Fluidtoons at Howl! Festival Art Around the Park

Fluidtoons at Howl Festival Art Around the Park

Photo by Franck Goldberg
www.franckgoldberg.com

Thanks to Frank Goldberg for sending me the lovely photo above!

This was amazing- I stumbled upon the opportunity to paint on the street in public in NYC, a total dream of mine, especially as someone who admires Keith Haring so much. This made me incredibly happy. I particularly loved it when people would stop to take photos or to chat with me. The fact that I was able to stumble onto an opportunity like this without even trying makes me love NYC even more.

I had wandered out of my apartment to get some orange juice to drink and saw all the artists painting around Tompkins Square Park. I thought, I just have to seize this and participate. I asked a few of the artists where to sign up. I then quickly headed for the registration table, hoping there were still slots available. I'd even seen signs for the Howl! Festival but had no idea about Art Around the Park.

Once I found the registration table, the gentleman asked me if I had my supplies with me. I sure didn't; I only took a single backpack and a viola on this trip. I asked him where the closest hardware store was (it was just up the block!). I rushed over there, came back, and was ecstatic to secure a spot.

My photos of the progress:



















Photo by Neon Sandwich


Full set Art Around the Park photos here

Doodles

Fluidtoons NYC Premiere!

A Fluidtoons film is showing at 92Y Tribeca in NYC! This will be a NYC premiere for me, so I'm super excited. I thought it would be a few more years before I had a film showing in that great city!

Big thanks to Signe Baumane and Noelle Melody for this!

Oh, can you tell I also designed the flyer? :)

Details below:

www.92y.org/shop/92Tri_event_detail.asp?productid=T-MM5FM24#

Animated films defying the norms, curated by Twins are Weird.

Hey cartoon lovers! Come join us for a night of Animation. Here's your chance to see some hot-off-the-press new shorts and mingle with some of New York's very own animators. You know you want to!


Date & Time: Thu, Mar 24, 2011, 7:30pm
Location: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson Street Directions
Venue: 92YTribeca Screening Room
Price: $10.00

FREE Film Showing at High Museum of Art

I'm so happy to have a film in the FREE show at the High Museum of Art for "WonderRoot's Generally Local, Mostly Independent Filmmakers' Series: Best of Year One"!!

My deep thanks to Virginia Shearer, the High Museum of Art, WonderRoot, and Kristy Breneman.

Call 404-733-5000 to reserve a free ticket (or two).

Details below:

Facebook event

Information at the High Museum of Art's website

When: Saturday, March 19, 2011, 8 p.m.
Where: Rich Theatre
Price: FREE

WonderRoot and The High Museum of Art present an evening of short films, animations, music videos and film art to celebrate the first year of WonderRoot's local filmmakers' series. This 'Best of Year One' screening will feature films selected by Michael Rooks, Virginia Shearer and Patricia Rodewald of the High Museum of Art. The films debuted during WonderRoot‘s film series at the Plaza Theatre and range from narrative documentary to experimental cartoon animations.

This program is free and seating is limited. Tickets are available through the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office at 404-733-5000. Please note: tickets are limited to 2 per person. Tickets to the Museum are sold separately.

Here's the full lineup:

‘Kiwis: A Song for nice people named Katie’ by Adam Bruneau
‘Togetherness’ by Oliver Smith
‘Until Dust’ by Nathan Honnold
‘Mouth 2 Mouth’ by Patrick Coll and Chris Chambers
‘Chicken Harmonio’ by Edgar Litumo Soto
‘A Lady Can Live Through Anything’ by Justin O’Neal Miller
‘Florida Land’ by Robbie Land
‘Carnivores: Georgia Power Company’ by Brian Danin
‘Black Swan Parody’ by Jamie Hawkins-Gaar
‘One Minute Fluidtoons’ by Brett W Thompson
‘XxxCuzXMe’ by Ashley Anderson and Aaron Keuter
‘Godamersterdam: Freezerpop Rollerblade Day’ by Ben Cohen
‘I Don’t Wanna Be Yr AARP’ by Mike Brune
‘Therepy’ by Darrell C. Hazelrig
‘April at Work’by Cameron Stuart
‘Kinder Surprise’ by Brian Danin
‘Window Pains’ by Patfour
‘You Will Eventually’ by Chelsea Raflo

One Minute Fluidtoons on Paper Two and Three

This film showed last night at WonderRoot's Local Filmmakers' Night at Plaza. On the big screen!

Features:

- Sean Jarrett on vocals
- Animation by Brett W. Thompson, Cameron Stuart, and Bryan Fordney
- Sound effects from Quantazelle of subVariant

Live Fluidtoons at WonderRoot for DIY Night, Jan 2011

Thanks so much to Alex Ryan Gregor for asking me to do something for his DIY night!

It was a free show at WonderRoot and featured:

- Sean Jarrett on vocals
- Shitty Bedford on sax and vocals
- Bradley Bailey on cymbals
- Brett W. Thompson on viola

Cameron Stuart operated the video camera which captured the performance. You can hear him yell "Rolling!" at the start. Because of him the video is much better than previous ones.

Wade and Frank were tremendously encouraging- I think that's Wade was hollering during my introduction, and Frank was giving me applause before we even started! He later told me they were "gangsta toons" and "heavenly toons"!!!

I think the musical accompaniment is a little chaotic; I'd like to get better at directing the live music. I might conduct next time, or rehearse more, or try fewer people, though everyone up there is supremely talented (except me on viola!). Just a little more structure, because the live music seems to work best when it's clear when to play/not play (e.g. the "Outsuck" part, and the "Interpretations" preview).

I could try to give the musicians specific parts to focus on next time; like, "when the spinning room turns into a business suit, play this note". I guess if I really want to get specific I should work out the beats per minute and make some kind of score, hah!

I also wish I could get rid of the bluriness at the top of the frame- it's due to the projector. I don't really know how to fix it. Perhaps I should try a different projector.

I hope to do more of these! "Fluidtoons Interpretations" is especially exciting...

More documentation of Omnipresent Toychest - "Siamese Sonata #1"

Vijay Das took footage on his iPhone and gave it to me! Thanks Vijay! You can see different things going on here than on the footage that Sean took:

Also Elizabeth Wilson took these breathtaking photos of the set, mostly from above. I think they're incredible.

Fluidtoons Live at High Museum of Art

Omnipresent Toychest - Siamese Sonata #1

This is the most fun I have ever had on stage in my entire life.

New Fluidtoons animation showing at High Museum of Art

This Saturday, January 8th, the High Museum of Art is closing the Dali exhibition with "Dali 'Til Dawn." Starting at 10am they're open for 31 hours straight!

Be there at 7:50pm sharp for a brand new Fluidtoons piece featuring a live soundtrack; it's during the WonderRoot block and will feature:

- Sean Jarrett on vocals
- Cameron Stuart on guitar
- Nirvana Kelly on violin
- Shitty Bedford on drums
- Bradley Bailey on something

"Chickenheads Live" at WonderRoot, December 14th 2010

Apologies for the terrible camera angle; Sean had set it up nicely and then I moved it when I saw it was getting the backs of heads of seated audience members. But now I wish I'd just left it, some heads probably wouldn't have been so bad, and probably an improvement over this footage! I also wanted to get the performers in frame but only really got Nirvana. I hope we get to do it again so I can get some better footage. Next time perhaps I can get performers to cover everything so I can concentrate on just filming.

Despite all the set up required for this (projector, screen, microphone, laptop, synthesizer plus amplifier, music stand, video camera and its microphone and tripod, plus rehearsals), I think the audience got a kick out of it. I do hope to do more! It does feel kind of crazy to spend like an hour setting up a lot of equipment for less than five minutes of performance! Perhaps I should have these be longer somehow.

Also, the confusion about what exactly "Chickenheads Live" meant was inspiring! I would like to do a GWAR-style theatrical production someday, but I don't think I can make that happen anytime soon.

"Chickenheads" Live at WonderRoot, Tuesday December 14th, Free!

9pm, Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
WonderRoot, 982 Memorial Dr, Atlanta, GA
FREE

"Chickenheads" will be shown with a soundtrack performed live, featuring:

- Sean Jarrett doing voices LIVE and IN PERSON!
- Nirvana Kelly playing violin!!!
- Brett W. Thompson "playing" something (come see)
- Cameron Stuart on one of the instruments he plays

and possibly more!

This is a FREE event, part of a monthly DIY event put together by Alex Ryan Gregor, and also includes:

HOMEBREWED WINE
HOMEMADE FOOD from NO WASTED PARTS!
CANDLES, DESSERTS, & MORE

a LOBSTER MOBSTER POETRY COLLETIVE reading
musical performances by:
BEDFORD & BOO
GARY EDDY
AMY GODWIN

Live Fluidtoons at WonderRoot, 10/23/10

For the 3rd Annual ASIFA-Atlanta Cartoon Art Show, Sean Jarrett did live vocals once again to my first film, "Fluidtoons":

Party 2008

I'm going through some photos from 2007 and 2008 and of course there are some gems.

For instance, here's a guy I met at a party in Cabbagetown in May 2008:



From what I can remember, he liked my art so much that he asked I draw something on his arm!!! Here it is, a quick one:



I totally want someone to get a tattoo of my art someday. That would be an enormous honor for me. It almost looks like a tattoo already doesn't it?

Something about connecting with folks who don't necessarily seek out art appeals to me so much. I want my art to be accessible and universal somehow. Plus I simply love connecting to unpretentious, genuine people like this dude.

Bradley Jumping

From a Hot Shit! film shoot in March 2009:

ASIFA-Atlanta President, 02/12/08 to 11/19/10

As of today, I have stepped down as president of ASIFA-Atlanta. I'm relieved that I found an amazing successor and that I get a break from coordinating screenings and events. I think my life is going to be significantly less stressful now, hopefully!

I'll still be involved but without the responsibility of the entire organization on my shoulders.

Here's the email I sent out:

Hi animation fan,

After almost three years as president of ASIFA-Atlanta, I've decided to step down to attempt to focus on my own art (and reduce the stress in my life!).

However, I leave you in very good hands- Fatimah Abdullah has offered to take the helm, and she is my top choice. As of today, as my last act as president, I hereby install Fatimah as president of ASIFA-Atlanta. Other positions may be available during our annual elections in February, though I am happy with the current board (we could use a volunteer coordinator however and always need more help).

I will continue to be involved with ASIFA-Atlanta as our international representative and webmaster. You will probably even still get emails from me.

Thank you so much for your support over the years!

Please welcome Fatimah; her email is fatimah@asifa.net.

-Brett W. Thompson

The Runner and His Dream

Sean Jarrett used me in a film!

Directed by
Sean Jarrett

Starring:
Joshua Mikel & Brett W. Thompson

2010 Jay-Michael Dugan Productions

Piece from Art Show at Corn Bred

Creative Loafing Interview with Melysa Martinez

Oh my goodness. Melysa Martinez did an incredible interview with me. I'm super duper grateful:




Say wha? Brett W. Thompson gives away free drawings and good times


Thanks Melysa!!!

Nice moment in the hallway

So I was walking in a hallway at work, headed to the bathroom, when one of the security guards stopped me. "Hey, I watched your cartoon Chickenheads, it's great!! You're really talented!" she told me. The sincerity was striking! I think this must be the kind of moment you hope for as an artist: totally unexpected recognition from a fan. I'm grateful.

Her name's Amy; I pointed her to fluidtoons.com to watch more, though I told her I didn't have any other films quite like Chickenheads! She totally made my day, though.

Interview with ScoutMob

Allie Bashuk did a great interview with me for ScoutMob Creative Eye. Tell me what you think!

Fluidtoons Art Show at Corn Bred!

Fluidtoons Art Show!
Corn Bred Gallery (located at 968-b Memorial Dr SE)
November 12th, 8pm

Music by Cameron Stuart

Music by Starlust & Bloom
Hot Shit! Theater Company Puppet Show
Free Drawings
Fluidtoons animation on TVs

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

Old one...

Live Fluidtoons starring Sean Jarrett at Highland Inn for Laserbeam Kitty, Sept 2010

This was soooo fun and felt wonderful. Sean is fantastic to collaborate with. I want to do this again (perhaps October 23rd at WonderRoot).

Sean Jarrett did a tremendous job, of course. I made noise with my viola to my animation for the first time in public. Sean also played Hannah's steel drum (just once, when the blue dots drop for Eyeball Bird to eat!).

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

Two pieces at Corn Bred Gallery

Emer at Cornbred Gallery generously asked me to put some art up at his gallery. I'll be having a show there in November! Cornbred is amazing- Emer's doing an incredible job. We ran into each other at Gather Atlanta which is how this started for me (well, and Emer and I did live art at Five Spot together a few years ago).

Anyway I'd put two pieces in for the art party that was there recently:



I think I should make my lines bigger/bolder and maybe try to use color in the future- my pieces look kind of subdued next to the bright, beautiful paintings around them (e.g. that awesome Slimer).

Steve Sharkey Cam - Second Video Ever

Daily Drawing

Steve Sharkey's first video

Sharkey tests his brand new helmet cam!!

Mostly it's raw footage- we will be editing future videos to be tighter, and I think Steve will talk more too which is my favorite part (though I love the beautiful beach too).

Steve Sharkey's letter to GoPro

My good buddy Steve Sharkey (of SharkeyParties.com) just got a GoPro Hero helmet-cam because he's amazing and hilarious and I can't wait to see documentation of his life. We were hoping to film him (me on a secondary camera) at Dragon*Con.

I think Steve has the potential to be the next MrChiCity!! If you haven't seen that dude's videos, MrChiCity Goes to McDonald's is one I have watched many, many times.

Sharkey is working on getting his first video together to post to the SharkeyParties YouTube channel, but unfortunately he has lost the camera in a Florida river! Damn!!!

I have to admit I was slightly worried about this possibility occurring when I received the following text message from him that same day:

I'll call u later filming on the jet ski

Maybe you have to know him personally but I think it's pretty funny and a little tragic; here's his email to GoPro, hopefully they'll send him a free one or something:

I purchased the GoPro Helmet Hero cam 8/13/2010. As of yesterday it is now lost on the bottom of a river. I was filming on my wave runner, with the cam properly attached to a bell vented helmet, with the helmet strap that was supplied with the camera. I was tubing, fell off the tube, came out the water, with a helmet and helmet strap on my head, but no camera. I am definitely not satisfied with the product, especially the buckles and fastening systems you offer. I was planning on having a lot of fun with the GoPro Hero. I was just trying to be a Hero, now I feel like a Zero. The quick release buckle seemed to act like an easy release buckle. I don’t feel my use or activity was extreme or abusive compared to some of the footage I’ve seen on the web site. I hope this is an isolated incident and a buckle malfunction. What can we do to resolve this buckle issue and the loss of the Hero? The first few days I had to play with the camera I absolutely loved it.

Thanks for you time and concern with this loss

Steve Sharkey

I love this guy!

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

"Festival Stress"

"Daily" drawing

Lurky Turkey #2

Revised commission piece.

The notes I got back from Steve Sharkey (of SharkeyParties.com) were essentially, "It's perfect, you just gotta add a joint and huge balls to it."

Animation Attack! 2010

Details at animationattack.com

Friday, August 6, 2010
The Plaza Theatre
10:30 pm
Animation Attack! Program ONE


Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Plaza Theatre
10:30 pm
Animation Attack! Program TWO


Friday, August 27, 2010
Goat Farm Art Space
9:30 pm
The Best of Animation Attack!


Saturday, August 28, 2010
WonderRoot
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Animation Draw


Goat Farm Art Space
9:30 pm
Animation Attack! Feature:
The Secret of Kells


Sunday, August 29, 2010
Eyedrum
4:00 pm
Animation Attack! Feature:
Gangs of LA 1991

Gather Atlanta Promo Press!!

Creative Loafing was kind enough to mention my promo film:

Four-headed monster euphoria: Fluidtoons' new Gather Atlanta promo

Thanks Debbie Michaud!!!

Storyboards for Gather Atlanta Promo

I did some simple storyboards for my Gather Atlanta Promo:

Fluidtoons Gather Atlanta Promo Animation

Promo animation for Gather Atlanta!

Thanks so much to Chris Appleton for asking me to do it- it was fun!

Fluidtoons shirt in progress

I made an attempt to screenprint a new shirt:



But I didn't do it right so I'll need to make another attempt soon!

Ideally I would have one piece of plexiglass instead of two.

Big thanks to Chris Appleton from WonderRoot who showed me how to do it in the first place!

What do you think of this design?