News Feed

Mitsubishi "Invisible" at the Mill.

2009-12-19T15:48:00.001-06:00

Happy Holidays! December is here, and the first spot I completed while working at the Mill is now airing.

Mitsubishi "Invisible" hosts CG clothing of the people who do not 'stand out'. Not until they get inside the car of course.

Here is another link to it:
BeamTV - The Mill

I served as a General CG artist for various shots. Everything you see that is associated with an 'invisible' person or vehicle is CG.
I'll also have a Herseys spot coming out next week I'll post asap.

In the coming weeks I'm starting a Superbowl spot with a host of VFX that should be rather spectacular. I'll keep you posted.

Enjoy!

A Prestigious Award!

2009-10-28T14:19:00.000-05:00

What a week!

My hosting provider, Dreamhost, held a simple retro t-shirt design contest.   They were looking for designs for the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.

The prize was lifetime free hosting!! Unlimited space, and bandwidth!! wow!

Well, I submitted 3 variations on the same design, and low and behold. I won! I was notified that I was 'best in decade'.   I'll never have to pay for hosting again. Hazzah!

I'm pretty stoked about it. I wasn't even REALLY crazy about the design I submitted, but it was inspired by a recent party invite I got from a friend. Thought it was appropriate for this contest.

In other news, I'm continuing my research to develop my online Director's presence. I seem to be getting more and more interest in my Directing.   So that just leaves me with digging through all my work, and getting the spots I Directed into a more presentable form online.   I think I'll even get a new domain...   Hmm..

More soon.

Work for the Fall

2009-10-27T14:36:00.000-05:00

So with the coming of the new season here in the city, there is so much energy in the air. Good things happening, so hang on.

For the last few weeks, I've been freelancing as a CG FX artist for 89.edit. Nice bunch of people, with a nice studio. My contract with them is up on the 31st!

Then on the 1st, I head over to service one of my favorite commerical VFX companies in the biz "The Mill".
Not clear on what roll or capacity I'll be in use, but I'm looking forward to getting to know the talent over there, and hopefully get to contribute on some good work during the whole situation. :-)

Tentaclecloud.com is alive and well!. The Alpha is released, and we're starting to pick up users.

Finally, I'm thinking of setting up a Directorial website, that would only showcase my Director's work, and in hopes that I can better sell myself as an CG/VFX Animation Director. I'll keep you posted.

Looking forward to the next few months when the weather gets chilly, and all there is to do is huddle indoors and work on personal projects. Looking forward to it so I can get some more quality time with "Invasion"

It's Alive!! Alive!!

2009-07-13T23:03:00.003-05:00

That's right!! You can't stop it! The Tentacle Project is coming!
[ tentaclecloud.com ]

In fact, I have just received the very first alpha version of the Tentacle Project, and [ kungfukoi.com ] is in-fact powered by Tentacle currently!! That's right, tentacle is up and running, and the driving force of the this site. Stay tuned to tentaclecloud.com for updates about what the Tentacle Project is, and why it's the most awesome web developers environment ever!!

In the last week, I've been working away on the Invasion Project, and have made a few updates over on the Invasion Blog.

Also, recently have aquired a 13"Macbook Pro, and am joining the ranks of nerds with mac's. I got it for the development platform it offers for the iPhone and the Web. Plus, it's time I learn Mac again... ( read: unix )

And Finally, I'm heading back to Texas for a couple weeks, to visit family, friends. So if you are one of those and are reading this. Call me, lets get together. :-) I've also started a personal blog for all the stupid stuff that didn't really fit on here. Please follow me here:
[ warriorginger.blogspot.com ]

Enjoy!

Rebrand Under Construction

2009-06-17T13:30:00.005-05:00

Remember back in the dawn of the internet when you would say a site is 'under construction'? It was how you would tell people that the site is being worked on and will be improved shortly. You don't really hear people saying that any longer. I wonder why.

Well, I'm bringing it back. At least for now. www.kungfukoi.com has moved off Speakeasy, where it has been hosted since the dawn of time. To Dreamhost. ( unlimited space, bandwith for your life, only $6/mo! )

The entire site, galleries, and misc content are temporarily down, as I build a dynamic and super cool back-end for the site that hopefully will make updates and re-designs easier in the future. So for now.. I am keeping my contact info, and reel up.. you know, for self promotional puposes.

However, I fully expect to have the new re-branding and site up in the next few weeks/months. The new site will also come with it some new features that I won't go into yet. However, I'm pretty excited about it!

In other news, I'm finishing up my current contract with Psyop and will fully available for bookings on the 22nd.
I've also broken down and aquired a Twitter account. So if you are so inclined.. follow me at: www.twitter.com/kungfukoi . I have started to peck around on it, and think that if I just use it for a work-related feed only, perhaps I'll be able to justify it. After all, I have a Facebook for the personal stuff right!? :-)

Guiness Dot on permanent viewing at the MOMA!

2009-05-16T09:49:00.006-05:00

So this spot I helped with, served as as sequence lead, is now on permanent viewing at the Museum of Modern Art! I can say now say I have a piece in the MOMA. heh.
( Lead the Black and White jungle that grows on with a panther sequence )

Guiness Dot
Uploaded by Actupub -

MTVA Promo Now Online!

2009-05-16T08:51:00.009-05:00

It's been a whirlwind couple of months. Last month I finished up the MTV gig, which was a really quick turnaround project. I think I had two weeks or so to turnkey the spot. They wanted the 2D style typically associated with After Effects. Check it out here, I'd love to hear what you think.

Since then I have gone back on contract with Psyop, who have always been great to work with!
I'm working on an international Psyop spot for Playstation, so you know that'll be some fun-eye-candy coming out soon. So keep the eyes open.

My contract with them is up May 23rd and am not booked beyond that at this time.

I'm going to be updating/re-doing the KungFuKoi.com soon. I'm moving hosts, and using that as an excuse to update and redesign the site. The goal is make the entire site more dynamic so it's not such a chore to update it. I have so much content these days, it's hard to organize, update, and just keep interesting all the archival content. I want to keep it out of the way so it's not overwhelming, but still online, so that I can easily get at it. It looks like I'm going to be moving into a world of PHP, mySQL, and other acronyms that are boring and dry.

But hey, I'll have a jazzy new site worthy of being on ( insert your trendy design promotional blog here ).

Big Changes

2009-04-20T19:39:00.003-05:00

Well, I read somewhere, that you know you are happy when you don't update your Blog.
Apparently, I've been extremely happy. :-)

Ok, big changes. Mass Market has made some cutbacks, and that resulted in me going back on the independent/freelance market.

So, with that, I've had the opportunity to work with click 3x, on an MTV promo for Star Trek. Was a lot of fun, and got to meet some fun new people!

Then MTV asked KungFuKoi to produce a :30 promo for the MTV Movie Awards. I'll post the spot as soon as I upload it. I think it airs ( 4/20! )

So with all the hustling, I'm going to attempt to revisit this blog, and find a more interesting format.

I'm also looking to update it weekly. We'll see how that goes.

Sprint Nascar "Speed"

2009-02-19T21:06:00.007-06:00

My Directorial Debut for Mass Market is finally online ready to show!

[ Glossy ]

[ Feed ]

[ NOTCOT ]

This Nascar spot was done for Sprint, for the Daytona 500 and Nascar season. I imagine it'll run like very nascar race...

I'm very happy with the spot, and really enjoyed working with our team at Mass Market to make it possible.

It was an ambitious undertaking, and I think the end result speaks for itself.

7-up goes live!

2009-02-07T12:08:00.005-06:00

The spot I worked on back in August as an Animation Director, is finally airing and I can show it here...

Check out a small version here: http://7up.com/

I'll post a bigger version when I get some time.

This spot was entirely done with XSI's ICE system.

Superbowl Spots!

2009-02-04T08:52:00.005-06:00

Well it looks like they took down the link to the Stereoscopic HP spot. It was turned into 3D for the superbowl, but I don't think it aired.

However,

Coke - Heist,
Monster.com - NFL Draft
Kellogg - Frosted Flakes
GE - Wizard of Oz

All aired!! All Psyop/Mass Market projects! Pretty cool!!!

See them here: XLIII 2009 Superbowl Ads

August 2008 Update

2008-11-06T23:54:00.003-06:00

Day Off The Dead was included in 3D World Magazine's "50 greatest independent animated 3D shorts: 1997 to 2007!

Way to go guys!!

September Update

2008-11-06T23:11:00.002-06:00

Send a message via Yahoo to eightgr

Studio Profile : MassMarket

Since June of 2004 MassMarket has grown in size and competes with the top VFX houses in NYC. While still maintaining a boutique vibe and sensibility, they have built a strong team which includes two additional Flame leads, Nick Tanner (formally from Smoke and Mirrors) and Jamie Scott (The Mill), an up and coming 2D artist Julian Ford (FIN design in Sydney) and a large 3D department lead by 3D leads Jake Slutsky and Jeff Dates.

Discover this studio and their famous spots with Justin Lane, Executive Producer at MassMarket : Click this Link

September 12th

2008-11-06T22:59:00.002-06:00

Smith and Nephew from mate on Vimeo.

I pre-visualized this spot for Eben and Mate, that went onto become an FX masterpiece!
They did an awesome execution.. I'm proud to have been part of the project!!

2008-06-30T21:50:00.004-05:00

IPHONE TO: spore creature creator

Almost forgot, Just finished up on this HP spot for Psyop.

I turnkey'd the final grand finale shot!!

HP: Maestro

Seen here on Motionographer

2008-06-30T21:09:00.007-05:00

IPHONE TO: Iphone 3G

So much to update. I have been neglectful, and am going to try to fix that.

So lets see... Digital Tutors says I'm a success story!

What the heck kind of face am I making there? Jeez oh Pete! I look like a stroke victim. I wonder why I thought that was a good press photo?

Here is the spot that we shot in New Zealand.

Feed does a brief Q&A about Travelers, the Rupert Sanders spot, shot by Chris Soos.

See the spot also here: Travelers Umbrella

Also seen on 'boards: Travelers yet again.

So MassMarket asked me to do this 'proof of concept' pitch... so I grabbed a KidRobot Dunny and this quick test was created!

Subway Super Dunny

As if that wasn't fun... it got picked up by the KidRobot's CEO's blog!!!

Supe r Dunny on KidRobot

Another fun item, Day Off the Dead was showcased by 3dWorld, as "The indie 50 3D World's 50 greatest independent animated 3D shorts: 1997 to 2007" and was released on a DVD with their magazine #102 issue! That's some kudos!

Thanks guys!!
However, the bar for best kudos is set extremly high with Kerry Tescher's tribute!.

2008-04-06T12:42:00.003-05:00

IPhone To: Bjork's Wanderlust Video

So I have a lot to update in the coming post(s)!

For now, I wanted to show off a shot using my new Land Polaroid 100! My buddy gave it to me, and it works great! It took a few test shots to get used to how to predict the exposure
in lighting conditions, but I think I got it now.

This piece has been up at the gallery right next to my building for awhile now. Every morning on my way to work I can watch this beauty sleeping in. I have another pic of her after the snow storm. It's pretty crazy to see her with ice and snow on her. See it at my Facebook Gallery. ( yeah, I know.. facebook)

Work has been super busy, I've recently wrapped a few cool projects and will be posting them when I get some more time.

2008-02-18T18:39:00.004-06:00

IPHONE TO: SXSW 2008 Band Sampler

So you wouldn't believe it. On my block, the same one with Mario, is this space invader!! This guy is about 14 feet in the air. Unmarked other than what is seen here.

I love that.

I've just returned from New Zealand from where I was on a Rupert Saunders shoot. It was for a Travelers insurance spot Mass Market is finishing. With Ruperts eye on it, it will be spectacular. DP - Chris Soos.

Chris is a great Photographer, and I was thrilled to be able to pick his brain for all things. I learned alot! Got tons of inspiration that I hope to nourish and harvest.

Rotorua; New Zealand.

I'll show some more details from the shoot after the spot gets released.

Sometimes next month.

2008-01-16T21:10:00.000-06:00

IPHONE TO: My second iPhone's new update!

So one of the best things about living in New York is the fact that art and culture is literally everywhere!

So on my very block there is like over 6 art galleries! Every month it's a new show in every window as we walk our dog. Pretty neat.

Well, one day we noticed Mario hopping out of your run-of-the-mill random pipe. Apparently, these guys are all over the city! It's nice to know that Mario frequents the neighborhood. Pretty cool.

2008-01-13T21:07:00.000-06:00

IPHONE TO: The Damn Store to Replace the one you lost.

Motionographer just posted the second spot I have worked on with Psyop.

I served as sequence lead artist on the black and white jungle sequence.

Check it out.. and enjoy

2007-12-23T16:12:00.000-06:00

IPHONE TO: My New Facebook

Well, it's holiday season here in the big city, and I haven't been very active on posting things to my blog here. I'll try to improve on that.. ;-)

Some great news though. My first job I lead for Psyop. (2) :30 second spots for Infiniti. Gift_Spot 1 | Gift Spot 2

Motionographer also wrote a blurb here about it... Pretty nice things they say.

ThanksGiving was awesome. The Wife, Her Fam, and the Fabians headed out to Costa Rica for the break. Lots of good times.
[ Photo Album here ]

Then just a few weeks ago, Psyop had their Christmas party. It was themed after "King Pin" the movie with Bill Murry. So you can get a load of my awesome ombover.. It was classic.

2007-09-27T19:37:00.000-05:00

IPHONE TO: The Orange Box

So it's been a crazy couple of months!!
Since my last post...

I have accepted a Staff Position at Psyop's Mass Market Division.
So that means the Wife and I packed up and moved to NYC.

We'll post images soon, of the whole experience. But I must say it's much different than Dallas!
;-)

I'm a CG Project Lead up there, doing National Spots with Psyop flair! I'm loving it! They call the position "Technical Director" but I must say, It means Production Generalist. Do it all, do it fast, and do it awesome. ;-)

Working alongside some of the most amazingly talented guys in the industry! I'll have to gather up some of their work and share it.. it's crazy good.

I've started to pick up the basics to Python, and have already started to implement it into practice with XSI! Thanks to Bradley Gabe.
I never thought I'd see the day when I'd pick up scripting.. but I figure if I'm going to be labeled a Technical Director, I might want to at least know a little something technical. ;-)

So I must say, Psyop/Mass Market, is about the most inspiring and sweet bunch of talented folk I've ever run across. It's really bizarre to see such chaos spiraling around despite itself, and yet, some of the most elegant and well designed spots come out. I'm proud to start being apart of it!

With the PPL spot fresh on everyone's mind, I'm doing a more graphic version based on one of the Designers style frames.. With that, and (2) upcoming car commercials I should be into some really cool design stuff. I'll keep you posted.

The Invasion project has been on hiatus due to all the freelance, and relocation. ( ironically I had less time as a freelancer as I did as a staffer! ). But rest assured I will be completing the trailer! Hopefully by years end. I guess it totally depends on how busy I get with the before mentioned upcoming spots.

Well I hope to update more often with more updates. The blog might take a slight "what happened to me in NYC today..." angle for the next few posts, but I imagine that is normal for new transplants in the city. ;-)

More soon, I swear.

2007-07-03T17:07:00.000-05:00

~~IPOD~~ IPHONE TO: Anything on your new Iphone.
WEB TO: Mass Market's Reel

So I just got back from NYC after wrapping up a contract with Psyop's Mass Market division.

The spot was a cute fantasy-real piece with all sorts of foliage. I'll post a link to it when it aires.

So after spending some time up at Psyop, I have to admit, they are some of the most talented, hardworking, fun bunch of artists that I'd ever been lucky enough to work with.

I hope to work with them soon in the future, as their projects are only getting better, and they are about as much fun to work for as you would want.

But it's good to be home, and ready to celebrate the 4th. Enjoy it, everyone.

2007-04-07T17:28:00.000-05:00

IPOD TO: Saul Williams
WEB TO: John K

FREEDOM!! I've recently left Janimation to try my luck as an independent artist! Kungfukoi.com has been rebuilt and the new reel is now online. So call me and throw money at me to work on your project!

I'll be working around the country, and from home. Doing Commercial, Feature, Motion Design, or basically anything I can get. ;-)

In between I'll try to get some time to work on my ongoing projects. We'll see how that goes.

So, John K, is bringing the heat with the online animation discussions. Whether you hate him, or love him, you have to give him credit for raising the standard for discussion on Animation.

Be sure to check out his blog and backlog of totally amazing articles! He's been talking about, and giving his opinion on things like: Writing for Animation, Animation Performance, Blocking for Animation, and Color in Animation. I don't always agree with him, but in general I respect him as a Cartoonist, and find often his thoughts valid. His points are well thought out, and he offers counter arguments, and explains in great detail why he believes the way he does. I really have been enjoying reading it. There just isn't any other open dialog about animation on the web that I've found, and I sure love me some animation talk.

2007-03-01T22:44:00.000-06:00

IPOD TO: Definitive Swim
WEB TO: Korean Films in 2006

So I haven't posted in awhile. I have missed the opportunity to comment on the Boston Bomb scare, and for that I'm sorry. So I'll just have to let these guys tell you about it.

I also missed the opportunity to comment on the China Stock Crash. If any of you know me, you know how much I'm interested in China and it's evolving economy and international power!!

So what's got me on the blog tonight is the Premiere and Debut of my Animated Music Video! "I Want To Hold Your Hand". The 80's pop band, the Smithereens have released a Beatles cover album called "Meet the Smithereens"! Pat Dinizio, the lead singer, asked me if I could help him out with a video. So basing the concept on the album cover art, I put together this little piece for the band! ( High Res Version 43MB )

Well, the video is doing awesome, and getting all sorts of great comments! It's also apparently slated to go on VH1 Classics!! I'll post air dates when I learn of them.
In the meanwhile it's been released on, YouTube, Ifilm, and Vmix so far!!

So thank you Pat, and the Smithereens for the opportunity to get my first Video Directorial Debut!! Also, thanks for all the fans of the band who are giving out kudos!! I'm glad everyone is enjoying it. It was fun to do, and I look forward to doing more.