Sunday 31 January 2010

Duz Andy Know? Episode Five - Andy Watches Episode 4

This is a great one. You have to have seen episode four for it to make sense though. After the stupidity that was ep 4, I commented at the end of the video that I bet Andy still doesn't understand what the game really is. I wanted to put that to the test. So I set up the camera and filmed Andy watching episode four for the first time, then got his reaction and delved further into his thoughts about it...


Saturday 30 January 2010

DAK? Episode 5 Editing Commentary

I have to say, I really enjoyed editing Duz Andy Know Episode Five.

For the concept of the episode, I decided to be cheeky, so I sat Andy down and filmed his reaction to viewing episode Four for the first time ever. Afterwards I questioned him about it and then I suggested we try a little "game"...you'll see what game, but anyway, filming him watching the old episode and keeping it relevant presented a nice artistic challenge for me to get my teeth into.

I went for a really fast paced cut, with dissolves and crossfades aplenty. You'll find this pacing and style a little different to other episodes. I really like to add an element of diversity to the show sometimes. It keeps the show fresh and me on my toes!

T-Man

Hey, you know what? I've been talking to Tiemen again! I hadn't seen him in absolute ages. He was the artist on Warpedhammer (which you can see on this blog of course).

We spoke a little about any possible new ventures on the horizon. You never know. He's quite busy though with studies, but hey, something small might just happen somewhen.

Wednesday 27 January 2010

Update On My Gaming Blog

A reminder again, my gaming blog address is http://honestgamingprose.blogspot.com/

I've been upto some cool things over there. A few really good (if I do say so myself) gaming articles and three really in depth lengthy reviews so far.

Reviewed:
Dragon Age Origins
Mass Effect
Darksiders.

The latter game I actually submitted a link for to THQ themselves! I don't know what they'd do with it, if anything, but hell, it's at the very least great feedback for them.

Duz Andy Know? Episode Four - The "Say Black" Game

Thursday 21 January 2010

Absorbed

I've been really rather absorbed by my video series 'Duz Andy Know?'. With two episodes up and filming still happening for further episodes, my mind is firmly fixed on getting this series seen by as many people as possible. Again, I urge anyone interested to follow the many updates and insider exclusives at the show's official blog here.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Episide 2 News - 'Duz Andy Know?'

I got hold of another chunk of dailies and took them into the cutroom. I was joined by Lory Cozens as Assistant Editor.
Episode 2 is basically complete. However, I do want Episode 1 to live out there a little longer before the next release. I can state this on the record right now though. The comedic quality in this episode, far surpasses that of the first one. Just wait and see.

Monday 11 January 2010

Sunday 10 January 2010

'Duz Andy Know?' Editing

Yesterday I managed to get my hands on the first of the raw footage. I started editing last night and I was up until 3:30 a.m. (as you'll know if you're following my Twitter ).

I got a lot done. This being my first time editing this project, there was a lot of new technology to learn. I'm reasonably happy with the results - in trying to achieve the images that were in my head. You can drive yourself barmy with that pursuit, nomatter what your creative field might be!

I'm not all that naturally gifted when it comes to technological applications. It takes me five or six times longer than it would an editor to figure out the same way to make the programme do what I want it to do. My flair is more in the field of the composition itself, e.g. directing, writing. I know what I want an editing suite to do, but discovering how to make it do it is a whole different animal. There was and is a whole lot of things to learn with editing programmes.

I've put the first episode together anyway, and I'm running rendering tests to see how to best turn it into a video file for upload.

Essentially, the footage is one piece of video from a stationary angle, interview composition. You have to be careful that you don't let that footage become boring. I got around this by adding text into the image - speaking the internal thoughts of the interviewer (me) - this will act as your narrative that runs alongside the interview and will aid you in learning about Andy from someone who has known him for a long time.
The other thing I did was to have the questions - when asked - cut to a black screen with yellow "Andy" writing on it to give a refreshing visual stimulus for the viewer. It's also another opportunity to use the thematic colours and font that tie all of the text and representation in this series together.
The theme is black background, yellow writing and purple secondary writing.

I'm really happy with the timing of my events and cuts, to best represent the pacing I'm trying to achieve. The above-mentioned text additions all contribute to the pacing, funnily enough.

You can expect Episode one to be approx 3 mins long.

Sunday 3 January 2010

Honest Gaming Prose - New Blog

I've created a brand new blog called 'Honest Gaming Prose' or HGP for short. I explain the details of it on the blog itself, but you'll find content there from me reviewing games and writing articles and presenting it to you in as professional a manner as I can.

You can find the site here -> http://honestgamingprose.blogspot.com/

So if you're into your games, (and I don't just mean soley video games) then you might soon find something for you.

All the best!

Friday 1 January 2010

Brand New 'Duz Andy Know?' website Blog

You can now follow Andy via a blog set aside specifically for his video series. From there, we will be able to expand on the videos and take it further, giving more insight and getting you closer to the man.
http://duzandyknow.blogspot.com/

The Most Screwed Up Randomly Stupid Interview - Ever!

So I saw that Blogspot's profile user settings has a random question function on it. You can tell it to generate a new question with each click and this got me thinking. Why don't I let blogspot's own questions interview me and we'll see what we get? Sounds like fun. Here's the results:

Well, maybe they don't need them, but don't you think that some fish might like a bicycle?


Yeah sure, but then some asshat swordfish'll just stick his nose in where it doesn't belong...spokes - No doubt his shark mate will be recording it on his mobile to upload onto youTube. Bah.


The love potion you made tastes terrible. How will you drink it?

Wait a minute, I made it? So why do I need to drink it if I made it? Or is it one of those really screwed up things where it makes me look richer...erm I mean more attractive...?

They get a bit backwards logicky, if’n you ask me.


You've got to make contact with the alien leader. How will you tell when the conversation is finished?

When I'm blasted by a neutralizer ray for insulting his lack of clothes fashion (being that he's wearing no clothes) would be a good indication. Either that or I'd have to learn what the translation for "cya later alligator" is into their language.


What's the earliest you've gotten up to watch cartoons and what did you see?

Heck...would be like 6 a.m. Probably something like Captain Planet. When they put their rings together they...well they have a whole lot of rings you see...or something like that, wasn't it? I wonder what would happen if Dave forgot to bring his ring (there was a Dave wa'n't there?) Would it auto dial their favourite pizza from Dominoes instead...mmmm pizza. Sorry what was the question? *looks up number for pizza - as doesn't have fancy rings or fancy friends who wear aforesaid fancy rings.


You're trapped in a well with a goat and a slinky. Describe how you will escape.

Hey, you're a great dungeon master, anyone ever tell you that? Okay I wanna do a perception roll to see if...oh I just have to tell you? Right. I'd have to untwist the slinky in a long metal rope and use it as an improvised grappling hook. Just don't be surprised if by "improvised" you see a goat attached to the other end at the top of the well, holding on with its hooves for dear life!


Chicken monkey shoes?

No, it's just that the carpet is malting.


When your science teacher smashed a frozen rose with a hammer, did you warm the petals to bring them back to life?

I was more interested in the science teacher, who had missed the rose and hit his thumb with the hammer - seeing him warming it to bring it back to life.


Please come up with a more appropriate name for the ringtoe:

Ringtone.

or

Toering.


You can whistle and steam can whistle, so why do you sing in the shower?

Because if I held my lips like a spout my mouth would fill up with water at a great rate. Although I must ask - Why do you have recording devices in my shower?


For your birthday, your aunt gave you a maple syrup dispenser shaped like a rooster. Please write her a thank-you note:

This is going to confuse her as she didn't, you know...oh hypothetical? Why didn't you say so?

Alright, well I would answer: Hey Aunt thanks for the present. Now I get to wake up in that genuine countryside lifestyle manner, for a cityboy - to the smell of pancakes.

That can't really be a fish you're standing on, can it?

It's a citizen’s arrest. He spoke-poked a bicycle.


How is an ankle unlike a consequence?

Because consequently, if you have a penis enlargement you won't be guaranteed to have a footlong under you, but if you're an ankle...


When you spilled the milk, did it look like the moon?

No, but it looked like an overly strong coffee.


Which is more important to you and why: flexibility or expandability?

Expandability, based on the fact that once you start bending over backwards for someone, they expect you to keep doing it. However, if you expand they can learn to get out of your way and you can become the you you're meant to be.


If you were a pirate, how would you avoid laughing when saying 'poop deck'?

I'd call it a shite deck. Everyone else is allowed to laugh right?


Oscillate my metallic sonatas with your plan for the Panama canal:

That was a quote from an eighties music video director while on location, yup.


Radio wire is often used to make bird nests. What station do they listen to?

You're so outdated! They have internet these days and it's "twitter" this and "twitter" that.


Sponges and tongues are frequently misspelled. Is it because both are thirsty?

I bet SpongeBob's tongue is mad absorbent. But I digress. To answer the question: Only if dehydration has put your brain on the same level as Andy Alford.


Describe the sound of a moist waffle falling onto a hot griddle.

Fwappshhh

What's the best time you've ever had licking stamps?

That time we did those really fun thematic ones at Christmas. The theme was LSD and how it inspired music in the...wait, what do you mean we didn't have stamps? Turn the cassette off. I said turn if off!


Your hand has been replaced by a rubber stamp. What does it say?

QWERTYUIOP

ASDFGHJKL

ZXCVBNM


Foxes are clever and tigers are cunning. So, what's your cat's safety school?

Agoraphobia


What reason do you have to believe the earth is flat?

Oh look, a groovy waterfall!


Your pajamas have duckies on them. Why did you switch from choo-choos?

Because as part of my morning exercise regime, I sometimes quite fancy having hunters shoot at me, as opposed to waking up in the morning to find a confused elderly woman trying to insert a train ticket in my mouth.


The children are waiting! Please tell them the story about the bald frog with the wig:

Once upon a time there was a bald frog. He was self conscious and wore a wig. One day though his wig went bald too - NOWHERE LEFT TO HIDE. THE END.


If you were a cannibal, what would you wear to dinner?

My birthday suit, so that I can eat and lose weight at the same time.

Furthermore, later that evening the first thing I'd do after dumping my girlfriend would be to wipe and flush.

You laughed so hard you can't catch your breath. Stick out your tongue and show us what's funny:

Cardiac arrest.


Do you believe that forks are evolved from spoons?

No, because the evolutionary scale dictates that they all evolve into knives. That's why it's called CUTlery, dummy.


What did you dream when you ate a spider while sleeping?

I dreamed that reality had warped in this blatant myth, as spiders won't go near a source of carbon dioxide outflow.


You've been invited to a fancy ball but the only thing you have to wear is an orange wooly jumper. What shoes do you wear?

I'd put on an orange cap and wear green shoes. I'd then say I've come as a carrot.


If you were a wrestler, what would be your finishing move?

Stepping through the ropes into the ring. My back’d be done in.


Whoops! Your tongue is now a magnet. Whatever will you use for silverware?

Who needs utensils now? Eat food high in iron and it'll come TO YOUR OPEN MOUTH.


The wicked backspin caught you off guard. How will you play it off without losing your footing?

Slip a disc via the other side to even things out.


You've been entered in a shadow puppet contest. What's your best pose?

Two hands fidgeting nervously.

Try writing your name with your other hand. Where was that person raised?

To the left of me.


When you've got water stuck in your ear, how do you get it out?

My body is in harmony good sir. When my eardrum turns wrinkly it'll soon beat it out.


Which is easier to make a model airplane out of and why: a banana peel or a wet sock?

The Banana peel: Being that you can leave it on the floor and someone will really fly!

Cancer Research UK Advertising Package

I've designed (in a rough proposal stage) an advertising campaign package specifically for Cancer Research UK.
A series of posters and a video advert for use on television and the internet, all with the aim of drumming up awareness for this, my favourite charity.

It would concentrate on a  specific theme to do with this charity and aim to be quite emotively engaging. That in turn would make it memorable.

I have mock up images for posters and the video advert prepped and ready to see.
I've contacted Cancer Research UK to ask advice on submission of such an idea and I'm awaiting a response to that.

In the meantime, if any of my readers have any contacts that they could speed the process up with or get this package looked at then it'd be for the benefit of everyone!

Happy New Year!

I want to wish my readers a happy new year. Don't just wish it for yourselves either - make it happen!

For so long I've waited, I've sat on my projects, not wanting to have them get out there, to be seen. I think it's a part of me that values privacy to such a great extent. However, now almost turning 30 something inside me is feeling different. Something is saying - No, show them, you'll regret it later if you don't.

Truly 2010 is going to be the year I stand up and give it my all. I hope you guys will be there to see how I get along.

Oh and now it's turned 2010, don't forget you can still pop open the 2009 show listing on the right ------>
to see the projects I've just been on with, right up to the end of the year.