Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

A Long Overdue Update!

Hello all!

It's been a little while since l've posted anything of any substance in the blog other than a few pieces here and there. As I've previously discussed in a few different posts, I have been working hard on an animation since last July - the first since Hashtag Live in late 2022. This project is now 95% completed including sound and we are now awaiting final approval from the client. I plan to cover more about this animation in the blog - breaking down the processes behind the work. This will be planned out once everything has been approved and the final production is public.

In September last year I also completed illustration work on a feature length film titled "Make it to Munich." The film follows Ethan Walker, a young Scottish footballer who, following a life-changing car accident, makes the decision to cycle to Munich for Scotland's opening match against Germany in Euro 2024 - only nine months later.


The film premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival on March 9 2025. I am pleased to say that I was in attendance, getting to spend some time on the red carpet and soak in the experience of a film premiere. I initially had the opportunity to meet with all the cast and crew in a function at the Dakota Hotel and even got the chance to catch up with Martin Docherty and lan Bustard, whom we animated in "Marty Goes to Hollywood" in 2014.





Make it to Munich itself was fantastic, a deeply enjoyable film on many levels with the ideal balance of emotion and comedy. The film will be released in Scottish cinemas in May, though could possibly see a wider release.


I have also taken part in two local fayres (Christmas and Easter) in which I have been selling my prints. These have been an enjoyable experience and not entirely outside of my comfort zone since I have a background in sales and upselling.





Going forward I have a checklist of smaller projects that I intend to get through before taking on anything bulky. I will be taking a laid-back approach and treating this period as a break whist I recharge for what's next. However, I do have a few ideas for future graphics work and there is a certain animation that I started a few years ago that I may just revisit.

On the subject of animation, I have learnt over time that these projects tend to be few and far between, my next animation project may well be 2 years away. I have no idea what the future holds in this regard, how exciting!

Thursday, 12 September 2024

Favourite Underrated Animated Movie

The Road to El Dorado (2000)

This Dreamworks movie from 2000 doesn't get anywhere near the credit it deserves - the animation is as beautiful as any of the renowned Disney Renaissance features of the 90s and the music is equally as entertaining.



I had initially considered "The Emperors New Groove" but I soon realised that it still has a sizable fanbase, being a Disney movie, and isn't as overlooked as El Dorado has been. From writers Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, the movie follows two con-men that find a map to the lost City of Gold, El Dorado. Eventually they arrive at the city, following the map and stowing away on a ship belonging to colonist Hernan Cortes. Upon their arrival they are mistaken for gods and find themselves scheming to leave with much of El Dorado's fortunes with them.




Even the songs in this film are highly enjoyable, unsurprising considering the involvement of Elton John and Tim Rice, the latter having worked on a slew of animated movies (Aladdin, The Lion King.) Stand out numbers from the movie include "The Trail we Blaze" "it's Tough to be a God" and "Friends Never Say Goodbye"


Unfortunately, this film had a poor reception both financially and critically, bombing in the box office and not getting the best write up from the critics either. This led to plans for several sequels being shelved and ultimately cancelled. I acknowledge it's not a masterpiece, but it is one of the most fun animated movies there is, and for a non-Disney release around that period, it's a great achievement.



I am really happy to see that in recent years the film has become a bit of a cult classic, thanks largely to online communities and memes.

Also shout out to my friend Fraser Roberts, who loves this film as much as I do, friends never say goodbye!