Eczema

To make up for the below doodle, here's a unflattering doodle of myself. I can make it snow whenever I feel like it! I hate my skin.

What have I done?

Another photo from the Web & Mini Comix thing of Tuke and Perks. Perks looks so petrified!

I just couldn't resist drawing this the moment I saw it. I am so, so sorry!

UK Web & Mini Comix Thing 2009 Yesterday

The Web & Mini Comix Thing yesterday was almost like deva-vu, though only slightly. The convention hasn't changed a great deal from last year: quite a few of the same exhibitors were there (many even in the same area of the room), the DVD "screening" was still a projector in the corner no one noticed the panel talks were still pointless due to being impossible to hear from an inch away because the microphones were so bad. Then again I wasn't expecting it to be different and I enjoyed it last time, so I enjoyed it this time, if just to talk to people and maybe buy a few neat things.

Getting there was a bit of a pain in the arse. The London Underground decided to close all the tubes within two stops around Mile End, so I had to take replacement buses, of which were probably the bumpiest buses I have ever rid on: they rattled like a bird cage being violently shook by a little brat. Manged to get there about 11:30 though which isn;t bad considering, and stayed there till about 3. One thing I forgot to do was take any photos, doh!

Well, except this one (ok, I didn't take it obviously)..

The Perks, The Tuke and The Gaga. Oh god.

Tuke was in very much the exact area he was last year, and when I popped over to say Hi another mate of mine Perks was there. It was pretty surreal because we've known each other online for about six years but this was the first time we met IN THE REAL WORLD. I honestly have no idea where them six years went! Not sure how long Perks was there before I got there, but he was soon off to shake the royal throne to some live music somewhere. Smindas apparently slept through all of this and missed the EXCITE. You lazy git :P

Obligatory stuff-I-bought-on-the-bed photo!

Here's what I got: Two Eekeemoo comics (and set of badges), a Print, a sketch and 3 comics from Tuke, six prints by Jess Bradley (and a badge of an octopus!), set of six Ninja Bunny prints, a teeny double comic by LizzLizz (how could I resists a story called 'The man with Tetris on his chin'?) the Thing 2009 Anthology, a DVD of animations by Haxjibber (and a badge of a crab!) and many freebies thrown in my general direction. Including travel and the £4 ticket to get in the whole day out cost me about £55, not bad!

UK Web & Mini Comix Thing 2009 Tomorrow

Remember that web comic convention thing in London I talked about last year? Well it's on again this year, tomorrow in fact!

A lot of the same people are going to be there from last year by the looks of things, including my mate Tuke with his comic Psyomaster Ryuken. Looks like Dr.McNinja and Weebl won't be there this time, oh well.

Anywhoo if you're in the area it's open from 10am to 5pm, cost £4 to get in and is located at the Great Hall, Queen Mary University on Mile End Road (which you can easily drop off to from Liverpool street on the central line).

'Lost in a K Hole?' Trailer

Bbentertainment has released a trailer on youtube of the documentary short film I produced animation for, which you can see above. 18 seconds in you'll see one of my scenes! You can view it in HD too, ooh!

The first screening is in Leeds this month, for friends/family and crew only mind. What I can tell you though is that the film has been entered for the Cannes Film Festival 2009 and Munich International Short Film Festival 2009, and will be entered into any UK festivals too. I really can't wait to see it. :)

'Lost in a K Hole' Documentary

I can't show you any of what I did for it just yet, but I produced animation for a film called 'Lost in a K Hole?' sometime last month, which will be premiering in Leeds at the end of this month. It's a documentary about Ketamine, which I'd imagine is not something you would of expected to see me working on, eh? I'll update with details on the first screening when I get them, but for now here's the press release from Bbentertainment:

‘Lost in a K Hole?’ offers an introduction to the growing subject of ketamine in the UK. Wider issues surrounding the profitability of the ketamine industry, its rise in use in other European and trans-Atlantic countries, and its impact on specific individuals and society as a whole will be dealt with in subsequent projects by the Director. Before these matters are dealt with however, it is necessary to identify ketamine as a serious drug to consider in local council and general government decisions. This documentary seeks to close gaps in information so that the immediacy of these considerations is exposed.

There have been very few documentaries detailing the use of ketamine in UK society. On 26^th January 2009, Cannabis was upgraded from a Class C drug to a Class B drug, whilst ecstasy remains in the news over reclassification battles. Ketamine is a drug largely ignored in government bills due to ignorance of the degree to which it is used, its widespread availability and its short term and long term dangers.

‘Lost in a K Hole?’ effectively demonstrates the need for a detailed investigation into the growing subculture of ketamine - a drug rooted in music scenes and clubbing cultures, which can also become part of everyday life for its addicts. The film uncovers truths about the motives behind taking the drug, its effects on the mind and body, its attraction and its repulsion. It also looks into how ketamine users can seek help, and begs questions about the effectiveness of these services in dealing with an ever increasing ketamine trend in the UK. The documentary takes a contemporary approach, interspersing cartoon animation which tells anecdotes about ketamine as well as providing accurate information through interview footage. ‘Lost in a K Hole?’ is therefore accessible to all viewers, whether they are outside or inside the ketamine culture.

The film was inspired by first-hand observation of ketamine subculture and illustrates regional trends of the drug, particularly in the director’s city of Leeds. ‘Lost in a K Hole?’ draws its conclusions from differing points of view in order to give an overview of the drug in scientific terms, clubbing culture, personal use and rehabilitation prospects.

Internationally celebrated neuro-scientist Gijsbert Stoet explores the psychological impact of ketamine, whilst Leeds-based but internationally recognized KeToLoCo DJs give an insight into the music scenes surrounding the drug. First hand experience of using ketamine and descending into addiction is eloquently and anonymously explained by an ex-user. Meanwhile, an ambassador for the Multiple Choice drug abuse charity in Leeds explores the paths of help people can choose to take and offers directions for progress in tackling problems with ketamine. Evaluation of the attitudes of all those involved in the film gives rise to thought-provoking conclusions. Are we lost in a K Hole? Is there a way out?

Produced and Directed by……………………………….Belinda Barnett

Camera/Editor…………………………………………….Paul Richardson

Animation by………………………………………………Aaron Foster

Colourist/Titles…………………………………………….Rob Flynn

Audio Post Production……………………………………Rob McAndrews

Assistant Camera…………………………………………Lucy-Ruth Hathaway

Written and Presented by………………………………..Belinda Barnett

(..and no, it has nothing to do with the Chemical Brothers song.)

Robotnik Painting by Milton Knight

Well lookie here what showed up in the post today! A painting of Dr.Robotnik by Milton Knight that I purchased from him just last week! I bought a frame for it and it's currently sitting proud above my computer. He had three different pieces of art for sale on his website although I'm not sure if the other two are still available. Either way it's my first piece of original artwork by a professional animator (one who I've talked about on here many times before, mainly for his work on the 90's Sonic cartoon) so I'm happy. Oh yeah, and i contributed a little bit to his Robotnik Toy Chest page. :)

Here's a clip of the man sketching out a quick Robotnik for an extra on the American Sonic DVD. Look how expressive his drawing is in such a quick sketch!