Part of our goal at EverWitt Productions, LLC is not only to thrive as a completely independent,  content production studio, but also to be as environmentally friendly, cost effective, and efficient in our approach to studio and media work. That means reuse, renew, and recycle... As well as using our natural resources as much as possible.

Factory palette construction and recycled steel rig shelving are the skeleton of our stage. Notice the sunlight coming from the right side. Following the lead of early industry luminaries Mack Sennett, Georges Méliès, and Charlie Chaplin, we oriented the stage to utilize as much sunlight each day, as possible. Photo by Rick DeWitt

Using reclaimed steel shelving (each beam supports 5 tons!) was a great place for us to start. The shelving is relatively cheap and plentiful. Industrial business are constantly giving or throwing it away. And, again, high weight rated palettes are an amazing building tool.

Gabriel McKeagney -  Masterwood Craftsman - Preparing to take scale models to CNC

We went to our friend Master Woodcraftsman, Gabriel McKeagney - a founding My Dad's Garage member - to help us go from scale models to 2D and 3D CNC'd sets. Gabriel is amazing at taking scale models up to size for the set. You can visit his website at www.gabrielmckeagney.com Gabe is a true artist, you owe yourself a visit to his site, for the eye candy alone!

Gabriel McKeagney helped us secure waste wood from the wine making process for our garage sets. Not only was it a great recycling move, but it also saved us a ton of money and time. So, in this case up-cycling was truly cost effective and efficient!

CNCing the set at Gabriel McKeagney's shop!

Moving from design to building the My Dad's Garage set for both camera and stop motion. In continuing to create and dress the set, we used simple materials, foam core, wood stain, craft sticks, craft wood, etc. to mock up scale models that can easily be used to make CNC cutouts of the actual set. Our scale is typically 1" = 1'.

Youssef Hassanein helps JH Everett build and paint the scale model pieces for the set.

We save everything! A great deal of organization time and space goes to recycled and reusable material. Even foam core dust becomes amazing snow filler for stop motion. Yep, we even use the dust.

In choosing materials and textures, we stayed very close to materials that we knew we could access by up-cycling goods from around our garages, work spaces, and yards.

Texture, material, and surface design board - EverWitt Productions Design Team

Inspiration came from everywhere... especially around our yards, garages, and friend's homes. We also hit some great local artist galleries for ideas.

We work from foam core models to get both a sense of how the set might look, as well as accurate scale measurements to give to Gabriel McKeagney, for CNC cutouts.

Rick uses an iPhone to start exploring the foam core model from the DP camera person's point of view. Of course, this is more for frame and composition, rather than lighting. But, interesting shadows and forms are already suggesting themselves!

Our sketchbook is filled with ideas, photos, musings, etc. on the show, as we go about creating My Dad's Garage...

JR Johnson- set rendering

We based our designs on a traditional approach: concept sketching, rendering, blueprint, set building and rigging. However, we wanted to use reclaimed, recycled, and up-cycled materials whenever possible.

Just as our sound stage, audio studio, and power systems reflect our environmentally responsible approach to media art and business, so too, does our approach toward sets, props, and puppets.

Basic blueprint designs, without surfacing are created to help gain accurate scale model measurements for foam core and CNC cutouts.

JH Everett - Concept sketch

JH Everett - Concept sketch

JH Everett - Concept Sketch

JH Everett - Blueprint layout

Studio Five's show is officially up at the Thacher Gallery, San Francisco! The giant posters are going up!! It is so fun to watch all this stuff happen. Thank you to Tom, Glori, and all the rest of the gallery staff. You are all amazing.

One of my favorite all time artists is Bill Peet. This is one of my new characters, DUNK, based on Peet's style. I have enjoyed his approach to kid's books for many, many years. The idea of stretch and squash animation style coupled with watercolor, ink, and colored pencils lends itself to absolutely enchanting results.

His autobiography is amazing. And, still one of my favorite books of all time is the Caboose Who Got Loose (mostly because it was one of my oldest son's favorites). We spent hours reading and looking at that book together.

You can visit Bill Peet's website here.

 I just got this wonderful image from my nephew. They are studying the Chinese plates given to Washington and they created this fantastic piece for the project. Excellent job, Dean! I absolutely love it.

His cousin also did some awesome artwork for me this week!

Cheers!

Ev

Well, it has a been a week of slogging up to LA in the rain (the upside is that I got to work with some fantastic people!). It was also a concert week filled by long hours of violin practice by my 12 year old. He is actually sounding fantastic. But, I did not realize violins were quite as loud as they are. Who knew? His concert was beautiful and worth all of the hard work. Though I am not finished with the new book, yet. It is so close that I can taste it! And, so many amazing things have been happening on the creative electronic media front.

This week Kathy Temean was wonderful enough to post a blog article for her New Jersey SCBWI group that featured yours truly. It was a lot of fun putting the article together with her and I love the work that she is doing on that other coast over there.

Check out the article here.

I would love it if you gave her a visit and read all about the process of getting the art for Izzy done. As art director, Marilyn Scott-Waters did a wonderful job accentuating the best aspects of my style for the book. I look forward to visiting New Jersey some day sooner than later. Thanks, Kathy!

Cheers!

Ev

The Candy Palace and I had a great visit with Rancho Canada Elementary School! The kids raised about $1700.00 for the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Kid's Cafe. The assemblies were fantastic! We drew, and played, and laughed! I even got to have lunch with the fabulous artists who won their school art contest. It was all amazing fun and I think we all learned a ton from each other.

I look forward to working more with Rancho Canada on the Candy Palace writing program! What a fantastic school. Thank you to all of the parents, PTA, staff, and faculty who made this day possible!

~Ev

It has all gotten quiet... The door of the hut swings a little in the wind. I have a sweater, uggs, and a jacket on. The garage studio feels about the right temp - if the doors are all closed.

Yeah, there have been TV shows (awesome), magazine articles (amazing), interviews, Dior book signings, meeting celebs and all of the cool stuff that being involved with Izzy has done. The project is fantastic and the coolest thing of all is that it is helping so many kids. I wake up everyday astonished that I get to work with the high caliber folks that I am and am now pursuing some things I had only really ever dreamed of doing - like tech and TV work.

But, like I said, despite all of the goings-on - it comes down to quietly going back to work in your studio. Leaving some space to regain the focus and energy to attack those revisions on those books on the desk once again. All of the other stuff is wonderful and it makes me very happy. But, I love this part. The creating. The opportunity to just... be.

At my core, I am a creative and I love the opportunity to work on my own stuff - my voice, my art. I love to get covered in paint. I love discovering the perfect, gentle s-curve line with my uber sharp pencil. I love switiching between old radio shows, ghosts stories, Parisian cafe music, Bach (Gould of course), and Oingo Boingo - an ecclectic mix that only I could really love.

Here I am! Right here... Loving every second of it.

~Ev

OK, I admit it... I am a bad dad.

This should have been posted months ago. However, I am taking the better late than never approach on this blog entry. Several months ago, by the grace of my old friend Allen (an amazingly talented guy that works for Dreamworks), I took my oldest son, Caddy, to visit Dreamworks studios. He got to ask questions. He met a couple of his heroes. He got to see behind Oz's curtain.

Now, this would be cool for any kid (or parent!) - and, yes it was.

But, at 12, Caddy wants with all his heart and soul to work in feature animation when he grows up. And, this kid works hard at it every day. He is super dedicated to the craft. After homework, he studies and plays with all of the cool animation software (that I hope he will help me with in the future), and he draws and writes stories like a madman, he watches director film commentaries (no seriously).

I am telling you, he is posessed by the likes of Singer, Disney, Hanna, Barbera, Warner, McCay and all who came before him.

Seriously, had I the real ambition that he has at his age for this - I would be on a space shuttle mission right now, or at least in the back seat of Starsky and Hutch's awesome car chasing bad guys.

He has channeled these folks... Taking my own advice about listening to your kids, Caddy is now helping me write and create regular comic strips for Izzy and the Candy Palace website. Man, is he a slave driver! A perfectionist beyond perfectionists! I am working for a task master! But, I am proud and overjoyed to be working with him. I will update this blog article with a link when the comics are up.

Thank you Allen, Bob and all of my art and studio friends who have inspired Caddy with your time, friendship, advice, and mentoring. I could never thank you enough for being so good to my son. You will not be disappointed with your investment.

~Ev

Last Wednesday, we had a crew at our house for several hours to film Ev for a tv show called "Career Day." They filmed here, because this is where his Hut and studio are. The producer and the crew were so nice, I immediately knew that this would be a fun day.

 The hut is going to be on TV!

We were at a Kid's Cafe Site in Anaheim to read, draw, and have a great time with a great group of kids. The monster came out and one of the kids thought he was a giant pinata. That was awesome! During the day, we were being filmed for B-roll footage for the nationally syndicated television show the Young Icons. After the day with the kids, the producer then asked if I would be willing to do their Career Day TV show - how cool! I will keep things updated. I know that we are filming in the first part of January.

~Ev

News of Izzy and the Candy Palace is really starting to hit everywhere! Day before yesterday, we did a TV shoot for helping the food bank and a kid's LA show. This morning I woke up to hits through the OC Register, the Chicago Tribune, and a ton of blogs! Thank you all so much. This is such a great cause.

I have been at South Coast Plaza signing books almost every day this last week and the response has been overwhelming. All of the folks at South Coast Plaza have just been wonderful to us. I feel like one of the family now. It has been a life-changing experience for me and my entire family.

Links to some articles:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/economy-business-finance/bank-of-orange-county-ORCRP001630.topic

http://www.examiner.com/south-coast-plaza-in-national

http://railroadclassrooms.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-wish-6-izzy-and-candy-palace.html

http://www.topix.com/city/newport-coast-ca/2010/12/izzy-and-the-candy-palace-launches

http://theocnow.com/2010/12/08/izzy-and-the-candy-palace-launches/

http://www.hauteliving.com/2010/12/sweet-spot-izzy-and-the-candy-factory-debuts-at-south-coast-plaza/

http://www.ocfamily.com/t-st_blog_izzy_candy_12102010.aspx

Wednesday December 8th, 2010 6:30-8:30 PM

South Coast Plaza Jewel Court

RSVP to [email protected] or 714.435.8557
This is a free event - the more the merrier! Come and enjoy free cocktails and appetizers with us to celebrate the release of the book and the success of the program! Please RSVP to the above email or phone number with the number of guests and a name. C'mon and have a nice evening out on us. It will help a ton of kids.

South Coast Plaza link and map

What can I say? Wow. Dior knows how to throw a party.

The Dior folks are wonderful and gracious hosts. I was blown away.

The book release for Izzy and the Candy Palace at Dior, South Coast Plaza was an amazing success. Isabel J. and I signed books for about 2 hours - and the line never seemed to get any shorter. We are told that we signed an estimated 250-300 books in that time.

There were DJs, A CANDY BAR for the kids (although, I saw a lot of VERY tall children over there... ha ha), champagne, a fabulous caterer, coloring stations and fun photo booths... and the Candy Monster himself came for a visit. I can't wait for the Beverly Hills event in February! Check out more pics here.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248258&id=565831324&l=84f7553343

The best part was... this event helped so many kids. I can't wait to hear how much we raised for the Kid's Cafe and Food Bank. People were so very generous. Thank you to all my family, friends, and colleagues (especially those from the OC Illustrators and Studio Five!) for coming to the event. It would never have been the same without you.

~Ev

This weekend Izzy and the Candy Palace gets it's official kick start at the Dior stores at South Coast Plaza and Beverly Hills. This project is very special because all of the profits from the sales of the book go to the Kid's Cafe and the Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed hungry kids. This weekend's events are the beginning of events and sales efforts by many of the fine retailers of South Coast Plaza and others during the holiday season. Dior is making an amazing effort to support the book and Candy Palace Charity program.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts over the last year for this fantastic program by the MMJ Foundation. I am honored to have been asked to be involved. It is an absolute dream come true to work with all of you and to be able to use creativity, art, and writing to help so many people.

Cheers!

J.H. Everett

We can officially announce that STUDIO 5 is launching their first big gallery show in the U.S. They are working in partnership with the Thacher Gallery in San Francisco and the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. The show, currently entitled - CREATIVITY AT WORK - will run concurrently at both museums from the end of August 2011 through December 2011. The show will feature the work of Bob Singer, Alice Provensen, J.H. Everett, Marilyn Scott-Waters, Andy Mitchell, and JR Johnson.

The multimedia show and events will take over the entirety of the Thacher Gallery for the entire period and will occupy a special collections room at the Schulz Museum. The show will feature original artwork and new gallery pieces from all of the artists involved, as well as multiple events at sites throughout the Bay Area. The program will partner with local area school systems, news/media, retailers, and charities, for educational outreach, speaking engagements, and charity fundraising.

All of us in STUDIO 5 are honored and excited to partner with the University of San Francisco for this wonderful show.

This is a absolutely scary drawing that my nephew sent me. I absolutely love it! I think we have more budding artists in the family. It was a perfect drawing for Halloween. Thanks, Dean!

I sure hope that he sends me more! I love monster drawings from kids. If you would like me to post your drawing, just send them to me in an email!

Cheers!

Ev

Orwell & Political Language Abuse

    In "Politics and the English Language," George Orwell educates the reader about a nearly irreversible degradation of the English language due to misuse in political-type rhetoric. In his article, Orwell shows this degradation through examples of poor proseconstruction and careful examination of writing abuses found mainly in the political forum. In order to gain the support of the reader, Mr. Orwell employs an important and unique approach to help achieve his message. He opts for a more inclusive voice and closer relationship with his audience through admission of his own shortcomings. Next, Orwell effectively uses writing samples from several authority-type figures (including two professors) to show poor proseconstruction; this allies him even further on the side of  the reader. Finally, he uses extended definition paragraphs with simple, understandable, concrete examples to support his points and to finish drawing the reader over to his point of view.
    Immediately in his opening sentence, Mr. Orwell engages his audience in a discussion of "Politics and the English Language" by using a familiar and comfortable word choice. He is careful to keep the tone friendly and safe, stating, "Most people who bother with the matter at all would admit that the English language is in a bad way, but it is generally assumed that we cannot by conscious action do anything about it" (147). Notice how carefully Mr. Orwell chooses not to include himself in "Most people" (147); rather, he aligns himself with we, the reader. Through Orwell's use of conversational language and admission of his own shortcomings, he almost allows his audience to forget any anxieties or hang-ups they may have about their own political views or critical thinking skills, declaring "and for certain you will find that I again and again committed the very faults I am protesting" (155). It is as though Mr. Orwell is saying, I'm not going to talk at you! Share with me your ideas as you read on. The wording chosen and the  admission of  his own human error support this tone even further, allowing him to delve deeper into sacred cows which he might have not have been able to discuss if he were to take a more confrontational tone.

    Should a reader need more convincing as to whether Mr. Orwell is speaking on behalf of his reader, Orwell introduces writing samples from authority-type figures including excerpts from works by Professor Harold Laski and Professor Lancelot Hogben, to show poor prose construction; such as the following excerpt by Professor Laski:

    I am not, indeed, sure whether it is true to say that the Milton who once seemed     not unlike a seventeenth century Shelly had not become, out of an experience ever     more bitter in each year, more alien [sic] to the founder of that Jesuit sect which     nothing could induce him to tolerate. (148)

To this Orwell comments that aside from the passage's staleness of imagery and its lack of precision (149), the excerpt also suffers from: the use of "five negatives in fifty-three words" (153), a switch of the word "alien for akin" (153), and "general vagueness" (153). By pointing out the mistakes of an authority figure, Orwell clearly shows his own mastery of the English language without ever alienating his audience from the discussion. He never attacks his reader, he only presents them with scenarios to unravel and learn from. Orwell further claims that at its worst a bad writing style can become gummed together in "long strips of words which have already been set in order by someone else" (152). This type of  description -- which leads to the final strength of the Orwell article -- brings easily understood, non-threatening definition to Orwell's criticisms.
    Ultimately, it is the use of short, single-paragraph extend

Part of Studio 5 at WHALE OF A TALE BOOKSHOPPE, Irvine, CA - photo by Rod Veal

Studio 5 will be appearing at the second annual Mission Viejo Readers' Festival again this year. It is a great opportunity to come meet all the gang. And, you get to watch the first ever Scooby Doo and hear Bob Singer, the man who helped create it talk about creating it! We will also be drawing for kids all day long!

The festival is just going to be absolutely awesome! I hope that some of you will come and meet us.

Readers' Festival Website

Cheers!

Ev

Though we started with a basic manuscript for Izzy, written by Isabel J., we went through several editorial stages to bring the story in-line with main stream media, and acceptable publishing practice. Because the project was smaller, we did not have the benefit of a full editorial staff and many hats had to be worn by all. This is an important charity project for the Second Harvest Food Bank, so we rolled up our sleeves and dug in.

One of the most important things that I observed during this part of the process was the "blue sky" behavior. Nothing was out, all was in and on the table. Ideas were just... ideas. No one was threatened by anyone else playing with the original ideas in a quest for a good story. No one argued over credit or anything else. Now, it is true that we had already signed contracts and had our roles assigned. Ownership and such issues were taken care of before the work started. But this is an important thing to note! If you get the business out of the way, you can concentrate on the creative stuff, without the "real world" encroaching on the thinking at the table. It is a freeing exercise.

For about 2 months, we did nothing but play with the story and constantly revisit story structure, three-act structure, and created character studies. It was so fun to just play with things and manipulate the different elements. During that time, I, of course, started sketching ideas for characters - collecting physical traits, manerisms, attitudes, beliefs, anything that would make the characters more "real". We tried on so many different voices, changed perspective, studied other models and properties, places... It was great fun! We played.

But, that is quite the point, isn't it? Playing sparks ideas.

My #1 rule from now on? Take care of business so that you have a schedule and time, and the freedom to play. Otherwise, you just won't give yourself the space to do what you have to do for the project.

~Ev

Next: Organizing structure and editorial