Earlier this year I finished a mammoth project that had been on-going (on the back-burner) for a couple of years. Crutch by Fade is a music video for the Wellington, New Zealand indie rock band Fade from the album Cousin Elsa.
I was fortunate to receive funding from RMIT Link Arts and Culture that allowed me to submit the music video to a number of animation and short film festivals around the world. I have yet to hear from a few but I received confirmation that it will be playing in competition at a festival in Lituania.
Tindirindis International Animation Film Festival was held in Vilnius, Lithuania from October 24 - 30 and then is touring to Siauliai, Panevezys, Kaunas, Nida and Klaipeda. My film is playing in competition in the Animated Music Video Clips "Music-Animation" section.
I want to thank the Fade boys, the crew at RMIT Link Arts and Culture and, of course, Marcia for kicking my arse to get this done.
My newest animation got mentioned on Hollywood Babble-On by Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman. Check out the video above and the audio here.
Kevin Smith is trick or treating with some friends when he meets a creepy clown played by Ralph Garman. Audio is from Hollywood Babble On #55: Babble-On Philadelphia. Animation is by me, James Paul aka VJ Sepp Featuring cameos from Walt Flanagan and Bryan Johnson from Tell 'em Steve Dave and The Secret Stash. TESD
I am happier with this video than my last Hollywood Babble-On video, the Kevin Smith's Transformers video.
Yeah locals rule! I was involved with Grolsch Grid this year, local artists music/visual festival sponsored by Grolsch. Did a show already with Muckle Pup and Samari at Bimbo's last week and have one more show coming up with Samari at Gasometer Hotel on Tuesday night. Debuted my glitch style stuff for these shows. Went over well I think.
If anyone is in Newcastle next week (Friday 30th September). I will be presenting my Masters research at the Critical Animals Creative Research Festival within the This Is Not Art Festival. I am part of the first talk of the whole festival.
"Animation, Film Essay and the Absurd 10AM-11:30AM, Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, Paper Session and Screening - Cleo Mees, Iolanthe Iezzi, James Paul - Supported by Macquarie University
"We look at three very different interactions between filmmakers, moving images and audiences. Whether absurdist film works aimed at an arts audience, an academic essay film or an animated televised series for a nation of pre-schoolers,filmmaking is used for amusement, education, to stimulate thought or further a cause. Can the moving image speak as loudly as words?"
Transformers Directed by Kevin Smith staring Jason Statham and Ralph Garman
My newest short film which I made using dialogue from Hollywood Babble On. It got mentioned on the podcast and has six thousand views so far! Very cool to get a mention and my little zing against Australians got some airplay.
Not super happy with the video, could have been better but I didn't want to work on it too much further. Speed is the essence in viral videos.
I recently received funding from RMIT Link Arts & Culture to send my new film to animation festivals.
This was the first time I received funding for a film and I would like to thank RMIT Link Arts & Culture for awarding me this money. It is a big step up in my career.
New parody ad I created for Coles Supermarket in response to their Prices are Down campaign. I created a TVC that imagines shopping in a world after an apocalypse......
Update:
This video has been getting some nice mentions around the web. It could be to do with the coming Milk Wars! or it could be due to the rapture either way good to know Coles will be there for us.
I got an email from Google saying "Your video Coles - Prices are Down - Post Apocalypse Ad Parody might be eligible for the YouTube Partnership Program, which allows you to make money from playbacks of your video."
Which is nice and all but I think their strict copyright enforcement will prevent me from joining the program. I am covered under Australian copyright law to use the logos and songs in the video as parody as long as I am not making money from it, another reason I won't be joining the program. I need to create a new video that goes viral. Thinking cap on .....
Update 3:
This video got yanked off youtube by Coles for infringement of copyright. I might fight it as I think I have a case as parody under the copyright legislations. It is pretty obvious that Coles is using the copyright claim as censorship as they have not laid copyright claims to the myriad of other Coles videos online.
Update 4:
06/08/2011
I am planning on fighting the copyright claim and have just contacted Arts Law by their online submission form. This is what I wrote:
Please summarize your legal issue:
During my practice as an animator/visual artist I created a parody TVC for Coles Supermarket and posted it on youtube, it got 6000 views. Coles made a claim of copyright and my video was taken down.
What questions would you like to ask a lawyer?
I would like to appeal the copyright decision on the basis of fair dealing - parody. I believe Coles is using copyright as censorship because they didn't agree with the tone of my advert. Would I have a basis to appeal the copyright takedown notice? I did use their logos and some distorted music from their advert but the advert was clearly a parody set after the apocalypse.
Update 5:
15/08/2011
Spoke to a lawyer from Arts Law today and from discussing the case with her I have decided to fight the copyright take down notice on the basis of fair dealing parody and satire. Apparently this has never been challenged in the court in Australia. So either Coles will back down or take me to court and then I can start legal history in Australia! Win win!!
Update 6:
7/09/2011
The video is back up! COPYFIGHT!!!!!!
Been back in Aussie for a month or so. Back at RMIT finishing my Master in Creative Media (Animation and Interactive Media). I think my thesis will be on Educational Animation for Preschoolers and Adults or something.
Finished a couple of show reels.
One for James Paul Animations:
And one for VJ Sepp featuring clips from all around Asia:
Had a quick VJ in Melbourne at Bimbo Deluxe, good fun, thanks to vdmo Kstati who hosted me there for a short set.
Created an animated promo for the guys at Two Bulls for the Content360 festival. It was a neat broken future styled video for an interactive iphone app. Good fun although a very short deadline which had me pull a couple of all nighters. I will attach the video if they put it up online and expect a couple of clips when I next update my show reel.
I am working part time while I study as a Graphic Designer at a larger multinational company working on some interesting projects including an info channel for a remote residential facility. Enjoying the work.
As always check out my animations on my Youtube page here. VJSepp's Channel
Tindirindis International Animation Film Festival was held in Vilnius, Lithuania from October 24 - 30 and then is touring to Siauliai, Panevezys, Kaunas, Nida and Klaipeda. My film is playing in competition in the Animated Music Video Clips "Music-Animation" section.
