Off to Fettle we go...

For the past week, I've been giving a helping hand down at Fettle Animation finishing off a project before the next job that I am working with them on begins. It's been a fantastic few days and great way of getting settled and comfortable in the studio and with the software again before the main job kicks off.

The UKGK has it's revenge...

The project for Creature Features, creating an animation to advertise their model kit exposition is complete, and considering how the short time I had to complete it meant that the animation had to be kept quite simplistic and limited, I'm actually pleased with the final result. Concentrating on getting the design up to a high standard I think means the piece stands out and works with only limited movement. I loved trying to cram in as many references to classic TV shows and films as I could, as well as reinventing some of my favorite characters, so I had fun bringing them to life any way possible...

The final advert can be seen on the website at http://mojoanimations.wix.com/rjjones#!video/c136r 

Live Wire Reading Activists animation programme...

Whilst beginning work on the Creature Features project, this week I was asked to help out with Live Wire Warrington at a couple of libraries, working with the Reading Activists and helping them with a stop motion animation programme. The children involved had to choose a piece of their favorite book to build the characters, sets and props from, and then animate them. So while there, across the two afternoons, I helped then get the ideas together, showed them my work to hopefully give them some hints and tips on what to do, and then helped one of the groups out to animate and get their film together. All in all, the days went great, I enjoyed doing what I could to help and seeing the kids ideas come alive, seeing their imaginations flare and hopefully helping them to bring them to life. So thank you to Brenda Turnbull who asked me to help them, and everyone involved.

Creature Features surprise job...

Before potentially beginning the work at Fettle Animation, I had a lovely surprise job pop up while on a humble shopping trip to Blakemere. A shop in the village, Creature Features, which sells movie and TV memorabilia and model kits, are running an event called Revenge of the UKGK- a garage and model kit expo on the 28th of September, and for it they wanted a short, snappy animation to advertise it. So keeping things sketchy and in an almost Tim Burton style I feel would suit the event, and the idea at the minute uses characters that make up the letters of UKGK. As the artwork comes together a little more I shall post the characters of the film for a cheeky sneak peak, so keep an eye out over the next few weeks...

Fettle Animation calling...

Since the London skillset event I've been excited to be in talks with an animation studio in Marsden, Yorkshire called Fettle animation, who have given me the fantastic opportunity to work on their on their next project which would last until February. I wont spill the beans on what it entails, but things are reaching the final steps to getting the finishing details together and I cant wait to hopefully begin my time with them and get out into the world of work further...

Fixer's animation comes to an end...

The past few months since the London skillset event have disappeared completely. It feels like its been a mere 3, 4 weeks or so, but I guess as they say that's a sign of having fun. So the time has been spent completing the 'Unlocking Hidden Talent' animation for the Fixers' film and has all gone really well, I surprised myself at being able to complete over a minute and a half of animation in what I thought to be a fairly short time span. But it all went well, those running things were happy with things and the finishing touches are being put to it all before its available for viewing, and hopefully that wont be too long from now - can't wait to see it all done...

After the Creative Skillset Showcase...

Tuesday night was the Creative Skillset Showcase in London, giving the chance to meet a large group of companies and industry professionals, and the event went amazingly well. I was quite nervous to say the least going in, but it was the case that once aia spoke to the first person, I was on a roll. I was very humbled and proud to have some amazing feed back and some fantastic comments from those that saw my work, and, fingers crossed, there'll hopefully be some great opportunities in the future. So thankyou to all that I spoke to, it was a great experience, met some great people and I am looking forward to the next networking opportunity...

Creative Skillset Animation and VFX Showcase 2013...

Tomorrow, I and another 79 hand picked students from courses across the country are off to London to meet and greet up to 100 companies from the industry. This is the chance to show what we have done, what we can do and to begin the steps into our future. It's daunting but exciting at the same time, and I'll update you on the goings on of the day when I'm back...

Mojo begins work with Fixers UK...

I'm in the early days of a freelance job with a charity called Fixers UK, who want me to produce the animation for a half live action, half animated project aiming to get children to find their hidden talents, and they've even begun tailoring the animation to the style of my short film, 'Showtime' which is humbling and exciting. I won't say too much about it at the moment, but keep an eye out for more information coming over the next few weeks...
 

Graduation 2013 and results...

This week was my graduation for the University of Glamorgan- where on earth has those three years gone. I graduated with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Animation, and couldn't be happier that all of the hard work, sweat and tears over those years have paid off. It was difficult to stay motivated at times but the fact that I love what I'm doing and the perfectionist in me needs to have everything to the highest level meant that I was proud of everything I achieved and produced, and even managed to earn 1st in every major projects throughout the three years. And it seems that was also noticed by the staff on the course who awarded me the Division of Animation and Visual Effects Prize for BA (Hons) Animation at the ceremony just to top things off further, so I'm so proud and delighted to ended University on a high, and thank you to all who supported me, friends and family, along the way, because I couldn't have got here without you all.

Caricature for the DJ Super Heroes...

For the past few weeks I've been working with a DJ from London who is part of a group called the DJ Superheroes, and he commissioned me to create a super hero caricature of him in the colours of Batman, as his DJ name is DJ Bruce Wayne.

I'll be putting more info about him and his group up soon for anyone who would like his information, but for now I'll show you the image to see what you think...

Back off to Dinamo with the Wildernuts...

This week I've been back at Dinamo Productions in Cardiff, working again on a Flash based children's programme, this time called 'Wildernuts'. It was great again to get back to flash symbol based work and to be be back with alot of the same people I was there with when working on 'The Lingo Show'.

It took a little time to get back used to working with symbols rather than drawing it all in, but once I was off I learned to love it again and the time flew by. Thanks again to everyone at Dinamo for giving me the chance to re-join and contribute to the show, it was a great experience and can only be helpful for the future.
 
copyight Dinamo Productions

Showtime wins Best 2-D animation glammy 2013...

I'm proud to announce that Showtime won the 'Best 2-D Animation' award at the 2013 University of Glamorgan Glammies! It was a great surprise and I can't thank the judges at Dinamo enough for liking the film so much to vote it the winner. There was some very stiff competition this year, so even to be placed amongst the other pieces of work was good enough for me.

So thank you to everyone who has supported me in the creation of Showtime, as well as throughout University as a whole. It hasn't quite sunk in yet that it is all over, but hopefully it's all up hill and good things from here. But without all of the family and friends support over the past three years I wouldn't be in this position, and I wouldn't be able to say with pride, here is Showtime, please enjoy...

            http://mojoanimations.wix.com/rjjones#!video/c159q

Showtime is going to the Glammies...

After being 5 months in the making, and that's only production, Showtime is finally completed and I couldn't be happier with the overall result. It's the film and the style that I set out make, and luckilly time didn't mean me having to compromise on the look which is a real bonus. And it turns out that all of the hard work, sweat and tears have paid off as it's been nominated in the the Univeristy of Glamorgans 'Glammies' awards 2013 in the best 2-D and best third year catagories. Just to see it up on the big cinema screen will be a proud moment and be a fantastic end to the whole process and university as a whole.

But 'Showtime' will have to be kept under wraps for just a little while longer, so here's a little teaser poster just to keeps your mouths watering until its release...

The Master strikes back...

Seeing as its the final week of production on showtime, I thought I'd treat you to a few poses from when the Master has had enough and strikes back...

 

 

 

Showtime hits the final week of production...

This week os the final week of Showtime's production- how time has flown. So its just a matter of tweaking and getting as many of the final touches added to the film as possible. Again, I dont want to ruin the film, it wont be long before you'll be able to see it in full, but this section is one that has been cleaned and finished this week and is looking alot better...

Mojo animations hits the world wide web...

Mojo animations now has a website featuring all of my animation projects to date, from an E4 sting to Good Day Bad Day, along with a collection of artwork to accompany and hopefully enhance each one. It also features work currently in progress to keep you on the edge of your seat as you wait for their arrival, so why not have a look for yourself at...

mojoanimations.wix.com/rjjones

 

 

Relaxing with the Master...

 

The ending of the film needs to have an impact, needs to have built up to something that people will remember, so the spa in which the master is placed to relax has had a bit of a refit. Theres more detial in it that the other backgrounds but I feel that just shows the animators slightly apologetic mood here, giving him more detail to build his relaxation...

 

 

But ofcourse it doesnt last long and the animator soon has one last bit of fun with the Master...

 

Crate O'Pillows...

 

The pillow box has had a revamp ready for the master to fall from grace...

The Master is in for a shock...

 

With this next scene, I had to get across the fact that he is falling. little elements like the hair moving in the wind will hopefully emophasize this and bring it to life a little furhter...

With this section it was great to playn around with some bold poses for his panic striken situation as he falls. Even more so for the next shock he has in store...

 

 

I couldn't resist adding the odd silly little pose, so the master here gets the Bruce Forsyth treatment...

Creating the lightning strike look is fun, quick and in my eyes really effective. Its fun to see the master in different exaggerated poses and really bring the feel of a traditional cartoon to the film.

Spinning the master...

 

Things on the film are going a little slower than anticipated at the moment. The clean up is much more of a painstaking process to get a constant style throughout, but hopefully in the end it will all be worth it.

 

These shots are from the next scene, and the hand coming in really shows the two different styles of the real world and drawn world and the contrast between them...

 

It was alot of fun experimenting with the squash and stretch on these poses and really stretching the character to his limits

Showtime hits the final stage...

The final stage of the film has began progress. Although there is still quite alot of outlining and tweaking to complete, the colouring is able to begin. The scenes weren handed over to designers to go towards there collaboration project, and the process couldn't have been simpler -  keeping the film linear so the characters just needed colouring white to stop the background from showing through...

 

I'm really happy with the way the film is looking and feel that even without colour it is still bold and engaging. The lack of colour allows the sketchy lines to remain clear and for the style to be prominant, as well as emphasizing the fact that everything is being drawn straight onto the page. The elements of colour from the pencil then make the contrast even sharper and emphasize the seperation of the two worlds further.

Title sequence gets a revamp...

 

Showtime is becoming a little too long, and therefore things need to be sacrificed. I dont really want to get rid of any of the story itself, so it felt that the title section , in which the hand of the animator was originally seen coming in and preparing himself to draw the film, will be cut to just a simple shot of the animators desk, displaying art and design work for the film, with the titles then fading onto screen before zooming into the blank page for the film to begin. This will keep it simple, clear and still get the message across of the film being drawn straight onto the page without leaving audiences having to wait too long for the film to kick off...

 

These are just rough versions of the background, but they show the general idea of how it will look when complete, using a blocky, bold, colourful style similar to that of fifties cartoons and the work of Cartoon Modern, so that it contrasts the sketchy look of the main film itself and shows the seperation of the real world of the animator and the drawn world of the character.

Good Day Bad Day heads to MIAF...

 

Today I've recieved some very exciting and humbling news, that my second year film, 'Good Day Bad Day' has been chosen to be played amongst approximately 400 other animated films from around the world at 'Melbourne International Film Festival 2013' this June! It will be showcased on one of the ten days of the event, and I couldn't be more shocked and gratefull that my little film is travelling half way around the world to be shown to audiences over there. It's mind boggling but I'm totally thrilled...