Saturday, February 17, 2007

Laika, Inc.

Anyone wondering about this up-and-coming studio can visit http://www.laika.com to see what they're up to, and possibly find an opportunity to help out. I'm incredibly honored to be working there, the talent they're gathering is nothing short of amazing. As long as they want me here, I'm sticking around. Thanks to the kind souls who made Michelle and I part of a top-notch team.

RATATOUILLE Rough Animation Test: Emile's Magic Trick




Most animators have probably already seen this, but I'm posting it anyway. Great test done by an animator at Pixar----what I appreciate most about those Pixar guys is that they're not afraid of a hold. There are times where I'm watching their work and I'm not even sure if any pixels are moving at all. Methinks the trick has a lot to do with how successful the storytelling pose is, that's being held. So hats off to this Doug Dooley guy.

Typically, I tend to enjoy Bluesky's animation a bit more.... not that it's necessarily better (I don't think there's a "right" or "wrong" way to animate something, there are just different styles of animation which can be animated well, or poorly). I prefer to subscribe to a "toonier" style because it's fun, and I enjoy it. If I were, say, important enough to give an award for my favorite CG-animation... I think that title would still go to many shots in "Ice Age 2".

The animation in IA2 is energetic, creative, well-timed, and well-thought-out. I know several people who disagree with me on this and have argued that Bluesky sometimes over-animates... but I challenge you with this thought----- maybe Pixar under-animates? Hmmmmmmmm??????

The answer is neither. I think both studios are just badass at the styles of animation under which they are directed. Someday I might find critique in their animation-execution, when I feel I can pull off just one shot worthy of being in a film from either studio.

I'll get it, eventually. I come from a long line of rednecks.... it takes a little longer for us Pennsylvania backwoods boys to catch-on.


Anyway, just for the record---the highly un-prestigious honor of "Joe's favorite animated shorts of all time" go to these guys:











Animation at its most entertaining.