"House of Moving Cool"

Having some fun with the House logo.

Branch.

Cintiqs

Looks like Christmas came a little early for HoC. We finally bit the bullet and dropped way too much money to buy Wacom Cintiq tablet monitors. Hopefully the expense will be justified especially since we are an almost completely digital studio.

We also bought a wack load of ToonBoom Solo licenses for an upcoming project. For those who don't know, Solo is a vector based software package that is a lot like Flash except that it is specifically made for studio production animation and it costs about five times more. We are betting that the combination of the new hardware and software with our digital pipeline will allow us to create work that exceeds the normal capability of a small studio like ours.

Look Who's in the House

Well, here I am in the HoC. First off, I wanna thank Ric and Wes for having me, I really appreciate the opportunity. I'm happy to be drawing all the time again, not just doodling to entertain the kids. And now I'm getting paid to do it. HoC is the perfect place for me right now. I'm able to get back into my groove in an upbeat environment, I'm surrounded by inspiration in the form of some good friends and people I admire--Cal, Mike, Normand and Robin--all great guys who are great at what they do. I've already learned a lot in the short time that I've been here and the studios really giving me room to grow as an artist and a professional.
Anyway......enough of the brown-nosing and political niceness. The name's Sahle (pronounced 'Saw-law') and I came to set this Cool House on fire. 2007 will be my year to strike fear and tear a new one into those that doubted this young gun, son/ my artistic skill will kill those that chose to appose my will/ I'll fulfill my destiny/ flawless drawing's my weaponry/ HoC's my new family/ taking over the industry/ we'll have the last laugh as we entertain the masses/ blast past the norm with Cyclops' optic glasses!------ HEY! When do I get my platinum chain with the spinning House of Cool medallion? What!?! No medallions!?! AWWW!!!

It's been a long time

Yeah, I know. It's been a while. But lots of exciting things have happened to the studio in a month. I will update everyone in future posts.

In the meantime I would like to welcome our new hires Sahle and Carlton to the studio. Also a re-welcome is in order for Cal who has come back to us from a stint at Blue Sky studios.

Welcome all! (and I hope you start posting on the blog so I don't have to do it all the time)

Jack Attack!!

Been watching a bit of Samurai Jack lately and had to sketch these guys out.

We are Hiring!

Ok, here it is. House of Cool is growing and we need more talent. Everyone who has been asking me how to be a part of HoC, well now is your chance. We are looking for:
-Story Artists
-Layout Artists
-Designers

Send the good stuff to wes@houseofcoolstudios.com or send your portfolio to the studio.

Seal Boy

A special congratulations to our Robin Joseph and his first published work, Seal Boy. It's always a milestone when an artist gets their first published work. In classic Robin style he was embarrassed to show his work, but I'm not so here it is.

O' Canada - #$@%!

A rant about my country.

House of Cool has a show that has Royal Canadian Mounted Police in it. As it turns out, the RCMP or Mounties own the rights to their image. We observed this right, so we sent them a script and designs for them to review. In classic Canadian style our request was denied but very politely.

As this denial sunk in I became very angry. The idea that a Canadian company could not use an iconic symbol of Canada but any number of productions outside Canada use the Mounties with impunity is unfair and completely ridiculous. It would be like the Americans clamping down on Uncle Sam or the Statue of Liberty to other Americans. What's next? The Canadian government should limit the use of the maple leaf because it appears on the flag. They might as well copyright the colour red while they're at it.

Arm And A Leg

One thing the world is never short of: A good expensive lawyer. Everyone knows the, “this guy will charge you an arm and a leg, but he’s really good” lawyer. Every lawyer is really good if you don’t know any better.

So it was refreshing when we met Suzie from SDW Venture Law (which incidentally also boasts her initials on the firm’s name – only good lawyers can get away with that). She is one of those invaluable lawyers who understand the constraints of start up business and doesn’t have the punch clock ticking the minute you walk in the door. A good lawyer can help a company in business development, financing options and the always dreaded, contractual agreement negotiations. A good lawyer understands helping a company grow will only lead to more legal work for the law firm. Sometimes an investment of time is worth more then sending a huge bill for each email sent to and from your lawyer.

If anyone is ever looking for a good lawyer check out: www.venturelaw.blogspot.com. SDW Venture law has an excellent program for start up business’ to access a number of top lawyers on a variety of business related topics. It’s called the Venture Law Line; really cool concept to help business' of all sizes.

Revisions

How to deal with revisions over revisions over tweaking of half-revisions? My advice to me: "Get on with it."

Festival

One of my personal images.

House of Cool is looking for development artists as well as story artists. Please send your portfolios to us here or email wes@houseofcoolstudios.com .

I was at the Ottawa International Animation Festival last weekend. I usually go to see the short films because festivals are the best place to see a wide variety of animation styles. I felt that this year's selection was poor over all. There are always so many stand out shorts that impress, but there were only a few. There were way too many abstract and experimental films. I also noticed that there were no films in classical Disney style or much 3D. My tastes for animation is wide and I was disapointed that I didn't get the whole shebang.

Umbrella Boy

For those of you going to the Ottawa International Animation Festival this week, be on the look out for a film called 'Umbrella Boy' that House of Cool helped produce. We had a number of very motivated students from Sheridan College intern with us last summer and decided that they would make a short film. Well, they completed it and it is now in competition. Congrats!

Boards to Fill

House of Cool is looking for talent! If you're good, I mean really good, we want to see your work.

Thanks to readers and artists like you spreading the good word of our studio services, House of Cool is starting to gain some momentum. It is with the help of our clients and referrals that we are able to build and deliver a high level of service to all we work with.

With this being said, House of Cool is accepting portfolios for Storyboard Artists. We want to work with the best and brightest on our clients' projects and House of Cool properties. We love creative people who strive for innovation and change. The Story Artist must be able to work on all digital formats.

Please send resumes and sample boards to:
ATTN: Wes Lui
House of Cool Inc.
125 John St.
Toronto, ON
M5V 2E2

Or email me at: wes@houseofcoolstudios.com

Thanks to all who submit.

Wesley Lui
Business Manager

Music Video Pitch

Here are a couple of boards I did for a music video pitch (for Rob Szabo's "Family and Friends")

It's a live action video about a guy who hitch hikes across country to go to his sisters shotgun wedding. She's 8 months pregnant and marrying a burly biker guy he can't stand.

Now lets hope we get some cash and we can shoot it!