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..

Living the Brand

Our model wears the classic TXT ISLAND 'logo' T-shirt, seen here in black but available in many other colours at the TXT ISLAND shop.

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!

Thick's a Hit

I went to see Rick Bland's play 'Thick' last night at the Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington. I can honestly say it rocked and I'd heartily recommended it. There's another show at the same venue next Sunday, then the play has a run at the Brighton Fringe Festival thereafter.

The CG Fun Continues...

Back in Maya, the 'plastic' letters looking a bit better now with some fancy HDRI lighting applied...

Letters from America

Just bought a lovely new font 'Now Playing' from New York type designers Terminal Design.
I've got the urge to make some 3D 'plastic' letters in Maya... Just for a few tests at the moment; maybe a new project further down the road...

Journalistic Exploits

I wrote a couple of magazine articles for Digital Arts magazine recently. The editor Neil Bennett has sent me the back issues, this is how they turned out.

Appman

TXT ISLAND In Shops Soon!

TXT ISLAND has been selected to appear on the 'Best of Bristish Animation Awards #8' compilation DVD to be released soon. Check out the BAA website for further details...