Hello

Sorry it's been so long since my last blog. But we've been really busy trying to complete the storyboards before we start shooting! I'm really sorry I don't have time to answer all your question but I've pick a few which I can give fairly interesting answers to (you may disagree!)

"Is being a runner a good way to get your foot in the door at Aardman?" In my experience YES! It's how I started, my first job for Aardman was as an unpaid Runner on Chicken Run and look at me now!

"What does a Production Manager do?" I asked some of crew what they thought I did all day and their answers were simply unprintable!!!! But basically I'm responsible for the day to day running of the shoot, making sure everyone knows what they should be doing and organising that all the right puppets and sets are available so that we complete the film on time and on budget.

"The Renderman debate" I'm sorry but this something I know nothing about. My computer skills are stretched to their limit just doing this blog (I'm not joking).

Some of you were asking what happens if anything goes wrong now that we are shooting digitally rather than on film. Fear yer not, all the shots will saved twice. Once in the edit suites in the studio and again on a second server in another building somewhere in deepest darkest Bristol. Should anything happen to the studio we won't lose any shots that have been completed.

Next week is looking very busy here at the studio, Nick will be spending more time on the studio floor preparing the first shots, as well as finalizing the storyboards! And Friday he's doing the second voice record with Peter Sallis. Phew! I'm knackered just thinking about it!

Have a great weekend

Beeky

woo nice one beeky, so filming starts very soon then ,its me again with first reply! woo yeh! lol

WAY TO GO, YOU ALMIGHTY AARDS!

BEEKY - I MEAN IT! YOU ROCK!!!!

best get that kettle on beeky!!!! loads of coffee next week

I think he's moved up from tea & coffee boy that would have been when he was a runner on Chicken Run!!

i didnt mean beeky make it!!!!! though im sure hes not shy to make a cuppa, always a bru on the go

TEA, TEA AND LOTS OF IT!!!! MAKE IT FAIR TRADE, TOO! IT TASTES NICER!!!!!

AND PLENTY OF BICCIES! CUSTARD CREAMS, CHOCCY CHIP COOKIES, DIGESTIVES...

...OR SEND SOMEONE OUT FOR A PASTRY OR TWO?!?!!

DO YOU DUNK YOUR TEA BAGS INTO THE CUPS OR IS THERE A TEA POT?! OR A TEA ERIC (AS OPPOSED TO A TEA ERN!)

CUE TUMBLEWEED AND A FORCE 9 GALE...

WAHOO! WATAGO AARDMAN!!!! CLAP, CLAP! I HOPE PETER SALLIS DOES WELL. HE'S A LUCKY FELLA KNOWING THE SCRIPT, EH. SORRY ABOUT THE CAPITAL LETTERS I'M JUST SO EXCITED!!! Beeky, you know because you said your taking 2 pics for each frame is that you using double frame?

Josephine,

Are there tumbleweeds where you are?

mark its called filming on "2"s

In answer to your question, Fish re tumbleweeds...

They whoosh across the room if a supposedly humourous crack goes down like a two ton kite...

The equivalent of tumbleweeds in my neck of the woods are those annoying empty plastic carrier bags that blow in the wind outside the local shops after closing time. Not very green!

Tumbleweeds look more appealing...and that's saying something!

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Yes, Jordan but sometimes they say double frame though.

more common its is called filming on 1's or 2's

Yeah, suppose.

great production starts soon

its already started!

cool i am so exited

Gromitrules! We haven't seen you in AGES!!! Welcome back!

thank you

You're welcome!

its good 2 no nicks busy and bustling! im sure we'll find out that nicks doing PIELLA'S VOICE soon. sorry but i need 2 no who plays her voice

It's on the web somewhere.

anti-pesto! The Almighty Nick P voicing the part of Piella Bakewell!???!

Heavens, lovie! His voice isn't THAT high!?!?!

Or is he contemplating buying a pair of trousers that are a couple of sizes too small for him?

If that is the case, it is either ...

Nick P definitely wearing THE WRONG TROUSERS!!!

or...

Economic slowdown has hit the Aards and they can't afford a lady actor.

I can't wait for another update!!!

Neither can I! What's cookin', Cheeky Beeky?!?!!

Yeah, what's happened?

Beeky, come back and talk with us! Cast off thy pox and tell us about Troubl At' Mill!!

Yes, come back!

oh sorry josephine i wrote that wrong! i meant 2 say that i hope that we find the voice of piella soon. and we have! Sally Lindsay who was from corination street has agreed 2 play her!

Good o! She's the perfect choice, don't you think?

Well done the Almighty Aards!!! A masterstroke...

BUT...

Being the case, Piella would be much younger than our favourite cheese addict! Hmmmmm!!!

Oooh, anti-pesto, petal! It's OK...

My mental images were running riot again re Nick P doing voice of Piella - as per usual!

Tee Hee!!!

Sock Eye Salmon

Hello folks!

Hay is that my old friend captain Beeky.

WIZZZZZZZZ O PIP PIP Beeky.

Regards From Dr Rettun