Direction

Projects I've Directed Past, Present and Future.

Invasion

( In Production ) -- Directed By: Jeffrey Dates
Invasion is basically a Sci-Fi, WWII, Alien Invasion action flick. It's somewhere between Iron Giant, and Samurai Jack. The story is loose right now but is leaning towards... "Aliens attack us in the 40's. We Defend." It'll be a short, told in a series of "Episodes" that will slowly unfold. "Invasion" is currently in story-development, and R&D.The project has no timeframe allowing me to explore many aspects of story-telling, and design. The cool biproduct is that it also allows me to geek out on my fetishes! Besure to check out the production journal for updates!! Enjoy!

"Dead Tonight"

Created By: Jeffrey Dates & Lee Lanier
Illustrated By: Dalton Webb
When the Short "Day Off The Dead" was doing it's rounds in the festivals, one of it's many accolades was from the SCTV film fest. The Festival Grand Prize was a development deal with SCTV, and an opportunity to pitch to Sony and William Morris Agency. Both who passed. Now the property is back home and marks the second collaboration with Lee Lanier, and Dalton Webb. Dead Tonight is currently looking for funding or investors to go into production on a pilot. Check out the bible here.

"John Woo's Stranglehold"

Directed By: Jeffrey Dates
This project was a Janimation production that I was fortunate enough to be allowed to Direct. The project was a trailer for the announcement of "Stranglehold". A game that is based on the genre, world, and style of John Woo. We were asked to create a CG likeness of Chow Yun Fat, as well has to pay tribute to everything John Woo has created before.

"I Want to Hold Your Hand"

By: The Smithereens

Directed/Animated By: Jeffrey Dates
With the release of the 80's Pop Band The Smithereens latest album: "Meet the Smithereens". I was asked by Pat Dinizio, Lead Singer, if I could turn-key a music video for the marketing push of the album! This was the results of 2 weeks of work, done after hours from my day job. Created in Softimage XSI, this was a fun creative project that allowed me to play with a stylistic approach to this fun concept!

Day Off. The Dead

Directed By: Lee Lanier and Jeffrey Dates
Dead Guy and Dead Gal find themselves in a surreal, animated Dead World, where lost souls try to make their earthly desires come to life. I co-directed this CG Animated short film with world renouned and famed, Lee Lanier. The entire production was done with Hash's Animation Master.

"Close Your Robe"

By: The Dutch Treats

Directed By: The Fist
Edited By: Jeffrey Dates
Heavy Petting Zoo got back together again to unleash this video for Dallas Music Experience, "The Dutch Treats". This was shot, and edited in two days, However, Freeman's performance is forever. The video was shot at 2X while John lipsynced quickly. Then the footage was slowed down by half, giving the surreal floating feeling. I served as DP for several shots and editor for the piece seen here.

Cover Story II

Vengeance is afoot!

24 Hour Film Race - Dallas
A demented team of professionals got together calling themselves "Heavy Petting Zoo" and gave birth to this. Cover Story - Vengeance is afoot! Starring Chuck Norris!!! I participated in the H.P. Zoo, and am pretty proud of this obsurdity. It was concepted, written, shot, and edited in 24 hours during the race.