Life of a internet diver, graphic design admirer and independent music fan.

Bruno Mertins... Graphics!

Makoto Shinkai On-stage Interview

It was great to join the conversation with Makoto Shinkai “The New Miyazaki”, at the British Film Institute. Some of his early work was displayed during the interview, most of it created with his laptop…

He talked about his struggles trying to become an manga animator while working in Falcom. He also mentioned the great influence of “Castles in the Sky” and the importance it had on his career. The interview ended with a brief explanation of his latest work “5 Centimetres per Second” which consists of thre three short films titled “Oukashou”, “Cosmonaut”, and “5 Centimeters per Second”. A love story told in three different perspectives concerning the adversities of time, people and space.

July 7, 2008   No Comments

Off to the Internet World 2008


Once again this year, I am attending the Internet World at Earls Court London. Although last years exhibition did not have the best reviews, I still think that if you manage to look beyond some of the sales pitch you will be able to find some very useful conferences worth listening to. I am specially looking forward to BBC’s Kym Niblock regarding the “Commercialising of Content Propositions” and “Network Entry Point Expansion” by Dan Cohen of MSN.

London will be once again invaded by the loads of Irish residents most of them coming from Google, Double Click and MSN. Hopefully I will be seeing lots of familiar faces in the venue and at the nearby pubs!

April 29, 2008   No Comments

Grandpa’s Impressionist Paintings on Auction

My uncle stumbled upon some of my grandpa’s impressionist paintings on E-bay. His original name was Hans Mertins but he used to sign his paintings under his artistic name: Juan Mertins. He was a known artist in the San Francisco area during the 1920’s, he used to paint backgrounds for films back in Hollywood’s golden age.

The piece has all the characteristics of his early paintings and his name on the back. This specific painting was exhibited at the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) 1939, which was held on San Francisco’s Treasure Island in order to celebrate the opening of the city’s two new bridges. The Fair ran from February 18 through October 29 in 1939, and from May 25 through September 29 in 1940.