Exploring the Mid-Levels, Hong Kong

Web Video has come of age.

Some amazing statistics for web video.Exeter web video specialists Wide Eye communications (Devon UK) have just put this data up on their blog. Get the complete info at http://www.wideeyecom.com/blog Online Video Statistics Video increases the chance of a front page Google ranking by 53x. Forrester, January 2010. A minute of video is worth 1.8 million words according to Dr. James McQuivey of Forrester Research. Forrester, January 2009 Video results appear in about 70% of the top 100 listings, the type of content most often displayed in universal or blended search results. Marketingweek, 2011. Visitors who view product videos are 85% more likely to buy than visitors who do not. Internet Retailer, April 2010. Video in email marketing has increased click through rates by over 96%. Implix, 2010 Simple video merchandising videos can nearly double the impact of eCommerce. Invodo Video Research, February 2010. 59% of Senior Executives prefer to watch video instead of reading. Forbes Insight, December 2010. 80% of executives are watching more online video today than they were a year ago. Forbes Insight, December 2010. 50% of manufacturers surveyed have established a YouTube presence for brand-building and connecting directly with consumers. Industrial Marketing Today, 2011 Rich media ads containing video drive success four times more than flash animation. DoubleClick, June 2009.

Stephen Hester and the RBS bonus

UK politics became an exciting drama across the media this week as Stephen Hester the RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) is set to receive nearly a million UK pounds as a bonus. This banking bonus culture is causing anguish and fury across media, the public and politicians alike. Cameron and George Osborne are squirming in annoyance but refusing to step-in. The Labour party are calling for action and the 'angry mobs' are waving banners. Seething Lane has reinterpreted this 'thrilling story' in the style of a Tintin adventure. A great satire on UK politics from this comic strip view of the corridors of power.

Visit SEETHING LANE for lots more comic strip adventures.

Seething Lane - Political Satire

Finally, after quite a long haul, my latest little project is up online. SEETHING LANE is a Satirical comic-strip about UK politics and world current events set in a world that is a curious blend of Steampunk, whimsey, punk and black humor. This is a world of smoke and mirrors, a world of political intrigue, a world of seduction and despair. Welcome to the city, welcome to the narrow streets of the mid-levels, to the politic-istas in the Palace of Cessminster, skullduggery hatched in smokey coffee-houses and most of all, welcome to Sam and his house on Seething Lane.

Visit SEETHING LANE

On Denbury Down

Just finished a great collaboration with composer Charlotte Partt.
Our film 'On Denbury Down' was shown at the Holmirth Film Festival as part of an evening presenting 'silent' films with original soundtrack scores.

To AV or not to AV; that is the question

With the upcoming vote on whether the UK should change to an 'AV' system of parliamentary election, we take a look at the issues.

The AV Report is presented by the charming Nigel Hedgefund-DeBrett.

Haiku. Toads in migration!

Yes this is supposed to be 'funny'. And yet slightly disturbing too....

croaking forth in rain
through blacktop of their fallen
slap the toads of war


Perhaps I need to get out more. :)

Cleopatra Haiku

Playing with so many images in my head it was really hard to distill them into this and still hint at so many elements of the story.

marbled empires coil
tight, and cleopatra eyes
rome, yet strikes her not


Got away without mentioning pyramids/sand or asp :))

Hammer Horror Haiku / Psyku

Memories of all those late night TV showings of old Hammer Horror movies when I was a kid.

Hammered bosom staked
heart pounds and teenage thrills at
technicolor screams

Just wish I could have got 'crypt' in there somewhere. Maybe in the next one. (The Sequel)

Psyku or Haiku from Hong Kong

Here is another Psyku based on a moment from my last visit to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, black bangs stream
noodle steam embraces rain
puddles, trap fireworks

The emotion word is 'embrace' and the 'fireworks' who are reflected in the rain puddles lead back to the ubiquitous black hair 'bangs' of the locals

Haiku and Psyku

I'm loving this new variation on Haiku. For Psyku the 'rules' are as follows:

3 or 4 lines

13 -17 syllables (sometimes 5/7/5 for perfect version)

Must use of an emotion word, or word that implies an emotion.

Sometimes use of 'jump/cut' to contrast and compare, implicitly, two events, images, or situations.

The final line refers back to the opening line; preferably in a subtle or ironic way.


Here is an example

ten sharp, interview
anxiety gleams ahead
hunted, my collar cuts


This follows the 5 / 7 / 5 syllable form exactly. Anxiety to the 'Psych' word stating an emotion. Finally, the 'cutting' collar refers back to the 'sharp' of the opening line.
Also the 'interview' is alluded to in the phrase 'head / hunted'.

Things wot I have made

Coffee at the Quayside, Exeter.

Exeter Sketch Crawl

Saturday 15th May 2010.


CALLING ALL SKETCHERS, CARTOONISTS, ANIMATORS, WANNA-BE ARTISTS, ART THERAPISTS, SCRIBBLERS, GRAFFITI-BANDITS, PAINTERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Anyone in Exeter or Devon up for a SketchCrawl around the city centre?
I'm suggesting we start at the Phoenix Art Centre at 11am, head to Cathedral Green at 12, Down to the quay for 1pm for some lunch then sketching. Then at 3pm we meet to review and chat over a cup of tea before finishing.

All this weather permitting of course but could be fun even if we have to alter the locations a little; inside the Cathedral rather than outside for example!

Let me know if you're interested! Either here or by email to nikchinook@tiscali.co.uk

Octopus animation

so very very good....

Spud & Dave episode 3. Dave meets a Banker

Dave speaks for all of us when he meets his local banker.

Possibly the very best

Just fab

Played with style, precision and aggression. I'm full of admiration.

More cool beats

Now that's what I call..... drummin'