A blog dedicated to documenting the history of lesser known British animation.
http://ukanimation.blogspot.co.uk/
Sunday 22 June 2014
Monday 11 November 2013
John Lewis Christmas Ad
When I first saw the John Lewis Christmas advert featuring the bear and rabbit I found it difficult to tell which animation technique, or combination of, had been used.
Now having read the article at the below link I am pleasantly mind-blown to discover that it was in fact filmed on real sets with cut-out characters!
Read on for more info.
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2013/november/behind-the-scenes-on-the-john-lewis-christmas-ad
Now having read the article at the below link I am pleasantly mind-blown to discover that it was in fact filmed on real sets with cut-out characters!
Read on for more info.
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2013/november/behind-the-scenes-on-the-john-lewis-christmas-ad
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Animation Competition News
So roughly two weeks ago now, I entered into an animation competition that was being judged by the Creative Director of Shaun the Sheep, Golly Starzak.
A selection of 62 farm yard sound effects were provided by letnaturefeedyoursenses.org and entrants had to use a minimum of one sound effect to inspire and use in their animations which could last no longer than 60 seconds. Sound effects from other sources were not permitted but you could use as many of the provided sounds as you liked.
I spent four nights filming my entry on the dining room table to create a total of 37 seconds of film. I spent between 2 and 4 hours each night animating. The purpose of filming at night was to ensure I could have complete control over the light source so that "flicker" was not an issue when the animation was watched back.
I submitted my animation on June 20th and by June 27th I had received an email congratulating me on being shortlisted for the 17-25 age group catagory. (For anyone unaware, I am 25)
That was fantastic news in itself!
Today I received a phonecall from a woman named Lynsey. She was calling about the competition to let me know that I was the winner of my age catagory! I HAD WON!
So this is my news; I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, BY THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF SHAUN THE SHEEP AT AARDMAN ANIMATIONS, AS THE WINNER OF THE 17-25 CATAGORY!!!
You can watch my winning entry here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBD6Y6R1MMg&feature=plcp
A selection of 62 farm yard sound effects were provided by letnaturefeedyoursenses.org and entrants had to use a minimum of one sound effect to inspire and use in their animations which could last no longer than 60 seconds. Sound effects from other sources were not permitted but you could use as many of the provided sounds as you liked.
I spent four nights filming my entry on the dining room table to create a total of 37 seconds of film. I spent between 2 and 4 hours each night animating. The purpose of filming at night was to ensure I could have complete control over the light source so that "flicker" was not an issue when the animation was watched back.
I submitted my animation on June 20th and by June 27th I had received an email congratulating me on being shortlisted for the 17-25 age group catagory. (For anyone unaware, I am 25)
That was fantastic news in itself!
Today I received a phonecall from a woman named Lynsey. She was calling about the competition to let me know that I was the winner of my age catagory! I HAD WON!
So this is my news; I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, BY THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF SHAUN THE SHEEP AT AARDMAN ANIMATIONS, AS THE WINNER OF THE 17-25 CATAGORY!!!
You can watch my winning entry here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBD6Y6R1MMg&feature=plcp
Sunday 22 January 2012
Thursday 17 November 2011
Red Bull Canimation
I recently entered the Red Bull Canimation competition and my entry can be found here> http://canimation.redbull.co.uk/gallery#31848476
All filming was done on a single day and the editing took place over the following two days.
Sadly the image quality is nowhere near as good as I would have liked. It appears I will have to save up for a high quality digital stills camera.
All filming was done on a single day and the editing took place over the following two days.
Sadly the image quality is nowhere near as good as I would have liked. It appears I will have to save up for a high quality digital stills camera.
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Stop-Motion Armatures
Here is a list of sites that provide armature kits for use in stop-motion animation.
Skeletoon - Ball joint. A French company. I am currently seriously considering buying one of their kits.
Model Armatures - Ball Joint. The joints on these armatures seem a little too chunky for what I would want. They do offer strong magnates for sale as well though.
Arma Benders - Ball Joint. They seem decent enough but expensive considering they don't have hands.
Animation Supplies - Ball Joint. I was originally considering these armatures but the price was putting me off despite how brilliant they appear. I know these things don't come cheap. Now I may use this site to buy puppet hands and some rigging for the skeletoon armature.
STOP-MO-TEC - Aluminium Wire. May be more useful for supporting characters who do not take up much screen time.
Animation Toolkit - Aluminium Wire. Another consideration for supporting characters.
Skeletoon - Ball joint. A French company. I am currently seriously considering buying one of their kits.
Model Armatures - Ball Joint. The joints on these armatures seem a little too chunky for what I would want. They do offer strong magnates for sale as well though.
Arma Benders - Ball Joint. They seem decent enough but expensive considering they don't have hands.
Animation Supplies - Ball Joint. I was originally considering these armatures but the price was putting me off despite how brilliant they appear. I know these things don't come cheap. Now I may use this site to buy puppet hands and some rigging for the skeletoon armature.
STOP-MO-TEC - Aluminium Wire. May be more useful for supporting characters who do not take up much screen time.
Animation Toolkit - Aluminium Wire. Another consideration for supporting characters.
Friday 7 August 2009
Morphmation
I really should have posted up about this quite a lot sooner but I entered the Morphmation animation competition run by Aardman and Firebox.com earlier this year.
Unfortunately my animation wasn't selected from those that were submitted. My entry can be found on YouTube here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me2p8MUaH5g
The brief was to make a Morph stop motion animation lasting no longer than 1 minute.
Unfortunately my animation wasn't selected from those that were submitted. My entry can be found on YouTube here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me2p8MUaH5g
The brief was to make a Morph stop motion animation lasting no longer than 1 minute.
Saturday 7 February 2009
Pixar Toy Story 2 Zoetrope
Following are two links to videos of a Pixar 3D zoetrope featuring Toy Story 2 characters. I believe the videos were taken during different stages of the zoetrpes production as Jessie is missing from the first video.
Video1: here
Video2: here
Video1: here
Video2: here
Thursday 6 November 2008
SKELEFLEX
I saw said toy advertised on TV about a week ago and decided that it looked like it could be suitable to use as an armature for stop-motion puppets. They are plastic kits a bit like Techno or K'NEX made up of skeleton bones that click together in ball sockets.
After hunting for it on the internet I found I could buy it from Amazon.co.uk and so I signed up to purchase a kit.
3 days after ordering, my SKELEFLEX turned up. I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the figure as I had been worried it would be too small. The one I purchased stands at about 20-25cm tall and is the most human like out of the series. They only come in alien and dinosaur designs.
To use it as an animation armature I will have to create some new hands for it as the ones it comes with are oversized and non-posable.
Hopefully I've found a cheap alternative to expensive metal armatures.
SKELEFLEX
After hunting for it on the internet I found I could buy it from Amazon.co.uk and so I signed up to purchase a kit.
3 days after ordering, my SKELEFLEX turned up. I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the figure as I had been worried it would be too small. The one I purchased stands at about 20-25cm tall and is the most human like out of the series. They only come in alien and dinosaur designs.
To use it as an animation armature I will have to create some new hands for it as the ones it comes with are oversized and non-posable.
Hopefully I've found a cheap alternative to expensive metal armatures.
SKELEFLEX
Sunday 31 August 2008
Animation Showreel
Today I finished creating the first copy of my stop motion showreel on DVD! In order to hopefully impress the companies that I send it to I have created and printed off a custom DVD label and case sleeve as well as customising the DVD menu with a program called 'Roxio easy DVD copy 4' which I purchased online for £19.99.
I plan on taking this first copy with me to Mackinnon and Saunders to leave with them when I visit on Tuesday.
I plan on taking this first copy with me to Mackinnon and Saunders to leave with them when I visit on Tuesday.
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