Rendering & Editing

For the past week we've been rendering out the animations for the music video. We had up to 7 computers rendering non-stop (our fake render farm), and of course while rendering the final scene the computer crashed! The files are backed-up so we're in good shape. Editing will start today so we can bring you this amazing video next week... if the bands decide to release it then.

Be on the look out next week when we release behind the scenes footage, making of the new Ashtray Electric/Gazelle Music Video.

Band Profile: Gazelle

We're working on Gazelle & Ashtray Electric's new music video. I figured for you to learn more about Gazelle you should check out their band profile video, an introduction into the mystical world of Gazelle. A band apart, born in South Africa with their foot steps stretching the globe.

Enjoy.

Rock For Hunger Billboards

As some of you know by now, PG designed all material for the Rock For Hunger Music Festival 5. That includes logo, posters, fliers, t-shirts, billboards etc. This amazing music fest takes place November 6th, 2010 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. I'll be sure to update you more on the festival, the PG crew will be there rockin VIP while trying to look cool.

Check out the official RFH Website

23 of these billboards are up around Florida, designed by Shawn Golden & Chris Zuppa

Ashtray Electric & Gazelle Music Video

While visiting South Africa I hung out with my old friend Andre Pienaar. Andre is the lead singer of Ashtray Electric, very successful indie rock band based from Cape Town, South Africa. Their debut album, Bonjour, came out last year and was an immediate hit. They're recording a follow up right now called Measured In Falls and will hit the shelves early 2011.

I got to hang out with them at practice, attended a show and had a great time! Ashtray did a collaboration song with another big act called Gazelle and will be released soon. They wanted to do a music video for the song but the 2 bands couldn't come together for the shoot since Gazelle is in New York recording a new album. Andre and I talked about possibly doing a full animation music video for the song and a few weeks later I pitched them a few storyboards and just like that Purple Gorilla got the gig. We've been working on it for the past month and we're in our final week of animating. As soon as we have a confirmed release date I'll post behind the scenes footage, making of the video and other fun stuff.

Ashtray Electric - Twitter - Facebook - Official Website

Gazelle - Twitter - Facebook - Official Website

Goodbye South Africa, hello US of A

I recently returned to Orlando from my 3 month adventure back home in South Africa. I had such a good time seeing family & friends again and salute to all the new friends I made. With scenery like this, how could you not have a good time!

Johnny Cupcakes... no it's not a bakery

Girls think it's cute, guys think it's funny. But for John Earl, aka Johnny Cupcakes, it all started as a joke. While working at Newbury Comics in Boston, MA Johnny had many nicknames but for some reason Johnny Cupcakes stuck. At the same time he was working at a silkscreen shop and printed a few shirts with "Johnny Cupcakes" on them. The shirts quickly caught on and soon he was selling these shirts out of his beat-up 89' behind the store. Johnny was also in a band and would sell more Johnny Cupcakes shirts then actual band merch.

Fast-forward 9 years and Johnny now has 3 stores (Hull, Boston and LA) and as off just a few days ago will open his first international store in London, UK. Not bad for a 28 year old college dropout. All of Johnny's garments are limited edition and you can only buy them online or in his very exclusive stores.

In March of this year I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Cupcakes himself for my school. I was nervous to meet him but he's so personable it was almost like we were old friends meeting up again. A lot can be learned from this man including business, intellectual property, employee relationships, marketing, customer relations etc. Make sure to follow him on twitter and check out his facebook page!

Have you had your cupcake today?

Purple Gorilla Design Team & Demo Reel

Purple Gorilla DemoReel from Purple Gorilla on Vimeo.

Finally, we were able to put together a short demo reel of work PG has done. I would also like to take this opportunity and introduce the PG design team! I'll post more on these great designers in the near future!


Shawn Golden







Chris Zuppa







Beau Benson





As for me, I'm still in beautiful South Africa, returning to Orlando September 28th, 2010. My work has been completed for the African Attachment and now I'm working with South African Indie Rockers, Ashtray Electric. If you've never heard of them, I suggest you check them out! More on them later! http://www.ashtrayelectric.co.za/
--KEEP IT PG--

PG & the african attachment (independent film production)

The African Attachment (taa for short) is an independent film production house based out of Cape Town, South Africa. Dean Leslie and Greg Fell are the founding fathers of this awesome creative house, proving that South Africa has many talents in the film industry. For those who don't know, Purple Gorilla has been in South Africa for the past month, touring and helping out at the African Attachment.

TAA have done many music videos for major South African Rock bands like aKING, Ashtray Electric, The Dirty Skirts and The Parlotones. They're also doing a documentary on Ryan Sandes called "Wandering Fever" that will take you on a journey around the world like you've never seen before! And lets not forget The African Attachment also helped out on District 9, working alongside Neill Blomkamp & Sharlto Copley.

PG will be in South Africa for one more month, working with taa on the new Thieve - Heuwels Fantasties music video. We'll also be working with Ashtray Electric... more details to come!!

Website: http://www.theafricanattachment.co.za/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TAA_indiefilm

Original Photo: Adriaan Louw