He lived the rest of his life a beggar ...

... which was perfectly just.

It's been too long since I last posted, but a great deal has been happening. I was looking at possible funding from certain sources but decided against it for various reasons (one being that the project is too far beyond certain stages to suit certain aspects of a certain funder's remit). So that's eaten up a great deal of time (none wasted however as I learned a considerable amount in the process). The quest goes on, but I shall not let it halt production, it just means that by and large this production is funded by the commercial work I do. I'm just finishing a small hand full of commercials for Picasso Pictures which should pay the rent a while and allow me to continue with Grimmwood. However, if there are any rich Kings or golden egg laying geese out there, do call.

Secondly, a learning curve has kept me occupied. I recently acquired Swift 3D, which, as stated in one of my initial posts on this here blessed production blog, was of the software packages mentioned. Various camera shots and backgrounds will incorporate 3D assisted elements. As I'm used to working in 2D rather than 3D, this has meant I've spent quite a bit of time sitting through tutorials in what spare time I've had (whilst not earning keep). I must thank a friend at this point, Colin Fawcett, who, when I explained my dilema of thinking in three dimensions suggested I get my head around modelling by downloading Google's free "Sketchup" and practice on there first. And that worked a treat, so, many thanks Colin. It's a remarkable programme and takes about three or four steps to learn to use. I highly recommend it for getting ones noggin around the third dimension.

Production shall resume shortly. In the meantime, above you will see the final model for Red.

Grimmwood and all production work is © 2006, Ian Culbard, All rights Reserved.

COLD HARD FLASH

Aaron Simpson of Cold Hard flash has been kind enough to mention me over at his glorious Flash site. In Aaron's own words, the site is:

a collection of thoughts on the recent swell of Flash-animated TV production. Over the past half-dozen years, Flash has expanded beyond the web and into broadcast TV and even feature film. Only 3 years ago, there were no more than 5 or 6 Flash-animated shows airing on TV. Today, that number is closer to 30.

I've been using Flash for many years now. It's a great tool and I think it's possibly the most used application on my dear old 'pooter. I stumbled upon Aaron's site quite by chance, and I'm very glad I did. Any Flash users out there looking for 'hints and tips' (and I'm assuming there are given the volume of people who emailed me or posted comments regarding the albiet brief tutorial I gave of how I created my Zombie Kong image), go check out the 'community' section on the site where there's a regular exchange of ideas. Also check out the Links the site has, quite a list with some excellent resources. Aaron updates the site daily (Mon-Fri) with great posts highlighting some of the many thing going on in the world of Flash, so be sure to check in on a regular basis. If there's one thing that world leaders agree on more than anything else then it is that Flash absolutely rules.

Well? What are you waiting for?

IN OTHER NEWS: Have just completed a commercial for Travelodge through Picasso Pictures (I mention it here because Aaron spoke about an Ad I couldn't talk about. I'm a stickler for non-disclosure so I don't talk about live commercial jobs till they're out the door). So if you're in the UK and you see an ad for Travelodge on TV, I did that. I somehow manage to miss everything I do when it goes on air. That may have something to do with the fact that my television isn't on very often, and when it is it isn't on for very long, I don't know. Anyway, keep 'em peeled. Shall have to see if I can get some stills up from it. What I do know however is that it will soon be on my reel so you'll be able to see it there as and when. Important point to mention about the commercial is, I got to work with the genius that is David Semple who was responsible for look of the ad.