Short

I think every single post starts off with " I've been busy as shit lately!", which is totally awesome. I've been bouncing around alot lately, working freelance, and even testing for a character design postion on a new CN show, which I was fortunate enough to land the gig. Now that I have a steady job for a while, and things have calmed down I am going to get back on this short film of mine. I boarded it out over the course of August and September, and with the exception of a few minor changes, it's ready to roll. I'm really trying to see this through. It's a bit of an undertaking, but it's an idea I've had for a while now and I really want to make it. Here are some random sketches of the main character. I am going to keep it loose and really fuck with his design throughout the short. I am not doing any of that turnarounds bullshit, or trying to make it look like something. I just want to draw in a way thats super fun for me to do. I might not even rough things out sometimes. These were all drawn straight ahead with very little or no roughing out at all. I'll post some more stuff when I get home later.

New Post

Digital Cable Commercial from mike Carlo on Vimeo.

I actually have something new to post. This is a commercial I worked on when I was at Curious this past summer. I animated the spot, and did some of the bg design (Which changed dramatically). I had a lot of fun working on this one.

Render time sketches

I am noticing a trend with this blog and that is a post every two months. Thankfully I've been busy. I just finished up another gig and managed to roll into a couple of small ones for the time being. It's kind of nice to go a little easy. It's been a busy summer, and I hope to keep it going. I am posting some sketches I did while waiting for files to render at work. The last two images are two rough comic panels from this freelance gig I am working now. I like the drawings, but I am not even sure if I am allowed to post them yet or even at all. I have a lot more stuff to come, but I have to wait before I can post certain things from these past few jobs. Thanks for all the nice comments and encouragement. You guys rock and I'll have more soon. Thanks
-Mike

Pencil Test

Animation Jet Pack pencil test from mike Carlo on Vimeo.

Busy as hell, did this in my free time. It's not finished, but it's been such a long time since I posted anything that I wanted to put up what I had so far. I'll continue to update as soon as I have more.

Weirdo

It's been awhile. Been busy. LAY off a me!

ODD JOB HITLER!!!

WWW.ODDJOBHITLER.com
How do you start off a blog post when the title is something as absurd as Odd Job Hitler!? I'll do my best. Al and myself finally came together to make a cartoon. It's short as hell, but we're making it into a web series so there will be followup episodes coming within the next few months. One of which will further elaborate on how Odd Job came to be doing just that... Odd Jobs.I know I can speak for the both of us when I say we had an awesome time making this, we worked super hard to get it to look the way we wanted, and best of all we didn't fight each other at any point when it came to decisions or suggestions. It was a great example for us of what can be achieved with a small team (2 People). The cartoon although short and simple, was animated in flash by hand, using a traditional method of animation. Both Al and myself animated, designed, cleaned up, and storyboard-ed it ourselves. Let's give a shout out to Matt Lee who recorded me doing ridiculous voices for this thing, as well as helping us get the website up, and to my neighbor Matt Radman who never reads this blog, but who also helped us get this website up a great deal. Thanks guys, please go to the website, check it out and enjoy.Let us know what you think!
WWW.ODDJOBHITLER.com

Where the F have you been?

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in months! Although I've been virtually non existent in the blogging world, that doesn't mean I've been slacking... well, maybe a little. I haven't been drawing as much as I'd like too, and I've been playing a little too much X box, but I have been working, and continuing with my Tues. night drawing classes. I'll have to wait to post some of the things I've been working on, but for now here are some of my more recent figure drawings. The first two are from last week, and mark a bit of a breakthrough for myself. The bottom drawing is from this weeks session, and although they are not as strong they're still pretty alright. I need to work more at this, especially when it comes to the female form. There are a lot of subtle things going on with some of these female models that trip me up big time. I've been working real hard at changing things up like my approach and letting go of my instincts to make "Pretty Drawings". It seems to be working well, it also helps that the instructor (Stephan Gaffney) is the bomb teacher. I highly recommend taking his class if you haven't already. I think I am on my 4th straight semester. Anyhoo, enjoy more to come soon. Thanks for not giving up on this page.
-Mike

NEW REEL

MIKE CARLO ANIMATION DEMO REEL from mike Carlo on Vimeo.
I've been busy moving, hence the lack of blog posts. I've also been looking for a job so in the process I cut together a new reel. Check it out.

Here's alittle something I put together because I am bored out of my skull. Get a job!

DJ & FRO

DJ and Fro from mike Carlo on Vimeo.

Back in May AL "Electric Boogaloo" Pardo was working on a pilot for the FX channel. Al was nice enough to throw some work my way, and here is a scene I animated for that project. The pilot was Called "DJ & FRO", and in my opinion it was pretty good. I had a lot of fun working on it... Probably the most fun I've had in a long time working in New York animation. It was hard work, and a tight deadline. This scene took me 5 days to animate, and clean up. It was also nice to work with Al again, as well as some other good friends of mine. I had a little help with the clean up from Gary Doodles, who helped me bring this to completion, and handled the lip sync. We all worked under Mark Marek, who did all the boards and directing. The show ultimately was dropped, and FX opted for a reality show instead... because T.V. needs more reality shows. Please enjoy.

Union Squares

Hipsters suck! Here is a post based on some observational sketches I did in union square. Feeling really inspired by New York lately.

Super secret project

I was asked by Al Pardo to participate on his "Super Secret Project", and here are some sketches I did for it. It's still in the early stages, bust so far so good. I've also been super busy for the last few months so the posts have been seriously lacking. I have a bunch of stuff to put up, and I've been drawing like a motherf@#er, but I have to wait for approval to put someof that stuff up. For now deal with this.

BFF

Still working...
But it's starting to calm down, which is good for more Bloggin'... bad for bills. In the meantime just something I banged out real quick.

Go FIgure...

Last night was my last figure drawing class for the semester... Did I mention I've been back at school during the evening? I decided to take the class about 8 months ago, as an outlet to both better my drawing skills and to keep from going insane working on shitty flash animation, which seems to be in high demand these days. I used to really enjoy doing this stuff when I was in school, and for years after I was kind of ashamed that I neglected this. I would go to free drawing sessions, but then I would get lazy and stop going, plus I need guidance when it comes to drawing the figure. Anyway here are a bunch of drawings from the last few weeks. They're pretty much in order, at least by session. I've made pretty good progress, and although it's not there yet, it's well on it's way. I had a lot of fun in the class. which is at Sva, and taught by Stephan Gaffney. I will continue with this for every semester from now on until I am the freaki' bomb. For now...Please feel free to critique my work. Thanks
-Mike

Cold hard Flash

It was brought to my attention earlier today, that I along with a few other New York animators , were mentioned on Cold hard Flash for a project we had worked on. The project is for "Huggies", and I believe, if I was told correctly, that it was even shown at select theaters before all G and PG movies. Thanks to Dan Forgione for hooking it up, it was fun to work with the people mentioned. It's been too long since I've been in a studio with these guys, and even though the project was animated via "Virtual Studio", it was still nice to work on something with them. I animated a few scenes, and the dancing crowd characters, as well as the character designs. These designs are not my shining moment with character designs, but I had a job to do and a client to please, and with that in mind I think they came out alright.
Been busy as hell still, working multiple gigs. Maybe one day, with some luck, I'll get money to make my own shit, and hire my friends to work on it.
Unfortunately I had to take down the drawings that were originally in this post. They were for a project I am working on, and I didn't ask to put them up. It's too soon to be posting it so... my bad. Its for a freelance gig, but I have a lot of artistic control over it. So in it's place are some sketch book pages from m trip last weekend to Aruba. I drew some of the people by the hotel pool.

Oh and check the link for the cold hard flash article.

article

Wrtchbook sketches!

For some reason or another my sketch book pages are high in demand... or at least in higher demand than before. A whole two whopping people requested I post more pages from my sketchbooks as opposed to the usual one, or my mom. As you may have read in the last post I have been real busy, and it's been hard to work on posts or post worthy work. I have a ton of drawing I'd like to post, but it's either not ready for mass consumption, or it's a matter of confidentiality. I am on a really fun project at the moment, and I ve been pushing to have it "drawn" as much as possible (opposed to flash characters which make me sick at this point). My friend and employer, Paul Noth creator of Pale Force, is putting a lot of trust in me to move in such a direction, and so far it's been real fun, and refreshing. I'll try to get the ok to post some of the work I've done so far on the project. For now look at this shit, and enjoy the F@ck out of it!... If that's possible. This is also for Adam Rosette's one post a day madness, and as a request from both him, and Big Al I present to you a mash up of skecth books pages, most of these were drawn this past weekend. Thanks
-Mike

What a DUMP!!!

Been busy as hell lately. I was working on a massive post when I was called to work from a number of people. Things have been pretty good lately, and I thank those of you who come around these parts of the internet. Al suggested I post some sketchbook stuff, so here's a crazy page of nonsensical thinking illustrated through a Bic pen, and some messing around with ink washes and what have you. I am not so hot with stuff like that, but it was fun F@$kin' with that stuff. Be back soon with some dope Sh!T!

REPORT FROM THE TRENCHES!

OH SNAP! Tonight at the SVA amphitheater, myself along with friends, colleagues and alumni AL Pardo, Phil Rynda, and RIck Lacy, will be speaking to the animation students about what its like to work in the field of animation. I am very excited about it, and I meant to post something sooner, but unfortunately I became very sick this week, and started a new job (in animation)... SO I was out of commission on the blogging front. Anyways I still feel like shit, but I wouldn't think of missing this for anything. I feel honored to have been even thought as part of this, and it should be fun. I am not sure how open to the public it is, and I don't think the school has anything about it on their website, however if you contact the career development office I am sure they will provide you with more information. Gotta work, and rest up if that's at all possible. Here is something I wiped up last week for the panel.

Wintertime!

Wintertime from mike Carlo on Vimeo.
Here is another thing I animated in my spare time. I really like this one. It's not finished, I'd like to add more on to the end of it. For now... Enjoy, Mike

Face Ball Americano

FaceBall Americano from mike Carlo on Vimeo.

I animated this one straight, because I like to draw that way. I thought it'd be interesting to see what would happen.

Abortion Clinic Bomberman

I think this was banned in America.

The Legend of Helga

Here is Part 1 of a multipost of mock video games.

Santa animation

Here is the final product from my last Santa post.
I had the chance to board, animate and design all the characters. I also designed one background (Dre Dre's pattio party shot). I started and completed this film in ten days. The only thing I didn't animate were, cookies hitting the television, and two close up shots of a bouncer lip sync. They also adjusted an elf I did and super imposed him in a scene which I am not to happy with, but its so minor that I can live with it. With all this stuff aside, and the crazy deadline... I am pretty pleased with it. I just wish I had more than 10 days to do the whole thing. If anyone feels like actually going to superdeluxe.com to rack up more views for this thing, please do.
It's featured today on the main page. Thanks guys.

Santa!

I was actually working on an awesome post, when I got a call to Board, design characters and animate a film in less than two weeks. Anyway its a spoff of the grinch, and although the deadline and schedule suck, the writers are giving me free reign to direct this short for super deluxe.com. Here are some santa designs, the story requires he looses weight at some point, hench skinney Santa. Please enjoy.

Work in Progress.

I was kind of excited to share this. It's a BG I am working on for that projected I mentioned a post or two ago. I am by no means a BG artist, but on occasion I produce them. Anyway, here is a Bensonhurst apartment building. I was trying to get a clutered brooklyn, new york feel. I hope it works... so far.

No Sh!T!!

I walked into a Dunkin Donuts to get some coffee, and saw this guy waiting in line. None of this is exaggerated. If anything this drawing does not do the comic gold this guy represents any justice. He was even wearing a shirt that said exactly that. I am extremely dissapointed in myself for NOT making this up.

Carnival Conan

This is the latest episode of Pale Force which premiered last week on Late Night. I got to go down to the show again, which was cool because we got to see people reactions. Anyway I did a ton of animation on this one. I got to do all of the Calzoni characters animation, and I animated the scene when Calzoni walks to Conan with a bucket of money all the way to the end. I also animated the sequence with the dance in it. This may all make more sense if you just watch the damn thing. Thanks guys.
-MIKE

Shapey!

I ve abandoned my cartoon drawing for way too long. and hanging out with Al way too much. The result... CARTOONS! I would like some feedback on this stuff if anyone cares to give it. I normally don't do shapey, or graphic looking designs, but its something I secretly want to do well. Enjoy!

PALE FORCE SEASON TWO PREMIERE! REVISITED!

Hey everyone, tonight Monday Sept 24th is the premiere of Pale Force Season two on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. I am one of two animators for this second season, which is cool because I am 50 percent of the animators and it's for Late Night. We've been doing alot of work on these with crazy crazy deadlines, this second season looks much better than last season two so it would be kick ass if you guys had the time to check it out. You can go to this link http://www.nbc.com/paleforce and find out more or just tune into late night tonight and watch it. Also Tom Smolenski is the other 50 perscent of the animation team. Super Talented super nice guy, whose blog you can get to in my links directory. Other credits for season 2 include Peter Lazarski (whose name I hope I spelt right), Bret Hall, and of course the crreators Jim Gaffigan and Paul Noth.
P.S. This is an old screen shot from somewhere in season one. I don't think I am allowed to post anything from season 2 until it airs or NBC will find me and have me killed.
Ok I updated this post with the premiere episode of Pale Force season2 in it. I got to go backstage at the Conan O Brien show Monday, and it was dope, crazy silly fresh fun. Hung out in Jim Gaffigans dress room, almost ran into Labamba, and met Conan O Brien. I animated the est shot of the hospital up until the intro (which was done by Tom Smolenski) and then I animated Dancing with the stars up until Conan's Head popping off, and then the scene in clonan o brien when Jeff Zucker says "Hoppin' Boppers" All the way to the end. Thanks for watching.
-MIKE

Defeated!

The neighbors wife is Eastern European

Bernice from accounting

Larry from Down the street!

It's been a super long time since I posted anything, and since last time a lot has happened. For starters I had more work going on than I knew what to do with. Then I got laid off! However I still had plenty of work on my plate and I am happy to say that its still comming in! As most of you know New York is a tough place to be working in an already tough enough field. I was for a couple of years working as a layout artist and very recently I ve been taking on alot of animation work, which regardless of that fact that its all Flash, I am rather enjoying it!! If anyone knows how I can post Qt's or Swf I would appreciate it, because then I can show some of the stuff I ve been working on. For now here is some dude that I was inspired to draw from my brain after seeing some photos from the 70's! Thanks guys, and girls.

Ink on Paper... PSYCH!

Ok this post is for Mike Oviedo who said my last post was too creepy for him to comment on. It's ok Mike, I understand how creepy cartoons can scare a guy from the bronx! Oviedo rules check out his stuff at http://www.tsochicken.blogspot.com/
also Al who also rocks! http://www.bigalrock.blogspot.com

Puzzled!

I am still puzzled as to how "Moviefone" is a friend on my buddy list.

News!

I was a day late with a post about some very good news regarding some work in a few live action horror films. Last night a partner of mine and owner of the effects studio I work for was on the phone with a director of one of the projects we were working on. The director was Bob Clark (Christmas story, Porkys, Black Christmas), My friend and Bob had been in close contact the last year and last June I had the pleasure of meeting with Bob, and showing him my work. We were all really gassed about working for him on a remake of his "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead things" film, and in recent weeks there was some buzz regarding the making of the film. Apparently Bob was excited to be working with my friends effects company, and I was super pumped to be designing some creatures for a sequence that we'd be working on. A few hours after getting off the phone, Bob Clark was killed along with his son by a drunk diver in California. I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear the news. Although I didn't deal with Bob directly, it was a pleasure to have even been a small part of one of his projects. I met Bob on a business trip last year, where I had the honor of sharing some conceptual work I had done for his film with him. Bob also read to my partners and I, the begining of his script in our hotel room, which an awesome experience. He was a funny guy, and super nice, I didn't know him personally, and it is unfortunate and sad that a great talent is gone. He will surely be missed. You can read about the details of the accident here.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-crash5apr05,0,6240856.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Cali Trip!

I just got back from visiting some friends in L.A. boy oh boy was it awesome! We did all sorts of fun stuff. This post has nothing to do with California really, other than the fact that its for my portfolio, which may be used to get a job out there one day.

Grandma Lady

This shit creeps me out, because halfway through I dubbed HE a SHE!

Hey Bullwinkle... I don't feel so good.

AMAZING!

Harry Doo_right in the NUTS!

I combined two stupid ideas I had to make one really dumb idea! So here it is, Harry is the big guy. He is retarded. He is looked after by his care taker the duck, who as of now has no name. The result of this is either hilarity or a wrench to the nuts. Either way someone is going to laugh.

Italian Parade clean

Here is a near complete version of my grandmas present from back in December. When I get it back from her to get it framed I ll post the final one. It looks sharp with some contrast. This one lacks pop, but some people wanted to see it so here you go.