Animation and Design

Archive for the ‘Animation Tips and Info’ Category

Impressive is an understatement. I usually do not hallucinate the daily animated shorts that I look for the network, but in this case I cannot help but tip my hat. Those of Polyn, the company Filmakademie BW, presented in 2010 with an absolutely amazing animated short, from the hand of directors Jan Bitzer, Ilija Bruncken, Csaba Letay, with great sound of Joel Corelitz and a dozen artists Airstream Studio.

This is an exact replica (read that officials investigated for a long time to make it as true to life … in a very welcome visual abstraction) from the attack of a spider to a moth that has fallen on your network. I bored eater nature documentaries of all kinds; I have seen similar things in nature and attest to the work. A huge effort in design, motion modeling. As I said, removing his hat and cheer. All this topped with a final sequence of an abstraction literally hypnotic. For the most sensitive spiders need to eat.

Today I bring a very interesting short film with a surprising and unique animation, away from almost everything I’ve seen so far, and I’m pretty sure you will seem worth seeing. It lasts just over seven minutes, black and white, apart from proposing an overwhelming imagery, with a great sense of atmosphere and sound manicured Joe Tate tells a story without dialogue that borders on, or rather come in the world of magical realism with ease. A fisherman is a matter of amazing properties, able to absorb almost anything, and that continues to grow as it feeds.

Magic, distressing, harrowing, I think an excellent film. Leo out there that Prosser is a short film and an artist to be reckoned with. Judging from this work done for the Royal College of Art in London in 2011, certainly go right. Enjoy it.

Jason Segel and Amy Adams star in the romantic comedy “Green With Envy ‘(” green with envy “), which tells of a couple in a small town who travels to Hollywood to pursue his dreams of success. But they did not realize that their aspirations could jeopardize what they want most: each other.

Well, I guess if you give him the “play” in the trailer of “Green With Envy ‘before reading these words will have already discovered that it is a fake movie created to confuse. And actually, this breakthrough is the first teaser of ‘The Muppets’ (‘The Muppets’), a film that will premiere in the U.S.. UU. Nov. 23.

Update May 28th: We have released another teaser, entitled ‘The Fuzzy Pack, you can see below:

What is certain is that Jason Segel will and Amy Adams, in addition to Peggy (Miss Piggy)-with whom I am certainly not the only one who thought that Adams keeps a considerable resemblance, and Kermit the Frog (Kermitt the Frog). Other performers will be Emily Blunt, Zach Galifianakis, Neil Patrick Harris, Danny Trejo, Rashida Jones, Ricky Gervais, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Liza Minnelli, Mickey Rooney, in a long list of famous names who will join the characters created by Jim Henson.

The film, directed by James Bobin, with Jason Segel and screenplay by Nicholas Stoller, tells us that the Muppets have to meet for, with the help of three of his followers, to save his former producer of a greedy oil tycoon.

I confess to the reader that until recently had not had a chance to see all of the eighth animated feature film of the house at this point, is the most important genre since Walter Elias Disney founded the Walt Disney Company. At least in Western cinema. And I had not seen in its entirety by one of those strange quirks that, together with coincidences, impossible to watch a movie until long after its release. And what I saw I did not like anything spectacular, especially compared with ‘The Incredibles’ (‘ The Incredibles’ Brad Bird, 2004) or ‘Finding Nemo’ (‘Finding Nemo, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, 2003). It turns out that ‘Ratatouille’ (id, Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava, 2007) belongs to such “movies river”, which may leave some indifferent if sequences are loose, however brilliant they may be, and is only perceived ingenuity in their overwhelming if viewed from beginning to end, without interruption, and you just drag so comfortable with a torrent of imagination with which it is impossible not to have a great time.

I say this because I have a habit of reviewing movies big loose strings, to encourage or inspire me, and some stories this is impossible. They are so calculated in its entirety, which must clockwork, the only way to access a strange complicity with them is making them to look whole, which is what I have done almost four times in a row with ‘Ratatouille’ before I started this writing. And so I have seen how far Pixar, and his fabulous team of writers, they know to grab the viewer’s attention with diabolical precision, and do not let go until the very end, armed with an arsenal of amazingly well-laid traps for even the most veteran moviegoer, or bloody Analyst (I myself …) fall exhausted, forget everything, and are delivered seamlessly and passionately to consummate storytelling wonderful of these individuals, who know very well what they are doing , which gang of conspirators. So much so that ‘Ratatouille’ has become, at FNAL, my favorite Pixar movie next to that enjoyed ‘Toy Story 3′ (id, Lee Unkrich) that raised so much praise last year.

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How a film that begins with two penguins singing pop songs, surrounded by more penguins forming a ring-shaped heart, and that together form another heart with their bodies, can be so excited, the fact is it’s a real mystery to me. Moreover when a production that exploits the use of small cap adorable angelic little voices animals with which it is impossible not to gorge them at the top of diabetes. And even more when, like so many other animated films, or as many melodramas about adolescence, it goes to an outsider in this story, in not knowing how to sing like most, and therefore to do just as well what everyone else is regarded as a pariah, but to have a frenzied acceleration of the foot end earning the respect of their own. In that sense, nothing new under the sun. So how is that ‘Happy Feet’ (id, George Miller, 2006) is a film so unforgettable, so special and decidedly awesome?

Perhaps because unlike some recent Disney productions, or other animated titles that are unable to transcend the subject matter to capture life on the screen (much to the case of animated films), ‘Happy Feet’ is full in every plane of life was very hard to describe but easy to enjoy and remember. Perhaps because the viewer does not take potential (children) like a bunch of memos to which they can be convinced with any adventure drawings, on the contrary, this is a highly accurate script and psychological narrative. Or, I dunno, maybe because it’s mere staging is filled with a musicality that not only has to do with the songs or music (for some pride) John Powell, especially with the visual rhythm, incredibly dynamic and a symphonic sense of image and planning. Or maybe it has to do with how much since I’ve always liked penguins (the truth) because it is about amazing animals, far more than they seem, and here are a beautiful tribute.

The truth is that little one is set with care; this film has much to do with the first three of its director. Recently, writing about the wonderful Mad Max 2 the Road Warrior ‘(‘ Mad Max 2 ‘, 1981), and told me that George Miller was a talented filmmaker. Here again address the issue of a vast and ruthless, and an absolute star who loses everything and whose mission in life seems in the eyes of everyone else, a real nonsense. Of course this time, given the technical requirements of such a complex production at all levels, George Miller is not alone in the director’s chair, sharing, as co-directors, screenwriters with the project also Warren Coleman and Judy Morris (the fourth screenwriter John Collee, is not listed in the credits of director), but there is much sense of the greatness of Mad Max in this film, in which the vast deserts of sand in an apocalyptic world are replaced by icy plains of Antarctica, an adventure that is absolutely epic from start to finish.

in ‘Happy Feet’ penguin society and its fictional culture, which of course is a parable of social hierarchies of these animals, and especially the emperor penguin, reaching the rank of mythology. Thus, the representation of their reproductive cycle, in the harsh winter Arctic, singing with the whole community, is a perfect image of the communion of these animals by nature, almost a spiritual way. Likewise, the reunion with mothers who have gone to sea to feed during that time, has biblical echoes. It is only the beginning. The elders of the clan are a kind of wise elders, but also conservative Carcass unable to accept the difference and not always with the mouth. In this society, the guru is a Rockhopper penguin who is called Doctor Love, and humans are to them an alien species (observing our behavior toward the natural environment that we can …) and they are abudcen all fish have to let them starve. In short, a universe in which other species represents major threats to the group, but the need for survival, and where the greatest enemy is man’s ignorance.

There are images in this movie that they cut to a breath, much as you want to avoid: the fragmentation of the glacier, which reveals a crane inside, which falls to the ice water and sinks into the depths, the walk of six friends in search of a cure for the “mystical necklace” Dr. Love (a plastic ring with the drowning) through a terrible blizzard that hold them back, the discovery of abandoned fishing port like a parallel universe try, the penguins are fun for a couple of playful whales, which pass it before attempting to devour pump, the emergence of huge fish like a cyclopean monster that snatches away the livelihood, the jump back to try to communicate with Mumble aliens in a drop of hundreds of meters and a run hundreds of miles, the sense of great oppression and isolation in the confinement of the Penguins … all enlivened by a chorus of voices truly inspired, among which are Elijah Wood Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugo Weaving, Nicole Kidman and many others.

Capturing the movement of the best tap dancer in the world, Savion Glover, to realize the movement of penguin, Mumble, and other dancers to give life to other animals of the group, using four years and a huge group of animators (and servers …) to make it happen in nine months time rendering, its great popular success and Oscar, as well as impressive technical bill, show that there is life beyond Pixar, and also witness the love of film to treasure to do something like ‘Happy Feet’. Truly great film whose ecological message, more than ever necessary, is not moralizing or biased. It is what is: if we continue like this, everything will end very soon. As rain in May hope the second part, coming before too long in 3D, and hopefully bring us a couple of hours of great animated films and adventure as the first.

In recent editions of the Hollywood awards for excellence, the animated film has had a major role. Not only because of the abundance of great titles that competition has been very high and very expensive Oscar, but for the high quality we are living in this genre. This year again a good example at high altitude: Pixar seems to be the favorite but it would be unfair to forget one of the great films of the year: ‘How to Train You is Dragon’ Dreamworks, and a little-known gem like ‘ L’Illusionniste ‘.

Something similar happens with younger siblings, the animated shorts. Pixar once again lead the list of nominees with great favor, but we cannot forget the rest, as they are magnificent pieces. And so let’s review the short animation Oscar candidate 2011. A high level.

This short part as a heavy favorite. Directed by Teddy Newton is one of those experiments Disney / Pixar in that test interesting ideas and techniques that could be integrated in future productions of feature films. ‘Day & Night’ is preceded with enormous relevance to the screening of “Toy Story 3 ‘is a masterful piece, where the combination of traditional animation and 3D come together perfectly. And all with a simple story but beautifully told. As Pixar and we are accustomed.

Day and Night Pixar Kachashvili shortfilm from Nick on Vimeo.
‘Madagascar, carnet de voyage’

This short of just eleven minutes of French production is directed by Bastien Dubois is one of the most successful year in the number of awards. It is perhaps, by some pools, which you can plant more expensive to Pixar in the face of Oscar. And the story of the journey of a traveler confronted European custom of famdihana (traditional celebration of Madagascar). According to the diary pages pass, the drawings come to life and the landscapes they travel to Madagascar and the customs of the Malagasy culture.

As I did last year, I bring the four short films that have been shortlisted for the 2011 Goya Awards in the category of Animation. As if you were academics, think what you think of four more “premiable.” My verdict will reach the end, so you can view them without being conditioned.
‘The bruxa’

‘The bruxa’ is a short produced by La Fiesta P. C. and directed by Pedro Solis. In it we see a witch disturbed in the spring, in love with love, who wants a prince charming. In a book of spells is the formula to transform your frog into the coveted Don Juan. But when preparing the potion, he realizes that he has run one of the main ingredients, which can only be collected in Cuenca. So leave on her broom to collect the necessary ground.

The main character is sympathetic and generally short we can say that its fun, because it has subtle flashes of humor, introduced in the right measure. The animation quality is undisputed in this already veteran producer who has previously been nominated for a Goya Award and also won the award for “Tadeo Jones’.

‘Vicenta’

“Vicenta”, Sam (Samuel Orti Marti), shows a marriage that you won the lottery. Alfredo, the husband, however, keeps the ticket in a safe place and do not want to spend a bitch. When this guy who’s cheap and old-fashioned dies, Vicenta, his wife, look in the hiding everywhere.

This short, conflict Productions, strikes me as slightly long for the story it tells, that takes too long to get going. But I heard a cheerleader at a conference, after the grueling work that involves generating images in stop motion, ask them to cut something in assembly is the most painful.

‘Tower of Time’

‘The Tower of Time’ (‘The Tower of Time’) is a short film directed by Jose Luis Quiros Quiros Animation, conducted in a spirit much more commercial than the other three, as it is created entirely in 3D has been dubbed into English and original language. It is fantasy and the soundtrack fits this style, thus approaching the last full-length adventures taking place in 3D internationally. I find this commendable effort to reach all audiences, but I see the short unoriginal in design of the characters and bleak about their history.

Although this is only the trailer, you can see its fourteen minutes on the official website.

‘Exlibris’

With ‘Exlibris’, its author, Mary Trénor, wonders how many people have read it before, played and enjoyed an old book bought in a secondhand bookstore. Four different people at four different locations and at four different times, read, play and enjoy a book.

In fact, the film features stop motion animation as one of its components, but is shot mainly in real image. ‘Exlibris’ is defined as “a visual poem that pays homage to the ancient books, the bookstores and the pleasure of reading through a copy of ‘Don Quixote’.” With fragment provided below is easy to get an idea of the overall aesthetics of the film, which actually lasts 14’35 minutes.

Conclusion

Just like last year all the films competing in this category I thought they deserved to win and that the jury’s work would be arduous, this time I do not see much interesting proposal, either because the nominees are less able to reach audiences of all ages and tastes or because the ideas are not all original expected. Within there, choose the ‘La bruxa’, at least, I made fun and friendly.

Two months after the premiere of ‘Gru, my favorite villain’ (‘Despicable Me’) of Illumination Entertainment has come to our screens ‘Megamind’, DreamWorks, another product of 3D animation that revolves around a very Similarly, a villain who aspires to be the best, most powerful and feared the face of the Earth, but in reality is more awkward, funny and kind of what you want to appear. It is not the first time you start up two projects with similar themes that are released around the same time, most recently happened with ‘Cop Out’ (directly to the domestic market in our country) and ‘The other two’ (‘The Other Guys ‘), and we all remember cases like’ Deep Impact ‘and’ Armageddon ‘in 1998,’ The Illusionist ‘(‘ The Illusionist ‘) and’ The Prestige: Prestige ‘(‘ The Prestige ‘) four years ago .

It always arrives before strikes twice, but here it has happened. The small margin between the release of these two productions has resulted in ‘Gru’ faster, achieved a spectacular box office, while ‘Megamind’, although successful, has had to make do with smaller numbers, not only because the public I had seen a film with a similar argument, but by competition from two titles like “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Part 1 ‘(‘ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Part 1 ‘) and’ Tangled ‘(‘ Tangled ‘), fighting for the same audience. In a battle of numbers, and now also award (‘Gru’ is one of five nominated for Annie Awards), winning the film comes out clearly inspired by the study Illumination, but if we come to appreciate the movie, I think the result is totally different, DreamWorks is funny, witty and exciting.

Directed by Tom McGrath (“Madagascar” and its sequel), the film takes us back to Metro City, a city protected by a perfect superhero called Metro Man (voice of Brad Pitt in the original), whose main mission is to thwart his nemesis, the evil “genius” of crime called Megamind (voiced by Will Ferrell). The struggle between good and evil has become a routine for the two characters and the people of Metro City, especially for the reporter Roxanne Ritchie (Tina Fey), which sequesters Megamind constantly, since it is the hottest girl Man next to Metro City when the hero is thanking his dedication, the blue and stubborn villain arrives on the scene with a new plan that will have unexpected results.

In a successful and fun introduction to see how Megamind arrives wanting to become the greatest enemy of mankind, explaining that his rivalry with Man Metro began in infancy when their parents sent them to earth, desperate, before that the planets disappeared. While one ended in a wealthy family where he would have what he wanted, the other fell in the courtyard of a prison, being raised by inmates, which would help him develop his skills for crime. So, thanks to its incredible superpowers, Metro Man became the defender of justice, while Megamind, no more help than a thug inseparable (David Cross), would choose to be their greatest enemy, the terror of the city . Everything will shift when he finally defeats Metro Man, and has the need for another hero to fight for, Titan (Jonah Hill), which has its own idea of what they can run their powers.

will-ferrell-conResulta Megamind-comic-encouraging to see how it is expanding the way that cinema is approaching superhero (and supervillain), as its characteristics (action, powers, spectacular inventions) have an irresistible commercial potential , thanks a wider range of offerings. While Christopher Nolan’s Batman, realistic and serious, triumphant at the box office and earned criticism, generating all kinds of imitators, the proposals do not go away most casual (Iron Man) and fantastic (‘Wolverine’), the same time beginning to take shape a less mythification, focusing on the flaws, quirks and contradictions of the characters. ‘Watchmen’, ‘Kick-Ass’ or ‘Super’ (a prank seen in Sitges, in theaters yet unpublished) show that the public is also interested in seeing the less perfect side of the superhero.

‘Megamind’, whose origin lies in the question “What if Superman defeated Lex Luthor” (there are clear references to the man of steel, such as Louis Lane’s character or the “godfather” space), explores from a comic view the necessary relationship between hero and villain, and what would happen in the unlikely event that the second was successful, and what if the villain, and only, you will find a greater enemy. The film plays with the lure hook pose a different situation than usual, as did other products DreamWorks (Shrek), but as my companion pointed Jesus Leon is limited by their commercial claims and a script (written by Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons) which does not take full advantage of the characters and the disputes. Again, the study is content with little, resort to topical situations, referential jokes (‘Captain Marvel’, ‘Robot Monster’, ‘Donkey Kong’…), blows and easy jokes, seeking immediate returns rather than a story that remains in memory.

Although it may seem contrary to the designs of the characters, there are ‘Megamind’ impressive animated sequences, the few action sequences there are spectacular, and although the characters are more gullible than desired, there are times that shows them as human and near, that he stumbled friendly, especially the clumsy and quirky Megamind, who steals the screen from the beginning. The work of DreamWorks still far from what we do at Pixar, where much care the creative process (‘The Incredibles’ and the first sequence of’ Toy Story 3 ‘overwhelming battle between heroes and villains, far outweigh’ Megamind ‘), but no doubt, considering also the most successful’ How to Train Your Dragon ‘(‘ How To Train Your Dragon ‘), which are improving. Aware of his limitations, ‘Megamind’ is an effective entertainment that can satisfy viewers of all ages, and title for fans of the subgenre of superheroes.

Megamind 1

The Dreamworks animated film has a label clearly marked in a movie where the entertainment is its maximum, the stories turn seek a more or less original in its execution schedules and trite technique is of great bill. Still, although comparisons are odious, but inevitable in cases like this, live in the shadow of Disney / Pixar. Not so much for being behind in terms of artistic results, which are complicated but it’s something to match, but because they choose stories whose draft is usually lower.

In ‘Megamind’ are a true reflection of ‘The Incredibles’ (which do not hide the writers Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons.) A vision of the superhero from Dreamworks wanted to give back than usual. Try this duality (and rivalry) between the hero and the villain and show that the presence of one is meaningless without the other and how they feel, think and raise their relationship in the imaginary world of superheroes. Although in this case come from a distant galaxy.

The film achieves its greatest success in this very approach. It’s interesting how shows where the good, the hero whose boredom finally affected to the point of considering a withdrawal. And the evil whose only motivation and execution passes through the loser in every fight. Until the time, this scenario takes a turn and both reflect on their role. It is when we see that other side, the intimacy of the villain and the hero and his conclusions. As we say, this is very well presented, is the most original and remarkable, but to achieve the effect is to give up a blistering pace and increase the scenes full of dialogue, where the stresses based narrative scenes situation dilated.

Megamind 2
‘Megamind’ and irregular rhythm

Here again the comparison fits. Because where Dreamworks (or Tom McGrath, the director) needs, and not just what we have seen in this ‘Megamind’ several minutes, plenty of scenes and dialogues abusing stressed in Disney / Pixar solve it in one fell swoop, with simple scenes , strong and sublime narrative synthesis.

Here is where the adult viewer extracts the maximum essence of ‘Megamind’ and children are restless in the chair waiting for the long-awaited confrontation, action and fun you expect from an animated movie (in 3D). Although a bit late in coming and dilate over the arrival of the show. Well done in the last third of the film.

But ‘Megamind’ despite its successful resolution, without disappointing but did not reach the brilliance, suffers from lack of faith. Little faith when sharpening to parody, to impose on the action scenes throughout the essence (they are not exactly the best) and the presence of a weak character who provides a point of weakness, interest, and whose resolution is too “articial” bringing out the cadences of the cinema conceived as an industrial product, the mainstream with a lack of risk, daring and, as noted, faith in the issues raised and cross the line from the conventional.

Megamind 3
Good characters except for the girl

The clearest example is found in Roxanne Ritchie, reporter, that character is merely a parody of Lois Lane (and one of the many tributes to ‘Superman’, his main reference), and is by far the weakest of Side Gallery. It shows little faith or little inspiration perhaps, in time to include this character whose sosez hampers the film, like the scenes of blue with her protagonist, a love story so sappy and dull and lazy.

We cannot say the same about the rest, that nice Minion, faithful partner or tubestations cocky hero, and all a showman. Characters whose presence gives the film richness and comic moments and fun. And of course Megamind, friendly, recurrent, deep and original hero status for his forced to be the bad guy (although we have only recently Gru).

However, the bill serial product, should not overshadow the great successes: the universe multireferential, winks moviegoers properly installed (great parody Brandon half the father of Superman, half Godfather) and to gain the empathy of the viewer, and some dialogs and comic situations that manage to give luster to the whole (despite the choice of music and underused desarcertada). Whole also gains when it becomes histrionic, wild and let the fun flowing with that point of riot to the delight of many.

Since November 19 is released in British cinemas, however, so you can see on screens Spain will have to wait until February 25 next year. We speak of ‘Chico and Rita, the animated film by Javier Mariscal and Fernando Trueba, who tells the story of two Cuban musicians in Havana before the revolution. Chico, a young pianist in love with jazz and Rita, who dreams of being a great singer, began a passionate love story. From the night that coincides at a dance at a club in Havana, life is uniting and separating them, like characters in a bolero.

We commented that this type of animation can make it difficult for the viewer into a film and feel the same closeness to the story if he saw in real image or an animated style that we are more accustomed. It’s the feeling I get watching the trailer, which can be seen below, but perhaps it’s just my thing. And even if it is widespread, is only a matter of getting used to.

Co-director, Tone Errando says that thanks to shoot with actors, “we have been able to give animators the optical information on the movements and are also able to create camera moves more organic, more human. Fernando [Trueba, who initially was reluctant to use actors] hugged me effusively and said, “OK, now I understand why we are doing this. We are taking the soul of the film script “.”

On his creative process, Javier Mariscal stated that “when working with color and light, with characters, motion and voices, and those types of rhythms and music, you can say many things.” He adds that “I have never seen a work of animation that plays with black strokes.”

“Chico & Rita ‘is dedicated to Bebo Valdes, composer of the soundtrack. Collaborate Estrella Morente, playing himself and taking part in the main theme, along with a list of great musicians.

‘Chico and Rita’ won the award for best film at the Holland Animation Film Festival 2010, and touring several festivals in English speaking countries. The British press has said:

* “Pure pleasure” Meredith Brody (ThompsonOnHollywood)

* “Flawless masterpiece” David Jenkins (Time Out)

* “Intense, sensual and turbulent history with love” (telegraph.co.uk)

* “Absolutely unique” Chris Sullivan (Metropolitan)

* “Truly a work of art” Shane McNeil (Toronto Film Scene)