Ray Harryhausen (1920 - 2013)

A hero passed away yesterday, and with this the world lost some of it's magic.

Ray Harryhausen was a technician, a sculptor, an artist, an animator and most importantly, a filmmaker. I don't want to give you his life story here. I'm not the man for that. Plus there are plenty of books for you to go out and read.

What I do want to do is tell you is how much Ray's work and life meant to me.

Now I'm no one special. I'm a guy that works in an office in Brighton who happens to make films in his spare time. I have good days, and I have bad days, but I enjoy the hell out of this life. I enjoy the the fact that you can't stop me doing this. If I have an idea for a film with a killer doll, you may say it's stupid and you may tell me it's a waste of time; but ultimately you can't stop me.

That's pretty much how Ray started. He saw King Kong one day and was hooked on the magic of Cinema. With the help of this family and friends he went out and taught himself how to make animated films. And this was back in the 40s. Not like today when any office worker in Brighton can get their hands on a camera and make a film.

I can't remember the exact day when I was first introduced to the films of Ray Harryhausen. It feels like they've always been there. But way back in 2001 I was faced with a big decision. Do I go to University and If I do, what do I study?

I was good at two things; Graphics and Maths. However I was never that much of a fan of continuing Maths and ending up in a Economics office staring at numbers all day. So, with pile of prospectuses (prospectii?) in hand I sat down with Mum and started going through  to find something art based to follow.

Illustration was the way forward...then illustration and animation...then solely animation. "Hell, I love the Ray Harryhausen films. That's what I will become...an animator!"

Okay that's quite a tenuous link. However, whilst at the interview I had to present my minimal portfolio. I also had a long discussion with the lecturer and a couple of students, about Ray Harryhausen, and how animation can bring the imagination to life. I'm still convinced to this day, that this is why I was accepted into University. My love of film, animated monsters and Ray Harryhausen!

Very important side note to cement this:- Whilst at University, I had the chance to meet Ray at a talk in Bristol on 21st March 2004. A great exepereince and definite highlight of my undregrad life. I also got a copy of his book (quite a hefty and pricey item for a poor student) and queued to get it signed. Something I will always treasure.

So I continued my love for animation, especially the stop motion effects in films, not just Ray's credits, but such examples like Jack the Giant Killer, Puppet Master and of course King Kong (what do you mean which one? I ought to slap you. 1933 of course!)

In a roundabout way, without ever seeing Ray Harryhausen film, I wouldn't be who I am today. I probably wouldn't be working in an office in Brighton, I wouldn't be providing animation for Brother Chris' Jenny Ringo films or trying to control a killer doll.

So as I said, like many others, I grew up with these films. However I've seen a lot of tributes, including one I'm pasting below, that mention how much he meant to our childhood, and how a large part of our childhoods have now been lost. To me his films are more than this. Yes I watched them as a child. But I never stopped watching. I still watch today. I will always watch.  And I'm sure that one day, way when I have kids, or even Grand kids, I'm sure one day I'll be sitting them down to show them real magic.

So life goes on. I'll go back to work and sit in theoffice; and no one will mention how we lost a legend on Tuesday, how the world of film has lost a genius and how a shocking number of people are still unaware of the magic he created.

But I know; and the people I love know. And I'll carry on fighting killer dolls and chasing beach monsters and writing bizarre films set in Victorian London. I'll also continue to imagine more crazy ideas for films. Because that's what I do.

That's what Ray Harryhausen taught me. If you put your mind to it, no one can stop you bringing a skeletons back to life.

"Ray Harryhausen took a part of all our childhoods with him when he went.
Thankfully he remained with us long enough to realise how universally beloved his work was by so many. Thank you, Ray." - Joe Dante

Thank you Ray. Thank you.

Ray Harryhausen
1920 - 2013

Some stuff has happenend, a lot of stuff hasn't...

I've not updated on here for quite a while. Sorry about that. I have been busy though.

In terms of One Foot From Hell...I totally finished the trailer. Take a look...



This was also shown at the last Movie Bar we ran, but more on that later, back to One Foot.

The animation is half complete, the grade is with Darren to make it look all creepy and stuff...and that's where we are.

Still a lot to get done.

Our main current set backs include helping Brother Chris on Jenny Ringo 3 and more annoyingly, having to rework the animation doll as some of the latex has started to fall apart. We'll get there though. Hopefully be doing more animation over the next week. Once that's complete then it's full steam ahead getting sound and music sorted.

I've been bogged down with a lot of other things (namely Tomb Raider), but I'm slowly getting back up and running and can see the end. It's still quite a small dot on the horizon, but it's there.

So back to MovieBar, we held the last night on 1st April 2013 - no April fool's prank here. Movie Bar is over...until June 3rd where it continues under new management. It's been fun helping to run the night over the past couple of years but we felt it was time to pass it on to fresh meat. To take it further into it's 7 year run, and hopefully beyond.

So what else has stopped me making One Foot. I only gone and done a podcast. You can check it out on it's very own web page here.

The podcast is called It Was Only a Pound. Brother Chris and I watch films that have only cost £1 and discuss whether it was worth it. It's basically an excuse to go through the massive pile of films I've bought, but never gotten around to watching. We hope to get more social with it but I'll post links when available. At the moment we've only manage 2 episodes but as you can see on here, I've been busy.

So this finally brings us to Jenny Ringo 3. Brother Chris decided to bring Jenny back a third time in a shorter adventure. Once again I was asked to provide some animation, which so far is looking great. However this time, I was also given the opportunity to try my hand at being the DoP.

I'm going to post about this in the future to give a full account of how it went down. In short it was a great experience. For more information check out (and Like) their Facebook page and website.

So there we have it. I've been a busy bunny for the last couple of months. However as we head into the final school term, I'm more focused on what I need to do.

Crazy Feature script is still in my head, and I will start working on it soon. I've also starting thinking of many other projects to spend my time on when the existing projects have been completed. Granted, there's already a long list, but I don't mind making it longer.

So I'd better get back to it as I need to go and make a human hand (spoilers).

So there I was...

... working on the latest podcast in between finding music for the new podcast episode, when I realised I haven't updated this blog for a good few months.

So where are we in the grand scheme of things?

Reading up on the last blog there's still a lot of unfinished work One Foot continues to move forward, but due to bust Christmas, the edit took longer than planned. However, the first edit is now complete. It has been passed back to our DoP for the grade whilst Charlotte and I continue with the animation.

On that front, we've completed roughly half the animation. I haven't put it in the edit yet as I need the grade, but I can still work on the 2nd stage of animation first.

Soon we also need to start on the sound edit in case we need to ADR any scenes.

From Project 30 I have learnt that it is always good to have a realistic time frame to set yourself. Therefore, based on the length it has taken Brother Chris to complete Jenny Ringo, I think I have about 1 year to complete the film fully. That means by October, or specifically, Halloween, I will have a completed short film to do the festival rounds in 2014.

So what else has been taking up my time. Well...

Trailer:
All good films need a good trailer. I've roughly edited a trailer together to show at Moviebar next month - this also happens to be the last MovieBar we will run. Sad to see it go, but glad for the time back to work on other projects. Anyway trailer is getting there, just need music.

Poster
Charlotte has been working on a poster for the film. So far it looks amazing and really captures the creepy atmosphere we tried to capture with One Foot.

Podcast
What's that you say? "You're doing a podcast now"?
Yep. Brother Chris and I have begun a new podcast in which we discuss the merits of films that have only cost us 1 English Pound. You can find the first episode (and all future episodes) here:-

www.itwasonlyapound.co.uk

And that's that really.

I completed Mass Effect 3 by the way. Currently on the excellent Tomb Raider. I should post about that really but who's even reading this.

I'll let you know when I have made more progress on any of the above.

Cheers!!

Project 30 is now over!

It's time for another update. This is a big one as we've now passed the Project 30 deadline. This also means I'm 30 now! Happy Birthday me!!

So where are we with Project 30. Did I complete all the projects? Did we fail so miserably that I will never try anything again?

Let's see:

Project 1: Complete the "Radio Play" Everyday Joe.
As we know I completed Project 1. There are now 31 wonderful people who have listened to it. I'm not even considering the fact that people may have listened multiple times. Still good on you, shame on everyone else.



Anyway, I blogged about this back in August. You can find the complete rundown here.


Project 2: Complete my first, "professional" short film.
This one I didn't quite finish, however...

Project 2a. Complete the filming for my first, "professional" short film.
If you read the blog last time I announced that I had completed the filming of One Foot From Hell and set up the Facebook page here!
Now due to the following bonus project, updates for One Foot have been few and far between. I can confirm that we've begun going through the footage, found a handful of outtakes and more importantly, we're locating the best takes to speed up the editing process. It therefore goes without saying that I haven't started editing yet, which means the animation has not started either. I would like to get it edited before the end of  the year, which should be possible, but Christmas does always get busy.

Watch this space, and the Facebook page for further updates.

Moving on...

Bonus Project: Music Video.
This one failed, but the idea we had was a good one so it will be resurrected in the new year.

Project 3: Complete the super secret script for a bonkers adventure film set in Victorian England.
Not entirely finished this one. Let's see how we got on with the sub-project.

3a. Complete the treatment for a bonkers adventure film set in Victorian England.
Yeah, not much further I'm afraid. I did try to get the treatment completed the night before my Birthday but got a little confused. I'm still working on it but have backtracked to working out a timeline first, then I can build this up to the treatment. A weird way to work I know but I've made the story a smidge complicated.

Project - Mass Effect 2
I completed this a while ago, which moved me to add...

Bonus Game Project: - Complete Mass Effect 3
Now I'm not crazy and originally set this to be completed by the end of the year. This was mainly so I could complete the whole Mass Effect Trilogy in 2012. However I have read that Mass Effect 4 is in talks, so this Trilogy project now seems a little redundant. It's good fun though, and pretty much all I've been doing with my week off.

Now do you see why I haven't edited!

So there we are. Project 30 has come to a close. It was a challenge. Probably too great looking at the time frame I set myself especially as I knew that a lot of my free time had already been assigned to other commitments. I think the deadline process does work, as long as it is realistic and as long as you believe in it. It at least gets yo motivated to do something. It also helps it is have a cool name. Project 30 was obvious. I was thinking of Operation 2013 for next year, but I may have to change it to Project Snakebite or Operation Tigerfist!

Anyway, despite not fully completing the short, I am proud that we managed to even film it in such  a short space of time. I've got a lot more work ahead of me, but doing this has taught me that I do enjoy keeping busy and being creative. Yes a lot of the time my ideas fall by the wayside but there are others that stick. 2013 is looking to be another busy year to finish off a number of small projects, along with finally finishing One Foot. I also realised that I spend far too much time playing video games, but that's not going to change anytime soon.

So I'll keep you updated on the One Foot progress, and if I manage to complete the bonkers script. For now I'm going to get on with the tattered remains of Project 30.

Also, a big thank you to anyone who reads this blog regularly. Hopefully it's the same 31 cool people who listened to Everyday Joe. You truly are awesome!

Sad news for Project 30...

So I really should have seen this coming.

After the official announcement of One Foot From Hell (fittingly on 31st Oct) you would have seen the addition of Bonus Project: Music Video to Project 30.
I was pretty confident when I wrote the blog post, but failed to actually consider how little planning had gone into the video. I started animating on Saturday night (3rd Nov) and continued on Sunday. Only to realise I was rushing way to fast with the animation.

What I really needed to get it right was time, and time was something I did not have. So I faced facts and called it off.

Bonus Project: Music Video - FAILED

However, like a phoenix from the flames, this project will return in a slightly updated form as part of "OPERATION 2013"

So after my busy weekend ahead I will continue with the main project - Once Foot From Hell, and hopefully work a bit on the treatment for the bonkers adventure film set in Victorian England.

Busy busy busy!

Dying is easy, filmmaking is hard...

So I moved from the industrial pottery town of Stoke-on-Trent to the artistic mecca of Brighton in search of fortune and glory. Surely there's more going on here then up north.

Apparently not.

Not at all.

I've learned 2 lessons recently with my time working on Project 30:

Lesson number 1 -
Never announce anything until you know for sure you can pull it off.

Lesson number 2 -
Don't ever try anything until you know you can definitely pull it off.

Obviously lesson 2 is a contradictory statement, as in order to see if you can pull it off, you need to try. However, just don't bother. This way, you'll still have great ideas, you'll still want to make the next Harry Potter and most of all, you'll still enjoy watching other peoples films.

I've wasted money, time, energy and sleep for nothing much in return. The world is too messed up unless you can pay your way through.

Project 30 does continue as I write my script. As for making films; I lost my desire for this. I'll leave it for those with the blinders on...



...which is what I was thinking a few weeks ago during one of my darker periods.



It's fitting that today is Halloween. Today I am every so very pleased to announce the title of my short film -





So now I will obviously continue on about how I overcame this dark period and managed to get my cast sorted. Also how after a simple meeting with Darren Berry about possible cameras I could buy to make the film, he then suggested he film it. And finally discussing how my schedule is causing me hours of frustration. I will cover this and keep you updated on the making of One Foot From Hell...

...except I don't need to as I was so busy I didn't have time to blog at all so have actually completed principle photography!!

Now I'm not trying to get ahead of myself. There's still a hell of a lot to get on with before it's finished but I felt an update on Project 30 was long overdue.

So this is where we stand:

Project 1: Complete the "Radio Play" Everyday Joe.
I completed project 1. So far 29 people in the world have listened to it! (Which is pretty rubbish if you think about it. But I wont dwell on this. At least it's out there and people are listening)

Project 2: Complete my first, "professional" short film.
I'm happy to say that I'm making progress with this. I did complete the sub task of completing filming so I now definitely have to finish it. I know how long this can take. I hope to get an edit completed for the animation in November (spoilers) and then there's the whole grading and sound and music etc. I am looking forward to editing however I've hit a bonus level.

Bonus Project: Music Video.
There's another competition on Genero.TV. Charlotte is interested so we're going to rush it out. When I say rush, the quality will be HD as requested. Actually I guess I'd better read the rems just in case...
Closing date is 15th November so I'll be back to One Foot From Hell soon.

Project 3: Complete the super secret script for a bonkers adventure film set in Victorian England.
Small progress made but nothing substantial. I think this is the one that will not be complete by 27th. Not ever the treatment. I will try, and it's definitely on the list to complete as soon as time lets me, but with the introduction of the Bonus Project time is limited.

Project - Mass Effect 2 - Complete.
However, as I have completed both Mass Effect 1 and 2 in 2012, I feel the need to complete Mass Effect 3 to complete the trilogy. So...

Bonus Game Project: - Complete Mass Effect 3
This I can complete by the end f the year.

So that's that. One Foot From Hell is go and I'm really looking forward to getting animating. The finished film is going to be pretty crazy. In a good way!!

Be sure to check for updates on the new Facebook page here>>>

Project 30 threatened by people...or lack thereof.

So I've been in various mood swings over the past week or so. This has been caused by trying to get a short film off the ground. However, it seems, if you haven't already got a small loyal crew set up, it's a bit of a pain getting a new team together. Even in Brighton it seems, where everyone is making some kind of film at some point.

As you've guessed it, this has become a complaint post.

So I was getting a little worried as November was looming, but I reckoned I still had loads of time. I emailed a friend interested in filming and he gave me his rough schedule.

Unfortunately it was discovered that he couldn't help out until 6th October. Great I thought. The weekend  Brother Chris and family are away so I borrow their flat as a location.

However this was the only weekend her could do until November.

So I thought...and thought...and was advised November made more sense. I did fear that Project 30 wouldn't happen though. However I decided, November would give more time for preparation, so I changed my mind. We will shoot in November!

Then I checked a calendar! "Oops!" I thought as I stared at my busy month of birth.

So it turns out, when trying to schedule, make sure you know what your plans are first.

Ok, back to the drawing board and back to October. This was now pretty much the best time I had to film. So I dived in and signed up to Shooting People, Talent Circle, posted on Moviebar and a couple of other places.

So we're off. Putting a crew together. So far, as if you couldn't work this out, responses have been disappointing.

I got a few responses from Shooting People, from some interesting people, it's just they were mainly based in London, and that may be more of an inconvenience. Not just the expenses for train travel, but general time it takes to travel.

From Talent Circle I had exactly 1 response.

From MovieBar, nothing!

From the other website that will remain unnamed, I got a rude comment back. Not sweary bum rude just a not very polite. So I'm not going back there.
Plus, to make matters worse for myself, I have decided they are Mr. Potter to my George Bailey and I need to show that people don't have to go to Mr Potter to get films made.

So, that's pretty much where I'm at. I start filming in 3 weeks tomorrow and I have some lights, a few helpers and a doll.

This film is going to be ace!

This weekend I start casting. Let's hope there are more actors in Brighton than there are DPs.

Here's to independent film making!!


Oh, by the way, if and readers are members of Shooting People, can you vote for Jenny Ringo in the September Film of the Month. We'd like get into the final please.

https://shootingpeople.org/watch/111251/jenny-ringo-and-the-monkey-s-paw