Factory Dogs in "Boxed In"

Stop-Motion Zombies

2011-05-09T11:01:00.001+01:00

Hi guys

I know it's been a while and I do try my best to post as often as possible. Things have been mad at work. I've been working on the World Premier of Ghost the Musical. It finishes this week so a lot more time will be spent on my projects.

Speaking of projects... I have decided to put Factory Dogs on hold while I wait for sponsorship. I want factory Dogs to be the best quality possible and that mean waiting for the sponsorship to do it justice.

But have no fear!!! In the meantime I will be working on a smaller project based more on comedy value than detail. This being Stop-Motion Zombies.

It will be very different to anything I have done. Working with full armatures and silicone to speed animation up. Also it keeps me up to speed with animating full puppets with Armatures. My end goal is to animate for a company, so the more experience animating in there techniques the better chance I have.

So please keep following my work by checking out my new blog http://www.stopmotionzombies.blogspot.com

Take care and keep animating

Pete

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My first 2 days at Chapman Entertainment

2011-02-22T23:39:00.001Z

Hi everyone

Well I'm two days into my animator training at Chapman Entertainment and I've already learnt soo much. I'm getting advice and tips via animators who have worked on the likes of Coraline, Corpse Bride and Fantastic Mr Fox. It's just amazing.

So... First day I spent the morning getting used to the puppet (Flash from Rory the Racing Car) I tried a few walking tests.
In the afternoon I moved onto picking up a box. I made it so the box wasn't too heavy, Flash was able to pick it up with one hand.

Second day I worked at trying to show the box had a lot of weight inside which was far to heavy for Flash to lift.
In the afternoon I was asked to try animating two characters walking together. Not as easy as it sounds, I had Flash and Marsha (also from Rory the Racing Car) to work with. I did a great job with Flash but a few niggles with Marsha. I will work on that tomorrow hopefully.

Flash on the set. He's skidding to a halt.

Here is my camera setup in the studio. I wish I had that camera, its awesome!

Next to my studio they are prepping one of the title shots for Rah Rah. I can't help but smile at this place, it's amazing and i can definitely see myself doing this as a career.

Thats all for now guys. Videos will follow by the end of the week.

Pete

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Animator Training - Chapman Entertainment

2011-02-20T23:12:00.001Z

Hi guys,

Well tomorrow I start a weeks training at Chapman Entertainment. I can't wait to learn more about stop motion animation! Especially from one of the most talented companies in the northwest. They produce the likes of Fifi and the Flowertots and Rory the Racing Car.

They use exactly the same set up as me, so I am looking forward to all their tips and tricks on how I can use the software to my advantage. I will post more on my training as it unfolds through the week.

But for now... Time to sleep so I can be fresh and raring to go tomorrow

Pete

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Wa14 5tl

Here's a preview of Factory Dogs Animatic

2011-01-31T23:15:00.000Z

Hi all,

I've been busy editing the dialogue from the recordings last week into the Animatic. Its a lot of work but it will give me an idea on timings etc.

I start back at work tomorrow so things are going to be tough for the next few months. I am going to try my best to keep working on Factory Dogs but work is very full on. I'm working on a brant new premier called Ghost the Musical. So things will be very manic.

In the meantime, please check the website out and become a member, I am looking at adding a shop soon, with mugs/shirts of your favourite characters on to buy
http://www.factorydogs.com/

Check the youtube channel out too
http://www.youtube.com/user/factorydogsthemovie?feature=mhum

bye for now

Pete

Recording Dean Steers aka Big Dean

2011-01-26T20:47:00.001Z

Another successful recording done with my good pal Deano, he does the voice of Big Dean. As you can tell the character was modelled on Deano. Dean is a great character, he brightens up any room he walks into with his smile and funny anecdotes. His voice is perfect for animated films. I'm so happy to have him as my best buddy.

Only one more recording to be done with Howard who plays Bernard. That's not going to happen for a few weeks so in the meantime I'm making a publicity photo for the film (in 3D)

The animatic looks great! I can see how the film will run now, thanks to the great voices and my hundreds of drawings I've done. I might even show you all a sneaky video of a scene with the voices in action

Here are the two Dean's smiling for the camera

Keep spreading the word of Factory Dogs to everyone you know, check the website and become a member

Bye for now

Pete

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Alresford Rd,Salford,United Kingdom

Recording Mike Collins aka Frederick

2011-01-25T19:19:00.001Z

Another recording finished today with Mike. He models his character on his dog Riley. When Riley was a puppy he was the funniest dog ever, he has loads of character! I just kept saying "imagine if Riley spoke, how would he say that line" Mike would do it and we all fell about laughing! It was a great recording session.

Here's Mike with Riley (oh, I mean Frederick)

I'm recording my bestest bud tomorrow, Dean. I can see a lot more laughs on it's way :-)

But for now, I'm chilling out watching the football and drinking some wine

Until tomorrow

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Alresford Rd,Salford,United Kingdom

Recording James Cockerill aka Oswald

2011-01-21T23:41:00.001Z

Hi guys

Well today has been a very long day and I'm falling asleep as I type this. Earlier I recorded Norman's voice with Tom. This evening I had the pleasure of recording James Cockerill's voice. He plays the voice of Oswald. James has the perfect northern twang in his voice, Perfect for Oswald. He has the most dialogue so it was tiring towards the end. but we carried on and finished the recordings at 10:30pm. Well worth it!!!

That's 4 successful recordings done. Only another 3 to go! Now time for a beer and a film. I'm thinking Team America? :-)

Here's James and Oswald looking cool

Don't forget to visit the website and become member

Pete

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Alresford Rd,Salford,United Kingdom

Recording Tom Latham aka Norman

2011-01-21T17:04:00.001Z

Hi peeps

Another successful day of recording, this time with my good friend Tom Latham. He trained as an actor and does many acting jobs around the North West. We had a lot of fun recording Normans voice. Tom has really brought the comedy out of him, thanks Tom

Here's the comedy duo posing for the camera

Tonight I will be recording James Cockerill aka Oswald

But for now... Back to prep work before James turns up

Keep spreading the word guys :-)

Pete

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Alresford Rd,Salford,United Kingdom

Recording Pete Ness aka Dermot

2011-01-20T17:57:00.001Z

Hi everyone

Today has been a long but enjoyable day! I have recorded all of Dermot's dialogue for Factory Dogs animatic. This was done with the very talented comedy actor Pete Ness. It took over 4 hours to record but it was all well worth it. Thanks Pete, you're a star!!!

Here's Pete chilling out with Dermot

Keep spreading the word guys

Pete

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Alresford Rd,Salford,United Kingdom

Killer Corrie Star "Tricky Dicky" (Brian Capron) to voice a character in Factory Dogs

2011-01-07T14:31:00.001Z

I am pleased to announce Brian Capron (Coronation Streets murderer Richard Hillman) recorded his voice last week for Factory Dogs. It was great to work with such a professional. He took 2 takes for each piece of dialogue.

Welcome aboard Brian!!!

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Alresford Rd,Salford,United Kingdom

Factory Dogs Teaser Trailer has launched!!!

2010-10-05T12:39:00.007+01:00

Hi everyone, sorry for the delay in blogging, I've been busy launching the Trailer on YouTube etc.

Yes!!! Factory Dogs Teaser Trailer is finally live!!! Please take a look and help promote it any way you can, via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwghTArCEPM

So what's next??? I'm rounding up the cast ready for a script read through. My Script Editor (Donna Metcalfe) and I, have been busy re-writing the script. 6 re-drafts later and we are ready for the cast to have a go.

I will post after the event and may even have a video to show you.

Keep posting and promoting for me

Bye for now

Pete

Factory Dogs makeover and Chapman Entertainment visit

2010-08-10T23:34:00.005+01:00

Hi guys, thought I should mention the latest with Factory Dogs and what I have been up to.

Factory Dogs are going through a bit of a makeover. As I am now in pre-production for the full film I need to look at the big picture... Its going to take at least a year of filming to produce the film and the puppets used for the trailer will not last. Also with the film being shot in 3D I want everything to have a nice shine to it.

Pictures will come soon!!!

I was very grateful to be invited to Chapman Entertainment to view their studio and show the guys "Factory Dogs - Teaser Trailer" I received some great feedback from them all and also a lot of tips and advice on things to look at for the full film.

I got to see last weeks rushes of their new pre-school animation series "Rah Rah the noisy Lion" The characters are a lively bunch and the animation is second to none.

The visit was a great success and I thank Chapman for their hospitality

Next for Factory Dogs...

I am making up a new Frederick that will be more agile and last for a full shoot. Expect pictures very soon. Also I will do some extensive 3D tests with him to check my calculations are correct. All very exciting and plenty more to come.

That's all for now, keep checking my posts for more updates

Pete

Animating the trailer

2010-07-26T23:02:00.023+01:00

Hi everyone

I thought I should show you how I got on with animating the teaser trailer for "Factory Dogs"

It was a 10 week filming period, animating on a good day around 2-3 seconds.

This is a production shot from the opening scene in the trailer.
It was a fun shot to shoot as I had to change focus from Dermot in the foreground to Big Dean in the background. As you can see the wall was a print photographed at a carpet factory. Quite fitting as my production is "Factory Dogs"

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This is the keypad used to speed up the animation process. the shortcuts for Stop Motion Pro 7 are added to the pad. I then add my designed icons to make it easier to remember which buttons to press. Its also a wireless mouse so I can move it anywhere and not need to go back and forth to my computer.

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Stop Motion Pro has become an integral part to my filming. With added features like "Rig removal" in Studio 7. I am able to make any character or object fly and just rub out the rig in post production right from SMP. I can then export the movie with or without the rig. Visit their site for more details http://www.stopmotionpro.com/

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This is a production shot of me animating Norman filing his nails. Quite a tricky shot as the camera was being moved from left to right on a dolly, Being moved very slightly for every shot.

In the background you might just be able to make out a tiny bit of the storyboard. This is the blueprint before I start animating and shows me exactly what I am trying to achieve in the shot.

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Thanks for tuning in. I will post many more production pictures and maybe a few videos in my next post. Hope you found it interesting and please sign up to Factory Dogs website

http://www.factorydogs.com/

Bye for now

Pete

News Feed - Animateclay.com

2010-07-23T17:42:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Marc Spess I have been given a lovely news feed on his Animation site. www.animateclay.com

I would like to thank everyone who has commented on the newsfeed. It makes me feel like i'm doing something right

Pete

Factory Dogs - Teaser trailer

2010-03-15T23:18:00.004Z

Ok, so here is an update on Factory Dogs, I am in full production of the teaser trailer.

This is purely to get the characters out there and make people aware that there is a new stop motion film on its way.

Last week I managed to film 5 shots of the trailer. There are 22 shots in all so I have a way to go yet.

This is the animatic for one of the shots I have filmed. It's 2 seconds long and required a lot of dialogue to work out and animate.

The shot is a replica from a scene in Reservoir Dogs. I am making
a comedy reference to the film.

The dogs are arguing about what colour they are being named.

Below is the finished shot animated with dialogue.

I act out the shot before animating it so I can use it as a reference. Below you will see me acting out the video reference for Bernards walk and next to it, the animated video of the same shot.

More pictures and videos will be coming quick and fast so keep checking back to this blog

Pete Ellis

Scope Animation

All photographs and content is copyright of Scope Animation

2009-03-07T21:33:00.019Z

Hi guys

This is my first weekly post since setting up the blog so they should be slightly shorter than the first 2 posts.

This week I was only expecting to finish the house set for the opening scene this week, but I have also managed to start work on the box machine.
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Here you can see the finished house for the opening scene of the film. I have added the guttering and the windows. I am very happy with the overall look and I can sign it off as finished.

Building the outside of this house has taken almost 3 weeks to complete. Its a lot of work for what will only be 10 seconds of film!!! This is why Christmas is a likely deadline for the whole film.

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Below are pictures of inside the house set, where a mysterious dog will be working hard at his office desk.
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The box machine is probably one of the biggest and most intricate sets i'll have to build. I built the outside wall off the machine from MDF wood. This will be painted using hammered metal paint. Then I will wipe the shine off it and add brown boot polish to give the aged and rustic look in certain areas.
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I think all of next week will be taken up finishing the machine, then there is moving conveyor belts inside and out to build.

Keep posted next week, I will add more pictures of the machine taking shape.

Thanks for your continued support

Pete

Getting you up to date - Jan & Feb

2009-03-03T08:20:00.034Z

Lets get you up to date!!!

The past 2 months have been very hectic. For over 2 years I have been producing a lot of prototypes for the Dogs, how I feel they should look and how I can make them easy to animate.

Mid January saw the very first finished model of Norman. It was a big moment in the development of my film after many years of research and trial and error.

His body and head are made from Fimo (a hardening clay that is baked in the oven) giving him a strong body and head that can be held or moved without the fear of squashing them.

The arms, mouth and ears are kept to traditional plastercine that anyone can buy from an art supplier. I use "Fred Aldous" in Manchester.

The little suit was made by a friend of mine. Barbara Botham, who designed and stitched it with her own hands.

My many prototypes were made to try and work out a way of making Norman walk. If I had a big budget I would have taken my designs to a local company called "Mckinnon and Saunders" who made the models for Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride". They would design and build ball and socket joints for him (known as armatures). With limited money I had to try other ways from wire to wood armatures. Eventually I found a way!!! I will post a step by step blog on how I create a full model from start to finish very soon.

End of January saw another model made! With the excitement of Norman being completed and working well I got straight to work on Big Dean. He has been designed in exactly the same way as Norman.

While I was busy creating Norman and Dean I was also organising script read throughs with many different actors. I had 2 different sessions listening to over 8 different actors. It was very important I had a good variation of voices to listen to.

I was happy to announce that a good friend of mine, Thomas Latham, put pen to paper and agreed to voice the character Norman.

With Dean Steers already cast as Big Dean I only needed 4 more characters to cast!!!
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February saw the first set being constructed. This house set will be the opening scene in "Factory Dogs" below you can see a few pictures of the house being constructed.

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The main structure is just made from thin sheets of MDF

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I scored the brickwork using a Dremel, mixed sand into the paint and coloured the cement with a grey Pencil crayon. The slate is individual pieces of card painted in different coloured grey.

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My workshop/studio isn't the biggest so I am only able to work on one model/set at a time.

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The desk is also made out of MDF and card painted in normal acrylic paint.

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Well there you have it! You are now up to speed with January and February. Although I didn't mention the work I have done on the storyboard and music, I hope you can see the amount of work that is going into this film. I am getting more excited every day!!!

From now on I will do weekly blogs which wont be as long as this post

Thank you for your continued support

Pete

Welcome to "Factory Dogs" very own blog

2009-03-03T01:08:00.012Z

Hi guys. Welcome to "Factory Dogs" very own blog

I have recently set up my own animation company called "Scope Animation" specialising in Stop-Motion short films.

The process is similar to "Wallace and Gromit". Each second of film consists of 24 individual photographs of the model. The model is moved slightly by the animator, so that when it is played back in sequence, it gives the effect of live movement.

I have set up this blog to give everyone an insight into the long process that goes into making an animated film. Stop-Motion animation isn't like any normal film you will see in the pictures, you have to create the characters, sets and props before you begin filming. This may not be too much of a problem for the big companies like Aardman Animation and local company Cosgrove Hall to do, because they have a big budget and a company to make their models, sets and props for them.

As for "Scope Animation"... its just ME! I design and create all the characters, sets and props right down to the most minuscule detail. It is a very long and drawn out process and it can only be achieved by hard work and dedication.

So... please enjoy reading my blogs and keeping up to date with my film. I certainly hope I can break the mold and prove that it isn't just the big companies like Aardman who can produce a good quality family animated adventure!

Thank you for your continued support

Pete

Recording Dean Steers aka Big Dean

2001-01-01T00:00:00.000Z

Another recording done today, the animatic is looking fab with all the voices pieced in. Definitely giving me a great visual of how the film is going to look. My best friend Deano recorded his voice for Big Dean, yes... Big Dean had been modelled on Deano himself! He's such a big character and he only has to enter a room to brighten it up. He voice is perfect for animated films.

So only one more to do. Howard who plays Bernard. Probs won't happen for a few weeks so I'm looking into making a publicity shot for the film.

I might even give you guys a sneaky peak at part of the animatic. Keep checking the blog

Here's Deano with his counterpart. He's only missing a pair of dog ears! Haha

Please keep spreading the word of Factory Dogs

Pete

Pete@factorydogs.com
http://www.factorydogs.com

Location:Alresford Rd,Salford,United Kingdom