March « 2009 « Karoleen Decastro :: Santa Barbara/Los Angeles based graphic designer

Waltz with Bashir

Mar 04, 2009 | Written in: Notes | Leave a Comment

A couple months ago, I was able to catch a showing of Waltz with Bashir at this little theater in Santa Monica. It was amazing. If you’re into drawing, this is no small feat. This isn’t your average poster edge filter in Photoshop either.

At first I was a tad skeptical about how a documentary film would benefit from having an animation style. Remembering movies like A Scanner Darkly and Waking Life where animation wasn’t much of a stretch for their kinds of storylines, I wondered if director, Ari Folman, was only interested in straying away from documentary filmmaking as it’s been known for the sake of saying he created his film differently? Was he utilizing the animation style simply because it is becoming more accessible and popular? Five minutes into the movie, I forgot that I was even watching an animated film.

Folman was asked about why he chose to have his film be animated. The simple explanation… animation has no boundaries – it allows images and situations to come to life on screen that a camera cannot just simply capture. There’s no more elaborate reason. With that in mind, I watched the movie and took in the messages which hit me just as much or even more than any actor could portray.

waltzwithbashir

If you haven’t gotten the chance to see Waltz with Bashir, go. The story is amazing and the visuals tell it in a newly interesting way. I would have never been able to match the two just by looking, but throughout the movie, I realized just why it all worked.

Written by Karoleen in: Notes | Leave a Comment

Johnny Cupcakes Follow-up

Mar 01, 2009 | Written in: Events, In Photos | Leave a Comment

“It might be weird, and it might be stupid. But it’ll be unforgettable.” – Johnny Cupcakes, on everything.

These are the words I tend to forget when unsure about a piece, a project, or an idea. So Johnny Cupcakes sums it up quite nicely for anyone who constantly faces the boundaries of the norm and judgment from the critics.

Johnny Cupcakes’ story isn’t about luck. It isn’t about being “discovered”. It’s about a good idea that sprouted from various interests, and grew as a result of inventive thinking, efficient decision making, and risk taking with a dash of gut instinct. (At least, that’s how I see it). It’s a breath of fresh air. Although I love the fairytale story every now and then, what I love about John’s story is that it had nothing to do with being at the right place at the right time. It truly proves that success can be had just by sticking with an idea and making it work because it is one’s passion.

I talked to Johnny a bit after the show, and did a mini interview for his website about doing freelance design and what that means to me as an independent artist. It’ll probably be edited into an interview piece of all the interviews done that night, so check out www.johnnycupcakes.com now and then to catch that and other updates on his college lectures series.

Johnny Cupcakes is a multimillionaire who doesn’t advertise in the corporate world. A guy whose fans tattoo his cupcake and crossbones logo on their arms and necks as a token of their devotion and appreciation. A college drop-out who is now being sought after by college programs like my client (the Technology Management Program, who put on this event) to inspire students about entrepreneurship. And yet, he is still a humble fellow. No luck there.

Side note: I am now a new owner of an authentic Saved by the Bell trading card thanks to Johnny’s surprise goodie bags that were taped to the bottom of each seat in the lecture hall. Read his story and you’ll know why receiving a Saved by the Bell trading card from Mr. Johnny Cupcakes himself is not as bizarre as you would think.