The Photographic Gallery of The Animation Experiment
Jan. 31st: (Results for the 30 day Animation Experiment)
Amount of recyclable tin: 1.5 garbage bagfulls from cat food and canned goods.
Amount of reusable packaging: 2 garbage bagfulls of cereal boxes, tea bag packaging, oatmeal containers, etc. All will be reused in the making of our animations!
Amount of biodegradable "trash": about 1 garbage bagfull, all put in the compost heap instead of the landfill.
Lowered energy bill: by only using the lights and equipment I really needed, by replacing incandescent lightbulbs with compact florescent, and unplugging everything that was not in use (TV, VCR, speakers, modems, phone + camera chargers, etc.
What I threw away: non-recyclable trash: only 1 grocery bag! This is truly impressive when compared to the 4.5 garbage bags or more that would have gone into the landfill.
It's amazing how much I have learned through this process. By consuming a little less in my everyday activities, I dramatically reduced my personal impact on the earth. It was well worth the sacrifices. I only hope others have been affected by this experiment, and have changed a few of their habits as well...because you know, every person that tries to, can make a huge difference!
Jan. 30th:
Edited and edited for the video diaries.
Recorded sounds of the ocean, Seagulls making an unusual amount of ruckus, Old Squaw Ducks, and splashing of their feet in the cold water.
Sent some of the animal puppets off to Pemetic Elementary School, where they will be teaching the children there about animals and the environment.
Continued work on the human puppet, sewing the organic cotton batting, mostly.
Jan. 29th:
Began a new puppet, a human! This puppet will be used in one of the most innovative marketing schemes ever thought of by StartMotions.
Edited and recorded video and sound for the video diaries.
Be earth-friendly even when you eat! This great meal consists of organic broccoli, pine nuts and garlic and a burrito made from beans (instead of meat. The production of meat products uses an excessive amount of resources including water, energy, and land.)
Jan 27th:
Received a big order from our biggest customer! With his support, we've been able to do three things that would have otherwise been impossible! Check back to see what he helped create.
Planned out the Video Diaries, they're going to be so cool.
The Passenger Pigeon was once a plentiful bird, find out the sad truth about it's extinction.
Received a unexpected donation from a wonderful supporter of StartMotions, this will help obtain much needed equipment and materials. (Thanks Nathan!)
Jan 24th:
One step closer to the Sustainable Harvest public service announcement, the idea with the most response thus far features the oh-so-cute sloth!
Continued work on the top secret animation, sorry can't tell you yet!
Edited video for the video diary, to be released Jan. 30th.
Ate a great salad wrap, video recorded recipe. Used all organic foods. See some of the reasons why to buy organic produce; and if you eat meat, why to buy organic dairy and meat too.
Jan. 23rd:
Recorded sound of ducks and seagulls, with a noisy background of construction.
This site it great for parents, kids, teachers, and companies that want to make a difference! EverydayActivist
Jan. 22nd:
Submitted the ideas and storyboards to Sustainable Harvest for review. So far everything looks set for an animated public service announcement to be released mid-February.
Sound recorded for a future animation about the development occurring in Maine.
Willie Nelson is so kind, so is biodiesel. They make a great combination.
My desk today.
Jan. 21st:
Took photographs of eco-friendly products and began implementing website. The site will contain commercials and ads animated and/or created in part by StartMotions!
Took video of various things around the studio for the video diaries that will soon be published.
Tried to find natural dog treats and was reminded of Zukes, which I had found a long time ago in a natural pet food store. Absolute favorite of Joesy and Uma the dogs.
Ordered some 100% recycled paper from TreeCycle, our favorite paper supplier.
Jan. 20th
New incredible idea for The Animation Experiment! INCREDIBLE...but top secret (you'll see in about three weeks!)
Recorded an hour of various sounds, including the blustery winter wind and the crashing ocean surf.
Storyboard finalization for the Sustainable Harvest public service announcement.
Jan. 19th
Woah! The people of CINE Lab have offered us an incredible space opportunity! The possibility exists, that by this time next month StartMotions will be moving to a great new studio location!
Storyboarded commercials that are soon going to be produced for an up-coming, eco-friendly company. More details, images, and sneak-peaks mid-February.
Jan. 18th
Recorded sounds of "winter".
Worked on storyboards for Sustainable Harvest.
Brainstormed ideas for a few contests that could bring reap great results for StartMotions publicity.
Created new and improved storyboard templates.
Jan. 16th and 17th:
Drew up three potential storyboards for Sustainable Harvests' public service announcement.
Took sound recordings of blustery coldness, including crackling trees and icy snow blowing. Very cold and uncomfortable, but comforting because winter is finally here!
Prioritized the production processes of three animations that will be published before the end of the month.
Jan. 15th:
Created time-lapse animation of the tide going out while the snow storm hits. Available soon!
Snowed today! Uma pulled me on my skiis like a sled dog, it was one of the most invigorating feelings EVER! Having snow is so great, I played in it like it was the last time I'd ever see, smell or touch it again.
Assembled and packed the educational pack that will be sent to four different schools! Check back for photos later.
Jan. 12th-14th: Out sick! Couldn't even take a picture:(
Jan. 11th:
Assembling the educational packages to go the selected schools. Thinking of some really great projects and experiments for the kids, can't wait to send these out! I'll take photos of the packages and put them up later today.
Did some research and am unable to use many of the photos I have posted due to their copyright (photos of our studio containing even a tiny image of another photographer can be copyright protected.
Got inspired, so I uploaded some of my own photographs, featuring clouds, horses, and Maine scenes.
Uploaded the 10,000th photo taken by the Nikon D100.
Jan. 10th:
Wow! Today StartMotions and I were offered a great opportunity!! More details and documentation of the "process of deliberation" while we decide what to do, later this week. (see Jan. 18th for update)
Jan. 9th:
Storyboarded some ideas that just have to be animated!
Finished constructing the set for The Stop-Motion Magician.
Recorded some earth-friendly, healthy recipes that will be published in video format as well as print.
Recorded sound of a calm ocean day, seagulls dropping mussels on the beach, and birds.
Jan. 8th:
Corresponded with another green human who's working hard to help the planet! Check out Green Highways. Bragitta is working on an innovative new site, and about 2 months from now we'll have a great new viewing platform.
This tree was made from fake plant leaves, newspaper, flour, water, wire, and paint.
Jan. 7th:
Worked out the details of two of the potential schools that will be receiving the StartMotions animal puppets and educational package.
Took photos which will be used in conjunction with the animation studio tour, this one (below) depicts a "shy" kangaroo peeking out from a computer. At his feet is the BEST flipbook ever!
This site houses an amazing portfolio of Elephant art.
Did some research and am unable to use many of the photos I have posted due to their copyright (photos of our studio containing even a tiny image of another photographer can be copyright protected.
Jan. 6th:
Today was an unusual January day in Maine. It wasn't just the above-average 50 degree weather, but an unexpected thunderstorm rolling through that reminded me of the global temperature change. January in Maine is generally freezing cold. Eight years ago, this scene (below) would have been littered with giant ice blocks and snow, today it was as foggy as steamed eye glasses.
Edited video of the animation studio tour.
Worked on The Ocean Cam, editing and sound recording.
Jan. 5th:
This was recommended today, this morning there was a giraffe at the watering hole. Check it out!
Recorded video for The Ocean Cam, a daily look at what's out front of the StartMotions Studio (so far there has been ducks, waves, and rain). The Ocean Cam will be published Jan. 17th.
Debated on which would be worse for the environment: using microwave or gas stove to heat my oatmeal water. Did a little research, will never use a microwave again. See why here.
The Stop-motion Magician, a live-action animation, will be released later this month.
Jan. 4th:
The first organization to receive a public service announcement has been confirmed. Sustainable Harvest will soon be the recipient of a 60 second public service announcement! During my 30 day quest to help heal the earth, who better than to include than people who are literally healing the earth; with just one of their accomplishments being the 190,000 trees that have been planted to date.
For those of you with a cell phone that's nearing retirement, please recycle it when you're done! I read "one cell phone can pollute 40,000 gallons of ground water".
I am happy to announce three elementary schools, located in the U.S. and Canada, will be receiving an official StartMotions educational package. This informative package contains an official StartMotions puppet, a DVD, and more. Check back later this month to see how this move affected the world in a positive way.
Today I also worked on The Stop-motion Magician, an animated short featuring a human magician and some unsuspecting materials. To be released within the month.
Jan. 3rd:
Before leaving for England today, the Asian Elephant Puppet recorded some sound on the minidisc player. This official StartMotions puppet is going to live with Johnathan, who I know is going to impact a lot of people with his knowledge and enthusiasm for animals. Check back soon to see more about what happens to this Elephant puppet as he goes international.
Recorded Video for the up-coming video diary
Corresponded with a possible organization we would like to do an animation for that would greatly increase peoples' knowledge about humans and their relationship with the environment. This could be a great way to positively affect the earth! Check back to see which organizations we choose.
Recorded sound of ocean waves and Old Squaw ducks.
Sent the Asian Elephant puppet abroad.
Sent map envelope orders (The amount of trees, energy, and chemicals that is saved as a result of these envelopes is astounding).
Jan. 2nd, 2007:
Turned the heat down to 55 degrees F.
Website pages for "The Animation Experiment"
Unplugged everything that wasn't in use, toaster, TV, anything. Even when they're off, some things still use energy.
Wrote up a blog on Care2 about the new experiment.
