Moho Forum

checked out jibjab. have definitely either seen them before or else seen a copycat. did they do the guinness commercials?

A few thoughts came to mind.
first I'd like to add to Slowtigers list of parameters.

#5 a good soundtrack/audio/music/dialogue/foley/ (This is a really strong element in jibjabs cartoons. I really think jibjab would suffer without it since it's the linear element that pulls us through their cartoons and ties their shots together)
lets not forget Terry Gilliam who practically invented (or re-invented?) the cut-paper technique, and who, as i recall "killed a little time" in more than one cartoon by having some of the action take place in a cave or totally dark room. Man, how's *that* for minimal animation?

I liked the idea for "mockup" using vectors. will probably use that one in future. Heyvern, you got a lotta ideas for that sorta thing eh? scripts, etc?
I will have to try the other fix, applying actions to a timeline. that open/close hand thing *did* look promising.

I disagree that this sort of cartoon is impossible, (I believe its more a matter of personal preference there)
Although there are still a few things about this technique i've chosen, that I *do* have misgivings about.


I gotta google Yuri Norshteyn now...

Of course a good soundtrack helps a lot - sound is practically 50% of a successful film. But since we talk about style and animation we should strictly concentrate on what's achievable with those means. A bad choice of style or bad animation couldn't saved by a good soundtrack.

I disagree that this sort of cartoon is impossible

Heh, I like your attitude. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean one shouldn't try. Whatever help I can give, just ask.

Terry Gilliam is only one of the best-known cutout animators, but far from being the first. In fact, cutout animation was one of the first styles used in silent film.

Since a lot of animators already tried to animate paintings one way or another, it may be a good idea to have a look at what they've done. I'll try and list some examples I like:
Cut out:
"Frank Film" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Film
Terry Gilliam, of course
Jan Lenica (there seems to be nothing available or online)
Juri Norstein http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Norstein
Raoul Servais http://www.raoulservais.be/, see Harpye and Sirene on that site! Watch it!
Franz Winzentsen http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Winzentsen

Painted stuff:
Te Wei http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Wei, some films of him look like animated watercolour, greatest stuff I ever saw
Jochen Kuhn http://www.jochenkuhn.de/, he does a lot of stuff painting directly under the camera

I can't keep track of all sites and videos, but every name and filmography gives you a list of terms to search on youtube and wherever.

right on, thank you!
-edg

thanks for the links.
heres a couple of Jan lenica videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9M8AkOYyTU

also the guy on the front page of a "lost marble" Theis baen (sp?) who did "underground" also did this one, which is beautiful in its simplicity and which i may actually prefer to "underground" (PS does that definately mean that it was done in AS?)

tempis fluit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakdSgfY ... re=related

have watched it several times, not only bc the bird in the opening reminds me of the bird in my own opening shot, but mostly bc he seems to have an aesthetic that works well for this particular medium. it would not translate well to CGI or maybe to stopmo but he adapts really well to the advantages and the limitations of this medium. it works beautifully in 2d. Thats the sort of thing that I've been looking to see.

PS have seen Frank film before. was a great little film too. Proof that collage/cut-out animation has some real power and impact ... if done well.
Being reminded of it made me think a bit. I know it was done in 16mm with all his collected images from pix and magazines. Can you imagine the powerful hard drive that you would need to make that film in AS?? whoa!
BTW I remember that he overlayed and modulated the two soundtracks quite a lot.
thanks again for the links!!
-edg