The Mysterious Traveller

Shhhhh... ...I am going to begin with something positively inspirational and end on a negative truth. I sit here in hope that the latter shall not quash your want of reading, but it's how I roll these days; an optimistic pessimist (ha!).  POSITIVELY INSPIRATIONAL works of art can be found scattered across the city of Manchester. Even Stockport, where I have set up abode, has a great creative influx. Whether you stand before a grand mural towering up the side of a building, or spy a mysterious little character painted in the nook of an alleyway, you are in for a treat. I have seen many delightful pieces in passing, but have yet to tick them all off (some only last a few weeks; Bowie [above] is sadly no longer with us). However, as I was surfing my second favourite web browser, I stumbled upon a guide that portrays many of these incredible pieces from the streets of Manchester. I strongly recommend a peruse: https://www.blocal-travel.com/street-art/manches...

   This is a very belated Star Wars related (accidentally rhyming with excellent timing) piece of writing. I'm not going to delve into my own review, because I'm not a film critic and I'm certainly not capable of writing anything mildy serious. Instead, I'm going to write a few words as a Star Wars fan, a cinema goer and a twenty nine year old child. I ******* loved it. I loved the film. I love Star Wars. I bloody love you. I went to the midnight viewing, opening night, with my good friend Daniel James after an evening of blue milk (courtesy of Aunt Beru), the Christmas Special (courtesy of bad taste) and watching the loveable BB-8 patrol the room (simply a courtesy). I was very nervous; I could feel my heart pounding the closer I got to screen 7. I honestly don't think I have ever felt so excited, scared and emotionally drained in such a hypnotic way.  I have since watched it two more times, bringing the total to thrice. And if the Odeon cinema p...

Frodo  Who the f**k is this chap? Pippin Oh just some blockheaded drunkard from Hardbottle I think I'm finally on the road where the term it'll pay off in the end  has significant relevance. Not in a literal sense as my financial issues are far from being settled, but metaphorically; where playing the waiting game has now begun rewarding me for my patience. This month especially I have felt incredibly uplifted by upcoming events and networking with people connected to these events (all animation related of course). I feel that my current status as an animator is steadily growing with every message I send, every piece of feedback I receive or the comments concerning my work. Every opportunity I am given is graciously accepted. I just need to focus and channel all this productive feeling into productive ACTION ! I have managed to secure a work experience placement in Birmingham's arts and media quarter, known as the Custard Factory , at a studio called Yamina...

As I write this new entry I have actually lost all energy in physical form, however, my strong will to do something productive has prevailed. I have left my job as a catering assistant at Princethorpe College and just returned from an intense seven day drinking excursion to the cultural and peaceful coastal village of Ayia Napa, therefore, this day signifies the new adventures of Tom's Thumb. In between recovering by the pool and having yet another McDonalds meal (it truly was one of the most unhealthiest weeks of my life; I loved it!) I somehow mustered myself to reach the reception and make full use of the Internet. I logged onto my Hotmail account. I discovered an email from a Dan Richards. The name didn't originally ring any bells but as I opened it and read through, it all became clear... I finally have an interview for an animation based job!!! Animate and Create Studios   I had applied for the role of stop motion animator and workshop leader in the A...

I am so close to the animating stage I can almost taste it on the cusp of my tongue. It tastes like epoxy glue but then I have been going a little crazy recently; surely a bit of mild solvent abuse won't matter. I have completed the main character with his medieval garments and weaponry. The only thing George needs now is a pair of hands and some lovely fabric booties. The progress from the last couple of weeks I have made wire hands before but usually need some advice to get it spot on. Luckily, the 'microblogging' service known as Twitter has been of good fortune to me, where a fantastic stop motion animator and photographer known as Ben Whitehouse  kindly sent me a link to his Blog . His recent entry went over in great detail one of the best ways to construct armature hands. So all I need now is some god damn wire! After posting the cunning plan of the animation table ( episode I of 2012) I have actually constructed it to the letter. I just love it...

A strange blog title I have to admit, and yet those who know me won't be surprised at all. I recently went to visit my father in Germany with my brother; a hefty road trip through five countries with a lot of red bull and many psychological challenges along the wrong side of road. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was walking along a street and saw this old German woman getting rid of some ragtag junk. I spotted a pink and green Barbie castle/house thing and the cogs in my head started to turn. You see, with the animation I do (and many will understand this) you will find yourself picking up so much random stuff wherever you may be; whether this is a car boot sale, a rubbish tip, the park or even on a night out (I swindled some nice beer mats that could make nice paintings for a model lounge). Basically it is a habit that us stop motion animators get in to. It took me a while to figure out how the damn thing opens up. So here it is in all its glory: the Barbie house in the ...