Working at Second Home Studios

Back in September / October of 2013 I had the chance of getting to do just under 3 weeks of work experience at delightful and very welcoming Second Home Studios in Birmingham. Where I got to assist on a project for CITV's Share A Story, This is a yearly competition by CITV where children get to make their own storyboard for a 30 second short. The winners are selected and local animation studios are then given a short to make in their desired format.

To find out more about Share A Story check out the in-depth article from skwigly here!

The Share A Story I got to work on is called 'My Motorbike'. Made at Second Home Studios. Written and read by 8 year old Alex Holt, Directed and Produced by Waldemar Werbel and Chris Randall.

I joined the project on the last 3 weeks of production right when the animating side started up. This was a perfect time for me to join as most of the job roles I got involved in were prop making, set dressing, help setting up shots, lighting and overall studio assistance. The job that I'm most proud of getting to do was making the characters scarf and red cape. I made 2 of etch Item as they had a habit of getting a little grubby from been used and moved around a lot to simulate the wind as he rides the bike.

One of the more amusing things I learnt was making the trees. To do this we used a number real tree branches, glued together to make the tree trunks. For the green foliage we used bunches of Broccoli screwed and glued into place. This would of never of crossed my mind but it is something I will most definitely be keeping in mind for a project as it has a brilliant look on camera. 

To read the skwigly interview with Chris and Wal on the making of My Motorbike Click here!

Check out the final short here:
 
Credits:
Written and read by 8 year old Alex Holt,
Directed and Produced by Waldemar Werbel and Chris Randall.
Animation: Ian Whittle, Chris Randall, Waldemar Werbel
Production Assistant: Omari McCarthy
Modellers: Dominic Madden-Kennedy, Abbie Williams, Charlotte Clare, Amy Dodd, Ian Whittle, Omari Mccarthy Josh Taylor, Daniel James
Post-Production: Waldemar Werbel, Jardine Sage, Frank Mansfield, Chris Randall

I hope you enjoyed It, this was great fun to work on and a brilliant team to work with, I hope to get the opportunity to work with them again! To find out more about Second Home Studios click here!

Animated Eden

I’d like to tell you lovely lot that this Sunday the 8th of September is Animated Eden, Cumbria's First International Short Animation Film Festival. This is a one day pilot animation festival to help raise money for next year’s much bigger festival and screenings; it will be awesome if we could get as many of you, the Animation gang to come along. 

I'm also very happy to say that my film The Piper will be getting screened as part of the festival. So to all you guys who have seen my making of posts and not seen the final film this will be a perfect chance for you to see The Piper on the big screen. 

After the screening I will be taking part in a Q&A on stage where I will be talking about the making of process for the film and taking questions from the audience. You will also have the chance to meet The Piper cast as I will have the puppets on stage with me and they will be on display throughout the day. 

If you are a stop motion animator or fan you will be delighted to hear that the incredibly talented Mr Barry Purves will be given what is bound to be a very inspiring talk all about is experience working in animation and why he still animates with puppets. Barry will also be screening a selection of his own short films. I first met Barry in 2010, in them three years I have gotten to know him very well and now regard him as a good friend. I highly recommend that you come to this talk; you will leave with a big creative buzz. 

I should also mention that the festival shop / stand will be selling The Piper crew T-shirts size medium only for £8 and badges for 50p. So if you liked The Piper and would like to support my work please come and buy one. 

So come on down or up, the festival is free, so what more could you want!! However they do ask for a donation to help run this first and future events. 

For information check out 

www.animatededen.com 

it will be grate to meet you all so if you see me walking around come and say hello, I look forward to seeing you there!