The Deciding Year!

Down Time is OVER!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, but it is now time to get back to work. If not slowly. Dissertation is underway, and I will be taking a few days in the studio next week as to break up my time spent sat in my room, watching through Ghibli Films and other Animated works to fuel my 8000 to 10000 words.

I'm heading into the Studio on Monday to start work on my Editorial Duties working on the Credits. (I know that sounds a bit forward seeing as we don't even have a film yet, but it's one less job out of the way!) There's a critical meeting to determine the forward planning of "The Last Trophy" and the fate of Bap on the 11th January. Thing's are still good and on track,.... to an extent. And it'll be nice to get people back into Jobs that they can enjoy and flourish in, and also get a bit more specialist toward their own Portfolios.

I've been looking around some more, and I think I could really get into the role of an Animation producer very quickly within' the Industry, even though at the moment, with this project, is what I see myself as, but alas. I am still a student. But to see yourself as what you aspire to be is really inspiring. I'd love to produce for Games, but it's an Industry I'm very passionate about, and I believe my Ideas and Ideals could get torn apart very easily. Wheras Animation, again another industry I'm passionate about, but it's something I find easier to take a step back from.

After 2010's Toy Story 3 and writing like a mad man about Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki's works. How could you NOT be passionate about Animation. They're all amazing pieces of work, and If I get to influence and work on anything like that and leave my mark on the world in the form of an animated work, that may feature in peoples DVD collections, My life will be more fruitful for it. So that's it. I'm headed for Associate Producer Jobs at Pixar! John Lasseter, You have carved the path for my future, with your fantastic CG works. It's great to read about Miyazaki's thoughts on Lasseter and Pixar as well. To see a man who works so amazingly traditionally embrace the works of others and rival it with beautiful works of his own in a very traditional manner. 2010 is leaving me more the Animation Producer, and 2011 will be the year I realize it. I know with "The Last Trophy" team and the other groups, I'm helping out with "The Musician" & "Barista" With the Talent behind those teams, I look to have a great Uni life to look back on.

On a lighter note.

Good Luck to Everyone in 2011. Best of Luck to EVERYONE on BA(hons) Digital Animation. It's wierd to think that 3 years are almost up and we'll be graduating this year, I really look forward to seeing what everyone goes on to do. Thanks for a 2010 full of learning and growing up, there's still a lot to go, but I have all the blank pages in the world to go forward.

What Have I Achieved...

So, as it stands, I for myself as this term at University comes to a close would like to just go over what I've accomplished within these 2 and a bit months both work wise for University, and professionally.

• I have Written and Re-Written the script 4 to 5 times, after criticism from Derek Hayes, and the team. Cutting down a 9 page Epic to 3 or 4 pages
• I have lead the team, Scheduled, contacted and kept on top of everything going on within' the Team, allowing for Illness, Holidays and we are still on schedule.
• Handled problems within' the team, between members including myself.
• Compiled Design bibles for both occasions.
• Pitched the Project on behalf of the team
• Worked as part of the creative force behind the idea along with what I would call a team of writers, heading it up as the lead writer who physically scripted (Thus the project is in no way just my idea)
• Furthered accessibility to the project by keeping the team's Blog.
• I have brought together Other members for the team from a cross course range.
• Promoted the project and myself to Companies like The Peoples Republic of Animation
• Made attempts to contact professional's in the Games Industry in an attempt to set up my Mentor Scheme.
• Become Thicker Skinned
• Learnt more about professionally developing my blog & internet presence.
• Found new and different Art styles that I enjoy working in.
• Set myself up for professional development modules next year.

I would go into what I have done on other projects so far, but as of the moment, I have more so worked as a contact point between technology and art for the Musician, and as part of the Brainstorming team for Barista.

I have plenty of things I wish to achieve next year, but for now. I'm proud of what I have achieved this year, and by far am proud of all the people I've had the chance to work with thus far. Especially the Bap team, who without, I think I wouldn't have had the chance to develop in a sense of professionalism that leads to a more mainstream industry, one that I feel I would more likely flourish in.

Liquid Animation

Thanks to Katharine Nicholls, I have now been introduced to Liquid Animation, these guys are, AMAZING, I love their VFX work, they've worked on the video for "If you keep losing sleep" By my favorite band in the world Silverchair. They also have some absolutely fantastic animation and are seemingly contracted by Disney. I am hoping that I will be able to have some contact with the guys there due to Kathy's contacts with them.

They're based in Brisbane in Australia, which is again another possibility for me. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the UK and working elsewhere for a while, getting to know a new culture, be it anywhere in the world. But with my Best friend out in Adelaide in Australia, it seems like a good place to Start.