Hey everyone, So this year, things have been extremely busy. Interface wrapped up, and Safe Mode began. Multiple records made and delayed - but finally sent out, vhs tapes I can't keep up with demand and blurays. Now the phorgs are finally making their way to new homes. Film festivals, Toronto, Chicago, Montreal, Ottawa ~ By the way, Safe Mode won 'honorable mention' at the Ottawa Animation Film Festival in the series category! Huge considering we were up against Netflix, Amazon etc.
"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you." - Pericles
And then, speaking at the Canadian Parliament and Senate. In case you're interested you can watch the senate hearing here. I warn you it's dry, and Canadian. I had to speak out though, not enough bigger creators were saying anything. Essentially our government will change how content is displayed to us on social media platforms. The government wants to decide what is recommended to you, and that is mostly legacy media corporations that have lobbied hard to usurp digital creators. I have my own qualms with Youtube recommendations, but the last thing we need is power obsessed government sticking their hand into the mix as well. Passing C11 and C18 was a failure for all Canadians, but the establishment media corporations already lost our trust, our respect, and prestige. Independent voices will cut through the noise, and be heard - despite them.
So things have been a bit hectic. But I'm finally winding down again and starting fresh with some new projects in the works. What am I working on now?
1. Full New Music Album! Haunting and melancholic. It should be at least 10 tracks long and will of course be available for all Patrons to download. 4 of the tracks will be recorded professionally on a grande piano at Studio PM in the new year. Hopefully I'll have time to take some pics. This album will drop likely in February. Really excited how some of the tracks are sounding.
2. Safe Mode Episode 05. Still early days with this one. I'm learning to use some new software, and I really want this episode to stand out visually from the rest. New music for this is also being recorded at Studio PM. The GIF at the top of this post is a teaser.
3. One Sponsored Video. Up until now I've turned down pretty much every sponsored video (apart from Adult Swim), and that's all thanks to you. When a company would ask me, I would pitch them an animation that was so weird they would all ghost me. For instance a standing desk company requested a slot so I suggested an animation where someone raised the desk white lying on it, then getting crushed into the ceiling. Anyways, this other company reached out, and they said YES to a wacky video - and they gave me a deadline of like 10 months. Pretty hard to turn down a project with full creative control... it will be fun.
Everyday I'm working on something for the channel. Although I don't release content as much as I'd like, the quality is getting upped, and I just want to thank you all again for being part of these projects.
Patreon Q&A!
Okay! So after all that, if any of you have anything you wanted to know, either about animation, making music, what the Zucc's skin in make out of - ask in the comments below and I'll record a Q&A video this week. :)
Justin