About the Artist
How did you hear about Citizens for Global Solutions Flash Contest?
By accident! I like to keep up on what people are doing in Flash, and
happened upon your site as the result of a general Google search for
Flash work
Was this your first Flash piece? How did you first learn Flash?
This is not my first flash piece. I am completely self taught. I
seem to remember that someone needed a dancing leprechaun for something
(don't we all) and I jumped on the opportunity. That had to be the
ugliest animation you've ever seen. A lot of my education has simply
been learning by doing, creating e-vites, announcements, etc. when the
opportunity presents itself and experimenting along the way.
How did you choose your topic –OR- Why is your topic important to you?
I chose this topic really because of this year's contest theme--Think
globally, act locally. Global warming is something that anyone can
impact with simple actions in daily life, and it is amazing to realize
just how big a difference one person can make just by making simple
choices.
Before the contest, did you consider yourself fairly knowledgeable
about global issues? Has this contest opened your eyes in any way?
I consider myself fairly knowledgable about global issues, and I do make an effort to educate myself.
However, in really digging for ways to fight global warming to include
in this piece, I was surprised to find out how big a "footprint" I
personally am leaving. It's such a simple thing, but I am now acutely
aware of things that I would normally do without thinking like leaving
the computer on overnight, or walking out of the house with several
lights left on.
Did you have any weird, funny, horrible, or in some other way
memorable moments during the making of your Flash piece for this
contest?
I think that I have experienced all of the above in working on this
project, but getting the action script in the diving segments to work
was the biggest challenge. That said, when I reached the point where
everything worked, it was a fantastic moment. The million other moments
when I realized it didn't work? Well, those were pretty horrible.
One thing I did realize in testing the movie is that it is very
appealing to cats. One of my cats loved to chase the diving penguins on
the screen during previews. It's cute the first couple of times. After
that, not so much.
Honestly, the whole project was fun to work on--especially developing
the characters. I think penguins are funny in any situation, and I am
already thinking ahead to a sequel to this piece.
Any last words/Anything else you’d like for us and the flash viewers to know?
I guess if there is anything that I would like people to take from this
piece, it's that you really can make an impact on global warming, and
it requires a minimal effort. My goal also is to approach a serious
issue from a positive angle. Yes, it's a huge problem.
Everyone knows that. However, instead of gloom and dooming about it,
start small. Drive less. Turn off your computer when you aren't using
it. Change a lightbulb. Whatever you do, it makes a difference.
Dive in!
