Firstly, I can't believe how much of a Facebook whore I've become! What the hell's going on?! I'm trying to ween myself off it slowly but surely. Bah.

Things have been good, I'm organising myself for this huge project that I'm hoping to land. The manager basically handed the whole thing to me on a silver platter, as it were, and now I've just gotta pitch the whole thing to the boss-man. I reckon I can do it, but if I manage to score this, well buggery, I might disappear off the radar for a spell until it's done. I mean, we're talking everything from company rebrand - so all new stationary as well - new websites (plural), new store art and possible layout... this' just a quick gloss-over, there is a hell of a lot of minuta involved, but it's gonna be sweet! I'm thinking of going this whole indipendant/allternative/steampunk/metal/rockabilly style for the overarching brand, and it'll kick arse! Thankfully, I've got an awesome team of creatives around e who are not only enthusiastic, but are fucking talented! Hot damn! But more on that after the meeting...

On the whole Facebitch thing, I was going to post this there, but come on, it's pointless, and more amusing here. Thus I present to you "Gimme gimme gimme!" an ode to materialism:

Snagged from fnaah , as follows:

Think of 20 albums that had such a profound effect on you that they changed your life or the way you looked at it. They sucked you in and took you over for days, weeks, months, years. These are the albums that you can use to identify time, places, people, emotions. These are the albums that, no matter what they were thought of musically, shaped your world.

You'll notice I've doubled up a lot of them, purely because they're the same artist, but but albums have been equally infuential. Of course, in no discernable order:

Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle / California
I remember hearing the self titled album when I was in high school, and it felt like dipping my brain in acid. Both these albums have been on high rotation even to this day!

Metallica - Master of Puppets / ...And Justice For All
My first ever taste of metal, as well as my first ever concert (the Justice tour). From then I was a convert.

NIN - The Downward Spiral / Year Zero
These always seem to come on when I'm looking for musical inspiration in my song writing. The complexity of what Trent writes is mind shattering.

Tool - Undertow / Ænema
Many a day have been spent with my sister listening to these albums, of the momories.

Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power / Far Beyond Driven
Back in the day when I was an angry young man, these albums always got me fired up - for good or bad!

Jeff Buckley - Grace / Live at Siné
I still remember listening to nothing but these albums, one awesome occasion was in a bath with candles, where the water was too hot to move!

Faith No More - The Real Thing / Angel Dust
Mike Patten has shaped the way I consider music, and continues to inspire and draw awe. Hell, I just found out recently he did all the voices for the zombie creatures in I Am Will Smith, er, Legend.

Pearl Jam - Ten / Vs.
Ah, the heady days of grunge, when it was cool to be depressed...

Dream Theater - Images & Words / Metropolis Pt. II : The Miracle & The Dreamer
The personification of my musical aspirance. Words cannot describe how they've shaped me, and are always looked at fondly!

Extreme - Pornografiti / Three Sides to Every Story
The first band I was in, the other guitarist introduced them to me, which was an absolute eye-opener. I then went on to despise Nuno Bettencourt for (a) being such an impressive guitarist, and (b) marrying Suzi DeMarchi. Prick.

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon / The Wall
Whether stoned or not, these albums should be seminal in anyone's collection!

Slayer - Reign In Blood / God Hates Us All
The amusing thingabout Slayer is, Tommy Arya is actually a devout catholic! WTF?

Alice In Chains - Dirt / Sap/Jar of Flies
I got the latter as a double disc set, so they count as one in my mind. What can I say, dirty, haunting harmonies, fierce. Awesome.

Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire - Thrills
I stumbled across this little gem about a year ago, and it's been on high rotation several times. Quirky, original lyrics, punchy, funny. Jazz on a twist!

Anthrax - Sound of White Noise / Attack of the Killer B's
When John Bush from Armored Angel replaced that mincing arse-wipe Joey Belladonna, Anthrax's awesomeness just skyrocketed. Having gone from one of the fathers of thrash, they became among gods.

Bob Marley - Legend
'nuff said.

Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning
A girlfriend got this one for me on a whim, and it became my favoured album for around 4 months. I'm sure everyone around me got violently sick of it ;)

Hanz Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard - Gladiator Soundtrack
Put it on in the background, be creative/productive.

Iron Maiden - Powerslave / Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
My second introduction to metal, they already have their place reserved in the halls of Askard.

Megadeth - Rust In Peace / Countdown to Extinction
Even with Dave's whiney voice, Marty Friedman's chops always had me coming back for more.

Meshuggah - Chaosphere
Listen to this album only when you're in a stable frame of mind. These guys are known to do what's called math-metal, or as one journalist pu it, "masterminds of cosmic calculus metal—call it Einstein metal if you want". That's right, one one song alone they are likely to change time signature at least four times or more. What's the big deal, you say? Well, when not one time signature they use is standard. Try going from 17/14 to 9/8... you get the picture.

Yes, there are 21, but They're just the ones off the top of my head. There are many honourable mentions, but it'd take too long to list them. Trust me, I listen to more than just heavy stuff...

A very tragic thing happened last night. I accidentally didn't put the strap on properly, and she dropped snapping right at the base of the neck. I was composed for about a minute, as I picked up her remaining pieces and brought them back to my room - the bridge flew off, but luckily one of my flatmates found it. I rested her down on the floor, staring for about 15 seconds before I started screaming obscenities at the top of my lungs. There were tears.

You see, I've had Jana since I "inherited" her off my father, the most delicious jazz guitar you've seen - older than me, yikes! - and have always loved playing her. I've done gigs with her, I even did a wedding in Victoria with her. She's been true and faithful even when I've been neglectful in cleaning - but I'd never let her get out of tune, regardless of what tuning I was using at the time. Shit, even today, I've already a few times gone to pick her up to play something that was in my head, only to have my spirit crushed.

There was a guitar place I went to a few years ago, I'm hoping that they can fix her - Dog, I hope they can fix her - because there's nothing I wouldn't do to have her back and singing beautifully again.

I miss you, Jana...

I've been slack in getting this up, but finally, here it is:

( Chapter 1 )( Chapter 1 )

So, I was talking to my flatmates last night, and they suggested I start posting the novel I've been writing, to get motivated to finish it. It's half done, and I'm strangely hesitant to post it, but if you beautiful people show an iota of interest, I might just do so. And yes, that's a threat.

Fuck it's hot...

Firstly, came across this article (although I got it some tissues) about atheist advertising in London, being spearheaded by (you guessed it) Richard Dawkins.

So, I'm in my new place now with two awesome flatmates! And a kicking apartment. With a pool. And spa. And sauna. And gym. And tennis court. And concierge, although I've never seem him/her. Oh yeah, I've also got a balcony as big as my bedroom! It's huge! So I've decided to start a little garden patch on it.

There is a house warming coming up soon (most likely just after Oz Day) and it's fancy dress. Don't worry, nothing crass (unless that's your bag) and the theme is "House of Style". Think of a Planet of the Apes ape wearing a disco suit. In fact, that's the picture on the invite we're in the process of making. And yes, all you lovely people on my flist are invited.

I am so over this fucking heat, though. Not 10 minutes ago, it threatened to hit us with a thunderstorm, and then pussied out - and it didn't cool things down! Bastardry!

I had the most wicked NYE, with only one small hiccup - I misread the intentions of this girl I really like and missed out on an opportunity to go home with her. That's alright, there will be follow-though. I hope.

Finally, can someone get me this t-shirt? I loves it!

Holy shite, he's back! After about 12 months of 'rehabilitation' I resurface.  Whilst I'm not sure I'm ready to blog out my experience, I'll at the least share the last few escapades.

Went and saw Max Payne on Saturday. Interesting take on the game. Whoever wrote the script certainly had played the game, and whilst trying to fit in all of the elements that made the game righteous, left it feeling a touch forced. With that said, the look was perfect. A big hats off to Mr. X - who seem to be popping up all over the place, more soon - and the rest of the crews who pulled together the comicbook stark contrasted look and hard feel of the cinematography. It was a fun romp into a game that wasn't really intended to be made a movie, a fun escape that meft me in a chipper mood. Those that played the game shouldn't be 'too disappointed' from the screenplay, it loosely keeps all the elements that kept you going throughout the game, but a big selling point was the faithfulness that they kept to the sets. Fuck the bullshit extra characters they added (although, it's awesome to see Chris O'Donnell get his comeuppence) the sets are what makes it feel like it's kept some sense of reverence.

When I got home, however, I'd recorded a movie off cable called "Shoot 'em up" starring Clive Owen. lite script, but tight. Doesn't treat you as that stupid, great film noir setting, loads of action and gunplay - even in the midst of a 'sex scene'! Rock on! See it if you want a good blast!

Not really a blog entry, but a checking in of sorts. Hi all, I'm still here, somewhat...

Still at work, and loving it!

"The scotch doesn't work"

My, it's certainly been a very long time since I posted, thought I should let you know I'm still alive :)

Things have been hectic in my corner of the world, and one project in particular has really got my juices flowing. A good friend of mine started off www.theprocessdiary.blogspot.com as away to force himself to get an animated short-film-cum-pilot happening. After several chats, discussions, revisions and tribulations, we've decided to collaborate on it.

He, of course, is the creator, and all that entails, but strangely enough, he seems to like my ideas and input ;)

Things are starting to get into full swing - well, as much as a non-funded pet project can, professional attitude and all - with another production meeting coming up soon.

I'm so excited about this, I find myself daydreaming about aspects of it all the time!

Anyhoo, hope you're all well :)

T'is a sad, sad day indeed. Special Effects Uber-Legend, Stan Winston, died today from cancer. This' horrible. I grew up watching his fine character work - this dude created such awesome creatures such as the Alien/s, Predator, the Terminator, the dinoraurs from Jurassic Park, and even Edward Scissorhands. He recently completed Iron Man, and was working on the upcoming new Terminator movie (yes, I know, you couldn't draw more blood out of that stone) before he succumbed.

There's a small irony in that I got to meet Ray Harryhausen (and even got him to sign a print for me), thinking I was lucky that I got to meet that Legend before he died, and what happens..? *rhetorical silence ensues*

Stan, may you get to play with all your awesome creations in a Special Effects Utopia...

Graciously ripped off from Mr. thebellman  :
”List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring winter. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.”

1. Payback - Slayer
2. Piggy - Nine Inch Nails
3. Night In Tunisia - Miles Davis
4. Subterranean Homesick Alien - Radiohead
5. In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins (goddamnit bellman, it's well and truly stuck!)
6. Nemesis - Arch Enemy
7. Ghost Parade - Tourettes

Consider yourself tagged: unknownblogger  , messicat  , ginmartini  , fnaah  , facekickery  , freyaw  & jaiger  !

On Tourettes, Michele Madden is sheer metal awesomeness and then some! Michele and Angela Gossow are my current heroes at the moment. In fact, here, have some Tourettes on me (cuntfuckblowjobshitpissfistyanalpussjesus):



PS. I know I said I'd post some WIP, but paid work comes first. It'll come when it comes.

I was going to post my first 3D WIP, but I don't think there's enough done on this first project, so I present to you (thanks to shoujobill for getting me onto this gem) *ahem* Evil Dead, The Musical! If it left you wondering, "What the fuck was that?" well you're not alone, in fact they agree:

Things are interesting at the moment, lots of stuff in flux. For example, I spoke to a friend not 5 minutes ago about the silly politics of attending functions when it may-or-may-not introduce a ruckus from an outside sphere. Yes, I'm being guarded. I think I've let too many personal things slip here in the past. In fact, the more personal stuff will now be only viewable if you're on my friends list, because you're the only ones who'd need/want to read that hoopla.

With that said, I've decided to start posting a personal 3D project I've been working on whilst it's a WIP. It'll be less rambling nonsense, and more geeky graphics talk - well, here's hoping ;)

Before I go, here's fome fun stuff I've sumbled across to cheer up your day:

This' some awesome creature creativity, and how sexy can you be (and yes, I find them very sexy):

Press release from Animal Logic:

ANIMAL LOGIC INTERACTIVE LAUNCHES IN LOS ANGELES
Giancarlo Mori appointed as Senior Vice President to spearhead company’s move into convergence of digital entertainment.
11 June, 2008
-- Los Angeles -- Australian founded animation and visual effects studio, Animal Logic, today announced its expansion into the game and interactive entertainment business with the formation of Animal Logic Interactive (ALI), to be headquartered in Los Angeles.

Giancarlo Mori will oversee the new business division of Animal Logic, which will focus on original game and interactive entertainment design and development for traditionaland emerging platforms and media.

With over 20 years experience in software development and 12 years in senior roles in the games industry, Mori is a logical choice to lead Animal Logic’s foray into the medium. The game industry veteran most recently served as VP of Production, North America Studios, for Activision where he oversaw numerous key releases including Tony Hawk, Gun, Shrek and other DWA Animation titles.

Whilst ALI is based in LA, Mori anticipates a very organic exchange of creative development between the Australian and US company operations, harnessing the talent, technology and ideas which will flow from both campuses.

“With Animal Logic’s commitment to innovation, and the potential for creative and business synergies between its original properties, this is a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. Today, games are evolving in directions that allow for very new experiences, appealing to expanding audiences. Being passionate and open to the evolution of popular culture and of the craft of gamemaking is key to creating new compelling titles and franchises.” Giancarlo Mori said.

Animal Logic’s CEO, Zareh Nalbandian said “As production values for games increase exponentially, so do the opportunities at the convergence of high end digital film making and game creation. ALI is uniquely poised to lead this convergence with its commitment to visual innovation, quality, talent and great ideas.”

This makes for an interesting read, considering they just got handed AU$100M by the New South Wales State Government to make a movie (with Zac Snyder of 300 fame). It makes me wonder if they figured the idea was shit (as if the official site wasn't bad enough), they canned production, and decided to get into games. What makes this interesting, is this comment from an ex-AL dude:
"I remember them taking a stab at this a few years ago on a very small scale. It'll be interesting to see if they follow through with it."

It'll be interesting to see what transpires...

Not much to talk about on the personal front, but this needs to be shared.

I vaguely mentioned a little while ago that I got a new HDD. It's been great. It's been awesome. Until the following happens:



Oh yeah, backup your data. Now.

Well, who'd 'a' thunk it, it got done last night. They finished at about 4:30 this morning. I'm glad it wasn't me for a change! Although, with that said, I'm fucking exhausted. On a new project now and I'm struggling to concentrate. All I can think about is lying down, and to make matters worse, I left my sudoku book at home! Fret not, I got another one from the news agent, so life is good :)

With that said, and to retract the negative youtube I posted yesterday, here, have a pleasant one! The preamble to this was a discussion on what constitutes good art, and if it's definable. This was presented:

I'm so tired. Got home not too long ago from work, showered. I feel like I can't do anything right. Just when I get myself to a point where I feel I'm getting on top of things, I cock something else up. I know I'm being negative, but this fatigue has me worn thin.

This project I'm working on at work - which, as a side note, had me there on a Sunday until 8:30 last night - was due in Dubai today. The whole animation is way too big to email - although we're contemplating FTPing the sucker - and was having the last bits I'd rendered out tonight, composited. But I just know that there's no way this thing will make it there. Even with cable and a dedicated link, we're talking at least 4Gb. It's funny, but this nagging feeling in the back of my head tells me this isn't over. I can see another day of working as fast as I can, dedicating as much hardcore attention to one thing, feeling the panic in the pit of my stomach, going for one more day, at least.

I'm at a point where I've been before, and every 3D/post artist gets to frequently in their careers: Why do I do this? Disturbingly(?) enough, I (and others) find that when it's finally done, and we show people what we've done, there's a satisfaction that can't be described, although I will try. It's not an egomaniacal thing, there's a joy that blows your mind when you have people see what you've done - or even the viewing of it yourself - the the exclamation, "Wow, that's cool/awesome/orange!" It's a satisfaction in having been pushed in your intellectual and creative limit. There's almost a gladitorial sense to it. You're fighting the good fight. You're making something as awesome as possible for someone who will pay you for it. But I kid you not, this is the way it feels at a lot of the bigger companies - EA is infamous for this treatment, for example - treat you like shit to give you the right to work there.

I love my boss, in that he's encouraging and pro-active, and also not one to get angry irrationally. I put this caveat in before presenting you this:

Funny how just when your life is about to become a horrible pile of shit, when the thing that causes unbelievable pain on an hourly basis, turns around and makes your heart glow, turns a day I thought was only going to be a testament to misery into a shine of hope.

I still feel completely lost, I don't know what the future holds, but for the first time in close to a month, I feel hope.

Work is not the an, I'm loving that. I'm doing some completely wicked 3D and compositing stuff. In fact, I'm currently getting paid per hour for the next couple of months, and my days usually start at 9 and end at 7:30. Bring on the money! If anything, it's the only thing that's kept me going - it's felt like the only positive right now. Thankfully, I work with understanding and enthusiastic people. My boss is a complete legend. I'm committed to this company, purely by his attitude. He reminds me of another boss I had several years ago who was equally legendary, and also swore as much. As I said, champion!

And now, I present a rant, but one thought through (for a change):

Someone please tell me I'm right with all of this...