Motion Graphics

One frame of a motion graphic of a water drop hitting the surface.

Motion graphics is basically just that.  Graphics that are in motion.  Imagine how boring it would be to stare at a graphic that isn’t moving—okay, well I guess a picture can say a thousand words.  However, with motion graphics, even the simplest of shapes can be manipulated and put in motion to create something creative and breathtaking. 

Screenshot from Disney's Fantasia, a great example of combining music with shapes in motion graphics.

So much we see in the world is motion graphics, but we just don’t realize it.  They are used in ad spots, music videos, films, television, commercials, websites etc. 

MTV TV spots have amazing, short motion graphics--some of which are done by RTAers too!

One method of motion graphics is stop motion.  That is when the artist takes hundreds (literally) of photos, moving the subject by minuscule amounts every time.  When all of the photos are played one after another, what is seen is an animation.  The difference between stop motion and pure animation is that stop motion is more jerky and static, whereas animation is very smoothly transitioned images.

Animations are smoother because there are more details and stills between movements.

Stop motion is fun and great to work with, although it can be very tedious work.  The camera CANNOT move and to move an object five feet may take fifteen photos.  That will probably just be a couple seconds of footage.  Imagine doing that for 10, 15, 30 second spots and more. 

Only a couple of the stills from Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie.

A while back, I created a stop motion with my friends.  It’s about a girl trying to throw away her alarm clock because it keeps waking her up and she wants to sleep in—mind you, this was a while back, so cut me some slack ;).  Anyways, in stop motion, one simple idea doesn’t mean simple work.  We had to resize every image one-by-one because our dimensions were set wrong… and there were almost two thousand photos!  It drove me crazy, although the final result was amazing. 

(I gotta find it) ;)

Here are some examples of stop motion:

Her Morning Elegance is created by Oren Lavie.  When I saw it in my lecture, I was awestruck.  It’s beautiful, creative, unique and innovative.  There were at least 2000 photos taken over the span of 48 hours.  I feel horrible for the actress, but she did an amazing job.  Especially since it was on a bed--I don’t know, I think I would feel the unbearable urge to just get up and jump around.  Also, imagine the pre-planning that must’ve gone with this piece!  Every little detail of where every pillow, sock, arm, leg and sheet goes for 2000 shots.  I’m actually at a loss for words to describe how moved I was with the piece.  You just have to see for yourself.

And two animations that I really love (I know, they’re not really stop motion, but I just had to add them).

Number Uno: Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars.  I LOVE the lyrics and meaning behind it.  However, visually wise, there are sections where the image of Bruno singing is created by cassette tape animation.  It was the first time I saw something like that and I was so amazed.  Watching it, I would say that is that it’s a mix of techniques from animation, to stop motion and digitally create images.  Hello After Effects!  (Learning that in today’s lab—can’t wait!)



Numero TWO: Draw with Me by Mike Inel.  I actually don’t remember where I found this, but when I watched it, I cried.  I love the story and how the music and animation goes together.  As well, I love the colour scheme, with the transparent-like and contrasted colours (possibly drawn by hand, or even digitally drawn and then edited on Photoshop).  Also, the special effects that were put on it for the floating glowing balls and filters really adds to the fantasy of it.  Nice to see you again After Effects =).



So after seeing all of these beautiful masterpieces, I’m excited and inspired to begin my motion graphics assignment.  I’m not going to give too much away, but it will probably be a 5 second trailer for...

The Last Song written by Nicholas Sparks and starring Miley Cyrus.

Motion Graphics

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/28/monday-inspiration-graphics-in-motion/

Fantasia

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Mickey+Mouse+Fantasia&view=detail&id=A8CE3E4E3025A463AF4674CE67E67352660ECCD4&first=91&FORM=IDFRIR

MTV

http://www.krackblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mtv_logo-e1280919938556.jpg

Animation

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/226/3/3/Dance_Animation_Steps_by_NaNyax.jpg

Her Morning Elegance

http://nurseito1.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/full_storyboard.jpg

The Last Song

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy75/Kason13/normal_the-last-song-poster1.jpg

Her Morning Elegance Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY

Just the Way You Are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhCEhWiKXk&ob=av2e

Draw with Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRkgH7Uu-hA