tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:21:24 +0000Feed for ashens.com - home to all sorts of frivolity, including flash cartoons and silly videos.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/noreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)Blogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-9057609831380070155Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:17:00 +00002010-02-05T20:21:24.962ZSite newsIf you can read this, the redirect to the new ashens.com isn't active yet. As a result it's very unlikely the site as you see it is working properly.Fear not - within a couple of hours everything will be lovely and my site will actually work properly for the first time in about 4 years.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2010/02/were-moving-baby.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-606473718243349643Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:11:00 +00002010-02-04T15:07:40.040ZVideoTech DumpArticleBBCTech Dump Episode 3 online already? It's a non-Christmas miracle!Also! I'm quoted in this month's Loaded magazine in a short article about rip-off tat. Ram your eyeballs up against this if you'd like to see a scan.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2010/02/thank-you-for-calling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-8770891570754771863Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:52:00 +00002010-02-04T14:11:03.238ZReviewVideoTech DumpBBCThey're still making POP Stations. I don't know how old this one was though, as they've modelled it after something that's been obsolete for years...And here's an announcement video I made for Tech Dump. It features 100% more garage than most of my videos!http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2010/02/and-theres-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-7802494462283745039Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:43:00 +00002010-01-28T14:18:03.427ZVideoTech DumpBBCAt last, here's my new thing! Produced for the BBC by Hat Trick Productions (Father Ted, Have I Got News For You, Worst Week of My Life) and directed by the ever-lovin' Al Campbell (Screen Wipe, News Wipe, The Photocopier), it's Ashen's Tech Dump!Want to see another episode? Well okay then, fella:There's also my Making of Tech Dump diary on the BBC Comedy Blog if you like using your eyes to http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2010/01/ashens-tech-dump.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-9149787810373561676Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:17:00 +00002010-01-28T02:23:02.392ZReviewVideoMore Chef Excellence? You better believe it, Mister Bloke!I got up at 2:15am to post this. I hope you appreciate it, you curs.(That means Tech Dump goes live in less than ten hours. I better get me some sleep.)http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2010/01/excellent-showcase.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-6111745620644830679Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:40:00 +00002010-01-11T20:49:26.396ZReviewVideoHold on to your small change! It's another Poundland Special, this time helped along by 99p Stores.I think Chef Excellence will have to make a comeback at some point.In other news, the BBC Comedy Extra project will be online soon. It's called Ashen's Tech Dump. Possibly you will like it.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2010/01/excellent-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-3059837351684035927Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:04:00 +00002009-12-24T16:34:27.513ZReviewVideoMore Christmas tat my girlfriend bought last year? Why yes!In moaning news, I'm getting really irritated with my HD camcorder. It doesn't reach enough of a wide angle and the autofocus is slower than a sloth on thorazine, but worst of all the microphone is right on top of the damn thing - which is directly under my face as I film. As a result it picks up ever breath I take and it sounds like http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/12/christmas-time-mistletoe-and-wine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-3208713180505752905Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:34:00 +00002009-11-16T22:55:03.249ZReviewVideoNew! Review! For you! And Sue! Too!Some addenda for this one:1. At release the Supervision was about half the price of the Gameboy. The games were also about half as much as Gameboy games.2. The R-Type rip-off for the Supervision is actually called "Alien".3. The Motorbike game is apparently a complete rip-off of a Gameboy game called Motocross Maniacs.4. Turns out the Gameboy Pocket screen http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/11/shooting-quickly-in-supervisory.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-5551608528430896382Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:38:00 +00002009-10-22T16:48:56.093+01:00VideoParodyNews and stuff!Top TV comedy-blokes Armstrong and Miller are producing a series of web videos called 'The Node', where they play know-nothing culture critics who are commenting on the digital world. I joined them for episode 3, which I shall embed after this ellipsis...And in case that doesn't work for non-UK folks, here's a world-friendly YouTube version and some more unnecessary punctuation...http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/10/somebody-please-think-of-craig-children.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-7430794286295764880Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:32:00 +00002009-09-24T13:10:31.139+01:00ReviewVideoSite newsWell hello Dolly! And greetings to any other dead cloned sheep who may be reading.What a month it's been. On the Big Plus side I've enjoyed massive success by securing funding* for a pilot of a future project, and filmed a couple of web sketches with proper TV comedians who you've probably heard of and everything. On the Big Minus side I've spent the best part of the last 40 days drowning in ahttp://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/09/no-din-goes-like-dingoo-goes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-6760271278795961478Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:21:00 +00002009-08-18T13:35:02.328+01:00ReviewVideoIt's amazing what you can get for a pound! As long as you don't mind things leaking toxic chemicals.And for anyone interested, here's a scan of the mocked-up Signalex DS games:http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/08/youll-like-what-we-do-etc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-3880790231209419339Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:10:00 +00002009-07-23T13:18:54.469+01:00GameI've just realised I never linked to something really good that I was involved with. I am this much of an idiot: Lots.A little while ago I recorded some voice work for a spoof online quiz about TV made by gentlemanly animator David Homfray. I'd recommend you go and play it, as it's loads-a-laffs(tm). Plus it features me doing impersonations of both KITT and K-9, which is something you don't http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/07/sun-always-shines-on-tv.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-8772575320116758824Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:34:00 +00002009-07-18T17:53:25.240+01:00ReviewVideoTGWTGAh, the eighties. The only decade where budget software houses would accurately chronicle the escapades of long-dead Japanese assassins riding around on sports bicycles. Watch and learn:I'm now going to travel back to 1988 and lodge a complaint under the Trades Descriptions Act.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/07/bicycle-ninjitsu-cross.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-6936752202725921910Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:30:00 +00002009-07-09T11:47:21.126+01:00ReviewVideoParodyTime for some in-depth critical insight into one of this summer's blockbuster movies...Since making that video I've been made aware of a similar sentiment expressed by the scarily intense (but immaculately quiffed) film guru Mark Kermode. I strongly recommend you click here to watch because, frankly, it's better than my effort.Also! Some good news - My old 'Secret Life of Skeletor' video has http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/07/revenge-of-fatuous.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-8426508707593717201Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:38:00 +00002009-06-22T14:42:40.151+01:00ReviewVideoRadios that look a bit like iPods? I'll bet they're not very good.See? I was right.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/06/turn-on-tune-in-rip-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-602802356196096075Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:00:00 +00002009-06-16T23:10:17.954+01:00ReviewVideoUnbelievably, I was actually sent some free products to review by a company! I'll bet nobody makes that mistake again.Apologies for low-video-quality-ness. I foolishly used a higher quality upload format, which YouTube predictably choked on. I've been spoiled by uploading stuff to Blip.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/06/sexy-eskimos-and-crab-apples.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-4737851925644629044Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:05:00 +00002009-06-11T16:47:34.402+01:00VideoTGWTGNew video alert! And it's a doozy. And by "a doozy" I mean "terrifyingly drawn-out and self-indulgent." BUT. I. HATE. THIS. GAME. SO. MUCH. And so do all the other people who've ever paid money for it, as far as I can tell.So think of this video as a public service. Or a delayed form of justice. Or maybe a mission from some god or other (not one of the good ones though - probably one of thehttp://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/06/renegade-iii-final-insult.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-2740354165113332701Sun, 31 May 2009 21:14:00 +00002009-05-31T22:37:13.781+01:00ArticleSite newsHave you ever heard of the jolly video website That Guy with the Glasses? (If not, click the link and have a look. I'll wait.) Well, gasp in mock excitement as I tell you that I've joined up with them, and will be releasing future videos on both that site and YouTube. Corks!The first cross-pollinated video will be another Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of, because I haven't http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/05/that-interview-with-glasses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-166604742109398378Fri, 08 May 2009 22:34:00 +00002009-05-09T00:14:05.129+01:00ReviewVideoParodyPOP Station Watch 4 is upon us already, like a great cloud full of irritating beepy music. Only the stupid sketch at the end can save us!Also a quick recommendation - some independent games reviewers have come together under the banner of Renegade Reviewers, and released a rather nice DVD. It features two hours of exclusive review-o-action and contributors include splendid people such as Guru http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/05/charitable-offering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-7118887927239779573Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:51:00 +00002009-04-25T18:02:42.598+01:00VideoSite newsYou asked for it (literally):Twitter news - I'm approaching 1000 followers, and when that utterly meaningless milestone is reached I'm going to hold a competition. The prize will be an Ashen action figure (remember them?) and an Ashenthology DVD. And infinite respect from all the people of the world, of course.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/04/answers-and-twitter-blither.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-2552308619611400021Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:17:00 +00002009-04-16T23:26:57.498+01:00VideoParodyBoring trivia: This idea was based on an old joke about integrated graphics on PC's being so slow that "it would be quicker if they sent frame updates in the post." I then married it with the systems behind old Play-By-Mail games like It's a Crime. Larry actually recorded the voice-over in August last year and I never got round to producing the video.But! When the suspiciously http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/04/allow-28-days-for-delivery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-908226786576078499Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:07:00 +00002009-03-31T13:02:47.826+01:00ReviewVideoAuthentic looking fake DS plays vaguely authentic Frogger. Film at eleven. If by 'eleven you mean 'here':On a totally irrelevant note, I've been getting quite into Goozex since it started up in Europe. It sounds a bit like txtspk for 'goose eggs' but is actually a game-swapping service. Effectively you can get rid of games you don't want and get one you do for a single € and the cost of http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/03/keep-things-hopping.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-545651187139533141Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:23:00 +00002009-02-26T14:31:49.474ZReviewVideoA POP Station with a 7 inch screen? It never ends! (Until the POP Station factories are killed off by the global recession.)I realised why this video (and the last one) show up in low quality on YouTube. It's because I used the wrong program to encode them, and didn't realise. Bugger and arse.http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/02/pop-station-watch-3-season-of-netbook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-7632674352323773083Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:23:00 +00002009-02-19T16:55:55.974ZVideoParodyTime to go Through the Tech Hole to see what Microsoft are up to with the Xbox 360's innards...(Oddly, no high quality version of the video seems to have been made available, despite me using the same settings as the last two videos. Maybe it will magically appear later on or something.)In other news - why not have a click on this link, which will show you an exclusive Street Fighter IV preview http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/02/what-lurks-within.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29892160.post-6517501857413525688Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:16:00 +00002009-02-04T00:30:38.246ZReviewVideoGame King! Its name reverberates like the clang of a particularly damp bell. And it's inspired two separate videos. Such as this one:And also this one:The second video uses the first piece of music I've ever officially licensed. It cost me nearly £6 so expect to hear it on everything I do from now on. I plan to get my money's worth!(Incidentally, I spent a lot of time making the dramatic http://www.dancingyak.co.uk/blog/2009/02/fail-to-king.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. A.)