Website Design

I have decided some time ago that I was going to create and design the html website for Yessicas Journey, this will eventually replace the .com website which is temporary. Ella will be creating the Flash website which will go on the html website. This will be interactive.

I also need to create my own website as I am going to redesign my old website and get a new domain to relaunch my business as a freelance artist. With no paid job, no benefits and very little money I need to do something. Luckily I live at home with my parents, that’s the only way I can survive financially. The project has tended to go against me when it comes to benefits, as they see it as taking up my time when I should be looking for work. It is really unfair and I am finding it hard. The project has limited me in finding a job and also my illness has.

I did lots of research into software to make websites and decided to try the industry standard which is Dreamweaver. I already have this package as it comes with Adobe but I do not like the interface, its not intuitive and you have to use a lot of coding.

Had a lesson with someone and have gone completely off Dreamweaver as it seems to be about copying codes from other sites. I do not like the interface at all. Ended up spending a lot of money and learnt very little.

Epic Studios in Norwich

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© Copyright 2011 Anastacia Tohill and Oz Osborne. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or download images/text.

Images taken by Anastacia and Oz Osborne on his iPhone. Before we had our meeting with Keith about the script, Oz and I had a look around Epic Studios. We were shown round the sound studio and booths which is where the dialogue for Yessicas Journey will be recorded.

Script Meeting with Keith and Oz

Oz and I have been working hard on the Treatment for the animation, it has taken a lot of time and hard work. I decided to get Keith Tutt in as a Script Consultant. I met Keith while I was studying for my degree at NUCA. I sent the Treatment to Keith and then he gave feedback and comments which was really useful. I could only afford to pay him for a few days so it was important to use the time effectively.

Today Oz and I met with Keith at Epic Studios to discuss the Treatment. The Treatment contains only the outline of the story and the action, it contains no dialogue. Unfortunately Oz had to leave early. Keith and I continued with the meeting and it was really helpful.

I have a lot of work to do.

Yessica on Front Cover of MDF Magazine

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MDF Bipolar Organisation Website

© Copyright 2011 Anastacia Tohill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or download images/text.

Well something amazing happened. Yessica is on the front cover of the MDF Bipolar Magazine. The Bipolar Organisation (also know as Manic Depression) decided to put her on the cover after receiving the article I wrote about my experience. I was absolutely thrilled. This is the first time the newly designed character of Yessica has been seen. I developed her from the original image I sent in to get the bid. The design is more detailed and I am hoping that the puppet will resemble the illustration as much as possible.

I have also been asked to exhibit Yessica’s Journey at the forthcoming MDF conference which is brilliant. MDF are also closely associated with BDRN Research.

Armature Rig and Head Attachment for Yessica

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© Copyright 2011 Anastacia Tohill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or download images/text.

Images of Head Attachment for puppet Yessica Armature. Fixture can be incorporated within head of puppet to attach to body. Other image shows the rig attachment for the Magician. I asked John Wright Modelmaking to make an attachment which could be used with the rig. I can now use the rig for both puppets which is great.

Armature for Yessica Finished

John Wright Modelmaking

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© Copyright 2011 Anastacia Tohill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or download images/text.

Hurray the armature is finished. It looks amazing, beautiful work of art. The ball and socket armature is so small and intricate and I absolutely love the feet. All the joints can be manipulated with a screw which is controlled by an allen key. I still have to make the hands. Anyway really pleased with it. I just had to send the company my design of Yessica and from that they design the armature. Yessicas body is quite small so the armature had to be specially constructed using small parts. The extra cost was well worth it, an amazing piece of engineering. My first ball and socket armature, looking forward to animating with it.

Also bought a rig which I got the company to attach a fixture so I could also use it with the armature for the Magician.

Metal Perforated Floor for Set

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© Copyright 2011 Anastacia Tohill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or download images/text.

The making of a perforated metal sheet

© Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or download images/text. Image supplied by Doug Grant.

I ordered a large perforated mild metal Sheet from Bridgewater Filters Limited. It was important to get the right hole size and number of holes, its quite complex. The metal needs to be the right sort as I am using magnets as well as tie downs to animate the puppets. The metal sheet will go under the set. I would also like to thank Doug for all his help and advice.

I had no idea about flooring for sets and its very hard to find out through the internet and books. At college we did not go into this much detail and I never made a set. I had used magnets before on a puppet walk which was a disaster. I used a solid sheet of metal. You should also avoid putting magnets in the feet of the puppet.

I would also like to thank the following people for their help, advice and support. Sara Mullock who is a producer at Mackinnon and Saunders and her staff and John Wright at John Wright Modelmaking. They both gave me loads of really good advice about floors on sets, metal flooring, magnets and tie downs using puppets.

Red Nose Day – Digital Media Staff at NUCA

Staff at NUCA

© Copyright 2011 Ella Goodwin. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or download image. Image supplied by Ella Goodwin.

This is what happens when you work at NUCA for too long. Picture taken in the Mac Teaching Room. From left to right, Lucy, Ella, Chris and Jo. This is where I worked for many years. I used to be a Digital Media Technician at Norwich University College of the Arts. Its amazing, in this picture I can still see some of the many notices I created over 5 years ago, they are still on the wall. The colour scheme of turquoise is what I choose as its my favourite colour. I managed to get permission from the management to paint the room a colour of my choice.

Business Course at BDC

Had a meeting with Kate at Broadland District Council about my project Yessicas Journey and signed up for a free business course. Really useful meeting, gained lots of good information.

WEETU Business Link Course

Went on a free business link course in Norwich. Met lots of interesting people and gained some useful information which will come in handy for my project and being a freelance artist.

Wellbeing Meeting

Went to a Wellbeing meeting with my Sister organised by Beckie. Really enjoyed it and met lots of people. Briefly mentioned my project Yessicas Journey and gave out some hand made business cards.