The animation and stage sets are done (the next series of 'Shaun the Sheep' is prepping), the VFX crew are rushing to bring in the last few shots and the marketing is well under way for a March release. So ends another successful and satisfying project for me.

I've enjoyed summer, and now winter, here in Bristol and have seen a little more of South Western England (although not nearly enough) but once again what I've enjoyed most of all are the people. Once again I've been lucky enough to work with some stellar talent. It is perhaps the most enriching part of these projects, working alongside artists and craftsmen who are singularly devoted to continually improving their skills long after they have produced work that would be considered outstanding. It warms the cockles of me heart! (You have to say that like a Pirate).

I joined my colleagues at The Goldbrick House in Park street last tuesday evening for the company Christmas dinner. Apart from the restaurant itself and the fine food on offer, I left the place feeling a deep and comfortable sense of comraderie and affection for my colleagues. Don't get me wrong, we're not going to be taking warm showers together :-D but sitting there with Nicole, surrounded by people of my ilk, with the common bond of a journey well travelled together, I felt a little like, well, like Sam or Frodo or Merry or Pippin, at the end of 'The Return of the King', the scene where they meet for a drink at The Green Dragon. Yes that's it: happy, content, accomplished... but also a little sad that it's ending.

Below are some photos I've taken of my colleagues and crew as well as a shot of the mini Pirate of the Year Award that every crew member received as a special thank you from the producers. How cool is that?

David Sztypuljak from HeyUGuys visits Aardman Animation Studios for behind the scenes peek at their latest feature project 'Pirates!', and uses the b-roll footage to narrate his experience.

Dim lights

The final trailer for 'Pirates!' was relased this week. It reveals quite a bit more of the plot and gives a good indication of the hearty fun and adventure that lies ahead. Come on Pirates!

AnimationSA is running a series of '5 minute' interviews promoting International Animation Day. The campaign features various South African creatives and they have kindly included me in the lineup.

Read the interview by clicking the image below. Be sure to read the other interviews as well. It's really encouraging to see such vibrant energy flowing through South Africa. Truly inspiring. Well done animationsa!

Aardman recently threw open their doors to show off their artists personal work. What an inspiring show! Such talent! Each of the creations below were designed and created by people who work at Aardman. Is it such a wonder that this company creates such fine animated work?