Max Winston's Art and Such

Random Drawings 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:55:00 +0000

I don't post enough stuff on this blog. So now... I will post stuff! This blog's gonna change! It's gonna be... Huuuuge! Here's some recent random diddles.

3-word movie review:

Savage Vengeance

DUMBASS SLEAZY GORE

The Story of Pines

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:58:00 +0000

Hey everyone! Here is a long - overdue post. Early last year I was lucky enough to get to work with some close friends to help realize a story by Alison Sudol (Of the band A Fine Frenzy) into a short animated film. My official credits were Storyboards, Editor, and "Adapted for the screen by". Basically I worked with Alison & director Musa Brooker (an amazing animator as well) to help condense Alison's 40-page story into a 12-ish minute film, which would be released in conjunction with her new album. So the songs drive the story, the story reflects the music, etc.

This was a unique project because we had to develop Alison's vision, which was very personal and sensitive, into a film. Usually, working in animation, most the projects I work on are silly, wild, violent, comedy-based etc, and although I love those kind of jobs, this was an interesting and challenging change of pace... and actually one of the funnest times I've had working on a project!

The story is about a bird and a tree who befriend one another and help each other on their journey through life. If you have 12 minutes to sit back and soak-in a sweet story, check it out! The film was shot with the unique style of cut-out animation on a down-shooter.

Here is a "making-of" video. There are many more of these, covering different topics, on the "takepart" youtube channel. Thanks to Participant Media for the opportunity to work on this.

Here is some development art I did early on in the production, to help figure out the style and feel of the film.

Underwater

3-word movie review:
PHASE IV
MICROSCOPIC EXISTENTIAL ODYSSEY

Making the Storybots!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:17:00 +0000

Well now that both the Storybot shorts I did for JibJab are up on the grand ol' internet, here's some pictures I took while making the shorts. A little behind the scenes mumbo jumbo.

The desk of a storybotter.

Making the giant robot claw, only seen for a few seconds in the final short.

Early stage of the fatty robot's body.

Designing the Lobster's armature.

Inner workings of a Giraffe head.

Jazz Madness.

Well, that's it for now...

Storybots - the letter Z!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:51:00 +0000

Hey folks, it's been a while, but here's something new I did for JibJab that recently was unleashed onto the internets. Another letter short, this time for the letter "Z". Enjoy!

3 - word movie review
The Naked Prey (1965)
LONELY, WHIRLING, EXOTIC

Storybots - the letter "L"!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 23:51:00 +0000

Good day to you, internet dwellers!

Here is a video I recently made with JibJab about the letter "L". It's part of their new storybots series. They basically gave me the song, then I storyboarded it, and before i knew it, it was on the internet. Animation is so easy. Enjoy! And stay tuned...

3-word movie review:
MARTYRS
PROBING, WHIRLWIND, DAMAGING

The Woods - Development Art

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:43:00 +0000

Hey guys, here are some designs and concept art from the show I was developing. There is so much more than what is here, but this should wet yer tongue a bit.

The show is about this kid named Boyo, who is lost in the Woods. He doesn't know how he got there, he can't get out, and he's mostly accepted this. Boyo befriends a talking Bush with legs named Cuts. Together, they are continually stuck between wars that are going on between different tribes within the Woods. These tribes are the REPS (Strange foofy lizard-creatures whom live in fancy underground tunnels), the WOODSIES (Pretty much any plant, tree, and blade of grass in the Woods) and the BUGS (The bugs are... well, bugs). While these tribes have quarreled on and off for ages, they all share a common enemy... The beyond-psychotic Woodsman. The Woodsman is the same character from my film "I Live in the Woods".

Here's the image I used for the cover of my pitch bible. This is with an earlier design of Boyo.

Here are some drawings of Cuts & Boyo

Here's a Bug puppet I made, but didn't include in the animation test. You can see here how a cartoon drawing can translate into puppet form.

Some other Bugs. These are mostly just random side-characters.

This is Queen Pit, the old-lady lizard-leader of all the REPS.

Here's more REPS.

Here are some of the WOODSIE tribe members.

These are some "rough" color and environment concepts by my very talented friend Romney Caswell.

Well, I hope you enjoyed having a gander at this stuff!

Oh yeah, and don't steel my ideas, or all your friends will leave you. And your pets (If you don't have friends). Thanks!

The Woods! Animation Test

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:04:00 +0000

Hey folks. For the past 2 years, I have been developing a stop motion cartoon show. I was recently informed that they don't want to go through with making it into a show. It's a bummer, because so much of my time, energy and brain power have gone into this project the past few years. But hey, this stuff happens all the time with projects in development.

But the cool news is, that while developing this project, I got to spend time developing characters, settings, storyboards, etc. AND I got to make this minute - long animation test! This was sort of a "proof of concept" type - thing. Because stop motion shows aren't made often, they wanted to see if cartoon characters could successfully be realized in stop motion. This test wasn't a failure, they actually really liked it, and it wasn't the reason for the ultimate demise of my show. Anyways, now it's on "the net" for all to enjoy, so... here you go!

The Woods - animation test from Max Winston on Vimeo.

What's on MY cult films list? Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:43:00 +0000

Hello folks. This post is inspired by an article I spotted recently on NPR. The article is about a pair of authors of an upcoming "cult films" book, and I have to say, before these guys finish the book, they should watch some damn cult films! Going through the list of their top 100 cult films, I was surprised to find few films that I personally feel even fit into the "cult" category. Kubrick's 2001? Casablanca? The Wizard of Oz? Don't get me wrong, these are GREAT films... but are they "cult-able"?

This brings me to the question: What is a "cult" film? I believe that in order for a film to fit into this category, it has to have at least a few of these attributes:

1. Low Budget.
2. Out-of-the-ordinary or unfamiliar story-lines and/or plot-points.
3. Unique unto itself.
4. Includes known-actors doing something they've never done before or since, or features actors no one has ever heard of.
5. Even if it's terrible, there's something about it that sticks with you forever.
6. Has a die-hard group of fans specifically for itself, OR (see below)
7. Sometimes a requirement... Barely anyone gives a shit about it.

Anyways, whether I'm right or wrong, reading this article has inspired me to start a new recurring section on my blog of some of my favorite must-see weirdo-cult films, in no particular order. Here's part 1, with 14 films. You ain't gonna find this stuff at Blockbuster.

RADIOACTIVE DREAMS

In this film, two teenage dudes are stuck in a bomb shelter on post-apocalyptic earth, with nothing to read but detective comics. They are finally released unto this new earth, to find cheesy punk-rock-gangs and corruption everywhere. A few highlights include a giant rat-head attack (courtesy of special effects gurus the Chiodo Brothers), gun-wielding children cursing like sailors, and a cheesy dance number at the end including basically everyone in the movie, led by our two teen heroes. They just don't make em' like this anymore... some people might say for a reason...?

Available on VHS.

PROM NIGHT 2: HELLO MARY LOU

One personal requirement of cult-films is that they must show you something you would never have thought of and can't see anywhere else but in that film. Prom Night 2, surprisingly, hits this point home. Barely continuing from the story of the original Prom Night (starring Jamie Lee Curtis), this film takes more of a "horror-comedy" approach. There are so many cool, weird ideas in this movie... A girl's childhood rocking horse comes to life, gets angry and tries to kill her. A chalkboard comes to life, grows arms and tries to kill her. Michael Ironside comes to life and... appears in this movie. If you prefer weird-ass ideas over masterful triumphs in storytelling prowess, check this one out. But don't watch the third one, it sucks.

Available on DVD.

SLAUGHTERHOUSE

I don't necessarily consider this an amazing film, but besides featuring some pretty great characters, it makes the "cult-able" list for one feature alone: The title intro. After some story introduction, we are presented with the film's title, "Slaughterhouse", juxtaposed over an image of a fat (and quite cute) pig's face. The following sequence pretty much takes us through the process of a pig going through a slaughterhouse's procedures, start to finish, with some soothing music accompanying. Now, I don't enjoy watching this kind of thing, but at least this film puts it's money where it's mouth is, a way of thinking that should be prevalent in cult films. Also, this intro sets up the rest of the movie; Yes, these freaky farmers run a slaughterhouse, yes they do disgusting stuff like this. They are FREAKY FUCKED-UP FARMERS, man.

Available on DVD

THE VAGRANT

A friend recently lent this to me. It's crazy. A business man (played by Bill Paxton) buys a new house, only to find that this absolutely revolting homeless bum (a vagrant!) likes to slum around the property basically being intrusive and disturbing. This man tries everything he can to ward off the disturbing bum, but cannot escape him, physically or mentally. He's basically haunted by this gross bum (whom he also suspects is killing his neighbors). That's it. Except for the part where the man escapes to a trailer park to finally attempt to get away. But as the story unfolds, we begin to question the origin, location, or even existence of this hideous fellow. I was surprised I had never heard of this, especially considering it was produced by Mel Brooks. I guess that's what happens sometimes when new media formats are introduced, some great relics end up left behind...

Available on VHS, or streaming on Hulu.

FRANKENHOOKER

Frankenhooker is not only one of my favorite "cult" movies, but one of my favorite movies period. It's hilarious, messed-up, sad (uh, sorta), and just over-the-top bizarre. An inventor's wife is run over by a remote-control lawnmower he made. He feels awful and guilty, so he saves her head. But he needs the other body-parts to "frankenstein" her back together. He figures he can kill prostitutes and use their body parts, and no one will care. But when he puts her back together, she starts acting and living like a hooker... There is so much great stuff in this film, it's hard to list it all. But I will say this: To aid in his dismembering agenda, he gives "super-crack" to the drug-obsessed Jersey prostitutes, and they explode in fire like bursting light bulbs. You just gotta see it. Also want to point out the main actor, James Lorinz, is great in this. We pretty much are with him the whole time, and are constantly brought into his inner conflicts, it's a total character study, in the way of Bad Lieutenant, Cast Away, or even Taxi Driver.

Available on BluRay, as of last year!

CHERRY 2000

Cherry 2000 is yet another post-apocalyptic film from the 80's, set in the future. But it does it so well. While many of the post-apocalyptic Mad Max rip-offs from the 80's often leave me wanting more, this one has a story and atmosphere which is really it's own. I recommend watching this film for the locations alone, if nothing else. I have no idea how they found so many cool-looking, interesting and epic locations, let alone were able to film in them! The protagonisht in this film sets out to find a one-of-a-kind "brain chip" to program into his favorite kind of rare female robot: Cherry 2000. Definitely worth a look.

Available on DVD.

A DOZEN WAYS TO DIE

Now, this movie isn't great, but it's awesome. An evil, fat, bald biker gang-leader terrorizes a family, and the dad seeks out revenge. I nominate this film because this huge guy takes a chainsaw to a trailer to get the family out of it, demolishing it in the process, truly a sight to be seen. The vengeful father also puts a live rattlesnake in his backpack and saves it for later when he whips it out and attacks someone with it. Crazy stuff. This film is low in budget, but high in energy and oddball-ness.

Available on VHS. On DVD when pigs fly.

SNAKEEATER

We watch action movies to see fighting, violence, extreme situations, and bad-asses. Snakeeater serves all of these traits on a bullet-ridden silver platter. Starring Lorenzo Lamas, the action star who never quite made it, Snakeeater is an action movie that takes place in the backwoods. Another revenge story. One of my favorite things about action movies are the crazy things that the heroes do to prove their coolness. In the first 10-ish minutes of this film, Lorenzo Lamas catches two drug dealers in a sting operation by means of highly-complicated booby traps that he somehow managed to install in their lair, makes love to a babe and reveals that he has been wearing a wire-tap underneath a tuft of fake hair on his head. I don't see how action fans couldn't like this movie. Also includes a family of violent, deranged backwoods hillbillies. If you like action films, have a gander.

Available on DVD

MONDO CANE

This one is worth seeing if you're interested in real and bizarre things from around the world that you may have not been aware of before. Considered the original "shockumentary" film, Mondo Cane is an exotic journey around the world, showcasing the weird, wonderful, and even sometimes worthless or pointless things we humans partake in. There is some animal abuse, but if you give this film a chance, I'm sure you'll learn something about this world that will stay with you forever.

Available on DVD/BluRay

SURF II

Surf II is insane. It is truly the pinnacle of ridiculous, fun-lovin' cheese-ball cinema of the 1980's. It really is like Revenge of the Nerds, Porky's, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High combined. The only thing it lacks is the cohesive storyline that those other films sort of had. In this film, a surfer-despising nerd invents a soda that turns surfers into brainless quasi-zombie-things. There's tons of wacky surfer talk, a topless beach party, and... plenty of pretty popular 80's songs on the soundtrack, including a few by Oingo Boingo. Fun in the sun.

Available on VHS

HIGHWAY TO HELL

Highway to Hell rocks in ways that movies haven't rocked in a long time. A teenager who is driving with his girlfriend (played by Kristy Swanson) at night is pulled over by a cop. Turns out he's part of Satan's police squad, and he drags the guy's girlfriend into hell. The guy goes into Hell to find his girlfriend, and runs into tons of trouble. Weird appearances by Ben Stiller and his dad, who run a diner in hell, and Gilbert Gottfried as Hitler. Also features some pretty cool special effects by future Lord of the Rings FX genius Randall William Cook, including a 3-headed dog.

Available on VHS and Laserdisc. I first saw it on the IFC channel.

MANIAC (1980)

"Maniac" is one of the few films that Gene Siskel walked out of in his whole career, and for good reason. It's disturbing. And intense. To put it bluntly, Maniac makes Silence of the Lambs look like Care Bears. It's dirty, violent, and surely damaging to any viewer with a conscience. But if you can handle all this, beneath the layers of grime you will find an incredible performance by the late actor/writer Joe Spinell, who plays a deeply disturbed serial killer. In Maniac, we are with Joe's character for literally the whole film, we see what he goes through within himself throughout his daily life and why. Maniac is truly one of the most intimate portraits of a serial killer on film, and the director, exploitation maestro William Lustig, is not afraid to show us exactly what the serial killer sees and experiences... we are forced to be right there with him, and that is what makes Maniac one of the most effective serial killer films I've ever seen. If you think you've seen crazy, you haven't seen... MANIAC! Check it out. Oh wait, or check out the upcoming remake starring Elijah Wood... I'm sure that will have the same effect...

Available on many formats.

DEATH RACE 2000 (1975)

You think you've seen nutball-ish films. But then you see Death Race 2000, and your whole film world is turned upside-down. This is what happened to me last year. Death Race 2000 is one of the most innovative films from Roger Corman. It's limitless, unexpected, and surprising as all hell. In a future, post-apocalyptic earth, people have become obsessed with the "Death Racers" (I guess you can call them that), almost superhuman-like people who race around the USA in an incredibly dangerous death-car race where human casualties are tallied-up for points. These racers are treated as the highest-level of celebrity. Oh, and the most popular racers are played by Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine. BUT - behind the scenes there is a group of activists that are against the races and the danger they plague this country with, they try and sabotage the racetracks... this film is truly too outrageous to accurately describe. If you've ever wondered why the hell Roger Corman is so respected, go rent Death Race 2000. Also, this movie inspired the awesome video game CARMAGEDDON, so if you like that, you will like this.

Available on most formats.

BEAKS (1987?)

Ok, Beaks gets on this list partly because it starts out with straight-up animal cruelty. A creepy guy with a patch is shooting pigeons for target practice, and after he kills them, his assistant picks up the bird body and SLAMS THAT PIGEON ON THE GROUND IN SLOW MOTION. He HATES these birds! And yes, it's real. You can just tell. This is the kind of movie that would do this to a real bird rather than make a fake bird, probably due to budget. Also, it's an Italian/Spanish co-production, so there were different rules, or at least ignored rules in those parts of the world back in the day. Anyways, in this film, birds are SICK of being killed, eaten, picked-on, etc, so they... sort of start to attack people, all over the world. And of course, it's "peoples'" job to figure out how to stop the vicious peckers. While an obvious rip-off of "The Birds", and not an incredibly engaging film on it's own, Beaks has enough hilarious and awkward moments to make it onto the list. Also it's dubbed in English, so... it's an all-around fun film to check out. Beware... Beaks.

Available only on VHS, I think.

WELL, that's it for this cult-films post. I'll do another one when I get another inspiration-overload or something. Seek them out if you're interested, and... enjoy.

Red Cut-outs

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:49:00 +0000

I cut out pieces of red paper and drew on them last night.

3-word movie review:
Attack the Block
MODERN, ROARING, AWESOME

WOODS! ONLINE!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 03:58:00 +0000

Hi. After about 3 years (wow, that long?), I have finally put my film "I Live in the Woods!" On the grand ol' internet. Here it is, or you can click the picture on the right for the vimeo page. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not for kids.

Also, Rondal over at Strange Kids Club gave the film a nice review recently. Which is even partly what made me finally put this thing online! Click here for it.

3 - word movie review
Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)
PUNK ROCK DANGEROUS

Metronomy "the look" music video

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 03:09:00 +0000

Hey. I recently finished working on this music video for the band Metronomy. My friend John Joyce and I made the puppets and props, then we both animated it. The video was directed by Lorenzo Fonda, and shot by Justin Gurnari. It was a fun project to work on.

And here's timelapse footage of us (mostly me, sorry John) animating it!

And here's ol' Johnny boy working on the puppets.

And here's an eyeball. Before we changed the design.

3 - word movie review
Suck (2009)
SILLY, CORNBALL, ROCKIN'

Strawberry comic

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:25:00 +0000

I drew this a few years ago, but was sifting through old files and thought it was kewel. These were just stream of consciousness, no planning, straight ahead. Made it for my friend who was putting together a collection of comics that I don't think will be published anymore, hmmm... Click to make it bigger!

PS - the page format was supposed to be 7"x7", that's why there's a line down the center. Fun stuff. Fun's tuff.

Hey, does anyone have tips on making a website? I need one!

3 - word movie review
The Illusionist (2010)
SAD, PRETTY, FUNNY

Community Christmas Special

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 01:43:00 +0000

Hello all, some "old" news here. Few months old. I animated on NBC's comedy show "Community". While it's normally a live-action show, they chose to use stop-motion for the Christmas episode, in true "American Christmas special" fashion. It was fun, I got to work alongside some really amazing and talented animators, and other sorts of folks.

I'm not sure if there's anywhere to watch the full episode online, but click here for a preview scene from NBC.com

Here's a timelapse I shot with my phone of me animating one of my favorite shots I got to animate; a "Christmas Pterodactyl" swooping down and carrying this Wizard guy away into the distance.

3-word movie review
Maniac (1980)
TERRORIZING, INTIMATE, CARNAL

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 01:14:00 +0000

Wow, it's actually been half a year since I wrote on here! Ridiculous. I promise to fulfill my unspoken obligation to this blog more next year. In the meantime, I directed, animated, and well, most everything else-ed this Christmas short for JibJab. You can upload your own heads into the video here.

I uploaded photos of my family and our weird pug, take a look...

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

This was a really fun project, and the folks over at JibJab gave me a lot of creative freedom. They trusted me, even though I was making it in my garage away from any jurisdiction. Like uncharted waters. It was great working with them.

Here's some time - lapse videos of me animating it. Enjoy!

Have a Merry Christmas! And if you don't celebrate that, you're probably a weirdo anyways, so uh... have fun!

3-word movie review
127 Hours
CRINGEABLE, CONCENTRATIVE, SUPERHEROISH

Chowder and Flapjack puppets!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:00:00 +0000

WOW! Long time, no post! Sorry. But you get a special surprise for your patience... Here's pictures of stop motion puppets I made for the Cartoon Network shows "Chowder" and "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack". I really loved making puppets for both of these shows, they had great designs and were both very cartoony. I feel honored to have been able to make these puppets while these shows were on the air, for unfortunately, now both these shows have "ended production". It was fun while it lasted!

Here's a BUNCH of pictures. All puppets made with love at Screen Novelties.

"The Comb King" from Flapjack

"The Evil Comb King" from Flapjack

"Crazy Fruit" from Chowder

"Shark" from Flapjack

"Mushroom Monster" from Chowder

Mushroom Monster with the design

"Señiorita Mesquite" from Chowder

"Crab" from Flapjack (Made this with "Linda Lawrence". The sequence with this puppet was cut)

"Big Food" from Chowder

"Fish (or somethin)" from Flapjack. This fish steals K'nuckles' legs.

Last but not least... "Spongebob Skeleton" This puppet was used in the Spongebob 10th anniversary special intro that we did. Which is really cool... seek it out.

Well, there. There's all my secrets. Revealed. Kinda.

3-word movie review
SPLICE
REFRESHING, INFORMAL, WEIRD

BOOM

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:27:00 +0000

For some reason I couldn't sleep last night until I finished this. It's Tiny.

Being unemployed can have it's expected benefits...

3 - word movie review:
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
COURAGEOUS, WHIMSY, SLIPPERY

2010 AKA THE FUTURE

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:34:00 +0000

Welcome to 2010! So futuristic. I've been drawing a lot and trying to pitch some cartoon show ideas. Here's some drawings.

I doodled the above sorta-poster design recently while watching the film "I spit on your grave". I thought the film was very well done... but definitely NOT for the faint of heart! It is very extreme and messed up and disturbing. But if you're into that stuff, check it out, ha. Alright, have a good time.

3 - word movie review:
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
TENDER, CRUSHING, TURBULENT

SK8ORDIE!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:57:00 +0000

Hello fellows and fellowettes, here's a commercial I recently did the music for. Surrrrrre was fun. The visuals were done by my talented Japanese/Icelandic dynamic duo friends over at Magnuzaki studios. They truly are dynamic! Well, enjoy, Merry Fishmas to all and to all a food fight.

3-word movie review:
Joy Sticks
8BITASTIC, UNREAL, RIOTOUS

Commercials!?!?

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:33:00 +0000

Hey, it's been a while. Here's two commercials I animated on recently.

Orbit Gum - "Clean it Up"

The above Orbit commercial was directed by Ace Norton. The drawings in the video were done by GOON.

Other animators were: Musa Brooker, Sihanouk Mariona, Alex Kamer, Celeste Leipham, Nancy Parczyk, Melissa Goodwin.

Bonnaroo 2010

I animated this Bonnaroo promo. It was fun... and fast paced! I didn't do the swirly logo / picture thingies. This was made at Shadow Machine. Click on the videos to go to their respective pages and see em' full size!

Well, more cooler stuff coming up next time... secret puppets from the world of television.

3 - word movie review:
Where the Wild Things Are
DREARY, DISMAL, DEPRESSING

A Comic

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:20:00 +0000

Or something like that?

Also, this guy named John Ikuma has started publishing an online stop motion magazine that has some great interviews and such with talented folks. If you have any interest in stop motion, I recommend it.

Also, my girlfriend Winona Regan put a trailer up online for her fantastic film "Haunted Heart". It was traditionally hand animated and painted on cels. I did the soundtrack to it.

Have a sweaty swell time.

3 - word movie review:
District 9
REALLY WELL DONE

Japanese Kobe Toys

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:17:00 +0000

Here's some funny Japanese toys I recently stumbled across on ebay. Supposedly they are called "Kobe" or "Kobi" toys.

I think I literally jumped a little bit in shock when I saw that they're facial features pop out like that. Weird!

Here's one called "Teddy the Artist". He actually draws... Looks like you put a stencil in the bottom, and he draws it on the top? Sounds like fun.

3 - word movie review:
Bucket of Blood (1959)
CLEVER, FUNNY, PERCEPTIVE

Empire Muggs Back Taun Taun!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:49:00 +0000

Hello. I recently got to participate in something pretty cool... Lucasfilm decided to do an online auction for charity, in which they chose a large handful of artists to modify these vinyl toys called "mighty muggs" into an interpretation of any star wars character of their choice. They call it "The Empire Muggs Back".

Luckily this happened while I was recently working at Shadow Machine animation, animating on their new show "Titan Maximum", because Lucasfilm asked a bunch of people from Shadow Machine to participate. Good timing!

I decided to go with a character from one of the most memorable shots in the whole series for me. I made the Taun Taun that Han Solo slices open, to warm Luke with it's steamy innards.

Here's a little guy, scared at the sight. Not sure who he's supposed to be actually... sort of like a Han/Luke hybrid../?

So it's up for auction for about seven more days... here's the link to mine directly, if you want to bid on it or something, eh? It's doing well so far, hopefully it'll raise a bunch of money, which will go to the Make - A - Wish foundation. Check out the other ones too, these artists did some pretty amazing stuff.

Oh yes, and soon I will have an artist profile / interview on starwars.com. I will edit this post with a link when that goes up. Horray for helping, yeeeeah!

3 - word movie review:
Hausu
PRE - ULTRAMODERN, STUNTASTIC, OTHERWORLDLY

Animation Show and Flapjack

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Hello, it's been a while. You look different. But then again... don't we all? Deep. That's how I am. Deep.

In other news, I recently worked on a few storyboards for a great cartoon show "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack". It's one of my favorite cartoons on TV right now, so it was a fun experience. Here's a story idea drawing I did one day. The idea didn't really make it into the show, so I assume it's ok if I post it here.

Cave!

Also, I was recently interviewed for "The Animation Show" website. I freaking love the animation show (A collection of animation that tours the country every few years), so this was cool, too! You can go read it and make fun of me for sounding like a dork later...

And finally, no, I did not receive one of the top 3 prizes for the student academy award. Had to throw that in here. But it was still an amazing feeling to be nominated!

Here's links to the ones that won, if you want to check em' out:
1 - Pajamas Gladiator
2 - Sebastian's Voodoo
3 - Kites

Enjoy (?)

3-word movie review:
Drag me to Hell
FANTASTIC, RELENTLESS, RECTIFYING

Student Academy Award!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:18:00 +0000

Hello. Amazing News! My film "I Live in the Woods" has been nominated for a student academy award! I am amazed, and still a little shocked.

Also, I designed a new poster for my film. This one is more interesting than the last, which was just a still from the film. I wanted to take these things I like about interesting poster design and apply them to my own. Anyways.... here yeh go. Click to make it bigger.

3 - word movie review
Smiley Face
EXPERIENCED, HILARIOUS, SURPRISING

3 x 5 drawin's and such

noreply@blogger.com (Mad Max Winston) — Sat, 02 May 2009 08:00:00 +0000

I haven't posted my own art in a while... I'm working on the cartoon show "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack" right now as a storyboard artist, and these are some doodles I did yesterday in my spare time. My friend and fellow storyboard artist Somvilay Xayaphone introduced me to these brush pens which are very nice. I did these on 3x5 notecards with that pen, except for the last drawing... that one's bigger. Anyways... whoah!

3 - word movie review:
Repo: The Genetic Opera
UNIQUE, CLAMOROUS, CONFUSING