April Showers with a Silver Lining

Hello All again,

Introduction

Since my last blog entry quite a lot of things have been going on both in the Capemedia and my personal world.

Last time out I was working on changing my studio around, getting new equipment and hoping to get some inspiration.  I'm glad to report that I have managed to meet each of these and I'm looking upwards towards a better future now.

Not to dwell on the past but the concept of "Capemedia Productions" is actually 10 years old this May.  Funny it's the same as my birth month and I felt after all this time I might give away, why I named my production company "Capemedia".  

Well the letters for Cape are derived from my family and me.

So to explain:-

C = Catherine my daughter
A = Anthony my son
P = Paula my wife
E = was my best effort of including myself by dropping the "m".

And Capemedia Productions was born and Capemedia Limited is the company name.
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Facebook

Another great thing that happened during April was that the number of "Likes" on my Facebook Page went up by 95.  Which means we have 520 people following our page which is wonderful and I'd like to thank every single one of them.

This is the page to use if you want to find out regularly what's going on the in the Capemedia world.  Over the months I will post things that interest and inspire me in the world of film, animation and music.
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Projects

I'm back making music again and I have to say it's fantastic to be tickling the ivory's again.  I have to say for music I need something that stirs inside me and gives me the passion for it.  Well totally by chance I stumbled across "Sorrento Moon" by Tina Arena which has blown my mind and I can't stop listening to it.  Some songs grab your very essence and in this case I needed to understand everything, the lyrics, the chord progressing, the production, everything!  I love it!

So I'm working on a cover of this song which I hope my amazing daughter will sing.

On other music fronts, I've started the second pack for Score Variations.  This will also be featured on my next animation short film to give it more impact.

So the next animation short film?

I decided to list all the outstanding projects to see what I had been working on over the last few years and what could be completed.  There are 9 projects all at different stages and I've decided to get "United Alliance" completed first (Yes I know it's been around for about 2 years)

So celebrate the fact I've picked something, I've gone back into iClone 6 and modified and improved two of the main characters from this short.

Wonder Woman

Ms Marvel

This short will test my production abilities, in animation, physics, special effects, post production, composition and music.

No easy task :) LOL

Until next time.  Remember, how it all came true, it was oh so tender, and I was lost with you, by the sweet Sorrento Moon.

Thanks for viewing

Colin

Out of the Ashes

Hello Everyone,

So the deed has been done and Capemedia UK Limited is now a dormant company.  A very sad time and something that was the best decision to make considering everything that has gone on over the last 12 months.

However, we can revive the company at any time and I can continue to try to get things flowing again.  It's not the end, just another phase in Capemedia's evolution.  Everybody suffers set backs, every company does but it's what you do next which is important.

So to mark the occasion and celebrate 10 years of Capemedia UK, I have started a re-fit of my studio.  Making a better working environment, giving myself more space and buying new hardware to help.

Here are a couple of images from the last week.

Still at the transferring stage of everything from my old media PC to the old Studio PC.  Then once I get the NEW Studio PC up and running, will need to transfer all the software over.

So been at this a week now and hopefully will be complete by Easter.

Thanks for visiting

Colin (aka Capemedia)

A Birthday with no cards and candles

Hello All,

This weekend is Capemedia UK Limited's 2nd birthday but there is no party, no cards, no celebration.  This weekend will just pass unannounced.

This I know sounds very sad but as I mention in my last post, we are in process of closing down the limited business.

But it's not all doom and gloom...

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Over the last month and the next few weeks I have to dedicate my life to my day time job.  Where after two years of work my project is coming to an end and I need to be there to deliver it to it's conclusion.

So what has that got to do with Capemedia....well nothing.  Except I'm Capemedia and there is only me.  If I'm working away, I'm away from my studio and no work can be created.

So February and March 2015 will be a period of down time and reflection.  A time to think about Capemedia, where we have been, what we have achieved and more importantly what the future holds.

Being a creative individual my mind is constantly thinking up new ideas, new concepts, new stories and it's hard sometimes to manage it all.  But some ideas keep coming back to the fore and these will be the seeds of any future plans.

In May this year '2015', the concept of Capemedia Productions will be 10 years old.  The idea to have a name to put my music, my films and animations under has remained and it's something I see no reason not to continue with.

However I'm toying with maybe having subsets titles under the main name, like:-

• Capemedia Animation Studios
• Capemedia Music
• Capemedia Film
• Capemedia Design

These are only in there infancy in regards to ideas but it's something that is beginning to appeal to me.  Maybe I could get other people to assist or help in these areas and this mean I'm more like my day time job as a 'Project Manager'?
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 So in closing I think a quote is needed.

"Fall seven times, stand up eight."

Japanese Proverb

 Oh and a cake......

Thanks for visiting

Colin 

Cross Roads

Hello All,

2013 was an amazing year for Capemedia UK Limited, we became a limited company, we had plenty of clients and we were becoming successful.  Over the last 6 months though, I have been trying very hard to keep this dream alive, but it may have to come to an end.  Unfortunately at the start 2014 my contracts began to end and try as I might I couldn't get enough clients in to maintain the company.

The decision to freeze the limited company has not been an easy one, but unless something amazing happens in the next couple of weeks then that is what will happen.  Fortunately we can still afford to monitor the situation and even though the company is frozen it's better then closing it down completely.  However by 2016, if things do not improve then we will be left with no other choice but to cease trading.

We are still open, but just about...

The final post of 2014

Greetings All,

As I write this final post of 2014 I find myself looking at the calendar and realising that there is only 2 days left.

This year has been like so many in the past, and has flown by so fast that I'm stunned to be reflecting and looking forward.

1 year ago when I wrote my post "The year comes to a close" I had so many anticipations for what 2014 would bring.  I had just completed a very eventful year and Capemedia was on the up.  I remember pledging to do more blogs, more Facebook and Twitter updates and keep people updated with where Capemedia was going.  Now I feel a little naïve looking back on this post.

2014 wasn't the building block I had hoped for!  2014 was both challenging and frustrating!

Sadly early on in the year my paying clients began to dry up and by the middle of the year I was scrambling around trying to get new work in.  This trend has continued through the remainder of the year and now I need to re-think the future of Capemedia as a limited company.

Due to my focus being in the paid work, most of my creative work suffered.  Not a single project got released.  The only video I managed to upload was my "Happy Demo Reel 2014" but sadly this was jumped upon by YouTube due to me using "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.  The video will not play and has been removed!

I'm seriously thinking of moving away from YouTube due to the licencing issues and the way you have to raise a dispute even if you have been wrongly accused.

Other then this video, I did release two trailers.  The first was for the Pinhead competition but again I got everything in place and then ran out of time.  Running out of time was an issue that plagued me the whole of 2014.  The second trailer was for "United Alliance", this was even played at the premiere of the "Trinket"



United Alliance has been in the creation process now coming up to 2 years and I'm running out of steam with it.  It so sad to think that I'm thinking this way but you can only be knocked down so many times before you take a rest before getting to your feet again.

Fortunately The year ended on a good note with me being asked to beta test the new iClone 6 that Reallusion have recently released.  It is an amazing piece of software and unbelievably powerful, more powerful then my PC can handle and a major upgrade will be needed in 2015.

This is my showcase of the software:-




So what now, where do I go from here?

I'm not really sure!  But it will be 10 years since Capemedia came into existence and I need to do something special.

 
Maybe I'll start a crowd funding campaign and finally raise the money to make my first professional animated short, take 3 months off work and create my dream....who knows

In ending, I would like to thank my wife and family for putting up with me and supporting me as always.  Also the people who have taken the time to read this blog, thank you.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and I think it's only fitting to close with a song I wrote about 4 years ago but it seems quite poignant now.

I leave you with "Hope" sung by my daughter Catherine Cooper:-



Take care

Colin

September passes at the speed of light

Hello Everyone,

This year I feel time is passing at light speed and this last month has gone so fast.

I updated the website over the first week of September with some major additions.  There is now free music available to anybody visiting and downloading the pack.  Also if you sign up for our newsletter you can get a free "Score Variations" pack.  So what are you waiting for?

I have continued to work on my projects but it has been at a slower pace due to many none Capemedia related reasons.

The best bit of news is that my 2013 short "Shapes" was selected for the Directors Reels in this years Machinima Expo 7.

See it here:-


Such a fast paced month but a few good things happened.

Thanks for your support and visiting

Colin

New Beginnings...Again

Hello Everyone

Back when I started blogger I called my opening blog “New Beginnings” and now looking back it wasn’t a new beginning just the start of a period of time where things would get steadily worse and worse to the point I am today.

Over this second year for Capemedia UK Limited things have been in decline.  I’ve tried to resurrect old partnerships and clients; I’ve tried new avenues and started new projects which I have not finished.  I’ve felt unloved!

After taking a long hard look at myself, I asked the question “Have I done enough?” and to be honest ‘No’.  Which makes me realise that if I don’t put the effort in nobody else is going to follow, support or even like my work.

So in summary since March 2014 I have failed.

Then I read these lines:-

 

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett

 

I talked though my concerns with my family and they agreed I took my eye off the ball and things have not gone well.  But it’s not the end, just the beginning of the next phase of Capemedia.

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So what have I been doing in the last 6 months, nothing?

‘No’ I’ve worked on two major projects and written some music.  I just need to get it all finished.

For “United Alliance - Forged Universe” here is some concept art.

 

I will be updating my website over the next few days and starting my online shop.

So from the ashes of a poor last 6 months I’m determined to rise and bring new projects, music and art to everyone who follows us.

Thanks for your support

Colin.