Ramping Up for Los Angeles

I'm about two and a half weeks away from my third trip to California. The first trip was when a friend from college and I decided to pop in on Blizzard Entertainment and show them our 'awesome portfolios'. The second trip was last summer when I went out via an invite from the Jim Henson Company, met with them, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, and briefly with Disney in San Diego. I also got my rep, Troy Underwood while I was there too.

I pitched a story I had put together, and learned a lot of things about what works and what doesn't work in the animation business. That idea ... didn't work so much.

Well, I should find out about Brash & Sect-C at Nelvana this week. I'm also in the middle of putting together a second pitch of 2006, tentatively Untitled. Here are a couple characters:

I'll be pitching this story here in Toronto on July 11th, and leaving for L.A. on July 15th. I'm really excited about this story. I'm really trying to push myself with the story and the zanyness.

Other than that, I have several things on the go. We just got a new apartment, which we'll be moving into the second week of August, after we've painted.

I'm working on several contracts, and with any luck I'll have my entire L.A. trip paid off before I even leave for it.

Anyways, that's it for now. It should be an interesting month, one way or another.

Pitch & Portfolio

So I had my pitch yesterday at Nelvana, and I think it went very, very well. I should know by the end of June whether or not I'll get to produce several two minute episodes. Also, Andrea and I found a great apartment across from the Old Mill subway station. We'll be moving in August 1st.

Here's my current portfolio. I need to add some pages of sketches, so I'll probably be going to the Sunday Subway Sketch group this (wait for it) Sunday.

The Big Day

So in twelve and a half hours I'll be face to face with five executives at Nelvana, delivering my pitch for their animated shorts program.

Over a month straight of work has been put into this project. I'm not expecting anything to come of it, mainly because looking at all my materials now I can only see the flaws. It's the same thing that would happen after spending x amount of hours on a school project.

But at the same time I'm not pesamistic. I know the idea is a solid one, and I know that I would be able to produce the 10 episodes if it gets chosen. And in the event that it doesn't, I'm still going to be pitching to a couple more places here in Toronto, and in L.A. this July. So lots of opportunity.

Anyways, as a little self-congratulations for finishing the animatic, I did up my annual 'Samurai with Flaming Sword' illustration.

Time for sleep.