animation

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

Posted by hil

The newly released Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet video game has a shadow puppet aesthetic and beautifully realised alien creatures and environments. Gaming Irresponsibly’s video review and the first 15 minutes of gameplay gives a longer introduction to the fluid, multi-layered, highly detailed imagery and the gorgeous mix of organic and industrial.

Developed by Michael Gange (who previously created Insanely Twisted Shadow Puppets) and Joe Olson, it is described as ‘a side-scrolling adventure that is a fusion of art, classical animation, and captivating gameplay’ and is developed by Shadow Planet Productions (Fuelcell Games and Gagne International).

(Hope it comes to iPad someday!)

Inception – done in 60 seconds

Posted by hil

A 60 second version of Inception, drawing on the toy theatre tradition. Pretty accurate!

Little articulated puppet heads

Posted by hil

Gamla Model Makers have developed these great little articulated puppet heads for an upcoming Australian stop motion animation movie (I wonder which one?). They are only 40mm tall, but have quite a range of possible expressions. On the page they  look like emoticons, don’t they?

Trailer for The Lost Thing

Posted by hil

This is the trailer for the short animated film adaptation of Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing which is now released and reeling in awards! It looks great, doesn’t it?  I also like the design of the official website, and Shaun’s account of the process.

Screen Hub reports that producer Sophie Byrne has also ‘optioned the rights to The Arrival and The Rabbits via Passion Pictures Australia, and Tales from Outer Suburbia is a co-development with the UK. They are currently in discussions with US production companies for The Arrival and Tales from Outer Suburbia to be adapted into feature films, whereas The Rabbits is likely to be made as a short here in Australia with Shaun directing.’

I also hear on the grapevine that Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is working on an adaptation of Tales from Outer Suburbia!

Previously:

Sand and other fluid animation

Posted by hil

Kseniya Simonova created a sensation in last year’s Ukraine’s Got Talent with her sand animations. I think my mum will like this one.

In terms of creating story through such fluid re-drawing and re-framing, I draw connections to  Terra Prenyada (The Pregnant Earth) by the master puppeteer and Spanish artist, Joan Baixas, and to the wonderful work of William Kentridge. MoMA’s present Kentridge exhibition website offers much to explore.

Peter and the Wolf stopmotion animation

Posted by hil

peter

Suzie Templeton’s animated short of Peter and the Wolf has, among other things, the most gorgeous and engaging Indian Runner duck. My pet ducks are Runners, and I just love them. Be warned, though, Peter’s one doesn’t make it…

The other three parts follow at YouTube. The film won an Academy Award in 2008 for Best Animated Short Film and is based on the 1936 composition of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. I found a little bit info about the puppets at Pollystaffle.

(Via Espaço das Marionet@s)

Fantastic Mr. Fox movie: first pictures of puppets

Posted by hil

fantasticfox

Roald Dahl’s great story Fantastic Mr. Fox is being adapted for the big screen using stop-motion animation.  Some early glimpses of the puppets have been released, and the trailer will be out at the end of the month. (Update: here it is).  More details about the production at USA Today.  As usual I am anxious about how it will be interpreted!

Fox2

Fox

First glimpse of animation adaptation of Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing

Posted by hil

The Lost Thing

InFrame.tv has produced a great 5 minute documentary with Shaun Tan which offers an introductory glimpse at the work-in-progress on his short animated adaptation of  The Lost Thing. It includes little (unfinished) animation clips, and aspects of designing and directing the work. On his website Shaun also writes about his involvement and includes some interesting new sketches and models. I noted the film in 2005, so it is exciting that it is expected to be finished this August!

The film, by Passion Pictures, will be 15 minutes long, and uses CGI with 2D handpainted elements. I’m interested in the comments about achieving rich textures, as they are so much part of the illustrations, and CGI is often so disappointingly smooth and shiny.

I’m happy to see a new book, too: Tales from Outer Suburbia.

I worked on the puppets for Jigsaw Theatre Company’s production of The Lost Thing a few years ago, so you will find numerous related previous posts here:

The Lost Thing
Shaun Tan

Also: The Lost Thing website