Progress of Thief Fox

How this work started off:

It was originally for a school assignment, where I have to model a 3D character from my own concept.
This is the original work done 2 semesters back.


I felt I could do a new take on this old concept, so I went and change the anatomy a bit, trying to give him more personality and 'coolness' to this sneaky fox

I added a knife and gave him a gun, Then I moved on to give him colours.

So... I'm quite happy some of the fur parts, but I guess I can still improve on the gun and the eyes, somehow something is lost during the painting phase for the face, looking not as cute.

Either ways, thanks for viewing the Thief Fox.

Movie Marathon

So on the flight back to Singapore, I've been rushing through the list of movies I've missed:

Rurouni Kenshin
I really loved this show because I can really connect to this movie, even thouygh I have not really watched the anime. All the characters have some 'realistic' personality to them, and you can relate to the characters. I admit some parts the acting can be better, but it's an awesome movie not to be missed.

Premium Rush
I initially watched it because of joseph gordon-levitt, and the style is similar to many other films he's been in. It has some charm to the way the story is told and it's feels sort of nice in a way.

Total Recall
It's a sci-fi fantasy with a flavour of inception. I don't know, i guess the story is workable, but I had a bit of confusion at thestart of the film.

Dark Knight Rises
It is such a well told movie that ended with a bang. I loved how the previous two movie also somewhat tied in with this show. I would say watch both of the prequel and end the trilogy off with this.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
I feel that this is more like a long TV show and aimed towards a younger audience, but overall still okay.

Alright time to go for a short break... will try to update stuff on FB

'You are always learning.'

Yeah, I would like to discuss about my semester in the city of Redmond, what have I learnt over the course and my new targets or resolutions.
Here's the list of targets I would like to achieve when I get back home.
Watch Movies
Yes, I would really want to watch Paranorman and Hunger Games. I heard hunger games is similar to Battle Royale, so I would want to check out the differences. As for Paranorman, I am quite impressed by Coraline, so I do hope that Paranorman would not fail me in terms of the entertianment value.
Listen to more songs
Whether it is Korean or English, I felt that I have not been updating my playlist, and I think I should if I wanna have more variety of songs to sing in Kbox.
Manga
I suppose I would like to catch up on the manga that I drop from the last time. I haven't been reading on GE, and I hope my brother has good manga to introduce to me.
Running Man
I have been putting this show on hold for too long, and it's about time to chiong watching this show. I think I'm only at episode 37, so I have a lot of catching up to do.
Completing DS + 3DS Games
I left my DS and 3DS alone for a while now, so after the semester, I hope to clear all the unfinished games that I have at home and that I bought.
Driving
One thing I realise in USA is that driving is an essential skill to have to travel around. Plus, having only one module next semester, I hope to complete this study by the end of my final semester in DigiPen. I think it will be cool for me and my bro to learn together.
Modeling/Character/Animation
It is also a time to polish up my portfolio before my graduation. I would like to take the oppotunity to clean up my working files in my backup drive and decide on what I have to show.
Sleep
Although there are a lot of things that I want to do, it is neccessary to take some time off to rest and relax. Life is not always about accomplishing a lot at one go, sometimes it is good to take it slow, and refresh your senses... and stuff like that.
Learn to Cook
Another thing I realised is that I don't know how to cook! I don't know any recipes, and what do I do if I'm alone in a house? Do I always eat out? So I suppose I have to delegate time to learning how to prepare dinner.
Clear my room
By now my room should be really dusty, and I think it is time to throw away the old stuff that I don't need, and set up my workplace for the new year.

It's getting cold...

As December is closing in... it seems that the world here is getting colder and colder.

Speaking of cold.

Seems like a lot of people love Jack Frost in the movie Rise of the Guardians. The story is okay, but what I liked about the film is the simple jokes and the beautiful visual effects. The sand particles, the frostings and so much more!

In other news,

Is the world getting colder in personality? or is it just the way of life? even so, I believe one person can make a difference. Virtue's Last Reward is very harsh game, sort of a like a reality check in life. It ties in with its prequel very nicely. I have just recently completed the game and I feel one should play 9 doors have a better grasp of the idea behind this game. It is just so mind boggling and thrilling! If you are to get a 3DS, this may very well be the 1st game! :D

Alright, I'm off to bed, have to do my homework!

What makes life beautiful?

Music is what makes life beautiful.
I just got hooked onto the One Direction song," What Makes You Beautiful". It is just gives that feel good vibe whenever I hear the original song or any covers of it.

Sightseeing is what makes life beautiful.
Enjoy the weather and the scenery on your way to school... to take a short break! just remember to enjoy every day of your life. Life's too short to get angry. Just take it easy...!

Movies made me realise life is beautiful.
Wreck-It Ralph is a movie I would recommend to all gamers and animators out there to watch, as it is very funny and the story is really good! I also love the short film at the start, paperman! A truly amzing movie not to be missed!

Guess what I'm trying to say is... try to enjoy the little things in life :)

Many stones in a mile.

Just recently, my team has just completed another major milestone for project 400.

Before this, my initial thoughts were that I was ready to take on the animation industry. Well, I was wrong, I still have a lot to learn. I never knew that the pipeline was more complicated than I actually expected, and things will never go the way as just planning it on the first week.

Life is a learning journey, and I do feel being a producer is really tough, but I'm slowly learning a lot about this role in the team. The producer may not be being superb at concept or modelling, neither is it about being able to just plan schedule. The important thing about being a producer is communicating, and not just to the lecturers/clietns, but also your fellow colleagues. Sometimes one can be naggy, but you just have to make sure everyone is sure about their roles, yet not be too hard on them about it. The producer cannot be the guy assigned to do all major tasks, but he cannot be the one do little contribution in terms of art content either. There is that... importance of leading, and making sure everyone is talking to each other, and not individualistically.

Honestly, at times I'm just lost. I don't really know who I can talk to about the role of a producer. Maybe because I feel that no one really understand the job of the producer unless one has actually been one before. Sometimes I want to help out but I know it's beyond my control, and other times I just want to give up on some milestone and go my own way. But I've come to realise... I can't make everyone happy. I can't make everyone satisfied. Should I have been firm on my stand? or should I try to compromise? I really don't know... but I have to trust my own judgement and move on.

I admit, this semester has been life-changing, and it hasn't even ended yet! It has been very transformative, that I feel like I have matured not only as a better artist, but as a better person. I hope in time, I will be able to lead the team better and make strong and better decisions too. I am really thankful that I have a cooperative team and I hope we will strive on to work as one! :)

The internet's back up!

Life without internet has really made me realise how dependent we are on it. We need internet for researching, keeping up with our friends, listening to music on Spotify and many other forms of entertainment. With wi-fi, it is very convienient to send whatsapp messages to your friends, and send MMS if required. I will learn to cherish the internet more than ever.

Game of the Day!

Pokemon Black and White 2 is such a nostalgic game and reminds me to the good times I had while I was playing it. The days where I have to collect them all, relying on my starter to win the game, the fun times battling my friends and trading with them too. I still have a silly habit whenever I play Pokemon, and that is to never use money unless it is to buy TM. But I guess in the end I had to break my 'miser' streak, as I needed a bit more ultra balls and other items to either catch rare pokemons or to survive the elite four.

Movie of the Day!

Looper brings audience to a futuristic (but not too sci-fi heavy) world where time travelling is involved. At times I feel that the story is very complicated, but the movie allows the viewers to have some breathing space or time to absorb and understand the complication. I do like joseph gordon levitt's acting, and probably it's just me, but some scenes could have been removed from this films. And although I feel it's a good film, I still feel something (or some emotion) is left hanging.

Alright, I'll be off to read my blogging book, and try to apply some of the teachings to write better posts! See ya!

Revival!

I would say yes, it is a revival! I feel much happier this weekend, and probably rejoiced that my team's animatic has been restored to its glory and we can proceed smoothly!

I am gonna try to about a bit differently now and try to get a familiar blogging style...

Game of the Day!
999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

I would say that it's a good game overall, but I feel that the first run-through (for any reading) is too long, but I suppose it is a graphic novel. I really like the puzzles and it really is very thrilling. The game also has a replay value, and one will want to play to get a 'Good' end.

Movie of the Day!
Hotel Transylvania

I really liked the animation! It is very snappy and has strong gestures, and it's very entertaining. It is similar to cloudy with a chance of meatballs in terms of the style. I feel it is a very light-hearted film for everyone to watch, or enjoy.

Well, it's been a long saturday, and I did some... tidying of my room,.. guess I'm off to bed!
Night guys!

Dear Vincent.

it's been a while since you last visited me. Guess it's time for the interview huh.


Lately, you've become quieter. Why is that so?
Sometimes I felt that I have done nothing majorly wrong, or it isn't my fault, but I am being blamed for it. It has happened to me quite a few times already, but I know people usually tell me for my own good, so I usually won't reply back. I admit sometimes that they could phrase it better though. At times I also don't want to retort back as you might never know, someday you too might make that similar mistake. I never liked scolding or arguing back, as I too was once a very hot-tempered person. I do not wish to see myself turn into that 'monster' again.

This is not the way to go! What are you going to do about this?

I guess I could ask them why do they feel it is wrong. I admit that if I am wrong, I try my best to correct my mistakes. I guess I am sort of 'too serious' in some sense, so maybe it's about time to lighten up.

Okay... how's school?
In terms of my study, I think I'm slowly accustomed to the lifestyle of this school. And although we recently had some issues with our story stage, I felt that we've done a good job making the story work, such that the team is agreeable to it. Despite our conflicts at times, I hope that the team will be bonded together!

How can you be a happier, dude?
As I said before, I guess I would like to see the team work together towards a common goal. That's probably a reason to make me happy. I would also be happy that I get to experience and explore different things during my stay, so sometimes I feel a slight sense of sadness whenever my friends went to sightsee without me. But I guess it's normal, I mean, if they never asked you, it isn't right to self-invite or ask them for invitation, is it? Maybe it's also just me, but I feel happy when my friends are happy, hahaha, I know, so silly.


Any final words you want to say?
I'm learning a lot of stuff everyday. I guess I still have a lot to work on in terms of life skills and communication. So... many thanks to my fellow friends who's helped me and 'nagged' at me along the way, hahaha. and thanks buddy. Really thanks. :)

and that concludes my post of the day. I guess I'll look back to this post, and reflect on how I can improve myself. ( Hope this kinds of post don't happen so often. )

"Hello World."

Yes, this is what I have learnt in CS 115 so far, and I would like to say that I'm finally in the USA, and have started my final semester of study not too long ago!!!

It's been a very very long time since I've ever wrote anything on a blog. And it might be a good time to start practising again. (or so i feel) But prior to this, I stumbled upon a book that says blogging might have its disadvantages for business, so I think I will give it a try once again to see if it's effective.

Today I'm gonna talk about the adventures to USA. I admit that I really learnt a lot through the journey, and I will try to summarise what I got out of this:

The korea trip was overall a very fun experience. It's similar to home whereby there are still familiar flavours of food and spices. I enjoyed my short stay there, although there are some things that didn't go according to plan. I guess even though I want to explore as much of Seoul as possible, I think there is a need to take a break once in a while and take it slow. I also kind of learn that having a backup plan is good in a event where you can't do anything (such as a typhoon).

Seattle's another nice place to hang around. But do take note that unlike the eastern countries, there are less chilli and use different spices. The travel times from place to place are longer as they are further away from each other. Compared to Singapore, it might be a 15 minute walk from a mall to a restaurant. Do expect to have long waiting times, but usually the waits are worth it. I'm also starting to understand that one have to be decisive, in terms of eating or going to places.

The school here's quite different from the one back at Singapore. Studying here is a bit different, such as the use of Moodle, and the idea of having two 1.5 hr classes. They have a nice cafeteria and the lecturers are quite awesome in their own way. I'm currently taking a number of general electives and a final group project this semester. I felt there was a bumpy start in the project, but I begin to understand that I have to be better in communication here and also make the right decisions.

Before closing this post, I would like to thank my friends for being patient and very understanding. They've tried to make me understand a lot of things throughout the journey so far. Thanks and I hope we'll have more exciting times in USA!..:)