Gettin' Money With a Mouse and a Wacom Pen

Money Money Money - "Gettin' Money With a Mouse and a Wacom Pen (Fuck Comic Sans Fuck Papyrus, Too)" from Brad Chmielewski on Vimeo.

For all you motion graphics artists out there...

ZEROING

ZEROING from andrey nepomnyaschev on Vimeo.

this is a trip

Dr. Martens 50 - The Cinematic Orchestra cover Lilac Wine

Really beautiful work...

Dr. Martens is celebrating their 50th anniversary, and Blind was invited to join the party. Dr. Martens asked 10 artists to record their version of a cult classic track that represents the spirit of the people who’ve worn DM’s over the past 50 years. One of the songs selected was Cinematic Orchestra’s rendition of the classic, “Lilac Wine,” made popular in the early 90s by Jeff Buckley.  Blind was asked to direct the video, which would not include talent, but was given no other creative parameters.

Inspired by Spencerian Calligraphy, Vanessa directed a piece of moving visual poetry comprised of delicate lines. The lines extend and intertwine to form a variety of unique landscapes,populated by various incarnations of the lost lover of the song, including a bird, a fish, a butterfly and a horse.

Origami In the Pursuit of Perfection

Origami In the Pursuit of Perfection from MABONA ORIGAMI on Vimeo.

MK Adagio from Eaton Crous Counterstrike

MK Adagio from Eaton Crous Counterstrike on Vimeo.

Credits:
Orijin
Creative Director: Leon Schoeman
Producer: Rudy Senate
Art Direction/Creative Director, Design, Animation and Post Production: Eaton Crous
Sound Design: Juice.

Produced by Orijin for MK, South Africa

Box Animation

Box Animation from Jordan Clarke on Vimeo.

I love this little short. I never went to animation school. I started out as a graphic design major before computers were even on the scene and you drew all of your type by hand. Then, I moved to a fine art school and got into drawing as a major. Finally, I evolved my interests into an "electronic arts" major whens my little art school got some machines.

So, I have been exploring more design oriented and motion graphics stuff lately and really liking how CG, VFX and design are influencing each other.

Siggraph 2008 LA August 11 - August 15th

Siggraph 2008

I am so glad that Siggraph is in Los Angeles this year. I don't have to travel or get a hotel! Also, the new staff for Siggraph seem to be working very hard to make the show more accessible to artists and broader than just the white papers and the usual techie stuff. The theme EVOLVE for this year's show couldn't be more on point.

I love the new perspective on what the show should be about, in light of the evolution of the medium and more and more artists working in visual effects. CG Society has a great article covering many of the new things Siggraph is exploring this year...Check the article out! It's looking like it might even reflect more of what Massive Black has been doing in San Francisco with the show Insomania.


The show is actually Monday through Friday (August 11 - August 15th) this year, instead of the usual starting on a Sunday. This is really better for the exhibitors since most people just are not there on a Sunday.

Last year, I was working for Side Effects Software. I got a real "behind the scenes experience" of what it's like to be an exhibitor for Siggraph. It's exhausting, so be nice to anyone you see working the floor and bring them a water or buy them a beer if you see them out at night. Especially Leyla Tirgari or Cristin Barghiel - they are going to need it.

As far as speakers, it's no secret I am a HUGE fan of Ed Catmull. last time I had the opportunity to see him speak in person it was 1995 at NATE and he was talking about the revolutionary new tool - NURBS. Wowsie Wow, that was a whiel ago. Anyways he is on fo the featured speakers and I just might have to be a little under the weather that Monday morning for work, if I am not allowed to attend.

Ed Catmull - Feature Speaker at Siggraph 2008

SIGGRAPH 2010 Conference Chair Terrence Masson says to prepares for Siggraph this year: Ask your vendors for Exhibit passes as always ... but Basic one-day passes are only $45 (deal of the century IMHO), one day Computer Animation Festival passes are also only $50.

More details :
http://www.siggraph.org/s2008/attendees/registration/fees.php

BOF's are here :
http://www.siggraph.org/s2008/attendees/birds/

****************************************************

Siggraph Parties:

Houdini - No Party This Year :(
It's the end of an era.
Houdini always was known for the best
party of the year at Siggraph.
But, no more...


****************************************************
Siggraph Chapters Party

...going to be at Dodgers Stadium this year!
http://www.siggraph.org/s2008/attendees/reception/



****************************************************

Softimage User Event & Party
Where: Club 740
Tuesday, August 12th, 8:00PM – 1:00AM

Club 740 in downtown Los Angeles
Celebrate at one of L.A’s premier nightclubs.
Featuring the latest news from Softimage
and unforgettable guest performances, this event is sure
to be the talk of the show.
Space is limited – register now

That is all I can find at this time.

If you know of an event, let me know and I will add it to this posting.

99 Rooms

So kewl...Turn your speakers up...

99 Rooms is a unique internet art project that interweaves wall painting, photography, animation and sound in a manner entirely unknown until now. Shortly after its launch in June 2004, more than two million individuals throughout the world have already visited this interdisciplinary composite work of art.

99rooms stemmed from the mystical, often apolocalyptically charming pictures created by Berlin artist Kim Köster within the countless vacated premises of East Berlin‘s industrial sector. Photos of these paintings were initially produced in digital form and then animated through a cooperative effort between Richard Schumann & Stephan Schulz and then subsequently complemented through a personal sounddesign from Johannes Buenemann. The final product of this year long effort is a scintillating intermediary world which invites the observer into an journey through its morbidly-beautiful rooms.

ROSTLAUB Gbr Mainzer Strasse 1, 10247 Berlin, Germany Email: wir@rostlaub.com Kim Köster (The Artist) Richard Schumann (Art Direction) Johannes Bünemann (Sounddesign) Stephan Schulz (Flash / Programming)

A Short Story

An experimental short from Marcos Vaz and Daniel Blanco of Wondermint.

Nice!

Watch “A Short Story”.

BLU Does it Again

I posted Blu's stuff before, and he is at it again!
MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

MTV Switch Spot

Really Awesome PSA by Ubik
High-res version here.

There are about ten years before the effect of our CO2 emissions are irreversible, which sounds like a lifetime. The film aims to ensure that viewers realize that ten years is in fact only 3650 days. When you acknowledge this, you realize that we must do something, while there's still time to do something. We have only 3650 days left to save the world.

Trailer For BBC4’s Medieval Season

Wow! You have GOT TO SEE THIS HIREZ

BBC4’sMedieval Season Trailer by James Price directing under Strange Beast.

3 Legged Legs - Sprin Nascar

See it HIREZ Here

I have been a BIG fan of the work produced at 3 Legged Legs for some time. The Sprint Nascar spot they just finished has confirmed in my mind these guys "get it." I love how each car has a personality. They posted the entire process from the shoot, through design and animation - to final delivery on their website. The youtube posting is pretty compressed. I encourage you to click the HIREZ link and see all the details.

As I continue to work at design houses like my current employer Psyop, I really appreciate the amount of work put into commercials. I also wanted to give some props to my buddy Caleb Owens who was VFX Sup for the spot. It's so important to have a CG Sup ir VFX sup on set, even if there is a lot of sitting around because they have the foresight to head off issues that could be problematic and costly later in post. Great spot guys!


Advertising Agency: Goodby Silverstein & Partners, USA
Art Director: Kevin Koller
CD: Ronny Northrop
CD: Rich Silverstein
CD: Paul Stechschulte
CD: Franklin Tipton
Copywriter: Rus Chao
Exec Producer: Josh Reynolds
Producer: Brian Coate

Director: Michael Mann
Spots's Prod Co: Alturas Redfish Films
Line Producer: Adam Gross
Exec Producer: Marshall Rawlings @ Alturas Redfish Films

Director - Design & Animation: Three Legged Legs
Design & Animation Production Company: Green Dot Films
Creative Directors: Casey Hunt, Greg Gunn, Reza Rasoli
Managing Director: Rick Fishbein
Executive Producers: Darren Foldes & Rich Pring
Producer: Mary Ann Cabrera
Designer: Chuck BB

Animators: Robin Steele, Dave Creek, Dylan Spears, Jahmad Rollins, Matt Flynn, Ryan Green, Brice Mallier, Kathleen Quaife

Additional Cleanup: Amy Clark, Chris Anderson, Joe Kennedy, Omar Ruiz, Thomas Yamaoka, George Fuentes, Tuna Bora, Jason Han, Timothy Gatton
3D Artist: Billy Maloney
Tracking/Compositing: Tyler Nathan
VFX Supervisor: Caleb Owens
Audio post: Robert Feist @ Ravenswork Studios
DP: Dante Spinoti
Editor: Hank Corwin @ Lost Planet/CA
Titles: Buck
Music: Human @ Human
Sound Design: Gus Koven @ Stimmung
Colorist: Corey Brown @ The Mill/LA

Vehicle Graphics By: Bluemedia

Maxim Zhestkov Again

I have posted Maxim Zhestov's work on the blog before - and he has doen it again! This 22 year old Russian Director/Designer blows my mind. He uses a simple monochromatic palette to tell his eerie stories.

Check out his latest work here http://www.zhestkov.com/

Si TV Montage

Si TV is an LA-based Latin cable channel with English programming. CA Square in NYC gives Si TV a new look. HOT!

Watch the Si TV montage.

IMPACIST

Leo's Song

Norge

Camp Adair

Steps to a Healthier You

Collection

Rainy Day Recess

The Typewriter

I guess you can tell I am influenced by
working at a motion graphics studio...enjoy.

Feeling Good

I was blown away by the simplicity and execution of this.

SVA student Tamara Gildengers Connolly used type characters to create this music video for Nina Simone singing “Feeling Good.”

From Cartoon Brew...

Josie LaLALand

I love animation that mixes motion graphics, 2D and CG elements and other bits in a most creative way. THAT is exactly what director/animator EB Hu has done with his short JOSIE'S LALALAND. More importantly, the message on this one is heartfelt and moving. A hopeful and beautiful story and gorgeous images.

JOSIE'S LALALAND

Check his other work here.

Edouard Salier - 'Numericable'

So, I guess I am on this motion graphics kick. But, this is a really amazing mix of 2D and CG elements...have fun!

I love the red hero character in the hallway...

Agency = Leo Burnett Paris.

Watch "Numericable" Here

Maxim Zhestkov

This kid is 21 years old and already has a better promotion reel than most motion, graphics and toy designers out there. Reining from Russia his work rocks the house.

As a side note: This work screams of Houdini. I wish Houdini demos were this sexy. Every boutique in LA would be foaming at the mouth if they knew Houdini could do this stuff in half the time a motion graphic designer would take to hand animate it!

Turn up your speakers!

Self Promotion Experiment #1

Self promotion Experiment #2

Self Promotion Experiment #3
This is by far my favorite...

Self Promotion Experiment #4

Self Promotion Experiment #5

Self Promotion Experiement #6

According to his website: he is interested in universe,
infinity, fractals, b/w, space,
experiments, motion, architecture,
physics, sound.
Holy cow!