Computer Animation Arts

"Star Wars Concept Trailer" by The DAVE School graduating class of August & October 2017 This film trailer was made by a group of graduating students from the DAVE school in Florida. It uses live action and 3D to recreate Ralph McQuarrie's original concept art for 'The Star Wars' (based off of an early draft script written by George Lucas in the early 1970's). Watch and enjoy....and make sure to WATCH THE END CREDITS. "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away... we might have seen a version of Star Wars that featured a Han Solo with green skin and gills, Stormtroopers with lightsabers, and a female heroine named Luka Starkiller. Many of these anomalies can be seen in concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie's early illustrations of the Star Wars universe. While looking back at these early paintings we can't help but wonder what Star Wars would have been like had it remained loyal to the concept art and early drafts of the script. The DAVE School gradua...

"Jackie Chan - How to Do Action Comedy" by Every Frame a Painting Some filmmakers can do action. Others can do comedy. But for 40 years, the master of combining them has been Jackie Chan. Let’s see how he does it. "Buster Keaton - The Art of the Gag" by Every Frame a Painting Before Edgar Wright and Wes Anderson, before Chuck Jones and Jackie Chan, there was Buster Keaton, one of the founding fathers of visual comedy. And nearly 100 years after he first appeared onscreen, we’re still learning from him. Today, I’d like to talk about the artistry (and the thinking) behind his gags

"The Early Animated Films" by The Royal Ocean Film Society The early history of animation is widespread and worldwide, and chalk full of marvelous films showcasing the lengths to which animation can strive towards. Let's take a look at a handful of filmmakers and the technical innovations they developed that got us from the turn of the century to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Peter Ellenshaw - Matte Painter and VFX Pioneer (Documentary) by VFX Geek Peter Ellensaw started work at Walt Disney Studios beginning with their first completely live action feature film, Treasure Island (1950). He went on to work on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) and Mary Poppins (1964), for which he won an Academy Award. He retired after his work on The Black Hole (1979), but contributed matte paintings for Dick Tracy (1990). His son Harrison is also an Academy Award-winning effects designer. After Peter Ellenshaw retired from the film business, he dedicated his life to his passion for painting. Numerous works were created, of both Disney and non-Disney themed subjects, which have been highly collected. He was named a Disney Legend in 1993.

"Smell-O-Vision, and Other Glorious Gimmicks" by The Royal Ocean Film Society At its purest, the theatrical experience has always consisted of an individual sitting down in a dark theater watching a bright screen and nothing else, however for many years there have been those who've tried adding onto that experience in wild, obnoxious, or just plain goofy ways. Let's dive into the gloriously hammy world of film gimmicks.

"Star Wars - Episode IV Sound Design Explained by Ben Burtt" by In-depth Sound Design Legendary sound designer Ben Burtt (Lucasfilm, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and more) explains how he 'found' the iconic sounds for Star Wars from the world around him.

"How MacGuffins Can Ruin Movies" by Just Write MacGuffins are ubiquitous in Hollywood blockbusters, and are often the root cause of overly simplistic storytelling. In this episode, I take a look at the pitfalls of using this narrative device, as well as 5 ways to make this trope more interesting, unique and effective.

" "The Life and Death of 3D" by The Royal Ocean Film Society The Royal Ocean Film Society explores the history of trying to make the movie going experience 3D (Stereography) and the latest attempt and decline.

New series on BBC4... catch up now on iPlayer HERE - Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema. Kermode examines the techniques and conventions behind classic movie genres, beginning in episode one with Romantic Comedy.

A nice little over-view... watch and learn!

In honour of International Women's Day... my hero!

Another creepy little something - and under 2 minutes!  FLOOR 9.5 from Toby Meakins on Vimeo .

Turn off the lights, ladies and gentlemen... A creepy short just before bedtime... BEHIND - Horror short film from Ángel Gómez on Vimeo .

A snazzily edited celebration of a year's worth of cinematic hoofing!