In-Shadow - A Modern Dystopian Odyssey - Animated Short Film

Video Below

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I'm getting ready to post some new artwork that needs to be tidied up a bit and then scanned etc—so until I can make that happen I thought I'd share a TRULY amazing animation, 'In-Shadow.'

It features the VERY creative artwork of Lubomir Arsov—who is also its writer, director and producer.

Artwork From The Video - Lubomir Arsov

His amazing paintings and video challenge our modern world—from chasing after all it's empty promises—to the people pulling the strings behind the scenes and profiting off all the misery they create—funding violence and terrorism, swaying us with their fake media and propaganda, pumping us full of chemicals, drugs and alcohol, driving us into blind consumerism, and sending us off to fight in unnecessary wars—ultimately leading into isolation, as far too many hide behind masks in loveless hook-ups/relationships and meaningless empty lives—all while soul-less education and entertainment, smart-phones and technology, and so on, replace true authenticity and intimacy with one another.

Arsov's art is brilliantly animated, with compositing by Sheldon Lisoy and Hiram Gifford—and reveals a very dark, dystopian world—but by ripping the veil off of it—Arsov reminds us to "reset" and break free from its many chains.

Artwork From The Video - Lubomir Arsov

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The only downside to this video IMHO is that the soundtrack is very grating—but I have a solution:

I've embedded 'In Shadow' to begin at 18 seconds in—and have also embedded the 'music-only' video of Pink Floyd's - Another Brick in the Wall parts 1, 2, 3 (goodbye cruel world).

So if you start both videos at the same time and then mute the audio for 'In Shadow'—the Pink Floyd track will sink up perfectly with the animation—and I really liked that way better.

Some may prefer the original soundtrack of course—and if so, that's fine—or you can just mute it and pick your music.  < duh Jephyr : )

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Either way I loved this animation so much I wanted to share it—so check it out and see if you don't agree.

Please note:  While not explicit/graphic—there are images depicting cartoon sexuality and violence in this video. 

Artwork From The Video - Lubomir Arsov

BTW—'In-Shadow' is an entirely independently funded, not-for-profit film.

If you'd like to support the artist, DONATE here (click 'donate' tab):

https://www.inshadow.net/







Thanks for stopping by.

Look for new Jephyr artwork soon......

New Artwork And A GREAT Old Song

Hello,

Today I'll post a couple of new sketches/character designs—and an excellent old song that's related to the second drawing.

Let's get to it!

"The Shepherd" - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr! - All Rights Reserved

^ ^ ^ I went out to draw one afternoon and as I drove I prayed that God would help me come up with something that would serve Him.

While I'm not exactly sure how this sketch fulfills that—I definitely felt inspired as I drew it—and enjoyed the process a lot.

BTW—I also asked God to open doors with people—and as I finished this up several employees where I went were really engaged by this character (and were complimentary and encouraging)—and that led led to some enjoyable conversations about their interests and lives.

"Fat Food" - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr! - All Rights Reserved

^ ^ ^  I prayed before starting this one too—but had a bit more of a struggle to bring it to life.
I started with my world famous, and patented "Scribble Technique" ™ ☺—and after a bit—began to "see" the GIGANTIC...ummm..."well-fed" character emerging from those lines.

As I put more detail into him, however—I was left with a large open area on his shirt that looked far too empty.

Since a lot of people walk around giving free advertising to corporations etc—I mused for a bit about who/what this character would happily advertise for—and then a light-bulb went on.

I've seen first hand the terrible health costs of our processed "convenience" and fast-food diets—such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint issues, edema and skin disorders, sleep apnea, heart-attack, stroke, depression, and social isolation, etc.

In fact—a few years ago, I lost a friend who was just in his early forties—and his death certificate listed his weight as a contributing factor to his early departure.

So, as a protest of sorts—it felt "right" that this...ummmm....large character would be wearing his corporate "master's" advertising on his shirt—while simultaneously advertising the effects of their poisons (oops...I mean products) on his body.
☺
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Even though it's about another vice—smoking cigarettes—Randy Stonehill's 1976 tongue-in-cheek, Lung Cancer, seems appropriate to include with this post.

It's fun and light-heart but has a pointed message too.



BTW—while smoking cigarettes has decreased—the use of vaping and e-cigs has now surged—and there are over 400 illnesses and and as many as FIVE recent deaths being attributed to them.

In this first link, it reports the US Center For Disease Control (CDC) "said 450 cases of vaping-related lung illnesses in 33 states and one territory are now under investigation by state and federal health officials."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/five-vaping-related-deaths-confirmed-another-under-investigation/ar-AAGV7FB

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7432983/California-man-diagnosed-respiratory-failure-placed-medically-induced-coma-vaping.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7433569/Teen-18-claims-nearly-died-vaping-starts-campaign-hospital-bed-ban-products.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7432067/Second-person-dies-U-S-lung-illness-linked-VAPING.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7408783/Vaping-cost-college-athlete-20-lung-family-says.html

Update (7pm - 9-10-2019):

Since publishing this post a sixth person's death has been linked to vaping.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7448731/It-time-stop-vaping-Kansas-reports-6th-U-S-death-linked-mystery-illness.html

Update (9:30am - 9-11-2019):

Today—another article on a serious vaping related illness and hospitalization.  A twenty-one year old man is "fighting for his life on a ventilator after developing a lung-related disease" after vaping for six years.

Minnesota student hospitalized with vaping-related lung injuries and SIX US e-cigarette users die | Daily Mail Online 

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Thanks for stopping by!

See you again soon.......

Excellent Analysis For Artists—Scale And Framing In Jurassic Park Vs Sequels

Quick Note:  Just updated my "sketchbook" page on my website—so now all my select/favorite images from various sketchbooks through the years can be found on a single page—with links opening larger views of them and (sometimes) a few words about 'em.

I'd love to have you check it out!

Jephyr's Sketchbook < opens new window

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On to today's blog-post:

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"What does an image say—and how does it make you feel"

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You'll find an awesome video below—and while it may be considered simply an analysis of the excellent "scale and framing " in Steven Spielberg's movie master-piece, Jurassic Park—contrasted with the less successful efforts in sequels—there is definitely a take-way for every one of us trying to improve our art-work.

Screen Capture From The Video Below: Jurassic Park's "Scale And Framing"

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The video discusses aspect ratio (or canvas size—if you will), and placement (and movement) of cameras and characters—and why one approach creates a greater impact on the viewer—while another may not.

Towards the end of the video—it is all summed up nicely by the narrator who says:

"Cinematography isn't (just) about the beauty of an image or the dynamic nature of a shot [but] really boils down to two things:  'What does the shot say—and how does it make you feel?'"

Screen Capture From The Video Below: Example From Jurassic Park Of "Scale And Framing"

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For an artist creating a still image many of the same ideas still apply:

• What story is being told or what emotions are being conveyed?  Is a viewer meant to feel awe and wonder, or terror, or.......?

• What size canvas (aspect ratio) will best frame the scene?

• What placement of characters, creatures, and other elements will give your image the greatest impact?

So—if you are interested in learning more—give the video below a look.

Hope you find it as beneficial to your art as I did.




Thanks for stopping by.

See you again soon......