Seriously, more people should use Trello. Whether you're a commissioner, artist, person leading a project (like me), whatever. This is one piece of advice I learned in my research about the value of developing a Trello page for a project, and it will pay dividends. I am 1k miles away from my home but I have practically all of what I need on my Trello since I did a bunch of the legwork already.

I thought Trello was a joke at first, just some fancy-smancy way to stay organized, but let me tell you... I was horribly, horribly wrong.

I have poured hours into it, nay, days (if you added up all the hours); and there is still so much more work that I need to put into it to keep myself organized for my visual novel. I have notes written down in my sketchbook, on my phone, on my iPad, and on my desktop and Trello has forced me to put them all together on one board for easier access. Let me tell you something about me: I'm the kind of person that procrastinates, but when I start something, I am on a roll and then I don't want to stop. Trello's way of organizing kind-of puts you in that 'gung-ho' mode.

It is going to continue to be of immeasurable use to both myself and everyone that works on this project, so that everyone involved - everyone - has access to whatever they need, when they need it.

"Hey Ezzleo..."

Can I learn more about the character's background a little? Shabam, there's the character info cards.

Oh, what do I need to do for that character's facial expressions? Boom, 'tis there.

Oh, what kind of beach scene for this background shot? Boom, also there.

What about the music, the soundtrack? Yep.

GUI/Interface? Affirmative.

Website? Yep.

What kind of stretch goals were you thinking about for _______________ (insert character, bg, cg, whatevs) I'm doing it all. And will be color coded.

...

.....

.......Do yourself a favor, especially if you are an artist, and make yourselves a Trello. Now.

By the by, if you don't hear from me again soon , I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Might hold a raffle, but no promises (especially since so soon after the last one). I'm off to have dinner with family here soon.

If you were a part of my raffle not too long ago, you would know I'm creating one.

Thanks again to those that participated in the raffle by the way; all that information from the surveys is one of the earliest steps I'm taking as this project moves forward.

I'm excited to continue going forward with this, and this journal will serve as a personal reminder to myself to keep taking risks, and to keep moving forward. Enough with talking; more doing.

--Basic story outline is written. No major dialogue yet, but I have a close person to me with extensive creative writing background.
--Music is 99% completed--just want to commission one more track for the OST.
--Main character sprite artist is decided, and she did an amazing concept. Excited to be working and moving forward with her.
--In discussion with a small indie company that will do the backgrounds. More expensive that'll I was planning, but the quality is stellar and I believe in the saying "you get what you pay for."
--The Renpy GUI interface should t be too much of a challenge: found a reasonable person to work with when I'm ready for it.
--A Renpy programmer will be a bit harder to find, though I've found two promising candidates.
--Voice acting... Not sure if I will do that since this will be an eroge.

Working on a Trello board for this project.

Oh and I also have a card game still in the works...

Just finished watching Episode 1.

And I have to say my initial thoughts are that I love everything about it -- the tone, the amount of character development, the overall setting, the relationships.... Everything is stellar so far. I mean, the sheer amount of character development they managed to pull off in this ONE episode is simply mind-boggling. Some shows can't even give you that much in a whole season, let alone one episode.

Also, I just love the entire atmosphere of the show. I really feel the dread in Jessica's heart. I feel like I'm inside her soul, and we haven't even personally seen the Purple Man yet. But his presence and his breadcrumbs here and there are like an immense weight, dragging you down, making this show feel so claustrophobic. I don't know how the creators were able to pull off such a great feeling, but its there.

Plus, its again refreshing to have this on Netflix, as its darker, and takes the time it needs doing what it wants to do. Lets the characters be real people, not shells. There's drinking, swearing, sex, and it all just works. There's not someone behind the scenes pulling the strings to keep this show in "safer" territory. It just all feels right.

As I write all this I have to tell you; I feel on-edge. I seriously do. I'm not making this shit up. I honestly feel like a show has never really made me feel so worried for a lead character in just the first episode. But this one does. And it will to you, if you watch it. The hype for this show up to now is real. The claustrophobic angle and PTSD symptoms Jessica feels will resonate with you -- a lot. And the twists and turns that this show throws at you left and right will keep you even more glued to your seat, as if you weren't already.

Also, hell of a cliffhanger ending. I kinda felt it was too 'neat and tidy' as it was wrapping up, and then that happens.



...I need to run some errands now since this is my first day off from work in the last 12 days and I pulled almost 60 hours this week alone, so I need to get some stuff done. But make no mistake. I'm going to marathon the shit out of this later tonight. And you should too.

Hi everyone,

I decided to use a random number generator, to decide the winners.

There ended up being 43 people eligible for prizes, and I want to thank each and every one of you for filling out the survey -- it will really help me get an idea of the audience I have for a visual novel, and gave me some important data on prices, project ideas, etc.

Here are the winners:

1st -- Ticket #15 --  globusak

2nd -- Ticket #33 --  iarann

3rd -- Ticket #28 --  slimytongues

Once again, thank you to everyone who was a part of this. I hope you'll try again if I do another raffle in the future, like when I hit 100k pageviews, or perhaps when I launch this project.

I will keep you all informed!

**Winners -- I will contact you privately soon!

This will be the last warning to any who wish to enter my raffle with $100 up for grabs!

No more images or journals will be sent out. Less than 60 minutes to go... no excuses!!

All details are in previous journal! https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7165440/

P.S. All my prayers are with the people of Paris, and thus, all of France as well.

Last chance to enter!

All details are in previous journal! https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7165440/

**UPDATE: THIS RAFFLE IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED. THANK YOU.

As promised, I am holding a raffle for hitting 75k pageviews. Survey to be eligible for prizes involves answering questions about visual novels. It is 10 questions and shouldn't take up more than 2-3 minutes of your time. If you don't know what a visual novel is, you can learn more here: http://rockmandash12.kinja.com/the-.....els-1541975662 (my visual novel will be classified as an eroge since it will contain NSFW content). It helps if you know what visual novels are before answering.

How to Enter:
1) Fill out survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DH2T22C making sure the FA name you submit is the SAME one you use here.

2) Once finished, comment here (on THIS journal) with "Survey completed!" and I will verify that you've submitted. You will then receive a ticket number. That's all you need to do.

Prizes:
1st -- $50
2nd -- $35
3rd -- $15

Deadline:
Friday, November 13th, @ 10pm EST

**Winners will be chosen after survey has been closed on Friday, November 13th, at approximately 10:30pm EST. I will either privately use a RNG to decide winner OR will publicly stream the winner being chosen using some other method. Either way, it will be up to my discretion.**

Thank you to all of you who take the time to do this, it means a lot, as it will help me as I continue to develop my visual novel!

P.S. If you do NOT include your FA name with the survey, it will be deleted and you will have to resubmit.

Hit F5 for refresh.


That time of the year to use my Halloween icon. :D

The following was in regards to the image I posted in scraps debating the use of ads -- in a heartfelt and constructive way. I guess FA doesn't allow for freedom of expression to show that we don't like what they do. So yeah, don't complain about FA. Don't post negative things about FA. Don't do anything against FA. You will be warned and threatened with suspension or permanent expulsion.

"Unfortunately, your content has been removed because it violates our rules which state:


“Acceptable Upload Policy: Section 4.1 Screenshots of applications, copyrighted content (movies, tv shows, etc), or websites are prohibited, unless showcasing new, original, user-created content (models, textures, etc). This rule does not apply to games with user created content (Garry's Mod, Second Life, Minecraft, IMVU, etc).”

This is a Warning Notice.

While we allow for a great deal of artistic and literary freedom, we must ask that your content abide by Fur Affinity’s guidelines.

If you are uncertain as to why this content was removed or believe it was done so in error, please open a Trouble Ticket under the issue “Dispute Administrative Action” with the content’s title and date of removal.

Please note that repeated violations of site rules may result in further administrative action, such as a suspension of your account. Please take this opportunity to review your account to ensure your content is in compliance with site policies.

—This message was generated automatically. Please do not reply.—"

P.S. They don't even have the decency to tell you who they are -- now FA admins pull this shit behind a no-name account? Really?
http://artsblog.dallasnews.com/file.....h-and-amy.jpeg

The first 5 seconds, I was hesitant. Then it just got more awesome and more awesome. One of the best teaser trailers I've ever seen.


Plus the narrator was perfect for this -- right tone, feel, and timing for the whole teaser. Just sweeeeeeeet.

UPDATE #1: Watch the giraffe and how its gait is the same as in real-life, except here with two feet. Nice.

UPDATE #2: Judy is using a carrot-pen to write up her ticket. Nice.

Link: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16745879/

Okay, this shit is getting ridiculous...

First, there was more ads that looked like crappola on submissions which FA staff realized looked like s**t and the s**ts***m that created forced them to backtrack fast.

I would like to inspire another movement to stop more of this s**t, or at least use the revenue from these ads to improve this site after YEARS of doing nothing to improve and/or make any significant changes. Spread the word. Down with this B.S.

UPDATE:
Or follow directions here and get rid of it yourself, be ahead of the curve, as it were: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6786726/

UPDATE #2:
Additional information on how to setup AdBlock on your computer is here: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6779925/

And its been a really awesome and intriguing experience.



...Not to mention expensive. But this guy is really good so I can't complain.



And when you're commissioning a whole bunch of music and considering how much time that takes though, it does help you understand and better appreciate the value of good music.



Anywho, hope all is well with everyone else.



P.S. Now I need to get off my lazy rear-end and prepare some good references for an artist who needs to get my info for another project. :D

She knows who she is! XD

Also wanted to make a quick journal that I saw this movie the other night.

Was actually a LOT better than the trailers made it out to be. While yes, the plot is VERY straightforward and its 90% a chase movie, its a hell of a fun chase movie with a lot of great action, choreography, and dare I say, heart.

I'm a big Tom Hardy fan, but I have to give props to Charlize Theron. Pretty much agree with Jeremy Jahns and that this movie could've been named after her, arguably. I mean, her name is Furiosa. How badass is that?

Rating: A-

What? You're curious why I rated this better than Avengers? Simple. The pacing was better, characterization was better, plot (while not as "complex" it still very much did what it wanted to do and didn't force anything), and it just had better excitement and frantic energy to it.

It was just pure escapism bliss. A popcorn flick with style, and the setpieces truly are fantastic. I am happy to pay a ticket to help support a movie that doesn't wholeheartedly rely on half-assed CGI and goes for the big-guns with fires that burn bright, cars that beautifully get crushed and mangled, hooks that clang... Wow, the more I think about it, the more I realize how much the sound in this movie resonated with me.... Hehe, get it?

Still, good movie. Worth your money. Good times.

If you create a raffle, then proceed to tell people after they comment to participate:

"(entered in raffle) thanks for the heads up!"


Please DON'T do the following:

Create an entirely new journal several weeks later and create another new raffle after first raffle brought in more followers and proceed to hold a new raffle where latecomers can win (and all the newcomers did).

It's such a big "fuck you" to people, seriously.


Note to self:

I will be holding a raffle, JUST ONE, when I hit 75k pageviews and you will only have to respond to the only raffle journal. I won't create two and pick winner from second raffle and disregard all people from the first raffle journal.

And as always, I don't delete my journals or hide my comments, I keep to my word. Save this journal and/or screencap if you don't believe me.

I will plan something for when I hit 75k, mark my words.

If you've helped the Kickstarter for Lightsail: https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....ft/description then you will want to know the project is about to enter its first test phase.


The "test"/experimental launch is about to happen, LIVE streamed at: http://sail.planetary.org/missioncontrol.php (On time to launch @ 11:05am)...


If you haven't supported, please consider a few dollars for Bill Nye the Science guy's The Planetary Society, or just tune in to the stream and enjoy watching a LIVE launch, set for 11:05am.

Hey,

So people need to be aware that the whole Paypal thing is being blown out of proportion. The $2,500 fine they 'threaten' you with in new AUP is fancy legalese to protect their own asses for if/when you should ever commit high level (felony) fraud against them. That's like, when you're doing some serious bad shit and they catch you with your hand in the cookie jar; i.e. money laundering, child pornography, narcotics trafficking, or whatever.

Seriously, people....

Just keep these FOUR THINGS in mind and chill the fucknuggets out. Here you go:

1) never say anything in comments when paying that will raise a red flag (i.e. "Here's payment for the nude, adult, penis in the vagina artwork you're doing for me!! Thank you!!)

**you can still use it for adult art, just keep that shit to yourself, how else will they know?**

2) never send payment as a "gift" (receiver doesn't have to pay fees and getting gifts from 'random' people like this all the time WILL raise red flags with paypal)

3) artists should consider sending invoices -- they are more secure and protect both parties much better than leaving something in the hands of a commissioner who may be "new"

4) if the artwork is traditonal and will be shipped, purchaser MUST include address -- failure for them to do so can result in them filing a claim afterward saying they never received it (and they will WIN and get their $$$ back)... if digital artwork, then no address needed

There you go. Now go back to buying your porn and keep quiet about it. :3

**UPDATE 5/16/15 11pm EST: Linking journal to one of my commenters, Spix, who contacted Paypal and sought information further directly from the source. Their findings prove all of what I've said here. Take a look: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6740803/

**UPDATE 5/17/15 12:09am EST: Confirming everything I've said and know to be true in my journal, here's additional proof that people are blowing this all out of proportion: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6741659/

Very quick review:

Got back about an hour ago and my thoughts are as follows... I would give the film a solid B rating. It was enjoyable, had some great action, great teamwork, great effects, and the characters were great, but it felt very much "been there, done that."

I don't know why, but that's the feeling I have right now. Still a fun-as-hell movie and definitely worth your time, but it wasn't as "fresh" for me. And while Ultron was great, and James Spader did a fantastic job, I feel like he wasn't angry, vicious, or a big-enough villain for the film. Better than the likes of, say, Ronan in GOTG for example yes, but not as intimidating or as dangerous as he was made out to be. Just seemed like a great excuse for them to have armies of easily dispatchable Chitauri, ahem, I mean robots, to destroy in waves and work as a team again. In some ways Ultron just seemed like an afterthought, a fun addition for the sake of the plot, but not a driving force. Even Loki was more of a driving force in the first one, and one could justifiably argue he's not anywhere as dangerous based on what he could do all by himself, and still he had more presence versus Ultron, in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong. I loved every second of the teamwork in this sequel, as its what made the first one so awesome. However, I look back on the journal I wrote after seeing that three years ago, and I can remember how pumped up and full of adrenaline I was after seeing it, even hours afterward. Frankly, I just don't feel that same energy or emotional connection with this sequel, as I did with the first one.

The spark is there in this film, it just never really fully ignites into a righteous fire, like the first Avengers film did. At least for me anyway.

So, I just registered and will be going. My first, legitimate convention. Ever. (I don't count the time I went to Otakon and walked out after 10 minutes due to the 4-5,000 people there clogging up everything...

ANYWAY... So I'll be at Elliott's Spring Gathering for one day, Saturday. I'll drive up from Naples early that morning, spend the whole day there, and drive back home later that night.

I have to admit I'm nervous though. I don't know anyone. You might see some guy walking slow pretending like he knows someone, and that's probably me. I've never been good in big crowds, but I'm definitely looking forward to meeting some artists while I'm there -- especially ones I've worked with in the past, like wfa and solidasp among others.

Also, I'm bringing a game called Strife that I supported on Kickstarter for the board gaming that day. I also want to attend that screenwriting seminar to learn some more about writing, thus hopefully improve my own. (I also have ambitions to write my own visual novel, but that's a current pipe-dream).

Anywho, if you're interested in meeting me, or meeting up, or grabbing food at the hotel or pool or whatever, hit me up. Anyone I know in advance would help me not to hyperventilate. (No, I won't really hyperventilate, but I'll be more mellowed out and less nervous, fidgety, etc).

So, who else is going?

P.S. Looks like I'll miss the special event on Sunday, that many have been telling me before registering I NEED to be there for, but I simply can't take off another day from work. Apologies. :(

For those peeps who know this game...

Should I melt my Carrack for a Hull D?? What'chu think!?!

1) Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April)

10 Words or Less: Nodame Cantabile + Better Music (sort-of) + Drama + Emotionally Uplifting/Draining

2) Shirobako

10 Words or Less: Anime "Inside Look" + Comedy + Drama + Realistic People (usually)

3) Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn)

10 Words of Less: Fushigi Yugi + Twelve Kingdoms + Fantasy Epic + Drama + Harem-ish



Guess I like drama shows. Its true. I've been known to even dabble with some Korean costume dramas from time to time.


Also, there are other anime shows I watched this past season that were also good, but didn't really find as much favor or win me over as much as these shows did. I would heartily recommend all three of these shows without question and I think Your Lie in April may have moved its way into my Top 10 list of favorite anime of all time.

Hey all,

Thought it would be nice to inform people of some things on Kickstarter that I'm currently pledged to help. This might become a monthly or bi-monthly thing I do from now on, especially as I try to create my own game to hopefully get on Kickstarter myself someday.

Here it is:

1) Cursed Sight (Visual Novel) -- https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....?ref=discovery
2) Trainmaker (Card Game) -- https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....?ref=discovery
3) Regeria Hope (Phoenix Wright Style Game) -- https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....?ref=discovery
4) Vault Wars (Card Game) -- https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....?ref=discovery
5) AvoSeedo (Avocado Seed Grower) -- https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....?ref=discovery

The last one is more of a gift idea for a sister of mine who likes growing all kinds of things in her nursery/greenhouse. But the rest are games and visual novels which caught my eye.

If you have suggestions yourself, feel free to shout out here as well.

Thank you for supporting people's Kickstarters!! (stay vigilant about shady ones and shady people too)

Here's my scenario: Art is being created by artist for my in-development anthro card game and I want to save money on the graphical side.

What program is a good choice (and hopefully affordable) that I could use to add graphical things like a card border, conceptual text for the attacks on bottom portion of card, fancy numbers for health, defense, etc.

Basically, what's a program I could use on my own to do this? I'm trying to do this work on my own, if possible, to save money and give more benefits to game backers since that money I save will go toward making more 'rewards' for the games.


Any ideas?

I was born.


And the world collapsed on its knees and sang praises about my birth!!


If I had been born tomorrow, my mom has always said my name would've probably been Patrick. But that didn't happen. So yeah, off to do some random shit on this one day off from work this week.


*grumbles* Stupid taxes....

If you're me, and you organized about 30 images for a series and all artists except one have finished the artwork; what do you do?

Please note: I have been waiting a year for any contact or updates from this artist and don't know what to do... Go with a different artist? Just say "fuck it" and post the images I do have done? What should I do?

I've asked all artists to keep their contributions private until all were completed and I don't think it's really fair to keep them private any longer.

EDIT: Should've specified earlier that I have NOT paid for this art yet, as after a year of waiting, I'm still technically on the "wait list."

EDIT #2: No biggie, artist and I spoke and I decided to go with someone else. They were cool with it. So the final two pieces are paid and being worked on now. :D

Hey,

Uploading a lot of older art again. Got off my ass to write some things for each.

Excuse the spelling and grammar, have written all these quickly in the past 2 hours.

--Ezz