Minneapolis artist Will Dinski has wrapped up work on his first graphic novel entitled “Finger Prints.” Per Top Shelf’s website, “In his debut graphic novel, acclaimed mini-comic creator Will Dinski presents a haunting pastel vision of beauty, surgery, and jealousy, served with a sci-fi twist. — A 96-Page, Full-Color Hardcover Graphic Novel.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

It’s a testament to Will’s work ethic and brilliance, so check it out. Also, if you’d like to meet Will, he’ll be signing copies of his new book, “Finger Prints,” at Big Brain Comics in Minneapolis from 6-8pm on Friday, August 20th. In addition, Will will be at Minneapolis’s first independent comics festival, the Minneapolis Indie Xpo.

What?

Minneapolis Indie Xpo

When?

August 21, 2010

Where?

The Soap Factory in Minneapolis

Cost?

Admission is free.

Learn more about “Finger Prints” by clicking here.

I have finally made it to the homestretch on my cartoon, which is both exhilarating and scary. Seeing a doodle I made in college (of a buff rooster using a pelvic thrust to impregnate a chicken that’s 10 feet away) evolve into an 11-minute long cartoon has been a thrill. The homestretch is scary though because races can be won or lost in that homestretch. Me nailing the final bits on this project could mean the difference between it being good or it being a complete piece of crap, so it’s important to remain enthusiastic about the project and stubborn about keeping the quality level high all the way to the end. With an 11-minute cartoon, that’s easier said than done.

How much is left to be done? I have about a month left on actual animation, assuming the beautiful weather doesn’t lure me from my work too often. I live in Minnesota, so who could blame me for wanting to enjoy the 3 months of good weather we have here? Then it’s on to sound effects and the music portion of this project. I am guessing those phases will take about a month or so combined, which puts the finish date for this project somewhere in the early fall of this year, assuming I don’t get eaten by a bear.

Every single phase of this project has been a learning process and a fight to get better, but, for the music portion, I am so lucky to at have Zeb Cruikshank composing the score for this animated project. This is good because I am awful at guitar and me beat boxing an entire score might not go over so well. The next cartoon, perhaps? Anyhoo, Zeb is a musical virtuoso. He doesn’t have a lot of experience scoring animations or films, but his amazing sense of humor and brilliant musical mind have allowed him to adapt impressively fast. The guy’s a machine. I am really anxious to see where the score goes, but I have no doubts that Zeb will nail it. My job is to make this something that he can be proud to have his name attached to.

Continue visiting TheBroShow.com for the latest information on “Cock Tales.” I promise more frequent content once this project wraps up.

Cheers!

Yes, I am sad not to win, but am happy with the experience and for the talented artist who won and now get to pitch their ideas. Next year though, I am going to bring the thunder with ideas what will rock brains and melt armpit hair. Oh yeah! Get ready, world!!!

Possible Pitch Ideas For 2011:

• Grilled Cheese Ninjas: A man is cursed with a beard thats shavings turn into little grilled cheese ninjas who try to take over the world.
• Taco Police: They are tacos… dressed like cops. Nuff said.
• Waffle Enforcement: This is totally different than Taco Police because it’s waffles and the word “Enforcement” instead of “Police.” My friend, AJ, showed off his mastery of Painter with this wicked poster. This could be the next Avatar, people. Blue nude aliens in 3D is cool… but waffles? Heads would explode in delight.
• Dr. Pimple: Arthur is going through his awkward phase, but luckily the pimple that’s taken over the middle of his forehead is also a very qualified psychiatrist. Once Oprah discovers him, there’s nothing to stop Dr. Pimple from going straight to the top… until Arthur stops rubbing bacon grease on his face and eating 3 pounds of candy for every meal.
• Family Ties… on MARS!!: It’s pretty much exactly like Family Ties, but on Mars. This sounds less cool when I type it out.

I could keep going, but 5 seems like a good cap number for today’s list. I can feel that Oscar trophy in my hand already… or maybe that’s a can of Tab™.

Check out the winners for Animation Magazine’s Pitch Party 2010.

Since 2004, the Twin Cities Zinefest has welcomed creatives, rebels, musicians and frustrated intellectuals to connect, create and share ideas. As the area’s premiere DIY craft, culture and self-publishing event, Zinefest often features an art show, live music, craft demonstrations, guest speakers and panel discussions. Most importantly, Zinefest plays host to some of the Midwest’s best self-made talent. (NOTE: I totally did not copy this first paragraph from Zinefest’s About page nor am I a compulsive liar ©The King of England)

Organized by Sarah Morean, the fest blends beautiful art, witty writing and interesting personalities to make for a fun, creatively invigorating experience. If you’re in the Minneapolis area on Saturday, July 10th, you should check it out. Walk around and talk with some of the folks showing work, like Will Dinski, comic book writer/artist extraordinaire.

What?

Twin Cities Zinefest

When?

July 10, 2010 : 11am-5pm

Where?

Zinefest will be held at Stevens Square Center for the Arts, 1905 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55404.

Cost?

Admission is free.

Why?

Monkeys will attack your head if you don’t. AND because Sarah and Will rule.

UPDATE 7/12/10: Unless you have a time machine, you’ll have to wait till 2011 to enjoy the Zinefest. The 2010 edition was even better than 2009, featuring a lot of talented and cool artists/writers. Fantastic job by the event organizers.

So what should the 3 people who care about my next cartoon come to expect from it? Well, Mom, you should expect a mature animated film about 2 roosters on a farm, so if you guessed alcoholic ponies… YOU ARE INCORRECT, MOM! I personally think it’s a huge improvement over my last animated effort because the animation is better, the design is a lot more thought out, and I spent more time on this script than the 32 minutes I had put towards the script for “A Good Day’s Work.” Funny how that can help the storytelling, huh?

The new cartoon, currently entitled “Cock Tales,” is an 11-minute short about 2 roosters on a farm, where one harbors jealousy towards the other and hatches a murder plot to snuff him out. It’s a tale of revenge, chicks, and pregnant horses. What’s not to love?

I can’t wait for people to check it out! After that, depending how it’s received, I would love to tell some shorter stories, with a few of the characters from this cartoon, OR just try something completely different. You get a little creatively backed up when working on such a long, laborious project, as any writer/artist/belly dancer probably knows.

Continue visiting TheBroShow.com for the latest information on “Cock Tales.” Here are some preview images, so feel free to print out copies of each jpg, and then eat them to harness their powers. Powers include vomiting copy paper.

Cheers!

In late 2005, I finished my first cartoon, “A Good Day’s Work.” The cartoon’s about an elf who decides to join the work force in hopes of earning his father’s respect enough be able to control the remote control from time to time.

Each summer, Animation Magazine holds a contest, called the Pitch Party, where independent artists are given an opportunity to advertise their animated properties in Animation Magazine, with one lucky (and probably pretty talented) winner being selected to pitch their idea to an animation executive. You also get a free bag of poodle hair and a shovel, but don’t quote me on that.

Any hoo, I’ve been working like a mad man trying to finishing my animated short film (should be done in August, btw) and, needing a temporary creative break, decided to enter another idea into this year’s pitch contest. The basic premise for “Rusty’s Robot Operated Pet Shop” centers around a little boy, Rusty, who loves animals and wants to run his own pet shop, but can’t because he’s very allergic to them. Not one to give up on a dream, Rusty uses his unique robot building skill set to create an entire staff or robots that will help him live out his dream of running his very own pet shop. Within the staff are robots outfitted with their own mundane skills and uniquely human emotions and personalities. Also, there are a lot of cute puppies.

So, if you have time, vote for me… a lot. Like 23 times. 24 may be a bit much, but 23 is the exact number of times anyone liking ‘allergic kids in hamster balls mixed with robots and sprinkled with a dash of cute animals’ should vote.

Vote for “Rusty’s Robot Operated Pet Shop!”

Any and all votes are appreciated, but, in all seriousness, check out the contest and vote for any of the cool artists on there. There’s some fun stuff. Cheers!

UPDATE 6/23/10: The online portion of the Pitch Party is now CLOSED! Thanks to anyone who voted for “Rusty’s Robot Operated Pet Shop.”