My first computer, a RadioShack TRS80 with a Microsoft DOS operating system, was handed down to me when I was only eight years old. Accompanying this was a book, about the size of a...Read moreMy first computer, a RadioShack TRS80 with a Microsoft DOS operating system, was handed down to me when I was only eight years old. Accompanying this was a book, about the size of a small novel, that contained ream after ream of computer code. I spent weeks (literally) copying and correcting this code into the machine. When the efforts of my labour finally came to fruition, I was presented with two vertical white lines that moved randomly from left to right. The challenge was to use the arrow keys on the keyboard (mice hadn’t yet been invented) to move a little square from left to right and prevent it from hitting the two white lines. This was my first introduction into software development.
At around about the same time, I was also drawing pictures of my favourite films. Felt Pen drawings of Star Wars and Ghost Busters are still clear in my mind. And with these pictures I was winning competitions. I even recall an occasion where I had won first place, and third place was given to my little brother. As a child I was extremely pleased with this, although not because my little brother had won something too, but because a large part of his image was my work.
After leaving school I tried my hand at various jobs, sign maker, store manager, restaurant proprietor, software developer, but my heart was always in film. Unawares of how to access the world of film, in 2003 I began a general computing course franchised from Glamorgan University to Coleg Llandrillo Cymru.
This HNC (Higher National Certificate) in computing included a graphic design module and elements of 3D animation (using Autodesk 3D Studio Max) and video editing. In 2004, half way through the two year course and before achieving any qualifications, lecturers had been sufficiently impressed with my work/ethic that they offered me a position within the college as a lecturer. In the same year, work that I produced whilst studying web design had been selected as Coleg Llandrillo Cymru’s sole representation in the national skills challenge. Despite enrolling on a Microsoft Certified Professional Course, additional modules on the HNC, and all of this on top of my new role as a college lecturer, in 2005 I graduated the HNC in computing with the highest score in Wales.
As a requirement of my new job (lecturing in subjects such as web design, photography and desktop publishing) I began a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) in September 2005. Wanting to continue my 3D & CGI sector specific study I also enrolled on a HND (Higher National Diploma) in computing via the North East Wales Institute for Higher Education at the same time. This was with great consequence as despite balancing the lecturing role with two HE courses, in 2007 I was the first (only?) student ever to be awarded with a grade of 100% for a single piece of work. The piece of work in question was a CG animation.
At present I am pursuing a Master's Degree in Creative Media, with particular focus on 3D animation, at the North Wales School of Art and Design. I am still working as a lecturer with Coleg Llandrillo Cymru (now Grwp Llandrillo Menai) and supplement both of the above as a freelance CG animator and designer.