2014 BAA prize

Every two years, at the British Animation Awards night, the cream of the UK animation 'industry' gather together for one rare night of celebration at the National Film Theatre. I was fortunate enough to be a finalist back in 2010 when my film TXT ISLAND made it into the last three in competition for the 'Best Short Film' award. Although TXT ISLAND wasn't a winner, it was great to have my film up there amongst the finalists. Professionally I can say that's been the high water mark of my career thusfar...

So it was an honour to be invited by Jayne Pilling (who tirelessly puts the whole BAA thing together) to create one of the prizes for this year's 2014 BAA awards. At each ceremony, the prizes are always hand-made artworks created by animators selected by Jayne and her team from previous winners and finalists. On the big night, the prize-winners each receive one of these unique awards rather than the usual plaque or statuette one might expect.

The brief for the design of the prizes is 'create some kind of artwork that alludes to Britishness, animation and ... sheep'. Sheep, because the acronym of British Animation Awards is of course ... BAA.

 

So here is my contribution to the occasion. I've used plastic lettering and pegboard material left-over from the production of TXT ISLAND to make this typographic artwork. I wish good luck to all participants in this year's BAAs, to the prize-winners of course, but especially the runners-up ; )

TXT ISLAND in Cable Car Screening !

My 2009 animated short film TXT ISLAND certainly made it to lots of screenings and festivals in its day, but none so 'elevated' as this weekend's screenings at the popular Austrian ski resort of Lech.

In what looks to be a fine weekend of revelry and culture, animated short films are presented inside the cable car cabins for the entertainment of festival goers as they soar above the snow-clad mountains. I'm very proud to have had my film selected as part of this event.

The Cineastic Gondolas Festival brings together music, film and ... cable cars, a winning combination for sure; as readers of this blog will already know... I'm really quite fond of cable cars.

TXT ISLAND is a Vimeo STAFF PICK

My 2009 short film TXT ISLAND has just been selected by Vimeo as a STAFF PICK.

+++ UPDATE 08/03/13 +++

After a day or so, I can say that having this film selected by Vimeo has come as a very nice surprise. Although the film has been online for three years with only a trickle of views, it suddenly spiked to around 12000 views in the 24 hours following the selection. The film has received a good few hundred Vimeo 'likes' and 'followings' too. Many thanks to all those who've supported the film and helped 'spread the word' by adding it to their blogs and sites etc.

Oh, you've seen the film ... now buy the T-shirts!

FUTURA GOLD on Creative Review Feed

Just a note to say that my new short animated film THE FUTURA GOLD : episode 01 has been selected for the prestigious Creative Review Feed page.

THE FUTURA GOLD : episode 01

Okay, here it is, my first new animated film in a while. This is the first episode of what may become a new epic series. The Futura Gold develops the ideas and techniques of my short film TXT ISLAND a little further, but this one has an open-ended storyline which I hope to add to if there is sufficient interest in this.

New Animated Film (Coming Soon)

For anyone still waiting for a follow-up to my 2009 short film TXT ISLAND something animated is coming soon just for you... The new release wont be a new short film; rather a pilot episode for a new series of shorts!*

The tantalizing two minute first episode of The Futura Gold is pretty much ready apart from a few sound tweaks, so should be coming soon to an online video platform near you...

Oh alright then, here are a few stills from the new work...

* Potentially.

TXT ISLAND Plays Bristol on Tuesday

Just a note to say that my 2009 short film TXT ISLAND is getting another screening this Tuesday (25th September), this time in Bristol where it will be screened as part of the CineMe Award Winning Shorts event. Although I can't make it, I wish everyone attending a fine evening and would like to thank Matthew Freeth and the event's co-ordinators for choosing to show my film.

TXT ISLAND Rides Again

My 2009 animated shortfilm TXT ISLAND is now participating in an on-line competition here...

The competition is put-together by the Milan Film Festival; selected festival films with an 'eco' theme have been chosen for this on-line competition sponsored by Air Dolomati and Aeroporto Di Monaco. Fans of the film will have to register to vote...

Text Message

TXT ISLAND on Best of Animation 5 DVD

Well I had a nice birthday surprise yesterday. A big cardboard box couriered to my house with 20 copies of the new 'Best of Animation 5' DVD inside. The compilation is put together by the good people of the Stuttgart animation festival and includes their pick of ten films from the 2010 edition. There are many fine short films to be seen here and TXT ISLAND too! It's a genuine honour to have my bit of work included on this, many thanks again to Andrea and her team in Stuttgart.

Here's the DVD running order, a most international selection of world-class shorts...

'A Family Portrait' dir. Joseph Pierce
'Horn Dog' dir. Bill Plympton
'La dama y la muerte' dir. Javier Recio Gracia
'Logorama' dir. Francois Alaux, Hervé de Crécy, Ludovic Houplain
'Love & Theft' dir. Andreas Hykade
'Prayers for Peace' dir. Dustin Grella
'Runaway' dir.Cordell Barker
'Sam’s Hot Dogs' dir. David López Retamero
'TXT Island' dir. Chris Gavin
'YELLOW CAKE' dir. Nick Cross

TXT ISLAND The Interview

Way back last Autumn whilst at the Onedotzero festival (at the BFI Southbank) I was interviewed about TXT ISLAND. I must have had a lot to say; these folks have only just now finished the editing and it's July now ;) Hardly a scoop, but here I am on the Onedotzero Vimeo channel.

Annecy 2010

Just come back from the Annecy Animation Festival. My film TXT ISLAND was showing in the 'Out of Competition' selection and had three screenings. Could only make it for the long weekend, but worth the effort nonetheless. Lots of animated short films to see, met some fine people and made it to a few parties too.

Annecy is a fine old place, a medieval town by a lake, surrounded by mountains and a river there's a river runs through it...
Like any french high street there are lots of these animated neon pharmacy signs, I'm collecting these...
The foyer of the Bonlieu Centre is the epicentre of this huge and sprawling festival. As of this year it's been going for 50 years now. Somewhere under one of those umbrellas, Nick Park is signing books etc.


Tartiflette is the local dish here. Potatoes with runny cheese on top. Reblochon seems to feature heavily in the cuisine of the Savoie.

The Argentine Film Board threw a fine party at a local bowling alley / nightclub venue. Here we see an acrobat in an over-sized hula hoop.
Followed by a fine demonstration of Argentine tango.
 

Splendid impromptu music-making at the lakeside picnic. That's David Silverman (Simpsons director) on tuba.

It's the closing night ceremony. Prizes are given and the giant balls are released.

Last morning trudge down the hill from the campsite. Head for the TGV station and as  the town awakes we bid a fond farewell to this fine city of animated festivalness..

Stuttgart Fantastisch

Back in the UK today after my long weekend at the Stuttgart Animation Festival. Had a fantastic weekend and met lots of interesting folk. TXT ISLAND was shown in the International Competition and a special 'British Shorts' programme put together by Kevin Franklin.


Stuttgart is a pleasant city. I had lots of fun shooting little video clips after discovering that Sam's little point and shoot Panasonic FX150 shoots 720HD at 24P!

A great view of the city can be had (for free) from the top of the tower above the Bahnhof.

The modern Art gallery on SchlossPlatz is worth a look too.

At the festival, TXT ISLAND was shown in competition programme 5 and the British Shorts showcase. I also did a directors Q&A and a 'making of' presentation too.

Bratwurst and beer. Festival food Stuttgarter style.

The final night party features an impromptu session from a fine sousaphone, melodica and rapper combo!