Ape on the Moon: Contemporary Visual Culture » After Effects

SubWars Animation by Beijing-Based Sean Soong

Alex Mathers — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:36:31 +0000

Beijing-based animation student and illustrator Sean Soong has created this engaging and gruesome short animated film that comes with a message that many of us who use urban subway systems can relate to.

We like the strong characterisation and gritty texture to the piece. We look forward to more from this talent.

The Shins: ‘The Rifle’s Spiral’ Stop Motion Animation Directed by Jamie Caliri

Alex Mathers — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:47:37 +0000

Jamie Caliri and team have created a fascinating gothic style stop-motion animated music video to accompany Portland-based band The Shins’ recent track: ‘The Rifle’s Spiral’. We really like the creative use of materials in the piece, that includes playing cards, rough paper, string, clay and playing cards. Enjoy!

Clever ‘Where Things Come From’ Animated Short from Hardy Seiler

Alex Mathers — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:29:29 +0000

Enjoying the beautiful clean animated short from Hannover-based Hardy Seiler. He created this as part of a degree project for a fictional educational television programme. Particularly striking is the inventiveness of each new segment of the film. We hope to see more of this guy in the future!

Animation Studio Buck Short Film for Oxfam and Goodbooks

Alex Mathers — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:07:33 +0000

LA and New York-based graphics studio Buck have created an extremely fresh-looking ‘Fear and Loathing’ inspired animation for Oxfam promoting the charity: ‘Good Books’.

We love the colour choices in this, not to mention incredible motion design that makes up a very well crafted piece.

Line Drawings to Colour Animation: ‘Tiji Colour’ by Akama Studio

Alex Mathers — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:07:02 +0000

I stumbled on this wonderful animation sequence by French animation studio ‘Akama‘, based in Paris. The opening few sections made me think of ‘colour by numbers’ painting as a child, and has got me itching to get drawing and painting again. Hopefully this short video will inspire you too.

Amongst Giants, an Animation Short by LWZ

Alex Mathers — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:10:44 +0000

I’m a fan of the work of Austrian animation/design collective LWZ. This music video three of them made for ‘Amongst Giants’ is very cleverly constructed, with each scene flowing neatly into the next. Check out their site for other recent projects.

Secret Skwirl Music Video Animation by Maxime Bruneel

Alex Mathers — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:45:25 +0000

Here’s a music video with a fresh style. This animation is art directed by London and Paris-based Maxime Bruneel for the band Secret Skwirl. We like the funky hand-drawn style used in this edgy animation piece.

A Short Student Animation by Clément Gendron

Alex Mathers — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:45:59 +0000

For a student film, this short animation by French animator Clément Gendron is nothing short of spectacular. The traditional style is beautiful, but his timing is what stands out for me.

Intense Atmospheric Animation: ‘Old Fangs’

Alex Mathers — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:03:01 +0000

Ok, so this is an older production from a couple of years ago, but I was really moved by this intense and emotionally-charged animation. Lovely work from Adrien Merigeau and Alan Holly with Cartoon Saloon.

Between Bears Animation by Eran Hilleli

Alex Mathers — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:04:07 +0000

We’re liking the simplicity, mood and the colours in this short animation by Eran Hilleli.