Character Driven 2013

Voting for the 2013 Character Marathon has now begun at http://scottwiser.com/character-driven. People have been  raving about the stories ... and now is their chance to vote on which story will be my next project!

Also, I have an animated shot that will progress throughout the voting period! Come join us!

Ty Carter And Upcoming Character Marathon

For all of you wanting to pursue animation, check out Ty Carters great content and contest at http://www.tycarter.com/ - He's one of my favorite people in the animation industry and you can't go wrong signing up for his newsletter and following his work.

As for my work, I'm working on another character marathon and I'm considering doing that on scottwiser.com rather than here. Actually, I think I may move all content there. What do you think? Sign up for the newsletter there to follow : www.scottwiser.com .

Stories Marathon

I haven't disappeared. I've just been working on my exciting new picture book about Misfit Supers (sound familiar?)

I plan to do another, higher quality Character and Story Marathon on this blog in the month of December. But for now, all my updates are posted on ScottWiser.com which you can also follow by signing up for the newsletter.

"Wait" Moving into rough

Hello friends, I'm now moving into rough from blocking on this shot. I've be continuing part time on this shot as I work hard on my picture book, which you can follow updates on though my new website, scottwiser.com. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts on this shot's progress and I'll see you soon.

Winning Characters

1st Place : Sassy Frassy
Hero of the Elementary School Playground.

This Collaboration with Sharon from Smiles and her granddaughter Brooklyn  not only received the most votes in the contest, but also the most views and conversation through facebook and the blog.

2nd Place : Conga Princess Conquers the Aliens
If you think she looks like my wife, that is because she is based on a cousin. With only one vote less than Sassy Frassy, Conga Princess has been hailed as a hip idea and appeals to the audience's love of dance (Which is how she conquers the aliens). Click the image to view her story.

3rd Place : Apotheterra Seedling
Meant to be a possible branding strategy for Nate Stout's new company, this character has gained attention as having one of the strongest, original stories and most appealing design. This idea was inspired in part by David Wilson Illustration for his love of seeds and natural formations. With his fascination in memory,  I often visited the park with my son and I found myself exploring and sketching the surrounding wonders more and more. Click the image to read more about this story.

Honorable Mentions

As this contest progressed, my wife and I agreed that there was some interesting skewing in the voting patterns due to quality and appeal in the drawings (which were all meant to be quick sketches) and also female votes vs male votes. The ideas above won fair and square, but the runners up below have an interesting history.

 Runner Up # 1 : Siggs Thinks In Pink Ink

In looking at the Marathon overall, this idea received alot of interesting said. Zach Smith, a remarkeable innovator himself, made the following comment:

"That's a GREAT story. I really think you should pursue this further. I don't know the entire process to developing a full-length feature animation film, but this has HUGE potential. Keep up the great work. You TRULY are inspired."

To read the story, simply click the image above. In addition to the attention during the marathon, both pieces of art have a history of success prior to the marathon. And I personally think there may be something special here to explore in the future.

 

Runner Up # 2 : Monsieur Revieu & The Carousel Clock.

This is another story idea which received hearty praise during the contest. It was also noteable to me because the idea came as I pondered the negative reviews on the first movie I ever worked on, Chipwrecked. This story has much unexplored potential.

Runner Up #3 : The Junk Collector

Of Mention : Misfit Supers & Invizy the Villian of LenseWorld

There are several ideas who tied for 4th runner up, but I take the liberty to un-mention those. This next idea received only 1 vote and hardly any attention during the marathon. Yet the other day, I found myself imagining this story as a great children's book. So I looked back to see who  voted on this idea and found it was a fellow professional visual storyteller, Paul Cox. Okay, so maybe he sees potential. Also, the characters as I was imagining them for the book look nothing like the image below (which I felt were quite inadequate). Also, my wife says the lenseworld idea is "out there". So I think with further exploration (better visuals and clearer story), this could become a solid idea ... but I could be biased. What do you think?

Last Place : Clown For Governer

The only post to received -1 votes. It reminded the voter of "Vermin Supreme", whoever that is. It is also my least favorite piece. But politically active people seem to like it. So if anyone wants to steal the idea, he's yours (Just let me know first).

Stay Tune : Surprise Development 

As great stories have unexpected turn, so does my story. As of now, these ideas are officially "shelved" and I will be using this blog for my next development. As I seek to become more established as a character animator, I will now be animating a few brief shots to add variety to my demo reel. As I feel this is simply a continuation in my life's marathon toward Character Driven Story, I will post updates here.

Vote For Your Favorite Characters

I actually plan to explore some of these ideas, so your feedback now will determine my course this coming year (storyboards, animation, &  maybe even sculptures). Click on the picture to view the original post for more information, and click my signature a the top of the blog to return to this page. Please vote for your top 3 of the character ideas below by either commenting on facebook or at the bottom of this post. Anonymous comments are enabled.

Voting will end January 17th and the "winners" will then be posted.

Also, as some news ... my demo reel ranked well on the YouAnimator.com search engine, so my "last sprint" will hopefully help me professionally as well!

 

01 :: Solitary Man & Energetic Cat 

Exact Opposites, together in an old cabin.

02 :: Dainty Bus Lady

03 :: Minature Cozman

So involved in miniature causes that he never helps anyone significantly.

04 :: No Shadow Man

Your shadow makes you his puppet, has no shadow, afraid of shadows.

05 :: Yes Yetzl

Her curse : no one can ever tell her no.

06 :: Clown For Governer

His fame was falsified by a magic flower which makes his dull gags hillarious.

 

07 :: Tree Braider

Braids trees across the county. 

Can only speak around 5 words a day (his brain overloads after that.

 

08 :: Misfit Supers of the Lense World

Each has superpowers and SUPERweaknesses. Only together can they be "unstoppable"

09 :: Invizy, Villian of the Lense World

A pair of floatings glasses who smells amazing and banishes superheroes.

 

10 :: Amelia Mythos

500 years old (appears 14) and holds the secret to save humanity.

11 :: Easter Burglar

Leaves eggs in place of stolen belongings. Chocolate dulls pain.

12 :: Siggs Thinks In Pink Ink

With only a magic pink pen, he must convince others to join him in 

saving the world from disappearing forever.
This post had the highest quality & quantity in comments.

13 :: The Junk Collector

Through his son's dreams and as a visiting angel, he "takes care" of his stuff

14 :: Monsieur (Miss-Your) Revieu & The Carousel Clock

Based on the Clock Critics ' daily critique of his personal performance,  he changes from day to day, trying to make sense of their varied reviews.

15 :: Trash Vs Nature

16 :: Apotheterra Seedling

With power to heal, bring youth, and enhance human physicality, she must find someone who'll

properly use her power.

17 :: Skinny Hamburger Eater

She must eat BIG to avoid wasting away.

18 :: Angry & The Chipper Monks

The other monks just don't appreciate his fashion sense - they'll regret it (cue evil laugh).

19 :: The Perfector

Superpower :: She can stand next to anybody and do better than them

Superweakness :: She needs someone to outperform, but her presence is emotionally draining.

20 :: Sassy Frassy

Hero of the wild elementary school playground.

21 :: The Worshipper

A lifelong devotion to God.

22 :: Commercial Claus

Out to outshine the true meaning of Christmas

 

24 :: Fun With Shapes

25 :: More Fun With Shapes

26 :: Even More Fun With Shapes

27 :: Many Regrets

He must set his crooked past straight

28 :: Conga Princess Conquers the Aliens.

This shy girl has some EPIC dance moves.