Apologies to anyone who has sent an email to BMP in the last month, and who did not receive a reply. We have not been ignoring or neglecting you. Due to technical problems (that damn Spam!) we have been unable to download our emails and consequently our service provider has had to delete over a 1200 messages. If you have previously sent us an email, please resubmit it in August and we will reply as soon as we receive it.
(24 July 2003)
Jozef's popular "Mermen" art piece will be included in Colleen Doran's 2003 "A Distant Soil" calendar. It will be available through your comic store in time for Christmas.
(16 August 2002)
After a rigorous selection process, Bruce is thrilled to announce that he is working as a casual Bridge Climb Leader for Bridge Climb, Sydney. His role involves taking climbing groups over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The job is great because it allows him to utilise both his acting and storytelling talents. So come for a climb ... anytime!
(16 August 2002)
Jozef has recently changed jobs from Walt Disney Animation Australia to Aristocrat Leisure Technologies, an Australian owned company with offices all over the world. Jozef is now working as a Senior Illustrator/Animator in the research and development branch, which provides conceptual art for gaming machines.
(16 August 2002)
BMP has recently signed up with respected Australian literary agent, Brian Cook, Director of The Manuscript Appraisal Agency. Brian will be representing the Eternal Spheres: Elf~Fin property, which consists so far of eight children's picture books. Brian is well known in the Australian literary community as the previous publisher of HarperCollins Australia and one of his specialties is children's books. The property will be offered to Australian and international publishers from June 2002.
(28 April 2002)
Readers and fans who want a glimpse of the developing Eternal Spheres projects Elf~Fin and Mermist Seas can now view new artwork on the BMP Properties pages. Just email us a line and tell us what you think!
(28 April 2002)
BMP encourages old and new visitors to visit our revitalised Fan Page on
this website, as we have just uploaded a selection of 'permission given'
email correspondence. We also invite fan art for this page. Just remember
that if you would like to see a future email of yours on the Fan Page, you
must tick 'permission given' otherwise we cannot use it.
(7 February 2002)
The BMP studio has moved a second time this year. We are now located at a film-makers centre called Launchpad, which is the home to a thriving community of film and theatre directors, producers, and writers.
Our new street address is: Level 1, 486 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Australia. The mailing address remains the same.
Our new phone/fax is: +61 2 9698 4244.
(19 November 2001)
In early September, we were privileged to be invited as inaugural guests to the new writers' retreat, Capricorn Hill, located in the southern highlands of New South Wales. Capricorn Hill is a 100 acre property owned by author, script-writer and ex-Australian Society of Authors' chair, Ken Methold. The east wing of the homestead has four studios set aside for writers and illustrators to work on their manuscripts and artwork in idyllic seclusion.
The house also has a large library, a residents' lounge with studio space, and a baby grand piano for musicians. The house sits on a hill, and has a spectacular view of a paddock and two dams, and is fringed by a pine plantation on one side and virgin bush on the other side of the property.
Ken Methold was a fabulous host and made us feel very welcome. We spent our time eating delicious meals, walking around the property and encountering Scottish Highland cattle, talking about industry issues, doing some creative work, and meditating in the calm and solitude of the beautiful Australian landscape. We sincerely thank Ken for giving us the opportunity to be his guests.
(19 November 2001)
Julie is delighted to report that Brian Cook of the Manuscript Appraisal Agency is representing her young adult novel, Shadow of the Ba Ka. Brian is well known and respected in the Australian literary community as the previous publisher of HarperCollins, and as the director of the Manuscript Appraisal Agency which is an assessment service for both first time and experienced authors. The novel is currently being considered by several Australian publishers.
(19 November 2001)
Jozef has a portfolio page on
comixmatrix.com
. Please visit if you are interested in viewing other work of Jozef's, not necessarily mermaid specific.
(19 November 2001)
We have been receiving many emails lately with requests on the publication dates of our various projects. We understand your frustration as we too would like to release our creative work into the public forum as quickly as possible. However, sometimes market conditions and schedules don't allow us to do this immediately. So please be patient. BMP is currently working part-time on these projects, but they are moving along. Any major announcement will be made on these NEWS pages as they happen.
(15 June 2001)
In 2000, BMP started the process of reinventing and integrating the "Elf~Fin" characters (formerly known as the WaveDancers) into the Eternal Spheres universe. We are now pleased to say that the Elf~Fin are in the process of getting their own 32 page picture book. The backdrop and story have changed considerably and the character designs have been updated. However, BMP has been true to the original characters and their relationships. The book will bridge from young readers (7-10 years) through to adults who love luscious artwork and rich story.
The first story is called The Swimming Lesson, and we envisage that it will be the first in a series. It features Tilaweed, Hyfus, their daughter Illora and three other familiar and loved characters. Unlike the WaveDancer comics, the stories will feature more of the mermaid characteristics rather than the elf characteristics.
The proposal has been sent to several publishers who have been very enthusiastic, and we will keep you regularly informed on developments as they come up.
(25 March 2001)
BMP also has several other projects in development: a screenplay and novel of a Greek mythology inspired story; a fun adventure storybook, and two short films.
(25 March 2001)
The BMP studio has recently moved. The new address is:
61/150 Forbes St, Woollomooloo NSW 2011 Australia.
The mailing address and phone/fax number remain the same.
(15 June 2001)
MS will be released, but not in the time-frame and the format we originally anticipated and announced. BMP has made a decision not to publish MS in single issue comics. Rather, we are preparing and packaging the work as a series of graphic novels. This translates into finishing approximately 132 colour pages before the first volume can be printed. Though the project is well underway, and some of the finished pages are looking extraordinary, we still have a lot of work to do on it. We intend to return to it once we have completed all the artwork on The Swimming Lesson.
(25 March 2001)
Julie finished her first novel Shadow of the Ba Ka last year. The book took three years to write (weekends and holidays) and is approx. 125,000 words. The story is for young adults and has cross-over appeal to an adult readership. It spans 150 years, but takes place during a seven day period in a country town in New South Wales, Australia. The premise of the story is based on the following question: what would happen if somebody had an out-of-body experience and couldn't get back into his or her body?
Shadow is a contemporary story with fantasy and supernatural elements. It could be branded "inspirational fiction" as it is a story about healing, self-growth and the search for identity.
To read the synopsis and Prologue from the novel, check out Julie's Personal Projects.
(25 March 2001)
During November 1999, BMP was privileged to be invited to Broken Hill, a mining town in outback New South Wales (near the border of South Australia) to present several workshops on "Creating Comics". We flew in on Hazelton Airlines, and resided in the artists' and writers' cottage near the centre of town. Marvis Scofield, Head Librarian of the Broken Hill City Library, was the organiser and our tour guide.
BMP taught three classes: a morning session at the Thankakali Aboriginal Cooperative with a group of spirited children whose finished artwork integrated Aboriginal Dreamtime stories within the comic medium; a day class made up of students from two different high schools in the local area, and an intensive adult class that ran for the entire weekend. Needless to say, some of the comic work that resulted from these classes was excellent, and we were very impressed with the diverse range of talents in the town.
Highlights of our trip included a drive to Silverton, a small town with a famous pub that has featured in many movies, mini-series and commercials (Mad Max, A Town Like Alice) and which also has a number of popular art galleries. We also spent time at Thankakali which has a beautiful set of glass doors incorporating Aboriginal motifs and a wide range of original indigenous artwork painted by the artists in residence.
During the evenings we caught up on movies at an old fashioned cinema with wooden floors and leather seats, and saw The Sixth Sense (for the second time - one of the best movies of last year), The Haunting and American Pie. Foodwise we discovered an amazing Rocky Road cake which towered over the plate and was so rich that one person could not finish a slice, as well as hand made chocolate truffles.
All in all, BMP spent six days in Broken Hill and had a fabulous time. The people were very kind (we were greeted with home-made fruitcake and fresh scones on arrival at the cottage) and the students were extremely enthusiastic about understanding and learning the craft of comics. We would like to thank the participants who attended the sessions and the wine and cheese night, the local media that covered the event, and especially Marvis Scofield for her time and patience. The following is a poem that Marvis wrote at the conclusion of our stay.
(23 March 2000)
The people of the sea, steeped
in dappled shades of green and depth
rarely come into the desert.
But lately three merfolk ventured
to impart their knowledge and their
magic to the feast starved
minds of dry flat landers.
By invitation they came
with much aforethought
Confident and bright, they
chose to mentor these desiccated
troglodytes that begged their favour
and the salty flail of
a different universe.
The mermaid and the mermen
fair soared into the flatland.
Setting up their colony in
the Artback house. Now
forever resonating with trills of giggles,
whispers and tease,
friendly little bickerings.
This place is solid the mermaids see,
As flatlanders scurry about
re-arranging and straightening
tables and chairs, screens,
square things, block and bulk
without curve or grace.
From a place of order merfolk set about their task.
With vigour they talk and laugh
and draw. They flick their
tales, fantastic things
into the torpid air.
stirring up sediments,
gritty gold, long buried
in fine horizontal layers of dryland dust.
And flatland eyes are opened wide
fair glowing with desire.
They drink the merfolk in,
great gulping draughts of glee.
They take the merfolk magic and with
their dryland touch their fashion treasures
for themselves and their own flatland universe.
© Marvis Scofield, 1999
(23 March 2000)
BMP has been invited back to the NSW Writers' Centre to present a weekend workshop on "Creating Comics". The workshop is geared for ages 15 plus, and participants will gain an understanding of the definition, scope and versatility of the comics artform. The first day will focus on the theoretical aspects of creating art for comics, intermixed with lots of practical work The second day will concentrate on writing comics, and the fusion of story and art. Participants will get an opportunity to either work individually or in teams to create their own piece of sequential art. No artistic experience is necessary for writers who will be encouraged to work visually. The workshop will be held at the New South Wales Writers' Centre in Rozelle, Sydney, NSW Australia on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May from 10am to 5pm. For further information ring the NSW Writers Centre on (02) 9555 9757.
(23 March 2000)
BMP wishes to reassure readers that Mermist Seas is alive and splashing despite production delays. We are currently working on the first series titled "Discension" which will introduce the new Eternal Spheres universe to fantasy fans. The story is finalised, but the artwork is taking time as BMP produced comic series are recognised for Jozef's hand-painted colour work and we want to ensure that readers will get a visual feast. All three partners are also heavily involved in other artistic pursuits and have been offered opportunities which have been too good to refuse, so we are now working towards a 2000 release.
The story will span several millennia and introduce readers to a colony of mermaids that inhabit a world populated with many other interesting characters. We are anticipating ten series and a spin-off series which will be released in several years. (No, we will not be giving you clues to its nature or its characters, even though a substantial amount of work has been done on it already!)
In the meantime you can get to know some of our characters if you get hold of an issue of Colleen Doran's Images of a Distant Soil #1 (February 1997) which features two Mermist Seas merman characters: Jessur and Rynan, or check out the Mermist Seas page.
(21 February 2000)
BMP have been invited to Broken Hill, NSW, Australia from 17 to 23 November to run a series of workshops for the local community on "Creating Comics". The workshops will focus on the history of comics, the vocabulary of comics, technical aspects, comic art & writing, comics as a profession and opportunites in the industry. BMP cater for both adults and children. For further information, contact Marvis Sofield, Manager Library and Archives, Broken Hill City Library on (08) 8088 3317 or email on bhcl@ruralnet.net.au
(25 October 1999)
Jozef Szekeres, partner and artistic director of BMP, has been invited to be a guest artist on Joseph Michael Linsner's Dawn published by Sirius. Following the successful release of Wizard's 1/2 Issue: Dreams of Dawn, where Jozef depicted Linsner's Dawn as a mermaid for the first time, Jozef will be illustrating and painting a six page back-up story in Issue 3 - Dawn: The Return of the Goddess. The story is written by Joseph Michael Linsner and the script by Robb Horan. Jozef Szekeres who is fast becoming known as the "mermaid guy" within the comics industry, is delighted to be involved in this project.
(25 October 1999)
The BMP created characters formerly known as the original Elfquest: WaveDancers, have returned home after five years, and the rights have officially reverted to BMP. Fans will continue to see the characters appearing intermittently in various mediums and merchandise, but there are no plans for the characters to reappear in story form in the immediate future as we are concentrating on Mermist Seas at this time.
(27 March 1999)
BMP will be presenting a "Creating Comics" workshop at the New South Wales Writers' Centre in Sydney, NSW Australia on Saturday, 19 June, 1999 from 10am to 5pm. If you're a writer, artist or student interested in exploring the medium of comics then come and check it out. Participants will gain an understanding of the definition, scope and versatility of this artform. The first half of the workshop will concentrate on the theoretical aspects of creating comics and how art and story blend together. The second half will be practical and participants will get an opportunity to either work individually or in teams to create their own piece of sequential art. No artistic experience is necessary for writers who will be encouraged to work visually. For further information ring the NSW Writers Centre on (02) 9555 9757.
(27 March 1999)
Keep an eye out for Dreams of Dawn (1/2 issue) coming out from Wizard and Sirius Entertainment. BMP's Jozef Szekeres is one of the contributing artists to this project and was delighted to have the opportunity to work on a character as popular as Joe Linsner's Dawn.
(27 March 1999)
Bruce is currently in rehearsal for a season of The Frost King, a theatrical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's children's classic, where he plays the title role. The performance dates are Monday 5 April to Saturday 17 April. Times: 11am and 1.30pm. The venue will be the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, so you can bring a picnic and chill out! Suitable for the whole family. Bookings (02) 9231 8134 or (02) 9231 8304.
(27 March 1999)
Bruce Love and Jozef Szekeres, two thirds of the BMP team, recently visited the US for a series of signings in comic book shops. The first signing was at Atlantis Fantasyworld (Santa Cruz, California), the second was at Golden Apple Comics (West Hollywood, California) and the third was at Famous Faces & Funnies (Melbourne, Florida). Bruce and Jozef had a fantastic time and were warmly welcomed by the owners and staff of all three stores. A highlight of the tour was finally meeting Erik Larsen of Image Comics and Rob Horan of Sirius (who was also part of the Florida signing). Bruce and Jozef also had the opportunity to meet with many BMP fans and just missed bumping into Samuel L Jackson at the Golden Apple. Bummer!!
(26 January 1999)
BMP have a small number of ashcans (mini preview comics) left over from their US signing tour which are now available online at a secondary market price. The ashcan includes the first eight pages of pencil roughs & dialogue for Issue 1 of Eternal Spheres: Mermist Seas "Discension". It also features a sketchbook of never-before-published cast members from the series as well as information from the creators on the pre-production process. If you wish to place an order, please visit our Merchandise page.
(26 January 1999)
Please note that BMP's mailing address has changed from Darlinghurst to:
PO Box A172,
Sydney South NSW 1235
Australia
Rest assured that any mail posted to the old address will still reach us. In the meantime, please update your records.
(1 September 1998)
BMP is releasing its Mermist Seas limited edition print for the first time on the internet. This print has sold extremely well at OzCon Conventions and through mail order. The print can be purchased online via BMP's Merchandise page. It is anticipated that BMP will release a new print in the series approximately every two years.
(1 September 1998)
Bruce Love and Jozef Szekeres, two thirds of the BMP creative team, will be visiting the USA in late November and December. Bruce and Jozef will be doing a comic book signing at the following stores:
|
28 November 1998 4.00 to 6.00pm |
Atlantis Fantasyworld 1020 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, California Phone: 831 426 0158 |
|
9 December 1998 4.00 to 6.00 pm |
Golden Apple Comics 7711 Melrose Ave (near Fairfax), Los Angeles, California Phone: 323 651 0455 |
|
12 December 1998 Afternoon |
Famous Faces & Funnies 1731 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, Florida Phone: 407 259 3575 |
A limited number of the limited edition print as well as an ash can for the upcoming Mermist Seas project will be on sale.
(14 November 1998)
Jozef is currently on retainer to Film Graphics, the oldest animation company in Australia which specialises in animated and live action commercials and short films. Jozef recently directed and animated the "Pulp Friction" commercial that advertises Finlandia Vodka Pulp, and which has been given international cinema release. Keep an eye out for it!
Other recent animation has been the new "Mr Sheen" commercial, "Louie the Fly", Arnotts Biscuits and Strongbow Cider.
(1 September 1998)
Julie is currently completing her first novel which is aimed at the young adult fiction market. Research has taken her from the NSW State Library to the NSW Institute of Forensic Medicine, and from several NSW country towns to the Australian Egyptian community. It is anticipated that the first draft will be finished by the end of December. Fingers crossed that it will be picked up by a publishing house.
(1 September 1998)
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