Los Angeles Animation Festival - Night One

I received a message during the week of March 5th from an event director named Miles Flanagan. I met him previously at another event he hosted/created thanks in part to my good friend Irene Villalobos, whom I can't thank enough for what she has done with/for me. I knew about the event before hand, but I didn't know the exact details, so when Miles invited me, I was excited yet nervous for this was my first major event. 

 The Regent Showcase, home of the 2012 Los Angeles Animation Festival

The Regent Showcase Theater in Hollywood, California was the location of the Los Angeles Animation Festival, a four day event that brought together lovers and creators of animation. From the moment that I arrived, the scene was hectic. Opening festivities were indeed fun with the Master of Ceremonies being none other than the famous voice actor of SpongeBob Square Pants and Heffer Wolfe of Rocko's Modern Life, Tom Kenny. After all, what would the Los Animation Film Festival be withouth a famous voice actor? 

Tom Kenny, voice of SpongeBob SquarePants.

The red carpet was filled with guests of the first night, including Shrek who celebrated the 10th Anniversary of earning the first ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature with a screening on the final day of the festival and featured performers of the night Nylon Pink, a very fun, all female Japanese electropop group. 

Shrek and Nylon Pink on the Red Carpet.

All the participants were excited to be attending, and the schedule was packed with some amazing films in the world of animation, including a few West Coast premiers. Now, you probably know me already, so I won't go into much detail about those films at this point of time, but I was moved by one and enthralled by another. Tonight, it was about connecting with everyone, previewing the coming attractions and enjoying the excitement in the air of what was to come. 

Miles Flanagan, Co-Director of the Los Angeles Animation Festival

John Andrews, Co-Director of the Los Angeles Animation Festival

The first night was a huge success and I couldn't wait to attend, capture more red carpet arrivals and even screen a few movies. I wouldn't return until March 9th, a huge night for the festival, and I can't wait to share with you what exactly happened.

-Xander Pavon

Roll Film 3: On Set of Suffocator of Sins

The third and final day of filming arrived, and knowing that it will be my last day until filming begins once again, it's a bit saddening. Even though call time wasn't until 3 P.M., my body's self timer had me up early and quite eager to return. Of course, this day was quite different than the previous two, sort of calm, but then again, everyone's energy must have been spent from last night huge club scene.

Even from being exhausted, I kept going, and that's the sign of commitment to a project that you were barely brought onto. Shows you have the drive, the determination, to finish what you start no matter how many hours you've been on set, and that goes for any profession. As the night went on, it seemed that close ups were being done for future editing during the first portion as dressing was being completed by crew in other locations of the building. 

The night went longer than I expected. It might have been exhaustion setting in, but I had to be here. I had to get these amazing photos for you, all of you, and I take pride in doing my job to bring you high quality photographs no matter what situation is thrown my way. The sets began to move around quickly, from one *enter spoiler here* to another. After a certain time, my mind wasn't in the right place and I had to leave in order to rest. 

This was quite the experience for me, one that I will never forget nor want to. I was give a huge opportunity by Irene Villalobos, and since then, Dave Aragon has been a supporter, and I support everything both of them have done and will do. I can't thank them enough. Leaving the location at 1 A.M. didn't seem like a big deal . . . Until I found out filming was complete by 7 A.M.

-Xander Pavon

Roll Film Pt. 2: On Set of Suffocator of Sins

Today, the big scene is to be filmed. A dance club involving cops, guns, blood and death, so I arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed, eager to get this day in my record books. Everything went according to plan, well, almost. Set dressing and lighting had to be done, which I paid no mind. Showing up early just shows dedication to a project even if you were just brought into said project the night before.

I know what you're thinking, and yes, fascism is the focus on this scene. People following the word of a single man that claims he can change the World. I'm sure you've seen this before, especially if you're a fan of David Bowie and Marilyn Manson as they've visited the subject matter as well. Okay, I got side tracked because I was reminiscing about past Marilyn Manson concerts, but I couldn't help it. Back to the topic at hand.

After a while, the night seemed like a blur with scenes being done left and right, and the experience was amazing once again, getting more photographs than I can imagine. Most of the night's events and behind the scene's views are already posted and well liked by fans of the creation and my photography. Dave Aragon is the most down to earth person I've met and was as focused as anyone I've ever met, putting his heart and soul into this project. 

Two nights down, one more to go, and this night went down with guns blazing. Saturday the 14th bled into Sunday the 15th, and with call time 12 hours away . . . Waking up will be the only difficult thing to do.

- Xander Pavon

Roll Film Pt. 1: On Set with Suffocator of Sins

During the weekend of January 13th, I had the pleasure to be a part of something that I never thought would have happened in my infancy of a professional photographer. I cannot thank Irene Villalobos enough for getting me involved in such a project, leaving me speechless every time I bring it up in a conversation.

As one scene was finished and night one continued, the big moment arrived. Yes, the "suit" was about to be revealed to me for the first time, and it was a sight to behold. All the crew couldn't believe it as well, taking a few cell pics when the moment was right as the setting was dressed with the right amount of light for the our protagonist's entrance. 

As I clamored to get the perfect angles for the entrance and maneuvering around the crew and actors for behind the scene photos, the excitement that was in the air was unexplainable. Here, at this moment, everyone knew they were a part of a project destined to grow bigger, and there I was, my "first" time being on a movie set, just taking it all in, becoming more and more comfortable with my surroundings, a step in the right direction of my growth as a photographer.

Suffocator of Sins is a vision created by "Diggity" Dave Aragon of MTV fame, and the more I was told about the back story, the more intrigued I became. Yes, he is indeed wearing the "suit," and while this version is in no affiliation with the current franchise, it is considered to be the story leading up to the Summer release of The Dark Knight Rises.


Night one was complete, but the weekend wasn't and neither was my work. I was sad to leave the set, but eager for the next day and night of filming. At that time, I didn't know what I got myself into, but that didn't mean I was going in blind as a bat.


-Xander Pavon