David Freedman

Valentines Day is Lamingtines Day

2012-02-14T17:23:00.002Z

In LA for a few meetings and some tacos.

2012-02-11T15:28:00.003Z

New York has the Statue of Liberty, Malibu has this guy. No contest.

Kidscreen fun

2012-02-11T15:19:00.008Z

I was just in New York for Kidscreen where I ran a mentor table (when did I become old enough to mentor anyone?) and spoke of the various pet peeves of both creatives and execs, which often overlap. Good fun and some wonderful new contacts. Much talk about Lamington, which I wasn't planning to talk about, but did... and looks like he'll be shifting up a notch sooner than later in his quiet sad quest for licensing world domination.

Cute. But no Barry White

2012-02-05T21:03:00.003Z

We used to have Barry White 'oh yeah' type of music playing over this scene. And so we had to come up with something different, and Eric Reinwart, our composer came up with many different things, and none of them made us laugh as much as the Barry White stuff... until this one.

A belated Lucky Fred Xmas Card, because I only just found it.

2012-02-05T21:00:00.002Z

I was sifting through some old emails and found this while I was away. Cute. Can't wait for the show to come on the air. Soon, apparantly very soon on Disney XD.

2012-02-03T06:28:00.000Z

Sad. I've been with Monteiro Rose Agency now for 15 years now and Candy was my first agent. Candy was amazing, inspiring and she taught me calm. She took on me and Alan Gilbey way back when despite us being totally inexperienced in TV, and in the wrong country. She showed us the way and invested in us. A lot. When Candy believed in a client, she believed with all her heart. She raised us from pups. I have wonderful memories and lessons learned (she gave sage, SAGE, advice) and I will always have deep gratitude for her unwavering belief. A very sad loss.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118049671

Zoe, er I mean Samantha to star in Les Mis

2012-02-01T21:48:00.003Z

Our Zoe, from Groove High just got cast to play Eponine in the upcoming movie adaptation of Les Miserables.

We knew when we were filming in Ireland that she got the call to audition, (she played the part in the West End) and we all know she's gorgeous and can belt out a tune... and in fact hardly ever stops singing, and quite frankly she's one of the hardest working gals in showbiz, so... it's no surprise.

So congratulations Zoe, er... I mean Sam. See you on the big screen. And of course on the small screen on Disney Channel this spring. We're all dang proud.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/159707/samantha-barks-not-taylor-swift-to-play-eponine-in-les-miserables-movie-musical/

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/01/samantha-barks-les-mis/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/01/samantha-barks-les-mis/

Forking heck.

2011-12-13T21:57:00.004Z

Nice little article on Lamington in Total Licensing UK.

2011-12-12T09:55:00.002Z

I scanned the clipping, but can I find a link to the article online? No. Oh well. It's nice to know the little puppy is generating some ink... on real paper!

Bullseye

2011-12-06T01:05:00.004Z

When James Hutchinson and I set out to make Lamington, we felt it was best aimed at teen girls. In fact, we felt that he was the Rob Pattinson of puppies.

He's just started to spread on Facebook. And the stats show a near perfect bullseye. The circled bit is girls aged 13 - 17.

Lamington would be proud, if only he knew what that emotion was.

A superb storyboard artist, animator, revolutionary.

2011-11-25T13:04:00.004Z

Well he looks like a revolutionary, but he's not. Stefan is a fabulous storyboard artist and one of the reasons Groove High is so groovy.

Why the beard? Not Movember, this started a while back. Stefan is simply protesting the lack of government in Belgium by not shaving until they form a new government. It's a popular protest and apparantly much of Belgium look like this now.

Simon Bullen - Groove High editing marathon

2011-11-12T11:16:00.001Z

What? It can't be. All the offlines finished?! All to time? Simon Bullen super editor. Those weren't long days... Just short nights. Simon. Are you ok Simon? What's that? You've lost the ability to blink?

Me and the Missus Make a Cameo in Groove High

2011-11-11T19:00:00.002Z

Editing in Ireland.

2011-11-11T18:50:00.003Z

Just look at that. Sunshine in Ireland! You know why it's sunny? Because there's only one episode left to edit on the live action part of Groove High. It's sunny outside and deep inside my soul.

See that intense look in my eye? That's me trying to think of how I'm going to trim 2 hours out of what's meant to be a 20 minute episode. Ok, 3 minutes, but it can sometimes feel like more. I'm sure we'll do it. We always do, and ironically once you cut something, you might miss it, but you never actually want to put it back. When it's gone, it's gone.

See that pub behind me? That's where a pint of Guiness is being poured now, in anticipation of us finishing the last offline and getting it up on the ftp to Disney.

And tomorrow it's back on a plane to London. Life is good.

The last bit from the first season.

2011-11-05T03:24:00.004Z

There's a fine line between corny and sentimental. Johnny played the final moment without the dialogue.

No words needed. Less is often more.

And the crew from Telegael. A Craic team!

2011-11-05T03:20:00.004Z

I can't thank the cast and crew enough, so I shall continue to do so.

You all made the impossible, possible... and funny! Thanks again.

More Groove High. Sam as a fairy princess, Tom as an angry elf

2011-11-05T03:17:00.003Z

And some more pics from Groove High shoot in Ireland.

2011-11-05T03:14:00.003Z

Some more pics from the Groove High live action shoot in Ireland.

2011-11-05T03:09:00.005Z

Sunday In The Recording Studio With Sam Barks

2011-11-04T14:06:00.011Z

Working on a Sunday, but a fun Sunday. Doing ADR with the lovely Samantha Barks. That's a picture of her in the booth as taken from the monitor. We sort of direct ala cctv.

She's a super duper pro and handled the lip sync with ease.

ADR (additional dialogue record) is an art unto itself and she sailed through 2 days work in a day; a Sunday no less!!

We're now in the home stretch on Groove High and I think I can actually see the finish line.

music is getting groovy on Groove High

2011-09-25T16:17:00.003+01:00

And now we're up to the music in Groove High. Hello Belgium! This is the lovely talented Eric Reinwart, as we finish the music on Ep001. This guy knows his way around a guitar, and there's about a dozen to choose from in his studio. Could he be the real Tom Mason? Or the Belgian Tom Mason? I think so.

A quick fun clip from Groove High.

2011-09-11T23:13:00.008+01:00

The Pot Of Gold At The End Of The Rainbow

2011-08-27T09:23:00.003+01:00

This is what I do for a living.

2011-08-24T20:15:00.004+01:00

James Phillips was secretly filming me pointing that crazy red pen at the other actors.

Yes, this is what I do for a living.

Hollywood

2011-08-21T11:42:00.002+01:00

Whenever I go to Los Angeles I always go to two places, Duck Soup book shop and Fred Segal. I buy too many books at Book Soup and usually one very nice thing for my wife at Fred Segal. (it's a painfully trendy clothes and gifts store). It's a bit like Harvey Nichols over here. Pricey and trendy.

To my amazement... Fred Segal had LAMINGTON CARDS ON SALE in their super trendy card section!!!!

I now officially LOVE Fred Segal and I watched someone far richer and trendier than I could ever hope to be, actually buy one. I complimented her on her botox and her taste in cards.

The Cast Of Escape Hockey

2011-08-21T00:57:00.006+01:00

It's fast, it's furious, it's also fun. Here's the cast of Escape Hockey along with the directors and producer outside Tamborine in Soho. I'm voice director and somehow I've been cast as a idiotic fat clone and a even stupider monster with dubious hygiene. Typecast again.

Another one from the cutting room floor

2011-08-04T20:03:00.003+01:00

Damned gets another nod.

2011-07-19T18:45:00.007+01:00

Richard Phelan's gorgeous film 'Damned' just got Honourable Mention in the Curtinhas Competition at the Vila do Conde International Film Festival. This means two things, it means yet another notch on the bedpost of a very fine film, and I now know where Vila do Conde is.

I have a credit on that film somewhere. Can't wait to get to a fest myself to watch it up on the big screen.

Damned Trailer from Richard Phelan on Vimeo.

More things from the cutting room floor.

2011-07-19T13:57:00.005+01:00

Is that a foot?

Cutting Room Floor

2011-07-18T17:51:00.002+01:00

Sometimes you just know you should cut a frame before sending it in to Disney. Nothing rude here, but then again, it's just not right either. Great drawing but too flirty I think.

One of the many reasons I like to work in France.

2011-07-11T00:04:00.002+01:00

Now this is a salad!

Me at work.

2011-07-10T23:53:00.006+01:00

Comedy can be such a serious business, or so it would seem from this pic of me, Giles, Brandan, and Javier. What the heck are we all talking about there? Either I'm directing something very specific on Escape Hockey... or we're ordering lunch.

I love directing voice and I always throw in the odd voice to every show I've ever made, but for this one I was actually cast to play two lead parts of two insane monsters. One is an idiot (typecasting) and the other is stupider than the idiot (should I take a hint here) and forever eating whatever is in his path, including people, air fresheners, younameit. Good fun. Lunch was good too.

Pacing myself.

2011-07-10T23:41:00.007+01:00

I'm in a crazy crunch at the moment on a rewrite. Wonderful project, but I've got to nail no less than 10 pages a day. No pressure then. But I need to pace myself or Act III will be rushed. So that means the dog gets a few extra walks beyond the daily minimum. He gets me away from the machine from time to time. So I can empty my head and daydream for a moment, but not for too long. Some writers invade the fridge, others own dogs. Well, this is why I own a dog, and this is the woods we walk through on our break.

Picture taken yesterday morning.

Duke tells Zoe to shhh...

2011-06-20T13:46:00.003+01:00

Groove High is looking good. Love this shot of Zoe.

Groove High - Crew Photo

2011-06-07T15:55:00.003+01:00

Stefan Vermeulan, our head of boards had to leave the show for a film that he's been delaying for ages.

He's been on GH for a very long time, and all were sad for him to leave. As was he... but short films and Oscar nominations beckon.

This team photo was part of his farewell... amazing how we all look like the cast from GH and yet we all look the same. We're all growing into the show.

Lamington for sale on Amazon.

2011-05-30T09:19:00.003+01:00

Not sure who buys cards over the internet... apparantly lots and lots of people do this.

Well, if you're one of those people... or want to be just like them, only cooler, then hop over to Amazon, and order a clutch of Lamington cards. Keep 'em in your cupboard and send when there's an occasion.

Or just order 'em and put them up on the wall. And take down that 'hang in there till monday poster'.

Lucky Fred coming to Disney Channel in the Autumn.

2011-05-30T09:16:00.003+01:00

Just had a sneak peek of the new series of Lucky Fred, for which I did casting and voice direction (and the odd voice). Oooh, it's looking very cool indeed. Well done Imira.

The to do list.

2011-05-28T22:37:00.002+01:00

This was my work to do list for today. Some nutty notes in there. How often does one have to make the cow sound less mysterious and more forthright. And that's what I love about this biz.

Some fun roughs of Zoe in various dance poses.

2011-05-25T10:18:00.003+01:00

These are fun. Rough doodle in corner. Key art to send O'seas as main bit. All created by the very talented Heidi Packalen.

A cozy and busy day at the home office.

2011-05-22T23:55:00.003+01:00

Stuart, Andreas and Simon and me in there somewhere. A cozy day at the home office.

Samantha Barks sings The Cow Of Love

2011-05-22T23:40:00.003+01:00

It's not every day you get to sing with the great Samantha Barks. And I didn't. There's no point in my warbling voice messing anything up.

I'll do the jokes. She can do the high notes. Always a pleasure. Looking forward to the live action... and soup. Oh the soup in Ireland. I dream about it! Showbiz is great, but when the soup's good... everything's good.

Lamington sales report in.

2011-05-21T14:28:00.004+01:00

So, for some reason, this card, with Lamington stuck in a rocketship ... this one seems to sell more than any other. What's so cool about that, was the prototype for the card was actually a handmade one I made for my daughter on her 10th birthday. We tweaked it a bit... and voila a Lamington card.

Will Lamington ever get home? Does he really care? I'll bet he likes the peace and quiet up there.

Anyhow, thanks for your support. If you keep loving him, we'll keep making them.

2011-05-21T14:23:00.002+01:00

We're getting ready for phase II of Lamington cards already. Hoping to get new cards in the shops in the autumn.

The current cards are doing well and we've just launched in the USA, so things are looking up for our sad little puppy.

If you can't find them in a shop near you, tell your local store to stock 'em. And make big eyes when you ask.

2011-05-15T22:08:00.004+01:00

Samantha Barks can sing anything and make it sound amazing. Here's proof. Chris Bemand, Stuart Evans and myself penned a little ditty for Groove High. When Zoe falls in love, she goes on a musical journey of well... a flight of fancy on the Cow Of Love. This is what happens when we don't have a design of a Unicorn, but there's a cow handy. I'm now officially glad we had no unicorn design.

2011-05-12T14:23:00.000+01:00

2011-05-12T11:07:00.000+01:00

2011-05-10T22:55:00.002+01:00

2011-05-10T22:54:00.002+01:00

2011-05-06T13:58:00.005+01:00

Coco in a bit of random bit of non-imitatable behaviour from Groove High. Thankfully they no longer sell medieval weapons at the mall. Jean Texier, board artist.

2011-05-06T09:13:00.002+01:00

Well, we've juuuuuuuuuuuust about recorded the last episode of Groove High. Doing this one with all the actor's separately due to availability. Dang, it's really sad when you hit the last episode. Here's a pic of Beth who plays Coco and Iris (and a zillion other voices) taken over the monitor.

2011-05-06T09:12:00.000+01:00

2011-05-06T09:10:00.000+01:00

2011-05-06T09:08:00.000+01:00

2011-05-06T09:07:00.002+01:00

2011-05-06T09:06:00.000+01:00

2011-04-25T22:40:00.007+01:00

2011-04-20T17:43:00.003+01:00

Another gem from Tex. Aka Jean Texier. Someone just walked in.

2011-04-19T11:53:00.004+01:00

And today's storyboard frame of the day goes to Fanny, who quite simply draws funny. She could draw a circle and it would be a funny circle. Her line is crisp and clean and if she wasn't so good at boards, she'd probably be a New Yorker cartoonist. Maybe one day she will be.

2011-03-29T21:07:00.003+01:00

Ah, the milk nose game. Take one glass of milk and hold it in your face until it comes flying out of your nose. Another bit of animation in from overseas. From Jetoons. It's starting to really come together nicely.

2011-03-24T11:22:00.002Z

2011-03-24T11:19:00.003Z

2011-03-18T11:14:00.002Z

2011-03-15T20:43:00.003Z

Bruce Lee joue au ping pong avec un nunchaku !!! by Meilleur17

Really, I ask you... does it get any better than this? Never mind the lost Abbey Road tapes, this is the coolest thing ever seen. Is it real? I think so.

2011-03-11T16:49:00.002Z

Not very often but once in a while, usually when Stuart's on a board, we have some animals talk. This is two cows commenting on something Duke just said. Trust me, it's a lovely stupid joke. The stupider the better, when it comes to jokes with talking animals, I feel. Very pleased that Disney let this gag through. Look at those girls. Ahh...

2011-03-09T08:52:00.003Z

Back in the U.K. I'm like a yo-yo on that Eurostar. I'm now on first name terms with the gendarme. The show is going from strength to strength. Here's just a normal, regular panel by I think Fanny on the UK team. Simple, simple, but lovely acting, even in such a simple moment. Sometimes I wish we could just animate fully the animatics, you know, black and white and scrappy, but oh the lovely energy in the hand drawings. Almost a shame to go to Flash.

2011-03-06T22:33:00.008Z

Ok, Richard, the plugging starts now!

I'm proud to blog that Richard Phelan's brilliant film 'DAMNED' is finally finished and will be playing at various cinemas and festivals around the globe this year.

Please support this film... and if you're on the jury, well please vote for it. (It doesn't hurt to ask, right?) It's a gem of a project and I feel privileged to have helped out in some small way. I am, after all quite small.

No it's not about Dante's inferno... it's about a Beaver's Dam... and life, and human nature, even though there are no humans in it, and, and ... it's layered and lovely. Like a cake. Try to catch it at an animation festival near you.

Well done to Richard and the whole crew.

2011-03-06T22:25:00.006Z

Jules, Rupert, Liz, Rupert and Paul did a scene where Liz's character dresses up as Steve Steele (sort of an Iron Man hero guy) and Paul is the robot that has transformed into the suit of armour (it's a weird show) to fool Fred's friend, and well... it'll all make sense when it's animated. But it makes no sense when you listen (I've been reviewing audio edits today) and as little as it makes sense, it cracked me up. This is good. There's a saying that if you listen to a cartoon and it makes no sense without picture, then it's on it's way to being a great cartoon. A radio play that works without the pictures, means the toon isn't working hard enough. Show don't tell as they say in the biz. Anyhow, I tried to upload the audio clip but blogger won't let me. Shame. Here's a picture of the video screen from our last day of records. Bring on season II.

2011-03-03T22:36:00.002Z

Forks fly at a tree and miss Tom by a fraction all around his body. And he gingerly extricates himself from that postion. This one drawn by me.

2011-03-01T07:46:00.003Z

Website is under construction. Rome wasn't built in a day. That's due to mostly to Roman builders sleeping late, but you know... these things take time.

2011-02-27T22:35:00.002Z

I have been down all weekend. Like I’m missing a tooth. Or hair. Yeah, that’s it. Body hair. I’m feeling a dreadful chill and can’t figure out why I’m so miserable. Part of what made last year so special has come to an end. Voice directing on Lucky Fred. The first 52 eps has come to an end.

It’s been some of the greatest fun I’ve ever had, and the dynamic and energy of all involved has been inspiring. What a cast!!!! Rupert, Paul, Lizzy, Beth and last but not least Jules, playing the sweetest girl in toons since Snow White. Everyone raised their game. Everyone gave that little bit extra. Everyone got a real buzz from working those scripts. What energy and what a joy. I'd like to thank everyone in the cast of course, and Tamborine absolutely (who made it all seem effortless) and Disney and Imira and Evan Gore for trusting me and the gang with their baby.

2011-02-24T08:13:00.003Z

As we merrily roll along on Groove High, we fix the odd line, or tweak this or that, to make it funnier, more dramatic, whatever... so we record a bit of scratch track. Sometimes I actually make the effort to try and 'be' the character on screen, and sometimes I just go for the best read. This WILL be great and dramatic, when the real ActRESS does her stuff in ADR. But for now, it's just funny... for all the wrong reasons. Enjoy.

2011-02-24T08:07:00.002Z

Ok, today's panel of the day comes from Jean Texier, or Tex as he's not known to anyone but me, because I struggle to pronounce Texier with a proper French accent. There's something effortless in his line; a bit Calvin and Hobbes. And as loose as it all is - it's as if the pen never leaves the paper - all the info needed is there.

2011-02-21T17:25:00.002Z

Sometimes you just come across a panel that's too good not to share. The Baz is feeling a bit queasy by something someone said. Drawn by the the oh so talented Andreas Von Andrian.

2011-02-18T10:00:00.000Z

Ah Herbert Lom. How inspiring you are for a certain character in our series.

2011-02-16T10:38:00.003Z

Look, it's the very first scene. Not noted, not finished, but you know... it's animated. Nice feeling. Onwards ever onwards.

2011-02-14T23:43:00.003Z

The move into the new office took next to no time at all. We now officially have room to swing a cat. Even the dog is swingable... although, he was very uncooperative in the experiment. The bits are coming together, and this big black bubble is the new chalkboard, so we can keep track of everything.

2011-02-14T23:41:00.000Z

2011-01-30T18:57:00.003Z

Look who we bumped into at the premiere for Gnomeo & Juliet. Omg as the kids would say. The film was clever, clever, clever and hysterically funny. Oh and adorable.

Big big thanks to E1 Entertainment for the invite. Congrats to Kevin and Andy on that script. Clever.

2011-01-30T18:55:00.001Z

2011-01-25T17:25:00.002Z

I just liked this. Saw it on the street taped up on a window in Lille. Gorgeous. Simple. Inspiring.

2011-01-25T10:21:00.003Z

We built a massive great big snowman in front of the house. And now, this is all that's left of him.

2011-01-24T00:26:00.004Z

Lamington, the saddest puppy in the world, TM is coming soon to a shop near you.

The cards are with Full Colour Black. The link is for trade customers buying in bulk.

Next stop. Clothes.

2011-01-24T00:22:00.002Z

This is an Acidna drawn by my seven year old. I think the heart is especially inspired. Wow. Wish I could draw like this.

2011-01-23T23:38:00.006Z

A bit of a fun clip from animatic of Groove High. Boarded by the talented and always funny Stuart Evans. It was more graphic before... but it's still fun. I even like it more this way, because you have no clue what the heck just happened. Previously it shot from her nose. Now, it's a mystery... and gross(er?). Milk!

2011-01-23T23:33:00.004Z

This is what happens when you become a brit. Egg and cress sandwiches, beer and good friends. Never has so much been owed to one person by so many, or something like that. Thanks. Or rather cheers.

2011-01-23T23:31:00.002Z

2011-01-23T23:10:00.003Z

Another day another talented comedy talent. Rasmus Hardiker, is going to be the next big thAng! Check out the trailer for Your Highness on Youtube. He's also a very nice guy. Once the Hollywood parties kick in, he might be less nice, but for now... you couldn't work with a nicer dude. He plays several parts in Groove High. Guys, girls, dogs, and a cloud. Yes, a cloud.

2011-01-23T13:04:00.001Z

Ras Hardiker as the Scottish diva in training, Sasha... from the upcoming Groove High. This snippet hit the cutting room floor. It's cute, but ... well... it lives in cyberspace now. Sorry Ras.

2011-01-23T12:56:00.003Z

Liz Sankey and a Lamington mug. What a coincidence. How'd she get one of those? When I have some spare time (hahahaha... oh that's a good one) I'll update this entry. Liz is one half of Summer Camp, the alarmly cool and trendy - and just signed to a major record deal - new band ... and she also happens to grace Lucky Fred with her one of her other wicked talents... which is comic acting and voice work. I've worked now with Lizzie for a few years on various things, but this is her first leading role (and she plays lots of other parts too) as Agent Brains, Fred's best friend and yes, secret agent! Cool, trendy, and funny. How does Liz do it?!

2011-01-23T12:48:00.004Z

Paul Kaye, shamelessly plugging Lamington. He plays Friday, in Lucky Fred, the fantastically powered-can-do-almost-anything robot. Aka, the Annhilator Nine Oh Nine Oh Niner. There is more insane energy in Paul's little finger than most actors have in their whole body... well, maybe their thumb. What I'm trying to say is Paul brings an edgy frenzied energy to every part he plays and you can feel that voice stick to the tape! He's currently appearing in Mathilda up in Stratford with the RSC. If you haven't seen it yet, don't walk... run. Or drive. It's a bit far up the M40. And most definitely worth the trip. The music is by Tim Minchin and the kids are just too dang talented.

2011-01-23T12:39:00.004Z

This is the talented Rupert Degas - Man of 2000 Voices - feeling all warm and fuzzy because he's been given a Lamington Mug at the last session of Lucky Fred recordings, on a bank holiday all the actors came in and we did what I think is our penultimate penultimate session for Lucky Fred. Dang, I'm going to miss this show. The energy of the group is fantastic and the scripts have gotten better and better every step of the way, which just encourages us to push ourselves more as well. Basically, it's been a lot of fun. Rupert plays 'Fred', the kid who uses a top secret military war machine to essentially cheat on everything from homework to romance and all things in between.

2010-11-13T17:46:00.003Z

My son is learning about Bodicca. Please note the cool spikes on the wheels. She's one tough lady. She liked green and so does my son. She had orange hair. My son does not. Rock on Bodicca!!!

2010-11-08T10:09:00.003Z

2010-11-07T23:47:00.003Z

Am currently working back and forth to Lille and the good people of Planet Nemo found me a lovely warm flat with a cat who likes to visit me and watch me cook. The handsome and rather intense Pimboli. He gives good guilt, scratches at the window pane and stares. Oh how he stares. I dare not make fish. He'd probably smash through the glass.

2010-11-07T23:46:00.000Z

2010-11-07T23:45:00.000Z

2010-11-07T23:44:00.000Z

2010-11-07T23:38:00.004Z

Nothing quite like a long weekend. A visit to the museum in Lille. The Beaux Arts is really a curator's dream. Vast spaces and a varied collection to mix and match. Clearly they have fun hanging pictures in ways that make each room like a game of 'spot the similarities'. Some of the connections between various pieces in a room are a bit oblique. (I think one room was just linked by various artists rendering of cloth.) Other times, like this copy of a Jordeans painting by Vangogh, its a bit more obvious.

2010-11-02T22:04:00.002Z

Halloween. We went as NHS budget cuts.

2010-11-02T22:03:00.000Z