Painting In ZBrush

"IT'SHNOWING!"

Further Progress

Looks like John and I are making some more progress with the movie. We've finally come up with a nice plot that shouldn't require too big a cast and should be fairly easy to write. Our workflow might be a little butt-backwards, but we're gettin' somewhere...

Here's a couple of shots taken while filming one of the clips we've got so far.

The Pantry

Anything to keep the beggars away from the pantry.

Hard Rock Birthday Dinner

New Room

Hamlet... and Lots of Shakespeare

In Voice class, Eileen is slowing beginning to guide us through a short scene from Shakespeare's Hamlet. I was not in class last week do to sickness, but today's lesson alone was very exciting! Eileen is so enthusiastic about keeping our minds open to possibilities when it comes to Shakespeare. Much of the poetry allows for double meanings and interpretations, giving us as actors the chance to explore many different ways of performing the text.

For the midterm, I have chosen to take on the role of Macbeth--a challenge I have wanted to face for quite some time. We have to read whatever script our character of choice comes from and pick out approximately three minutes of dialogue that will give the audience a proper feel for that character. Excited much? Very.

Rained Out

Today had its ups and downs...

Rain blanketed the city by about 2:00 pm. I knew almost instantly that it was going to put a big damper on my dinner and movie birthday party event. Had it not been so cold outside, I would have considered risking it, but instead I pushed the event to next weekend. Many people ended up agreeing that next weekend would be better. As it turns out, quite a few people around the dorms are getting the sickness too. Winter--what would we do without it?

On the optimistic note, I was able to get a couple of fairly decent shots around the neighborhood with the camera. I practiced creating a movie opening and came up with something pretty cool. Won't post anything just yet, as I want to get a bit more filmed with John first.

Family Photos

Improv Life

In our final day of the first week back in school, we were introduced to what will be our class of Improv for Actors. We started by sharing stories of our Christmas break; I was delighted to share my epic tale of stomach viruses and Wacom pads. Afterwards, we tried out a couple of warm-ups and some very entertaining "games" (exercises) that teach us to think on our feet and not have ANYthing planned before running out into the spotlight. It was a good three hours of fun and laughter.

During the break before Actor's Lab, John and I planned a get-together we will be holding tonight to discuss further plans on upcoming film projects we want to work on (such as our take on a dark Jekyll and Hyde).

In Actor's Lab, we did more script analysis on a new play we're reading called Stop Kiss. Can't say I was too enthusiastic about the whole process, but it's all work in progress.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Go out on a lim; that's where the fruit is."

Can't think of the name of the guy who said this, but I think I'm going to make it my goal to use this advice in my every day life. I don't know what's going to happen next, so I shall live out each and every moment to the fullest. I'm going to stop being uncomfortable with things and I'm going to accept life as it happens. "Yes, and..."

Weak Immune Systems... Thankful Hearts

It appears the stomach virus I experienced over Christmas break is continuing to haunt me in subtle episodes of nausea. Today, I had to leave my movement class to sit out in the hallway. When class ended, I waved down Lauren; she immediately set her stuff down and sat next to me. Connie went to retrieve Joseph Maldanado (at Student Services) and came back with Eileen, my Voice teacher. I was so thankful to have Eileen with me. Her chipper energy calmed me down in a very short amount of time. After wrapping me in a couple of big mats we use for movement (to keep me warm), she bought me a can of Ginger Ail and a bag of pretzels. We chatted about overcoming sicknesses such as stomach viruses and the possibility that I'll have to stay at the dorms tomorrow. After about forty minutes of talking, I was feeling fine enough to catch a cab with Lauren back to the dorms. Eileen was so generous and paid for our ride home.

What do I get out of all of this? I know I'm being taught a valuable lesson here... For the past few weeks, I've been so overconfident in thinking that I would be able to manage just fine on my own, when the truth is: I really can't to some degree. I've been so blessed to be placed among so many caring and loving people, and I'm not quite sure what I would do without them. A great many thanks goes out to all of my friends here at the School of Film and Television, and the biggest Thank You of all to my Lord and Savior.

Back to School

Met up with the ol' buds today! Before heading off to Subway, I ran into lovely Janie and Christen. I followed them up to Janie's room to help her assemble her new electric keyboard she brought from home (it's pretty amazing...). All three of us then went to Subway, had ourselves a nice sandwich, talked about televisions shows, yada yada yada. After returning to the St. George, I bumped into John and his fiance. I was very excited to meet back up with him again.

Got some laundry done before the week starts. While relaxing at my computer, Lauren came to the door and greeted me with a very enthusiastic hug (accompanied by a squeak of excitement). It was very nice seeing her too.

Jumping ahead one week - next Sunday, I will be taking a group of peeps over to the Hard Rock Cafe in Time Square for dinner, and then to the AMC Empire in Time Square to see The Book of Eli, in celebration of my nineteenth birthday! Woo! "Ha! Forgot how young you were." - Johnny West

The Wonders Of ZBrush

I wish I could say I sculpted this amazing work of art. It is actually mesh of the Goddess Medusa included in the DVD that came with my Introducing ZBrush book. By opening it into my own program, I can practice with rendering adjustments, including lighting positioning, depth blurring and fog intensity.

Current ZBrush Works (Underwater Scene)

In my "Introducing ZBrush" book, it teaches how to create an underwater scene using the basics of the ZBrush. I've taken some time to practice the exercise and recreate it within my own program. Not totally done yet... Tis a work in progress.

Back To New York

After a relaxing three weeks of family fun in Houston, I'm finally back in New York, ready to start a new semester at the School of Film and Television. Took a look at my schedule; everything's the same except one less class on Wednesday (Intro to the Camera is finished). Friday's Film Genre class is now Improv for Actors, which I am very excited to start. Meanwhile, looks like AJ and I will be moving up to either the 7th or 8th floor! Hopefully this means a bigger refrigerator, a microwave, and ethernet ports that work... and a better view...

It's great to be back in NY. I'm ready to start getting back into the flow of things.

Headshots By David Mead