Jayel Draco’s News Blog

So Corinne Alexis Hall and I have been working steadily for the past couple of weeks building our muppet-esque costumes for the music video  “History Lessons” by Dinosaur Feathers. We were hooked up with the band when we won first place in SILVERSOUND Music Video Festival + Band Battle for our work in Cockroach Hotel (written and Directed by Christopher Piazza). Dinosaur Feathers won first place in the Band Battle part of the festival. The two first place winners where hooked up and given a budget for a video which would headline next years festival in August.  The Video for “History Lessons” was conceptualized, written and presented by the talented Writer/Director Christopher Piazza. I can’t say too much about it, but I’m quite certain it will be well received.

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=

Gearing up for the big debut!

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)

Rise Up (Music Video from Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic)

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

Animating “The Astonishing X-Men” motion comic:

As I pointed out in a previous blog entry, I have been subcontracted by the renowned Comic Book Artist Neal Adams’ of Continuity Studios to work on “The Astonishing X-Men” motion Comic as an Motioneer (type of animator). Progress has been swift in spite of the expansive work load. The techniques we started out with have been continuously evolving. We are really pioneering a new way of breathing life into 2d visual art, it has been quite an exciting experience to be a part of. When it come out, look for Jayel Draco in the credits!
Below you can see the latest official teaser release by Marvel.

As cool as that is, I’m glad to say the actual final product is even better!