Developing original ideas isn't an easy business. Sure, an idea that might work for a book or a show can pop into one's head at the most unexpected moment, but to see that through into a finished, published book or broadcast animated series is another matter altogether. The majority of my time in the last few months has been spent keeping up the momentum on a number of new properties, as well as seeing others up to a level where they can be presented. This would be the spinning plates, for that's how it often feels, keeping the energy alive on one idea while picking the speed up on another. I suppose a better analogy for a short fat northern lad would be having his fingers in lots of pies.
Visited the Showcomotion Childrens Media Conference in Sheffield the other week which was terrific - a great place to catch up with writers, artists, creatives, producers and broadcasters. If you're in the business of developing ideas for television, in particular kids TV, I can't recommend your attending Showcomotion enough. It's the perfect sounding ground for potential collaborators as well as a great place to hear the ideas, first-hand, from broadcasters re: what they're looking for.
Just waiting for proofs back on the FLORA, FAUNA & MERRYWEATHER limited edition art prints. As soon as they're in I'll be opening up for orders.
Novel manuscript? Argh! Wish I could say more on that front, but we've got specific interest from one wonderful editor from a well established publishing house. Have to sit tight while we wait for a response. In the meantime I'm looking to crack on with my next attempt at a novel, this one a fantasy novel for girls as well as boys.
Bada Bling!
TA-DAAAAA!!!!!!
Much weirdness. Cleaning out the garage and I found a box of old floppys (and no, that's not back issues of some kind of specialist geriatric magazine). This was a box from my days at HOT Animation designing BOB THE BUILDER. Checked the properties on these photos and it says the files are from February 2000. FEBRUARY 2000??? HOW OLD DO I LOOK ON THESE?!?!?! Anyway, crashing past the fact that I look like a forty year old tramp in these pictures (when in truth I was about 28 years of age) they're still an interesting flashback into my past and my 'umble days kicking off on Bob.
I've still got that Bazooka Joe tshirt upstairs. Heirloom, that. Heirloom........
