Jess Morris Animator

Drawaholics Challenge: Be Inspired by a pic...

2012-05-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

...of a polar bear with a penguin mask on. Not too much time this week, so this is what I got:

Drawaholics Challenge: Squirrel + Flamingo = Squirmingo

2012-04-06T15:56:00.001-07:00

Another Drawaholics challenge!

TED Trailer!

2012-04-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

The first TED trailer is out! (warning: not for kids). Everyday working on this film was full of laughs and I can't wait to see this in the theater filled with an audience that has no idea what they are in for! Enjoy!

Short: Footage Loose

2012-03-30T11:28:00.002-07:00

Haha, kind of how my life as an animator is... *replace dancing for beer.

Get ready for Ted!

2012-03-29T11:30:00.001-07:00

Steamboat Valentine, thank you baby!

2012-02-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

Inspiring Quote... You just gotta fight your way through.

2012-02-09T09:16:00.001-08:00

Pugigator

2012-01-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

This weeks Drawaholics challenge was a Pug + Alligator =

And this is what I got!

20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection

2012-01-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year? My boyfriend, Louie, and I got to go on our first real vacation! We took a roadtrip down hwy 1 from San Fran to San Diego. It was amazing! We also took a surfing class and now can check that off our bucket list!

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened? Dealing with pockets of unemployment and learning how to balance life when work hours got more demanding.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year? Making a Munny for my work (Tippett) holiday party. I really enjoyed working with and creating something with my hands again. This has jump started my desire to get back into sculpting and painting. Thing is.. I always have these intentions, just going to make this the year that I actually do get back into fine art and also hand making more gifts like I used to.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle? Car and money stuff. Should be expected, but always comes as a shock.

5. Pick three words to describe 2010. Quick, Adventurous, and Memorable.

6. Pick three words your significant other would use to describe your 2010 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you). Ha.. Stressful, Sleepy, and Unsocial.

7. Pick three words your significant other would use to describe their 2010 (again, without asking). Adventurous, Memorable and Sleepy.

8. What were the best...

..books you read this year? The last Harry Potter, Hunger Games Trilogy, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

..movies you saw this year? Drive, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (both sweetish and american version), Harry Potter 7.

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships? My boyfriend, Louie, friends and family.

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year? Eating healthier and working exercise into my life. Just started this with a cleanse called The Clean Program, turned onto us by a friend.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally? I tried to identify and express my emotions better.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually? My eyes were more open to seeing beautiful things around me. It's amazing what you can see if you are open to it.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically? Lost a little weight, would have liked it to be more.. But I feel better and will continue my good habits in 2012.

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others? This is a touchy question for me since I feel like I have been closed off to life outside of my routine lately and really didn't work on my relationships this year. I get so caught up in work and projects I am working on and I push aside my need and want for my friends and these connections. Which doesn't make sense since I love my friends, I love connecting and I love meeting new people. This is something I am going to work on this year. This also goes for at work! It's another resolution of mine to eat at my desk less and go out with the crew more for lunch and after work activities.

15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)? I get paid for bringing characters to life at a studio where everyone does their absolute best and in the end we have done a part in a film that people will see and hopefully enjoy. It really doesn't get better then that! I am always challenged and growing as an artist. Never a dull moment in this life as an animator.

16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)? The most challenging part of my work is the constant need to figure out what would be the best solution for a shot I am animating and most of all ..being able to actually do it.

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? Reading.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year? Exercising.

19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year? I am realizing that my life will never slow down, so I have to make the time for the things I want to do and the people I want to see.

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you. Not enough moments with friends and having fun, but the memories that were made were ones I will never forget and will cherish forever. Lets make even more in 2012!

Bonus: Something I read in an article that will echo in my mind throughout the year..

Set your sights on new experiences, not new things. Experiences, more than material things, are what make humans the happiest. Perhaps rather than creating a wish list that includes new "things" think about setting your heart's desire on new experiences. A backpacking trip. A new yoga class. A massage. A night with the TV turned off, cell phones on mute, laptops closed, playing backgammon with loved ones. Simply sublime.

2012 New Years Resolutions

- Read more.

- Draw more.

- Explore more.

- Spend more time with friends.

- Laugh more.

- Learn something new.

- One thing off bucket list.

- Actually save money.

- Alter things around the home into something I like rather then buying new.

- Pack more lunches.

(If you do these questions, link me to them in the comment box. I would love to hear how your 2011 was and your 2012 resolutions!)

Mutant Land

2012-01-02T11:45:00.000-08:00

I didn't get the pleasure of working on this short film, but check out this masterpiece by my fellow Tippetteers..

Munny

2011-12-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

I had a blast at the holiday work party with Tippett last saturday night! One of the main highlights was being involved in the munny competition. What is this you might ask? Well, you get one of these...

And then you can do whatever you want with it! The two categories were best movie adaptation and most original. After a long list of ideas I quickly went with one of my all time favorite characters: Edward Scissorhands.

I first sketched out how I wanted him to look and made a list of supplies I would need to accomplish my idea.

Then the tedious work began... I first sculpted all of his belts and clothing with super sculpey. The belt buckles are from a chain that I tore apart and the pieces holding together the chains made good studs for the belt. The scissor fingers are wire I hammered out.

After I was happy with the form I cooked him for 15 minutes at 275 degrees. This is an important detail because the munny is made out of vinyl and will melt if left in for too long. But you have to cook the sculpey just right or it will crack. The trick is 15 min per 6mm. Mine wasn't quite that thick, but I did it for that long anyways and so far its holding together. Next was painting...

Which was quite tricky because of the rings and studs. But a small brush and steady hand did the trick. I first did a flat black layer and then went in with a dry brush and added some texture. After doing the face I gave the whole thing a layer of protective varnish. Then I glued on some yarn for the hair, messed it up a bit, painted on some metallic details, connected the scissor fingers to the control with some string and this is what I got...

Finally drew...

2011-12-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I have drawn, but wanting to do a new Drawaholics banner kicked me into gear! This is just the drawing, to see the whole banner jump on over to the blog.

My Shrinky Dink Grandma

2011-10-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

So I have two of the most amazing Grandma's that have both been a huge support and inspiration to me my entire life. It just so happens one of my Grandma's invented Shrinky Dinks and she just got interviewed for a Milwaukee News spot that is now on the web. Thought I would share!

Work Update and Road Trip

2011-10-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while... but things have been going great! I am still at Tippett, just finished up Breaking Dawn Pt 1 and am now working on Seth MacFarlane's first film 'Ted'. Imagine Family Guy humor rated R.. it's going to be great! There isn't too much out there right now on it, but as it pops up I'll post some things up.

In between projects my boyfriend and I were finally able to go on our very first trip together! We took a road trip down hwy 1 from SF to SD... camping, great food, amazing views, caught up with friends, disneyland.. it was incredible and so many memories were made! Here is a video I put together trying to tell the story of our trip:

Animation Tips & Tricks Blog

2011-10-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

Another tips & tricks post! This time I talk about networking.

Animation Tips & Tricks Blog

2011-07-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

Another tips & tricks post! This time I talk about interviewing at a studio.

Hagrid

2011-07-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Another Drawaholics sketch: Harry Potter. There are so many interesting characters in this series, but Hagrid is the one that has the most interesting shape to me and so much personality. I wanted to do a face study first and hopefully next to a full body one more characterized. With his pink umbrella and Fang of course!

Rango Showreel and Updated Demo

2011-07-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

Today Rango comes out on DVD and I can finally share with the world my contributions to the film! Below are all the shots I did and here is a LINK to my updated reel with most of these shots added in.

Jess Morris - Rango Showreel from Jess Morris on Vimeo.

Work Update!

2011-07-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

My time at ILM oh Pirates 4 and Transformers 3 was a lot of fun and now I am back at Tippett working on Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1! We are working on the wolves.. the best part! ..and its really a lot of fun! We study a ton of wolf reference for how they move and interact, but since the wolves are so huge we have to study the timing of horses to get a convincing feel. It's a really neat process and I have been learning a lot!

Drawaholics Post: April Showers

2011-05-10T21:00:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist :)

Drawaholics Post: The 80s

2011-04-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

The 80s for me was all about getting the perfect side pony tail, the Goonies and showing my little sister how to properly play with all of my toys. I have a couple more things I would like to do with this; more toys, New Kids on the Blocks poster, finalize the lines.. but I figured I should post what I have and make an attempt to catching up on some weeks I have missed!

One Man Band

2011-04-07T01:07:00.000-07:00

This weeks drawaholics theme: musical inspiration.

My Pet Monster

2011-04-04T01:01:00.000-07:00

Drawaholics challenge from a couple weeks ago: my pet monster.

AM Interview - Rango

2011-03-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I was interviewed about my experiences while animating on Rango including the shots I worked on and the process I took to accomplish each shot. A couple other Rango animators were interviewed as well and an article was written! It is in the newest Animation Mentor newsletter which is now public. She did a wonderful job not only promoting the film, but she beautifully explained how the movie was done! Check it out!

Work Update!

2011-03-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Pirates 4 is wrapping up and I thought I was going to have some time off to relax, but I got an offer to help Transformers 3 finish up! It's going to be an exhausting couple of weeks (going from one crunch to another), but I am excited to be part of one of the big robot movies!

But back to Pirates... you guys are in for a treat! This one is going to be a a fun ride and has a more solid story then the third. And there will be mermaids! Animating mermaids was definitely one of the more challenging characters I have ever animated! Tails are tough in general, but to have to make one feel like it is forcefully pushing the creature through water and space- without the floatiness feeling- is a whole new challenge! I have learned so much in the process and I can't wait to see the film in theaters!