Modern Toss presents An Evening of Edwardian Chamber Filth

Another animation event in Brighton! This time its "classic Modern Toss sketches projected onto a big screen and re-interpreted with a LIVE string quartet and piano." Sound good? I reckon so!

I hear they've got the voice of Drive-by Abuser doing a bit of live shouting as well, which should be brilliant. I'm not going to stand near the front though incase he directs some of it at me.

Ignore the dates on the flyer, its been moved to the 29th and 31st of May so there's still time to get yourself a ticket to this unique show. Click here to book now.

I think, although this is not confirmed that one of the sketches getting the live treatment will be the Sneezeman animation I did for Modern Toss series 2. I certainly hope so, it would be great to see it up on the big screen!

BAMBOOZLED? Outdoor animation screening

If you're out and about in Brighton on the 9th of May 2009 between the hours of 9 and 10 pm then why not check out a night of animated shorts including work from Local Talent including Kanoti, Modern Toss / LSM, Tokyo Plastic, Crush and Cyriak.

It is part of the Brighton Fringe Festival and is all in aid of promoting alcohol awareness plus it's FREE!!!

I was involved with two of the pieces being shown, the first is the DIMA Award winning "Work Experience" by Modern Toss and LSM, I was the Supervising Animator and second is "Winter Song" the music video for Grammy nominated singer Sara Bareilles for which I was again the supervising animator, this time working with Crush Design and LSM.

For more information click here.

Robot at the Movies

More success for Robot! This time it is going to be screened before showings of Michael Caine's new film "Is Anybody There" at the newly refurbished belsize park cinema, starting this Friday.

For more information and bookings click here.

Needless to say this is very exciting, sharing the same screen with the legend that is Michael Caine is quite an honor and I can't quite believe it!

The film has had great reviews (Michael Caine's film that is) and will hopefully attract a discerning crowd that will enjoy my little story of a Robot who finds himself replaced by a newer model and evicted from his home by his elderly owner.

Its good to hear that shorts are getting screened before features as well. Its a great boost for the film makers and is a treat for the audience too. I remember when I went to see a film at the cinema when I was younger with my family and they showed a short cartoon about some ducks, I was very confused as I wasn't expecting it and thought even then at my early age that someone was trying to con me. When it finished I remember about half the people in the room getting up to go home murmuring "Is that it?" as they went, luckily the film started before anyone made it to the door and they went back to their seats.

Hopefully some small child will go through the same roller coaster of emotions as me when my film is shown, then twenty years later they'll be writing about some weird short they saw once about cardboard.

Robot On YouTube

At last you can check out my Straight 8 2008 entry 'Robot' on Youtube.

I filmed my entry to this years competition last weekend, stay tuned for more info...

The Three Fellas

This picture is from a piece we did last year. To celebrate Liverpool's City of Culture 2008 award a one off comedy event took place featuring three of Ireland's best known comedians.

This animation was commissioned to play before the event inside Liverpool's Echo Arena and was meant to celebrate the long history between Liverpool and Ireland.

The idea behind the project was to span a timeline starting from when the Irish first arrived in Liverpool and journey right up to the present day. The visual style of the piece was based on the Book Of Kells, a medieval tapestry considered to be one of Ireland's national treasures.

This meant a lot of detailed drawings were required which was very time consuming but in the end, very rewarding.

Robot at Cambridge Super 8 Film Festival

Another result for Robot.

This time it has been selected for screening at the Cambridge Super 8 Film Festival on April 30th. The festival it's self runs from April 29th until May 2nd. Check it out if you can:

http://www.cambridge-super8.org/

There seems to be a lot of opportunity for films made on 8mm film, I guess with all the outlets for digital film these days its something a bit different. I think the look of the picture you get using an old camera and some super 8 stock has a lot to do with it, it's got a real quality to it that you just don't get with digital. That and the novelty of actually developing a reel of film before you can see whether what you have filmed has even come out!

That was my biggest worry when making Robot. It was my first attempt at using a Super 8 camera and although I received some top advice I can't believe it all came out so well.

Check Robot out here, enjoy:

http://www.getcloser.com/event/audioandvideo/straight+8/125/7410/

Robot in Shots Magazine

Robot, the film I made for Straight 8 08 (see earlier post) is still going strong. This month it was featured on a DVD accompanying trade magazine "Shots"!

I believe it is subscription only but you can get an idea at the website here:

http://www.shots.net/home_beta.asp

"Shots showcases cutting-edge creativity in global advertising." So it says on the website, so its a good thing to be in with. Thanks again to the Straight 8 folk for putting my film 'out there!'