Mata

New system for Matazone blogging through LiveJournal

Tue, 17 May 2005 17:19:20 GMT

Please update your LiveJournal settings to subscribe to the XML feed of my new on-site journal:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/matazonerrs/

(click the 'Add' link then confirm on the next screen)

If you want to comment on the posts then please use the link to the original post on my site and post there, because the chances of me remembering to come back to this syndication of the blog and check all the posts individually for comments are pretty small.

In fact, I have no idea how this syndication even happened. I guess it must be something automatic in the blogging software I'm using, because I certainly didn't set it up... Very odd.

So, I guess this will probably be my last post on this version of LiveJournal, but you'll now have the super happy fun time of my daily blogging nonsense from my on-site one.

Mon, 16 May 2005 12:34:40 GMT

Hi everyone,

We got there in the end:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/kittens-through-time.html

I'm currently mainly residing in thesis-land, but if you want a daily
dose of Matazone silliness then bung http://www.matazone.co.uk/blog as
your homepage. I add something new on there usually at least once a
day: little pictures, background on what's going on on my site, rants,
links to things I like... General stuff that I think (hope?) people
will be interested in. There's also an RSS feed on there too, if
you're a techy person who likes that kind of thing.

Also, if you add it as your homepage then I will get more views of my
banners, which is handy, because frankly I could do with the money! If
you could occasionally click them too then it makes my site look good
to advertisers, aka corporations who then have to give me money. Hurrah!

As always, please email this animation to any friends that you think
will like it!

So what will I be making next time? I have no idea! Check out the blog
and you'll hear when I start to make it smile.gif

'Hope you're all having fun,

Mata

The Brave Duckling

Wed, 11 May 2005 16:09:28 GMT

Okay, the music for the new Mittens is taking longer than expected, so
here's another quickie:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/the-brave-duckling.html

I could do with as many hits as possible at the moment, so please pass
this on to friends who you think might like it.

Cheers!

Mata

Clive The Giant Amoeba

Wed, 04 May 2005 15:21:41 GMT

More short silliness:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/clive-the-giant-amoeba.html

There's a new Mittens on the way very soon, probably in the next day or two, but here's something to keep you going until then.

I've also now got a blog on my site:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/blog

I intend to post every day about whatever is on my mind, what I'm doing, what animation is coming next, pictures I make... That kind of thing, so drop by and check it out.

I think I mentioned this last time, there are now banners on my site. Technically they should earn me enough to cover my costs per month, but the money hasn't started coming in yet, so if you fancy donating please still do so. I figure it's a good thing that I'm going to be taking money away from corporations, so please don't block the ads because I only get money when people see them ('impressions'). If you really fancy being helpful then click on them. I don't actually get more money if you do this, but it does mean that I can charge more for advertisers to go on my site in the future if there are lots of people clicking. Yeah, I know it's all rather tangled, but the short story is that it's all income for no more effort.

When the money from the banners starts coming in then I'm going to switch the donations page over to pointing to charities I like, so if someone did have some money to spare then it will be going to a good cause.

Like I say, I'll be writing again soon with a new Mittens animation. Let me know what you think of the new animation with comments on my blog (they are all moderated so won't appear instantly, and you do need to login so there's no anonymous posting). As usual, the forums are still there if you want to chat.

Have fun 'til next time,

Mata

Crippen Bang!

Tue, 05 Apr 2005 03:13:40 GMT

Hi all!

As I say in the intro to this animation, if you don't know of Dr Crippen or of Cilit Bang then this will be totally lost on your, but... Well, it stops the idea from knocking around in my head, and it's given me something fun to work on for the day:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/crippen-bang.html

As always, if you like it then please pass it on!

'Til next time, take care and have fun,

Mata

Giraffe Humour and another painting for sale

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:07:09 GMT

Hi all,

There's a short, very silly, animation online:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/giraffe-humour.html

I'm also selling another painting on eBay. Bidding ends on Sunday, and
all proceeds help me buy food (I'm very skint at the moment!):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7308884588

Okay, I'm back off into the exciting world of thesis writing for a while.

Have fun!

Mata
http://www.matazone.co.uk

The Hedgehog Game + buy my stuff!

Sat, 26 Feb 2005 02:08:03 GMT

Hi all,

It's been a busy couple of months for me, and there's no light at the end of the tunnel yet, so I've made a game that I hope will keep you and your friends busy for a while:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/the_hedgehog_game.html

I'm also running desperately out of money at the moment (it's a long, complicated, and not very interesting story involving international shipping and advanced screen-printing techniques) so I'm also selling a painting I've done:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=554&item=7303961289

As well as the painting, I'm also selling lots of my VHS films:

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZmatazone

Go into a consumption frenzy!

Anyway, 'hope you like the new game, tomorrow I'm going to be hitting the books again to work on a new chapter of my thesis, this one is on the exciting topic of William Gibson's use of authenticity in his novels. Doesn't the mere thought set your mind racing? No? I don't blame you! I'm already nearly a month behind on starting it because I've been working on this game. Oops!

As usual, if any of these links aren't working then use the ones on the main page http://www.matazone.co.uk/theotherside.html

Also, if you have friends that will like the game, my site, my painting, or my videos then please pass the link along; everything helps at the moment!

'Till next time, have fun,

Mata

Next time: Possibly new Mittens, maybe a new Snaffleburger. We'll see, but don't hold your breath!

Two new animations! Samurai Lapin and Krark The Penguin

Sun, 19 Dec 2004 18:01:00 GMT

Hi all,

In this post:

Samurai Lapin Part Four
Krark The Penguin
Waffle
Blatant plug for Little Goth Girl merchandise

Things have been happening behind the scenes at Matazone. I've been getting my new server slowly configured and hopefully it should finally be up and running within a month. There's tweaking to be done, but it's getting there!

Anyway, you're here for the animations, so, there's a new Samurai Lapin story. I like this one a lot; it's nice and quiet with many little touches on the animation and the sound. Here's the link:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/samurai-lapin-part-four-animation.html

For a change, it's also a nice and small file too.

I've also made an animation about a small penguin called Krark. I fancied trying out a different style of character design and animation, and I think that the visuals are really very nice, as well as the animation having a suitably apocalyptic resolution... I know it's not very Christmas-y, but that just seems to be the way that my mind runs when I'm writing things!

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/krark-the-penguin-animation.html

Again, the file size is quite small so you shouldn't have to wait too long for the download.

It might be a while before my next animation. As I've said in previous posts here, I'm just into my final year of my PhD thesis and so there will be some fairly hefty gaps while I get on with writing that. It's a lot of hard work, but it will be over this time next year and then I'll have loads of free time to make animations again.

As always, join up with my mailing list and you'll be the first to be told when new animations go online. If you've got friends that you think will like my stuff then encourage them to join up too. The more the merrier 'n' all that.

Also, people in the UK should look in their local small gothy shops for Little Goth Girl bags. There are three designs, and a few different styles. I reckon they're damn cool, but then again I would say that. Anyway, check them out. If your local shop doesn't have the bags, then ask them to order the Matazone bags in from Blue Banana (the lovely guys who are making and distributing it all for me).

That's it for this time. 'Hope you all have a great time over the next few weeks. Watch out for stupid drunk people, especially those armed with motor vehicles ('tis the season for that sort of idiocy) and I look forward to seeing you all safe and sound next time.

Have fun,

Mata

New Halloween Animation - The Babysitter

Tue, 26 Oct 2004 15:11:48 GMT

Hi all,

It's that time of year again, so here's the new Halloween special:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/the_babysitter_halloween_animation_2004.html

(If LJ objects to the length of the link then use one on the main page http://www.matazone.co.uk/theotherside.html )

I'm really happy with it, I think it works just as I'd hoped.

For those of you in the US and who are old enough, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! The rest of the world is counting on you to make the right choice. In my opinion that is Kerry for many extremely clear reasons that I won't go into here otherwise I may bore you all senseless, but if you disagree then you should also vote, that's what living in a democracy is all about. May the best man win.

Next time: Not sure at the moment, but I've been considering a new Lapin for ages now...

Have fun and stay safe,

Mata

PS, did I mention... VOTE!!!!!

New Mr Snaffleburger

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 04:36:17 GMT

Hi all,

It's 5:26am here so I'll keep this short because I want to go to bed!

There's a new Mr Snaffleburger animation online, Mr Snaffleburger Is
Not Real:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/mr_snaffleburger_is_not_real.html

My shop closes this Friday, October 1st 2004, so if there's anything
that you want from there make sure you place your order before then.

http://www.matazone.co.uk/shop

For those of you in the US and who are old enough to vote, don't
forget to register by the October 18th. You can do it quickly and
easily online:

http://www.declareyourself.com
http://www.rockthevote.com

People are dying to defend democracy, so make sure you take part in it.

*yawns* Right, there might have been something more to say, but I
suspect that this really isn't the time of day where I'm going to be
able to recall what it was, so I hope you enjoy the animation!

Night night!

Mata

Next time: Not sure, maybe Mittens, maybe Lapin, maybe something else
altogether. Don't ask me, it's 5:31am.

Everything is going from my shop on Oct 1st 2004

Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:46:23 GMT

Right, everything is going from my shop in October 1st 2004.

It is all being passed on to another business on Oct 1st 2004. If
anyone wants anything from there then go and buy it _now_ or forever
holds your peas.

http://www.matazone.co.uk/shop

I can't hold on to these things any longer than that, this is the end
of my online shop, there will be no more, this is it for the full
foreseeable future. (I've said that in several ways to try and prevent
the usual stream of questions asking if I'll be getting new designs
in, or more sizes... NO! I'm not, it's going completely!!).

It's quite sad to see the end of it, but after nearly three years of
checking it every day, going to the box office, emailing customers to
make sure everything is okay, answering questions... Y'know, I think
I'll be quite pleased to see the back of it! Nah, not really. It's
been lovely to run the shop because it's been a way of keeping in
touch with people who are visiting my site. They've been sent
everywhere from Australia to Canada (the long way around) and many
places in-between.

The support of people buying T-shirts has kept this site running
through the spiralling costs of keeping it online. Donations to my
site are wonderful, and those that give something for nothing are
truly lovely, but it's been the T-shirt buyers that have made up the
bulk of the site's costs. Without it my site wouldn't be here because
I couldn't have afforded it. Simple as that.

So it is a sad moment to see it pass on, but the business that is
taking over the merchandise for me will cover the costs of my site
(and hopefully more) with less of my own time spent on admin. This
means more time for animating, and more time for me to write my PhD
thesis (which I'm very happy about). It also means that there will now
be space for a new bookshelf so I can stop stacking my books two-deep
and on top of each-other. Yay! Exciting times.

Isn't it worrying when I get excited about a new bookshelf? Bah... I'm
really easy to please sometimes.

If you don't get anything you want now then in just over two weeks
time you won't be able to and I won't be able to help you. It's as
simple as that. Currently there are 240 tops of various kinds and
sizes, and a selection of badges left in the shop. Considering that
there are about 1600 people on this mailing list that's only one
T-shirt per six people. They're going to be cosy with that many people
in them!

Anyway, that's it, this is the end of the shop.

As a little update: the painting based on last week's new Little Goth
Girl episode, 'Aftermath', is currently going for £72 on eBay. Bidding
ends this Friday ( 08-Sep-04 15:37:40 BST, I'm pretty sure that's
about when people in the US will be getting up on Friday ) so if you
want it then get bidding!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3747244417

My head is still recovering from making the last animation so expect
it to be a few weeks before anything new... Unless something quick and
easy occurs to be and I decide to work through the night on it (which
is usually how these things get made).

Okay, that's enough blurb from me.

'Hope you're all having fun!

Mata

Little Goth Girl's First Date, AKA Death To Mata's Server!

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 16:02:53 GMT

Yep, it's eventually finished, Little Goth Girl's First Date:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/little_goth_girls_first_date.html

It's 3.5MB, AKA HYOOOOOGE! So it'll take a while to download.

There is also a painting based on the animation to buy on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3747244417

Bid high if you can afford it please!

I can't remember if I mentioned this last time, but my CafePress shop will be shutting down soon so if there's anything you want in there then now's the time to buy it. I'll probably be shutting that in about two or three weeks:

http://www.cafepress.com/othersidestuff

Right, that's it. I'm knackered. This has been far too much like hard work. The next LGG will be back in 2D style, and will be sillier than this one.

Next animation: Hmm... Probably Mr Snaffleburger. We've not had one of those for a while. Then the Halloween one, then I might get around to the next Saumri Lapin at last.

See ya!

Mata

Oops

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 10:42:03 GMT

I completely forgot to update my journal. Sorry!

There's a new animation online, Brother Black Sheep:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/brother_black_sheep.html

Nursery rhymes always end up more like George Orwell in my mind.

Anyway, the new LGG animation is made... But, the soundtrack isn't quite done yet. It will be out within the next two weeks. It's also a ridiculously huge file. Seriously, it's massive, and has taken me months to make. It looks great, and from what I've heard of the score so far, it sounds great too, but oh boy is it going to kill my server!

'Til then, enjoy the sheep!

Oh, and buy stuff from my shop: http://www.matazone.co.uk/shop up to 40% off!

Mata

I'm not dead

Mon, 28 Jun 2004 01:17:57 GMT

Hi all,

This is just a quick note, I've been getting a few messages from people wondering whether I'm still alive. Yes, I'm fine thanks. I submitted my PhD chapter and now I'm about a third of the way through making a new Little Goth Girl animation. It should be ready in a few weeks if all goes to plan. Of course, as soon as it is ready you'll be emailed about it through this list. You never know, I might get take an afternoon off and make a new Skippy animation. We'll see.

I'm completely clearing out my shop, so if you want one of my T-shirts then now's the time to jump in and get one. Many designs are running low and once they're gone they're gone for good! I've put on some final reductions of up to 40%, with many long sleeve tops 25% off or more. You'll need a PayPal account to buy from it, but you can apply for that when you get to the shopping cart stage, follow the instructions on-screen carefully and you'll be fine! ... And don't forget the rather fab badges on there too.

http://www.matazone.co.uk/shop

This week I was up at the MTV2 Europe headquarters in Camden, London, and I re-recorded the voiceovers for four of my Mr Snaffleburger animations, so keep an eye out for them in a few week's time. I was also in The World's End pub afterwards and randomly met a couple of people who knew my animations (hi if you're reading this)... It's a surreal feeling when that happens... Anyway, if you like my stuff being on MTV2 Europe and want them to know this then go nag them on the MTV2 message boards http://mtv2europe.com/mtv2europe.com/messageboards/index.jhtml . I know for a fact that they do read them, so a few 'We want more Mr Snaffleburger and Little Goth Girl' posts wouldn't do any harm ;) Sorry to anyone in the US and the rest of the world, the TV versions are currently only for MTV2 Europe, but I'm hoping that one day they'll get over to your side of the pond/planet too.

That's enough yammering on from me.

'Til next time, don't kill people,

Mata
http://www.matazone.co.uk

New shop with 15% off and badges!

Mon, 19 Apr 2004 17:39:30 GMT

I've eventually got the new shop online. Hurrah!

I'm clearing out _everything_ so if you don't buy it now it might not be there next time. Big things are afoot in the world of Matazone merchandise....

There's a sale on with 15% off of all adult T-shirts and tops in the shop. Double hurrah!

If you've bought a T-shirt from me before then you make yourself an account and write a review of it in the new system.

And...

The semi-mythical Matazone badges are now available to buy in there too.

http://www.matazone.co.uk/shop

Of course, it's a bit of a shame that it's taken so long to get a decent shop system sorted out and it only happens when I'm closing down the shop, but at least the last few people get a nice and easy transaction.

*collapses in a heap from the work of sorting it all out*

New game!

Fri, 19 Mar 2004 04:39:34 GMT

Night of the Zombie Kitties!

The link is active on the main page now;

http://www.matazone.co.uk

(if you can't see the link then hit 'refresh' in you browser)

Hold the left button to power up the shot, release it to cry havok let slip the dogs of war.

You would not believe how long it has taken to make this game. I thought it would be simple, oooooooh nooooooo. I was wrong. It's taken around a month to program. It's got lovely high score tables for each of the difficulty settings too, which is rather nice (and were a pain in the posterior to get working).

It could be a little while before my next update. Regulars of my site may know that I'm also doing a PhD, and as much as I love slogging my guts out making new content and animations for The Other Side, I would like even more to someday finish my thesis and pass the course. Currently I've got a big deadline coming up in a couple of months so I'm going to be working a lot on my thesis and not so much on here. Sorry, but that's the way it goes. I've got to have a life sometime you know!

Next time will probably be a new Little Goth Girl animation, so everyone who's been writing asking for one of them can stop it now! I've also got plans for the next Samuri Lapin, which gets made next depends on which script matures faster (it takes time to get these things right, and I do actually consider a lot of things when I'm writing).

Okay, enough reading, go play the game!

As usual, if you want to help keep my site running please buy a T-shirt from my shop, if you can't afford to do that then the next best thing is to tell everyone you know about my site and maybe one of them will be able to help me cover the costs... Or do both!

Take care until next time, see you on the high score tables,

Mata

I do you know

Fri, 12 Mar 2004 00:11:09 GMT

I know, it's not a new thing on my site, but if you trust the BBC more than you trust your politicians then I think a show of solidarity is worthwhile. If you agree then please follow the link and get the code to add this to your own journal.

New Mittens and Snowdrop!

Thu, 19 Feb 2004 13:58:10 GMT

I decided last night that it's about time I stopped spending a month or two making a single animation and got things back to basics. It's all well and good getting production studio standard results, but spending that long on something can really dull your senses as to whether it's any good or not.

So.

Here's the most basic animation I have ever made in my life. And that
includes the occasional banner and animated .gif , the links are on
the main page:

http://www.matazone.co.uk

Next time: Maybe Samuri Lapin, maybe a game... Maybe something else. I'm really busy so it might be a bit of a gap before the next update. Maybe.

I really have no idea...

New Mr Sb

Tue, 03 Feb 2004 10:46:33 GMT

There's a new Mr Snaffleburger animation up now, set on a beautiful tropical island. Hurrah!

http://www.matazone.co.uk

I would type more but I didn't get much sleep last night... *yawn*

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 21:30:07 GMT

Hi all,

Yes, I'm still working on the new Mr Snaffleburger animation, but this idea occured to me yesterday and I really wanted to make it:

1024x764 format:
http://www.matazone.co.uk/christmas_animation_2003_innocence.html

800x600 format:
http://www.matazone.co.uk/christmas_animation_2003_innocence_big.html

And in case those links don't work the links are now active on the main page:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/theotherside.html

I try to avoid getting too bogged down in the terminology of Christmas, I'm not Christian myself and so I don't like to impose it on others if they don't wish for it, but I've got to be a bit practical and be aware that at this time of year people do type in 'Christmas' into search engines!

Another thing for you to have a play with is linked to from the main page. I was asked to make a game for Channel 4's (the British TV station's) website in return for a few month's rent. Hurrah! A roof over my head in return for making a silly game about getting very drunk indeed. There's a link up from my main page to it.

Also new on the main page is a link to the results from the Halloween costume competition with photos of the top entries.

Whatever you believe, have a great time over the next few weeks,

Mata

What is The Matrix Drinking Game?

Wed, 03 Dec 2003 23:13:51 GMT

Hi all,

Well, since the new Mr Snaffleburger animation is still only half finsihed (I've been busy earning a living) here's a little something to keep those of you old enough to drink amused:

http://www.matazone.co.uk/what-is-the-matrix-drinking-game.html

[in case, like last time, that URL is too long, there's also a link on the main page http://www.matazone.co.uk , if you don't see it then click 'refresh' on your browser]

While I'm here, I might as well remind you of the last posting dates for T-shirt orders from my shop:
USA/Canada/Japan, 10th December
UK, 18th December
Europe, 12th December
Rest of the world, 5th December

So, that's less than a week for those of you in the US. Please don't leave things to the last minute and don't forget to click the 'add shipping' button! Thanks!

Right, I'm off to keep on working!

Take care all,

Mata
http://www.matazone.co.uk

One week T-shirt sale - ends 7th November!

Fri, 31 Oct 2003 18:14:42 GMT

Hi all,

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, or all-hallows night, or Samhain... or Friday...

The Other Side is now two years old today-ish, to celebrate there's a sale on in my on-site T-shirt shop until 7th November, it's your last chance for sale prices before Christmas! Everything is reduced...

http://www.matazone.co.uk/tshirts.htm

Next animation: probably Mr Snaffleburger, _maybe_ Little Goth Girl, maybe a game I've been working on... I've got a lot of plans, it's nice to know there are people out there waiting to see what I make next!

See you all, have a fun and safe night!

Mata
http://www.matazone.co.uk

New Halloween animation - The Ventriloquist

Fri, 24 Oct 2003 12:47:49 GMT

Hi all,

Long time no post!

Those of you who've been visiting for a while or who've seen
everything on my site may remember 'The Clown Killer', the halloween animation I made last year to celebrate my site's one year anniversary. Well, I rather liked the idea and so here's my new one, The Ventriloquist:

800x600 screens
http://www.matazone.co.uk/halloween_special_2003_the_ventriloquist.html

1024x764 screens
http://www.matazone.co.uk/halloween_special_2003_the_ventriloquistbig.html

Don't forget that there is also the costume competition to in a free t-shirt, the link to the rules are on the main page. I look forward to seeing your entries! And for those who are feeling creative, yes, if you make more than one costume you can enter more than once.

Until next time...

See ya!

Mata

http://www.matazone.co.uk/theotherside.html

Win a free T-shirt!

Sun, 12 Oct 2003 22:13:30 GMT

Hiya,

It's been a while since there's bee activity on my site, but I've moved house/submitted a PhD chapter etc. so things can get back on track!

I'm just starting work on a new animation, The Other Side has a whole new look AND I've put up a new competition for Halloween.

You can check it all out from the link on the main page:

http://www.matazone.co.uk

(Yep, notice the new short URL to get you to the same The Other Side page, it just forwards you to the longer version but it makes it easier to pass on to people.)

The competition is for you to email in photos of yourselves dressed up as characters from The Other Side animations. Have fun!

There'll be a new animation online soon, thanks for your patience while I've been sorting my life out.

More updates coming in the next few weeks!

Mata

A new funny pictures gallery

Wed, 10 Sep 2003 11:48:39 GMT

Hi all,

My personal life is very hectic at the moment, I'm desperately trying to move house, write a PhD and get a job that will pay my rent (yes, the money from t-shirts really does go on keeping the site online!).

I've got a great idea for my next animation but since I don't have time to make it at the moment here's a collection of pics I've made over the last year instead...

http://www.matazone.co.uk/imagegallery.html

The UK people from my forums ( http://www.matazone.co.uk/forums )and I organised a get togther last weekend, 'Mata Meet', and that was great fun. It was nice to meet loads of the UK people and a very lovely bunch they are too. Plans for the next one are already going ahead! Next time I've insisted it's going to be in Winchester :) We'll probably be doing it around January or February time so if you'd like to come along join up on the boards to find out more.

'Hope you're all having more restful times than me!

Mata