Kite Making Three on Vimeo



I started this kite back in October 2010 and fresh from finishing the last in my Calvin & Hobbes series, was searching for a new look.

As you'll know, if you've seen any of my previous kites, cartoons have a special place in my heart. But this time I wanted something a little more contemporary; something that spoke to a wider audience than Calvin.

Of the plethora of choices Family Guy stood out head & shoulders above the rest: it has a synergy with the Calvin strips of Watterson, not visually perhaps, but more in the way it comments on our world. Perfect fodder for a kite then.

I knew from a very early stage that there was only one image I wanted to adapt; something from a scene in which Lois, dressed in fetish gear, says "the safe world is banana", before smacking Peter, fully bedecked in a leather gimp outfit, in the mouth.

That wasn't quite enough though. Great for one side of a kite; but what of the other?

In stepped Quagmire: who better to be on the reverse of the kite, watching Lois & Peter at play?.

Knowing what I wanted to do, I then needed to think about the kite to use as the basis of the build. My love affair with Ozone's snowkites is well known, and so it was only natural that I expand my quiver: this time though I evicted the moths from my wallet and splashed out on a brand new 12m Manta M3.

Two days after the kite arrived it was deconstructed into its component parts (having never been flown), and adorned the every available space in my flat.

Very shortly after dismantling the kite the delays started. I blame my friend Mark for the first of them.

We were in my study one afternoon, looking at a few of the time lapses I'd shot for the early parts of Kite Making Three, and discussing our plans to visit Nevada in early 2011, when Mark pipes up "you should build one of these for the guys at NABX you know".

That conversation was responsible for diverting my attention (I'm easily distracted) for at least three months!

January rolled round as the NABX kite progressed and brought some excitement with it, in the form of an ambulance ride to A&E. A week in hospital, and strict instructions to take it easy after that, meant more delays. I finally finished the NABX kite in March, and was looking forward to getting back to work on my own kite, when yet more hospital time beckoned. Two weeks this time.

My health improved to the extent that NABX was back on the cards and during the event I meet so many wonderful people, and started so many video projects, that it was not until the end of May 2011 that I picked up work on the Family Guy kite.

All the delays proved a boon though. I'd been through a steep learning curve on the NABX kite, and with the video work, so much so that when I came back to this project I found that I was able to progress very quickly - whilst filming the entire process without undue delay. Even so, it was still several month's work until the day finally arrived when I closed the trailing edge.

Now it's over I'm still glad I did it, still happy with the design and quietly proud of the result. I do think this is my last cartoon though. Time to move on I think!

You sir are a genius in every way. I can't imagine the dedication and patience it must take to do what you do.

AWESOME! You making them for selling or just for fun?

That is one phenomenal talent you have there..... unbelievable......

Did I catch that correctly in that you disassemble the kite to make your pattern?

That is an amazing kite......

I'd love to see you apply that talent to an arc.....

Talk about a labor of love. Well done is all I can say.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote:

Originally posted by Kieron My love affair with Ozone's snowkites is well known, and so it was only natural that I expand my quiver: this time though I evicted the moths from my wallet and splashed out on a brand new 12m Manta M3. Two days after the kite arrived it was deconstructed into its component parts (having never been flown), and adorned the every available space in my flat.

That thought still boggles the mind. Stellar work as always.

Quote:

Originally posted by Kieron I do think this is my last cartoon though. Time to move on I think!

Hopefully there will be a time when you might return to the theme.

There are, after all....



penguins that still dream of flight.

ATB,
Sam

Amazing and ditto Sam's thoughts on the deconstruction of a new, never flown, Manta :eekdrull:

But the end product is really incredible

I guess there wouldn't be any other way to acquire a pattern to go off of. Ozone should just give this guy a job already.

You are an amazing artist Kieron.
At 4:07 when you lay out the cut fabric is that on to paper printouts you made earlier? Does that template come away after you sew the pieces together.

Simply amazing

Wow
And that's all I'm gonna say about that

Inspiring beyond words. I'd ALMOST consider a small scale tribute to you just to give it a whirl but if I went any bigger than 2m square it'd never get finished. Such dedication and determination. Props to you - a solid finisher.

Perhaps I should take THAT as the inspiration and finish off my my unfinished projects around here.....

WOW is right ....... breath taking.........

I'm at work head phones on fully cranked ,jaw dropped ,drooling on the desk, totaly entranced. :eekdrull:

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say a BIG thank you for all your kind words; it's nice to know that people like my kites - keeps me going!

Quote:

Originally posted by jaymzmn...You making them for selling or just for fun?

I don't make them commercially; they are just toooo complicated for them to ever be viable - I'd have to charge so much for them that only a very few people could afford them - I've been kiting for 20 years and I still haven't met a kiter with more than two dollars to rub together!

That said though, you might be able to get your hands on one if you're going to NABX 2012...

Quote:

Originally posted by g00fba11 .....Did I catch that correctly in that you disassemble the kite to make your pattern?.... ....I'd love to see you apply that talent to an arc.....

Yep, completely dismantled into the component parts: 48 panels; 23 profiles; 10 d-ribs; 72 bridle tabs, not including the bridle itself...

I don't think I'll be doing an Arc! Not my sort of kite really!

Quote:

Originally posted by AD72 ...At 4:07 when you lay out the cut fabric is that on to paper printouts you made earlier? Does that template come away after you sew the pieces together.

Yes, the printed templates are cut up into a section for each colour change, then used as a guide for the hot cutting. They get removed before the sewing as the fabric is held together by DST ready for sewing.

Just making a duplicate kite would be amazing enough. THEN you add in the intricacy of the artwork. Incredible. NABX 12 huh? That is an awesome contribution. The money raised last year for the sale of the kite doesn't include all the extra tickets sold because of all the people that wanted to take the stars and stripes home with them. Thank you Keiron. :bigok:

Here are a few photos taken just yesterday; the light wasn't great but we did our best:

Click images for larger versions:

Quote:

Originally posted by Kieron Quote: Originally posted by g00fba11 ....I'd love to see you apply that talent to an arc..... I don't think I'll be doing an Arc! Not my sort of kite really!

Felt the urge to resurrect this thread. You know what I'm thinking Kieron ; )

Giggidy Giggidy !

Always worth seeing again, I hope Kieron wont mind me saying a few words here, it is said with respect and admiration.

Kieron is a great perfectionist, an artist in anything he puts his mind too, we all know that right, sometimes that in itself can become a burden, and Kieron has his own fight within his head, and constantly battles depression which is a great shame for such an extremely talented guy, but unfortunately not uncommon for people who set such high standards, and unless you have had, or know someone close who has depression, you really can't begin to understand this invisible infliction.

At the drop of a hat, when I wanted to make my website, Kieron was there, and set the foundations, and framework of the web site in place for me, I wouldn't of had a clue what to do, he travelled up from London, and spent the day with me patiently showing me the ropes of how to use and maintain a web site, he went well out of his way to do that for me, and I will always be extremely gratefull, and never forget that.

Kieron has become a great friend of mine over the years, and is now embarking on a whole new journey to eventually become a professional Videographer/ Cinematographer, and we all know how incredibly talented he is with a camera too, so on behalf of all your friends and admirers around the globe, go out there and knock em all dead, Kieron even if you only apply 50% of your full talent, I am possitive you will become extremely successful in the new direction in your life.

The very best of luck and success for the future, I can't wait to see the produtions that end with, directed and produced by kieron Jansch

Wow - I have watched this a few times now. Love the end when it finally lifts off.

My compliments on all aspects. The kite, the video - everything.

Dave

Excellent as usual! Kieron is a Master!