Hey Everybody,
I have stopped updating this site for now but you can follow my progress on my Portfolio website:
My New Animation Site
February 1, 2008 by russtaAdaa: Final Update
June 8, 2007 by russtaI didnt get through to the final or honerable mentions, but they did give me a semi finalist certificate. Never mind, i’ll be applying to more competitions soon, hopefully with more luck, and perhaps I’ll apply for this again next year.
These are the comments they made:
| Judges Comments: | |
| Judge 1 | For B&W it was impressive capturing mood. |
| Judge 2 | Interesting culmination of 2D 3D, live action and photography, textures. |
Adobe Design Achivements Awards: Update
June 7, 2007 by russtaThis is the contest into which I entered my music video ‘Odd from Every Angle’. In the semi final letter they said if I had got through to the final they would have contacted me by June 4th or soon after. Looks unlikely that I’m in the final, although they did have some trouble getting the semi final emails out, maybe they’ll be late with the finals ones aswell. I’m not giving up hope just yet, check back soon for an update!
Show Reel / Online Portfolio
June 5, 2007 by russta
I have completed a new DVD showreel for summer 2007. It contains a new 2 min montage of a few of my best animations and full length shorts of a wide range of work from my portfolio, including the ones selected for the 2 min reel plus a few others.
You can see the 2 min reel here:
Russell Etheridge Show Reel Summer 2007 (QT H.264 70mb)
My online portfolio can be viewed here:
Showreel Tips and Training
June 4, 2007 by russtaThis is a great article with detialed information in creating a showreel:
Making an Animation Showreel
June 4, 2007 by russtaI got the folling information from Aardman Animation. These are their guidelines on showreel appliactions:
Creating your Showreel
Your showreel is your one chance to shine without necessarily being present. It needs to demonstrate, in a couple of minutes, the genius of many years of hard work. It ’s not just a compilation; it’s the unique you and your life ambitions condensed into a few minutes. It’s also the ticket to your future. Here are some tips for creating a showreel that will potentially stand out from the crowd.
- NEVER SEND THE ORIGINAL!
- Utilise College facilities – while you can
- Accept your own strengths and weaknesses - Assume that your showreel will be compared to those of other candidates and that you are therefore pitching yourself against them. A 6-minute showreel with 30 seconds of exceptional work can be completely diluted by five and a half minutes of average work. Focus on what you do better than anybody else. Don’t spend time chasing positions that play to your weaknesses. It is better to spend more time aiming at fewer ideal positions
- Be Creative - It sounds obvious but remember that you are trying to differentiate yourself from the crowd. Try to think of innovative ways of presenting your work e.g. if you can’t send a copy portfolio, film your life drawings and title card them
- Know your audience – You’ve just finished the course, you’re all fired up and want to unleash your brilliance on the whole world. Your instinct will be to blanket drop showreels to all and sundry but it’s not an effective use of time or resources. Research the companies that interest you so that you have a better understanding of what they are looking for e.g. check that a 3D specialist will accept 2D showreels
- Running time should ideally be 4-6 mins – It can be longer but remember it’s in a queue of showreels that all need to be viewed
- Assume that only the first 2 mins will get watched – This will ensure that you grab your audience from the start with a compilation of the best bits of everything. You can always show longer versions after that
- Best work first – after your amazing compilation order the remaining work with the best first to give it a better chance of being seen
- Get the format right – For Stop Frame animation we accept: VHS and DVD’s. For CGI animation: VHS or DVD’s. Please do not send us CD’s, links to your website or email attachments.
- Include a running order and related information – preferably on the tape or sleeve. This will save potential employers from spending time trying to work out what they are watching and you don’t want them trying to adjust the sound if it’s a mute project
aniMOTION European Animation Festival
May 8, 2007 by russtaI have entered Odd From Every Angle into the aniMOTION festival. The festival takes place in Romania, this is the website:
Degree Show – Name, Flyer, Website
May 8, 2007 by russtaThe degree show name has been decided upon:
‘Pixel Shake’
The flyer has been designed and sent off for printing:
The website has been bought and is up and running. Currently it only displays the flyer but will be updated soon:
Assignment 2 presentation
May 8, 2007 by russtaI have prepared for the presentation tomorrow, i have decided to sell myself as an animator to a prospective company.
here are some sites i’ve been using to help prepare:
General Presentation Tips and Hints:
http://www.biogeek.com/pages/presentation%20hints&tips.html
Presentation Hints and Tips for Students:
http://web.stcloudstate.edu/pho/
Professional Presentation Design:
http://www.presentationzen.com/
Artist ‘Pearl Perlmuter’ information
http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2003/05/21/31055.html
Artist ‘Paul Bartlett’ information
http://www.moseley-art-school.co.uk/page14.html
Adobe Design Achievement Awards – Semi Final
May 8, 2007 by russta
My video Odd From Every Angle is in the Semi Final!! I have to send everything off to get there by May 18th, fingers crossed!
Update:
Ok, I got everything off in time although it was quite stressful! I had to sign a contract to Adobe allowing them to use all the parts of the work in promotion, which basically means I am supposed to have permission to give them permission to do this for every part of the video including the music. I tried emailing Tipper (the original music artist for the video) but he has not replied.
As a result I had to get a couple of my audio producer friends to quickly knock something up in the space of about two days! With some great work on their part they delivered with time to spare. It is an incredible feat for two days work, and I now have a version I can freely chuck around the place without a care!
I’ll be updating my website soon with the new version, http://www.russelletheridge.com/
As a bit of evidence for all this I’ve attached the email saying I’m in the semi final, click on ‘Read the rest of this entry’ below to view it.
Degree Space Update and My Role
April 18, 2007 by russtaIt looks like Richard went with the Ada Street Warehouse which you can see in my previous post (Another Space).
I thought it looked like what Richard wanted, and apparently it is a lot cheaper than the Brick Lane spaces.
I have also been asked to be the Degree Show coordinator which involves:
- Sorting out the design and printing of postcard sized promo flyers
- Sorting out a promo website
- Collating required materials from students
- Sorting out the design and printing of a b&w catalogue to be handed out at the show
- Input into arrangements for the exhibition
It’s a lot of work, but hopefully I will be able to complete this for my Art Practice and Presentation module with a little help from other students.
Kinetica Visit 2
April 4, 2007 by russta
Last Friday I decided to take a second visit to the Kinetica museum based on Ian’s description of Ray Lee’s and Jim Bond’s interesting sound experiments. Below are some photos I took, they didn’t come out that well due to the lack of light. I also took the liberty of recording some of the sound being produced by the exhibits, they came out relatively well considering I was using my phone.
01 JimBond_runningman.jpg 04-Apr-2007 02:54 72K
02 RayLee_soundmachine.jpg 04-Apr-2007 02:54 253K 03 RayLee_soundmills.jpg 04-Apr-2007 02:54 164K 04 RayLee_soundorgan.jpg 04-Apr-2007 02:54 158K 05 Recording (1).amr 04-Apr-2007 02:54 9.5K 06 Recording (2).amr 04-Apr-2007 02:54 24K 07 Recording.amr 04-Apr-2007 02:54 83K
Here is a description of the files:
01. A Jim Bond sculpture. I like this work, all the lines of the body blend into the wires holding the character up which double up as indications of movement.
02. Part of a Ray Lee sound sound piece. This machine produces Dr. Who-like sounds depending on the disruption of the field produced by the antenna. Ray Lee has built automated arms that disrupt the field. You can hear this clearly in the file ‘Recording (2).amr’.
03. This is a fantastic Ray Lee sound sculpture. Structures of various heights emitting a variety of tones from speakers mounted on rotating arms produces an eerie atmosphere in the dimly lit space.
04. This is the whole piece of which photo 02 was a part. The other part seen in this photo is an organ being played by robotic fingers controlled by electric motors and cams.
05. A short recording of a mixture of the exhibits.
06. A good recording of the piece in photo 02.
07. A fairly lengthy recording of the sound sculpture in photo 03. About two thirds of the way through I walked over to another Dr. Who-like sound machine that was on display.
This would have been a great place to take a binaural sound recorder. It would have been a really interesting experiment to record the sounds in this exhibit binaurally, then produce a 3d anaglyph animation that represents the sounds visually.
Related Links:
Nexus Productions
March 21, 2007 by russtaNexus are a very well known production company who have done some fantastic work. The have been doing loads of advertising recently for such companies as BBC, EBay and Orange. They have taken the videos off their site now which is a shame but their short films from a couple of years were really well produced. This would also be a very attractive company to work for.
Nexus Productions Ltd
113-114 Shorditch High Street
London E1 6JN
Tel: 0207 749 7500
E: info@nexusproductions
W: http://www.nexusproductions.com
Finish
March 21, 2007 by russtaA fantastic production house with an incredible range of work. They have workewd on such projects as the channel 5 idents, advertising for BMW, Ford, BA among many others. They have even done a music video for the Beatles. It would be fantastic to work for a company such as this producing VFX.
Finish
6a Poland Street,
London W1F 8PT
Tel: 0207 734 9001
E: post@finish.tv
W: http://www.finish.tv/
Annex Films
March 21, 2007 by russtaAnnex have made some spectaular productions. Including the famous viral video of a while ago involving areoplanes, pictured below. The have won several awrads for their work including a British Televisiona award.
The Annex Films Ltd
101 Dean St.
London W1D 3TG
Tel: 0207 437 7507
E: use – firstname@annexfilms.co.uk
W: http://www.annexfilms.co.uk
Tandem Films
March 21, 2007 by russtaAn up and coming animation studio. Their short films are very inspired, and have done advertising work for such companies as BA, Nike and Honda. A definiate candidate for application.
Tandem Films
26 Cross Street,
Islington,
London, N1 2BG
Tel: 0207 688 1717
E: info@tandemfilms.com
W: http://www.tandemfilms.com
Studio AKA
March 15, 2007 by russtaThese guys have done some great animations. Their short ‘Jo Jo In the Stars’ won the BAFTA for animation in 2004. Pictured Below.
This is definitely a possible candidate for job application.
*****1. Studio AKA (Sue Goffe – Head of Production/Partner)
30 Berwick Street
London, W1F 8RH
UK
Tel: 0207 434 3581
E: sue@studioaka.co.uk
W: http://www.studioaka.co.uk
Adobe Design Achievement Awards
March 15, 2007 by russtaI’ve entered my ‘Odd from Every Angle‘ music video into Adobe’s annual adaa competion under the animation category. If you are selected as a finalist they pay for you to fly to San Fransisco and one night in a hotel.
“The 2007 Adobe Design Achievement Awards competition is open to students at post-secondary institutions in 30 countries throughout the world. First-place winning entries will receive US$5,000, a trip to attend the awards ceremony, valuable Adobe software products, and studio tours.”
Last years winners were alright. I think my animation might be a bit offensive to some people so its unlikely to win. Worth a try though eh?
FilmAKA competition site
March 15, 2007 by russta
This sounds like a good opportunity, I might take this up. Registration is only $15. Sites that require payment for registration are normally con, but this seems to be relatively legit.
“Filmaka.com is an on-line network created by established independent producers, industry professionals, and film financiers
Deepak Nayar, Thomas Augsberger, Christopher Sharp, Robert Herman, Tim Levy, Mahesh Mathai, Kurt Woolner and Colin Firth. The goal of Filmaka.com is to give undiscovered filmmakers an opportunity to show custom made short films to industry professionals, award prizes to the most talented among them, and to find one truly talented director who will win a feature film deal with Filmaka at the end of the year.”
The quality of films here seem pretty mediocre.
Janet Cardiff binaural walk
March 12, 2007 by russtaI decided to go down to Aldgate East and see if I could find the Janet Cardiff walk that I mentioned in an earlier post. When we got there it seemed as though the library was closed, so we decided to have a look in the gallery and ask if they knew anything about it. The whole building was going through refurbishments, there was only one video exhibit in the gallery. We asked the woman at the desk and she said they they were still doing the walk from there. £135 x2 deposit later on my credit card and we were off. Due to the fact the walk is supposed to start in the library, we had to wait outside the library doors until the walk caught up. What followed was a wonderful journey around Aldgate East / Brick Lane / Liverpool St from the unique perspective of Janet Cardiff. It was really difficult to tell sometimes if what you were hearing was from the street around you or the recording!
It is definitely something I would recommend to anyone. Notes: Bring the best quality headphones you can find, also you get your deposit back, so it is really free. Below is a photo of my girlfriend and I on the walk. Despite our expressions we were having a great time!
Contact Databases
March 12, 2007 by russtaI have been on the hunt for possible contacts for work in the event that I don’t get in to the RCA next year. i have found two really good contact databases that contain all the desired information for loads of production / animation houses. See below for the links:
Another Space
March 12, 2007 by russtaI found another space. It looks nice and gritty as Richard requested and it’s four times the size of the Second Space Gallery.
Here is the link:
Student Rep
March 12, 2007 by russtaI have been chosen as a representative for the 3rd year Digital Arts students. I recently attended a meeting to discuss the External Examiners report and other course related topics. I tried to bring up relevant issues with the course that my peers and I have experienced, as well as my opinion on other topics that were discussed in the meeting. I found it to be a very useful insight into the workings of the university. I felt as though the staff members were interested in what I had to say and that they would try address the issues I mentioned. It’s a great privilege to be chosen as a student representative and I will try to uphold the responsibilities involved.
My High Rez Images
March 12, 2007 by russtaDegree Show space Update
March 12, 2007 by russtaRichard showed interest in the Second Space gallery:
However, looking at the details of the place, it is only 600ft sq. The show requires space for roughly 15 – 20 students, and by my calculations this is hardly room for 10. The search continues.
Degree Show space research
March 12, 2007 by russtaI recently suggested a space to Richard Colson that would be good for this years Degree Show. I had been because a friend of mine had put on an experimental audio performance there. So far I have been unable to find the contact details of that particular place, but the same friend has pointed me at this space:
www.passingclouds.org which is a space in east london, however they don’t rent out the space on fridays, saturdays or sundays as i understand it.
I also found this website with exhibition space for hire in the brick lane area: http://www.artshole.co.uk/Exhibition-Space-to-hire-in-the-UK.htm
Artists Statement
March 12, 2007 by russtaI have written my artists statement. Here it is in Adobe pdf format:
Kinetica 07/03/07 – Sam Buxton talk
March 8, 2007 by russtaYesterday I went to Spitalfields Market to check out the current Kinetica exhibitions and attend the Sam Buxton talk.
Below are some photos and videos I took there:
01 dollhouse.JPG 267K
02 faces.JPG 1.0M03 goingthere.JPG 297K 04 jimcamp01.JPG 196K 05 jimcamp02.JPG 345K 06 jimcampbell.3gp 626K 07 lightball.JPG 182K 08 lightcircle.JPG 1.2M 09 pendulum01.JPG 930K 10 pendulum02.JPG 966K 11 strobe.3gp 451K 12 strobe01.JPG 349K 13 strobe02.JPG 1.1M 14 printwall.JPG 251K 15 uvspinner.JPG 1.4M
Here is a description of the photos and videos:
01. A coin operated dolls house situated as you walk in. A useful reference to my Double Project.
02. Diane Harris. Three dimensional face sculptures with real faces projected on top. Another good reference for my Double Project.
03. Janet, Natalja and I on the tube going to Kinetica.
04. An interesting Jim Campbell piece. It involves a still image of a building with moving shadow people walking around in front. It works by the material that the picture is printed on diffusing the light from his usual simple LED screen behind. A good effect.
05. Another interesting Jim Campbell piece, although at first I thought it was strange that it is situated in the lift.
06. A video of Jim Campbell’s famous LED man walking work.
07. Some beautiful play with light and colour.
08. Another shot of the light and colour display.
09. A great interactive piece which invites you to play with the pendulums. The pendulums hover over some light sensitive paint and draw a line as they move. This piece is (I’m assuming) by rAndom International.
10. Another shot of the pendulum piece.
11. A video of Gregory Barsamain’s great animated sculpture exhibit. Although this piece is amazing to watch, I recently went to a Pixar exhibition at the science museum where they ripped off Barsamain’s idea, but did it better in my opinion.This works just like an ordinary animation. Each segment is one frame of the animation, the sculpture is then spun at a speed so that with each flash of the strobe you only see the segments in the same position as it’s predecessor, thus giving the impression of motion just like watching a film in the cinema.
12. A photo of the animated sculpture.
13. Another photo of the animated sculpture.
14. Another rAnfom International piece that continuously ‘prints’ an image onto a photosensitive wall with a LED ‘printer’.
15. A photo of Peter Sedgley’s UV spinner. An interesting use of ultraviolet paint. Looks like something from the 70’s.
The talk with Sam Buxton was really interesting. He basically talked about the progress of his entire career and was completely open and honest with the description of how he has experienced being an artist. An RCA furniture design graduate, Buxton has a great variety of work under his belt. Currently he is collaborating with Reebok on an advertising campaign along with other miscellaneous projects and installations.
Related links:
Sam Buxton Design Museum Collection
We also briefly visited the WhiteCube gallery while waiting for the Sam Buxton talk to start, it was ok if you like that sort of thing.
