Muggshotter 2009-05-27 12:35:59

I am personally a sprite animator myself too, and I see your point.

I have used MS Paint, Jasc Animation Shop 3 and Movie Maker to do my sprite movies. So now people will shout in my face "ZOMFG! IT SUCKS1111" .
Actually, no. You just need more skillz and experience than you would need on "easier programs". (And no, please don't suggest Flash to me)

Even though my sprite series has been on YouTube(now coming to Newgrounds as well) for about 1 ½ years. It still doesn't have much feedback, but unfortunately those SMBZ fanboys have gotten their handy work on my sprite series too, and I mean by feedback.

Sure, Alvin-Earthworm's SMBZ sprite series originally inspired me to make a sprite series, but that doesn't it'll be a rip-off or a clone or something.
It was pretty laughable when some people commented on the first Episode saying "this is a copy of smbz" or "this copies smbz, but that's alright". When I asked those people how it copies SMBZ, they never anwsered.
Also, on my latest Episode 5 someone dared to say the series is a ripoff of SMBZ. Yeah, I might've overused DBZ effects on that Episode, but that's it.

So I think I should be lucky for having not so much fans or SMBZ fanboys crapping on my series all the time? I don't know.

I do like SMBZ. =)

And I appreciate the effort that good sprite animators put in their sprite animations, because no effort/motivation = Animation sucks. I mean, it always gets reflected from the animation. Good sprite movies always take time, and wait is always worth it.

ninendoruler432 2009-07-11 15:02:51

The sad part is that it won't stop. Cause when Smbz is over, something that becomes very popualar takes it place and the whole thing starts all over again. As for the haters, it also won't stop since the socalled fans make simalair things, then they get that thing in their face and hate the original series they copied and probably the creator too. Definetly not to piss you of or anything but when ep7 coming along? ( again, not to piss you of) Pls respond, even with one word that I atleast know that this is being read.

ninendoruler432

Gameboi834 2009-08-18 14:11:26

Please please PLEASE don't judge me, but I'm making a SMBZ-esque mini-series for my comic. =\ Luckily Mario's just going to pwn a koopa, so it'll probably be done fast.

Goldyzaster 2009-11-15 14:20:35

OH crap, you done screwed up now, now please tell me how the heck Alvin is killing sprite movies? People have been over-using sprites BEFORE SMBZ!!!! And not everyone compares every Sonic flash to SMBZ!!!! OK!!! AND SO WHAT IF THEY DO! JUST IGNORE IT!! As a matter of fact, it sounds to me like your jealous that Alvin has so many people on his dick. And as far as originality, SMBZ is very original, that's why he gets so much praise, you need to give credit where it's do. The story is original and the animation is almost flawless, just because he uses DBZ styled fights doesn't make it any less original. Your a hypocrite because you said "leave dbz fights to dbz characters." , you use Sonic Characters to make your Final Fantasy story? Why not leave Sonic Characters to SEGA all together? So your doing the same thing! You are just ranting pointlessly. Bottom line, your just jealous of Alvin and his success with his series. OH, and you mentioned you cared about the story more than the action! WEll the story and aciton are both great! You aren't complaining about Nazo Unleashed, depsite the fact that Chakra-X copied dbz fighting style AND dbz story, Perfect Nazo?(Perfect Cell) Absorb the negative energy of the chaos emeralds?(Omega Shenron) Sound familar!! And Alvin can put his talent wherever the heck he wants it too! Who are you to tell him what he should do with his talent? Obviously he's using it well considering he has a massive fan-base! He can draw as many furries as he wants to also! I used to think you were pretty cool until I saw this post, you need to seriously check yourself. What has Alvin did to you for you to be so judgemental of his work!! Your putting undeserved pressure on him. Your gonna have to face the fact that SMBZ IS GREAT AND IF U CANT COMPETE WITH IT, THEN STFU, but don't start a rant about it trying to discredit it because your jealous. On a final note, by you posting this LONG RANT about Alvin, means THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THE PEOPLE ON HIS DICK!!!! RIIIIIGGHHGTTT?????? Yeah I know I am.YEAH U JUST GOT OWNED!!! AND I DARE YOU TO REPLY WITH SOME BS SO I CANT CRUSH YOU AGAIN!!!

P.S. You said Alvin should have told the fans that you don't have to have a dbz styled fight with Sonic and Mario in order for your flash to be good? Why the hell does he have to do that? Like they're too stupid to think for themselves? Regarldess of whether he told them or not, they still would have done it!!! And Some of them do it as a way of admiring smbz and showing respect for it! Something that you seem to lack!

TheYanjo 2010-03-09 18:04:32

Finally!
Someone who understands!
Great post!

Light-Spriter 2010-04-15 22:45:45

Alvin is not killing the sprite movies it just those fanboys as you said in this essay (lawl) you put together. People will always compare one animation to another saying things like, " this guy is way better then you". I like alvin's style of animation but as you also said DBZ styled fights are starting to become way over used...( and i know im not that good of an animator but i just hope people don't compare me to alvin or anybody at that i cant stand that ) But what are you gonna do Fan boys will always be here to compare your work to their "favorite" author.. i leave u at that P.s. about those hints, throw some of those things my way :D

sonicGP 2010-04-27 21:04:27

this is bullshit and i dont have time to read this shit about alvin-earthworm

superpokemontrainer1 2010-06-22 22:19:09

you kick ass and not sure wat u mean about alvin but what ever i think your sprites are better

PokemoOne 2010-07-26 04:48:28

As this is old, you may never see this, or you may have already changed you opinion, but I'll say nonetheless: Go talk to Alvin-Earthworm, politely tell him what you think of his work and how could he improve. In other words, be a part of the solution.
As you told everyone to not be a wuss and hide their opinions in your inbox, don't be a wuss and post your opinion in your blog. Place where you know he'll find it.
Because, as many know, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

sonicrules9905 2010-11-20 03:46:31

First off, ignore the username. Made this account in 8th grade and don't know how, if possible, to change the name.

As for the real comment, I agree with you on some points but disagree.

Agree:
People compare things too much. They see something they think is awesome, and it sticks in their head. Like the newest Nightmare on Elm St, I got a friend who said it sucks cuz it changed too much. Why can't people view things as a separate item? SMBZ isn't even connected outside of genre to other sprite movies, and it's already a big enough shame when people judge a video based on its series.
Also, good point on the comedy, sometimes that's better than awesome brutality.

Disagree:
I personally think SMBZ is awesome. *flame shield up* I do NOT compare everything I see to it. One cannot critic anything without being entirely focused on what they're watching right then and there. So comparing anything to anything else, even if it's in the same series or otherwise connected to what you're comparing it too, is not criticing. But back to SMBZ, Alvin's style is aesthetically solid. He uses flashy effects and fast animation to give the impression that he has indeed mastered the most important part of sprite movies, what I base all judgement on: The smooth flow from one action to the next, though his teleporting sprites kind of take away from that feel.
Me:
Now, I find DBZ-esque fights fun to watch when the combatants are equal. Overpowering one character makes them boring. DBZ, Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, Paper Mario, hell freaking Boondocks are all fighting styles that can make an epic sprite movie of violence, but they require smooth flow from action to action. Jerky motions, stuff just appearing with no SFX, CONSTANT teleporting or horrible animation make for shitty flow. It gives the appearance that someone just pasted this together with no thought to the final product, just to get the ideas out of their head. Do NOT try to argue that this is good:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY0xHY-rLuw&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY0xHY -rLuw&feature=related</a>

But things like SMBZ, your FFSX (not to sound like a rabid fanboy, but is that coming back), Bowser's Kingdom for comedy, This (<a href="http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/297483">http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view /297483</a>) and the Power Star series are great. Notice only SMBZ and possibly yours are DBZ style, even though Power Star is only a couple feet away.

I'm sure I lost my train of thought a long time ago writing this, but that train just stopped somewhere. I can only hope aspiring spriters find this comment and take it to heart, because I need new shit to watch.

superzeon 2010-12-09 18:05:37

Look, i like SMBZ as anyone in the world. I have never seen anyone comparing it with everything, but still, i'll believe you, so what? What if stupid 11 years old boys comment that everything is not as good as SMBZ? Why don't you just ignore them as Alvin who has never commented ANYTHING AND I MEAN ANYTHING about his fans or wathever you and some artist are arguing for?
This is just my opinion as you said we sholud give

Superzeon

Sargotha-05 2011-07-30 22:34:39

First, I agree that the use of DBZ styling of fights are the most popular versions and in fact have been overdone. But, on the other hand, it is the style that I find to be most able to keep my attention to watch the fight scenes...after sampling through your styles; that were shown in the YouTube video that had the link to this blog within its description.

And, no, the fight scenes are not all the reason that I do watch the series as plot/story matters as well.

Second, while Alvin is a great sprite worker/creator/'animator', he is not the best in the whole wide world as his SMBZ series isn't the best thing either. Even though I will admit to searching for the next episode at least once a month and feeling disappointment to not finding it. But, as you said, it is likely that Alvin himself did not foresee the series becoming as desired as it has.

And, I will also confess that I have attempted to make sprites of my own but failed horribly at it and still do not feel the confidence to reveal them to the unforgiving sprite haters/lovers. As well as the fact that I don't really have a means to create even a short movie as a way to express potential ideas that might come by now and then. -shrugs-

Regardless, I am glad that you put this blog out there for others to see 'the light', whether they are welcoming to it or not.

Sargotha-05 2011-07-30 22:54:47

Third, on to your mention of 'furries'.

There is a HUGE difference to what a 'furry', 'anthro' and 'neko'' is.

And, believe it or not, not all 'furries' go 'yiffing' whatever other 'furry' they see and go at it like wild animals. While there have been some individuals who have spread that awful image around, not all of those whom desire to 'become' their 'inner beast' are in the same category to those that are 'more perverted'.

Furry:

-human bodies
--hands, feet, face, hair on head, gender assignment
-tails are optional
-pointed ears are optional
-covered in fur/feathers/scales/rubber skin/etc
-dress, walk, think, feel, act like a human
--animal instincts are generally not present

VS

Anthro:

-animals with human traits
--legs are digigrade generally; follow structure of the species chosen
--face is shaped by the animal selected
---beak; avian species
---snout; reptilian/mammal species
---muzzle; mammal species
--ears are structured the same as the species selected; meaning they can be internal or external designed
--have instincts as well as sentient intelligence
---this can influence their demeanor
---may or may not talk like a human, speech can be distorted and hard to understand
-presence of tail is determined by species chosen

VS

Neko:

-feline/canine in general for species from what I have encountered
--pointed ears on top of the head
--elongated canines of the cat/dog
--usually have a tail
--limbs are essentially like gloves/boots
---from slightly above the elbow to the 'hand' is of the animal
---from slightly above the knee to the 'foot' is of the animal as well

jrson466 2011-08-17 15:55:18

maybe the guy is either dead or had enough of the impatient fags and rage quit.
smbz introduced me to sprite movies and probably did for other people. and i agree with ya. as awesome as it is there is other animations that are way bnetter and because of smbz, people give up on their work. one of my friends was a spriter and he gave up on it and deleted all his vids i asked him why and he said cause im nothing compared to smbz. the fanboys are annoying everyone saying eh not as good as smbz or such a copy of smbz. but its not its all the same like dbz every single spriter on NG uses this style not really problem unless the fans back off a little.