Sunday, April 20, 2008

Aardman storyboad training!

I've been so busy these last few weeks doing animation workshops around the country, I've barley had time to check my email, never mind write on my blog.

However my life is going to take a exciting twist over the next few weeks as I've been accepted onto South West Screen and Aadman Animations' storyboard training programme!

I'm one of ten people taking part in ANIMATION BRIDGE: STORYBOARDING FROM START TO FINISH which has been developed in response to a need to improve the skill levels of storyboard artists working in the UK animation industry. Trainees will be taught by an international team of specialists on a programme designed by the industry for the industry. The programme is informed by an extensive R&D stage funded under a Skillset Film Skills Fund Innovation Bursary.

For my storyboard test, I was given a Wallace and Grommit sequence to interpret, which was a lot of fun to do. I was interviewed last week by a panel including course tutor Frank Gladstone, ex-Head of Training and Artistic Development at Disney and Dreamworks Animation. I'm incredibly excited (and a little terrified) to have this opportunity, which I'm sure is going to shake challenge me and inspire me to my core. I will endeavor to update my blog with progress over the next fun filled 8 weeks. I'm exhausted thinking about it! Well, better catch that train. Over and out!

Friday, April 04, 2008

Goole Silent Movie screens in Cambridge!

Congratulations to everyone on Goole Silent Movie!

"The Lost Princess", written by Rebecca Stothert & Emma Gill and directed by Rebecca Stothert will be screened in Competition at the Cambridge Super8 Film Festival!
The Cambridge International Super8 Film Festival shows the best films originated on the Super 8 format.
Goole Silent Movie, produced by Goole Town Council and Duchy Parade Films was shot on black & white Super 8 film, sponsored by Kodak and produced using optical process emulating the techniques of the silent period to produce a truly authentic historical film.

The Super 8mm film format has undergone a creative renaissance in the last five years due to the digital revolution and the re-discovery of small film by users the world over. In 2007, the first Cambridge Super 8 Festival was a hugely successful event with more than 70 films in 3 competitive programs and 2 non-competitive programs. All genres of film were represented (animation, fiction, documentary and experimental film), illustrating the diversity of the format and our film selection.
"The Lost Princess" is playing on Thursday 24th of April at 8pm in The Centre @ St Pauls Hill road Cambridge.

It must be Easter!

Last weeks ASIFA Workshop Group animation workshop at the National Media Museum was fantastic . Eight children were chosen from Belle Vue Boys, Belle Vue Girls School, and St Josephs Catholic College in Bradford to represent the UK in the production of a short animated film to celebrate the Olympics. This was a fantastic opportunity to take part in the creation of an animated film which will be used as part of a film made by young people from all over the world.
The short film titled “Jimmy saves the Olympics”, created by the group at the National Media Museum, tells the story of Jimmy, who is chosen to take the famous Olympic flame from Athens to the Olympic stadium. On route, the athletically challenged Jimmy, tries his hand at a variety of Olympic spots. His rugby skills are come against the ultimate test when an alien tries to steal the flame. Through it all, the inclusively of the Olympics is celebrated. everybody, no matter what there colour or size can feel part of the Olympics.



I'll put up some photographs and stills from the film next week, when I have a little more time. There is an interesting local press story about the project here.


This week I completed a series of workshops at Harrogate Army Foundation College, partly funded by CYC, which has resulted in an incredible short stop motion film, "Howard and the Bear", written by 15 year old Madeline Moyle. Maddy is an very talented young budding animator and I expect the film, and Madeline to do very well in the future.


Next week I'm in Swindon teaching for the University of Bath's creative arts week, "Crazy Cartoons" the for pupils in year 10.