In terms of the different looks and feels that can be achieved with 3D animation, this film covers more ground in 12 mins than the main stream 3D feature film industry has covered in the last 10 years.
And for once its nice not to be pointing out great art direction for a film where the animation isn't that great. Not only dose this film look amazing, in every shot the character moves with weight and attitude. Best online work I've seen in a while.
This beautiful film by Jeremy Clapin is filled with layers of meaning. I'd say one of the most unique and well told stories I've seen on the net in some time. Looking at it, its hard to believe theres 3D in this film, but there is, and here is the proof.
Found at: Ticklebooth
This is a great article from Spanish born Pixar animator Carlos Baena about using timing to imply that a character is thinking. Its one of a selection of Tricks and Tips to be found on his web site. Check out his Personal Work section too, where you will find some awesome showreel examples.
Ahhh some days I could just give the Internet a big sloppy wet kiss. This youtube vid (recorded some years ago now) is an interview/discussion with 4 legends of modern western animation.
Its over an hour and a half of inspirational animation goodness, especially in the second half where Brad Bird and Andrew Stanton get quite fired up. So grab some snacks and a drink, settle in and enjoy. Its all soooo goood!
Found at: The Thinking Animation Blog
At the risk of sounding condecending (but what the hell I am a teacher) I really feel sorry for the students not making time to come by the ARC these days, its exciting times. So many great discussions and new things to learn, I'm loving it.
Which brings me to the next exciting developement. What if there is a way we can make it so that drawing is still at the core of the 3D process we use at Southbank? Sound good?
The internet still has the ability to blow me away. Here is a whole book from Animation Mentor founder Shawn Kelly (Transformers, Star Wars, etc) that you can download in PDF form FREEEEEEE! Freeee I tells ya!!! Theres animation goooold in them thar hills!!!!!
Any Southbank second year animation students who don't download this and gobble this up are in serious danger of recieving a wedgie, or at least one hell of an ear bashing. >:)
Last year Stuart, one of the second year students of 2007, showed me a short clip called Cat Man Do, and it was very good. What I have only just discovered it that it is part of a series called Simon's Cat, and a second episode has just surfaced that I think is even better than the first. The observations of cat like behaviour are spot on.
Found at: Cartoon Brew
I'm not even sure what this thing is.
But I know its animated and I know I like it.
Found at: Motionographer
Dailymotion Link.
Sometimes something simple can be so damb good. Here is the creators web site.
Found at: Nozap
A while back I did a post about the web site of FX animator Michel Gagne, there I saw a still from this film, but as it was placed in amongst images from Ratatouille, Iron Giant and Clone Wars I hardly gave it a second thought. Luckily Alan Cook over at the Cooked Art Blog drew my attention to it once more and found a link to the whole film.
Over the break I made a whole bunch of After Effects video tutorials (among other things), as I talked through the various program features I noticed a reoccurring theme emerging. I would apply a tool or technique and then say something like, “of course if you use it with the setting too high, or you aren’t careful how you apply it this can end up looking very tacky, its best to use it subtly if you want to look professional.”
This piece from Quadroplastic covers almost the full rang of basic motion graphics features. A 3D space combining 2D, 3D and live action elements with lighting and camera moves. How easy it would have been to go to far, but the restraint in the application of the tools and the design result in beautifully classy piece.
Found at: Motionographer
This amazing 1999, Academy Award winning animation is a must see. It is by Aleksandr Petrov and his son Dimitri over 2 years by making over 29,000 paintings on glass.
"Petrov used his fingertips in addition to various paintbrushes to paint on different glass sheets positioned on multiple levels, each covered with slow-drying oil paints. After photographing each frame painted on the glass sheets, which was four times larger than the usual A4-sized canvas, he had to slightly modify the painting for the next frame..." Read more
Think about it... each painting captured as a frame in a film... each painting lost as the next one is created. As Ian might say, "Wow! And I mean WOW!", or he might say, "Hey! This isn't key frame animation." note: Jane talked about this film in class last year and said we had to watch it. Go Jane!
Trust the good people at Studio AKA to show us that you don't need complicated characters to tell a good story. Gota love their work.
Yay! For me one of the highlights of the online animation year is the release of a new Animation Mentor showcase.
Wow... I mean WOW! I consider myself to have a pretty broad knowledge of animation, but there is stuff going on here, where I have no idea how it was done. Its so cool that you can be into animation for so long and it can still stop you dead in your tracks and take your breath away.
Thanks to the Ticklebooth blog for this one (and many others that I have posted in months gone by).
Sorry about the lull, been away for a few days celebrating my 5Th wedding anniversary.
I've found a cracker of a film to return with though. Dynamo features stunning character design, fantastic timing, great posing and acting (all without dialogue) and an original concept. LOVE IT!
Check out Musicotherapie, it starts out quirky, progresses into odd and ends up down right weird. I loved every minute of it.
A beautiful, slick and original 3D look.
Its a big file but be patient because its worth the wait.
