Update on Burglar With the Yellow Hand Crowdfunding Campaign

The indiegogo campaign for The Burglar With the Yellow Hand has just raised its first $100! As you see on the widget to the right, this constitutes 5% of the budget. This is a really exciting development as $100 is already a sum that will make a difference for the film, and as we still have 37 days it may encourage further contributions as well. There have been other exciting developments in the project behind the scenes as well, but it is too early to reveal them yet! Come visit the campaign, explore the available perks and help this film get made.
A silent film featuring traditional animation techniques, and going back to the roots of cinema itself - isn't that something worth supporting in our modern, over-digitized world?

Indiegogo Campaign For My New Short

I haven't posted in a while, but I've been keeping really busy! I have just launched an indiegogo campaign for my upcoming stop motion short film, The Burglar With The Yellow Hand.
 It's a dark but funny story about a burglar who gets more than he bargained for when he steals an enchanted painting and realizes that true art really can stand up for itself. The style is inspired by Silent Era German Expressionist films, so there will be a great deal of foreboding shadows, ominously distorted sets, and explorations of inner duality and the line between reality and illusion.

Check out the link to the right to learn more about the campaign, look at photos and video, contribute in exchange for some really exciting rewards (starting at $5), or just help spread the word. We only have until September 10th to raise our $2,000 budget, so help us make some noise!

My New Short Film To Be Screened At British Library

Just heard some great news about my new short film. I recently won a chance to be one of 10 young filmmakers who were commissioned by the British Library to make short films based on audio files from their Wildlife Sounds collection. The final judging of the finished films has just taken place, and they have announced that my film, The Great Library Robbery is a close runner-up! It will be one of two films from the competition to be screened at the British Library Spring Festival on March 2nd! The Library also plans to promote our films on youtube and write a blog article on each.

Here is a link to an article published by the British Library on the 10 selected films: 
http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/inspiredby/2013/01/announcing-the-shortlist-for-our-wildlife-sounds-short-film-competition-with-ideastap.html

Launching New Animation Festival Screening in Scotland and Egypt!

Thorvald is finally officially finished and ready to meet the world! I am sending him to festivals and will be making a trailer that I will hopefully post here very soon. In the meantime, I am already in preproduction on my next short (details to be revealed later) and am actually developing a festival of my own. I'm hoping to hear from all of the brilliant stop motion animators out there! I will be creating a full website for the festival with all relevant details but for now, here is my preliminary announcement:

Would you be interested in submitting your animated short to a festival that spans two continents, and will screen your work to a diverse international audience in two of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in the world?

I am an independent stop motion animator and PhD Film Studies student based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and I am currently organizing a new festival for animated short films (with an emphasis on stop motion). The films selected by the festival will screen in two cities: Edinburgh, Scotland and Luxor, Egypt.

With such high-profile events as the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Fringe, Edinburgh is already a major international cultural centre attracting audiences from around the world. The current plan is to synchronize the Edinburgh section of the festival with the end of the Fringe.

Home to such famous ancient monuments as Tomb of Tutankhamun Luxor, Egypt has long been recognized for its remarkable historical value and hosts millions of tourists from all over the world every year. Now however, with the successful African Film Festival organized by the local government and the newly launched Luxor Egyptian and European Film Festival, Luxor is emerging as a modern cultural landmark as well.

The goal of this festival is to stimulate an exchange of ideas and visions between emerging Egyptian and international filmmakers. This would be the only stop motion animation themed festival in Edinburgh and the first international animation festival in Egypt.

I am of course especially interested in stop motion films, and hope that such mythologically and historically rich screening locations as Edinburgh and Luxor may encourage submissions in the following directions:

Mythology

Folktales

Legends

Fantasy

Gothic

Silent Film

Expressionism

Symbolism

Ancient/Medieval Period Film

I am still in the early planning stages, but I am already in touch with the Filmhouse in Edinburgh and the new Governor of Luxor about my ideas for the festival. What I need now is to hear from you – the international animation community. I need to gauge how much interest I can raise and how many submissions I can encourage now and whether it will be possible for me to launch the festival as soon as next summer.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who wants to get more information or has a film that they might like to submit!

You can email me at festival@yorwickcastle.com or leave a comment here on the blog.

Sneak Peek

Thorvald is still in the long and arduous process of rendering, so I  don't have any footage to share at the moment. However, I did promise updates soon, so here is a still showing Thorvald floating in a sea of green goo, just after being swallowed by the Stoorworm. Thorvald and the boat are stop motion, the goo, background, lighting, and atmospheric effects are all digital.

Thorvald is Still Alive and Almost Done!

I realize this a decidedly belated return to  the chronicle of Thorvald's tribulations, but I must admit that the tribulations in question have put quite a strain on my time, especially when combined with my in-progress PhD thesis. Thorvald has turned into something of a monster himself, and has grown into a much longer and more complicated film than I had originally anticipated. All of the stop motion shooting is now officially complete, as is most of the special effects work. If the universe does not spontaneously combust and my humble self is not devoured by some sort of mythic creature, the film itself should be completed soon. I definitely want to get everything done before September, as I'm hoping to submit Thorvald to the Montreal Stop Motion Film Festival. I am also currently in the conceptual stages of developing a little stop motion festival of my own here in Edinburgh, and am already planning my next film. I will be posting updates (hopefully) soon. I will also be posting stills and a trailer as soon as Thorvald is completed! 

Water Test

I have designed some water using the Caustics and Wave World simulations in AfterEffects to see how the boat will look afloat in the perilous waters of a haunted loch...

Thorvald's Boat Completed!!!

Thorvald finally has his boat, and is almost ready to embark upon his epic journey. The boat is fully sculpted and painted, although hardly water proof. The water will inevitably have to be CG, but I am sure he won't mind. Thorvald can't swim anyway!
I will be doing some animation and compositing tests and will be posting them here shortly. 

 

Thorvald's Boat Part VI

After a slight delay (mostly due to my graduation from the University of Edinburgh with an MSc in Film Studies), Thorvald is back on track and progressing rapidly. The figureheads for the boat are now fully sculpted in PaperClay, and now the entire thing needs to be painted, decorated, and aged. Here is an image of the fully sculpted boat alongside my original sketch.

Thorvald's idea of being helpful in set construction

Thorvald's Boat Part V

Yet another mock-up, this time with slightly larger figureheads. It is probably time to start sculpting the final version. I wouldn't want Thorvald to set out in an unfinished boat!

Thorvald's Boat Part IV

The boat continues to evolve. Yes, I know the color scheme is ridiculous, NO this is not the final version. This is only a mock-up to work out the proportions for the figureheads. The heads are made of modeling clay at the moment, but will eventually be replaced by PaperClay, which is much more lightweight and paint-able. I am hoping that when I am done the whole thing will look like weathered wood.
At the moment, the heads are looking a bit small. I am considering making them bigger.

Thorvald's Boat, Part III

 The boat continues to develop. The walls are almost complete, with some cardboard additions, and I am also putting in supports for the figureheads on either end of the boat. Hopefully it will be looking like an actual boat quite soon. Thorvald does not trust me and is still despondent. Of course, as he is the star of the film, tantrums are to be expected.

Thorvald's Boat, Part II

 The boat is progressing rapidly, and I am building in some extra supports to keep Thorvald in place as the boat moves forward. It is not that I doubt his courage and feel the need to chain him down, I am simply concerned about the turbulence inherent in being swallowed whole by an embittered sea serpent. 
I have drilled some wire hooks into the foot area, and am using them to attach straps/laces that will keep his feet in place. On the seat, there are two additional loops in front which connect to a pair of hooks that go around his legs, and another loop in the back that surrounds his waist.
Surprisingly, after all of this care for his safety, Thorvald is still looking displeased and pensive. Although he appreciates the technical aspects, he would prefer it if the end result were more aesthetically pleasing and looked less like a wooden shoebox. My apologies, Thorvald, I will endeavor to do better....

Thorvald's Boat, Part I

Poor Thorvald really needn't look so distressed. His boat is only in the initial construction stages and will soon be looking much nicer. This is the boat on which he will embark on his epic journey into the bowels of the Stoorworm, so it is essential that it display both sturdy construction and a suitably mythic exterior. The walls that are visible now are made of Balsa wood, while the bottom is made of a thicker, denser wood, to keep the boat stable as it sails into the unknown...

Inside the Stoorworm (Literally)

 Here are the promised set-in-progress images. They may not seem like much now, but they are actually the insides of a fearful sea monster! The image to the left shows the beginnings of a grisly colonnade of enormous ribs that Thorvald must traverse on his perilous journey. They will be built up out of layers of wax on an aluminum wire armature to give them a bit of a translucent glow when lit properly. 
     The mesh-covered frame in the background, seen submerged beneath layers of multi-textured papier-mache in the picture to the right, will eventually be one of two movable walls, that will hopefully be able to accommodate a greater range of camera angles. Everything has yet to be painted.

Thorvald Lives!

I am fully aware that my protracted absence from the blogging universe is 

 inexcusable, and yet I shall attempt to exculpate myself. Between working at an archaeological site in Egypt, and completing my MSc Film Studies dissertation at the University of Edinburgh, I have been somewhat distracted. 

It is sad but true that Thorvald's Kickstarter funding campaign has proved unsuccessful. I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to Thorvald's supporters, and all those who pledged funds in his virtuous cause. Your noble intentions will not be forgotten, even if they were not given the opportunity to come to fruition.
However, it is neither in my nature, nor in Thorvald's to accept defeat! The film will still get made (although later than originally planned), and work is well underway on set construction and costume production. Here is a shot of Thorvald's developing costume, in the process of being completed layer by layer. Shots of one of the sets in progress will soon follow.

Become a Backer!

Do you want to help a poor but noble Orkadian shepherd in his life-changing encounter with a sea monster? It is still not too late to contribute to Thorvald's dream! 

By visiting the link below, and pledging as little as $5 to Thorvald's cause, you can have:

1. the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing that you are a supporter of the arts 

2. that you have aided Thorvald in his hour of need

3. ...and a variety of fun rewards ranging from postcards and T-shirts, to a DVD of the finished film, to a special thanks in the credits!

This opportunity closes on Wednesday Jun 15 at 10:44pm IST. If the project does not reach its goal, it WILL NOT BE FUNDED, and all pledges will be dissolved!!! We are already up to 15%, but we only have 10 days as of today to make up the rest!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1998106725/thorvald-and-the-slimy-things-a-stop-motion-animat-0

Thorvald's Flesh (and apparel)

Now that Thorvald has his bones, it is time to start thinking about all the gorgeousness that will cover them. This includes some major decisions on the subject of his overall figure, as well as his costume. Here is a concept sketch, showing an approximation of what the finished Thorvald will look like:

Calling All Stop Motion Animators!

 Are you a stop motion animator or an animation student? Are you struggling to raise funds for your independent animated films or stuck bringing lattes to obnoxious studio executives? How many sleepless nights have you spent coming up with ways to counteract “mystery wind” or experimenting with ways to animate water? Do you spend your days pouring your twisted, misunderstood soul into 12” tall creatures with aluminum bones or obsessively memorizing every frame of Nightmare Before Christmas? Are you looking for film festivals to submit your latest short to, or still reliving the trauma of mainstream rejection? Are you looking for a haven to vent your frustration and share your vision and discoveries? There is a place for you out there!

My name is Katherine Blakeney. I am an independent stop motion animator and I feel your pain. I initially launched Thorvald to share the stresses and tribulations of making my own short film, but now, I am inviting you to join me. I want Thorvald to become a community of stop motion animators, coming together to share their experiences, knowledge, discoveries, dreams, and nightmares. Come over and tell everyone about your latest project, your job search horror stories, your favourite film festivals, your excuse for being insane enough to dedicate your life to the most time-consuming filmmaking technique on the planet, and your plan for conquering the universe with the sheer power of your animation brilliance.

Every regular contributor will have their own profile on the blog with a headshot (of you or your favorite animated character), a bio, and links to your work. You will also have the opportunity to share videos, photos, and bits of animation wisdom with a passionate community of like-minded people and benefit from their knowledge in return. 

Also, I am planning to start up a festival that will run in Edinburgh, Scotland as part of the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe, and will be dedicated entirely to edgy, underappreciated stop motion films, and as a contributor you will have a guaranteed place.

Thorvald's layout will of course be redesigned as soon as I get some new contributors on board!

If you want to join Thorvald, or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at thorvald_blog@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thorvald's Kickstarter Relaunch

Thank you again to everyone who supported Thorvald's project on Kickstarter. The project has now been officially relaunched with a new and improved video and an extended deadline. Thorvald does not know the meaning of the word defeat, and he will prevail!

Now is your chance to help Thorvald on his epic journey. Any pledge of $5 or more will give you the satisfaction of knowing that you have aided a noble knight on his quest (as well as a variety of more material rewards).

Come and join us by clicking on the link to the right!