After some small pictures and nothing else. We finally get a long sneak peak at Cartoon Network's new Thundercats. One word I have to say is that it is truely anime made for the western viewers. So what will we expect from in the animation department? Really great action sequences, very good camera angles, and very static scenes where there is dialog. Oh, did I mention the characters don't look like they came out of the wrestling realm.
Story is scarce, but do check out the trailer for it below:
I never knew that there would be an animated version of the movie. This looks like it takes place between the first and second movie. I'm actually digging it. The designs are pretty decent and the way they took the 2D faces and attached them to the 3D world is great. I have a feeling in the real world, it'll all be cell shaded 2D animation. I can't say for the story or when it's going to be televised, but I sure can show you a trailer for it. Make your own judgement about the trailer and comment.
Got a good laugh out of the Animation Workshop's little short called "The Saga Of Bjorn". If you didn't know, the Animation Workshop is an institution (school) in Denmark. Of course they teach animation both tradition and CG, but apparently also an international center of knowledge and development for animation professions and business.
I don't know what they do up there in Demnark, but the work coming out of it is top notch. You could say their capable of making their own feature if they were allowed more time.
Now about the short, it's about a Viking who goes into battles. He's striving to reach the "Viking's Heaven. Only problem is that all his battles aren't really a battle. In order for him to reach "Viking Heaven, he has to die in battle. Was he able to reach his goal? Watch for yourself:
It's really nice to see a really good 2D animation that isn't commercialized. This piece title "Thought of You" was animated by Ryan J. Woodward. A veteran in animation, he's worked in a lot of big productions. He wanted to create something that he wanted to. Not something that he was forced or had little input on. With the help of a choreographer and some dancers for reference, he created a great dance that show emotions.
Drawn to it's simplest form, he's able to create the dance as it correlates to nature. As for some of the technicalities, it took him about 3 months to animate this piece at 20 hours a week. I'm surprised how smooth it is because it's only at 24fps. That's a lot of dedication. I guess it doesn't really matter though, since he controls it all, he his own boss. This was for his enjoyment not a chore.
Oh yeah, let the childhood memories begin. There's always been a cult following for any nostalgic show. Be it Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, etc. I don't know how big of a following ThunderCats is, but I'm sure there is a following. Heck, there are shirts with the ThunderCats logo on it being sold today after having the original show ending in the late '80s. Even people of all ages wear it. Yes even kids who are too young to even know what a ThunderCat is. Heck there are even rumors of a live action ThunderCats movie (James Cameron could easily direct that). After 2 decades since the original, ThunderCats is getting reborn.
Now don't be alarmed at what you see above. That is the new design of the cats. It seems like they look much younger than the 80's version. Don't freak out though, the animation house that doing the animating is none other than Studio 4°C. Famous for the "Animatrix", "Gotham Knights" and "Transformers Animated". As far as the story goes, looks like you won't be disappointed in that area either, since the producers from "Teen Titans" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender" are attached to it. No details on when ThunderCats will air, but I'm sure a trailer will be released in the not to distant future.
In the mean time, let's watch the intro of the original ThunderCats:
Typography is one of the most important thing in graphic design. With things moving towards interactive art or motion, how do you spice up your typography. Well take a look at this piece called "Make It Better". In less than a minute you can gather some ideas for your next project. You're probably wondering how they did it. Well from what the animator (Sebastián Baptista) stated, there were a lot of keyframing going. Would be nice to see how the artist did the transistion from one type to the other.
Also take note how the sound design has taken the atmosphere of the piece to the next level. Don't believe, well why don't you just press the mute button on the video. You'll notice it doesn't feel complete without. So does any know how the artist went about to doing all those great transitions? If you do, I comment below.
