Happy Birthday, Ethan Karson!

Ethan is a co-worker and fellow member of the Pixar improv troupe, The Improvibles.

It's signed from "Evil" because we have two Austins in The Improvibles, and I happen to be the more nefarious of the two.

34 days...

A Very Miserables Musical

The latest poster for Pixar's improv troupe, The Improvibles.

 

I originally had Russell Crowe belting out a shattering melody note to the tagline, "Even worse than Russell Crowe." My wiser colleagues mentioned that RC might supply a voice for Pixar some day and that the more prudent path would be leaving the note intact.

I still think it's funnier the other way.

3 days...

Happy Birthday, Rebecca Stockley!

The first thing you learn in Rebecca's improvised acting class is to say "Yes, and..." instead of "No, but..." It's the general practice of plussing someone else's idea instead of shutting it down. An idea may seem mediocre, but that's the challenge: using what works, and making it great.

YES it's Rebecca's birthday AND we wish her an amazing one!

If you're in San Francisco, you can see Rebecca perform at BATS (Bay Area Theatre Sports) in Fort Mason.

14 days...

Nerd of the Rings

Pixar's improv team, The Improvibles, is delving into the land of trolls, hobbits, and level eight gelatinous cubes tonight with our first Dungeons & Dragons show (the first of many, this bard hopes). What makes this show particularly special is our guest star, Brave director Mark Andrews!

One show to rule them all!

7 days...

The Emeryville Horror

At Pixar, no one can hear you scream...unfortunately, everyone can hear you sing. 

Our theatre troupe, The Improvibles, is doing a horror musical this Friday. I know it's supposed to be an entirely improvized performance, but I'm already planning to launch into this song as our show closer. 

19 days...

Micro Rex Zoetrope

In case you missed my zoetrope at the Oakland Airport's Pixar Exhibit last Autumn, Trip Park was kind enough to assemble the images for a youtube clip.

Micro Rex is a character I created for the Super Big Micro Show and, despite being an installation for the Pixar exhibit, is not a Pixar-affiliated character.

It's not the greatest walk-cycle in the world, but not bad for being animated in photoshop without a pencil tester.

And now for something completely different:

Today is the last round of theatre sports for Pixar's improv troupe, The Improvibles. Our Improv-Dome tournament has been going on for quite a while. Rivalries have fostered, friendships torn asunder. Who will stand triumphant? The audience shall decide!!!

I always tell animation students that drawing (particularly observational drawing from life) is the key to growing as an animator. I'd say acting is the second most essential tool in the animator's survival kit. Improv is a great way to hone performance skills, delve into character motivations and scene structure, and gain on-the-spot brainstorming skills all while making a complete ass out of one's self.

Poster by Zombiesmith game designer and fellow dandy Jason Topolski.

37 days...

A Very Pixar Christmas
and
The Super Big Micro Show

Hello readers, it's been quite a weekend! Events kicked off Friday evening with Pixar's improv group, the Improvibles and our "A Very Pixar Christmas" show.

Poster by esteemed storyman Chris Roman (the youngest one in curls).

The show included everything from a Rankin Bass animated skit (a moving people game where Don and I were "animated" by an audience member) to an original carol about the Christmas tree catching fire and the warm glow of "Christmas cheer" (flames) spreading to the neighbors' houses.

The Improvibles gather for their annual Christmas Card photo

After the show, it was a straight drive down to LA for the Super Big Micro Show, organized in part by my pal and fellow Sacramentan Jeremy Spears (seen here with my favorite piece in the gallery).

Jeremy can bearly contain himself.

I also had the pleasure of meeting long-time Chades Challenger, Zane Yarbrough, who is interning two doors down from Gallery Nucleus at Bolt City Productions.

Chades Challengers unite.

I'm happy to report that all of my pieces sold, so even though Micro Rex met an untimely end, he will always be remembered. Here is the final Micro Rex series, in all of its framed glory.

A Visit from Mr. Odonata

Shoo, Fly!

Dino Soars

First Kill

Rex on the Beach

The Ill-Fated King

12 days...

Bitter Moments with Count Chocula
Part III: Darth Hater

The spook season is in full-swing now and my Improv group isn't the kind of crowd to pass up a good scare. So we're putting on a Lovecraftian fright-fest for our coworkers. I made this poster for the show, based on an old Tales from the Crypt comic.

We're printing several versions, each with a different tagline:

"Side-splitting fun."
"Bring your own fear."
"No ghouls allowed."
"Keep telling yourself it's just a show."
"We put the error in terror."
and, my personal favorite, "Tales not from the script."

4 days...