I've been bored out of my brains, with no job, and lack of enthusiasm for uni work. Hence the creation of two more 'The Block" GIFs. Probably the last cos ULEAD trial period runs out soon, and it is too much time in front of a screen.

The Block

Hey people! Following from last post, I have made a mini-comic thingo with the GIF animator. Its called 'The Block', and is made with lego (how strange). This episode is actually kinda sad, and shows that the block isn't all fun and games. Enjoy!

Dear Blog,

I'm so sorry that I have failed you. I haven’t posted for a while after I promised that I would post regularly, the last post was drab, unfortunate, and 0% fun, and even this post isn't going to be anything substantial. However, you will be pleased to know that I have been doing many media-flavoured things, including becoming obsessed with GIF animation, and this Blog will be more colourful. Yes Blog, you know, that type of animation responsible for those annoying web banners and animations! It truly is an art form. Well after Theo's inspiring lecture the other day, I went home, got some freeware and started creating. I've always wanted to do some GIF stuff, but never had the means. Well now I do (for a trial period of 15 days).

My first 'piece' was a profile pic I did for My MySpace. Now Blog, I know you must think I am an exhibitionist to have one of those animated profile pictures (with an emo theme), that only bands and annoying people have - but really I'm not I swear. It’s just that they are so cool-looking; its about the art. Anyway being the non-exhibitionist I am, I went and took lots of photos of myself in a mirror. Then after some experimenting (I maintained concentration for quite a while since I loved doing it), I created my first GIF!



Then, since I was on a roll, and Ness was there on msn, I told her I would be kind enough to make her an animated profile picture, using images on her MySpace. I must note that at this point in time, she hasn't made it her profile picture :(.



The next GIF I made was a photo sampler for Liette, since I haven’t been able to give her all the photos on my camera from ‘the other night’. Ciao bella!



Today Blog, I had an epiphany! What if I combined my love of parody, satire, toilette humour and comics, which I developed at a young age reading so many MAD magazines, with this new found art form? What would happen if I intergrated the 'culture jamming' we heard so much about in ITR? Well the possibilities are endless...



(Ok, its kinda shoddy, but good for a first comedic effort. For about 3 seconds of animation this was a bitch cos’ I had to 'create' the products and the rooms from pre-existing web graphics found in Google images, and some photos I took around my home...So you'd better appreciate it Blog!)

Love, Joel.