UPDATE: I've thinking... a good way to get motivated to get back into animating is to use my blog posts to livestream me animating. What do you think. You want to join me in finishing Pearly Whites?

Does anyone know the best way of going about doing this? What service I should use, what the set up should be. I have a cintiq that I use as a second screen, so I wouldn't be looking at the camera I'd be using, but I'm sure that's probably preferred anyway.

Yeah, I haven't posted in awhile and have gotten really sick that the most "recent" posts have almost all been asking people for money or to buy whatever I have to sell. I do, in fact, believe they have all been to good causes (the film I worked on, The Newgrounds Anthology. So this post might be more to push out the money aspect of my life, something which encroaches every day now, and talk more about the ART of life.

Since Clinger wrapped (it is now deep in post production) I have been plundering the Chicago indie scene, mostly doing gaff and grip work on a volunteer basis. Just building a resume and network as is the way in this industry. 

I have also applied to the Northwestern MFA for screenwriting. We'll see how that goes by the end of February. Writing is my strongest suit by far, and will likely be my ticket to the place where I want to be (a director who can work full time directing what he writes). A very ambitious plan. Of course, working on other people's projects are a vital part of keeping myself grounded and in tune with the shape of the industry so that will always be a part of my plans.

Lastly, I have put aside finishing Pearly Whites for now. I DO NOT want to leave this project unfinished. Honestly, I am sick of leaving things unfinished as I have done all my life. Every so often, I will go into flash and puzzle out a few new frames. There is a bit more done than what is currently available through my youtube page but there are significant "to dos" besides the obvious "finish the animations":

Replace placeholder backgrounds and pretty up/fix some of the ones in the beginning.

Better "Russ gets high" music. In general, there's a lot of empty space in diegetic sound, so I will probably consider giving more ambiance.

Get the sound mix redone.

Change editing workflow from final cut to premiere.

Suppose that's all for now. Not too much interesting. I am trying to do more of "constantly writing" thing. With my ADHD, it's hard to make that a routine, but I am propelled forward by the thought that all these ideas will stay locked in my head (thus not letting me think about other projects) if I don't start getting them out now.

Not much other news to share. I'm going down on July 19th to start on the production for about a month. There won't be a lot of time for animating while I'm there, so I better get some Pearly Whites stuff done before then.

Cheers!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1093620518/c linger-0

"We must never fight the contradictions within us, we must learn to honor them." -- Joss Whedon

This was the resonating message that Joss Whedon rang out yesterday as he spoke at my University Class' commencement. A little background on Whedon: He was a five-year student at Wesleyan University, graduating in 1987 and in addition to delivering the commencement speech for my class, was receiving his honorary degree for his amazing career.

Being spoken at in such a funny, down-to-earth, yet illuminating fashion made my GRADUATION DAY all the more exhilarating and unforgettable. Simply being a film major and given the ability to interact with Joss this weekend made me feel far more special and deserving than I know I am. I've attached I pic with Joss, my girlfriend, and I AT A COLLEGE PARTY. What an awesome guy. He is so nice and without vanity, which takes a genuine heart when faced with so much fame.

His commencement address and particularly the quote above is something I will carry with me as I progress in my film, animation, writing, whatever career. I will never stop reinventing myself everyday and will never ignore the parts of me that contradict the other parts of me, because it is through honoring these contrasting features that I learn who I really am.

AND TODAY.... I'M ONE HAPPY SON OF A BITCH!

After four years of theory, practice, and barely making the grade, I am officially a Wesleyan University Alum. If you had told my high school where I would be today, I would not have believed you. But it's true. And not only was I able to graduate through one of the most prestigious film programs in the country, but my journey culminated in several events that, to my eyes, makes me very excited for the future.

My animation thesis, while not yet completed, has been a true passion project. And what made it even more rewarding was the fact that my professors did not get angry at the fact that I did not finish. Quite the opposite, they (led by the great Jeanine Basinger) gave me the time I wanted such that I could keep on animating up to basically Graduation Day. Wesleyan's film program truly is the place to be to make films if the your reason for making films is that you freakin' love films.

Congrats to me and Congrats to Wesleyan's class of 2013.

Hi,

My name is Ben Smith and I am a Senior Film Major at Wesleyan University. I am working on a 2D, flash-animated thesis film. Production has been underway on it for months, but I've just entered "crunch-time on it." So I'm seeking last-minute (and paid) help on making sure this film is completed by the April 12th deadline.
Description of the project: Based on a short story I wrote Sophomore year, this film is called "Pearly Whites."
It is a dark comedy about a dentist who steals teeth from his patient in order to implant them into his son, who was born and grew up without teeth.
Here is a rough cut of it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S59uAs27TK8
This should give you an idea of the style you would be working in. Ideally, you would design specific backgrounds in a similar style and up to the detail standards of the better-looking backgrounds demonstrated in the first two minutes of the movie.
Again, this is a paid position. Please contact me and direct me to your portfolio. If you are interested or have further questions please contact me ASAP. I would like to set up an interview as quickly possible in the hopes that we could start as quickly as possible.
My skype name is beness321
My email is basmith@wesleyan.edu
Best,
Benjamin Smith
Wesleyan '13

Read my previous post for information on my senior thesis.

Work-in-Progress:

Hey Everyone,

So A LOT of stuff happening, but not a lot I can reveal at the moment...
BUT FIRST,

There are only five or six copies of the first hardcover printTHE NEWGROUNDS WRITING ANTHOLOGY left on the NG Store. The launch was a rousing success and hopefully as time goes on and we expose the anthology to broader audiences, the awareness of the writing community here on Newgrounds will increase. I'm seeing new faces on the Writing Forum all the time.

Now this IS exciting. Mostly for me, but for those who are also interested in the $10,000 prize challenge Tom offered back in 2008, it's gotten to be about that time that this community needs to show up or shut up.

My next project (and my University Film Thesis) won't be showing up on Newgrounds anytime soon but it STILL has its Newgrounds connection in the Newgrounds Writing Anthology since the film is based on my short story "Pearly Whites." Hopefully, it will win some University awards and encourage me to get it into some film festivals. But that's a long way off. The point is that due to these potential destinations for the finished film, I can't offer it on the internet just yet.

But what I can offer for those interested is a first-pass (more like an animatic) of the Prologue. HERE! This will essentially look like crap until January.

And then the storyboard for the rest of the film. HERE!

Sorry no dialogue included.

See you around,

EK

The Newgrounds Writing Anthology: Short Stories and Poetry

It's been a long road, everyone. A two year long road, to be exact. Thankfully, Kickstarter forced me to keep a list of donors so I know exactly who to thank for bringing this to fruition and as the project expands into markets beyond the Newgrounds audience, it will be nice to know that this book will bring the "Everything, by Everyone" spirit where ever it goes!

Now enough of the sappy stuff! Grab yourself a copy while supplies last!

Need convincing? Here's a review by starwarsjunkie!

And if you're a writer, c'mon over to the writing forum for advice, giving advice, and staying up to date on whatever we have in store next.

To Donate, Please go HERE!!!!

With only 38 hours to go, The Newgrounds Writing Anthology Kickstarter has already proven the most important point that the project first set out to prove; this website is populated with an ever diversifying pool of creators and the audience to support a fledgling, but nonetheless vibrant writing community. The outpouring of support the users of Newgrounds have shown over the past month has truly been overwhelming. We flew past our initial funding goalpost of $1,000 in three days, which none of us were expecting.

But rather than resting on our laurels and being content, you guys have only driven our ambitions higher. Our new stretch goal of $2,500 represents a commitment to do more than what we thought possible because frankly, it would not be doing our backers justice if we didn't try to make this thing as big an event as it has the potential to be.

So to those of you who have not backed this project yet, I want to make this final case:

There is an audience outside of Newgrounds who would be interested in this project if only we had the money to put the cover in front of their eyes. The term amateur is never a bad label to give to a project that arose purely through the passion and determination of its creators. It gives all forms of entertainment, from animation to music to writing, a human element that delivers a more memorable and worthwhile experience. And this feeling isn't something most people actively look for, but it is sensed innately all the same. This world was built on the work of amateurs, and the same can be said of the projects by collaborating amateurs on the internet. So if you can see where your support of the Newgrounds Writing Anthology could lead it to, I urge you to consider backing us.

Again, we are humbled by all the positive comments everyone has left us in every blog post we used to promote this thing and special thanks to TomFulp and Deathink for supporting us with little to no asking on our part. Getting to encounter people like you is just another one of those welcome yet unexpected blessings for being a part of this great community.

Come Support the Newgrounds Writing Anthology on Kickstarter

Newgrounds brings together artists from all walks of life. Graphic artists, musicians, programmers, and writers. Just look at a few of your favorite animations and games on Newgrounds and it's plain to see that an increasing majority of the best work on here is the result of collaboration.

Newgrounds has already provided a great environment for collaboration to thrive, but we as a community need to support its growth and expand its influence through supporting the different skillsets that are integral to its success.

One avenue of opportunity for you to join this undertaking is to come support The Newgrounds Writing Anthology, a collection of short stories and poetry designed to exhibit the potential to create storytelling magic through Newgrounds collaboration.

There are fifteen days left in our Kickstarter Campaign and we are $1,300 away from our goal of getting this anthology a fully-fledged publication package that will spread the word of Newgrounds and its writers beyond the web and onto the printed page. If 65 people pledge for the $20 reward, we will make this goal. I am confident that this is attainable, and if we can get that amount for this project, which began so humbly on the Newgrounds Writing Forum, it will take on a life of its own, and bring unprecedented awareness to all the awesome stuff happening here on Newgrounds.

I'm also pleased to announce that WE WILL HAVE SUPPORT FOR IPAD THROUGH THE NEWGROUNDS STORE. There was some question about that earlier, but now it's completely taken care.

Please consider donating if you are convinced of the cause or just want to see Newgrounds succeed or just want to have something good to read for the end of the summer. And a HUGE thank you to all who have already joined in our mission and continue to support us by mentioning us around the site. Your involvement has really moved me. Thanks.

Happy Reading and Happy 4th of July!

Benjamin "Ekublai" Smith

Editor-In-Chief

This is it!

Come Support the NEWGROUNDS WRITING ANTHOLOGY on KICKSTARTER!

Over two years in the making, The Newgrounds Writing Anthology was conceived by Newgrounds user gumOnShoe, who posted a thread on the BBS, proposing to create an anthology of literature authored by writers frequenting the Newgrounds Writing Forum. That post eventually took on a life of its own, and the anthology continued even when gumonShoe became to busy to see it through to completion (Life, it happens).

Composed of fourteen stories and seven poems, the combined effort of seventeen talented authors has resulted in Newgrounds' first-ever publication of written fiction. This anthology will be printed through Lulu and the print and e-book copy will be purchasable through the Newgrounds store.

The kickstarter is designed to fund and support the full not-for-profit publication of this anthology, which I and the rest of the authors believe will encourage yet another untapped resource of the internet, aspiring writers of the digital age, to bring the potential for creativity on the internet full circle. We don't want this just to be a vanity project (though we are very proud of it, to be sure). Through this book, we hope to introduce just how much opportunity lies in online collaboration and how much power the new age of publishing has been transferred to the artist.

I myself am a writer and animator and have been a member of Newgrounds since 2003. I cannot overstate the impact the website has had in fostering my own personal creativity and passion for collaborating with individuals online. But I also know I am not alone in this sentiment. Over the years, Newgrounds has helped give exposure and, more importantly, ultimate creative freedom to literally thousands of aspiring creators and artists. Newgrounds as a haven for creators and their fans has been ahead of the curve since the beginning, and everyday it is on Newgrounds that we witness the potential rise of the next big thing whether it be in the form of animation, music, art, or now, literature.

I want to let the stories speak for themselves, but at least I'd like to stress that these stories are all varied, exciting, funny, and intense, exactly something you would expect of a Newgrounds effort.

About those rewards... we're putting forth a lot of effort to make sure these rewards are worthwhile to each individual. That's why with the higher tier awards, we want you to get involved with creative process by helping us craft your own ideas into works of fiction and offer advice on where you could end up taking your writing. As always, we hope that some of that will involve the Newgrounds community.

Why We Need Your Support!

In light of this mission we decided that the funds incurred from this kickstarter would go towards making this collection as accessible as possible, supported on as many devices as possible, while still retaining the spirit of a passion project, something that is in common with pretty much everything seen on Newgrounds.

In addition to tablets and e-readers, we also want to see a tangible book come out of this, both for Newgrounds enthusiasts and those who are just fond of the old trade paperback or dust-jacket. This is where the majority of the funding will go towards. Remember, this is a not-for-profit project. Money is needed to buy pre-order copies and send them right to your door so they arrive the day of the official release.

Thanks all backers in advance! Get ready to be entertained.

That's all for now! Please don't hesitate to message if you have any question at all!