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Kirbopher
Animation Artist, creator of over 100 pieces of Flash animation on and offline. Graduate of the School of Visual Arts, Class of 2011.

Chris Niosi @Kirbopher

Age 35, Male

Animation Artist

School of Visual Arts

New York

Joined on 7/21/04

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Balancing Act

Posted by Kirbopher - February 8th, 2011


Okay, so I've been talking non-stop about my film for several months now.

In fact, it's been a whole year since I've technically begun production on it and wrote the very first draft of the script. I'm halfway through my fourth and final year at SVA now and already SO much has happened, but one thing that hasn't changed is that I've constantly been working. In fact, I'd say there's been maybe a total of about 10 days since the school year started that I haven't touched the film at all.

So first and foremost, the film is titled "Balancing Act", in reference to my philosophy on life. That meaning, everything in life is a constant balancing act of finding a middle road between one thing and another. The film runs a little over 6 minutes, is a 2D animation hand-drawn in Flash. The plot focuses on a group of friends who go out for lunch one day. While sitting down to eat, they get into a petty argument over practically nothing and some uncomfortableness is created between them. Suddenly, a group of villains attacks the park just across the street from the restaurant our heroes are at. They spring into action, but their quarreling carries over into the battle they've involved themselves in. It'll take the outside perspective of a fourth hero to show the trio of friends up on their stupid actions.

That's a very bare-bones description, but there's something deeper to it and I've only just realized that in the last couple weeks. The idea of the film is based on an animated series concept I've been developing for well over 10 years of my life. That said, I picked this film idea because I wouldn't expect anything less than the absolute BEST of my skill as an animation artist for the finished product. What is was that I've only just discovered about the film is that...no joke, it says a lot about my entire life. Not to get so "heavy" about it or anything, but it's true when I really sat down and looked at it. A bunch of friends getting into arguments over something stupid, misunderstandings brought about my clashing personalities, letting that stupid argument get in the way of more important matters and then finally someone on the outside, looking in, comes in and solves the problem, making the people arguing look like idiots...then they apply their lesson learned to the next time something comes up.

I've spent all 22 years of my life trying to find that middle road of socialization, that "Balancing Act" if you will, between being myself and being someone that is acceptable to society and, more important, people I care about. It's not a easy path to find and I'm still trying to stay on it as best as possible. All I know right now, is this animation embodies everything important to me and I'm really treating it with the utmost respect and passion. I can say even before it's fully finished that this is THE best piece of art, in any medium, I've ever made and I hope that will come across when it screens at the Dusty festival in another few months. Look forward to it!

(Background Artwork by Myself and Dave Smith)

Balancing Act


Comments

The background looks very nice and I'll be looking forward to it.

Good luck with the film. Out of curiosity, are you trying to show the culmination of your animation skills with it. or your all of your visual story-telling skills?

Sort of a mix of both. The thesis committee typically urges us to show off our animation skills first and foremost, but I think SVA is far more about being a good filmmaker as opposed to just being a good animator. So, I really tried to pour all of my skills as a designer, animator, writer, director, storyteller, even acting (I voice one of the characters) into the creation of this film.

lol, gradients.

Yup.

lll be curious to see it when its finally done, background looks nice, i especially like the trees and use of textures.

Just on a side note, that bus looks pretty boring and or bad, and the gradients on the windows look awful. I get the feeling the bus, or any other vehicle for that matter would look better without line art. It just looks out of place. I find that it helps separate characters from the environment, and unless that bus is of the magic school variety, i think its more part of the environment than a character. That just my personal opinion tho.

Yeah response on the bus has been generally meh, I'll have to go in and fix it then. Thanks!

The more I hear about this film, the more I want to see it. From your first mention of it, I was curious to see you "best work ever". Now that I've heard the general plot, I'm even more intrigued. Believe it or not, I often find myself trying to do the same "balancing act". I don't mean to sound like some sort of fanboy, but I think that this film will really speak to me when you release it to the public. Keep up the good work!

Kirb! Sounds like you've been working your ass off and that's great to hear! I hope we all can get a chance to see it after it premiers! Don't be a stranger, I'd love to hear from you again, we miss you!

Good luck on your project, and all the best!
-Doc

You are good at what you do, but regardless good luck with your grade!

i too believe in the balance, 2 scales within a scale tipping the actions of chaos and order, and a bit of karma.
but yeah i think every action in this world has an equal consequence whether good or evil, but you never know how it'll play out.

i've been thinking about the concept of balance since i was 17, realizing anything is possible, within certain reason, that has an equal and opposite reaction to your life and those lives around you, maybe even more.

l8s

need a hostage i'm your person :P

Just wait til you're married and have kids...

Hah, yeah I hear ya.

Will there be some kind of live-stream from the festival so we have a chance of seeing it to, or will it only be shown on there? Good luck with everything!

I would've never guessed you made that. It's so different from all styles I've seen you done. While I do like your old style, I think this is a step up into a more professional looking flash. No offense to your old stuff of course. :P

Kirb, we're impressed. The idea of such a huge animation is just kinda... well, vast. It seems like you've poured your heart into this animation, and I can't wait to get a look at it. When you hit the big leagues, just don't forget about your good old NG fans, eh? Good luck with this film! When you say your best, just remember; we all expect the best!