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Blog

  • out-of-gas

    out-of-gas

    Out of Gas

  • property-entrance

    property-entrance

    Just gathering different views of property

  • Arial view of the property

    Arial view of the property

  • AI version of old house

    AI version of old house

    Still testing blogging concepts.

  • Creating and Testing Blog Pages

    Live Test: Formatting the Development Feed

    I’m currently running a live test of the Website Development category to see exactly how our project history stacks up. Building mycrappyproductions.com is an evolving process, and it’s important to see how these updates look “in the wild.”

    The Goal

    • Check the Flow: Ensuring new updates automatically sit at the top of the feed for easy reading.
    • Visual Consistency: Verifying that the sidebars and headers stay perfectly in place as content grows.
    • The “History” Look: Seeing how the site archives our journey from a simple idea to a full cartoon universe.

    This is a quick “prime the pump” post to ensure everything is structurally sound before we dive into the heavier updates. Stay tuned—the real work is just beginning!

  • Website Developments

    Website Development: Behind the Scenes at MyCrappyProductions.com

    Building a digital home for Harvey and Ethyl is more than just clicking buttons—it is an evolving journey of technical problem-solving and creative collaboration. This category serves as an open log of the “nitty-gritty” work required to keep mycrappyproductions.com running and growing.

    What to Expect in This Category:

    • The Technical Stack: I’ll be pulling back the curtain on the hardware and software that power this site—from the devices I use to the hosting and maintenance routines that keep the lights on.
    • The AI Collaboration: A major pillar of this project is the integration of Artificial Intelligence. I’ll share how I work alongside Gemini to streamline image development, refine scripts, and troubleshoot the complex hurdles of 2D animation.
    • The Creative Struggle: We’ll dive into the real-world problems we face, particularly in the realm of video production. I’ll be sharing “work-in-progress” props, test renders, and the specific software workflows (like Moho Pro and Clip Studio) used to bring my characters to life.
    • Process Over Perfection: This isn’t just a list of finished updates; it’s an explanation of the process. I want to show the world exactly what it takes to build a creative platform from the ground up using every modern tool available.
  • Picture and Scene Creation

    Picture and Scene Creation

    Pictures and Scenes: Building the World of 1406

    The visual world of mycrappyproductions.com is more than just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. In this category, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I design, build, and integrate the environments that Harvey and Ethyl call home.

    What to Expect in This Category:

    • Asset Spotlights: I’ll be showcasing specific landmarks within the project. A prime example is the dilapidated farmhouse on the property. This structure isn’t just a background detail; it has a history—it’s the former residence of the “Publisher” and serves as a key piece of the “1406 Property” project. I’ll explain the “why” behind these locations and how they fit into the broader narrative.
    • The Evolution of the Craft: My workflow is a constant balancing act between classic techniques and modern technology. I’ll be sharing side-by-side comparisons of my different creation methods:
      • The Classic Approach: Precise, 2D vector work and illustrations created using Moho Pro and Clip Studio.
      • The AI Frontier: Exploring the capabilities of Gemini AI to generate complex textures, lighting, and concepts.
    • Visual Philosophy: You’ll see the struggle and the success of making these two worlds—hand-crafted vectors and AI-generated imagery—work together to create a cohesive, unique aesthetic for the ranch.

    This is a space for anyone interested in the intersection of digital art, storytelling through architecture, and the “scrappy” process of building a cartoon universe from the ground up.

  • Message from the Publisher

    Message from the Publisher: Direct Notes & Site Bulletins

    While Harvey and Ethyl handle the storytelling and narration across the ranch, the Message from the Publisher is where the “man behind the curtain” steps in. This category is reserved for direct communication, important interjections, and high-level updates that require a different perspective.

    The “Short & Sweet” Philosophy

    I know you’re here for the art and the characters, not for long-winded technical manuals. These posts are designed to be brief, impactful, and easy to digest. They are “quick-read” notices that point you toward what’s new so you can get the information you need and get right back to the fun.

    What You’ll Find Here:

    • Site Announcements: Real-time updates when a new page is launched or a major section of the site is updated.
    • Media Alerts: Direct links and “must-see” notices for the latest videos or gallery additions.
    • Publisher Interjections: Insights and highlights about the project that only the Publisher can provide.
    • Navigational Help: Quick tips on how to find the newest content without digging through the archives.

    Think of this as the site’s official bulletin board—stay tuned here to make sure you never miss a beat at mycrappyproductions.com.

  • Harvey and Ethyl Recipes

    Harvey & Ethyl’s Kitchen: Big Flavor, No Teeth Required

    Eating should be a joy, not a chore. At mycrappyproductions.com, we believe that your taste buds shouldn’t have to retire just because you have. Whether you’re dealing with the discomfort of false teeth or you simply prefer the freedom of taking them out and enjoying a meal in comfort, Harvey and Ethyl are here to show you that “soft food” doesn’t mean “bland food.”

    Our Recipe Philosophy

    • Tender on the Gums, Bold on the Taste: We specialize in recipes that prioritize a soft texture without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. It’s about meals you can handle with ease while still enjoying every bite.
    • The “Middle of Nowhere” Pantry: Harvey and Ethyl live way out in the country, and we know many of you do, too. Since the nearest store might be a long haul away, our recipes focus on ingredients you already have in the pantry or things that stay fresh between those twice-a-month shopping trips.
    • Quick & Simple Preparation: Life is too short to spend all day leaning over a hot stove. We focus on “quick-prep” meals that get you from the kitchen to the dinner table in record time.
    • Budget-Friendly Cooking: Good food shouldn’t cost a fortune. We aim for recipes that are kind to those on a fixed or low income, proving that you can eat like royalty on a “scrappy” budget.

    The Creative Process

    By combining Harvey and Ethyl’s traditional country sensibilities with a little technical help from Gemini AI, we’ve crafted a collection of meals that are practical, affordable, and—most importantly—delicious.

    So, pull up a chair, get comfortable, and get ready for some recipes that respect your time, your wallet, and your comfort.

  • Welcome to Video Stories

    Video Stories: The Leap from Classic Animation to AI

    Welcome to the digital screening room of mycrappyproductions.com. This category is where I’ll be sharing the evolution of Harvey and Ethyl in motion. My stories have always been rooted in real-life inspiration—taking those funny, relatable “mishaps” we all experience and giving them a second life through my characters.

    The Great Technological Shift

    For years, I’ve focused on the “Classic” way of creating—using Moho and Clip Studio to build every movement by hand. While that gave me total control, the jump into AI-assisted video (using Google’s Gemini) has opened up a world of incredible detail and visual depth that simply wasn’t possible before. It is a giant step forward, but it’s one that requires a whole new set of skills.

    The Reality of the Learning Curve

    Working with AI isn’t a “magic button.” It’s a collaboration that can be inconsistent, picky, and occasionally frustrating. Here is what I’m currently navigating behind the scenes:

    • The 6-Second Constraint: Most AI clips are currently limited to short bursts (6–8 seconds). For a story that runs 90 seconds, I have to learn how to “stitch” and extend these clips seamlessly so Harvey can finish his sentence or cross a room without the world changing around him.
    • The Sound & Continuity Struggle: One of my biggest hurdles is maintaining sound and visual logic. If a character is talking or a background noise is playing, I have to ensure that audio carries over perfectly into the next extended clip.
    • A Work in Progress: Because of these technical challenges, the production of full-length videos will be a slow process. You might see very short clips or experimental tests as I “prime the pump” and learn the rules of this new medium.

    Learning Together

    This isn’t about putting the technology down—it’s about being honest about the process. Both Gemini and I are learning as we go. My focus remains on the idea and the story, and I invite you to follow along as I overcome these deficiencies and push the boundaries of what Harvey and Ethyl can do in this new AI frontier.

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My Crappy Productions