CURRENT MISSION

Completed my 450 page novel in October 2013, now writing a few film scripts which I will direct - interested in directing animation, also over the next year - writing a script for a graphic novel and a storyline for a tabletop RPG

ABOUT ME

Writing is my life blood. I especially enjoy crunching down and working on my novel - this is my main gig.

There is nothing I love more than writing, directing, cartoons and game design.

It took me 4 years to write my first 450 page novel manuscript, I began writing it in late 2009. (I graduated with a creative writing degree from Whitireia Polytechnic in March 2011, a draft of this novel was my final project.) and completed on October 25, 2013 - plus a few days for rewrites.

And for the next year following the completion of my novel, I'm developing a script for a graphic novel which I am also drawing, it is mostly about group therapy, and is called "Petals." And also will be writing a storyline for a tabletop RPG entitled "Jonathan is not Dead."

I'm learning Game Maker and then the Python programming language to build 2D video games. I am currently designing concepts for video games, websites, office application software and mechanical games.

I'm interested in directing films, I aim to specialise in animation. I have four years of experience studying video editing, learning to use television equipment and scriptwriting. As well as two and a half years studying digital illustration and designing images for cartoons. I will be writing a script for a short movie which I plan to shoot next year and a feature which I plan to shoot with a 360 degree camera.

PHILOSOPHY

Don't try to be a good man, just be a man and let history make its own judgement. - Star Trek, First Contact

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm a noob. I'd like to host when I'm in a better situation.

I've lived here long enough to know a few good haunts - favourite areas include Courtney Place, Wellington and Queensgate, Lower Hutt - also in Lower Hutt the dairy at Waterloo is a favourite for a slushy and a sausage roll then across the road to the shops. Petone has Cafe Figg and a few other nice places. The Dowse in Lower Hutt usually has some interesting exhibits, also it's a nice laid back place to meet at the cafe. Wellington has alot more to offer, but Lower Hutt is a break from the big city. I now live in Carterton - some good places here. Plan on living in either Petone or Masterton.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I stayed on a friend's couch in Dunedin before I moved into my first flat it was awesome.
The one thing I learned is it's better to be able to help out financially a little bit as well as being prepared to help with chores.

Interests

Collecting comic books, watching WWE on DVD, cartoons and old tv shows like original Star Trek, Tales from the Crypt, anything by Jim Henson.

I used to do skateboarding, I'm planning on getting back into it in a year or two.

Writing novels, writing scripts, learning stage design for theatre and reading.

Playing card games - Magic: the Gathering, Rage, I'd like to learn Munchkin.

Playing emulators on my computer for sega master system, sega megadrive/genesis, snes, amiga 500, atari jaguar, playstation one.

Playing video games.

Also I'm a pretty good cook. My favourite cuisine is Italian, German, Chinese, Tandoori, Sausages and Chips, Toad in the hole and desserts - mousse, thickshakes, pavlova, trifle with thick custard, marzipan, sour coke bottle lollies, fake cigarette lollies, jubes, sorbet.

• writing
• books
• poetry
• design
• illustrations
• cooking
• desserts
• cartoons
• movies
• video games
• reading
• tv
• drawing
• magic
• skateboarding
• animation
• history
• software

Music, Movies, and Books

FAVOURITE FILMS:
Henry Fool, A History of Violence, Labyrinth, Empire Strikes Back, Night of the Demons 2, The Langoliers, Spider, eXistenZ, Star Wars Uncut: Director’s Cut, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Oldboy (2003), Rush, Tombstone, Tremors, Event Horizon, Idioterne, True Romance, La Cite Des Enfants Perdus, Audition, Batman Returns, Chasing Amy, Hard Candy, Kids, Gummo, The Goonies, The Dark Crystal, Monster in a Box, Unforgiven, It's Such A Beautiful Day, Stephen King's Sleepwalkers, Basquiat, Demonlover, Shallow Grave, First Blood, Trees Lounge, Oleanna, Gun Shy (2000), Airheads.

MY GREATEST INFLUENCES:
Jim Henson, B. F. Skinner, Stephen King, Harmony Korine, Chan-wook Park, David Cronenberg, Tom Holland, Bill Finger, John Broome, David Simon, Jack Cole, Kelley Puckett, Gardner Fox, Eric Wallace, Richard Garfield, Tony Wong, Spalding Gray, Jhonen Vasquez, Stephen Laws, Terry Pratchett, Glen Duncan, Mike Carey, Lars Von Trier, Ed McMillen, Tommy Refenes, Sam Kieth, David Mamet, William Burroughs, Bill Bailey, Matt Lucas, Rik Mayall, Emirin, Stephen Chiodo, Greg Egan, Paul Bonner, Burnie Burns, Brian Nelson, S. S. Wilson, Mick Garris, Phil Fish, Doug TenNapel, Hal Hartley, Don Hertzfeldt, Julian Schnabel, Bruce Timm, Casey Pugh, Paul W. S. Anderson, Takashi Miike, Orson Scott Card, Brendon Small, Kurt Sutter, David Bowie, David Firth, Douglas Coupland, David Webb Peoples, Sergei Lukyanenko.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have spent a long time learning about poetry, scriptwriting and fiction writing, while developing my own fiction writing. So If anybody needs help with their creative work, I guess I'm available. I also completed a training course in tutoring for adult literacy.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, United Kingdom