As I continue to consider the role of the ARC in the universe (i.e. can it offer anything that isn't repeated in other places), I'm finding it hard to locate things that inspire me to post. At least this super simple piece of Motion Graphics says something I agree with.
Found at: No Fat Clips
I see the work of the new After Effects pin tool in this haunting and unnerving short film.
Found at: No Fat Clips
Some very cool promos for Nick Toons Germany, from a studio called Dyrdee Media. Animated in After Effects me thinks.
Check out this amazing animation set to a theater sports improv game. The actors are only allowed to use one syllable words or they are out. Apparently the animation is by THE Eric Goldberg.
Its been a while since I posted some motion graphics. This is a nice minimal piece set to a Nine Inch Nails instrumental.
Found at: Nozap
When the animating time is short it means it is time to get creative with the background art. We can't all be painterly Studio Ghibli or Pixar layout artists.
BigFish.tv animators, by all accounts from reliable sources, follow the philosophy espoused by Ian of, "Work hard, play hard." Not many animators have fuel left in the tank to animate outside of work. These local Brisbane animators let their pressure cooker release with eclectic soundtracks and a flood of crazy consciousness ideas. It's brain twisting gobbledeegook of the highest order. Not only do they animate outside of work time but they have created a whole online festival called Fest.
This example shows how using photographic backgrounds have given this animation an urban jungle feel. So, if it is all about character animation in your soul, then get creative and quick on your backgrounds with ideas like this.
More: A flounder sings, "Why must you eat with your mouth so wide?" Ahoowr you gotta see it.
Ha, ha! Ian is away. So it's time to get the ARC blog tidied up a bit and go with a Brazilian clip.
A few things to consider in this post. First it has giant fighting robots! Or are they? Or do they? Beautiful background art. Organic colour scheme. Mitch, does it remind you of Iron Giant?
It looks like a film with 2D effects and 3D animation. I'm sure an industry animator can set me straight on that interpretation.
The 3D characters have a nice 'toon render' (Robyn make a comment!).
Unfortunately the Serbian musician whose music features in this film died in his London studio trying to rescue his masterpiece from a fire (there's more information in the dedication at the start of the clip).
If you can't view it on YouTube then you can see it @ Jellyfish Pictures UK
Previous Giant Jungle Robot Post: SUBA by Ian
If you want an animation job in Brazil you might want to check out this award winning studio?: Vetor Zero (they do 3D computer, stop mo and traditional animation)
A nice film clip by student Jason Peacock to a Josh Pyke song. Animated in After FX. Jason also has a Behind The Scenes and an Animatic for the clip up on Vimeo, nice.
Found at: No Fat Clips
Petit a Petit - Did you know 3D could look like this?
Entre Deux Miettes - simple characters with live action backgrounds. Very slick.
Le Moulin - Ever feel out of step with the world around you?
This is a great ad. Almost definitely animated in After Effects.
For me it raises some questions though.
If Honda are DOing so much about the environment, how come we can't buy their hybrid cars in Australia yet, and why DO they continue to produce large urban 4WD vehicles. I suppose another thing they are focused on DOing is making money, even if it unDOes some of the other good things they DO.
Found at : No Fat Clips and Motionographer.
As a teacher one of the last things I ever want to hear a student say is, "I know its a lame cliche, but its kinda like a parody of a cliche if you know what I mean". This is usually code for, I know its a lame cliche, but I'm to lazy to come up with something original. Boy am I sounding cynical.
The question is, are you 100% confident that the potential employer will understand that its a parody instead of just turning it off after the first 15 seconds?
There are inevitably exceptions to these rules, and this is one. Conrad Ostwald's reel is actually a list of motion graphics cliche's, and it still manages to impress.
If any students are thinking they might use this as leverage, I'll make a deal with you. If I'm convinced that your as good as this guy, I'll let you do that reel or film that's a "parody of a cliche" :P
It is to my great delight that one of my favourite bands keep giving me excuses (however flimsy) to post about them.
They Might be Giants have made a video of animated songs for kids that is released through Disney. They have been featuring the clips, that utilise a broad range of animation techniques in a series of video podcast.
I've only been able to find one episode that isn't on a site that will be blocked on our Southbank PCs, but for those reading at home here are links to a whole bunch that are on You Tube. Each one contains at least one animated film clip.
813 Miles
1 Dozen Monkeys
Apartment
Nonagon
The Seven Days Of The Week
Found at: No Fat Clips
Yet another film where we see storytelling that uses compositing software (I'm guessing After FX). Layers moving in a 3D space, the use of text and camera moves give it away.
Also its a rare example of animation about a topic close to the heart of the ladies, go ladies go! It makes for a nice change from wars, swords, guns and robots. Not that those can't be cool, its just that its nice to have some variety.
For a student film this is a super slick piece of work, and its just over one and a half minutes long.
Found at: No Fat Clips
Youtube link.
A stunning French piece combining hand drawn elements with some live action, and yet another example of motion graphics tool (probably after FX) being used to tell a story.
It is quite amazing how much of the story is told in these cases just through the used of camera moves and introducing and removing elements. I suppose that makes them more like moving storyboards than regular animation as we know it. Not that that’s a bad thing, its just interesting to see how much of the animation is devoted to assembling and then disassembling the scene.
If your anything like me you have a snowballs chance of reading the subtitles and watching everything that happens in the animation at the same time, but its worth a couple of viewings anyway I think.
Found at: the FEED blog
Hopefully you haven’t been to busy watching "So You Think You Can Dance Australia" to notice the new ABC1 promos popping up on Aunty. They utilise a broad range of animation techniques and combine them with live action in ways that create a thoughtful and reflective feel. Quite a contrast to the commercial channels that have over recent months rolled out another bunch of predictable, “Hey we are so much fun, come and hang out with us like we are your old friend,” drivel.
Speaking of the ABC, there is talk floating about of a possible new ABC channel devoted just to children’s entertainment that must contain a high percentage of Australian made content. If this were to happen it would be super good news for the Australian animation industry. At the moment I would guess that there is less than 3 hours of Aussie made animation on TV in any given day, just imagine the difference a whole channel devoted to entertaining the kiddies with locally produced content could make.
Dare I encourage our younger readers to actually take political action? Here is a link to the web site for the federal minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy. Why not send him an email (minister@dbcde.gov.au) say how great it would be for your future if there was a new ABC channel just for children’s content, get your parents involved too, in fact get anyone you know who can vote to join in. This is no time to be cynical, get the democracy working for you.
Found at: idents.tv
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
A nice old school animation anti smoking ad.
Few that's a mouth full.
Found at: The FEED blog
