Grizzly Tang

District 9 Trailer

2009-05-03T20:27:00.003+12:00

The trailer for Neil Blomkamp's new film, 'District 9' has just been released and it looks great. The team at Weta worked on this while I was there and I was lucky enough to be a part of the Design Team and help out with some 3D modeling. Can't wait to see the finished product!

The trailer is here.

Rayguns goodies

2009-05-03T20:13:00.003+12:00

I've been keeping you all out of the loop for a while, not through intention, but through laziness and world travel plans. BUT, here are some cool vids from Weta's Dr Grordborts world, created by Greg Broadmore.

and number two...

Den Den Town - Japan

2008-08-11T14:19:00.002+12:00

Den Den Town, Ponbashi, Geek-Vill. It's where I bought robots and looked at disturbing comics. You can look at the full, ponsy, wiki down low here.

Robots, Robots, Robots

2008-08-11T14:10:00.002+12:00

You didn't think I'd go to Japan without getting my robot fix did you? Thank you Den Den Town...

After days of soaking up the ancient history and culture of Japan, I decided I need to see massive guns, attached to massive mechanical arms, shrunk down to a purchasable size and put on display. And display they did...

I blew my budget all over robots and robot related paraphernalia within days. Books, hobbie magazines, robot kit sets, the works. Luckily, working only 25 hours a week i have enough time to ponder over them all :)

Retro Advertising Posters from Japan

2008-08-11T14:00:00.002+12:00

These must have been successful at the time, but if your product morphs me into Harry Potter or turns my skin a putrid green colour I ain't buying. The Marlboro poster is actually modern, but thought it fitted with the others regardless.

All Manga'd Out

2008-08-11T13:54:00.002+12:00

You know there's a lot of Manga out there when it seems like a good sales idea to release a comic about an Executive Marketing Director. However there were 6 thick compilations of this comic, so I'm obviously behind the times.

Grizzly Tang Visits Japan

2008-08-11T13:40:00.002+12:00

I was lucky enough to visit one of the design Meccas of the world, Japan, for one week recently. I didn't make it up to Tokyo, but spent a fantastic time in both Kyoto and Osaka. Full heartily recommended to all Tangers.

These are just some random images that caught my eye. Kyoto was a beautiful older city, which reminded me of Rome, and Osaka was a bit more Metropolitan, with all the relevant fashion quirks that come along with it.

Retro Asian Movie Art.

2008-08-11T13:28:00.002+12:00

Found in the Seoul Animation Center... I'm at a loss for words.

Gassed in a Subway? Look for Snuffie

2008-08-11T13:18:00.003+12:00

This logo is very cute. However it seems a little less cute when you see that it's on a box containing 20 gas masks.

Which leads you to think "Why would we need 20 gas masks?"
Which leads you to think "In a subway station with 300 people?"
Which leads you to think "Stuff that, I'm standing next to this gas mask vending machine just in case."
Which leads you to think "Stupid elephant."

Squidy and Butter Strike Again!

2008-08-11T13:15:00.002+12:00

When I first got to Korea I'd stop every few steps for a wtf moment due to things like this. Now I don't bat an eyelid.

Korean Graphic Design and Toilets!

2008-08-11T13:05:00.002+12:00

One of the things you notice when you visit Korea is the Graphic Design and Illustration -it's everywhere. Somehow they resist the urge to put smiley, beautiful people on everything in photo form. In these examples they've even give the middle finger to those chubby stick figures we're so fond of in the west. Take that, you generic stand in for me.

Asia would be a good place to be a designer of the Illustration persuasion me thinks. So many businesses have little characters, cute little stand ins for logos and such. More to come later...

Retro Animation Posters from the Seoul

2008-08-11T12:48:00.003+12:00

Poster art. You've got to love it. Because if you don't you've got to love garden gnomes instead, and that's for losers. It's either one or the other. You decide... annnnnyway

These are from the Seoul Animation Center which is a funky little idea. It has an exhibition hall, editing rooms, sound design rooms etc, a comic library (containing mainly Korean and Japanese comics with a few X-men thrown in for good measure). I'm not sure that these posters were actually for public display, but I could always say that I couldn't read the warnings - which is technically true.

Basically I used my Navy Seal-esque skills to bring you these images. I had to smuggle my camera out... don't ask, but rest assured, you owe me.

Ahhhhhhh! Korean Toys

2008-08-11T12:38:00.003+12:00

So, there's a cool area in Seoul called Insadong. I lived there for almost a month before moving to a more 'suburban' area. I miss it, because they have a Toy Museum...

And it's packed. Toys are on the floor, in shelves, on top of boxes, on top of other toys, hanging from the ceiling, in nooks, in crannies. Sweet Hey-Zeus, they're everywhere.

I took over 50 photos, you only get to see 3, cause I paid the 2 dollar entry, and you didn't ya cheap blighters.

daynightdusk™ Music Video

2008-08-11T12:20:00.002+12:00

Gang of ruffian designers and Mo-Graphic doctors daynightdusk™ releases 'So Free,' and music vid for up and coming Kiwi band 'The Ricksaws.'

You all know how much i dig the retro horror and sci-fi imagery of the film industry - so the reason I dig this should be obvious. You should dig it to. Go on, you know you want to....

Enter the Dragon

So long and thanks for all the Fish (and Chups)

2008-04-13T20:48:00.004+12:00

So I've moved to Korea. It's random, I know...

The work that I was doing was great fun, I'd been doing Concept Art at weta for the last year or so, and was getting better every day. But I felt like my life needed a change. Apparently a big change.

Moving to Seoul is that change, and I'm feeling pretty good abut it. I have a lot more free time now to work on my own projects. Moth-City and Dead-Guy are progressing very well and I expect to have more time to work on personal illustrations and designs. Moving to a new city, especially one so different from Wellington, has really opened my eyes - like only traveling can, and I expect it to have a big influence on both my life and my work for years to come.

Have spotted some extraordinary pieces of design and architecture and I will post these up as soon as I get sorted.

Updates soon :)

My new Favouite Music Vid

2008-02-29T11:27:00.000+13:00

New stuff from the Holograms, Kap10kurt Music video revisits the eighties, somewhere in between manga and motion design, the past and the future.

In a world full of danger, where music is banned by an evil militia, Kap10Kurt, an easy-going hero, helped by his sexy mate Leah, will blow up this Machiavellian conspiracy....

Directed by The Holograms (UFO LABEL).

Merry Christmass Yo

2007-12-21T13:31:00.001+13:00

Halo Adverts

2007-12-13T12:20:00.000+13:00

I've tracked down a clip of the 3 halo commercials cut together to form an uber military sci-fi geekfest. You get to see a lot more of the Warthog that I worked on, and also some of the overlaid motion graphic (HDUs, security cam footage, Warthog camera systems, and Satellite/Chopper tracking Systems, and also the tracking system locking onto the falling asteroids) that me and a friend produced for the folks at Origami to integrate.

All up, I reckon it looks awesome. As always, there's a lot more work put into everything than will ever be seen (especially at you tube res), but I'm getting used to that.

Illustration Experiments

2007-12-13T12:12:00.000+13:00

I've been posting a bit to my Concept Art sketch book here, and came accross a way for producing a watercolour like effect in photoshop using the heal brush to blend colours.

I've had a brief play, the results of which you can see below (painted under a quick life drawing sketch from the previous week). I intend on playing around with some other methods to see what comes out, so expect a few more iterations soon.

Scott Spencer Workshops

2007-12-13T11:36:00.000+13:00

One of the wizz kids of digital sculpting came and visited us here at Weta Workshop last week. We spent three hours every day for a week while he showed us Z-brush tricks and taught us various nifty things. He showed us a lot a things he's learnt but also some personal methods of his own that he will gift to the wide world in the form of a book written by the man himself.

I'm not sure when it's due out, but I expect it to be awesome.

The classes were interesting, I felt comfortable enough because of my 3d background, some of the traditional sculptors had to find their feet with the computers, but more than made up for it with the awesome sculpting skills and control of form.

Anyway, enough jibba jabba - here's what I did in one of the classes - I need to do more.

Weta Work: The Red Star

2007-08-09T18:40:00.000+12:00

And here's even more stuff I've been up to at work (suddenly it's in a rush to get public eh?) - the latest edition of the uber-indi Red Star comics - The Sword of Lies issue 2 has just been released and is available at comic retailers now.

Here's how Wikipedia describes it: "The Red Star is a graphic novel by Christian Gossett set in a sci-fi/fantasy world described by Gossett as "Mythic [Soviet] Russia". The "Lands of The Red Star" were inspired by both Russian folklore and military history. The series is thus heavily reminiscent of a post-WW II Soviet Russia mixing technology and sorcery."

Myself and some of the designers here cranked out all the digital painting work, working with the lovely pencils of Mr Gossett. I has been an awesome experience to work on a graphic novel and one of my life-long ambitions. I was very lucky to have been involved and hope that it will lead to more work in the comic industry in the future.

And did I mention that it was oarsome? huh?

Weta Work: Automaitre'D

2007-08-09T18:24:00.000+12:00

Okay, so here's something I've done here at Weta Workshop. And you can see it finally... I've been wanting to show this to people for fricken ages.

And a hi-res image:

He's a mechanical butler from the Rayguns universe - an Automaitre'D. He was designed by Dr Broadmore and 3D modeled by myself and is possibly one of the most complex 3d models I've created. I shouldn't show any images that haven't been posted on line already, but let me say that the back of this dude is a right jumble of extravagant detail and steam-powered, cog driven antics.

He joined the team at Comic Con in standee form, serving up comics and collectible for all and sundry. Hopefully one day he may join Weta's impressive set of collectibles.

Weta Work: New Raygun Revealed

2007-08-09T18:17:00.000+12:00

This little puppy is my favourite Raygun to be revealed so far, the 'Victorious Mongoose 1902a'. I have held it in my arms and wish to caress it's sweet metallic finish again and again. ohhhhh baby.

"...despite its humble proportion, the pistol packs quite a whollop. Able to project a conical emission for up to seventeen yards, the Victorious Mongoose will obliterate four pounds of Budgerigars in three fascinating seconds."

For the Wetapage and details go here.

Weta Work: Comic Con 07

2007-07-27T14:06:00.000+12:00

So we've got this bug at weta, she's called the 'weta bug' and she often dresses normally, but in light of the geekeness entailed in a comic convention she's dressed up. As her character - Weta Bug. But she doesn't really look like a weta or a bug, but she has antenna or antennae or whatever.

It's complicated.

Anyway, she's cranking out some youTube updates for all of us about the San Diego Comic Con. And they go like this:

Weta Work: Halo Warthog

2007-07-27T13:36:00.000+12:00

Well, it's on the Weta Workshop site, so I'll take that to mean I can show you the images. Now if you think this looks cool, it's cooler. It's real, it has a turbo motor, it has 4WD, it 'Crabs' and it has a frickkin massive gun on the back. A frickkin gun!

Trust me, it is a thing of green beauty. The Weta details are here.

Weta Work: Halo - Arms Race

2007-07-12T08:34:00.000+12:00

Well they released this earlier than I expected them to, but here's one of the projects I've had my little finger stuck into recently here at Weta Workshop. Note that my finger was only one of many (much more talented) fingers here also inserted into the pie that is the Halo: Arms Race thingie. I think it looks pretty tight, congrats to all fingers involved; Bungie Studios, director Neill Blomkamp, WETA Workshop and Origami Digital LLC

Rad.

And here's a dodgy youTube version:

Book my Face

2007-07-10T18:51:00.000+12:00

I'm on Facebook, come and kick it like tae bo with me here.

Titles Special

2007-07-05T13:43:00.000+12:00

Some cool title sequences from the land of Japan:

Handle the Jandle Titles

2007-07-04T17:17:00.000+12:00

These are the titles for Wellingtons 'Handle the Jandel' DIY music video competition 2006. I helped out with a schodey illustration and played the drummer and other parts in the bands. The project was coordinated by me mate Jerry, whose website you can see here.

Alive and Kung Fu Kicking

2007-07-03T18:22:00.000+12:00

Yes, I'm still here, and still working on the Moth-City line (I've come up with a nice idea for the packaging I believe).

I've also been finishing off some projects here at Weta that might be released soon - everything you work on here takes so long to come out from the pre-production stage that you can't show anyone for ages... but soon I think, soon... maybe comic con... maybe

And to prove that I'm still alive, here is a photo of me doing kung-fu in a tuxedo, cause, you know...

Fallout 3 Game Trailer

2007-06-07T15:24:00.000+12:00

There's a new trailer up for the long-awaited Fallout 3, one of the first games that I played that had a sense of humour and a nice sense of style. And it's post-apoc and stuff. The quicktime is here.

Rayguns Promotional Transmission

2007-06-01T13:02:00.000+12:00

Broadmore and Weta have quitre currently released a Rayguns Promotional Transmission to be discovered here. It is rather splendid, and I do rather recommend that you commence to check it out... what. You can even download it and share it with friends - I say!

Ex Machina Trailer

2007-06-01T12:53:00.000+12:00

The sequel to Appleseed, Ex Machina has a Japanese trailer just out. Check it out here.

Sigg Jones

2007-05-30T08:52:00.000+12:00

An awesome animation by 3 students from France - if you haven't seen any cool 3d ani for a while this is well worth watching, even at 7 minutes long. (In case anyone is not aware, 7 minutes is an obscene length of time for a 3d animation piece, even if there were 3 of them)... their website looks like this

Rayguns in Wired magazine

2007-05-22T11:10:00.000+12:00

Wired magazine has published a lovely article about the Weta Rayguns with brand new images here. Lovely...

They Only Come Out in Heels - Rantforfood

2007-05-16T14:09:00.000+12:00

Here's another poster for RantForFood, check out the pitch - where surely, all hell will break loose!

rantforfood spoof movie pitches

2007-05-07T10:21:00.000+12:00

Hey all, this is just a little rant for another little project of mine that I'm working on with a friend, it's a spoof movie ideas pitch blog, to be found here.

Users (that's you) submit their silliest ideas and we post 'em up. If your pitch is the raddest of rad myself, or my mate, will design a poster for it. Yay. If it's even radderer than that, we'll steal it and sell it as our own :)

This is a poster for one of my movie pitches involving Space Arabs, chrome dragons bad special effects.

So if you want a chance to have your stupidest idea in magnificent poster form, go check it out and submit something.

Limited Edition Toys - VG Cats

2007-05-01T09:48:00.000+12:00

Nice little comment on the subject here.

superdickery.com

2007-04-27T10:15:00.000+12:00

Here's a cool little collection of comic images with oddities. Lots of oddities. Go here for more.

WIP Moth-City Villian

2007-04-17T10:26:00.000+12:00

Introducing a mysterious new villain, Red Visor. There are many more developments to come in the art-deco, film-nior, retro-futuristic horror world of Moth-City.

Mmm Cool Suit

2007-04-16T13:15:00.000+12:00

This is apparently an image from the new Ironman movie. It looks geektastic.

If this movie is of the same caliber as Fantastic 4, Catwoman or any movies with Ben Afflek in it comic sellers need to begin macing any suited hacks with sunglasses from Hollywood, trawling for 'brand' material. Can't they just stick to Disney World rides?

This could be good though.

Weta Links 4

2007-04-16T13:07:00.000+12:00

Weta-ian Lambert's website is here. I don't like Lambert much, he's good at things... lots of things, things he's never done before. You know those guys, the one's you pray never get interested in the things you're good at, lest they supersede you at them. If he starts designing toys I'll go CG Geek postal on his ass.

Weta Links 3

2007-04-02T08:47:00.000+12:00

Weta-ian Pearce's website is here. Like everybody in this building he likes robots, guns and dinosaurs. I sense a pattern...

Dead-Guy is Getting Boned

2007-03-30T08:30:00.000+12:00

Hey y'all, I've been rigging Dead-Guy with a digital armature so that I might pose him in a variety of oarsomeness. He'll be way more oarsome than other things, like climate change or making bears dance for money.

I'll make more sense when I've finished rigging the little bugger, it's a very tedious job.

Sculpture WIP 2

2007-03-29T18:55:00.000+12:00

There's actually texture in there, not that my camera phone wants to show it.

Sculpture WIP

2007-03-28T17:27:00.000+12:00

Just for kicks...

Jordu Schell at Workshop

2007-03-28T13:54:00.000+12:00

So we've got a masters of sculpture and monster design hanging out with us at Workshop currently, Mr Jordu Schell. Understandably, I've been hanging out in the sculpting room picking up tit-bits like a bum picks up butts.

Anyway, his website is here.

Concept Artists: Tim McBurnie

2007-03-26T15:19:00.000+12:00

I came accross this guys work today, and it's simply stunning, from the forms through to the colour and brush work.

yummy... taste it here.

Negadon Attacks

2007-03-19T17:59:00.000+12:00

It's been a while since this crazy project started, but it's certainly worth checking out. It's called Negadon, and is inspired by Japanese monster movies and Tokusatsu films. I've heard it is being created by a very small group of folks, which if you look at the trailer is just plain astonishing. Go to the English website here.

Weta Links 2

2007-03-17T12:17:00.000+13:00

Just thought I'd draw your attention to Weta-ian Beck and his website here.

He's really just a big kid - who no doubt dreams he's racing the A.P.C from Aliens in a demolition derby against '67 Mustang Fastbacks, while a 60-foot mechinoid jumping-spider (with machine guns embedded in it's legs) blows up explosive barrels near by... Nice guy tho'

Malajube "Montreal -40°C"

2007-03-16T10:56:00.000+13:00

It's another oarsome music video:

New Weta Links

2007-03-16T08:21:00.000+13:00

I've added some links to some of my Weta Workshop workmates for your perusal. They all insist that the websites haven't been updated in eons and that they are way cooler, more talented and better looking than their sites would suggest... but you know, whatever.... geeks...

So, in no particular order, here's Weta-ian Greer

Classic Cars

2007-03-14T13:08:00.000+13:00

I went for a little trip to Nelson in the weekend and visited the classic car museum... I had forgotten how much I liked cars... I'm not trash or anything, I mean, some of my best friends are cultured. I have decided to incorporate 1930's -1950's car imagery into my line of designer toys. It's gonna be hot. Like a hot-rod.

And me living my childhood dream:

Dead-Guy Updates

2007-03-13T16:23:00.000+13:00

STRONGER, FASTER, BETTERER!
Here we have have Dead-Guy's remodeled body. The main aim was to bring the sculptural style of the torso closer to the beveled facets of the head. More goodies to come...

Gun Porn

2007-03-12T16:50:00.000+13:00

Grizzly Tang in no way condones or distributes pornography... but if we did it would look like this:

On the off chance you didn't believe the press, the 'Rayguns' are indeed full-size, and quite weighty might I add. wooorrrrrr..... peeeowww-peeoww

More images and details here.

Kiwi Film Watch #2

2007-03-08T11:03:00.000+13:00

Black Sheep (sans Chris Farely)

Weta Workshop did some choice-a creature effects on this film about monster/zombie/genetically altered sheep. How could it not be cool?

The Website with images and trailer is here.

Kiwi Film Watch #1

2007-03-07T13:37:00.000+13:00

Eagle Vs. Shark has a teaser site to be found here. It's an indie rom-com which looks right up my alley. If it's not up you alley it should be. So put it there - now.

It is directed by Taika Waititi, the Kiwi who infamously pretended to be asleep at the Oscars when his film was nominated for Best Short Film. 'Caused a bit of a fuss... I thought it was classic personally. Har har and all that.

CRIME!!!

2007-03-02T18:10:00.000+13:00

You can tell it's got 'suspen' in it because of the wavey type.

Casshern Trailer

2007-02-27T18:00:00.000+13:00

Now, this isn't a new trailer, hell I think it's out on DVD (I heard it was a bit blah-de-blah) but dang it looks interesting. Have a look at the trailer here.

James Cameron and Dead-Guy

2007-02-23T14:45:00.000+13:00

Now, before you get carried away, James Cameron has never seen Dead-Guy and probably never will... unless I mail it to him inside a sponge cake (considers). But the real connection is that I haven't been able to crank out many updates for youse fullas lately 'cause the workshop's been taking up my precious time - and I blame James Cameron...

These young upstart directors and their quaint little films, I mean 'science fiction'? Who's interested in fiction nowdays anyway? Not me, give me Fox News anyday...

But in case I lose my job, may I say that I was very excited to stand in the same room as the director of Aliens and Terminator. Hopefully some little part of his success might rub off on me like a cat leaving hair on your new black sweater. Or something.

Terrahawks

2007-02-22T15:51:00.000+13:00

I never saw either the original Terrahawks or the Japanese remake, but baby look at those title sequences....

Don't Go Into the Basement!

2007-02-21T08:02:00.000+13:00

The fullas at lifeinabungalo have brought us all a lovely mini-doco from the 2007 toy fair. Don't ask me which one, don't ask me if there's more than one and don't ask me what's under my cape (that's
off the record, on the QT and very hush-hush)...

Anywayyyyyy, go here.

300 review

2007-02-16T12:31:00.000+13:00

aintitcool.com has posted one of the funnier reviews I've read recently - of '300.' It seems to be written by an enthusiastic 10 year-old boy and you can find it here.

Here's a quote:
"I just saw a movie that’ll give your eyes boners, make your balls scream and make you poop DVD copies of THE TRANSPORTER. It’s called 300. I don’t know what the title has to do with the movie, but they could’ve called it KITTENS MAKING CANDLES and it’d still rule."

What Rami Should Have Done

2007-02-15T18:12:00.000+13:00

70's - check
Japanese - check
Superhero - check
Giant Robots - check
Zooming Cameras - check

Shake Your Booty.

2007-02-15T08:11:00.000+13:00

I've dredged this up from years ago to show someone, it's still relatively radical (or R.R as it will henceforth be known). It says on the YouTube page that it was created by a Kiwi ad agency, which I didn't know. Yay

Dead-Guy News

2007-02-12T15:52:00.000+13:00

I have some very good news about Dead-Guy and my plans for World Domination (trademark pending) that I can't tell you yet, but can tell you soon...

Memories...

2007-02-12T14:05:00.000+13:00

"The Ultimate Warrior is Insane"

Dead-Guy Redesign

2007-02-12T13:32:00.000+13:00

The little fulla is going though a bit of an overhaul at the moment, I'm refining nooks and filling crannies - generally spitting all over him and then polishing him up till he's good and shinny. More teaser images coming soon. Oh yeah!

Neo Tokyo

2007-02-12T13:15:00.000+13:00

Hey ya'll, I was looking over the shoulder of a workmate who is working on a half life 2 MOD called Neo Tokyo and thought I should post up one of their pix (how nice is that helmet design eh?). It's looking a little on the radical side I reckon, check their website is here

According to my man on the inside, they're looking at an American summer launch. Oarsome.

Vinyl Toy Design

2007-01-31T07:54:00.000+13:00

So I'm thinking about changing some of the forms in the body to bring it closer to the head's style - blocky, simplified shapes. Mainly just straightening some lines here and there and removing some detail on the back and such. I guess the best way to describe what I think needs to be done is making him look more like a 2D illustration sculpted up than a 3D model.

Dead-Guy WIP 360

2007-01-26T17:45:00.000+13:00

This is still a work in progress, he requires a weapon, and he has a niffy iris-lens surprise on the way, but check it yo (EDIT: I have now extended the length of the video):

Weta Originals Rayguns Announcement

2007-01-25T11:00:00.000+13:00

Oh baby, they're like rayguns from an op-shop. And did I mention they have moving parts?

"We will be making an announcement about the Weta Originals Rayguns range on NZ 26 / US 25 January – Be sure to bookmark www.wetanz.com/collectibles/ for the official announcement!"

Hellgate London Collectibles

2007-01-25T09:58:00.000+13:00

Weta has posted the release details for these beautifully crafted collectibles, created for the Hellgate: London game by Flagship Studios. There will be a limited edition of 1000 of each character class available. If you're wondering who Flagship Studios are, they're a bunch of x-Blizzard boys who worked on uber games such as Diablo *geek drool*.

I've seen these suckers in the flesh and they are pretty hot. I don't really collect polystone, but these are making me reevaluate... I must see if I get a discount.

Go here for details.

Adventure Time

2007-01-24T10:24:00.000+13:00

"Mathematical!"

Muse's 'Knights Of Cydonia'

2007-01-23T15:57:00.000+13:00

One of my favourite music videos of all time. Oarsome.

Cover Design (Xtreme) II

2007-01-23T15:44:00.000+13:00

It's like bad wallpaper, crossed with a record cover on a romance weekly. Wha?

Cover Design (Xtreme)

2007-01-18T13:22:00.000+13:00

"They were married now - yet they dared not trust each other!"

Match-boxes Xtreme

2007-01-18T13:19:00.000+13:00

Some cool match-boxes I found while touring the country. Why is old design always so much cooler than new design?

Dead-Guy Has New Goggles

2007-01-17T19:21:00.000+13:00

Having a bit of a play with the goggles and strapping in maya.

The Roadtrip

2007-01-15T18:46:00.000+13:00

I'm finally back and have many glorious images from small town New Zealand and 2nd hand-shops the North Island over. Stay tuned for the coolest match-boxes you've never seen... that's right match-boxes, the original flammable business card.

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-23T18:13:00.000+13:00

Grizzly Tang would like to wish all you vinyl toy fans, low-brow art freaks and oddity collectors some happy holidays... Thanks for all the emails and support :)

Love,
Grizz

Grindhouse - Planet Terror Trailer

2006-12-18T17:06:00.000+13:00

Caution, not really for children...

50 Dead-Guy Cards at Popup

2006-12-14T18:13:00.000+13:00

Popup Gallery has 50 numbered 'Dead-Guy is Coming' cards in-store as of today. If you're in Wellington, go get 'em before they're all given away. Their website is here.

World Domination via Vinyls

2006-12-14T13:00:00.000+13:00

Well I don't think this is normally done on blogs, but my quest for World Domination (tm) seems to require some assistance.

As you can see, here are my locations of blog visits:

While not bad for the first 15 days of scheming, you may notice that World Domination (tm) is not yet assured. There seem to be some rather large pockets of resistance to the wily charms of my toys. Below I have outlined a plan of attack. If you know anyone in the following 'red states' (connotations not intentional), do be a chum (patriot term there) and flick them an email. And don't you penguin farmers o' Antarctica think I've forgotten about you (like the google map) - this is merely the first wave...

Toy Card Details

2006-12-13T18:27:00.000+13:00

Some details.

A little something for someone who took the time to comment. I don't think I can post you one of the real cards, but here's a digital one, just for you -it's super-exclusive.

Other Fun Ways of Wasting Money

2006-12-12T18:03:00.000+13:00

Ok, the cards are printed and looking pretty fly. As I took them round Weta Workshop and touted their exclusivity, labeling them 'collectors cards,' some smart fellow misunderstood and went "are there stats on the back?"

Damnit. Now it seems that I shall (at some later stage) have to release a small series of Dead-Guy wrestling cards. Ohhhh yeah. Wins, loses, special powers, finishing moves, their idea of the perfect date. You know, cool shit.

Anyway, card numbers 100-300 should be jet-setting their way over to London in the next week. So, if Flameo can make it though Customs with his smuggled Dingo steaks, they might be in Soho the following week. But who knows with that guy. He may have already eaten all 200.

"Computers transform the cutting edge of sculpture"

2006-12-11T10:57:00.000+13:00

An interesting article on Guardian Unlimited about the effect of computers on sculpture here.

The Toy Render

2006-12-10T20:27:00.000+13:00

Here's the render of the Dead-Guy himself, straight outta Maya. As you can see, this is the render that was used in the teaser card.

The Card is Done!

2006-12-09T19:10:00.000+13:00

Okay, I do believe that I have finished the first piece of Grizzly Tang paraphernalia. "The Dead-Guy is Coming!" cards. I expect to get these printed in a few days so that Flameo may take some to London.

So far it seems that the only places you'll be able to get these suckers (FREE no less! it can't help but be a bargain) will be London and Wellington. Not bad places to start world domination I guess. Better than Fiji for instance. he he

And yes, you may have noticed the pygmy 'no.' text in the top right corner. That's because my dumb-ass expects to spend some of my precious gaming time to write small numbers with big markers in tiny spacers. 'Why?' you ask, well I don't frickin' know.

Why do I have the feeling that I will wake to find a crowd of Fijian pygmies banging on my door tonight... shivers...

Too Much 'Real' Work

2006-12-08T19:13:00.000+13:00

I'm afraid I haven't been able to do any more work on the Dead-Guy for the last couple of days as I have been overcome with an extreme case of 'real life,' thus preventing me from spending my after-work hours tweaking verts for your pleasure.

I do, however have a self-imposed deadline for my 'dead-guy is coming' cards, because a friend is, very generously, taking some to London with him to give away to toy freaks, shop owners and passing miscreants. Or something... He'll probably smoke them.

Anyway, if anyone knows of good vinyl related shops/galleries around London that he should visit leave a comment or flick me an email.

Dunny Club

2006-12-06T14:12:00.000+13:00

Woo-hoo, another mention on a vinyl blog!
Dunny Club has posted a short snippet in which I'm called Tim Bison rather than Gibson, but I'm such an attention-ho I don't care.

Dead-Guy 'coming soon' WIP vol.2

2006-12-05T20:42:00.000+13:00

Here's an update of the teaser image:

Tony vs. Paul

2006-12-05T14:55:00.001+13:00

So good...

Toys are Evil

2006-12-05T11:43:00.000+13:00

Uber toys news blog 'Toys are Evil' gave Grizzly Tang a plug today, which is dang cool. Maybe this blog thing isn't so hard after all. He has requested a 'Kung-Fu-Chop' arm function, I don't think that'll happen on the first edition, but maybe later eh?

I'm not expecting the orders to flow in just yet (I have the feeling I need to do more work before that happens), but so far all the feedback has been really positive. Which reminds me, if anyone has any thoughts, questions or comments on this blog or on Dead-Guy and any future characters in the line, feel free to leave a comment or send me and email.

Toys are Evil can be found here.

Dead-Guy 'coming soon' WIP

2006-12-04T21:04:00.000+13:00

This is still a work in progress, I spent some time on it tonight after work. I've been looking at a lot of old comic-book covers and illustrations. It still needs to be roughed up a lot, and generally sewn together a bit more. I'm happy with where it's going though.

Giallo

2006-12-04T19:22:00.000+13:00

Wikipedia has a great entry on Giallo here.

It sounds like something I need to research further. And in the tradition of posting images of posters:

Another New Vinyl Toy Image

2006-12-04T19:17:00.000+13:00

And a head shot, showing the teeth detail.

New Designer Toy Render

2006-12-04T10:58:00.000+13:00

Here's another render, this time with a shader that looks a bit closer to vinyl.

Film Noir Posters

2006-12-03T16:10:00.000+13:00

Here are some cool old posters of the Film Noir genre and related films. So hot right now...

Why you ask, well Dead-Guy needs to find his killer amongst the Zombie Mob and the surviving citizens, which of course requires a bit of detective work. Plus, when your tongue has rotted off internal monologues are quite a convenient way of telling a story.

More Dead-Guy Renders

2006-12-01T16:25:00.000+13:00