School is essentially over, except for the last semester. The short film is in a good state and will most likely be completed by graduation. It has been a hell of a ride, with sleepless nights, and crunch time weekends getting work ready for posting before deadlines.

I should have a passable student demo reel at the end of all this. I could very well be an animator somewhere.

BUT...

Class five for us focused on the creation of the story for our short films. Idea generation, story pitches, storyboarding ... and GOD I did love it so! I received practically straight A's for the first time in my life. I ran a side project that was a mini-story department. We met in virtual space, face to face (that's to web cams and FlashMeeting) and tossed ideas around like fish at Pike Street Market.

I realize now that my "first, best destiny" (to paraphrase Diane Carey) is to be a story artist. Hopefully with a feature film or commercial studio where the story department has a strong hand in the story creation process.

I feel I have a natural grasp of the "art" of story, and through this website I will share my journey of honing my "craft" of story. Basically, I hope to learn more about cinematography, camera moves, and the more technical aspects of crafting a story.

Plus, I will use this time to hone my drawing skills. As comfortable as I am with a cartoony style, it has been years (near decades) since I have drawn a realistic person or everyday objects like cars and buildings. I've taken the occasional life drawing class, but it is time to get back down to basics and really flesh out my drawing skills.

Hopefully the combination of my story development abilities as well as (hopefully) improved drawing skills and technical knowledge will lead me on the right path towards a fulfilling career in story development.

Time will tell.