June Box Peek Update
Added 2019-07-02 03:53:22 +0000 UTCAnother month has passed, and another Box Peek update is delivered.
Production Update
Honestly I didn't get a lot of days in this month. This last week of June was pretty sweet though and I got some good time in. The art for all the backgrounds is complete and all coloring is done too, including my dumb new background medium--watercolors.
Making Episode 7, I got sick of coloring in the sky with crayons or colored pencils so I decided to give watercolors a shot, despite my inexperience. While the result was amateur at best, this stuff is usually out of focus anyway. Then I noticed in the edit that the scenes with a watercolor sky even looked more vibrant.
So this week I tried to watercolor every background. It's not faster than crayons but it is less annoying, if that makes sense. I have to say none of these pieces should ever be framed or even looked at. They're really bad. Watercolors are so hard. I'll keep them very out of focus and we'll see how they work in the edit.
Which, to get to my next point, won't be happening soon. Baby Milo's appearance has put a slight delay on those pickup lines I referred to last month, so once this Ep 8 art is cut out I'm just going to start drawing Episode 9 stuff. And that honestly feels very crazy, like I'm actually getting close to the end of this crazy project. With six months left in the year and 2.5 episodes left to produce, I'm giving myself "2019" as the hardest deadline and we can celebrate if we get there sooner than later.
Behind-the-Scenes Thoughts
I want to talk briefly about Box Peek and silence. Recently I've started working with no TV or podcasts or Twitch or music and it feels really nice. Since the start of Box Peek I've always sought out some secondary entertainment to keep me going through the production process, but just last week I accidentally left my phone on the couch and it changed my whole world.
I think my poor brain is just absorbing noise for almost every waking moment. I count browsing the internet and reading texts as noise too, just interference, other voices I'm ingesting without room for my own. When I was scribbling away without my phone, I wasn't even that mad when I realized I'd have to get up to get it. I figured that was really the only part of that day or maybe any day when I had my brain to myself and nothing else was coming in. I gotta say it felt pretty nice.
I feel strangely connected to my younger self, who, with no stupid little internet-enabled devices, would draw in silence all the time. I have to think that if he saw what I was working on today, he'd think I'm really bad at watercolors too.
I'll be back here at the end of July (or perhaps the very beginning of August) for next month's update!
Thank you again for your continued patience and support,
Kyle
Comments
Late to the party but your stress and depression is so familiar and I connect to it incredibly hard. Especially as an artist. I’m a hopeful comic writer and artist but having it all to yourself and then having such a poo brain that demands only the worst things for it is difficult but any form of meditation works, and these days I consider just being in silence or just a super harmless, wordless tune in the background makes the whole world seem less terrible. Also as an artist who has researched and spoken to many more successful artists and writers, and that focus and drive, and struggle to not be consumed by all the other noises in the world that present themselves to you, that is the number one challenge for many. Same with self loathing. Very very common trait
Kolby Keith
2019-07-10 14:12:16 +0000 UTCI totally can relate on that brain thing, I always felt the need to keep it entertained (and to be fair, I still do) but when I happen to have it rest a little it feels so great.
Kelph
2019-07-04 04:50:32 +0000 UTCI would 100% frame something from Box Peek. Thank you Kyle, for everything you do. You're an inspiration.
JenkyFrankins
2019-07-03 12:09:33 +0000 UTCLove what you said about working in silence. I think it’s important to have these moments when you’re focused on something (or doing nothing) with no other distractions and allowing your brain to relax and just be within yourself, loved the read Kyle.
Barry Logan Smith
2019-07-03 08:02:49 +0000 UTCIt's the name of the game/competition that is the basis of the show. It involves peeking out of your box at the other competitor.
2019-07-03 05:14:56 +0000 UTCBox Peek is the best kind of grassroots (paper roots?) creative project. Love and respet
2019-07-03 03:39:25 +0000 UTCI've never seen the show, and I think it's because the title doesn't make any sense to me. What does the phrase "box peek" mean?
aguynamedjosh
2019-07-03 02:06:00 +0000 UTCGood luck with s2 Kyle, just remember to have som fun along the way:-)
2019-07-02 17:56:50 +0000 UTCGood luck with your continued efforts! When you are a productive person with competing responsibilities and desires it's difficult to turn off media and either do nothing or just do the thing that you are working on. It's a huge temptation to tell yourself, "I can take care of this responsibility while enjoying that podcast." I don't think that its a bad thing to multitask like that sometimes, but I don't think its a natural state of our being to have so many things going on all the time. I feel for you and your poor brain and need to take your lead in that regard for myself.
Matt Jura
2019-07-02 17:04:55 +0000 UTCGawd I love reading these <3 Keep it up, Kyle!
Baircade
2019-07-02 13:15:00 +0000 UTCThank you for the update and sharing, Kyle! Could I still bother you for those Small size Dino t-shirts? 🙏
Eduardo Santana
2019-07-02 11:57:58 +0000 UTCyooo thanks so much for this update !!! enjoy summer Kyle !!!
tahitianwarrior
2019-07-02 08:03:13 +0000 UTCHe'd be excited to watch it, too. Love and Respect, Kyle.
See You When I Get There
2019-07-02 07:46:37 +0000 UTCVery excited about the upcoming work! Keep up the healthy grind and take your time. Mental health is more important than anything. :)
Eric Jackson
2019-07-02 07:04:34 +0000 UTCThanks for the update
VGJunky
2019-07-02 06:17:01 +0000 UTCRegarding drawing in silence: https://i.imgur.com/Ryktg4x.jpg (Disney animator Milt Kahl as depicted by "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" animator Richard Williams)
TurboChickenMan
2019-07-02 05:30:43 +0000 UTCHey Kyle! Thanks for the update! My iPhone crapped out when I answered a call with wet hands, and I had no cell phone for almost the entire month of April and it really changed my life. When I finally got a smartphone back, I deleted YouTube, news apps, IGN and all my games. I completely relate to that connection to your younger self, and what you said about our “poor brains” constantly bombarded by noise, so much so that when silence comes we freak out sometimes. Now whenever I go for walks or know I have some downtime I toss my phone on my bed and just leave it there until I actually need to use it again. It’s an amazing feeling. I hope you really get the chance to try to disconnect more going forward, which seems so wrong for your industry, but is so insanely necessary for you as a human being! Max
Max 'hisShame' Terman
2019-07-02 04:53:43 +0000 UTCLove this update Kyle! I totally agree with the no background noise at times. Like sometimes when a podcast or video just stops I just stop looking for something new to listen to and work while its quiet. It shakes things up a bit and just really gets you into the zone but I can't do it all the time :P.
2019-07-02 04:44:04 +0000 UTCI totally get the white noise comment. I rarely go on a walk that doesn't involve me constantly listening to podcasts or music. That's one thing I've found that crafting can alleviate.
Daniel Askew
2019-07-02 04:41:50 +0000 UTCKyle, please don’t burn yourself out doing this. I think a 2020 release is just fine. Silicon Valley took a year off and I have come to terms with it. Seriously though, 2019 has turned into a very busy year and also with Milo arriving I think new Mom and Dad will be busy especially when he finally gets home. 2020 is good: new Box Peek, new consoles, last season of Silicon Valley and possibly a new president? It’s going to be an amazing year! Take care of yourself.
yarden
2019-07-02 04:33:20 +0000 UTC"other voices I'm ingesting without room for my own" - What a wonderful way to articulate the need to unplug sometimes. I'm glad to hear it's working for you.
Asbo Zappruder
2019-07-02 04:15:35 +0000 UTCLove & Respect
Brandon Ray
2019-07-02 04:15:00 +0000 UTCI find it very hard to not have some background noise at all time, likely to keep my thoughts at bay, but maybe it's time for me to give it a shot!
Mr. Zayler
2019-07-02 04:12:04 +0000 UTCExcited to see the new look. Glad you found some sort of peace in the silence dude.
Trammin’ Kirk
2019-07-02 04:05:19 +0000 UTCExcellent thought about working at something in silence and without extra noise. In many instances, Easy Allies' shows are that "second thing" I have going on while working, so I wouldn't quit the habit entirely, but having some space with your thoughts and a productive task can be a treasure. Thanks for sharing, I know my wife, 3 kids (11, 8, and 4) and I are all eagerly awaiting season 2!
Adidan
2019-07-02 04:02:23 +0000 UTC
