Nine Short Films in Search of a Venue

The first, Brockhouse, is a remake of the first animation I ever tried, I think, and Weary Gandalf a remake of what could well be the second. Both from my own drawings. Master Belmok's muzzle somewhat degenerates into a huge nose.

Thumbnail Theater: Second Showing

Thumbnail Theater: Eight Short Animations

I basically have two instructions when dialing these up: No Talking (unless I specify some phrases; those automatically supplied tend to be overdramatic and uninspired) and No Twinkly Magic Effects (unless specified; again, the program leans to overkill). Otherwise, I usually just like to see what happens, though sometimes (like the Book Grim and his cheese) I do direct the action a little. Most boring animation? Godfather Death. Eekus turned out unexpectedly 'squamous.' I wonder if anyone else was as traumatized by him as I was at seven?

Lovely Ladies: AI Animations

All here (except for Jennifer Kale) are my own creations, enhanced of course beyond any of my skill for portraying beauty. Edna Yorke has her own special beauties of personality. Couldn't quite get the prim little throat-clearing I was aiming for. Jennifer Kale was one of my icons of beauty for years; I only found out decades later that they had made her (reveled her to have always been?) gay.

Tolkien Tuesday: An Official Announcement

After a month of good intentions (I even made this AI depiction of the healing of Faramir, a scene sadly lacking in LOTR illustration - Eowyn gets the spotlight in the Houses of Healing) I must confess that the Summer Hiatus is upon me. It seems to happen every year. A time of indolent doldrums that forbids any 'homework,' no matter how delightful. Come fall, the urge will stir again, and I'll take up the tale. Someday, if I'm spared, I'll get to the conclusion. Until then - "Autumn is the time for telling of tales, in Summer, 'tis off to the beach." But I will try keep dedicating Tuesday to Tolkien-themed matter.

Oak Tree Tea?

I suddenly had the brilliant idea to illustrate my poem Oak Tree Tea (see elsewhere on this blog). But I rather thoughtlessly wrote in the prompt 'In the style of a children's book illustration.' It produced the third picture first, and while I tried to refine it into a more mature mode, Chat GPT seemed to have it stuck in its mechanical mind that this is what it should be. Not bad, but not what I imagined it could be. Back to the old electronic brain.

 

New AI Animations

I think my favorite of this bunch is Samuel Frobisher. I forget exactly what my prompt was, something like "doesn't speak but gives a little sigh of disappointment" which I think Grok delivered beyond my expectations Frobisher lives! My second choice had to be the charge of Morg Ages.