P R O M E T H E U S

Uh, so Neill, remember all my alien prequel bitching and how we I didn't think we needed one?

Fuck. All. That. Fuck it all. I'm an idiot.

I cannot wait to see this flick.



Even in that shitty quality, it's intense.

Born again Ridley believer.

Doug

Who are you?

Hey Neill, I'll have more posts and art soon, I've just been swamped. So Neill, I occasionally check my sitemeter to see where people are coming from who check this site. It's crazy dude, from all over the world. All....over.

Sometimes people find the site by accident, and I can see their search words that they used to find it.

Today I saw these search words from some guy or gal in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia:

cocoon cast wilford brimley pictures

Whoever you are, I think we could be best friends.

Doug

Shit....Brimley is in better shape than I am.

Rachel Beckwith

Breaking the wall a little bit today. I had always planned on my art blogs being a place were people could escape the world for a little bit and have some fun. I promise to keep that alive here, a place were we can have fun and I can be a crazy drawing fool, but just this once I'm letting reality pour in. I have two little girls, so it's easy to see why this story hits me so hard. I have not been able to really shake it since I read about it.

On July 20th there was a major accident near Seattle on I-90. I had friends who drove past it, and said how awful it looked. They were amazed that no one was killed. Then the reports started coming in of a critically injured little girl. Then shortly after that, even with all the hopes and prayers of everyone who had heard the story, she was taken of life support. She hung on just long enough for her parents to hold and touch her one last time. Her name was Rachel Beckwith, and she had just turned 9.

It seemed like another sad story that we hear too often nowadays. If you ever watch the news, it feels like the world is coming apart at the seems. What hope do we have, what hope do our children have, when our politicians would rather bring our economy crashing down in a dick measuring contest rather than work together for a national good. When corporate profit is placed over human lives. Humanity sometimes feels like it's on it's last legs, and that we're coming to a close. But then little girls like Rachel Beckwith come along and obliterate all those fears.

At age five Rachel heard about Locks of Love and asked to have her then long hair cut and donated to help children with cancer. Her plan was to continually grow out her hair and cut it to donate, and she kept that promise. At age five.

Then when Rachel was going to turn nine she asked that no one give her presents, but instead donate nine dollars to an organization called charity:water for water projects in Africa. Rachel's own words;

On June 12th 2011, I'm turning 9. I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water so I'm celebrating my birthday like never before. I'm asking from everyone I know to donate to my campaign instead of gifts for my birthday. Every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater projects in developing nations. Even better, every dollar is "proved" when the projects are complete, and photos and GPS coordinates are posted using Google Earth. My goal is to raise $300 by my birthday, June 12, 2011. Please consider helping me.

She raised 220 dollars, a lot for a nine year old girl, but just shy of the 300 she was hoping to raise. She was disappointed, but decided to just try harder the next year. Sadly, that would never come.

When people heard the story of a nine year old girl, who would rather give to others she had never met than receive material gifts herself, they flocked to the site and donated. Currently at the time I'm writing this she has raised 1,256,180 dollars, that will help an estimated 62,809 people in need. Not bad for a nine year old girl.

Her gifts go beyond that though, her organs were donated and a man who had been waiting five years for a kidney was a match for one of Rachel's. “I received a gift that you can't even describe how big it was. I had my life returned to me and as repayment to Rachel, I plan to carry her charitable torch for the rest of my life.” Mark was given life; and for this cycnical Dad of two little girls, she gives hope.

So this is why I decided to post this here, ultimately this isn't a sad story. It's a very positive one, because if a nine year old girl can figure this out, then there's hope for the rest of us as well.

We're better than we think we are.

Rachel's donation page, there's four days left.

Rachel's 9 Birthday Wish

(http://mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=16396)

More sketches from the toilet.

From the toilet? Gross. I actually draw them on the bus, fuck I love the bus. It's a Community Transit busline, which is nice and clean. Not a fucking Metro bus, which is pretty much like riding in a toilet.

Anyway, so dude, I feel bad. I'm always giving your boy a hard time. So this is a pure shout out to Copley. Dude, I love the guy. he was the best part of the A-Team, and I still think he deserved at the very least a nod from the Academy for his role in District 9. Wikus is one of the best characters to come along in a looooooooong time. I'm sure that whatever/whoever he'll be in Elysium will be great.

So that being said, I super psyched to see what this Europa is all about. I have a weird fascination with Jupiter and it's moons. Maybe it because my Dad showed me 2001 at a young age, which still to this day is an amazing piece of cinematography (and the deign worked has never been topped). I love the first two books as well, but must confess, I never read the others. So anyways, can't wait.

And what about his own flick? Spoon. Yeah dude, I be the fanniest fanboy around. I know all about Spoon. So dude, give the man a few weeks to wrap that shit up. Who knows, maybe it'll lead to a Please Look At me Shartlo Copley blog (It won't, don't worry). For those who have not seen it, here's the trailer:

Click the pic.

Dude, I'm excited! He's got a Nexus android in it, what's not to love! And think of the possibilties of sequels! Fork, Knife, Cutlery, Plastic Cup; or he could go the Aliens route and be all Spoons. Shit is tight. That tall freak is a thinker!

Anyway, thanks for introducing us to the guy. He's a steller actor, and I (and all the PLAMNB blog fans also) can't wait to see what he does next.

Douglassymuthafuckinkaratechop Williams

Sketchy Wetchy

Neill, sup' ma' man? I've been sketching tons on my bus trip home lately. It makes for an interesting line quality. I get about an hour a trip, so two hours a day. Pretty fucking slick, man.

So, dude, how's it going?

I'm guessing you're knee deep in filming. That shit has got to be crazy. I tried to troll Copley out, but he isn't biting. He either hates me, is super busy, or is on another bender. Actually, probably all three.

I came up with an awesome idea, a Jabba the Hutt tattoo.

Wait, wait, and just listen. So I saw this dude in Pioneer Square wearing a half shirt (he could pull it off) and he had a dragon tattoo on his gut. Now this dude was young, and I couldn't help but think I was super skinny and had abs when I was young too. Now...well...yeah. Sitting at a desk everyday and eating junkshitfood and chili-chonga dogs will inflate your belly. So I couldn't help but think how sad that dragon could end up looking in another ten to fifteen years.

So then I thought, you know what would work there? Jabba the fucking Hutt. Because as you got fatter, it would get even cooler! Jabba is the only gut tattoo that will never go wrong.

Now, where to put Salacious Crumb....



Douglas D Williams

Da' Marquis

Neill, I'm finally getting some art time again. Little smidges. Here's an image based on Guy Davis' The Marquis. It's a great fucking book man. I worked with Guy recently, and he's like the nicest fucking Guy you've ever met. He's only the second Guy I've met, but still, great Guy.

So dude, holy media blackout. Give me some Elysium, dammit! I wants me some not necessarily and alien movie action! I'm craving it! CRAVING IT! I re-watched District 9 again the other night. It's so good dude, I notice extra little bits each time.

Alright, that be it.

Have a good one!

D

Quick stuff

Fucking with brushes. Lunch over, apologies to other artsits, too numerous to name right now.

Uh, funny...uh...poo poo.

Doug

Lazy time bus sketche work

Lazy time. Yeah, right.

Dude, I have a message for Sharlto:

ALL THESE WORLDS
ARE YOURS EXCEPT
EUROPA
ATTEMPT NO
LANDING THERE
USE THEM TOGETHER
USE THEM IN PEACE

He should know this going into his next project. just saying, man. Also, stay away from bone throwing monkeys and monolith's.

Any ways, here some quick sketches and descriptions.

Top to bottom.

Random paint splatter. Ripping off Ashley Wood...poorly.

12 page story idea for Greg Broadmore's brilliant Lord Cockswain character. He gets swallowed by a sandworm thing.

The sandworm thing...farting for some reason, and some images for a puppet-ish flick I'd love to make one day. I was thinking it would be live action, shot like an old PBS special. It was odd. Basically the sun had it's head stolen years ago, which threw the world into darkness, then this crater faced little fella frees it and puts it back on the sun spirits body (after a long trek and battle). The sun returns and chases out the dark beasties that stole it's head in the first place. Then she (oh yeah, the sun's a gal) grants the little crater-faced guy immortality as the night watcher; he rises while she rests at night to make sure the beasties of darkness can't plot anything against her ever again (the sun reflecting off the moon).

Dumb quick squiddy things. I hate them. Also some panels for a quick D9 prequel thingy (involves some fungal zombie prawns, I listened! ;))

'Pappy' character sketches. This is one of my most compete stories in my mind, possibly my favorite of them. Although, I have one new one I like a little more...

END TRANSMISSION

DOUG

Poster Take 3

Neill, you don't need to say it. I know I nailed it.

The success of Avatar, plus your piggy viral, plus your Producer's vague comments (not necessarily an alien movie); it all adds up. Romantic Violent Sci Fi. Brilliant man, fucking brilliant. A new genre!

I'm hoping for a happy end, not one were the alien kid dies or alien 'wife' leaves Damon for a space general or whatever. That would be a downer.

Anyways, that's it man. Have a good one!

Doug

Elysium Poster Take 2

Neill, here's another poster I whipped up for you. It's missing a lot of the actors, but fuck, there's so many, and this is quick shit. This is fucking goulash, baby. Anyway, here's a collection of quotes from you and the media that lead to this current incarnation of the poster:

"I’ve got one science fiction idea that I’m absolutely in love with, which I’m pretty sure is going to be my next film. 99% sure…It’s totally original, it’s my own story…It’s set on another planet, but it’s cool. It’s violent, very violent, and very unique hopefully. We’ll see."

"it is science fiction and it has many sociopolitical ideas that interest me. Those ideas are wrapped up inside something that is like a Hollywood action film…The setting for the next film takes place 150 years from now. There are two cities that I’m choosing between. They would play as themselves. They are not in South Africa."

All we know about Elysium so far is that it is set at least 100 years in the future, features Jodie Foster as the head of state of an alien planet and Matt Damon as an ex-con. Is that some sort of prison gear binding Damon in these images? A viral video clip launched during Comic Con suggests some of the backstory for the film, possibly supporting rumors that a colonization project is part of the plot.

There are also a few rumors about the plot following a battle between an alien and human race for the right to colonize another planet. Mind you that's completely unconfirmed, but an interesting direction to say the least.

When South African film-maker Neill Blomkamp's strange new short went viral last month it prompted many questions: is this a clue to Blomkamp's mooted District 9 sequel? Or his forthcoming new sci-fi project Elysium? And is that a pig or a cat, or – gulp – a little bit of both? It said as much about contemporary movie marketing as it did about the director's creativity.

For those wondering, “Elysium” is actually a term used in Greek mythology for a section of the Underworld designated to heroes and other laudatory figures. The term has gone on to have connotations with “Paradise”.

I can’t tell you what the big themes are, but I can tell you that there are big themes. He’s someone who’s really interested in the world.

I can’t tell you about the content of Elysium but I can tell you, it won’t really be… it’s a very different movie than anything you’ve ever seen before. It’s not necessarily an alien movie.

All this adds up to; Nipple guns! I know it's true! Nipple guns are the shit dude, and that guy can pull this shit off.

Here's what I tried to get on the poster, but there was no room:

2 Amradyne factory workers and an incredibly tall wisecracking Crackbot must elude a nipple gun equipped drug dealing android.

Their only hope is to escape offworld, to an alien paradise.

Then things get fucking crazy.

That's it dude, I think I got it all in there. The pig thing? OH, FUCK! I forgot that damned pig thing from AGM Heartland...hey...how the fuck is that going to fit in this?Copley and Damon's inter-species lovechild? Hmmmnnn...I think I feel a new poster coming on.


Douglebutt

DANGER! GASOLINE!

Neill, I'm a child of the 90's. Don't get me wrong, I loved the 80's, lots of fond memories, and the decade that contains most of my favorite films. My aesthetic though, totally 90's. You can tell because of the 'Danger: Gasoline' lettering on the above skull..helmet...lawnmower...thing.

What is it? Shit if I know. I had a few minutes and needed to completely unwind. Been a while since I decompressed like I have been lately. Feels nice. I need to get moving though, lots to do. Of course, last night I saw a Facebook post from a friend that completely bummed me out. Nothing about the post, in fact it was a very nice and kind post, but about the other project I was working on. The project I could still be working on, because they offered a longer gig.

I had a tough choice to make, and after talking with my wife decided on the more long term job. I don't mind too much, I get to see my kids everyday, I enjoy being home, I was able to experience this awesome NW hot summer; but I still have a lot of regret. I was handed my dream job, and literally the kind of experience that I dream about. It was amazing.

That being said, I love my current job. It's also a dream job, and I have a shit ton of control. The first zombie game I pitched was in 1997. I've always been a Dawn of the Dead fan, since middle school, and never felt like people made zombie games right. There's a level of gore, fun cheese, fear, and emptiness that most games today just can't pull off. Maybe they're afraid of it. I don't know. Weird time in my life, man. It's too good, my regrets are not taking a dream job because I'm currently in a dream job.

I think I've used this analogy before (maybe even on here) but it's like I'm fucking Salma Hayek, but thinking about fucking Sofia Vergara.

I guess what I'm getting at; you could lessen the blow if you put me on some preliminary work for Chappy.

What?

Doug

PS-On a side note, Parents; tell your kids to be artists.

The Next Neill

Click the image

Neill, sup dog? I got someone who's nipping at your heels. I mean, he's not taking your job; you're all aliens and spaceships and he's all demons and robots. Totally different, but still...

Seriously though, man, this guy is really good. He's a lot like you; writer, director, sfx artist, illustration artist, modeler, family man, grill master, etc. Full package, man. Wait...why am I promoting this guy? He's totally going to take my job with you! Stay away Francisco! STAY AWAY!

No, I kid. Francisco's a super nice guy, arms dealer, and has amazing grace and skill while dumpster diving. One of those things is not true. One.

Check out more of Francisco's illustration work on his blog. Seriously, this guy is the real deal. Check his blog at: http://fruiz-fruiz.blogspot.com/

Sigh...everyone's talented but me.

Doug

Buk Wus? Buk Was? Bookwas? Bukwas? I'm ready to call the thing Wildman.
Neill! Sup chili-chonga dog? Dude, did you know that's a real thing? A Chili-Chonga Dog? It is, and I ate one. It was horribly good. What is it, well; a chili dog (bun and all) wrapped in a tortilla, fried, and covered in queso sauce. Don't roll you eyes at me! It's true, I have 'effing proof!

See?!? SEE?!? It's full of stars Neill, it's full of stars...or, maybe beans...and meat. At any rate, I ate the whole damned thing. ALL OF IT. I also had a great beer to wash it down (Manny's).

In other news, I think I know why I'm fat.

Any who, here's some sketches from that flick I want to try and shoot. I found lots of great locations over on the Olympic Peninsula where I grew up. I'm planning on a small practical prop for the longhouse entrance, and thinking I might be able to pull it off in my back yard.

It could work. The only thing stopping me from going all out on this thing is time. That and the sci-fi short I'm thinking about, that might actually be easier to shoot. Dan, dammit, it might be. I didn't say it was. Now lets not argue in front of Neill. Dan's gonna' be my cinematographer. He's goooood.

Well Neill, that's about all I gotz. Fuel has a special today that I'm debating to eat, and I need to focus on that.

Tell Copley, sorry for all the teasing. I really was just trying to troll him out of hiding. I'm guessing he's really stressed about preforming his love scene with Matt Damon. I would be too.

Dougwas

Toot my horn.

Neill, guess what. We released a screenshot of the game I'm working on. So...here it is.

Oh, and here's a tiny movie showing our day and night cycle: BOOYAH!

I owe a certain someone I worked for recently a big thanks for teaching me not to be afraid of color, and to adopt his love of light beams. Not to mention, how to have a back bone, and say what I want. If he's reading this, and he'll know who he is, thanks man. For everything. And I'm not lazy. Well...maybe a little lazy.

A big thanks to my amazing art team, you're doing amazing shit, there's only four of you, but you're making a world that rivals worlds made by teams of hundreds. You are all truly incredible. Especially with your ability to put up with my shit on a daily basis. Thanks so much.

To Jeff Stain, thanks for giving me this chance, I hope I'm doing you proud. And thanks for always having my back and supporting our compelling game location.

Thanks to the rest of you Undeaders for all you do as well. Even though I don't understand most of it.

Well Neill, that's it for today. Drink a beer, and have a good weekend.

Doug

Totemy

Neill, how goes it homefry? Seems like you've sequestered yourself away to work on the flick. I'm guessing those shots of Damon from the other week were his attempted escape photo's. He was trying to get away so that he could tear off his shock harness and go on a wild coke and whore bender with his new best buddy Copley.

That's right. I hate that you had to hear it from me, but Matt and Copley are...bromancing. Like hardcore bromance. Sorry. Trust me, he'll come back, Sharlto knows that you and him belong together. He'll be back. Just hang in there, and don't blame him; I mean, have you seen Matt Damon? My God, those teeth are gorgeous.

Anyway, here's another image from my short I'm hoping to make. I'm planning on cardboard tubes with spray on foam as a base for the totems, and them hot wire carving them. Off course painting and throwing on moss as well. In all I'm hoping for four or five practical totems, and the rest will be in matte paintings. Next up, the longhouse, which will be a practical door and faked exterior. The interior will be the pain in the ass to make.

Hope all is good, have fun making the movie (that 'have fun making the movie' has to be read in Billy Crytal's voice from The Princess Bride)!

Doug

Double Whammy

Dude, Neill, you must be busy as shit right now. I bet you get to check out this blog only like twice a day now. I'm guessing keeping Copley and Damon apart must be rough. I bet they're constantly getting into arguments about muscle cars and shit. You should have another credit on the film, babysitter. AmIright?

Well, this doesn't look so bad.
Oh.

Anyway, first of dude, let me talk about my current geek crush. I'm so in love with Troy Nixey's and Guillermo del Toro's Don't Be Afraid of the Dark right now. I mean, the original sort of fucked me up. Seriously, it's a film that isn't really gory, isn't really scary in a traditional horror film sense; but something about it really haunted me. So luckily GDT has decided to bring back the nightmares! Thanks...so....much.

I know, right? But trust me, they're scary!

But the thing is, now it's well thought out, and even has a back story about the creatures and where they came from. I can't recommend this book enough. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: Blackwood's Guide to Dangerous Fairies is awesome. Beautiful illustrations by Nixey, a fun story and a background on some nasty fairy beasties. I really love it and recommend it, even if you don't want to see the film, I think you should pick this book up. It's why I sketched the above fairy pupa. I want to draw it's several forms, the life cycle of a fairy.

It's so fucking good.

I love that Guillermo trusted a first time director with something he wrote. You have to have some balls to do that. Those balls are also why I'm amazingly excited for Pacific Rim, can you imagine what somebody like GDT will do with a Kaiju film? Holy fuck, it's going to be great!

"My dick is this big when it's limp. You should see the balls; enormous!"

Now, on to you, I see you found a way to keep Damon's rage issues in check. I'm guessing that this contraption he's wearing shocks him and locks up when he starts to go berserk. You're a smart man my friend, at some point you'll have to tell me how you got it on him.

SHOCK! SHOCK! SHOCK!

Ah ha, I also see you employ blow jobs to keep him relaxed. You have thought of everything. Good show, ol' chap!

Anyways, have a great time filming, I'm sure it'll be stressful, but I have no doubt the end result will be fantastic.

Doug

Johnny Come Lately

Neill! Sup dood? Look, real art that's fresh and new! I'm making a few key frames for the short film I want to make. This might be a bit yellow and too magical, but as a stand lone piece I kind of like it. I'll probably mist it up and go darker and wetter with it later.

So, dude, I want to make sure you know; I was here first. Of course, now that you have a kick ass viral flick for Elysium, and Matt Damon (don't hit me) running around bald and badass looking (ps, "Well maybe you're a shitty cameraman", Ha ha ha, you are my hero. Don't hit me.), suddenly everyone wants to praise your genius. Like Glen Schaefer over at The Province. The whole story is here. Well, Glen decided to grab a bunch of people who probably only held you back, but now are all "Oh, I love Neill, he's soooo smart!" I mean look at these quotes:

“We loved watching him work because he was so quick and so inventive, and of course he was fun,” says Marianne O’Reilly

“Neill is a stand-out unique talent. Elysium is coming from him, he wasn’t handed a script,” she says.

O’Reilly says no-one who knew Blomkamp was surprised at the success of his first feature.

“He’s definitely kept me in the loop as to what’s happening with the new project the whole way through,” says Clarke. “A lot of it was just: ‘I’m still writing, I’m still writing.’ The guy is extremely focused.”

Hey kids, here's the bandwagon, feel free to jump on. I don't care if they knew you first, did they start any websites devoted only to you? Do they write you poetry about you? Do they teach classes on 'how to paint Neill Blomkamp the Neill Blomkamp way'? Do they have a lovely shrine for you that gets a weekly goat sacrificed to it for your continued success (should it be daily?)?



No. No. No. No. No. They didn't and Don't. All they did was talk to their buddy Glen and 'poof' suddenly they're your best friends who always knew you'd succeed.

So don't forget who did all that for you Neill. Don't forget.

So....how are things otherwise?

Doug

Quick update...

Uh...so, hey Neill. How's it going?

Uh, hey, remember when I was making all those Matt Damon jokes and shit? Yeah, could you make sure he knows they were jokes? If he plans on kicking the shit out of me; I really value my drawing hands and eyes, so if he is going to beat the fuck out of me, could he maybe just do body shots? Please?

Actually, I didn't even write those things about Damon. I...I did approve them, but...uh...this fella' Peter Fries wrote them. Great writer. Doesn't need his eyes like I do.

Ok, thanks bye.

Doug

Copley fans! Be on the lookout!

Copley and his favorite disguise; it works!

Duuuuuuude! It's finally starting! Fuck, yeah!! Neill, congrats man. I recently read here that you'll be shooting sometime near the end of July in Vancouver. Dude, that's some exciting shit!

That of course means Sharlto is going to be around! So lock up your children, we know that they are a giants favorite food! Ha ha, Copley, I kid, I kid.

Artist depiction of Copley with his favorite snack!

Seriously though, if you are a big Copley fan and in Vancouver, keep an eye out for him, he's not easy to miss. Also, he probably be sporting a shiner that Matt Damon gave him. Just look for the taaaalllll guy.

Newspaper image of Copley in a crowd, can't miss him!

Also, he loves to swim, so check for him at local pools as well. Little known fact; Copley actually has gills like Kevin Costner in Waterworld. It's true! That's how he won all those South African swimming medals.

Sharlto is sometimes used by the Navy to rescue trapped submariners!

Well, can't wait man, so excited for you. Have fun.

Doug

Cell Goblins!

HOLY SHIT! Neill, did you see this? It's a fucking cell goblin! I always questioned if these guys existed, but now we have proof! Some camera that still captures scan lines randomly captured an image of one!

These fuckers mess with a our cell reception. Cause lots of dropped calls. AT&T has a two thousand dollar bounty per goblin. Make some decent cash, if you can catch them. I always wondered if they existed, now we know!

I mean, I sort of believed in them all along, why else would you not have called me. I'm guessing it was one of these fucknuts. Whooo. That's a load off. I was beginning to think you didn't want hot oil massages and mai tai's together. I mean, at the very least I expected a call to grab a coffee at a Tim Horton's, or maybe hang at Applebee's. Onion blossom at Outback Steakhouse? We don't have to choose now, there's plenty of delicious restaurants to pick.

Well dude, I'm share they scared that sunuvabitch off, so I'm sitting by the phone. Any minute now.


Any minute.


Anyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy time, you want....


Any time.



Sigh.



Doug