I Have A Website !

-------------> http://hqjstopmotion.wix.com/hqjstopmotion <-------------

Go on click it !!!
This if for my Business studies side of Animation.
I'm completely new at it but pretty pleased with the outcome !!!
Hope you like it, less of me rambling on about my work going wrong :P
Its all quite organised for me.

And I think I prefer these stars for the background of my film :D
Still plenty to edit !!!

Studio Showcase #5 Laika

Laika has been growing since 2005 where they created theor forst short all-CG-animated film called Moongirl.

Since then they have made The Oscar and BAFTA-nominated film ParaNorman (2012)
Their first stop motion movie, Coraline (2009) broke them through with their stunning storytelling.

Their style and talent for making thousands upon thousands of replaceable faces is what also made them creating short movies of their characters almost building themselves again through stopmotion.

Their use of recipes and technology of printing the faces helped them carry on this beautiful style in their future films.

Their skills in storytelling and character performance in all mediums, including CG, stop motion which they demonstrate in the feature films so well. they're talents stretch further in their commercials, including 2D animation.

Following Laika closely ever since Coraline, this is where my ultimate dream job would be, helping them make the puppets and sets for their unbelievably beautiful films. Laika give the opportunity for graduates to become an intern for them. And the latest big film of theirs is The Boxtrolls that will premiere in the theatres September 26, 2014.

“We're a community of artists and technicians who create original animated content. We handcraft and transform everyday materials into living creatures infused with dimension and soul.”

Studio Showcase #4 BlinkInk

Blink is an award-winning British commercial production company based in London. Today, Blink is one of the industry;s most respected production companies, creating breathtaking commercials, short films and music videos using both live action and animation.

Their famous John Lewis Christmas campaign was the symbol of the winter season in 2013. Blinkink and Hornet are the proud creators of The Bear and The Hare, combining the stunning traditional 2D characters walking around a stop motion christmas wonderland. A beautiful short take of the Bear that had never seen Christmas.

Most recently Barry the Biscuit Boy, created by Joseph Mann and Andrew Thomas Haung's new live=action puppeteer, stop frame, animated advert for Cravendale. The funny story of a Barry the Biscuit Boy who loved milk so much to the point of disaster to himself.

Blinkink have been keeping stop motion animation alive in their commercials for years making sure the talent doesn't die out with the art of what is Stop motion, and even 2D animation.
It is companies like these that appreciates and respects the hard working traditional animators and creates stunning pieces with them.

Studio Showcase #3 Factory Transmedia

Factory Transmedia design and collaborate on projects across all media. they develop and produce project of all genres of animation. Factory TM can provide an exceptional range of creative adverts and TV series.

Factory TM is passionate about animation and embrace new talent. they certainly have experience when creating character design for animated series and the deliver world class animation for young children.

The are known for Fifi and the Flowertots, Raa Raa the Noisy Little Lion and Roary The Racing Car. Childrens programs that teach young children all of the basics in life through loveable creatures.

Working closely with Peter Kay they have combined to create Peter Kay;s all star band, where all of their characters sing along with a stop motion model of Peter Kay himself.

But what is even more exciting is their current project of recreating The Clangers !

Being one of the ultimate favourite of mine as a child, they maybe the beginning of my passion for stop motion. They are currently filming 52x11min episodes for The Clangers as they return back home to the BBC after 45 years.

The Clangers, which previously launched on the BBC in 1969, are pink, long-nosed, inventive and loveable mouse like creatures who live on a small blue planet, out in the starry reaches of space, not to far from Earth.

Factory TM say, "The joint announcement is made by CBeebies, Coolabi, Smallfilms and US 24-hour pre-school network, Sprout, who together are co-producing the new pre-school series, with BBC Worldwide for its international channels. BBC Worldwide is also confirmed as the international distributor for the show. The £5 million production is already underway and is set for a highly anticipated return to the small screen in 2015."

So they have high hopes for these little guys !!!

Studio Showcase #2 Famous Flying Films

Machinnon & Saunders and Famous Flying Films are combing their amazing talents to create a new Cbeebies stop motion comedy series Calamity Island. The series will consist of 52x7min episodes and will launch in 2014.

Calamity island is about two shipwrecked sailors and a mischievous penguin on a tropical Island.

The creator David Johnson, also created the famous Koala Brothers. A stop frame model animation series aimed at pre school audiences. David creates adventurous, curious and lovable characters that communicates to his young audience mainly through the power of body language and suggestion. His style of characters design and puppet fabrication is his signature. 

Studio Showcase #1 Three Stones Media

Three Stones Media was formed in 2007. They combine the best emerging talents that produce great storytelling and high quality products.

2011 three Stones brought a new project to the world. That being Rastamouse, a stop frame animation TV series for CBeebies.

The 78x11min episodes show a cool crime fighting mouse who through the power of redemption always "Makes a Bad Ting Good".

The series is an award winning  place of storytelling developed with the original authors and animator Derek MogFord. Together they have created a very distinctive show of which they are extremely proud of. Showing off their adorable puppets with their extremely bright and colourful 2D background and props.

The first two series of Rastamouse were made by the Welsh Animation company Dinamo. Unfortunately Dinamo closed down in June 2013 whilst filming a third series was being developed.
But Three Stones have picked it back up again.

Being so close it would be an amazing opportunity for myself to see how these cute puppets are created from scratch right through the fur fabricating. And also to see how a real studio works !

No More Dark Rooms !

Yes I've done it !!!

I can now enjoy daylight again.

I know I've neglected my blog, but its only because I'VE FINISHED FILMING !!!

4 weeks of filming time and I have roughly 4 minutes of my film ready to edit.

And OMG theres a lot to edit !!!

And as you can tell I went slightly mad in a small dark room :P
Here is some more photos of my process.

Forgot to post this !!!
Happy Birthday to Lil Sophie and my Cousin Luke !!!

Also sorry for the lack of Updates on my project.
Been a busy bee, animating solidly !!!
No such thing as weekends and Easter Holiday for me.
But aiming to have filming done by 13th April, and then the dreaded task of Post Production.

So for now have a giggle at my lovely friends and family's Birthday Cards I've drawn !!!