PROOF

..we played a gig. This is Custard Bear playing a song Oli hasn't titled yet with Kurt! Awesomes.

Fred's Dilemma

As promised (for once) here follows the illustrations I did for my grandpa Terry's book. IN SUPER LARGE!!

Chapter One (and front cover) - The mysterious island where it all takes place. Note: scary cliffs, huts on beach, cliche distant flying birds, super dramatic lighting.


The Scary Cliffs: A BODY?!! Oh heavens no! What a terrible accident. Definately an accident... Or was it?? We may never know. Unless a selfless hero becomes a detective to try and solve this dilemma.

Giorgio: What a bully... what a coward... What a fiend! (if you read the book you'd understand my hatred for him. Jerk). The island has it's own laws now, and you will face cage-related consequences if you disobey!


The End: Lot's more stuff happens on the island, but I won't ruin it (or let you know if they get to freedom or descend into savagery). This is a perfect circle-wipe ending, showing the now idylic island. Cue bright sky and a calm mist.


I'll happily illustrate your book if you wrote one. Not that I'm advertising or anything. I'm just super happy with these drawings. I hope you like them and they make you want to buy my grandpa's book. I'll let you know how when I figure it out myself.

Currantly*

(*man do I love currants!)

So, as things tend to do for me occasionally, I've found myself with some projects on the go. The latest completed is the one below, Grand Spectacular.

I'm also working on some illustrations for an adventure book my grandpa Terry is getting printed. It's called Fred's Dillema and is set on an island where a bunch of survivors from a sunken cruise ship try to survive each other and mysterious goings on. I'm doing sick Brett Helquist ish pencil sketches. Except way less dramatic and classy. I'll upload them onto here when I've scanned them, I'm pretty happy with them.

Also on the go is me painting. I have to get back into practice for art school, and I'm in the process of assembling my portfolio for my interview so it's as good a time as any.

The other exciting thing happening is band related. Hans Pucket played at a party the other week which was super fun. I bashed my knuckles on the edge of the drums and spattered blood over the snare and floor tom. It was super punk. Highlight was our Jungle Book medley. We're playing at thom's previously mentioned leaving thing, with all of the bands in the world, so that should be cool.

Also, Custard Bear returned from the depths of nothing-whatsoever to play a paid gig with THE FUCKING BATS! (aka The Bats). It was in the hagley park fanzone (yeah!). Jack had some wedding on an island, so we got our good pal Kurt in as a more than capable substitute, who proceeded to kick ass in every respect. So much fun. I missed playing bass more than I realised. We played a couple oldies, but a new rock song oli wrote that tuesday. My brother dishes them out like the best of them, really. It's insane.

So, all of this, AND full time working going down. In case you were wondering from my absence of posts, I do keep myself occupied, really.

(Photo from Hans flat party gig below)

Thom's Leaving

So I made him this cover art for a mixtape he's making for people that come to this gig on saturday with ALL OF THE BANDS IN CHRISTCHURCH but he's asleep. So I'll post it online.

It's pretty cool. Lot's of colour. I like the cat in it.




If you come to the gig and pay ten dollars instead of five you'll get a cd with all the bands that looks like this. Do come. Really.

Damien Letter (age 11)

Mostly inspired by Vincents awesome blog, I wrote this letter as a character exercise for my film. It's an old letter, one of the first that Damien writes to NZ Post, asking for a job.

I found it hugely beneficial.

Dear New Zealand Post,

My name is Damien and I am 11 years old. I would love to work for you as a postman right away.

Ever since I was 8 I have always dreamed of being a postman/mail carrier/postie and so I know lots about the subject. However, your industry is one of secrecy and magic, and I wish to join your ranks to uncover more about your inner workings.

I love going outside, and I send letters all the time. Mail, as I am sure you would agree, is a much purer form of communication than email. My mum says that computers are made by “profiteering scum” and are the reason she is out of work (she teaches calligraphy). My dad is allowed one though, but only because he is involved with data input at work and computers are kind of the point. But I’m sure if he could he would do it all by hand.

I have always admired the skill and dedication that postmen/women show, delivering mail every day and in all weather conditions. You are all heroes. I also like how friendly you all are, and how you endeavour to know peoples name and when their birthday is. That is an impressive feat.

I do have a couple questions though.

1. Do you still drive in vans or has the movement officially been made to bikes?

2. Do you really get up at six am or even EARLIER?

3. Are you all afraid of dogs or is this a white lie?

As well as being my dream job, I am also business focussed, and your competitive rates and benefits scheme has definitely caught my eye.

Thank you for considering my application. I am ready for an immediate start.

Yours sincerely,

Damien Wickes.

ps. I am incredibly happy just knowing that this letter was delivered by the power and magic of the postal industry. I look forward to joining it soon.

TITLES

A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albinson on Vimeo.

Oh man oh man this is cool.

SKILLS AND ASSETS

I work at Blockbuster Video. It's considered an awesome job due to it being easy. It is. People assume I just spend all my time watching movies. I do. But it's much much more than that.

And in order to convince myself of the benefits of my job, I have compiled this list.

Skills Callum Has Gained From His Job

1. Can alphabetise super fast.
2. Knows the difference between Horror and Thriller.
3. Can balance large stacks of DVDs in one hand.
4. Small talk.
5. Can nod and smile at the same time.
6. Can leave an answering machine message without wanting to die afterwards.
7. Time management skills.
8. Has "spare time" now (which I realised using number 7).
9. Can quote most of Fantastic Mr Fox.
10. I wear a watch now.

The last ones a cop out.

My job's amazing.