Cool Runnings

I came across this incredible video today. Obviously what this guy's doing is bloody impressive as well as being dangerous. However its the dainty acrobatics that have elements of breakdancing or ballet in them that really draw me to it. For example when he's twisting himself round a handrail (54 secs).

I don't when, I don't know how but one way or another I'd like to incorporate these kinds of movements into a moving image sequence for a character of some sort.

A Breakdown of Aardman Animations

Reception Desk;
Three people, check "who's in", where they are working, who they’re working for, receiving deliveries, parking and pass issues and all the while answering the door & the phones.


Storyboarding;

They are responsible for bringing the script to life though drawing out the key frames of the animation.


Model Making;
Making all the characters and props out of plasticine, plastic e.t.c


Designing;
The design department formulates all the visual concepts for all elements of the animation such as character development, landscaping and prop design.


CGI;

All computer generated images and special effects are created by this department.


Editing;
They store and process all past, present and future footage. They are also the knowledge base for and technical issues regarding formats for distribution.

Canteen;

This one is obvious, the team need to be fed!

T.V;

Here is where all concepts for T.V are thought up before they go to full production.

Commercials;

This is the department responsible for designing all forms of advertising, ranging from t.v commercials to billboards

Rights & Licensing;

All legal deals regarding using other people's creative input and licensing the Aardman name/creation to other industries (games, clothing e.t.c) are watched over by this department.

Digital;

The newest Aardman department which is responsible for all online activity for both Aardman and 3rd party clients.

Production Technology;

All creative hardware related issues are dealt with by this department. Everything from testing electrical equipment to finding enough tripods to go around.

Facilities;

This group is responsible for the entire building! Making sure that very physical fabric of the building doesn't fall apart.

I.T;

The I.T department makes sure that all hardware and software works correctly across all departments and online. As well as serving to maintain that, the I.T department works to formulate new ideas that can say improve efficiency or productivity.

Human Resources;

All questions and general help are answered/supplied by this body. They are there as a helping hand to all who need it.

Finance;

As you can tell from the name finance looks after all money related issues. This will consist of making sure that people are paid correctly, money is collected, accounts add up e.t.c

A Little Analysis

This short scene from one of my favorite films, Brick starts with a medium-long shot that makes the viewer focus on the car as it is slap bang in the centre. The protagonist, Brendan even stopped once he arrives before the car and looks to his right before walking up the car. This action gives the viewer a feeling that he shouldn't be doing what he is doing and that somehow this car "commands respect" as it needs to be halted in front of.

We then go to a close up shot which consists of Brendan pressing his face on the glass and peering in. On seeing nothing of interest he then moves out of the shot and in the reflection of the glass he we see him looking around again. This combined with the lack of result from peering through the car window adds to the viewer anticipation and makes the viewer carry on guessing as to what Brendan is a. looking for and b. looking out for. We then go back to the mid we saw at the start of the scene quickly before Brendan comes back with a breeze-block. We then have another medium close-up of Brendan with the breeze-block raised above his head ready to break into the car.

Before Brendan has time to strike we are then presented with a long shot and a character (Tug) moving briskly, moving his arms quickly. This combination of the character appearing far away and smaller due to the perspective, but non the less moving almost franticly, makes the viewer realise just how determined this character is to reach his destination and that he is in quite an impatient and angry mood as it is evident from such a long distance. The camera quickly cuts back to a medium close up shot and then back the long shot except this time the camera is shaking slightly (to imitate brisk walking backwards and therefore create more drama) and tracking out before stopping on a two shot.

Immediately Tug hits Brednon and this is combined with a brisk tracking in on tug and heaving shaking of the camera to communicate the disorientating sensation that Brendan is feeling to the viewer. The camera then tracks sideways using a mid shot following Tug's movement as he walks to the car. Brendan then get up and his immediately hit again by Tug. While Brendan is getting up again the camera swing round 180 degrees and this is mirrored by tugs swinging fist, striking Brendan again.

Tug, still using a mid shot gets into his car and then opens the door in Brendan's face as he tries to get up. Finally Brendan gets up, and throws something at the car. Then the camera cuts to a long shot with the car swerving quickly from the foreground to the mid-ground and Brendan's object hits the car. The fact that the object's striking of the car has its own shot provides the objects impact with well, more impact! Finally there is a medium close up shot on the side of Brendan, making the viewer focus on him and what he's just been through.

Adverts and Their Target Markets

Ad 1; found in Mixmag, advertising Fenchurch

This advert shows the Dubstep musician, Rusko holding a bunch of flowers in one hand while modeling Fenchurch clothes. The main line of text reads "from Rusko with love". This advert is aimed at fashion and music fans between the ages of 16-25. This is really the target audience of Dubstep. I also believe this advert is equally aimed at girls despite it advertising men's clothes as it presents girls with a desirable situation; Rusko looking good, presenting flowers.

Ad 2; found in Mixmag, advertising Wax:On

The colour scheme consists of dark colours and shows a vector graphic image of a cityscape with skyscrapers on one side and billboards in the foreground. This advert is aimed at pretty much anyone who enjoys their nightlife as it depicts what would be a very familiar scene of billboards with d.j's names on them and twinkling city lights. It is also aimed at people from urban areas as opposed to rural areas as a city scape is going to strike more of a sentimental chord with someone from a city than someone from the countryside.

Ad 3; found in Mixmag, advertising Ministry of Sound Saturday nights

The main text is just about legible and reads "get higher" in a variety of loud colours. On the right hand side are the main details. Around and withint the text there are familiar clubbing images such as hands in the air, a girl with a microphone and bare legs. This advert is most probably aimed at any form of thrill seeker, namely drug users who are of course into getting higher. The bright colours are designed to entice a younger crowd of between 18-25 as bright stimulating colours appeal more to the younger generation.

Industry Leaders Who Practice Globally

For my study in the creative industries, I've started by looking at two major industry leaders who practice globally.  

I'm going to kick off with an organization that many will be familiar with; Take-Two Interactive.

This organisation is the umbrella name for a number of software subsidiaries including; Rockstar Games, Rockstar North, Rockstar San Diego, Rockstar Vancouver, Rockstar Toronto, Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar Lincon, 2K Games and Global Star Software.  Take two is best known for its work under the Rockstar North subsidiary, producing such game titles as Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Grand Theft Auto San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto 4.

It has also made waves with games such as the Max Payne series and the Midnight Club series under the Rockstar Games subsidary.

www.rockstargames.com/games

Secondly I'd like to talk about an even bigger organisation; Electronic Arts (E.A)

Electronic Arts develops publishes and distributes interactive software for video game systems, wireless devices, personal computers and the internet.  Their influence is infinite with some of the biggest games titles of all time under their name (The Sims, Fifa, Medal of Honor) it is safe to say that they are the biggest name in modern gaming

The below video should give you an idea of their influence.

Bouncing Ball

Here is my second animation. Like the pendulum before, I used pencil. It was meant to demonstrate the easing in and easing out of movement by using frames more frequently at the top and bottom of the sequence.

As you can see I found it a lot more complicated than expected.

My First Animation