Easter Break

Back to school again after the Easter break, time to get back with the programme. Micheál asked for an example of something that has been a source of inspiration, or good research material for the course. This was a difficult question, as I've had a really very uneventful couple of weeks- didn't go away on holiday, didn't visit anyone, spent some of it struggling with the current projects, but not making the progress that i should have really.
Ok, some of the things I've seen recenlty are some awesome animations I discovered on YouTube, by a chap called Grickle. What i like about them is they are very simple, just a few lines used to create a great visual impact without overly complicating it. The characters have great expressions, the animator has made them very expressive - theres no doubt about what they are feeling or thinking at any given time. Check out the one below It's fantastic, you'll probably want to check out his others, he has many at 'Grickle Channel' on YouTube.







This following YouTube video I've been familiar with for some time, but included it here because i recently saw it again, i can't help finding it both fascinating and scary. But at the end of the day, both dogs and robots are cool, so to have them both together in one package is always a joy.


Recently, a friend sent me another version, that i thought was equally as bizarre, and just as funny and scary.




I guess one other thing recently I've been looking into further is working for some ethical company. After subverting the D&AD army recruitment, it really felt important to me to be doing something that i believe in. I think that when working in the multimedia industry, there will potentially be lots of briefs for advertising and marketing, you need bread and butter money as artistic endeavours won't necessary pay the bills. The whole advertising thing can be selling your soul to the devil though, - 'all marketing guys are sons of Satan who ruin all things good in the world, and they should kill themselves'. (thanks to Bill Hicks for his wise words) . I like the idea of producing some anti-advertising, doing some culture jamming and getting a wee bit subversive. I would find this far more satisfying than corporate promotion and dealing with all that.