Tuesday 31 December 2013

2013 - A Rollercoaster

Well, 2013 is reaching it's twilight and the sun of opportunity is setting so it's about time for a review of the past 12 months.
It's gone very quickly to say the least and it feels like only yesterday (excuse the enormous cliché) that I was scribbling down my hopes for 2013.

It's been a tough couple of months as I was made redundant in October and although I found a temp to perm role a couple of days later, that didn't work out and so I found myself unemployed 2 weeks before Christmas. In fact I'm currently writing this whilst sat, waiting to sign on at the Job centre - good times...

Also, the world has lost some brilliant souls this year. Firstly my lovely partner's (Dave) Uncle Keith who was such a great person and a joy to know - taken so suddenly. Also, an old friend of mine,  Roger Holyoake. Although sad that he has gone he went the way I want to, relaxed and having a good time on holiday. He was also one of the few people who was kind to me as I was growing up in foster care. May you both rest peacefully wherever you have gone now.          

But while the past few months haven't been the best, I have accomplished quite a lot this year and I probably could have accomplished more if I had tried harder. Ahhh my good friend hindsight...

Firstly I had the honour to work with the brilliant Millennium FX twice this year both for Bloody Cuts' short films. First on 'Don't Move' (watch here) then on the example film for their short film competition 'Dare' (again watch here)

I also had the pleasure of working with the immensely talented James Moran (of Doctor Who - The Fires of Pompeii and Severance writery fame) on one of his shorts and also a music video.

In fact I have worked on 7 shorts this year. Mostly with Dave Scullion and Dave Puckridge unless previously stated. The others are:


Yep, lots of 'S' names! Also 'The Summoning' won the Frightfest ident competition.

I made my first silicone prosthetics this year and have since made many more.

I attended my first IMATS this year and made some amazing friends all across the UK and the World of which I continue to be inspired and proud of their incredible talent. I hope that these are people realise how incredible they are.

This year I also did a zombie makeup workshop for high school kids which was a great experience and made up some zombies for the Timeout Halloween party. I've also been paid for doing makeup which helps to validate that I'm at a level where my work is worth paying for.

 Now I'm sure that I've missed out some of my achievements but in some ways I think that that's a good thing as this is getting pretty rambly. 
I'm sure you don't want to hear about my holiday to Rhodes in September or the awesome Christmas I've had (literally the whole holiday period has been the best Christmas ever - from our annual Horrormas - Christmas horror film watching party on the 21st to now really) either so I think I'll wrap it up here.

I hope you have all had a successful and enjoyable 2013 and that 2014 presents the opportunity for you all to achieve and strive for more.

Happy New Year!

Xxx