Bean Bag Tanning Salon

[Patrick Green]

Last week many of us attended the major BANG event of the month. I’m talking, of course, about the speed networking event. I had to leave around nine o’clock so didn’t get to natter with everybody but those of you who I did meet made me realise what a great community of people BANG is. As promised I was literally dazzled by the luminescence of the bean bags, they were pretty cosy as well, an added bonus. After my retina’s had acclimatised I turned to see the sheer intensity of glow coming from the chairs and once again I was seeing sunspots. So, as well as topping up our tans we were quickly jumping into the daunting task of meeting people. First up for me was Aoife, who unlike me, and I have my excuses, brought some work for others to place under scrutiny. It was excellent. She had some really nice drawings with a distinct and consistent style, something I dream of achieving. Our 5 minutes began with the inevitable topic of which person on BANG we were. Aoife is an illustration of a man with a tie and a flower; I am a picture of myself. This didn’t go down well, as far as one person in our conversation was concerned animators never use pictures of themselves for avatars (sorry Lloyd, but your picture just won’t do!). Aoife was appeased though, after I clarified that it is a silly photo and you can’t tell that it’s my face under the hats. This seemed to put an end to the clear distress I had placed on my new friend. Next up was Lloyd, who again had some of his labour to show. I was presented with a couple of works in progress, one of which being the storyboard of an excellent vampire tale based in Brighton. The story was, by Lloyds own admission, lacking an ending but he did divulge a couple of possibilities and for those of us who have heard his other ideas won’t be too surprised that it may end in gloom, death or suicide. Could we expect a happy ending from Lloyd? Who knows but there is a challenge in there for you….

It was now time for me to nip to the gentleman’s room; I snuck off upstairs and hunted for the water closet. The lack of lock and ability to shut the door was replaced by a cardboard “in use” sign, a little disconcerting but I got over it.

Back to the networking,

Post WC I managed to catch up with Maria, who I have worked with in the past, and got to give my congratulations for getting her film shown publicly at the recent Kanoti/Bamboozled event. Well done again. Andy P was up next and my early nerves had been long forgotten, especially as I now found myself surrounded by the confidence that tags along with Andy. Lastly I managed to meet another new BANG member, Tall Paul. He had some brilliant examples of commercial motion graphics work to show with a plethora of big named clients. I also received some good advice on freelancing and was encouraged to attend the Farm events on a Wednesday where I’m promised a beer or two is always consumed.

Well done to Sarah and everybody else involved for another successful BANG event.

I’ve also been to see the final year Brighton University art show at Grand Parade. Upon entering we were handed a postcard and told to vote for our favourite piece, the winner would get a prize! After some questioning I was told the prize would be……a surprise. I would like to have known what I was getting my favourite artist in for but I wasn’t getting any more information out of one so intent on ‘flyering’. I have to say I was slightly disappointed with the event as a whole and for a long while questioned whether my vote would be given to somebody that I really identified with (I’ll avoid falling into the obvious trap of commenting about the recent political elections). There were some good pieces but the fine art and sculpture sections had my head shaking. There was a smattering of animation on show which was pleasing, some was stronger than others but for a university show in which animation is not a subject it was pleasing to see. Two in particular stick in my memory.

Firstly I came across a truly amazing example of stop motion animation. It was by a girl named Beatrice Baumgartner, accompanying the screening was the Brothers Quay-esque dolls house in which the film was shot. The model making was exceptionally detailed and the film itself had a very dark, autumnal feel to it. I really recommend seeing it. Beatrice was the lucky candidate to receive my vote and will potentially be on the receiving end of the sinister sounding “surprise” prize.

The other film is going to lead me to an area where I am sure most of you who read these blogs are beginning to get tired of, but I’m in charge, so unluckily for you I will predictably be writing about our wonderful local authority. The film in question was a blatant example of vandalism, good vandalism but defacement nonetheless. It was not traditional animation but more Norman McLaren style pixelation. The film maker in question had very stylishly filmed himself and his cronies performing this self described “street art”. These acts of despoilment include stencilling on those green, metal cases of electricity we see scattered in the streets and digging up paving slabs to be replaced by other interesting things for us to place our feet upon. It provoked memories of my first council position as one unnamed colleague will undoubtedly be in the office swearing at the recent spate of destruction and wreckage rearing its ugly head in our fine-looking city. Her employment requires she clean up this town. Little does she know that she is actually destroying art by “cleaning” this student’s "mess" but she’ll no doubt go home happy knowing her marigolds have been put to use.


L8rz.

[Patrick Green]

As a change, I like the bat, in fact, all this discussion has encouraged me to change mine, expect the grand unveiling of a new avatar later this evening.

[Lloyd Raworth]

Your portrait is great. Definitely one of the coolest ones here. It doesn't look like you but I don't think that matters. The bat doesn't look like me, but it's not a problem either because it's a metaphor. But it's because some people appear to have difficulty with metaphors that I'm concerned, by using this image, that some people here might actually think I'm evil.

[Luke Hay]

What about the bat with your face on it? Or your body with the bat's face? I opted for a self portrait, I'm not sure what this says about me..

[Lloyd Raworth]

I know you didn't, Patrick. It's no problem really.

If you or Aoife could spare a moment to let me know whether you prefer my photo or the picture of the bat though I'd be obliged.

[Patrick Green]

Sorry Lloyd,

I didn't mean to cause you so much distress....

[Lloyd Raworth]

HI again, have decided to replace my original photo avatar. I feel the bat sends out the wrong message, and I'm not entirely sure why I ever decided to use a symbol of evil as my avatar in the first place. I guess it seemed like a cool idea at the time. What was I thinking? Especially when everybody else has such nice avatars. As a result I now look indecisive and conflicted, and all because of social networking. So thanks a lot, Patrick! Now I am going to have to consult an online social networking guru to restore my reputation. At least there are plenty of them in Brighton and they are all extremely honest, authentic people and have nothing dubious about their ethics. Plus I've now lost my original photo avatar so I now have to waste time looking for that! I hope you and Aoife are satisfied!

[Lloyd Raworth]

Great write-up Patrick. It was a fun evening, all the more so as I'd anticipated it with some trepidation having been to other "networking" events in the past which weren't nearly as nice. This actually seemed more like a party. The bright beanbags definitely worked, so congrats to the Skiff interior designer. And the pink chairs. There was also a lot of fantastic work to look at and I was REALLY impressed with everything that people showed me. Many thanks for your comments on my storyboard as well, and sorry about the gloomy themes etc. I think when it's coloured in and animated it will cheer things up though.

I've been mulling over various concerns regarding my avatar picture, which has now been replaced by the avatar off my Flickr account. I changed it when I signed up to BANG because I didn't want to frighten anyone away. But it is preferable in some ways, especially as my friends here are all prettier/handsomer than me anyway. What do you and Aoife reckon? Photo or bat? I'm having trouble deciding.

Cheers!