Hello everyone,
It is apparent that I have been absent lately, and too much so for my own good. Whenever I pop in I do so irregularly, unexpectedly, and in a hasty fashion. Personally, I’m rather tired of committing myself to this action and wish to halt my ruptured existance on Pixar Planet. This is precisely why I have decided to open up this little journal or “update central” for myself, as it were, so as I may keep you all updated on the happenings on my side of the neighborhood. When I will show up to update this thread is undecided and will probably remain undecided, taking into account my hectic predicament. However, I will strive to post news on a “ambiguous” basis – by ambiguous, I mean once a week, once a month, or even once every few months, depending on the situation at hand. The schedule will always be fluctuating.
To my fellow administrators/moderators: As I have mentioned before on several occasions, I am sincerely grateful to be in the position that I am in now. I enjoy my job as assistant moderator of Pixar Planet, and do not take my task lightly. So, once again, thank you.
That aside, I wish to alert you all to the fact that my attendance here will, more than likely, become even more irregular than it is now. I will always be in a mode of moderation, but may only visit this site now and again.
I hope that this issue is of no concern to you and will not damage Pixar Planet as a whole should I be absent for long periods of time, leaving this website and forum board one moderator short. If there are any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me and alert me to them.
As a side note, if the creation of this particular thread, as a whole, is deemed inappropriate and/or unnecessary, by all means… please remove it from the premises.
To my fellow members of Pixar Planet: Although I greatly enjoy engaging in discussions of many kinds with every one of you here on Pixar Planet, time is not in my favor, and things of the utmost importance must come first.
Right now, school takes up approximately 60% of my time, homework 20%, household chores (a majority of which are not mandatory) 10%, and extracurricular activities/free time the last 10%. School and a budding portfolio (the latter of which I am currently working on) are the top priorities for the time being, and I simply don’t have enough time to be doing anything but committing to those two earthly things. (I say “earthly” for a reason.)
Lately, I have also had to sort out a few personal things in my life. I’ve been facing some tough dilemmas, and have gone through more trials and tests than I would like; nevertheless, most of them are the bumpy rocks which one often faces in life… and ones that I am learning to overcome.
My absence, as stated, will be wishy-washy. The next time I jog through the door may be as young as a week, or as old as a few months (until as late as mid-August). So, don’t expect me to be around that often.
Other than that, feel free to refer to this thread for updates on the “goings on” in my area of life. Please note that the latter half of this post (after the date listed below) and the articles that follow it are mainly for myself… so as I can keep track of my schedule of events. Well, that, and I just love to write. 
~ Au revoir! ~
April 18, 2008 -
-
Lots of homework assignments are due; I’ll need to shape up if I’m to successfully complete the semester. The next time around, I’m not going to let this happen – I’m going to do my best, strive to finish projects way before the due date, and will hesitate to procrastinate (or, more effectively, discard of it altogether).
-
I’ve very nearly finished an “in-betweening” project which I will include in my portfolio, the latter of which I will send to Disney Studios when completed. I am believing that I am going to secure this position/job – it would be a wonderful asset to my resume.
-
I sent in my application to InnerSpark/CSSSA* in February, received a note of confirmation some weeks later stating that my application had been collected, and am now awaiting a letter from the said industry which will, hopefully, announce that I have been accepted into the program. Should I be admitted into InnerSpark, I will have a greater chance of better establishing and grounding my artistic skills so as to improve in the field of animation. Let’s see what happens!
-
Have heard all of the latest news concerning WALL-E, Up, and pretty much every other Pixar feature up to Cars 2. I have extremely high hopes for WALL-E, especially after viewing a collage of new footage which looks absolutely stunning. (The closer WALL-E’s release date comes, the more I experience/collide into sights, sounds, and smells that remind me of things from my childhood. Something tells me that this particular film (WALL-E) is going to trigger something from the depths of my brain to emerge again after a decade or so. It’s quite intriguing.) Both Up and newt sound quite charming, as well, and I look forward to seeing both of them in the future.
-
My artwork is improving – slowly, but surely. My mom says that I need more practice in anatomy as a whole, and I definitely agree. I’m always drawing the same poses and characters over and over, which is sure to be a road-block in my career if I don’t remove it. Henceforth, I’m going to make a great effort to expand my knowledge further and explore previously unveiled corners.
-
Met Jim Cumming’s wife and her little daughter not a few weeks back. She mirrors her husband in pleasantness, and my mom, dad, and I quite enjoyed conversing with her. Mrs. Cummings mentioned that her husband plays the role of the Cajun firefly in Disney Studios’ next full-length animated film, The Princess and the Frog. Keep an ear out for him!
Extra note: For those who don’t know, Jim Cummings provides the voice for many well-known fictional/cartoon characters, including today’s Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Kaa, Taz, Peg-leg Pete, and hundreds of others. He is also a friend of the family and is probably one of the most amiable fellows on the planet. (heheh)
- Heard of Ollie Johnston’s passing not a couple of days ago. Both he and his long-time colleage, Frank Thomas, were a great inspiration to my family and I for many years, and they will continue to be for generations afterward. Their soft, yet impactful, impression upon the earth has not gone unnoticed, and I thank them, tenderly and whole-heartedly, for implanting more than one smile upon those in the world who need it… which is everyone. And, although both he and Frank will be sorely missed, I rest in the comfort of knowing that they were both Christians… smiles
Current Position:
Note: Since both of my parents are in the animation business, I may post some art-related news that could be of some significance and/or interest from time to time.
One more subject of recognition/interest is the “Position” meter, which you may have noticed, above. This indicates my position in life via a screenshot from, of course, Ratatouille. Remy represents myself, so wherever he is in the film in that shot… that’s where I am in life. It may or may not make sense to you guys, since it’s more of a personal reference than anything, but I thought you might find it interesting. I will continue this “track meter” until I reach Pixar Animation Studios and possibly beyond…
Again, thank you all for your support and kindness. As I have said many times before, you all are like my second family, and I absolutely love conversing with you guys. So, thanks again.
– Mitch
- CSSSA = California State Summer School for the Arts
Links:
I think you’re just plain blessed to come from a family in animation. Hope you’ll be able to find time for the board along the way; it wouldn’t be the same without you! 
