HAPPY LAND update

[Mikdog]

Another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4eUKg57dw4

[Mikdog]

And another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23ilOEBCLoA

[lwaxana]

I like the intro you've created with the characters dancing. :D Do you still have access to the Paper and Heavy voice actor(s)? In my mind the character voices were a huge part of their charm and helped the audience connect with them. Your character facial expression is one of your biggest strengths, but with only 8-bit sounds, the characters don't feel as real. I think adding some small lines, a gasp, a mutter etc. would bring back that sense that they are sentient beings with emotions and thoughts. And then the 8-bit sounds could serve as a nice counterpoint and give it some funky old school personality.

[Mikdog]

Thanks Iwaxana.

I wonder if you wouldn't mind please having a squizz at this test I put together after reading your comment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5vupyG4DKc

It features 2 background examples and some quick voice test.

Thanks.

[aleXean]

First background all the way.

[Mikdog]

Thanks I also kind of like it:



But...how's this?



Photo of some wood with my cellphone and manipulated in Photoshop.

[Mikdog]

Or, check this kind of blur thing I got going on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTrrPS-cIDs

[Mikdog]

Ooh ooh ooh, I kind of like this:

[lwaxana]

Cool! I really like what you did with the sounds. :D They definitely feel more alive. And kind of remind me of jawas. :D

I think both backgrounds from the animation test work well. I personally prefer the second one because the ground has a lot of visual texture and the combination of colors creates a richer look. Many of your floral backgrounds are spot on. You've got a real talent for bringing the elements into pleasing patterns.

[lwaxana]

on second thought, maybe the first background works better with your characters because of the lack of outlines.

[Mikdog]

Thanks. Despite all of that I think I'm still sticking with the white backgrounds.

Just makes me feel...light. Have a plan to record some voices at my brother's Audio University studio either later this week or next week.

So close...so close...

[aleXean]

I disagree with the white backgrounds... well they undoubtedly would work fine however, I think my favorite by far is the completely different shades of orange one.

Think about it, if you tried doing several backgrounds sticking to one general color but different shades of it... I think it's pretty well rounded. These 'Happy Land' shorts are really character driven. Most cartoons are. IMHO I feel that with characters such as Heavy sticking out like a sore thumb against an orange background, really helps emphasis. But I could be wrong, and white might be the way to go.

[Mikdog]

I've created a DVD with all 52 shorts on with sound.

I'm having a meeting tomorrow with someone from a local tv station...nice tv station, I used to watch it a lot when I had access to tv...anybody have any idea how much I'd be aiming to license out an animated short for? Do I get paid every time a short is shown, or do I license out the whole bunch for a single price?

Thanks.

[lwaxana]

Congrats on finishing your dvd and i hope you get the shorts licensed out! :D How exciting!

[Víctor Paredes]

Best wishes, Mike. I know you already know it and you've heard ad nauseam, but you are very talented, creative and funny and have an amazing project here.