Serj Tankian- Lie Lie Lie

I have decided to put this video in my blog, not because its the best one out there, not because its my favourite, but instead because its completely different to anything which i have liked before.

The use of 2D puppets and Stop Motion in this video allows for a sinister story but with a child-like fairy tale theme. The reason i love this music video is down to this. The animation and song are rather sinister however, this isn't fully realised due to the childish style of animation.

The animation reminds me of Russian puppet theatre as well as the work of Teesha Moore.
If you haven't heard of Teesha Moore then dont be alarmed, I hadn't until Matt kept on mentioning her like a broken record repeating itself, over and over.

In this piece, i feel the simplicity of the animation mixed with the complexity of the process and the lyrics are really complimentary to each other.

Coldplay- Viva La Vida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3mYc1m3lsM

This advert for itunes and Viva La Vida was on TV many years ago however, it is constantly in my mind as something which has given me inspiration to go into the business of Visual effects within Live Action.

The use of pattern, shape and colour with this piece is something which i find visually attractive. The way in which the colours and pattern develop as the music does allows for better cohesion within the video.

The reason i love this short video is due to the fact that the members of Coldplay interact with the 'coloured mist' and vice versa. The patterns and colours remind me of the aurora borealis.
The mythical look and idea of this natural event is astounding and interesting to everyone. Maybe this will have the same effect within this video?

Lee D&AD

http://awards.dandad.org/2009/categories/virl/viral/19594/bruce-lee-ping-pong


Another video which i enjoyed amongst those picked for this years D&AD is based around the game of Table Tennis/ Ping Pong and whether Bruce Lee would be good at playing it with Nunchucks.

The whole idea of this piece is a tribute to the life and films of Bruce Lee, whilst adding a comical twist to the video.

I think it was the comedy part of this video that really made it stand out for me. The comedy isn't blatently obvious as its not slapstick, however, the wit and thought process behind it is amazing. The cinematography of the piece is asking, What couldn't he do?

By showing Bruce Lee play Ping Pong, the complete opposite of fighting, its appealing to many different audiences.

One thing that attracts me to this piece is that it isn't filmed as an action sequence but instead, more like a behind the scenes documentary. This is most obvious at the beginning of the piece as a 'techie' walks in front of the camera.

As i was looking into where this clip came from, i found out a lot about this piece.
Ever since i first saw this, i thought that it was a modern clip made to look like it was from the past however, this video is actually live footage of Bruce Lee playing Ping Pong and has no CGI in it. The ball is real!

Assassins Creed 2

There is no doubt that i am a huge video games fan. I love all different genre's of games, however, its not the games that interest me the most. The cinematic trailers that are released before hand are what usually attract my attention.

In all my years of watching game trailers, there are few that get me so excited. This is one of the few.

This trailer shows all the elements of the gameplay as well as a few surprises which they have entered in this sequel. The graphics within this trailer are visually exciting and appealing in many ways. The visual elements within this trailer produce an environment which is visally astounding and beautifully created. They have taken all the elements from Venice and enhanced them. The water looks natural and the fireworks are eye catching. The buildings, costumes and characters are as they would look in the 15th Century which adds to the accuracy of the trailer and the game. As i watch this trailer, it immediately makes me want to play the game, something which a trailer should do.

9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A22F8S2maWE

Whilst looking through trailers for this years upcoming movies, i stumbled across this trailer for a film which i hadn't heard about. As i began to watch it, a whole world unfolded before me as i was met by a film which is being produced by Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands etc) and directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, Nightwatch)

With these being 2 of my favourite directors, how was it that i hadn't heard about this film. It actually baffled me, so much so, i had to eat a pringle sandwich. The curve of the pringle crushed against the two walls of bread, it calms me down. Crunch crunch crunch, yum yum yum. Back to blogging.

The trailer shows a future where human kind seems to be extinct or on the brink of it and we are to be saved by 9 creations. This animated feature seems like it could be one of the years biggest films and is the film which i am most looking forward too out of anything. Im even more excited than when Star Trek was announced, and thats saying something.

The things that attract me most to this trailer are the unusual character designs against the backdrop of a machine controlled world. The action in this film will be artistically immense if its anything like Timur's other films. This mixed with the excitement and artistic flair found in Burton's films, it seems as if it will be a box office hit.

I also love the soundtrack to this trailer as i am a big fan of Coheed & Cambria

5 GUM

Director: Dante Ariola
http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/

Advertisements are created to promote products. Some of them are more successful than others however, they are all created to fulfill a purpose. The ones which usually catch my attention are those which are witty, educated or technically beautiful.

This is still the case and the latest ones to catch my attention are those promoting '5' gum. These adverts use CGI to create an occasion/ event which recreates the feeling of using '5' gum.

I've added both of these adverts to my blog because i feel that they are visually interesting and appealing. They both promote the product very well and use the idea of 'feeling' in a simple yet different way.

Philadelphia- La Mamma Morta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b0p9mTJOJI

I have seen this film many times, and each time that i watch it, a single scene always stands out for me. It originally stood out because of the use of music and passion within the scene however, after starting this course, i have began to notice more within everything.

Now, this scene stands out because of the use of music entwined with the intensity and emotion of the lighting. By using a red gel over the light as the music becomes more and more passionate, the audience can see how much passion and love the character has for the piece. It also shows the emotion of the lyrics within the music.

This is then enhanced as the lawyer character (Denzel Washington) starts to feel a connection to the character. For those who haven't seen this film, a connection between the 2 characters is a major turn around because, although Denzel Washington's character is helping Tom Hanks'
character in the lawsuit, he is actually homophobic and doesn't openly show a liking for them.

I also love this scene as the majority of it is shot from above the character, implying that with this piece, he loses himself within the music and no longer feels the need to be a part of this earth, but can transcend to a new life and forget his problem with AIDS.