Little Big Planet commercial for PSP (Playstation portable) airs

Last month I finished directing a 30 second tv commercial for Playstation's Little Big Planet on the PSP. An animated extravaganza combining lots of different techniques - pixellation, stop-motion, and CGI animation - all condensed into a short space of time.

The initial idea for the commercial from Mike Hughes at LOVE creative, was to take the hand-crafted feel of the game with all its amazing textures and materials and combine this with a very fresh, and modern approach to the visuals.

The main character Sackboy is really fun, cute and cool. Just like on the PS3 you can change his outfits and put him in various different moods as you play. This facility for customization means that he appeals to an extremely wide range of people, across different age groups. I wanted to use his charm and personality to full effect in this ad. He is cheeky, energetic and inquisitive and I pushed this in his body language and actions. There is also I hope an injection of humour and cool in the ad which mirrors the feeling of the game itself.

And by the way, if you haven't played the game - get out there and try it!  I have to confess that a few of us, in the crew, were either already hooked or became a little hooked on the game during production. I hold my hands up as one of the latter. The others of you - you know who you are!

The commercial aired for the first time on Wednesday the 18th November. But you can also see it on the Slinky website. Just click on the link top right (of my blog page).

Take a look!

It's turning chilly

I'm glad to be back at Clapham Road Studios in Stockwell, shooting a new commercial for Playstation. It's a mixture of stop-motion, pixellation and CGI and I'm really enjoying all the different elements. I'm currently wearing two jumpers and a scarf though because it's gotten a bit chilly lately. 

House of Cards Exhibition in Aid of Shelter

Last Thursday I attended the private view of the House of Cards exhibition at the Haunch of Venison Gallery, London, W1.

A great concept, thought up by the creative minds at ad agency Leo Burnett, the exhibition is made up of works from some of the country's most prolific artists, designers, and photographers.

Contributing artists include: Vivienne Westwood, Tim Walker, Amelia's Magazine, and Damien Hirst to name but a few.

Each artist came up with a piece for one of the cards in a classic deck of playing cards. And so the collective works make up a complete set (1000 limited edition packs of over-sized cards are/were available to buy at the gallery shop). Each piece is up for auction this week in aid of Shelter the housing and homelessness charity - so it's all for a great cause.

My tiny contribution to all this is that my illustration was part of Amelia's Magazine's artwork - the 2 of Hearts quilt. It was great to finally see it in the flesh. I love Amelia's choice of very different styles which combine together to make a truly eclectic looking, colourful and interesting piece.

Here's a phone pic of me standing next to it

Here's the Vivienne Westwood


the Tim Walker, (my favourite photographer)



and the diamond dusted Damien Hirst


I think it's still up this week, so trundle along and take a look!

Shelter believes everyone needs a home in a place where they can thrive.

We help over 170,000 people a year fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of bad housing by campaigning for new laws, policies, and solutions.

Our work won’t stop until there’s a home for everyone. Please help us.

Visit shelter.org.uk to join our campaign, find housing advice, or make a donation.

TOPSHOP Oxford Circus exhibition NOW up!

My exhibition of day of the dead skulls - 'Gypsy, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor...' is now up in TOPSHOP Oxford Circus, on the main floor (down one escalator, opposite the blow dry bar). Go check it out!

You can also see the making of video, and read more about the idea at www.soldiersailor.net

DepicT! news - Breaking the Mould in cinemas nationwide

'DepicT! ‘08 Winning Films on the Digital Screen Network

Last year’s winners Enough, What’s Virgin Mean? and Breaking the Mould have been digitised by Arts Alliance Media, scrutinised by the BBFC (15, PG and U respectively, if you’re curious) and sent out to cinemas through the Digital Screen Network where they’ll be screened before feature films.  

Venues confirmed include: Showrooom in Sheffield, Glasgow Film Theatre, ICA in London, Broadway in Nottingham, Quad in Derby, Cornerhouse in Manchester, Arts Picturehouse in Cambridge and, of course, Watershed in Bristol!  They’ll be playing the shorts with titles including Fish Tank, Broken Embraces and Mid-August Lunch, so keep an eye out and let us know what you think!'

Taken from the DepicT! newsletter 10/08/09

Amelia's Magazine Shelter Card Quilt

Here is the amazing Shelter Card Quilt, put together by Amelia Gregory, and made up of of 54 designs. It will be auctioned in aid of Shelter later this year. You can see my card third from the bottom, far left. I'm really excited to be part of the project, and I think it looks fab. Let's hope that it raises a lot of money for this worthy cause.

Amelia's magazine Illustration success

Amelia contacted me to say that my illustration has made it on to her Shelter quilt design (see Monday 8th of June post), so I'm really pleased! It will be exhibited as part of the Shelter charity art show this summer. Yay!