AWNtv | AnimationWorld | VFXWorld | AnimationBlogspot | AIDB

AWNtv

The Making of The Spine

Release Year:

2009

Language:

English

Description:

This featurette goes behind the scenes of the making of Chris Landreth's new animated short, "The Spine."

Credits

Production Companies:

NFB

Categories / Channels / Playlists

Audience:

Genre:

Style-Technique:

Clip from Pixar's The Blue Umbrella

Clip from director Saschka Unseld's new short, The Blue Umbrella, which opens in front of Pixar's Monsters University.

Junkyard - Sneak Peak

Soft strokes of color and sharp cuts to the cranium come together in Hisko Hulsing's long short Junkyard, (preview clip). Shocking, sudden action slices through dark memories and visions, as a man reflects on the subway following a moment of violence.

Wild Life Clip

Alberta, 1909. The wide open prairies of the wild west. Enter a well-tailored young Englishman, fresh from the old country. He’s been sent to try his hand at ranching but his affection for badminton, bird watching and liquor leaves him little time for wrangling cattle. As the golden prairie summer turns to fall, it becomes clear that nothing in his refined upbringing has prepared him for the harsh conditions of the New World. Borrowing playfully from the western, the nature documentary and eyewitness reportage, this short animated film offers a fresh, wry take on the Canadian frontier experience. By contrasting details as delicate as a teacup with the immensity of the prairie sky, the clash between civilization and wilderness is starkly rendered. Wild Life is about the beauty of the untamed prairie, the pang of being homesick and the folly of living dangerously out of context.

Magic Piano Clip

Magic Piano by Martin Clapp, 30’, is a 3-D puppet aniÂ¬mation adventure about two kids in Warsaw in Poland who discover an old piano in amongst a pile of junk that transforms into a magical flying machine. The kids, Anna and her cousin Chip Chip, use the Flying Machine to fly across Europe to find Anna’s father in London. But first they have to learn how to fly the magical machine….

On their way they have to navigate an obstacle course of hot air-balloons, swoop into Paris on a mission of the flying machine, weather a fierce storm in the English Channel, and with sunset fast approaching find dad in the big darkening city of London. Before they reach him they are torn from the flying machine by a magic storm, and find themselves back in the pile of junk in Warsaw. However maybe the Dad saw something in the stormy skies of London, because the next day he comes home to his daughter.

Pushing the boundaries of 3-D cinema and animation this is a truly immersive and thrilling experience for a family audience. The emotional story of a girl missing her father brings tears to the eyes- both adults and kids, and every child wants to be on the flying machine.

A real visual and audio treat, the film features Etudes 1, 3, 7,9, from Chopin’s Opus 10, and Etudes 1,5,6,11,12 from Chopin’s Opus 25, all performed with virtuosity by maestro Lang Lang.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore Clip

Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a hybrid style of animation that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. “Morris Lessmore” is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.

Demanche/Sunday Clip

After mass, the family gathered at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, as they did every Sunday. With everyone talking at once, it sounded like a family of crows cawing while perched on hydro lines. The town factory has closed its doors and, naturally, the adults can't stop fretting about their money problems. On this particular Sunday, one of the village boys places a coin on the train tracks. Imagine his astonishment when, picking up the coin after a train has run over it, he discovers some amazing changes. Sunday, young filmmaker Patrick Doyon's first film, is a magical tale that imparts important lessons about life as seen through the eyes of a child.

The Flowers of War - Trailer

During Japan's siege on Nanking, a Western poses as a priest and protects a group of women in a church.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - Trailer

A boy searches for the meaning of a key left behind by his father who died during 9/11.

Titanic - 3-D Featurette

James Cameron talks about the motivation to bring "Titanic" back to theaters in 3-D.

Titanic - 3-D Trailer

James Cameron's romantic epic is returning to theaters in 3-D.

Clip from Pixar's The Blue Umbrella

Clip from director Saschka Unseld's new short, The Blue Umbrella, which opens in front of Pixar's Monsters University.

Monsters University - Trailer 2

Second theatrical trailer for Pixar's upcoming release, Monsters University.

Professional Spotlight: Andreas Hykade at FMX 2013 Part 1

Andreas talks about independent animation, challenges in animation education and the importance of music and poetry as artistic inspiration. Part 1 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Andreas Hykade at FMX 2013 Part 2

Andreas talks about whether or not schools do a good enough job educating their students as well as what is most important about his role as an educator. Part 2 of 2.

Monsters University - Trailer 3

Third theatrical trailer for Pixar's upcoming release, Monsters University.

Epic - Mythology of Epic Featurette

Watch this featurette that explains the mythology behind the forest dwellers of Epic.

Professional Spotlight: Eric Roth at FMX 2013

Eric, executive director of the VES, talks about recent visual effects industry troubles and how the VES is positioned to address those issues.

Professional Spotlight: Andy Orrick at FMX 2013

Andy, The Mill's Development Director, talks about the advertising industry as well as the challenges and rewards of short form visual storytelling.

Professional Spotlight: Saschka Unseld at FMX 2013 Part 1

Saschka talks about pitching and directing Pixar's latest short, The Blue Umbrella, opening in theatres with Monsters University. Part 1 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Saschka Unseld at FMX 2013 Part 2

Saschka discusses the use of virtual cameras and other production tools while directing Pixar's latest short, The Blue Umbrella. Part 2 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Andreas Hykade at FMX 2013 Part 2

Andreas talks about whether or not schools do a good enough job educating their students as well as what is most important about his role as an educator. Part 2 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Andreas Hykade at FMX 2013 Part 1

Andreas talks about independent animation, challenges in animation education and the importance of music and poetry as artistic inspiration. Part 1 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Eric Roth at FMX 2013

Eric, executive director of the VES, talks about recent visual effects industry troubles and how the VES is positioned to address those issues.

Professional Spotlight: Andy Orrick at FMX 2013

Andy, The Mill's Development Director, talks about the advertising industry as well as the challenges and rewards of short form visual storytelling.

Professional Spotlight: Scott Caroll at FMX 2013 Part 2

Scott, a supervising animator at Blue Sky Studios, discusses animating Epic's comedic characters Mub and Grub. Part 2 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: David Morin at FMX 2013 Part 2

David talks about how previs has grown as a discipline outside the traditional post/visual effects segment of filmmaking. Part 2 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Christophe Hery at FMX 2013 Part 2

Christophe, a Senior Scientist at Pixar, talks about upcoming innovations in lighting and related animation production technologies. Part 2 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Ron Frankel at FMX 2013 Part 2

Ron, founder and creative director at Proof Inc., discusses using a more cartoony previs output style that helps keep directors focused on creative decision making and not on unimportant visual details. Part 2 of 2.

Professional Spotlight: Saschka Unseld at FMX 2013 Part 2

Saschka discusses the use of virtual cameras and other production tools while directing Pixar's latest short, The Blue Umbrella. Part 2 of 2.