another new year, another old rat

Here's another old rat of mine. This one is from my short animated film "to bear onself" (the complete film is featured on the DVD compilation of my shorts). The technique used is underlit plasticine on cel, animated under the camera.

DVD compilation is on Amazon!

The SmokingMoose DVD compilation is now available online via Amazon.com.


The product information on Amazon is still a bit vague (I'm hoping to get it updated soon). In the meantime I've copied the description from the CreateSpace Store below. Or you can click on the thumbnail image to see the DVD jacket cover.


Here's what's on the DVD:

my smoking moose film, 8 minutes, 3D computer animation. A moose, a newspaper and a pack of smokes. 2007.

get a grip, 45 seconds, 2D drawings on paper. An exciting new personal sports product. 1994.

to bear oneself, 6 minutes, 2D plasticine drawings on cel. A bear wants to be human. 1992.

TOO MUCH! 2 minutes. Time lapse and still photographs. A tour through New York City in 2 minutes flat. 1991.

License to Kill, Part MCMXC, 3 minutes, 2D pencil drawings on paper. A bear goes hunting. 1990.

Bonus material: previews, other animated clips, Director's commentary, still images and comics.

technical specs:
NTSC DVD-R video - All Regions Enabled.

4:3 - letterboxed where appropriate.

English language - my smoking moose film also in French or with French subtitles.

Running Time 20 minutes - not including bonus material.

Some content may not be suitable for young children.

DVD is available

It's true! This is the link to the DVD store on Create Space. It will take about 2 weeks to appear on Amazon.com.

Here is a promotional clip I made for the DVD:

DVD is coming soon! really!

I've sent the master DVD and artwork to CreateSpace and am waiting for the "proof" to approve. I'm quite happy with the way the DVD turned out, although I wouldn't be me if I didn't have some second thoughts about which films I put on it and which ones I left off -- but all in all, I think it has lots of good stuff on it and the people who have seen it have liked it. I will post the link when it is online and ready for sale!

DVD compilation testing

I've started getting help testing the DVD compilation master. My good friend Rick is testing it and hasn't found any technical issues. I was having one on my DVD set top player -- that the French subtitles were appearing by default, despite not having set them to appear for the disc. Simulation mode didn't have this problem, nor did playing the DVD on computers. I've since found a way around it by moving the French subtitles to track 2 and setting the disc subtitle to the empty track 1. I'm so happy when issues can be easily fixed. I've burned a new master and am waiting for the next tester I've asked to accept the challenge!

DVD compilation ready for testing

whoo hooo. The DVD master is ready for testing. If you're in Montreal and want to test it for me please email tiger at smokingmoose dot com. There's about 30 minutes of material on it (not including the different language options). After it passes the testing phase I'll be sending it to CreateSpace.com -- but it will still take a few weeks for it to appear for sale on that site as well as on Amazon.

DVD is almost ready to release

I'm so close to closing the DVD compilation of my shorts. I'm really happy with the way it's turning out. I'm only doing NTSC for now. I'll have to see about PAL and what the easiest way to do it would be. I created all the artwork at 720x540, so it shouldn't be too big a deal.

I've been recording the Commentary, which I mistakenly thought would be easy. HA! I've got lots of stories to tell about each film, so it's not the content that's the problem, it's making it sound intelligent... recording it at the same time as watching the film is really hard. In fact, there were so many "uhms" and "ahhhs" the first time I recorded it, I laughed out loud. Maybe I should put 2 Commentary tracks -- the "improved" version and the funnier first take. Hmmm I don't think so.

If I have your email address, I will send a mooseletter soon to announce the availability of the DVD. And yes, to those of you in Montreal, I will have a screening soon. If you don't think I have your email and if you want to know about the DVD release or be invited to a screening in Montreal, send me an email (tiger at smokingmoose dot com).