Christmas Competition Winner: Paraphernalia by Bridget O'Halloran

Paraphernalia from Bridget O'Halloran on Vimeo.

We would like to announce that the winner of our Christmas Competition is Bridget O'Halloran with her short film Paraphernalia. We were all totally amazed at Bridget's effort so well done! We look forward to seeing more stop motions from her in the Future. 

I was so sad to read in the paper today that Sarah Watt passed away. She was an amazing Australian film maker and animator and I had only just finished reading her interview in the book 'The Divided Heart' by Rachel Powers which was so inspiring for artist mothers. 

Such a tragedy.

The Creative Haven - Blog Makeover

This blog started out as a record of a stop motion animation I had made with my partner Andy a few years back but I have recently decided that I would also like to make this blog into a little hub of information on stop motion animation production in Australia.

The Creative Haven is still our production company and we will (when we make stuff!) be posting about our works but as they are few and far between at the moment I would like to expand the blog to include what people are up to, exhibitions, film screenings and competitions within Australia. Additionally I would like to have an inspirations section which shows independent and indie animation from over the world.

If anyone has any suggestions for film clips or wants to post about an exhibition or event coming up please let me know. You can email suggestions to me at thecreativehaven@hotmail.com.

In the meantime my apologies as there will be a bit of maintenance work happening to update the blog for it's new direction!

Eagle Vs Shark - Apple Animation

Long time, no post!  Here is a little clip from the movie Eagle vs Shark. I have been meaning to share this for a while, I saw the movie on SBS last year and its fantastic.

Inspiration - The Science of Sleep

It has been ages since I have watched this film but I love it.  I found this clip on youtube which puts together some of my favourite animated/arty moments of the film!

Animation Inspiration - United States of Tara Opening Sequence

I know this show has obviously been around for a while but was just watching the show last night and thought I should post about the animation in the opening sequence. How amazing is it - I love the popup book concept and illustration style.

I am hoping to be posting here more regularly with more stop motion inspiration, info and hopefully something i have made (if i ever get my act together!). If you have seen any great stop motion animations lately please send me an email or leave a comment as I would love to add them to the blog.

Maricor Maricar - Architecture in Helsinki Video clip

Check out this aweseom video clip by Sydney animator's MaricorMaricar for Architecture in Helsinki - 'Like it or Not'.

Sewn then animated!

Mary and Max: The Exhibition

Very excited to just find out that ACMI is having an exhibition of Adam Elliot's latest stop motion Mary and Max opening Tuesday 2 March and it's free!

They are showing character models, costumes, sketches, sets, storyboards, props and footage of the animators at work.

More Info here.

Quaq Quao

How cool is this - my sister sent me a video of Qua Qua. We used to watch this all the time when we were kids!

What's New?

It has been a long while since I have posted over here as we haven't been working on any animation work lately. But we have grand plans for this year to start something new. Especially after seeing Fantastic Mr Fox - I loved this movie!

I have been working on alot of solo work over here -however we have collaborated on something new - our wedding invites. Here is a little sneak preview of the work in progress.

Ponyo - New Hayao Mayazaki Film

We are very excited to see that the new Mayazaki Ponyo will be out on 27th August in cinema's in Melbourne. He also directed Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro (to only name a few) - amazing, amazingly beautiful animations! Can't wait to see it.

Puzzle Pack for Amelie and Atticus

I've been pottering away tonight trying to get a puzzle pack together for Thouraya over at Amelie and Atticus for her photography and craft challenge as a prize for this months winner. If she hadn't asked me to do it I wouldn't have finally got my butt into gear and started figuring out how I want to package the puzzles. As you can see above I have made a sample pouch for the puzzle pieces to be kept in, for the final products I will get proper patches embroidered instead of machining my own. They will also come with a free postcard with the finished image as a guide for the puzzle maker.

If your interested in the Photography and Craft Challenge here is a little info from the blog:

The Amelie and Atticus Photography and Craft Challenge:

"Launched on 1 July 2009 the challenge is designed to provide inspiration and just as importantly the drive to get stuck into those projects and ideas that have been passing through your mind and not made it into the real world! Each week there will be a challenge to take 4 photos and create 1 craft project in response to the given theme."

It's a great way to get you motivated so send her an email here and who knows you might even win the above featured puzzle!

More Puzzles

Here is the A4 size, 30 piece puzzle which I think is our favourite! You get to see a much clearer image then with the 110 pieces and obviously easier for kids which is a large part of our market. We are hoping to have these coming to our Shop soon.