New pilot
We've just wrapped up the pilot film we were working on. Very short deadline as they often are. We completed animation about a half hour before going to online at Flix Facilities in Media City Manchester.
The chaps did an amazing job, using Anime Studio for the first time. A very funny show that I hope gets picked up. Over to you money guys! :)
Seyhun, David, James and Craig... top drawer animators in front of the secret wall!
Onlining.
Back to work
I'm back from New York where myself and Kendra were married. I can't describe how lucky I feel. Trying to remember what I was doing before our trip. Some very exciting projects lined up this week, that I apparently can't talk about for at least two years. Hopefully some of the teasers me and the guys at the MSD dev team have been working on will start to be leaked. Also have to finalise an alternative animatic for my own little show. Maybe Ill get to make that this year. I say that like its a new year, but this past week has kind of been like Christmas. Lucky lucky me!...
Working from home...
As the last Wandas roll through Im getting to work on some development stuff from home. Always fun. It's a joy to get drawing again. Self portrait warm-up from this morning. Testing out a few new brushes.
Nick Jr. Africa To Premiere "Wanda and the Alien"
Link here. http://nickalive.blogspot.co.uk. Great to see Wanda and Alien heading out worldwide.
Crew photo
A great last pic of the Wanda team before most of them depart. January will see a smaller group of us seeing the last few shows out the door. Ive been so lucky to work with these guys.
Team Wanda
Thumbnails
Before the episode goes to the storyboard artist I always draw thumbnails of the whole show. This helps me work out the business of the episode, and get what we need from our storyboard team. At the beginning of production these thumbnails can be pretty detailed but usually get lighter as everyone gets to know the shows style and limitations better.
I also often drop in little colour ideas to push an idea or design. Heres a handful.
Last Animation briefing
Final animation brief with team leads from left Graig, James and David and animation director Claire. Amazing bunch!
A few baggy eyes but nearly there.
Nearly there..
We've had the wrap party and the bulk of the team will be breaking up at end of the month. Always a sad time but what a great job the guys have done. The shows have gotten better and better thanks to animation director Claire Grey and our leads Craig Knowles (@Knowlio), David Ridges (@david_ridges) and James White (@Jimbo_Designs). A core team will be working on through to the new year, seeing the remaining Wandas through and developing a couple of very fun projects.
Daves team
James team
My own show.
The past week or so I've been making the teaser for my own little show. Im so lucky to have the backing of the guys at Mackinnon and Saunders. The three animation leads on Wanda.... David Ridges, Craig Knowles and James White are animating. Music Composer Heather Fenoughty is also onboard. As is dubbing editor Robin Cowap at Flix Facilities.
The timeframe has been very short, but it will be done ready for MIP. It looks great and I think its original and exciting. I think I might burst if anyone picks it up.
update...
We are still at it :) The show is looking great! Animation director Claire Grey is working amazingly hard continuing the very high standard of animation.
Claire Grey (animation director) and me.
Animation lead David Ridges
Jonzy (head of backgrounds and Simon Turner (head of Layout)
Hard at it....
Wanda and Alien
The initial team. (its grown since) In the foreground the amazing animation director Clair Grey.
Animation lead David Ridges (@david_ridges)
The other two Animation leads Craig Knowles (@Knowlio) and James White (@Jimbo_Designs)
The Great Martian War
My friends film... The Great Martian War, has just be released on History
Heres some images from a Sequence I boarded. A great project!