4 and a half years ago, I started at Blue Sky. At Blue Sky, I met some amazing people...incredible talent but more importantly, people that I consider true friends. Friends that I will keep with me my entire life. But now it's time to move on. Now it's time to try something different and spice it up. I've always thought that the next step in my career was games and in the next few years, the tech of in-game animation is going to rival feature animation. Luckily, a company has given me the opportunity to help them achieve that. The next step in my animation career is Bungie! Yup, they made the Halo games and, my personal favorite, Myth 1 and 2. As soon as I left the interview I was pumped. It seems like a great fit and they're awesome enough to give me a couple of months of a 'break'. A break meaning packing, road trip to Texas then Washington, stress of moving, and holiday family time.
So the next few posts will be from my trip to Texas then to Washington...and yes, they're gonna be taken with my badass camera. Stay tuned, people!
Ah...it feels good to shave again. This was the first time I grew out my 'stache and even though it didn't help me in any way...it DID bring the team together in an extraordinary way. Well....mostly razzing. Here are mine for week 3 through 5.
Week 3: This is the best my 'stache looked through out....until it started going horribly wrong...
Week 4: Started going downhill...getting shaggy and started growing over my lips. Ewww...
Week 5: The end!!! Everyone dressed up all crazy but I just threw on my winter coat. I'm kinda dumb.
The final 1st Annual Dude Challenge group shot...40 people participated!
This is my second week of the Dude Challenge. I'm starting to hear 'it looks great, actually' or 'you could pass for Johnny Depp'. Whatever they say, it's kinda awkward. I've never had a mustache like this. You be the judge!
A takeoff from Tippets recent beard/mustache challenge , the first ever annual Dude Challenge was created. Not to compete....just because we thought it was such a dang good idea! I initially thought mine would grow in slowly but it turns out, 9 days later, it's getting a little thick. It doesn't really itch so much as it is annoying. I'm already looking forward to shaving this darn thing off. But still...gotta stay in it as long as I can for the 5 weeks. Am I gonna win? Heck no! (I didn't put any money into the pot)....will I tough it out? MAYBE! Thats the best I can do right now. Forgive me for the pictures you're about to see. But please...mock them.
Day 0. Notice the smooth, supple, baby-like features.
Week 1. Don't be fooled, even though it looks like I'm enjoying myself. A hidden loathing lurks!
My final route
Nick in front of the Vortex in Atlanta
Nick and Nancy's wicked cool patio porch thing!
Steve holding his shotgun after we shot clay pigeons. I desperately wanted a picture with the shotgun but...alas. 
Duke totally chilling out!
Those are some big shoes to fill, little lady.
Yo Gabba Gabba...don't interrupt.
Hal picking up dog poo...Cameron supervises.
Ma is a bit shy.
Get off of my car, cat #4!
Hal and Jess got me an umbrella for Christmas. Actually, a perfect gift for Seattle.
Hal got a way cooler gift though.
Cameron got a jiggling Elmo or something. It stands up...high tech.
DUKE!
Robbie and his son, Tanner, made this. Deliciously impressive!
My uncle built this...even more impressive!
Raddest little dude ever!
Somewhere in West Texas. Flat.
I also stopped off at the Hoover Dam. Way too crowded.
And to your right, you'll see a dragon.
Joe and Michelles fiesty cat, Jingle.
Smear frame.
And their new pet, Perogi.
She doesn't have a problem...YOU have a problem!
Ok, she has a problem...
It showed the day before I left their place. My car got stuck battling up a hill. The hill was eventually conquered!
My view of the nearby lake from my porch. A block away from the beach!
Just got finished unpacking everything. It looked like alot more stuff when it was in the moving van.
HELL....YEAH to Bungie shwag!
Week 3: This is the best my 'stache looked through out....until it started going horribly wrong...
Week 4: Started going downhill...getting shaggy and started growing over my lips. Ewww...
Week 5: The end!!! Everyone dressed up all crazy but I just threw on my winter coat. I'm kinda dumb.
Day 0. Notice the smooth, supple, baby-like features.
Week 1. Don't be fooled, even though it looks like I'm enjoying myself. A hidden loathing lurks!
