Aside from guitar playing, I have many other creative interests. Here's some things I've produced over the years.
GRAPHIC DESIGN:
I have a diploma in graphic design and have designed various logos, including my own for this web site.
In 2006 my best buddy and bass player Jim Rudge asked me to design a logo for his web site.
Designed a CD cover for JD Multimedia Studios
VIDEO EDITING:
Getting to grips with some great software from Adobe, I became very interested in video editing and motion graphics and created several videos.
This was the first one I did. It's a nostalgic look at my days with my band Big Trouble.
Watch it from this page via YouTube:
I produced this promo video for 70's glam tribute band Ballroom Glitz.
My friend Jim and I created a company called JD Multimedia Studios and this was done as a favour to our friends in Ballroom Glitz and it would help us see if our idea of creating a promo CD for bands worked. We soon found out how much time was involved in creating videos like this and realised that bands couldn't afford to pay what we would want so we dropped the idea of JD Multimedia.
2000: Made a short Star Wars film with Jim. Not being in any bands at this time, I obviously had a lot more time on my hands.
'Spar Wars'. All about lightsabers and food.
Watch 'Spar Wars' from this page via YouTube:
I recreated a part of the DVD menu for Star Wars The Phantom Menace from scratch using footage of Jim and me.
Sept' 2001: On a more serious note, the tragic events of September 11th inspired me to create this video to express how I felt about this horrific day. Click on the picture below.
2002: I created this video to pay tribute to guitarist Randy Rhoads.
BLOKE:
Invented a character called 'Bloke'. He's not the sharpest tool in the box. Imagine a cross between Mr.Bean, Stan Laurel and Inspector Clouseau and you'll have some idea of how stupid he is.
The first photo of Bloke
Find out more about Bloke and watch videos of how he strugles with everyday life here!>>Bloke's 'interweb' site www.iambloke.co.uk
Here's one of his videos. Me giving Bloke a guitar lesson.
2005: I was asked by online PC retail company Planet Micro to produce promotional videos for their PC products. I wrote the scripts, did the lighting, filmed the products, animated the Planet Micro logo in Adobe After Effects, provided the voice overs and edited all the videos. Jim did a stellar job in providing the music. Prompt and professional as ever. I produced over forty videos. Here are a couple of examples.
A Mustek portable DVD player
The R200 Epson photo printer.
Aug' 2004: Me outside Ozzy Osbourne's house while on holiday in the States.
While watching an episode of the original Star Trek series, I saw this scene and felt compelled to add a couple of sound effects. At the time of writing this, the video had half a million hits on YouTube.
Shred typing!! Ever get sick of guitar players who think playing fast is the ONLY way to play this wonderful instrument? Aren't you glad that writers don't have the same narrow minded attitude?
