Where are you from?
Eastern Suburbs, Sydney

Where did you grow up?
Leicester and London, UK

What are your pastimes and interests?
Beach volleyball, Bodyboarding, making stuff with my hands (I have a BA Hons in three-dimensional design) - There's a little of the mad inventor in me… I have the next few years blocked out with projects, some that are totally unconnected with anything I'm doing now.

What's your favorite saying or cliché?
In the studio, I'm known for saying "It's easy!!"
Personal philosophy: "People that matter don't mind, and people that mind don't matter"

What's your favorite movie?
Recently - Crouching Tiger.
All time…? Urrr… What the hell. Peter Pan.

What's your favorite cocktail?
Anything with an umbrella.

When did you first get involved with flash?
Back in the futuresplash days. I used Director back when it was called VideoWorks, so I've always managed to pick up on technology as it emerges.

What is your view of the current use of flash?
Flash is a tool. Design should be driven by creative and strong reasoning, not by what the tool can and can't do.

Who do you feel is advancing the use of flash the most?
It's ubiquity.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My Mum and Dad. I had an active and creative mind as a child, and they nurtured it. Whilst all the other kids were buying plastic Star Wars toys I built the perfect Millennium Falcon out of cardboard. They spent all their savings on a computer for me 21 years ago and within a few days I'd programmed my first drawing application from scratch. That was where it all started.

Where do you see the future of flash?
Needs more of the functionality of Director especially for action-scripting (which is truly horrible compared to lingo). As a program, the interface is still too clunky for my liking. However I'd like the projectors to start getting smaller, not bigger. There's a challenge!

What advice would you give to budding flashers?
Plan your projects. Storyboard with pencil an paper. Bake the cake first - leave the icing to the end!

What can FK01 attendees expect from you?
Some do's, don'ts, some objective thought as well as the subjective. A sense of humour and thought provoking insight into our technology and creative minds.

Any closing words?
Bring a pen or pencil… I'm like to get interactive with my audience!

If you would like further information on speaking opportunities please contact: Mark Fennell(webmaster@flashkit.com). We have conferences planned in LA, Sydney, and Europe and Asia as well, so let us know your interest!