Nicholas Dubois

Lady and the Reaper

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:54:00 +0000

"Lady and the Reaper"

This short was very well done, bringing a gorgeous 2D style to 3D. It's incredibly designed and just keeps reminding me of what 3D can be when the technical side is overcome and the animation can shine brightly and clearly through it all.

LADY AND THE REAPER LINK

Thoughts about how to live life.

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:19:00 +0000

"People say it is unfair that good people can die young, that God isn't listening. Long life does not favor the moralistic. One should be a good person...because they want to be a good person, not for the reward of long life or anything else for that matter. It's about confidence and knowing you spent your life well to this moment in time. Constantly."

"Nothing is wrong with death if the life lost is worth mourning. I think this is how I deal with the loss of loved ones."

Ira Glass

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:50:00 +0000

Ira Glass' "This American Life" is my favorite radio show since I've watched the short 2 season netflix version.

This one is moving, though hard to listen to, #193: Stories of Loss
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=889

Please take the time to listen to a few. Some are fun, some are emotional. All are told in exquisite vocals.

LATEST REEL UP!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:29:00 +0000

http://www.nicklogic.com/demoreel.html

I was a week late as to when I wanted it up, but enjoy now! This is my latest work as of December 2009. Anything afterwards I am still waiting to have released from NDA (aired on TV or web with permission of client). Thanks again for all the support and I'm going to keep going strong into 2010!

Great projects going on at 1st Ave Machine as well as many other great places I'm looking into for Mid-March and on.

Rock on!

Cheers.

February is the month

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:27:00 +0000

UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES.

I get asked, often, "I haven't seen any of your recent work. what have you been working on? Anything good? Show me! SHOW ME SOMETHING! YOU ARE A WORK OF FICTION!!!!"

... quite possibly true, but as I am witnessing my own existence, I guess i'm proving such claims wrong.

I haven't had much time to frolic, mingle, play games. This also means I haven't been able to update my reel, post any new clips, from over the past 6 months. There's quite some stuff too. Expect updates starting in February. I can't wait to share the new reel.

With that said... i'm still at work for another 4 hours. So take care y'all.

Random Insight #2

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Only in times like these would people pay more money for something that says "now 50% less ______". Less for more? I thought more for less was the good choice.

It's all about portions. Have the same stuff, pay a decent price, and control your intake. Works just as well.

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:36:00 +0000

Krupa gracing my lens. Please view my previous post To see what she is up to.

Book Suggestion - In the Event of my Untimely Demise

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:17:00 +0000

This book was, and still is, an enjoyable read. He writes very clearly, using many analogies and logic, sometimes conflicting, in his words. This gives the book a nice fresh and redeeming read. I can relate to how he expresses his views and learnings through examples.

Great book.

Timberland Spot

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:13:00 +0000

I was responsible for all the "Test the Boot" animations. I am also responsible for about half of the "Day in the Boot" shots. Thanks for viewing. I am very excited to say this is my first big NYC freelance release. Good job to all at 1st Ave Machine for working their hardest on this. (Caius, Joe, Rob, Marc, To, and the whole freelance staff)

http://www.stayonyourfeet.com/

Effort

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:10:00 +0000

I'll add a photo later, but I wanted to share an understanding.

There are two people. They both want a job that is about to hire two people. They both are awarded the job.

First person gets jobs fairly often. He works 8 hours a day, with an hour lunch, and never stays late. He will not be taken advantage of. He's seen as a a professional.

Second person doesn't get jobs very often, so he is excited about this opportunity. He stays 10 hours minimum, late when they need him, eats lunch while working, taking no more than 10 minutes to acquire the food. He feels he is helping out the project, that he can be relied on, and wants to show his best.

In this field, the second person will be seen as getting taken advantage of. He will also be seen as someone who doesn't understand how the freelance field works. This is actually fairly true. Working hours way over the 8 hours is something that should not be necessary with good production, but honestly, sometimes the unexpected occurs and there's not much that can be done about it except to drudge through it. The first person will see this as a hassle and most likely decide to do what he needs done and leave.

When the second person is presented this, he will stay, not to show off, but because he rarely gets work. He also realizes the freelance pays more than his usual and to him, doing 8 hours seems way too little for the pay he's receiving daily. Being use to such low pays in the past, he feels he needs to do his absolute hardest work to even come close to earning it.

The First person is use to this, could care less, and takes it for granted.

My question: When does the second person become the first person? After alot of work and earned money? And does that change the person from amateur to professional? Or from grateful to unappreciative.

It's interesting to me, 'tis all. In this current state of times, the fortunate should earn their fortunate living, not question it and belittle it as common. A little elbow grease goes a long way. Like old times.

Earn your keep. It feels more rewarding.

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:13:00 +0000

I feel reflection is necessary for anyone who is looking for happiness and understanding. Much like meditation, it is taking the good and the bad, equally, reliving them for a short time, and becoming stronger through clarity of the events. It strengthens our morals, our bodies, and our minds.

Mall on 59th

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Believe the entrance to H&M is on the right. I saw this and never knew this was in NYC, this strange modern looking architecture that looks boring on the outside but awesome when you are inside it. I was pleased with the outcome of this one.

Awesome progress

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:59:00 +0000

I'm so excited to share some new development on the Best If Used By project. Garrett has really pushed forward, in his spare time, and given me a great great Rig called John Jacob. He's currently at a tweaking stage, but he's already amazing control wise. He stretches, moves relatively fluidly for not being completely and properly skinned yet. He's quite the character and made me think of some great ways to advertise this short.

There will be little 10 second shots of John Jacob doing what John Jacob does: menial, lazy stuff that will be a great way to introduce the character without giving any full plot ideas away.

I'm so excited to get working on this at a more full force. Thing is, I love in NYC. I need to work some more, keep myself sustained, do some more freelance, and keep funds feeding me and paying bills... All in the name of great animation :D

Get excited guys. This is finally going places.

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:41:00 +0000

HarshRealityLTD - The Artwork of Jason R. LeClair

Jason LeClair was the best and most enjoyable Art Teacher I had during my High School Years. He's the reason I got into college and made me believe in myself... with a side of Shakespeare. "To take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep, no more." Check out his new book!

Union Square Art Piece

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:59:00 +0000

Though it seems obvious, this art piece feels confusing after the first 7 digits (And rightfully so!). Most people figure out the first 7 digits are the current time: 18 hours, 46 mins, 24 and 3 tenths of a second (6:46pm). This is where most people stop figuring it out. There are 8 more numbers to go!
The give away is the 8th number is ALWAYS a mass blur of random digits. If you read the numbers backwards, from right to left, it is the time left before the day is done. In this image, there is 5 hours, 13 mins, 35 and 6 tenths of a second left, along with the mystical hundredth of a second 8th digit that is shared by both sides.
It seems most New Yorkers still don't know what these numbers mean, so I share it with you NYers and non-NYers alike. Enjoy.

Mystic, CT

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:57:00 +0000

When I travel, I tend to make pitstops while on the highway. Sometimes I see something, get curious, and have to pull off an exit just to see what is over there. I'm sure one time this will lead me into trouble. The rest of the time I pull off nice photos like this one, taken near Mystic, CT in someone's gravely side lot to their closed restaurant. It is a tiny, tiny place with this nice aged dock that makes for an interesting foreground.

Nice sandals.

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:36:00 +0000

I love Union Square sometimes. One of the many places I can take photos without people stopping and waiting for me to take the picture. I appreciate the polite attitude, but I prefer when people go on with their days and I can either capture it or wait for my moment to get that great photo.

The early process of "Best If Used By"

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:28:00 +0000

So here is the early process of "Best if Used By", a short written and directed by me and done with some very talented people, Ryan Pate, Morgan Griffiths, Dayv Frost, and newly on board, Tyler Garrison. We are currently at the modeling, rigging, and texturing stages. I'm excited to see the texture and style work that Tyler can bring our project and really make it pop into something unique.

Early on, I could see how the sketches of mine were not matching the given modeling by Ryan. This is mainly due to the creative process and seeing what we can do with our collective ideas. I drew up a few changes.

Though a good and interesting caveman style, I was still not getting the silhouette I wanted. We met up and knocked it out in the next set.

This is our most current model, without the refined connections in the neck. It had the style of my sketch and gave off the desired "easter island" head appearance I liked about the sketch.

More in the next update: Bedroom and Kitchen environments, along with rigging steps.

Krupa Jhaveri

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:57:00 +0000

Krupa is an extreme inspiration to me. Befriending her in NYC, we had a photoshoot for her own memories in the city before her life completely changed. She was realizing her vision and putting it into action. She moved to India, both a scary and daunting reality that she knew she had to do. She said it best:

"Spend time alone, away from distractions, and reflect on the simple essence of who you are regardless of all that surrounds you. Dream that impossible dream, and once you leap, a net will appear to help you make that dream materialize."

Please read, follow, and support not her dream, but her reality, to build a center offering art therapy and a safe space for children and women with HIV/AIDS in India.

krupajhaveri.blogspot.com

Photography 6.16.09 DC

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:05:00 +0000

I took a short trip to DC this past weekend to see family, explore a little bit of the usual Washington DC sights, and achieve some new photos to share. The first thing I noticed is how the DC Metro is terribly low lit but has many red lights to warn you where the platform edge is and where a tragic early demise would be.

I explored the Natural History Museum with my Aunt and immediate family and stumbled upon a nice, easy to shoot set up of fossilized shells ripe for my lens. I enjoy the tricks eyes can play on you when you see such a photo. It looks as if there are shells an inch from the lens along with shells meters away. Truth be told, the lower shells are just as close as the shells above them, only they are smaller and there are many more. Beautiful!

DC was a short visit and I plan on many visits back.

Nicklogic, Good Show! is up to big things

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:42:00 +0000

It's been a year since I've moved to Brooklyn and I have already experienced so much in the likes of NYC life, including the work scene, party scene, and many friends who conveniently moved down here afterwards. Within a 5 block radius, a couple Buffalo friends of mine moved here into Brooklyn and I couldn't ask for anything more.

...except to get into the freelance scene a bit more seriously.

I've been working on and completed a few project while here.

During my time at Walsh Family Media, found in Brooklyn by Patrick Walsh, I was given a great opportunity to work on and complete the Club Kid'doo project. This project was completed in a very short span of time (I believe it was a month to a month and a half) with very few people, including only 3 main animators, each given 2 minutes of animation to be done in about 3-4 weeks. It was one of the best, quickest projects I've worked on with 2 other great animators.

After my time at WFM, I moved on to a few other side projects. Tyler Garrison, Ryan Pate, and I worked for Rod Weber and he directed for Ken Del Vecchio's "O.B.A.M. Nude", a controversial film about the opinions of real people, debating the sides of hard issues as Abortion, Healthcare, Global warming (haha), and economy. It is a worthwhile watch for the real opinions, three main actors (Ken Del Vecchio, Andre Michel, Rachael Robbins), and funny animations, many produced by our team known as Good Show! Studios. We're not a business, but a very small and refined collective group of dedicated workers who have pumped out freelance work with speed and high quality. This allows us to take on a high volume of work without flinching. On our table recently is a project I cannot disclose yet, but will be a fun adventure for kids dealing with and befriending someone of Greek Mythology. It'll be alot of fun for Children and parents alike.

We've also taken on two others, also a part of Good Show, to do the audio and the modeling (Dayv Frost and Morgan Griffiths) for a funny and satirically opinionated short, "Best If Used By". You will see updates to this project on this site up until its release. Be excited because we are.

Cheers and thanks for reading.

Stop Motion Sony Bravia

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:37:00 +0000

I was told this was all stop motion. All I can say is bloody hell, this must have taken forever, not to mention how well done the little jumps are and the transitions are creative. Well done Sony.

Across the Universe

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 07:01:00 +0000

"I want you... I want you so bad." ~ Uncle Sam

From the movie/musical "Across the Universe", directed by Julie Taymor (previously credited for her direction on "Frida" with Salma Hayek). We are taken on a journey of a boy named Jude(Jim Sturgess) who looks for his father in the 1960's. He meets his friend Max(Joe Anderson), whose sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) falls in love with Jude. Along the way, Max is drafted into the Vietnam War, as seen from the above clip.

Using Beatles Songs to tell the story, Jude and Lucy get involved in protesting the war, Lucy using her voice and Jude his art. From the fight for keeping freedom of free speech and human civil rights, the story is told through songs such as "Hey Jude" to "I am the Walrus" and my personal favorite, Lennon and McCartney's "Girl".

This movie is an artistic risk that will probably cause a bunch of whiners who like the Beatles to say "but that's not how the song was sung, boo hoo. I only like the originals." Let me say, the passionate singing voices coming from these stars is extraordinary and should be taken with in with open arms.

Limited release on the 18th and though was said to be nationwide release on the 21st, this movie will be released NATIONWIDE for real on the 28th. Don't miss it.

I smell a future Broadway show...

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:05:00 +0000

The photographs of Yosuke Yamahata are a true testament of someone's passion to show the truth over the well-being of his own life. In essence, the radiation and complications causes from the bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki eventually cost him his life. To quote him:

"Human memory has a tendency to slip, and critical judgement to fade, with the years and with changes in life-style and circumstance. But the Camera, just as it seized the grim realities of time, brings the stark facts... before our eyes without the need for the slightest embellishment"

Please check out this link for more.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/nagasaki/mainn.html

Children of Men

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Dubois) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 22:30:00 +0000

It's the year 2027 and the world has been without a child born for 18 years. An unlikely hero attempts to save the human race when he tries to escort an unexpected pregnant lady of 8 months, a fugee, out of the country. Every other woman is infertile and the world does not know why. Hope is found in the form of a child's cry and laugh.

Framestore CFC did some amazing work on a particular scene that required many visual effects and some very realistic moments.

This movie's synopsis is only overshadowed by the respectable and innovative efforts of the director, Alfonso Cuaron, known for his work on Harry Potter 3. Emmanuel Lubezki, the Director of Photography for Children of Men, came up with this brilliant rig that can be explained much more clearly in this youtube video. His innovation to take the seemingly impossible and make it child's play is something I haven't seen since the days of Citizen Kane. The great choreography and timing of this film allowed for it's very long takes and less cuts during action-filled moments.