Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Collage of Future Me

I have created this collage using various Photoshop techniques such as blending, and using various brushes and erasers until the desired effect was achieved. I had to cut out individual objects using primarily the magic wand selector tool. To edit the images, and to really make them "pop", I used Bevel and Emboss, Contour, Drop Shadows, Stroke, and many lighting effects as well. Everything blended together very well to create this representation of my future self.

Letter from Future Declan

Dear old Declan Cross,

Well, Declan, I’ve almost made it. I’m currently finishing up my last year of University at Waterloo, with outstanding marks in my Engineering studies. The first few years were tough, and I need to warn you, Declan… if there’s one thing that you remember for when you enter your first year of University, it’s “Manage your time.” I have devised this chart for you, after much trial and error on my part, so that you can allocate your time commitments properly. Follow this to a “T”, and you will succeed.


168 hours in a week
- 56 hours for sleep / week
112 hours left
- 21 hours for eat / shower / grooming
91 hours left
- 30 hours for classes / week
61 hours left
- 30 hours for studying
31 hours left
- 21 hours for football
10 hours of free time / week


Yes, that’s right, old Declan. You only have 10 hours per week to do what you want. That’s substantially less time that what you’re used to now, so make sure you’re prepared for this.


Equally as important, my football career is booming! I came in to Waterloo, and was moved around between running back and slotback, before finally being named the starting running back as well as team captain first year. That was an honour in itself, but I ended up thriving. The family environment we have here really helped to make me feel comfortable with everyone, and I developed much faster because of that. I workout with my linemen every morning, and the great relationship we have encourages them to block even harder for me. Now, in my fourth and final year as a Waterloo Warrior, I already hold the school record for rushing yards, and I’m third in all-time receiving yards as well. I’ve already been talked to by almost every single CFL team, and I have also received camp invites to the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins. So, keep working out and keep training hard. It pays off.


Aside from University life and football, I’m also considering where I want to start my working career if I don’t end up actually playing professional football. During two of my co-op semesters, I worked at a hydro power plant, and I will most likely work there once my schooling ends.


In closing, Declan… remember one thing. Time management. That chart above will save your hide in University. A football coach actually went through that with me and helped me manage my time with that chart, so take this very seriously. But not too seriously. All work and no play makes you less black.


- Declan “Hollywood” Cross (that’s the nickname I’ve been given in football)

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Do you have it?



Here it is. An inside look at the trials and tribulations of football. It's more than a game. And the memories created from football will last forever. That's what this video is really about. Winning and being successful above all else, and the only way to do it is to properly prepare... or face defeat.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Buble in Africa



Here is... the best flash animation project anyone will ever see... hours and hours went into creating, designing, animating, and editing this unusually creative and amazing flash animation video.

The story is set in Tokudabwa, Africa. Michael Buble is on his way to a concert, when he falls out of his airplane! That's when the fun starts for Michael Buble, and his journey through the village of Tokudabwa, led by his guide, Kojo!

Enjoy!

Black-Forrest Gump



This... is the video that people the world over have raved about.
Andres Gaitan says: "Pretty good."
Jenna DeAbreu says: "Meh..."
Declan Cross says: "IT'S F****** AMAZING!"
Jacqueline Viscardi says: "Hells yeah!"

Many hours of work went into planning, storyboarding, filming, and editing this video. The end result is something that resembles... a masterpiece. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... Black-Forrest Gump.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Holy Trinity Week in Review


Holy Trinity Week In Review from Andres Gaitan on Vimeo.

Zeitgeist came me chills. 2010 gave me lasting memories.

The title "Zeitgesit 2010: Year in Review" from this video on youtube, came as a surprise to me, since, as anyone who has ever seen Zeitgeist: The Movie knows, it's a bit of a mind-blowing experience.

This video was very interesting though. It covered every single major event that took place in 2010, and that's just the thing; every single event showed was truly major! The earthquake in China and Haiti. The Gulf oil spill. The Pakistani floods. Every single event mentioned brought back memories of where I was and what I was doing when they happened. This was really an eye-opening video to see exactly just how much we've been through just in this past year. The ending phrase of the video, "and just like that, 2010 flew by in an instant" rings true, not just because of the actual year seemingly happening fast, but also because all the events were laid out in a quick 3 minute video. Over-all, it is a very intelligently designed video, and I have to say, Google certainly outdid themselves with this excellent overview of 2010.

Bring on 2011, and whatever it has in store!