Weekly Roundup #014
Hello hello! It's been a busy week in my own time, hopping around with different passion project odds and sods! First off, I finished writing a mega-blog about the making of the Beyond Tellerrand titles. It's a big ol' bugger, so make yourself a cuppa and give it a read / watch / listen:
Gavin Strange
Off the back of the titles, I've continued playing with the DMX light features of the OP-Z, taking the guts of the set-up and building an enclosure for it. I started with a prototype, just to get the sizing correct...
...and then building it out proper, with transparent bricks and everything! I just need to finish the top section with some big plates, and route all the cables properly, but I'm stoked that it works! Not quite sure on it's use case at the minute, maybe if I do another title sequence or live performance then this monstrosity can come with me!
I've been busy working on my contribution to the Gromit Unleashed 3 charity arts trail! I can't reveal what I'm doing yet, but you'll see it soon enough as the trail launches here in Bristol on June 30th! I'm also starting something super fun with my very talented friend Jack too, lots to come with that... watch this space!
I went down to London on Thursday this week, as I had the honour of speaking at the mighty D&AD festival! I was lucky enough to get the curtains slot, closing out the festival with neon, noise and nonsense! I met so many lovely people there too, it was great to be a part of such a strong creative community. Cheers D&AD!
Finally, after literally months of waiting (my wife ordered this for me in November), the 'Art of Arcane' book finally arrived (It's in-stock on waterstones in the UK!) and boy was it worth the wait. It is absolutely stacked with art and concept and behind the scenes magic. I've only browsed it for minute, I'm really looking forwards to getting the time to really pour over it all.
On the subject of books, next year in 2026 I'll be celebrating 25 years of 'being' Jamfactory. I first registered jam-factory.com in 2001 and I want to do something to celebrate. I've long wanted to put together my own 'art of' book, cataloguing all the things I've made under that name and I figured a quarter century of work was a good time to do it! I'm not sure exactly how it'll come to life yet - the current frontrunner idea is through a kickstarter - but i'm just going to start putting it together and then see where it can go!
Inspired by the books of Draplin and Brosmind, and certainly now the Arcane book, I want to pack it full of stuff - maximalist overload. But, I don't just want it to be visuals, I've long wanted to write a follow-up to my 'Do Fly' book, so I'd like to incorporate that into it too.
That's enough from me for now, cheers all!
- Gav.
WHAT AM I PLAYING?
A little more Red Dead Redemption II when I can, and still on that TCG Pocket tip! Excited for another new set coming soon! Counting down the months until the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 remake is out, that'll be a blast!
WHAT AM I LISTENING TO?
I'm now totally obsessed with the new Linkin Park, particularly their new 'Deluxe' version which adds 3 new songs. Usually, it's the unwritten rule that 'deluxe' editions from bands are crap, adding some previously unreleased fluff that no one likes but LP have broken the mold! The 3 new tracks are great and the third and final one in particular is an absolute banger. A big emotional anthem with a great chorus and big ol' ender. I bloody love it.
- Linkin Park – From Zero
- Slipknot – Iowa
- Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft
- Kublai Khan TX – Exhibition Of Prowess
This studio tour / interview with Travis Barker is great, I genuinly have never seen or heard him speak so much publicly, it's an ace deep dive into his production and his drumming, I love it!
WHAT AM I WATCHING?
Not much at the mo, still busy mucking about with odds and sods at night to get into watching anything new but... this trailer for 'KPop Demon Hunters' looks bonkers!
WHAT'S CAUGHT MY EYE?
I love my Fuji X100V camera, and this new 'X Half' looks really fun (but a bit too expensive!!)
