The Adams County Avengers (continued)

When I decided that I was leaving the library to pursue other things, we figured it would be a good idea to have some continuity in the Adams County Avengers so that it could be used for future marketing initiatives. Rather than Captain Adam (my superhero) just falling off the map, I decided to shoot a small transition video where I pass the torch (or pen in this case) to my successor Lt. Deborah.

We shot it all in one day and I banged out as much special effects as I could in my free time in the week or so before I left. I think it was a pretty fitting farewell to me and a cool exciting intro to Deborah. All the effects work was done in After Effects. The wings were animated by blend of keyframed pivots and some puppet deformation. Enjoy!

The Adams County Avengers

The Adams County Library serves a small rural community. Funds are very limited. Despite that, it is fairly forward-thinking, always looking for innovative ways to reach patrons. This is doubly true for children. Fostering a love of reading and a connection with the public library in young people is central to the library's mission. To that end, we developed an exciting marketing strategy, the Adams County Avengers.

We were a group of library superheroes, promoting free-thinking and imagination, constantly battling our nemesis Dr. Monitor. Dr. Monitor hypnotizes children with his giant screen head, turning them into mindless technophiles. Now, the irony of using a digital video to promote non-screen activity wasn't lost on us. I wrote, directed, shot, edited, and created effects for the video.

It was a huge success. We even went around to the local schools in full costume and got mobbed for autographs.

Work for the Adams County Public Library

I worked full time for the Adams County Public Library. During my time there I had a great time doing many jobs. I worked at the reference desk, conducted story hour, managed patron records, and played bouncer for the junior fight club that sometimes had impromptu meetings in the library. One of my favorite things I was able to do, though, was media work.

I created a new logo for the library:

As well as a few fancy animations to go with it!

I'll post the other three in a separate post! I also did a a few short super hero videos, complete with effects, to promote our summer reading programs. Those will be posted in a separate post as well. Stay tuned!

Back in the Water

It's been a long time since I've updated the blog. I assure you all, it's not because I've stopped creating. Quite the contrary. I've had my fingers in many different venues. Mobile games, marketing campaigns, woodworking, travel media. Hell, I was even a super hero at one point. But I'm ready to make some even bigger changes in my life. My next few posts will be catching everyone up on some of the highlights of the last couple years, and then it will all be forward motion. New adventures await!


.... And by the way, if it wasn't clear from the above message, I am available for work! Animation, graphic design, motion graphics, video, you name it!

Kung Fu Chess

My latest 11 Second Club entry garnered me a 15th place ranking out of 217. That's my best yet! It's very exciting and motivating. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Earlier this year.... in space

Earlier this year I did some animation work with Lightborne Lore, a small studio in Athens, Ohio. Mostly I worked in After Effects. It was a demonstration of a pretty complex concept of space-based solar power that would tackle some of the difficulties that have been discussed in the field. Anyway, here is that video.

A Little Pro Bono

Just recently I created artwork for a few cool guys at the new geek-culture blog The Critical Failure. I recommend it. It's updated regularly and the posts are pretty relevant to my interests at least. The idea of the artwork was that this D&D elf got a such a bad roll of the dice that he shot himself in the foot with his crossbow. Thus, rather than a critical hit, a critical failure. Anyway, check out their blog at TheCriticalFailure.com and let me know what you think in the comments. It's my first time digitally inking with vector software.