February 11, 2010

New Header Much?

As you repeat offenders might have noticed I have changed the header.  The new header is based on how skyline looked this morning when I took my wife to school.  Also I thought the header needed a little bit of color.

Here’s the old one just in case you forgot what it looked like:

I know, it’s such a HUGE difference, aren’t you glad you came to check it out!  Hope you like the changes because I do and I’m not changing it back.  So there.

January 26, 2010

If you got a problem, yo I’ll solve it…

We’ll start light then end angry.  Here we go:

Flight of the Dan

I’ve started a series that inserts me into the posters of movies I watched from ages five to fifteen.  I call the series Flight of the Dan.  The above cropped image is from the title piece.  You can follow the series on my facebook page.  Eventually the series will end up in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Do Dogs Understand Language or Tone/Gesture?

This is a legitimate question.  I was walking to the L when I saw someone yelling at their dog in Spanish.  I thought “Hmm, so does the dog only respond to Spanish words?  Would it respond to “Sit” or just “Siéntese.”  Do you have to match the language or just the tone?  Seriously, I want an answer.  I’ve decided this will be my child’s first science fair experiment.

Mugged and Kidnapped

Last night one of Trish’s co-workers was held up at gunpoint, forced into a car, and taken to an ATM where she withdrew $200.  I guess the story ends well because the muggers left her on a street corner instead of raping and killing her.  How pathetic is it that THAT is the happy ending?!

Keep reading →

January 21, 2010

E-mail to Marc Webb?

This is an e-mail I sent to what is hopefully a representative of the newly announced director of Spider-Man 4, Marc Webb.

“I believe you represent Marc Webb so I was hoping you could pass this e-mail along to him.

It wasn’t as well known, but I too was going for the director job on Spider-Man 4.  I have no hard feelings that Marc got it, in fact I’m excited to see what he does with the project.

Here is the e-mail l sent to the Sony HR department asking for the job.  I thought Marc might like to read it as well.  Tell him he can use any of my ideas if he’d like and I’m still available to work on the film in some fashion.”

And then I attached the letter to Sony….who never wrote me back…

SPIDER-MAN COMIC

I’m still working on the exclusive Spider-Man comic that I’m going to send to everyone who joined this facebook group.  It’s not too late to join…even if Marc has the job now, you can still join to get the comic.

January 15, 2010

Tonight Show For Sale!

Conan O’Brien has posted a listing on Craigslist for the Tonight Show.  True story.  Here’s the link.

I thought I’d be awfully clever and send an e-mail making an offer on the show.  Here is that e-mail:

lo

“SUBJECT: I want the SHOW!

To be honest, the only reason I want to buy the Tonight Show is so I can give it to Conan and watch him host it for the next few decades….and so I can make guest appearances to promote my video arcade, Noah’s Arcade

I will give you $5,000.  I do my own ads.

Noah Vanderhof”

CONAN FOREVER!!

January 13, 2010

Letter to Sony Entertainment


It was recently divulged that Sam Raimi quit Spider-Man 4.  This led to an announcement by Sony saying they are throwing out Spider-Man 4 and rebooting the franchise with a whole new direction.  However, Sony has yet to choose a new director for this project.  What follows is the letter I wrote to the Sony Entertainment HR department asking for the job:
“To Sony Human Resources Department,

I am applying for the vacant director position on the next Spider-Man film.

I am 24 years old.  I have been reading Spider-Man comics since I was nine.  I know everything there is to know about all the characters in the Spider-Man universe ever.

I’ve had plenty of practice telling Spider-Man stories using action figures and stop-motion “special effects.”  All my friends agree, they say “Hey Dan, you should totally make the next Spider-Man movie.”  And I’m like “No duh.”  Also, I’m working part time at the Office Depot and I’m looking for more work to supplement my income.
Keep reading →

January 3, 2010

MoonBase V Cartoon?

I know what you’re thinking. “Didn’t we just have Christmas?”

We did, but this is a New Year present.  I’ve started animating the first couple pages of  a MoonBase V feature I wrote with Derek Smith a year ago.  I mainly needed some material to practice animating but you know me, I love me some MoonBase.   Here’s a taste of whats coming:

I know what you’re thinking again:

“When did Robo Cop, Buzz Lightyear, and Mega Man have a love child.”

I agree, I don’t like the suit’s color scheme either.  I thought blue would look nice.  I was wrong.  As for all you MooBase V fans (hi Nick) I’m sure you’re completely thrown off by the teaser still I’ve given you:

“Is this our hero Grissom Deraux and if so, what is he doing on some strange planet and not the Moon?!?”

How exciting!  All these questions!  Will they get answered?  Only if I finish the animation….and that might take a while.

December 8, 2009

So, Blogging….

Apparently I’m not very good at it. I kept on top of this thing for a couple of weeks but now, as with most things, I’ve started to focus on other interests. That’s one of my main problems in life. Every two weeks I have a new life goal. A month ago it was to be a ground breaking blogger that gave insight into the 20’s male living in a modern city. Now, all I want is a job…but who doesn’t, right?

Actually, I’ve been distracted by Lynda.com. I was given a month long trial where I’ve been doing as many tutorials as possible to sharpen my “skills.”  Lynda is a site full of incredible video tutorials that make learning any software you can think of a piece of cake.  If you’re looking to become master of Photoshop, Powerpoint, or even Ebay, Lynda is the place to do it.

My new (week-long) life goal is to become an animator.  This is actually something I’ve wanted to do on and off since the first grade.  Right now I’m learning Flash and making little animations as I go.  The first “complex” animation I’ve made with Flash is for Star Wars Uncut; which is basically a fan project where Episode 4 has been broken up into 15 second clips and fans are remaking it one clip at a time.  Here are my 15 seconds of Star Wars fame:

and here’s the side-by-side with the original clip:

CHICAGO UPDATE

It’s snowing now…get excited.  The old (because they’re gray) squirrels look prepared because they look fatter.  I don’t know if they’ve put on holiday weight or got new coats for the winter but either way, it’s weird.

November 18, 2009

Hello America/World!!!

Well well well. I guess my blog is still here even though I’ve been neglecting it. What a loyal little son-of-a-bitch. I’m sorry to those of you who have actually kept up with this thing. You are also loyal SOBs.

I’ve been distracted lately trying to learn some new software, like Flash and After Effects. Here’s an example of my magnificent test animations. Your welcome. I’m going to write a “real” blog about bullshit again soon.

October 28, 2009

I’m almost back…

It’s true!  I’m almost back to 100%…computer wise.  I’m over the flu if that’s what you thought I meant.  My tech issues will hopefully be worked out this week.  When I finally get my laptop back it’ll be time for bloggin, drawin, and writin again.  I appreciate everyone’s patience while I figure out how to do all this crap.  Thank you for the nice comments, and thanks for letting me practice writing in front of you!

For S & G’s

Here is an amazing thing I missed out on but will hopefully get to be apart of the next one.  Star Wars Episode 4 was entirely remade by fans in 15 second bursts. Check it out: starwarsuncut.com

October 20, 2009

The Moon is Awesome?

I’ve been sick as a dog so I’m coming back slow…please forgive my tardiness…

I know you’re all curious to hear my thoughts about NASA bombing the moon a couple Fridays ago, so here you go: it was pretty weak.  Everyone made a big deal about it, you could barely see anything, and they found next to nothing in the dust cloud.  What a waste.  And to think I almost woke up at 4 am to try and watch the damn thing.  If you want to read about a BADASS Moon mission read about the LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter).  That thing’s the shit!  You should also watch MoonBase V!

THREE THINGS I’M EXCITED ABOUT

  1. Having the Flu.
  2. The Jeff Dunham TV Show.
  3. Girls Gone Wild on Blu-ray.