Synopsis

    Melvin, a teenage nerd looking for love, is preparing for the biggest date of his life.  Nerves get the better of him and it seems his night is doomed, until an unexpected inspiration helps him find his true love.  After Hours Animation is proud to present Love.mel.

The Birth of Melvin and his Story

    This story begins with down time.  Sounds odd, but at an animation studio where breaks between projects occur, down time allows artists to dream and let ideas grow.  In the Summer of 2006, animators Matt Onheiber, Cesar Bravo, and Anthony Rizzo were enjoying their down time at Image Metrics, when they dreamed up a nerdy little character from a sketch in a notepad and gave him a voice.  He was nicknamed the “Maya Guy”, after his favorite 3D software program, Maya, and jokes about his nerdy habits and nasally voice soon rang throughout the office.  As projects for the studio picked back up, he was buried in a pile of work, without a story, not to be uncovered for nearly 2 years. 

    In late March 2008, artists at the studio were entering another down time.  They were eager to do their own animation, and there was talk about creating a short film.  The “Maya Guy” resurfaced as an obvious character who needed a story.  Ideas were pitched, votes were taken, and the story emerged.  The character’s name changed to Melvin Genkins, with the initials MG to honor his old nickname, and he was remodeled in 3D.  Storyboarding began, and in a few weeks the team was ready to start production.  The film was titled Love.mel, and the artists were off and running.

    Now, film productions are never easy, and in the case of Love.mel, there was no exception.  Artists came and went, deadlines were postponed, and the studio’s projects took precedence over the film.  Still the crew pushed on, aiming to finish for Siggraph 2008. 

    Nearing their goal, the team was exhausted, stretched to their limits, and the film still needed work.  Time ran out and they were forced to halt production and regroup.  It was decided the film wasn’t ready to be shown and needed polishing.  Instead of dying off, Love.mel experienced a re-birth.  New inspiration came from outside the studio, as teachers and students became interested in the film.  The story was revamped and the acting and animation were refined.  Deadlines evaporated and the film was able to evolve at a slow but steady pace.  The light at the end of the tunnel could be seen.

    By early July 2010, 2 years and 4 months from the start of production, the film was complete.  A production team, who included a diverse group of individuals from across the United States, and who had labored so long and hard in and outside of work became the production company, After Hours Animation.  The story of Melvin the “Maya Guy” can now be told.