Fuel Your Motionography » Michael John

Best of the Motion Industry 2009

Michael John — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:00:49 +0000

As we draw closer to the end of this year, I reflect on all the amazing works I’ve seen from creative professionals in the motion graphics industry. In this post I’ll be touching on a curated list of what I consider to be some of the most progressive, forward thinking, and well executed work from the motion graphics industry leading professionals. I’ll also be touching on progressive techniques that had a major impact on the motion graphics industry for 2009, as well as progressive digital & tangible tools that have helped, or changed the way motion graphics are produced.

Curated Motion Graphics Work

Starting off, I tried to consolidate a list of innovative & inspiring motion graphics work. It definitely wasn’t an easy task to try and pick any one piece over another, especially since everyone has a different opinion over what they would consider to be amazing. With that in mind, I’ve tried to balance my selection objectively, based on progression, forward thinking, originality, and execution. I hope you enjoy my selection, and continue to support Fuel Your Motionography well into the new year. Enjoy!

Prologue – OFFF 2009 Main Titles

OFFF 2009 Main Titles from Prologue! from OFFF on Vimeo.

Wow – Infinity

Infinity by: Wow from Colorcubic on Vimeo.

Esteban Diácono – Let Yourself Feel

let yourself feel. from Esteban Diácono on Vimeo.

Christopher Hewitt – Contraction

Contraction from Christopher Hewitt on Vimeo.

Sooz / Kultnation – All That Is Solid Melts Into The Air

All that is solid melts into the air. from Sooz on Vimeo.

Onesize – OFFF 2009 Sponsor Titles

OFFF 2009 Sponsor Titles from OFFF on Vimeo.

Rob Chiu – Else Mobile

Else Mobile (The Time Has Come) from Rob Chiu on Vimeo.

Alex Roman – T & S Teaser 2

T&S Teaser2 from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

BranitVFX – World Builder

World Builder from BranitVFX on Vimeo.

Tilt Shift Effect

If I had to say any certain technique had a major impact on the motion graphics industry this year, I would have to go with the tilt shift effect. The tilt shift effect is what ultimately gives real life footage, or more specifically, stop motion footage the illusion of smallness, or small windup toys. And what better way to convey this effect then through one of the industry’s pioneers of this technique, Mr. Keith Loutit [see below].

Keith Loutit – Bathtub IV

Bathtub IV from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Digital SLRs with HD Video

Ringing in at number three on my list of best contributions to the motion graphics industry in 2009 is Canon, and their Digital SLRs with HD Video capability. A lot of people still don’t realize, the moment Canon introduced the 5DmkII, it completely revolutionized how creative professionals in the mograph industry would produce work in the future. Not only are these dSLR cameras built very well, they’re also relatively affordable, all while shooting in HD video. Although, the real highlight of these dSLRs is the option to change out the lenses, at a fraction of the cost of a normal HD video camera. So you get all the power of Canon lenses (specifically Canon’s L series lenses), with the beauty of HD video. What more could you ask for?

Canon Rebel T1i

Canon 7D

Canon 5D mkII

Florent Porta – Tokyo Reality (Canon 5DmkII at work)

Tokyo Reality (Canon 5D MarkII) from Florent Porta on Vimeo.

Inksie Brand – 7D test film (Canon 7D at work)

7D Test Film from Inksie Brand on Vimeo.

Wesley Kandel – Palladia (Canon Rebel T1i at work)

Palladia from Wesley Kandel on Vimeo.

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The Beauty of Stereoscopy

Michael John — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:37:37 +0000

A STEREOSCOPIC EVENT BY: ANTIVJ & PRINCIPLES OF GEOMETRY

AntiVJ is a visual label that I’ve recently come to know of and respect. Conceptualized by European-based visual artists; AntiVJ explores the uses of stereoscopy, holographic illusions, projected light and other progressive forms of visual stimuli that really push the envelope on live Audio / Visual performances.

AntiVJ is currently working with Principles of Geometry (a French retro-futurist electronic group), in collaboration to produce & perform a live stereoscopic audio / visual show, featuring 50 minutes of some of the most beautiful animation that I’ve seen in a very long time. Although you won’t be able to fully appreciate the beauty of their stereoscopic animation without experiencing it live (or in an iMax theatre), you can most definitely sample a taste of what can be expected during one of their live performances by viewing their teaser. »

Principles of geometry + AntiVJ: a stereoscopic show from AntiVJ on Vimeo.

To learn more about AntiVJ, or the Principles of Geometry, please visit http://www.antivj.com & http://www.myspace.com/principlesofgeometry. Thanks for reading.

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Curated: Rankin Bass Production

Michael John — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:46:19 +0000

In today’s curated post, I’ve decided to revisit Rankin Bass Production (one of my favorite production studios), who just so happen to be responsible for some of my all-time favorite cartoons when growing up as a kid. Thunder Cats, Tiger Sharks, and Silver Hawks are just to name a few of the 80s Saturday morning cartoons that they produced. They were also responsible for animated movies, such as The Hobbit, The Return Of The King, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jack Frost, Frosty The Snowman, a Rankin Bass adaptation of Wind In The Willows, and my personal favorite, The Flight Of Dragons. When you watch all of the sequences back to back, it’s apparent how similar the animation styles are, and you can even catch some similar character traits being reused, not to mention, commonly reused voice actors. If I recall correctly, I believe James Earl Jones & John Ritter appeared as voice actors in some Rankin Bass productions. (quick note: Apologies for the videos with bad quality. Unfortunately the only one I could find in HD was Thundercats. When I find better quality versions to replace the others, I will).

Rankin Bass Production Identity Spot (1975)

Source via: http://www.youtube.com/user/JohnnyL80

Thundercats

Silverhawks

Tigersharks

The Hobbit

The Return Of The King

The Flight Of Dragons

Thank you very much for viewing / reading. Although I would very much have liked to provide more history into the Rankin Bass production studio; their history is rather long & controversial, involving some pretty nasty, unethical decisions by Warner Bros. I’m afraid that would certainly have resulted in getting really side-tracked, and could have easily resulted in a post in and of itself. So if you’d like to learn more about the history of Rankin Bass, please visit RankinBass.com « (I know that site is super atrocious, but… well, there’s really no excuse).

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Curated: Typography In Motion – part 1

Michael John — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:25:03 +0000

The overall theme of this curated post is about how typography has been playing a more vital role in the animation, film, and motion graphics industry over the last 5+ years. This is part 1 of what I’m hoping will be a series. For now, enjoy. :)

AUDI “LETTERS” BY: PLEIX

PLEIX is a French based collective of motionographers, graphic artists, and all around visual communicators. Composed of seven individuals, PLEIX has a combined brilliant outlook on life, which (more often than not) tends to show in their work. I was originally introduced to PLEIX (unknowingly) through Warp Records | Warp Vision “the Videos” 1989 – 2004 DVD, for a music video they did for Plaid, titled: Itsu. The LETTERS piece they produced for Audi is a stunning typographic treatment, comprised of architectural cityscapes, and beautiful geometry. At first glance (those of you who are familiar with their work), you might recognize this treatment to be somewhat similar to their earlier experimental piece, Sometimes, with music by: Kid 606. I, for one, am glad they decided to revisit this style once again, as I’m a huge fan of gravity defying geometric objects, and this piece is certainly no exception.

Please visit http://www.pleix.net & PLEIX’s vimeo page for more of their wonderful work. » vimeo.com/4164690

MORFISM BY: VINCENT VIRIOT

If you’re not already familiar with the works of Vincent Viriot, you should be. Again, another motionographer, typographer, and all around visual communicator; hailing from France, Vincent has produced some stunning visual works, stemming from the ranges of music videos for KAP10KURT, to promotional identity spots for MTV. Interestingly enough, I actually came to know Vincent’s work through a Basement Jaxx music video, titled: CishCash, produced under PLEIX in 2004 (It’s a small world after all). The Morfism idenity spot is certainly no exception to his brilliant work with typography & motion graphics. Commissioned by ONEDOTZERO + MTV BLOOM; this piece initially takes the viewer through what looks like is going to be a very miserable & bleak city tour with an abrasive typographic theme, but before it really settles in, a “morfism” occurs, and what was once a dark, discouraging city, has now been transformed into an inspiring cityscape of encouraging typographic bliss.

For more work by Vincent Viriot, please visit his portfolio at either » behance.net/fmk_7 or http://fmk7.free.fr/

KODAK BY: MARC JUON

I came to know of Marc Juon’s work through my never ending search for all things motion related. If you’ve never heard of Marc Juon, let me be the first to tell you, he’s definitely going to have an inspiring impact in this industry (if not already). Marc Juon hails from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He began his education through Cal State Fullerton, where he received a Bachelors degree, majoring in Film & Television. In 2006, he received his 2nd Bachelors degree from Art Center, which is where this conceptual piece for Kodak was conceived, and later produced as a student project for his 3D animation class. This Kodak piece is nothing short of fantastic, and rightly recognized as such, especially since he was awarded the Silver Student BDA Award in 2007 for his efforts. What really grabs my attention about this piece is that it truly captures what we all know to be KODAK, while simultaneously incorporating a common idiom, making it all flow together so naturally. His post production work with the type is brilliant as well, and as the end result would suggest, is worth a thousand words.

For more wonderful work by Marc Juon, please visit » marcjuon.com/ & Marc’s vimeo page » vimeo.com/user2011786

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