New Year, New Beginnings...

Happy 2014 everyone! Oh how time flies... Feels like only yesterday I was writing my annual list of "Things to do/ Achieve in 2013", yet here I am again, now compiling a new one.

Last year really was one of the most exciting, pro-active & eventful years I've had... Industry-wise, at several stages I was actually having to turn down other freelance work as I was far too busy to take on any more (crazy!). Just to share some of the highlights with you; I had the pleasure of working for Aardman on a short commercial job for 'Swatch' watches (which I'll post up as soon as I get a copy of the masters). Worked for a great studio called ETC (Electric Theatre Collective) as an animator & character designer on a series of idents for 'Talk Talk' which featured on the X-Factor TV show. I was there for about 5 months, & it was a great experience as I got to work with old friends of mine I hadn't seen in years, plus make some new ones too. Best of all, I learnt a lot! Thanks to these two "superstars", Daniela Negrin Ochoa & Margot Tsakiri-Scanatovits (who were animators also), I now know how to animate in Photoshop (Thanks ladies x)! I attended two epic weddings of good friends of mine; one in Serbia & the other here in London... 

And lastly, as of late December, I moved into my very own brand new apartment! All these things I have God solely to be thankful for. I still have a whole bunch of picture frames to put up, but for now, here a snap of my studio corner.

In other news (which I really should've mentioned above), back sometime in December, I was contacted by a producer from 'Tiger Aspect' (a British TV production company here in London) with an invite to interview for a job as an animator on the 'Mr Bean animated series' (now entering it's 2nd season). Admittedly, I initially wasn't looking for such a role, as I've been freelance for the past 6-7 years & have been fairly comfortable; but from walking through the doors of the studio, being greeted by a very jovial receptionist, observing that all the employees had smiles on their faces- seeming genuinely happy to be there; lastly, to the fact that the interview was one of the most fun & informal I've ever had... I got the general vibe that this would be a great place to work. I accepted the offer a few days later.

So as of the 27th of this month, this'll be my new 'industry home' for the first half of 2014.

Here's to a happy, healthy & prosperous new year for us all!

-M-