Malia Tahca Ska by *JayelDraco

A Vision of the Future
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Malia: A Hawaiian name meaning calm and peaceful
Tahca: Is a Lakota word for Deer
Ska: Is a Lakota word for White
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Malia, the model for this piece, once told me that her father not so many years ago confided in her about a dream he had before she was born. Her parents where young and unsure when they became pregnant with her. They where not sure if they where going to keep their baby. One night he had a vision that his wife had given birth to a White Doe. He did not know what this meant, but he knew that he would keep this child, and so he did. She has grown up to become a well versed traveler, wise beyond her years, with a good sense of humor, a kind heart and a trumpeting spirit. When she told me the story of her fathers dream, I knew the image I would make and the story to go along with it.

There is a telling that spans many tongues of many native American Tribes. It is, the telling of the Rainbow Warriors in the time to come. Of the many Peoples who hold faith to this telling, It was a Lakota Medicine man who first told me many years ago, and so I will tell you the way I was told.

It is said:

“There will come a time when the earth is sick and the animals and plants begin to die.
Then the Native Americans will regain their spirit and gather people of all nations,
colors and beliefs to join together in the fight to save the Earth:
The Rainbow Warriors.”

- Ancient Native American prophecy -

~From – Warriors of the Rainbow~

Now this is the whole of the truth in it’s shortest summary. There were and still are many faith keepers, medicine men/women and prophets in their own right who speak of this. Of them many have had their own visions of how this would come to pass. Many have spoke of signs. The Prophet Ptesan Wi (the white buffalo Women) came to the Lakota. She left behind her teachings, and prophecy. In her prophecy she spoke of a sign of the times when these things would take root. “When the White Buffalo is born you will know the time has begun.”

In 1994 Miracle the White Buffalo was born on a farm in Janesville, Wisconsin. She was the first of her kind, an inexplicable genetic anomaly. More have been born in various places since. Other animals have also been born inexplicably white, not albino, white. Including Deer, Crows, Sparrows, and many others. The anomaly seems to be spanning the more common animal totems at an increasing rate. Many say the time is now, the time of empires is at an end, as the time of The Tribe is dawning.

With globalized communication at our fingertips, information readily available, and sweeping economic decline, It would seems that if not ready we are at least primed for such change. A change in our selves fortified by remembering the old while pre-tending the new. We learn more and more how to balance with every step as we move forward consciously.

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Model: Malia “Tahca Ska” Kulip

Concept, Costume, Directing: *JayelDraco

Photography: *JayelDraco & *Blackscarab333

__STOCK_________________________________________________________________________________________________

=SalsolaStock
http://fav.me/d1lqydz

~Sammykaye1sStamps

http://sammykaye1sstamps.deviantart.com/art/Fern-1-88010724

http://sammykaye1sstamps.deviantart.com/art/Grass-2-PNG-82781348

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Resources shot by *JayelDraco for this piece:

http://jayeldraco.deviantart.com/art/Malia-Tahca-Ska-Background-175802773

http://jayeldraco.deviantart.com/art/Malia-Tahca-Ska-Pose-01-175803190

http://jayeldraco.deviantart.com/art/Malia-Tahca-Ska-Pose-02-175803273

I chose to upload these three images to show as examples of my self shot resources as they are the prime image components. However, there where many other details from many other pictures that I have taken over the last few years used in this piece. For the sake of brevity I chose to omit them.
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TIP: For atmospheric perspective along with color palette homogenization, use several copies of a “Photo Filter Adjustment Layer” (ie. sepia or warming) at low opacity (try 10% or less). Place one copy in front of your Deepest background layer, one copy in front of your mid background layer, one copy in front of your character layer, and one copy in front of your foreground layer. The result will be a pleasing color palette homogenization with atmospheric perspective.

If your piece has much more layers (as mine usually do) use more copies of your chosen photo filter interspersed throughout your layers at an even lower opacity. This will give you an even subtle build up to the washout of your furthest background elements.

Descriptions:
Color Palette Homogenization: This refers to a consistency of colors within a piece. The appearance of any object is effected by the colors of objects around it as well as the color of the light source(s). When placing elements from various photos into one compositions, Often the color difference between objects can be disturbing to the analytical observer. (Ie: one object is warmly lit, while the one next to it is cool) Homogenization refers to making them appear to be effected by the same variables.

Atmospheric Perspective: in addition to Z axis perspective (Objects getting smaller as they get further away) Objects also have more atmosphere between you and them as they go further back in space. The color of an object is effected by photons from the light source(s) bouncing off of particles in the air as well as the color of the air-born particles them selves. So the further back an object is, the more it’s color is effected by the atmosphere until it totally blends in and disappears. (Ie: sky in front of a mountain, a distant mountain will appear to be translucent as if you are seeing the sky through it. When in fact, you are seeing the sky in front of it.)

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As always, I will thank you kindly for your much appreciated questions, comments and suggestions. . .
However, PLEASE RESPECT THE MODEL or you just might end up with an arrow stuck in your butt.
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The Universe does not take sides, it only upholds the balance.
If upholding the balance is your intent, the universe is on your side.
Mitakuye Oyasin (all things are related)

More…

To start with, the music video for “History Lessons” by the band Dinosaur Feathers (directed by Christopher Piazza) has been officially completed as of April 2010. It is currently expected to premiere sometime in June. The official details of it’s premiere are still being worked out. I will post more when I know more.

The formation and launch of  Creative Logic Studios has been a notable accomplishment. Creative Logic Studios is a webdesign company comprised of various free-lancers including: Amanda Kellman(the company founder), Corinne Alexis Hall, Jayel Draco, and Christopher Covelli. As a team, each member specializes in specific goal oriented tasks, working together to solve the creative needs of our clients companies. The creative needs we are more than qualified to fulfill as a team include but are not limited to:  Logo Design, Graphic Design, Branding, Website Design and Implementation,  Web & TV Commercial Videos, E-commerce, Website SEO, etc. . . This undertaking has been time/thought consuming, but has already proven to be well worth it.

A complete overhaul on director Christopher Piazza’s website panopticonnyc.com has begun and is expected to be completed in early June. The first incarnation of the site I created using Adobe Flash CS3 AS2.0, the revamp will utilize cutting edge coding and fully customized features created in Adobe Flash CS4 AS 3.0.  Expect a slicker quicker and even more unique website capable of deploying enumerable streaming HD videos with little to no load time.

I have been working with various models on photo-shoots for fantasy photo-manipulation illustrations. Some of these have been recently posted to my image gallery: http://www.jayeldraco.com/gallery/main.php, while some of them have been for semi-long-term multi-shoot conglomerate projects which will certainly be posted about upon there completion.  You can expect to see some recurring models as well as a slew of new models in my gallery updates to come.

The project “Nomi Now!” has had new progress renders posted on the newly revamped project progress site: gettingtonomi.com. As you may know, this project has been a labor of love on and off the back burner for the past few years. Please check out the website to learn more.

Well, I think that about sums up the things that I can mention in my happenings as of late. There are still more progress updates to come. Many of these updates however must remain in the proverbial “bag” for the time being. I look forward to being able to let you know more.

Again, thanks for reading
and keep rockin. . .
=j=

So the Studio shoot day on Jan.23 went really well. There where a couple of snags on production side that where quickly circumvented with cleaver spur of the moment problem solving. The shooting it’s self was excellent we captured everything we need on schedule despite delays. When we finally got the footage back a couple weeks ago, everything was crisp, in focus and as planned. The “R3D cam” it was shot with was an incredible piece of high tech whoopass. Editor Andy Giles cut a rough edit of the video and gave us the specific footage for compositing and effects.

The main bulk of green screen compositing went well. If I didn’t do the compositing myself, I might assume it was practical effects. It’s amazing what a difference ultra high res footage makes.

The animation went REALLY well. Corinne put together a library of animated elements and illustrations for me to put together in to scene which where used as background plates. The background plates then had the hero character composited in for the “Trippy Dream Sequence” . I got say I’m proud of it and can’t wait to see it on the big screen.

For now, it’s all back in the hands of Writer/Director Chris Piazza and Editor Andy Giles.
I’m certain that for the sake of the final edit, we’ll end up having to swap out some of our footage, but that’s to be expected and wont take long.

Looking forward to being able to invite you to the premiere.

Keep Rockin. . .
=j=

Yesterday with our costumes complete we started our day in Monroe, NY accompanied by a small crew of 8 at 5:30 AM. Outside in the snow all day until sunset Corinne and I Puppeteered our hearts out for the camera. With special thanks to the work of “super-on-it” Assistant Director Sara Blake, the first day of shooting was completed on schedule with time for a few extra shot thrown in for good measure. Today I awoke with the sharp pain of deep tissue exhaustion snaking throughout my back, arms and legs.  The pain subsides as I focus on confidence in the knowledge that we gave it our best. I also find myself comforted by the knowledge that we have a week and a half of recovery and costume repairs until the next day of shooting.

The next day of shooting will be the 23rd. A warm indoors green screen studio is where Corinne and I will do the rest of our Puppeteering for the special effects shots. The day will be divided between the filming of our puppeteering and shooting Dinosaur Feathers performing. So in theory it should be a significantly easier day for us. After that Corinne and I will have our work cut out for us as we will be animating special effects and compositing them into the video with Photoshop, Flash, and After Effects.

I’ll fill you in on how the 23rd goes.

Keep Rockin. . .
=j=

As many of you know, Corinne and I have been working over at Neals Adams’ Continuity Studios for over a year now. A large potion of the time that we’ve spent their, has been spent developing sophisticated image… manipulation techniques and employing them as “Motioneers” on “The Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic”. Be in Union Square on 10/28 at 6pm to see the world premiere!

Don’t miss the big event!

Wednesday – October 28th in Union Square, NYC
The Live Outdoor Premiere of The Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic!

Event Schedule
4:00-6:00 – There will be a Creator signing at Forbidden Planet (840 Broadway on the corner of 13th street). The creators signing will include Neal Adams, Chris Claremont, and Dan Slott
6:00-6:30 – There will be Marvel Giveaways and a Costume Contest sign up. Be sure to dress as your favorite Marvel Character!
6:30-7:15 – The Marvel Costume Contest (Contest rules can be found at http://marvel.com/fest09/rules)
7:00 – Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic Book Premiere ( We think that that means, a break will be taken between showing the costumes and Handing out the prizes, to show the premire)

Woah, so apparently someone (presumably from Marvel) took clips from ‘The Astonishing X-men Motion Comic’ we’ve been working on over at ‘Neal Adams Continuity Studios’ and made a music video with them. It’s a good teaser for our yet-to-be released work.

Click here to watch it

I chose to use a particularly moody photo from a very light hearted and fun shoot for this manip.  Mary is an excellent dancer with a high metabolism. She has an intense spirit and I’m used to her radiating intense joy, creativity and fun. It was very interesting for me to explore seeing her in a light that she doesn’t often portray. Interestingly enough not long after this photo was taken she had knee surgery and had to take time off from dancing and spent allot of time in her room while recovering. Her description of how she felt, was eerily akin to the way I was synchronistically depicting her in this “Verse of MaryBlue”.

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Click here to view full size image in gallery

This Second piece is a concept sketch for “How Doyou Nomi?”, a photoshoot that I’ve had in mind for a little while now. The composition and poses here are more or less insignificant to the piece as interaction with model tends to allow for a superior organic development. I illustrated this to send to the model to give here an idea of what we’ll be wearing/doing. Even though it’s just a concept sketch, I’m happy with the way it came out, so I decided to post it. The idea of the piece is a sort of Klaus Nomi reference in the form of a glamour/lingerie/burlesque photoshoot. It will end up being a photomanipulation piece. The costume is finished and the shoot is scheduled.

Click thumbnail to view image
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Thanks for reading my blog!
keep rockin. . .
=j=

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhYf7MNS5Ow

Written, Directed Animated by
Jayel Draco -- www.jayeldraco.com

Co-Animated and Illustrated by
Corinne Alexis Hall -- www.corinnealexishall.com

Music by Jack Schell -
www.thesoundweaver.com

Jayel -- versus -- Akuma

*Note: I do realize that Akuma is absolutely badass. . .
If he were real, and I were to fight him for real, I probably would not fair quite as well. Thankfully, in this scenario, I was animating him, so he didn’t stand a chance.