Hey all! I am back after some time away from this page. There is some good news though. First, I have completed my first dialogue piece with Animation Mentor and the Bishop rig! You can watch it below. Although this animation by no means is spectacular, but I am happy with the outcome.

Now for the other good news. I have recently been hired by Sam Gebhardt to help start up a 3d studio in Columbus. All of us involved (along with my wife because it means that we do not have to move) are very excited about the opportunity that this presents to Columbus and us! We all have high hopes for the future of our little shop, which is entitled Imagitorium.  Check out the animation below and be ready and expecting some very cool things from Imagitorium in the future!

[flv width="460" height="360"]http://jamescditmer.com/wordpress/wp-content/fgallery/animation-mentor-works/rightsFinalPost.flv[/flv]

[quicktime width="460" height="370"]http://jamescditmer.com/wordpress/wp-content/fgallery/animation-mentor-works/rightsFinalPost.mov[/quicktime]

So, It has been quite a while since I posted an update. I really was hoping to keep updating more regularly, but I’ve been really busy with my wedding stuff and my friend’s wedding and Animation Mentor, that I have been unable to update for a while. But, I am back and will continue to stop in and update this little journal of mine. So, enough about why I have not been around. Lets get into what has been happening.

I just got back this weekend from having a great bachelor party that my brother organized for me. It was great! It was the first time I had been in a real casino. I know, can you believe I’m 25 and have just now gone into one! We went to the Argosy Casino down on the Ohio river. We had a blast! I ended up in the positive after the weekend was over so that’s always good. We also went to the Hofbrauhaus for dinner and a few drinks. That is always fun. If you’re ever in the Covington/Cincinnati area, I suggest stopping in for a few drinks there on the Newport levee. They brew their own beer, and it tastes quite good. The food is good too. Anyway, it was great fun and a great weekend!

Now, for animation info. I have now finished my second class at Animation Mentor. I look forward to the next one. We are starting into acting. It should be a ton of fun! I have learned a lot while at Animation Mentor. Mike Walling was a great mentor and I learned so much from him. He seemed to be able to make me see things so much easier while I was animating. He did a great job pointing out movement choices and explaining why I should change the way I move the character or a limb. My last animation is a great example of this. It is much more entertaining because of Mike, and my fellow classmates. I have included my last progress reel below. Please feel free to take a look at it.

[flv width="450" height="360"]/wordpress/wp-content/fgallery/animation-mentor-works/Class2_progressReel.flv[/flv]

[quicktime width="450" height="370"]/wordpress/wp-content/fgallery/animation-mentor-works/Class2_progressReel.mov[/quicktime]