Stop Montion Animator (@awkward.animations)

Do you have any personal rituals before you start creating?

My main phylosophy is to just make a start and experimenting with ideas or inspiration that is top of mind and then see where it goes…. nomrally I have a dozen or so thoughts in my head on things that I want to try and which ever one feels right for the project I will then look to execute and perfect.

What’s your favorite piece of work you have ever done?

I thought it would be several projects on a larger scale like my Lee Jeans add but in fact if I had to choose one then it would be something more recent as I am always looking to level up.  The answer is the film I just made in 48hour for the NZ 48 hour film festival…. its special because it is simple and tells a beatifull story about how Mum’s have an impact on shaping us as people and I am not embrassed to admit I shed tears each time I watch it…. not because of the art form but because of the story and it really hits that home

What is something you dislike about the industry ?

Very hard to dislike anything about stop motion…. If I had to choose something then I do not like being isolated down here in NZ as its a small group of people globally but on the other hand thats kind of what makes it so perfect ;o)

How do you know when a piece is truly finished? 

When my partner Megan gives her final approval LOL. Its wierd as when you look back on older work that isnt as polished you realise that you are always improving ….nothing is ever truly finished but there is normally a point in the editing process where you just get to a comfy place and all the checks are done.  It is great to be able to go back and re animate some scenes as you then have the original approach locked in and its easier to be think about how to better that scene but I try not to reshoot things too much and make it right first time

Do you create better in silence or with noise around you?

NOISE!!!! I have films, music and my family in the background whilst working and I love it. 

If your art came with a warning label, what would it say?

‘May Contain Excessive Patience’

How do you come up with the names for your artworks?

I rarely care about the name …. but seeing as you asked just what comes top of mind and keep it simple.

What’s your usual equipment? 

DSLR camera, Cine lenses, LED lights, Rigging, Backdrops and a solid bench you happy to destroy and drill into

How long does it take you to do artwork/animation?

Anything from 48 hours for a 3 min film speed animating to 9 months for a brand 60 second TV commercial

How many pictures do you end up taking in a single day?

Anything from 2500 (using multiple cameras and exposures per frame to 24 shots for big TV work)  filming from 2 seconds a dayn to 10 seconds a day is the norm

How did you come up with your name?

LIFE IS AWKWARD …. meeting people is awkward, understanding others is Awkward…. so much of life is awkward in one way or another

Do you think artists should explain their work, or let it speak for itself? 

Speak for itself ;o)