FAQ

Q. What kind of dog is that?

A. Staffordshire Terrier.

Q. Does he bite?

A. Yes, all dogs bite.

Q. What’s up?

A. Not much. What’s up with you?

Q. How many storyboard frames can you do in a day?

A. Depends on the subject matter. Simple subjects take a lot less time. Also depends on the degree of finish you are looking for. I don't like turning out what I think is junk, so even if you want super fast frames, I'll do my best to have them look as good as I can with however much time I may have. A general rule could be- the more shapes required to compose the image, the more time it will take. I worked on a BMW Film (you may remember those) and in a desperate rush did just over 100 frames in a day. This is not something I could do day after day, so don't ask! Generally speaking, I've been said to be quick... (at drawing) If you need further info, feel free to email me.

Q. Hey, how's it going?

A. Pretty good.

Q.What is the meaning of life, why are we here?

A. I can't tell you. If I did, you would vanish. The reason I'm still here, knowing what I do, is because I'm here for a different reason- to keep you from vanishing.

Q. What do you use to draw with?

A. As far as pencils go I use a 1mm. mechanical graphite pencil made by Rotring. I generally employ the "flattened pencil" technique. Ink- I use Japanese brush pens mostly. I don't know what they are called because all of the writing on them is in Japanese and unfortunately I cannot read it. The only place I know of that they can be found (other than in Japan) is in a bookstore in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. The Staedtler Mars Graphic 3000 is a great brush pen as well. I also use some other rather cheap felt tip pens. Many of my roughs are done with a Non-reproducing blue pen made by Lithco. I find them fun to draw with and they are great non-reproducers. Many people consider them not a valid tool for artwork, but I just love drawing with ball point pens. Ball points of my choice would be Mont Blanc, not for the glam but because I love how rich and smooth their pens write- draw. My second choice in ballpoint would be the Yoropen, a little akward to use at first, looks a lot like a dental drill, but very comfortable to draw with. Fountain pens are also great. The main ones I'll use are- Pelicans, old Rotrings, Namiki Falcons and Pilot Myus. None of them come as fine as I'd like them so I have the nibs ground down to a super fine by a great pen/metalsmith named John Mottishaw who's company is called Nibworks (see links). As far as digital goes, I use Apple computers only including the Modbook, Wacom Cintiq, Photoshop and Coral Painter.

Q. Do you like cookies?

A. Yes, I love them!

Q. What is your work schedule?

A. I am a night person. I tend to start a bit late and work into the night. I work full days- 10 hours as a minimum (but almost always put in a few hours of overtime on my own- a bad habit for me- a good habit for you- but this is unofficial).

Q. Have you seen my car keys?

A. They're over there.

Q. What are your rates?

A. Email me.

Q. Are you the best storyboard artist in the whole world?

A. No. Haha, just kidding, yes I am! Gotcha- no I am not, that would be saying too much. But in all seriousness, I am! Haha! But really tho, while I may not be, and I could tell you about some much better artists, I won't, because I want your money. When all is said and done, I can get the same job done and one thing I will say is that I will go toe to head with anyone when it comes to dedication to the job. Giggity giggity.

Q. Do birds fly?

A. Moo Goo Gai Pan.

Q. Did you write all of the content of this site on an iPod?

A. Yes I did- seriously.

Q. Are you professional about your work regardless of how unprofessional your website may be?

A. Yes I am. Did you notice how the font just changed to italic? This is my serious font. When on a job, I live and breathe it. I just try to not let things get so serious that they choke to death on themselves, while still taking things seriously.

Q. Do you want to have storyboarding be your entire career?

A. No. I'm very happy with my career as it is but I also have aspirations to be more deeply involved in the film making process. I feel that I have more to offer than what I am able to as just a storyboard artist. I feel that I could bring something to the production phase of the project and always get a bit bummed out when pre production ends and I'm wrapped. If this doesn't happen, and in the end I was only paid to do drawings for really cool directors, on major motion pictures, I will still be quite the happy old geezer. Besides, the dream I've had for many years, was to teach drawing. This desire to teach was brought on by my teacher, Glenn Vilppu. I figure tho that I should probably have a good few years of professional work under my belt before I go and claim to be able to teach, or claim to have something to teach. Besides, I am continually learning as I work. I feel like I get noticeably better with each job.

Q. Why do you prefer film over advertising when advertising pays so much better?

A. Getting paid is part of the game, but it's not why I play. Film is more fun for me. I enjoy the process more. I feel more creative being a part of a storytelling process than I do being a part of the process of trying to sell something to someone they probably don't really need and might not even want. (insert Tyler Durden quote here) I will take on advertising jobs tho, I just prefer film. But, if you want me to work on one of those drug commercials where there's the woman wandering thru some trippy, happy psycho world with the weird graphics and goofy music, as happy as can be because her Martian flower allergies have been cleared up (but now she has headaches, itching, ulcers, can't sleep, she's blind, nose no longer works, hair is falling out and a bleeding anus) but she's so happy because her knees no longer itch- forget it. I just realized, I'm busy, I have to clip my toenails, and there are some rocks in my backyard that need to be kicked around for a while, can’t take the job.

Q. Are these real questions that real people asked you?

A. No. I asked myself these questions for other people and answered them myself. I frequently converse with me- this is just something we do. My Precious!