A few years ago... Myself and Joe Outterside/Xenon (creator of "OMG", "We Hate It When" - Not 4chan Xenon) were playing around with the concept of possibly putting together another large-scale flash community project. Though we didn't want to resort similar, same old concepts... Sadly it seemed like everything had been done and the idea was scrapped.

These past few years it's felt like there's been somewhat of a decline in flash community projects. And in all honesty this is somewhat upsetting. The reason I love this website so much is mainly to do with the tight bonds artists share and how well they could work together regardless of how far away they live from each other. That's something special, something that I don't think many people can appreciate.

Though these past 2 years, it almost feels like these artistic bonds have been withering away, you might not see it... But through my current perspective, I certainly do.

In early 2007, I was even contacted by a group in Georgia who were conducting research on the topic of "Online Collaboration in Artistic Communities". I was talking them for almost an hour about the subject; they found my information vital to their research.

Links to interview - Interesting listen if you have an hour free:
Part 1 - http://www.sheezyart.com/view/1096654/

Part 2 - http://www.sheezyart.com/view/1096690/

Recently, on a Skype conversation with Xenon and myself this became our topic of discussion. Through this chat, we came up with an interesting concept for a mass Newgrounds collaboration. One that not only sounded like it would be a good laugh for those involved, but would most probably come to be a remarkable edition to the portal and the history of Newgrounds. Plus it would provide artists with tons of nostalgia.

So what is the concept?

Well, its structure is similar to that of previous musical collaborations, but it's based on a very specific topic.

Newgrounds History.

A collaboration completely based on the history of Newgrounds, in musical format.

A completely original song that's being developed by myself and others, which will document the events from 2004 - late 2007 (We thought about going back further, but the songs already long enough in this small time span).

Possible Musician at this point:
http://fox.amoore.sheezyart.com/ - Fox Amoore

Possible vocalist at this point:
http://www.sheezyart.com/view/1331086/
- Insane Kenny

The tune will be similar to Billy Joel's - "We Didn't Start the Fire".

Listen to the song here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pWwUkP OoHM

Basically picture a somewhat similar version of this song, then overlay lyrics like this in your head.

An example from the 2004 section of the song:

"John and Richie
Flash Bros
L F
Pic-on-jo
Luis
Stamper
David Firth

Sick Death Fiend... (This would be said like "Marilyn Munroe" in the original song)

Pico comes guns'a'blazin!
Mind Chamber, quite amazing

Adam Phillips, raised the bar
Probably a bit too far

TSAH
Burnt Face Man
Fallen Angel
Jeff Weise's Plan

(MISSING SOMETHING HERE)

Obesity epidemic becomes clear
Numa Numa, then appears

Fat kid lol lol lol
1 day later, it gets old

Foamy still, not funny
Does it for the money!!

Matrix Has You
Decline
Punk-o-Matic, Music Time

Salad Fingers, rusty comb
Dad's Home
Banana Phone

Marc M, Knock Knock!
Rebecca takes it like a slut

D A kicks Sqeezy
Everyone goes to Sheezy"

As you can see there will be small portions of the song that will relate to offsite drama, such as DeviantArt, SheezyArt, clock crew, star syndicate and so on. These sites are all very much apart of the structure that builds up the flash community behind the scenes, so I felt including some events from them may be beneficial to the story.

Another example of this would be:

" 2005, collabs were great.
Gerkinman masturbates.
We hate it when, great success!
everyone thinks it's a mess."

Gerkinman masturbates, would be referring to the lesser-known fact that a picture of the artist masturbating was distributed throughout the flash community.

" Star Syndicate did quite a job
Wonchop, key logged"

Once again, another hilarious fact that did occur offsite, but in entirety effected the Flash Community.

Also the collaboration might explain some sides of the community that people still wonder about. For example - "Where did the artists Joanime and Smiffy go?"

SECRETS SO SHOCKING, THAT I'LL GET IN TROUBLE FOR TELLING YOU. OH GOLLY!

At this point in time, the collaboration is unnamed and still in very early stages. Though it is proving to be a concept that has taken a lot of interest already.

As for the animators, this would most probably be an invite only selection process. But there will be such an abundance of parts, that a LOT of people would be getting invited.

I want to get a lot of people involved in this, as I seriously believe it will prove to be a exciting project to be involved in.

Please leave your thoughts and comments on the project, I'm interested in what you might have to say or criticize.

Personally, I believe the flash community is a beautiful thing. I remember when I met with Nef, Flash Bros, Dan of Double Helix and Nalo in London, it was possibly one of the most interesting experiences of my life. These were people that I'd never met before and had only communicated with online. I was expecting the experience to be an awkward one, as I'd never met anyone that I'd known online before. To much surprise it was quite the opposite. When someone like that shares SUCH a similar interest, you'll find you become friends very fast.

As I'm going to Comic Con 08, I honestly can't wait to meet further friends and once again see my good chums, The Flash Bros. I feel that it will be an experience to remember.

Now just recently Joe Outterside/Xenon has plans to come stay with me for a few weeks whilst in Australia.. SO wow, I'm really meeting a lot of people.. AND I LIVE IN THE MOST ISOLATED CITY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD... PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA. So there's hope for all of you yet..

Although Flash-wise I've been rather idle within Newgrounds, I'm proud to announce that I have plans for multiple flash releases before the year is out. You'll find I've come a long way since 2004.

Fresh - Newgrounds logo introduction that's in the works. I'm very happy with it so far:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBan2OF MWLo

Just keep in mind that future animations under this account will not be related to that of film or video game satire. As I believe I've grown out of this stage of flash development and I want to work on my own original concepts.

As for those of you who keep asking me if there will be a TSAH3. You're asking the wrong guy. Bother Dim. I don't even have an Xbox 360. Nor am I really interested in such a project now.

Though there's a chance my television segment that I was developing for Aussie TV show Good Game, will end up on Newgrounds this year. Though it will be posted on an alternate account, since I don't exactly want to be affiliated with the animation standards nor topics involved in it.

So in all, I believe in Newgrounds and I think this site needs to once again bond into one single community of artistic talent.

Anyways! Thanks for reading this far,

Peace.

EDIT - Recent discussion with Tom Fulp over PM:

At 9/11/07 2:06 PM, TomFulp wrote:
The tragic state of the NG user pages... You make an epic inspirational post and the one response is "um what"... :)
But yeah, that sounds like a great project! I'm gonna link to it in my next front page post, which I'm putting off until tomorrow since I made one this morning. Hopefully a lot of people will get excited for it.

I get really frustrated because we have such a HUGE vision for NG, but I feel like it can be so hard to hold it all together when people get fractured all over the internet... Not to mention the general public wants to just watch videos on YouTube nowdays. I always think of NG as like this collective body of people who are trying to compete with traditional entertainment... It takes a group effort to win a share of the world's eyeballs and doing so benefits everyone here, especially if we can ever reach our ultimate goals for how the site will serve the people who contribute to it.

I was hoping the redesign would trigger a golden age at NG, but that hasn't been an immediate thing... I'm just hoping that it planted the seeds for one to grow!

-Tom

MY RESPONSE:

Yeah, you're right. Just recently off site on DeviantArt, the artist "SqueakyToad" was trying to put together a collaboration in desperation, but his concept for one was lacking.. To which he cancelled it and then left this note on the project.

"Thing is, I'd really like to organize a collab. Flash collabs used to be really popular things among the more talented animators. Now they've been reduced to something amateurs on the forums throw together in an attempt to get some recognition.
I know a bunch of talented animators I'd love to work with, but nobody's as willing to just have fun and make some silly cartoon. Everyone's too busy.
I guess I missed the collab era of online animation.

Ah well."

I don't know about you, but coming from that "era" I can say it's almost depressing to see someone feel that way. I told him about this project and he was sparked with immediate interest.

And also, yes I hate to say it... But you really need to fix the Author news system.

When the researcher in Georgia came to the topic of "arranging collaborations", all I told him was that it's generally done off site. I'd love if this wasn't so (if you haven't listened to it yet, play it in the background sometime whilst you do some work, it's a nice listen if I do say so myself..).

Imagine if you BUILT a system that supports this kind of group development, be it a complete STORY based artist collaboration or even a simple musical collaboration. With this kind of multi-author support I believe it would strengthen the community.

Just a thought,

-Ross

BELOW: GET IT?.. RUBBER NINJA? I crack myself up.

Updated: 09/12/07 9:59 AM 77 comments | Log in to comment! | Share this!

Good Game is a video game review show I've been working for the past few months, doing an animated segment called "Gamer Tonight". They were originally airing the show on a lesser known station called "ABC2". ABC2 is a digital station that not everyone is able to access... But because the show was such a hit online with all the downloads.. It would seem that the ABC have decided to move us to the MAIN ABC station.

Whilst the show will still air on its regular timeslot on ABC2, it will now also air on Friday nights (After Chasers War On Everything and stuff) on ABC!

What does this mean for me? Well in short, since I work for the show and I'm making all these cartoons.. It just means thousands more people will be tuning in now..

The segment I've been developing called "Gamer Tonight" is at the moment undecided if it will be going to season 3.. Because now that the show is going mainstream the quality of the writing has to be a lot better. And I openly admit I'm no writer.

Even if Gamer Tonight doesn't go ahead, I'll still be doing animations for them regardless.. And I'll still be continuing Gamer Tonight in my spare time.. Regardless..

So yeah, I've hit the big time now it'd seem.

In other news, I was making a piece for "Madness Day", but because of the recent developments with the show.. I'm going to have to pull out. Way too much work to do for the show right now.

If you haven't already seen Gamer Tonight, go check it out at my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/rubberross or search for it. Each episode is made within about 4-5 days.. So the quality ain't as great as I wish I could make it, but it's still decent.

EDIT:
I might add that Gamer Tonight is voiced by Egoraptor.. Just incase you're wondering who did the voices.

Also, Daft Punk and Muse are coming to Perth soon.. Man life is good.

Anyways,

Peace.

Updated: 09/03/07 1:24 PM 11 comments | Log in to comment! | Share this!

I'm currently in Brisbane taking part in a Advanced Action scripting course.. I met up with Nandi who took me all around Brisbane, which was really nice of her. Then after that we went and checked into the hostel that I'd be staying at.. Walked into my room to find this.. Thing that looked like a prison cell. Actually I think it was SMALLER then a prison cell. It had holes in the walls and a string of other crap, I'll post the pictures later.

Nandi's family kindly offered to put me up for the 5 days that I'm here, which I'm very thankful for. So I got a refund on my room and went and stayed with her.

I get back to Perth on Thursday night.. Where I'll be hitting the ground running with my Madness day entry and the new episodes of Gamer Tonight. My Madness day entry was going to be nice and friendly, because me and HotdiggedyDemon had something planned.. BUT HE BACKED OUT SO NOW IT'S GOING TO BE TWISTED AND TASTELESS >:(

And dedicated to him.

Oh Max <3

Brisbane is wet.

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Going to Brisbane for a week on Friday. I'm taking part in a advanced action scripting course. Hanging out with Nandi and possibly even Gerkinman whilst down there. Should be a bit of fun.

I'll be back next Thursday. Hopefully I'll get a kick-start at learning to action script, as I really want to make flash games.

Also, if you want to play a free World Of Warcraft, come join in with me and some other flash artists at www.darkstridewow.com

It's pretty much WoW for the casual gamer, as you level at 5 times the normal rate. It's easy to join and easy to set up.

-Ross

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It's final.. I'm going to Comic Con 2008. I'll be heading there shortly after my 21st Birthday.. Which couldn't have come at a better time. I'm big on my drinking and I seriously doubt I'd want to go to another country that deprives me of my ability to buy a 6 pack. You can't rob me of my Australian heritage.

I was talking with Dim of Super Flash Bros... He's possibly getting a booth there next year. I might sit around there, or possibly attempt to share it :P.. Can't wait to hang out with them again, I met Dim, Tom, Dan + Other Newground peeps in UK 2 years ago. They're really nice blokes.

I'll also be attending this thing called AX or "Anime Expo" a month prior to Comic Con. A lot of friends I know online are going to that to, so I figured it'd be worth my time. I hear its like some sort of expo for Anime, where people cosplay and stuff. Not really my thing honestly, but I'm sure it'll be fun if I'm with the right crowd.

It's going to cost me roughly $2500 for the flight there and that's not including spending money... So I'll be saving like a biznitch for that.

So yeah, I'll be there from the end of June till the end of July or so.. I seriously can't wait.. It's going to be freaking fun.

Also, I've started animating something for Madness Day.. Not a serious submission, just me taking the piss out of Krinkles series.. Should be a good laugh. Lets see if i'll complete it in time before I have to get back to work on my TV segment... I have to be ready for that by September...

OH YES and I'll be in Brisbane for a week from the 17th taking part in a advanced action scripting course.. I'll be making games soon bitches. :]

BUSY BUSY.

-Ross

Updated: 08/09/07 11:29 AM 4 comments | Log in to comment! | Share this!

Hey, if you don't know/remember me click here to read the previous news post.

Ok, well a bit of a update on what's going on with me. I'm going to be heading down to Brisbane Australia on the 17th of August for a week, to take part in a 3 day advanced action scripting course. I wish to develop the skills needed to create games within flash, as it's something I've longed to do.

I've also got connections with an animation studio down in Brisbane. An old work mate of mine has two uncles who own a studio called "Liquid Animation", they did the Powder Finger music video "Sunsets" as well as some cinematic work for "Destroy All Humans". I'm busting my balls to get my 2007 showreel completed so he can forward it to his uncles and possibly get me to meet up with them whilst down there.

Also, I'll be applying to a local studio here that's going into their second season of a show that's completely developed in flash. I got a job interview there 2 years ago when they started their first season, sadly I was starting my Animation Diploma at the time and I couldn't back out at that point. I've improved a lot since then, plus I'm now qualified.. So I probably have a better chance!

Also, hearing all these stories of people getting back from Comic Con make me motivated. One of my main goals at the moment is to save the money needed to travel to California in 2008. I'll be doing everything in my power to get there next year, be it freelancing or even attempting to enter some Newground competitions.

Also, the show I work for called
Good Game is coming back into their 3rd season in September. I'll be joining them again with my segment "Gamer Tonight". I'm still waiting to get a date on the time of the websites launch.. But when it's up I'll submit 1 or 2 of the shorts to Newgrounds for a bit of publicity.

Also, once my showreel is done, I'll pop it up on Newgrounds as well. Because I haven't really submitted anything in about 2 years now...

Oh and something interesting happened recently. I was a substitute teacher for a flash animation course and this young kid turned out to be a bit of a Newgrounds fan. So I asked him "What are your favourite NG submissions?", to which he replied "Metal Gear Awesome and There's Something About Halo". Upon hearing this I started snickering, then I said "The fellow that made MGA does voices for me and I'm the guy who arranged TSAH in 2004". The kid slowly looked up at me like he'd shat a brick, it was hilarious. "I can't believe I met RubberNinja, my friends at school won't believe me when I tell them this", to which I said "Nah, probably not". Made me happy knowing people still appreciate my older work regardless of how much I dislike it now.

Oh and : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vxY7_4 CsOc - It's HUGE!

-Ross.

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Hey Newgrounds, long time no see. You may remember me as that guy who originally arranged Theres Something About Halo and other short video game and film satire such as Van Helthing, back in 2004. Well Im back and roaring to go.

Where the hell have I been the past 2 years? Well after finishing studying for my Diploma of Animation here in Perth Australia, I got involved with an Australian TV gaming show called Good Game. They got me developing an animated segment called Gamer Tonight. Gamer Tonight is about the mis-adventures of Richard Farkas and his talk show, where he interviews a different genre of gamer each week. Each cartoon was developed within the period of 5 days, but Im rather happy with them provided the amount of time and pressure I was under to develop them. Ive been granted distributive rights to the cartoons, so you might see one or two of them appearing on Newgrounds within the next few months. Also the series has its own website launching soon at Gamertonight.com!

Ive also been studying to use other software packages such as Maya and After Effects, which Im really enjoying and hoping to integrate the skills into my Flash work.

Class assignment using Maya and Flash:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVieteaHUg

I was also recently involved this year with developing a short introduction to the ScrewAttack.com segment Games That Yanks Cant Wank. Nothing too amazing, just enjoyed being a part of something on their site.

Intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoqiUGjPiDw

Other then that, I have plans to get back into developing original animations for Newgrounds, as Ive honestly improved a lot since the motion tweening 17 year old kid from 2004. Though my primarily Newground based work I want to be unrelated to Video Game/Movie satire, as I have original concepts I want to develop.

August 2006 Showreel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6YJoKz-eEQ - Developing my 07 showreel now.

I cant wait to show you guys some of my newer fully animated stuff. Plus Im planning to save/raise the money needed to go to the US for Comic-Con in 2008. So I might take a crack at some of the Newground competitions this year, we will see how that goes.

Peace out,

-Ross ODonovan

Curious to see Gamer Tonight before the site launch? Check it out at my YouTube account:
www.youtube.com/rubberross

Updated: 07/17/07 9:50 PM 13 comments | Log in to comment! | Share this!