Kierra's+Animation+Research

1. The Chubbchubbs A 3D animation by Sony Imageworks (Directed by Eric Armstrong) created through computer modeling. It premiered as the short just before the Men in Black II movie in theaters and won the Academy award for best short animated film. I like the weird plot line the most from this animation, but the bright coloring gives off a fun and vibrant feel I also enjoy. Since this was made in 2002 and 3D animation was fairly new, there is some awkwardness to the features of the alien characters and lighting in the setting, but if you're looking for something incredibly weird and slightly disturbing to watch, the Chubb-Chubbs are really...something else.

I can't say I really 'connect' with anything in this short film, just that I admire the weird qualities presented throughout the video (such as the three breasted alien). The sound in this is mostly directed towards the speech of the aliens and sound effects, which makes it a lot more interesting to watch than if it were just silence. media type="youtube" key="nmhgi665Oek" width="560" height="315"

2. The Gorrilaz' Clint Eastwood Music Video This is a 2D animation created through either paper or digital art. The video animation was led by co-creator of the band, Jamie Hewlett and won an award at Rushes Soho short film festival in 2001. The Gorrilaz' other videos have used both 2 and 3 dimensional animation. The combined music and art style appeals to me the most in this animation, though the moody coloring that is interrupted by bursts of red and yellow makes the overall effect of the video work all the more. At a few points in the video, parts of the animation are replayed over and over to give a visual rhythm that matches the rhythm of the song. The characters expressions' and the side storyline to the song offers a really fun and alternative music video filled with weird humanoid zombie gorillas that the band members fight against with the power of music and a magic rapping ghost, Del the funky homosapien. I connect with the cartoonish fun of this video, which is why I like it so much. The music is the whole purpose of the video, and the electronic/hip-hop beat complements the alternative video style. media type="youtube" key="LoQYw49saqc" width="560" height="315"

3. The Maker This is a clay-mation short film created by taking picture after picture of real life models and was created by Christopher Kezelos. I like this animation due to its creepy detailing and story of life and rebirth etc. Most of the set contains darker colors and is exquisitely detailed in everything from the texture and lighting of every piece to the tiny bottles and papers scrapped throughout the work area. The rabbit like creature is textured perfectly, the cloth of his body looks like cloth, his teeth look shiny with spit and his violin looks made of wood. I connect with the extraordinary melody this video has, the violin intense in the background of a light melody until the rabbit (inscribed with a violin pattern on his forehead) begins to play his own instrument which is matched through the music by real violins becoming louder through the tune. media type="youtube" key="YDXOioU_OKM" width="560" height="315"

4.Alarm Alarm is a 3D model style animation by the studio Mesai. It depicts a sleepy worker's morning with bright colors and a very cartoonish feel to the facial expressions and atmosphere. This piece is a lot of fun and relatable and the animation is stunningly smooth from the sleekness of the surroundings to the movements the main character acts out. I relate to the sleepiness of the man in the mornings, but I'm not quite as violent with his alarm clock as he feels the need to be. The melody is fairly unimportant in the background, though follows along nicely. The sound effects of the alarm clock are vital however, as they bring in the main element of the film, otherwise it's just a tired man shooting a silent gun at his equally silent clock. media type="youtube" key="ROipDjNYK4k" width="560" height="315"

5.Unravel This is the Opening theme to a popular horror anime, Tokyo Ghoul. It was animated by Studio Pierrot and directed by Shuhei Morita. The content of the video doesn't matter as much as the creative colors this piece offers. The reason I chose this animation is because of the vibrant explosion of abstract colors and shapes that begin around the 0:56 point. It's very visually appealing to see all the splatters and sharp lines erupt from the character's backs in random patterns to create a very fun image that is paired with a sad sounding song. I hope that I will never have to relate to this, it's a horror show with death and sadness and isn't something I'd like to live out. The song goes together with the video beautifully and enhances the beauty of the bursting colors and distraught the main character shows.

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6. The Lady and the Reaper ( La Dama y la Muerte) This 3D animation is very popular for the rapid and funny movements the characters have to offer. The lack of speaking in this story enhances the visual aspect of the plotline and is an interesting take on death at old age. It is directed by Javier Recio Gracia. The space is used well by bending the laws of physics a bit in the 'fight' against death vs the doctors. I'll relate to this eventually when I'm old and dying but for now, this is just a fun short to view for it's humorous plot and characters. The music is quiet at first as the old woman begins to pass on to the 'next world' as she remembers her departed husband. Once the chase scene starts as Death comes after the old lady being 'rescued' by the doctor, the music picks up in a fast and Hispanic sense. media type="youtube" key="tnJCFVUhghU" width="560" height="315"