Grim Happy Outtakes (ILMO El Sr. Muerto)

Here are some early shots and outtakes from the photographic story of Christmas Gnomes from the original 2001 version of The Grim Happy Christmas  --- with a special tribute to the late great El Sr. Muerto:

In 2001 the part of the villain in The Grim Happy Christmas was played by a chain smoking Day of the Dead character (who was known to always play his roles with a sombrero and a cactus backdrop).

This scene (above) taken on a wet rainy day in Seattle and from the original book was redone for the 2011 version with a different actor. The original actor, I believe is listed on IMDB as the late El Sr. Muerto.

Above is an early unused behind-the-scene photograph of Red Hob and El Sr. Muerto preparing for their photo shoot in 2001. Red Hob is getting into character here as the loveable hero, while El Sr. Muerto sticks up his chin looking for the right balance of macabre and machismo.

In this outtake, Red Hob, who is supposed to be scared witless, can't help but laugh as El Sr. Muerto gives him Marty Feldman eyes. Sadly the two were unable to reunite for the newer version, since El Sr. Muerto had fallen apart some years previous in a fit of loco.

And, finally, above is a dramatic take from the early photos used in the 2001 version of this tale as only the great El Sr. Muerto could achieve. While below, in 2011, The Grim Happy Christmas (new version) cast, was honored, to have a new yet seasoned actor playing the role of the sinister villain, and we offer this small blurry outtake from the new photography as a small preview.

Spooky Glow - 1920's Style

I thought I should post some of the new stuff that is in production now in the Bindlegrim studios, that I hope to have done for this year's 6th Annual Halloween Trunk Show in Denver... with some vintage style products.

Did I mention I absolutely love old paper lanterns? There is something about the 2D panel design in combination with the thought process of a 3D construction (with the ability to lay flat for storage, or fold out via connecting pieces during display).

I'm in the prototyping phase right now with some new tools that are allowing me to create some of my own imagery, utilizing my studies of the shape and configuration of vintage items. I am definitely in a "getting to know you" phase with these tools, and if I can get this to work with fewer flaws and challenges, in the end, then I think I will have to post something on my experience. In the meantime, the enjoyment of the spooky glow is keeping me going!

These images are part of the "works in progress" gallery on flickr:

第1ゴーストラジオ

More mysterious images drifitng across the air from ghost radio (part one):

Future site: www.girabbe.com

and currently on myspace: www.myspace.com/girabbe

For more animation peaks of the ghost radio (part one) project see:
http://bindlegrim.blogspot.com/search/label/girabbe

Ghost Radio - A Skeleton Mechanical

Continuing work on animated visuals for the song Ghost Radio Part 1 (for girabbe).

For the video, I believe I have finally found a stride on the creation process - and am having fun now developing some decidedly bizarre mechanical denizens for the song. (As the musical artist put it to me, roughly translated here, this part (one) of the song is about a journey into the darkest part of the forest and the sights there). And I believe this strangely creepy mechanical device might fit right in:

(Just a note on the elements - this curious device is composed of an old vintage Skeleton wind up tin toy, old stereo equipment from the 1920's, and the background is a portion of a photo that was taken of an interior from the California ghost town, Bodhi).

Odd? Well, this project is an obvious departure from the all-ages audience of the most recent book project - "The Pumpkin Dream: A Cautionary Tale" and delves back into the worlds of Dada, and the Surrealist method of autonomic creation - to surprise even myself by what appears at the end of the process. Someday I'll have to upload more of that "fine art" - part of which is viewable on the wobblebox arts website in the category of drawing, for example:

Accordionist Swallowing a Dancer with his Music (pen/pencil sketch circa 1980s)

So as for now, not even I know what strange creatures will be along the haunted travels through Ghost Radio Part One... the journey continues... and I hope you too enjoy the surprises.