What's goin' 'round the studio

Hello everybody!

Spring (and pollen) is in the air so I wanted to update on the projects I'm working on right now and in the coming months. Lots of cool stuff going on for sure. As usual with my work, non disclosures and confidentialities keep me from a) posting some really sweet art and b) keep me from announcing the names/companies of the projects until after they are released in theaters or on shelves. Needless to say, the past year has been a crazy one and I have a ton of new work to show *eventually* :-) I'll be redesigning my website once I can get around to it. It needs a facelift and what I have in mind should blow the current one away! Stay tuned. I'll be announcing it once it's live.

As far as particulars:
1- I'm tying up a couple of illustration projects that have been ongoing for the last few weeks and will be done next week.

2 - This week I accepted a new film offer to do storyboards and also a movie poster. I'm really jazzed and excited to get rolling on this project! It's a horror film and of course I love horror films.

3 - I'm in negotiations with a new entertainment company to do storyboards and conceptual artwork for their films/properties. As it looks now, I'll be starting this around the end of May and will be working on it into the summer.

4 - I still continue to produce storyboards, animatics, and conceptual artwork for video games and this is a great outlet and opportunity for creative endeavors as well.

5 - My own film....Well as mentioned, it's on the backburner. I just can't seem to get a chance to do it right now because of all the illustration but it's still on the table. Hopefully I'll get to it this year. As it's a lobor of love, I'm in no hurry and have no particular schedule set. I just want to do it right when I do it.

6 - My agents continue to get me some good projects and opportunities, and I never know what's going to come down the pipe with them :-).

7 - I just wrapped up some storyboards for a couple of tv commercial spots for Boulevard Films up in Charlotte. They are great people to work with and I look forward to do so again in the future.

*Having said all of this, I'm always in the market for new projects so don't be turned away because of my schedule. If you have a storyboarding or illustration need, give me a call or email! I love speaking with you about your projects and always try to be accomodating and competative in the marketplace :-).

Well, that's about it for now. I'll write more later.......

Craig

Yet another interview link

Here's a new intervew hot off the presses from Carolina Flicks. Thought you might enjoy it! http://www.carolinaflicks.com/.

Craig

New interviews and where to see 'em!

Hi all!

I wanted to update my blog with a couple of new interviews I just completed.

The first is for www.cinemATL.com. I will be featured in the "Insider's Scoop" section of their site soon. They asked me to write an article on storyboarding and the role storyboards play in film development. The link is - http://www.cinematl.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=297&Itemid=26.

Also, I recently completed a television interview for a show here in North Carolina called "Second Cinema". The show covers NC filmmaking and is hosted by Hilary Russo and produced by Josh Johnson and Matthew Hayhurst. It's a fantastic show and 2006 Telly Award Winner. My interview will air in the month of Feb. with first air on Feb. 2nd. We covered lots of cool information my studio and on producing storyboarding, concept art, animation, video games, advertising, etc. for a livin'. Please check your local cable listings for times and channels in your area. Check it out if you can!

Second Cinema's site is - http://secondcinemadirectory.blogspot.com/

Things are busy as usual and I have a number of exciting new projects being discussed and scheduled out. I'll let 'ya know what they are as I can release information. Confidentiality and Non Disclosure Contracts ya' know....

More later!

Craig

2006 quick year in review

Howdy!

Well.....I thought I'd better, jump in before the holidays (and my next project kicks in) to just kinda' soak in the crazy year. It's been a fantastic one, and I am extremely honored to have made so many new friends/clients and have to have been given the chance to be a part of so many cool project this past year!! I am working in a lot of arenas of entertainment illustration, from Major feature films, to indy films, to advertising, to web art to video game development and this coming year looks to be even more productive and exciting. I have a number of projects either in the beginning stages, or upcoming soon as well as shooting my first film hopefully around Springtime. Lots to do and get in order before that starts as far as pre-production.

A few of the projects I've been involved with include:

"The Strangers" feature film starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman for Paramount Pictures/Rogue Pictures. (Big thanks to Brian Bertino, Sonny Mallhi and Thom Busch. You guys are awesome! Thanks for hiring me to do my favorite work in the whole world, storyboards. I hope we can work togeather again really soon.)

"One Tree Hill" for the CW television network. (Thanks to my buddies Alan, Bill, and Mark who always do a killer job on my favorite show! Thanks for hiring me and letting me do my thing on my favorite show!)

"The Way of War" feature film for Capital City Pictures. (Great guys to work with)

Various video games in various stages of development.

"Storyboards: Motion in art, 3rd edition" by Mark Simon has been released. It includes some of my work so check it out when you're at the bookstore.

Anyhow, I need to keep it short and sweet this year with the year end wrap, but here's looking ahead to a happy, fulfilling, challenging, and sucessful 2007!

Merry Christmas and hope you all have a happy New Year!!!

Carrboro Film Festival

I just finished my duties as a judge on the blue ribbon panel for the 1st ever Carrboro Film Festival. www.carrborofilmfestival.com. It was great fun! Congrats to all the winners. It was a hard choice as there was a lot of great talent. Remember to support your local filmmakers!!

Craig

Around the studio update

Hi all!

Well its been a little while since my last post. I took some time off to take care of some things around home, and kinda let the blog go for a bit. Also since it's the holiday season things are getting a little hectic with work schedules/shopping/more shopping. Now I'm back in the swing and wanted to post a little update.

1 - I'll be updating my official site soon. A major rehaul is in order and I can't wait to get it online. The site as it is now was designed for temporary use and not to be permanent. So I'll be sure to post the news when the new site is up. Look out for tons of new art!!!

2 - I'm going to try and get some more sketches up on my sketchblog asap. If you haven't already, make sure to bookmark it as well. you will find the link in my links section. The sketchblog site is where I go to do work and post 'for fun'. No clients, no dealines, no perimeters.

3 - Project wise, I have some really interesting things brewing as the year comes to a close and exciting new news to tell, however I'll have to keep you in suspense until a later point ;-). Look for future updates.

4 - I want to take this opportunity to introduce my newest agent *411 Creatives* (www.411creatives.com) that will be assisting in marketing and promoting my work worldwide to the film and television community. 411 Creative represents the finest film and television artists in the world and I am honored to be a part of their artists roster. The caliber of the talent they have is amazing. We will be entering in a non-exclusive arrangement and am extremely excited to have them on board as well as be on board with them! I am looking forward to big things from this relationship for both sides. The staff there is both extremely cool and very happy to speak with you about your project needs. Of course as always, you can contact me directly as well and I am happy to give you estimates and availability updates and book projects personally.

I will be writing my annual 'year in review' post in a few weeks so make sure to come back and check it.

I think that's it for now! I'll write more soon!

Craig

New blogs and an update

Hi everyone!

I have a couple of bit of info to pass on -

1- I have 2 new blogs sites.

The first is http://www.filmshotsstudio.com/blog/ which is a mirror blog of this blogger site, but just under the umbrella of Film Shots. Use which ever one you prefer. I will update both of the blogs with the latest news around the studio, so if you prefer Blogger, keep using it. If you prefer the Film Shots blog from my site, feel free to use that one. Basically, what happened is the Blogger one was my first one and I started this one before I had my official website, then once I got my website I decided to have my blog through my own site. Then...after thinking about it, I decided I'd keep both of them going so people don't get confused as to where to go to get the latest information on my work. Plus more sites doubles my hits, and gets my work in front of more people, so marketing played a part in my decision as well.

The other new site is my new sketchblog. It's basically a place for me to publish some of my sketches and what I do when I'm not doing commercial work. It's a rare occasion these days that I have a chance to do my own work, so I thought it would be fun to share it! The address is - http://sketchblogery.blogspot.com/. Enjoy!

2 - My production update: Just completed or ongoing -

1 - Character design, set, and prop design for a video game
2 - Animation storyboards
3 - Live action storyboards for CW Network’s “One Tree Hill” episodes 401-402-403

I am sending out job bids a a brisk pace and there are so many cool projects to work on! Fun stuff all. I’ll update as things come in.

That’s it for now, but keep checkin’ back for new developments.

Later!

Craig

My inspiration

Some of you may wonder..

Where does a storyboard artist, concept artist, illustrator type guy come from?...

I submit for your perusal......

Craig

New Logo

Quote o the day

Quote ‘o the day…



::: Richard Avedon :::
I do dream about art, and images come to me in dreams. I am definitely hoping to be in touch with my subconscious. I expect a call any minute.


C ‘ya!

Craig

Production Update 5/10/06

Production Update 5/10/2006

1) I am currently working on an unannounced motion picture. Pre-visualization starts this week, and will continue through the summer most likely. It’s a fantastic film, and one I am very excited to be a part of!! Details and information on this project to be released at a later date….


2) I am producing concept illustration/pre-production for 2 unannounced video games that are in the very early stages and will be ongoing for upcoming months.


3) Work will resume on my personal project in the next few weeks. 1st as a comic book story, which will later be used as pre-production art for a short film. Look for more info on this in upcoming blogs as well.


More later!


Craig




    

Press release...released :-)

My studio has a news blurb on the internet. Here is the original message….

PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



"Pre-Visual Art Studio Bridges The Gap Between Entertainment Industries"

Hillsborough, NC – With the continuous and ever apparent merging and crossing over of story and visual art content in the motion picture, television, comic book, and video game industries; there is a growing need for creative out-sources that can move comfortably and smoothly between the various industries and provide a ‘medium’ for the various art departments to enhance their pre-production process. The ever growing popularity of major fantastical films such as the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Spiderman 2”, “The Matrix”, and “King Kong”, as well as television shows such as NBC’s “Surface”, and even teen dramas such as WB’s “One Tree Hill” and Fox’s “OC”, are turning more and more to pre-visual art sources for storyboarding, concept art, character development and design, illustration, and matte painting to save production dollars and time before committing to film, tape, or digital video. Video games are growing up as well, and are now competing financially and creatively in the major markets for the entertainment consumers. As such, the creative teams are also increasingly relying on the talents of pre-visual artists to plant the creative sparks to launch and bring to life their titles, initially relying heavily on storyboards, illustration and character development for fuel. Titles such as “Stranger’s Wrath” from EA Games, and “The Mark of Kri” from SCEA illustrate the needs for creative content in the interactive games arena. The cross pollination of characters (i.e. “Spiderman” in film, TV, comic books, and video games) into different forms of entertainment, requires artists who are increasingly aware and
educated in the different needs and procedures of various creative outlets. Producers, directors, and editors agree: Pre-visual art saves time and money for productions that are constantly trying to find ways to stay in the ‘black’ because of special effects, high actor salaries, and the day-to-day costs of doing business in the competitive creative marketplace.

To help supply the increasing demand for pre-visual art worldwide, Film Shots Studio was realized. Officially started in 2005, it is the home base studio for artist Craig Gilmore, a 17 year veteran of the film, TV, animation, advertising, video game and comic book illustration industries. Film Shots is quickly carving an impressive creative name in the Pre-viz art world with clients such as NBC/Universal, Warner Brothers television, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Cartoon Network,
Sony, Turner Entertainment, and Capital City Entertainment. “Companies want to save money, and the way to do that is to have a studio like ‘Film Shots’ to help with the creative workload, and provide the creative expertise in the subject matter and storytelling. Suprisingly, there aren’t that many studios out there that concentrate on pre-visualization artwork alone. Most studios, try to be a ‘jack of all trades to help spread out their work, but my approach is to concentrate on what I am good at and supply the same useful artwork too many different industries rather than many types of art to one single industry. It’s proven to be an extremely successful formula for my work. Good directors always see the finished film before they shoot it. That is where storyboards and concept art for example are extremely helpful. It helps the director to ‘see’ and solidify their vision.” When asked about Film Shot’s geographic location of Hillsborough, NC, based away from the entertainment epi-centers of Hollywood and New York, Gilmore replied “With today’s technology, FTP and high speed secure internet, I work with companies anywhere in the world. I can upload artwork and get it to a company or director almost instantaneously for approvals. With air travel these days, I can, and do travel for on site meetings, reference and location shoots, with the directors/staff if needed. I like the fact that I can live in such a small, sleepy town atmosphere and at the same time, enjoy the fast lane of entertainment art without physically being there. I love my work and I love the career direction that Film Shots provides: Storyboards, concept, illustration, painting, and even the occasional animation.”

The official site for Craig Gilmore and Film Shots Studio is www.filmshotsstudio.com.

-###-

New production update 4/7/06

New production update 4/7/06

Just finished this week are 2 projects for the production “One Tree Hill” on WB….

1. Storyboards as mentioned in previous blog

1. Production Illustration

More to come later………


Craig

Production updates 3/30/06

Production updates 3/30/06


I’m working on some really cool new stuff at the moment!

I’m continuing to build the momentum and effect of Film Shots in the entertainment industries this year, and working on more and more exciting projects!

1. Currently, I’m in the middle of a storyboard project for WB television’s “One Tree Hill”, which is very satisfying personally. I’ve not missed an episode since season 1, so contributing creatively to the show is a blast!


2. I am also in the early phases of storyboard and concept illustration for an unannounced upcoming short feature film, which is to make the major indy circuits soon.


3. My comic book story is still ‘on the table’ so to say, although lately with my contractual work, it has been more ‘under or next to the table’ (. Hopefully, I will be able to get to it again in the near future, as it will also serve as storyboards when I go into production in the short film version I’ll shoot at a later point when my schedule allows.


4. I’m in the very early stages of pre-viz illustration and character animation on another video game title to be released in the future.

Well, That’s it for now! Keep checking in with me, and gimmie a call for all of your pre-viz needs!!

Craig


“A Man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?"
Alexander Pope

    

OFFICIAL SITE LIVE!

FILM SHOTS STUDIO OFFICIAL SITE NOW LIVE!

Hi!

Just a quick note to let you know that my 'official' site is now live! WWW.FILMSHOTSSTUDIO.COM. Of course I'll be updating it regularly and tweaking it, but it’s out there. You can also still visit my other portfolio/availability sites www.shootfolio.com/craiggilmore/, and www.flickfolio.com/craiggilmore/. Look forward to working with you in the future, and I hope you enjoy the site!!

Sincerely,

Craig Gilmore
Film Shots Studio

The new year is off to a big start!!

The new year is off to a big start!

Well, as I thought, the new year has opened with extremely exciting projects!!

I am currently working on pre-production artwork for a film for Capital City Entertainment in Washington, DC. More info to come as it is released.

Just finished an illustration job for Barnes Design Group.

Fielding many other calls for storyboard and concept illustration work for very interesting projects.  One in south Africa, the other in Sweden.

I am also completing more concept work for Redstorm Entertainment on various video game projects. More to come as it is released.

Well, that it for now!

Craig

Year End Reflection

End of the year update……


Hi Everyone!

With the holiday season quickly approaching and the new year about to start, I thought I’d write and post a little thanks to all of my wonderful new/repeat clients, my agents Artist Logic in LA, and all my lovely wife, family and friends who have been so supportive and reflect on the year that was 2005.

Business wise, this has been a fantastic year for my studio, as I picked up several new clients, and continued to produce work for established ones as well! The direction of my studio has been steadily taking me in the exciting direction of advertising, film, and TV. Projects, such as “Surface” for NBC/Universal, and other independent film work in North Carolina have kept the creative gears turning. I still have been producing a lot of successful work in the video game industry as well with the “Ghost Recon: Summit Strike” for Xbox, and after the first of the year, “Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter” for the new Xbox 360 console. Also, many advertising jobs in a storyboarding and illustration role have, and continue to open up for me here on the east coast as well as in LA. All are very exciting!!

Looking forward to 2006, I’m already bidding, and in discussions with a number of large projects in motion pictures, and these look to kick off the new year in grand style! 2006 is looking to continue to build Film Shots Studio’s reputation as one of the premiere pre-visual studios on the east coast with no end in sight. I’m very excited at the possibilities! I’ll also be starting another new project for the video game industry, as well as my new story that I’ll be writing and illustrating for the comic book industry. My inclusion in Mark Simon’s “Storyboards: Motion in art: 3rd edition” will be out in 2006 and will be a fantastic source for anyone interested in learning about or persuing a career in Storyboards. I worked up a number of art pieces for the book so check it out when it comes out.

In closing, a quote and a hope……

“If you want to know how to do a thing you must first have a complete desire to do that thing. Then go to kindred spirits -- others who have wanted to do that thing -- and study their ways and means, learn from their successes and failures and add your quota. Thus you may acquire from the experience of the race. And with this technical knowledge you may go forward, expressing through the play of forms the music that is in you and which is very personal to you.”
~ Robert Henri

I hope the coming year will find you all in peace, tranquility, happiness, love, and fulfilling persuits. My all of your dreams come true. Happy Holidays everybody!!!

Craig

     

New interview on Gamasutra.com

New interview on Gamasutra!

My latest interview. This one is for the video game industry!

You can find the interview here - http://www.gamasutra.com/galleries/visual_art/craig_gilmore/index.htm

Enjoy!

Craig Gilmore

New project

Hi! Just putting the finishing touches on my newest project: concept illustration for TBWA Chiat/Day Advertising. Very cool project! I'll post more info later!

I'm also starting a small personal 2d cell animation project with two comic book buddies of mine. With some major comic characters..... will keep you posted on this as well.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday!

More later!

Craig

Been a little while since my last post....

Hi all!

Sorry for the delay in my posts. Things have been pretty busy around my studio "Film Shots". Mostly fielding calls and supplying quotes, setting up advertising and promotion etc. You know....buisness stuff. Anyway, things are still moving along as I...

1) have a new independant film project upcoming that wants me to do some boards and a possible DVD cover illustration for. That would be cool, and a *get back to the illustration roots* project would be fun!

2) In stores soon will be "Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter" for the Xbox 360. I did a lot of boards and concepting for this project so pick up a copy when you can.

3) working on my comic book story as time allows. Im in the layout stage at this point. hoping to produce some finished work after the holidays.

4) Other odd projects. 'Lil bit 'o this, 'lil bit 'o that....

If you have a chance to pick up the latest issue of "Reel Carolina" you will see they are running an ad for my studio. Its a great magazine on fillm and tv production in North Carolina.

I'm putting the finishing touches on a new interview. This time it's for "NC Flix". I'll post it once it's published.

Ill update more as it comes in.