Animation clip-pullout from planet to universe

Finished a clip (I might polish it a bit or maybe let the inadvertent shakiness stay as it might fit with the overall look of the video) using a new technique (for me that is) where I edit movement of objects in Photoshop's video timeline. My usual process is using Photoshop's animation timeline where I'm working from frame to frame, which is the more traditional approach to 2D animation.. Using the video editor allows for smoother movement in space and scale, and is ideal for the beginning and end of my video project. The beginning of my video has electrons and its antimatter positrons coming together in brief bursts of energy, and the ending will include pulling away from a watery planet, to a solar system, to a galaxy, to an entire universe.

Since I've started working on animation in 2010, I've always dragged my feet in learning new techniques and software, and have rationalized that it's more of what an artist creates with what they have than the materials used. Only when I'm desperate to create a movement or transition that would be overwhelmingly complex if I don't find an efficient alternative approach do I suddenly find the ability to focus on navigating through a new gobblygook looking foreign workspace.

Here's the clip of the pullout pov from a watery earth like planet to a universe:

The Space Cave

This was fun:

I got to kick off the latest episode of comedian David Huntsberger's The Space Cave podcast with a casual phone chat. We briefly talk about "dayjob" challenges* when one's vocation isn't always one's main source of income.

If you've followed this blog, you'll know that I've collaborated with David on several projects such as his One Headed Beast animated comedy special filmed in Austin, TX (full length animation dvd purchase option here and streaming stage show download here ). David recently provided some valuable technical assistance on a current project of my own, for which I'm quite appreciative.  Also do check out the Sixteen Second Story animated storytelling collaborative experiments built on his monthly Junk Show variety show hosted at the Copper Still in Los Angeles (embedded down on the left column of this blog).  I hope to be able to visit and participate live at one of them someday in the future.

David is a smart but grounded multi-creative (comedy, animation & other visual art) who hosts some heady conversations with scientists, comedians, and artists in various fields on the podcast. I'm honored to have been able to participate with this introduction (and also relieved my more awkward stutters and meandering were mostly edited out!)

Episode 46 Singularity University Episode Part 2 with Aaron Frank (btw, go back and check out part one with Aaron- a fascinating conversation that offers a possible answer to the Fermi Paradox  )

*On the podcast I had mentioned a book that takes an undercover look at service industry work, manual and domestic labor in the United States, along with the ability or inability to support oneself on the wages earned.  I  pretty much garbled the author's name. It's  Barbara Ehrenreich's  "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America"