Dave Warnke

When I moved to East Bay I started seeing some crazy looking characters popping up in my neighborhood. Hanging out by telephone polls, sleeping in the park, waving at me right outside my house. I was a bit nervous until I met their creator -- Mr Dave Warnke.

Dave is my neighbor 2 doors down. We met Dave through my son Jackson who plays with Dave's daughter 'Bea'. I just found out that Dave and his family are moving to a few towns away. Although I know I'll still see him from time to time, I sure hope I see his crazy friends.

You Rock Dave! Thank you for such great art in our neighborhood.

Found this guy hanging outside my house

Public art sculpture

Original painting

Dave at work - cafe 504

Thats my boy!

I know, whats with the kid pic? Isnt this suppose to be a animation / art website??

This posting is strictly for the grandparents. I promised them every so often I would post a pic of one of the grandkids. This was taken on our Hwy 1 trip up the California coast. We were close to being home, when K convinced me into stopping one more night in this little coast town. Im really glad we did, such great memories on our last day of our family trip.

UP links

As the movie gets closer to its release date - more and more goodies start popping up on the web. This is my favorite time. You work on a movie for a year or two and no one knows what it is. Then when all these trailers, commercials, pics and goodies show up on the web -- its a bit weird to be watching it with the public when its been hush hush behind close doors for so long. 

Meet Russell 'film clip'

Meet Kevin 'film clip'

Inside UP 'First 3D Movie' featurette

Inside UP 'Lost World' featurette

enjoy!

WTD

Back when I was attending Columbia College of Chicago, every so often I would get the occasional 'are you the Aaron who did that kick-ass drawing?' I would hang my head down and point to the red headed guy on the other side of the animation room, the very talented Mr. Aaron Johnson.

Aaron is now the creator/artist of 'What The Duck' comic strip. A great strip about a duck and his camera. 

I got a phone call at work from my two year old son saying 'wanna open it!' When I got home I found out what he was talking about - Aaron was kind enough to send me a Walter Ducket plushy (that my son has taken and called 'Bella') and a original painting on the box that Walter came in. 

Thank You Aaron! Your artwork is on its way!!

Walter and the box he came in

'What The Duck' comic strip

Walter 'Bella' Ducket visits Pixar

UP website

The UP website is up and running!!!

Its chock full of goodies - meet the characters, videos, trailers,  bios, icons, wallpapers, movie stills, games, and plenty more. Go on over and take a look see.

10 years

Pixar had a award ceremony for its veteran employees

10 yrs = A Bronze Buzz (pictured below)

20 yrs = A Bronze Woody

30 yrs = A Bronze John Lasseter (kidding)

The Hartlines come to town

I got to show my family my job today. I was great to show them what I do rather then explain what I do.  I loved watching my Dad's face as he turned the corner and saw Mr. Incredible.

Dr. V

There is alot that hurts when I think back on the movie ROBOTS - and this one is up there. A great character - designed, animated, lighted - and on the cutting room floor.

This is your moment Dr. V - you've waited long enough.

Industrial Light and Magic

About 15 years ago I was working as a usher at Cineplex Odeon at River Oaks Mall in Calumet City. I cleaned toilets, wiped up nacho cheese off the sticky floors, and lied to the customers when they asked 'is this popcorn fresh?' One of the perks of that job though, was I got to watch Jurassic Park over 50 times - for free. 

Thats when I learned about ILM, the company that not only did the fx for Jurassic Park - but almost all of my favorite childhood movies. Star Wars, Ghostbusters, E.T. just to name a few.

From that point on - I wanted to work for Industrial Light Magic more then anything. I came close a few times, I got interview'd once - gave me a t-shirt that I treated like the holy scroll - but alas no job.

Today though, I got to walk the halls of ILM and I was reminded why I wanted to work there so badly. Walking those halls was like walking in the history of cinema. I got to see the bike Elliot rode w E.T. in his basket, I got to see Slimer from Ghostbusters, and yes - I got to see that T-REX again. It was like seeing a very old friend. 

I use to ride my Grandma's bike back at 1am from the movie theatre - and would dream of a day that I got to make movies. Im so so fortunate my dream came true. And if they are ever working on a Jurassic Park - The Prequel - im soo there!

Thank you Peng. I wish you were there Rob.

TOY STORY 3

I started my 1st shots on TS3 - I was extremely excited and  nervous opening my shot today. Im excited to be part of such a great movie trilogy - scared out of my mind that im part of such a great movie trilogy.

Papa Ev and Mama Sid

CONGRATS TO THE DOWNING FAMILY!!

Our good friends, Everett and Sitapa Downing, just had a baby girl.

Phoenix Adelle Downing was born March 10th at 11:29 am. She is a healthy 7 lbs / 9 oz and 20 inches long.

and the OSCAR goes to...

not Aaron Hartline, haha.

Before starting out a shot, I like to turn on the camera and act out a few ideas. When im animating, I dont necessarily follow the acting exactly - it just helps not going into a shot completely cold.

My favorite part of this is how my old office-mate Dave Torres is just working away in the background, completely unaffected by me making a fool out of myself. Just another day at the office.

Brand Spank'in New UP Trailer

If you happen to be going to the WATCHMEN this weekend, you may come across the new Disney/PIXAR Up Trailer. I have a very small shot in the middle of Russell pointing in the sky saying 'whoa, what is that?' ---- enjoy!

OOP'd

When a shot is cut from the film, its OOP'd - Out Of Picture.

Here is a teaser trailer shot that I did, that never saw the light of day. Enjoy!

POST-ITS

While animating, my mind sometimes wonder and I find myself doodling on post-it notes.
Here are just two of the many, many that are out there.

A Blast from the Past

My old boss, Brian Colin, just sent me this pic that I collaborated on with him. Wow, brings back the memories - 14 yrears ago!! A 20 yr old kid landing his 1st job in videogames. I was so happy that I didnt have to work midnites as a forklift operator on the docks of Roadway Trucking anymore.

Thank You Brian for giving a kid his first break. I am forever in your debt!

concept sketch for selling the idea to MIDWAY games

the final product

GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!

Ive been drawing this character for over 7 yrs now.  Ive drawn him on paper, sketchpads, napkins, receipts, foggy windows,  post-its, my arm, and so on. Ive drawn him so much, he is like my new signature.

Why doesnt he just leave me alone??

Im hoping there is a reason for this. That one day he will become famous, make lots of money and throw me a few dollars so I can retire, watching matinee movies everyday.

pic of the day

 My daughter Autumn Ruth