Hollywood loves China. In the year of the Beijing Olympics, several movies with a Chinese theme are released. (See also the title sequence of “The Mummy 3“). Kung Fu Panda, DreamWorks’ latest animated blockbuster, tells the story of a lazy panda bear named Po who, against all odds, becomes a Kung Fu warrior. The end … Continued
We recently saw an episode from the BBC documentary series The Thirties in Colour. It showed amazing, extremely rare footage from Nazi-Germany in colour. The material was shot by amateurs just before World War II which made it a very eerie experience: scenes of German civilians going about their lives in streets filled with swastikas.
They’re all there: the photographic chronicler Ed Templeton, the clowning Harmony Korine, the nerdy Chris Johanson, the honourable Barry McGee, the always gentle Mike Mills (who actually looks like a gentleman while being interviewed) and of course Aaron Rose himself whose Alleged Gallery in New York played such a vital role in the development of … Continued
It’s clear that we at SubmarineChannel like title sequences a lot. Why we like them so much? Well, because title sequences are an excellent opportunity to show what a designer is capable of. It’s mixed media, it’s sound, text, often animation, (motion) graphics, special effects… It all comes together in those few minutes before the … Continued
You probably did, but if you haven’t yet, we urge you to watch the new music video Who’s Gonna Save My Soul of Gnarls Barkley, directed by Chris Milk. The tragic break-up story and the soulful music go so wonderfully together in this video. And the image of the singing hearth that walks down the … Continued
A few weeks ago YouTube launched The Screening Room, “a platform for top films from around the world to find the audiences they deserve”. We of course applaud this initiative. For one, because the screening room shows films that exceed the normal maximum of 10 minutes on YouTube. And two, the films get the VIP treatment: … Continued
During a routine check, those hard working Chinese censors found some videos on the DVD to be included with the Hoogerbrugge monograph, too offensive. Co-Publisher BIS had to switch to another DVD replicator at the last minute and found one in less restrictive Hong Kong. We are left guessing what part of the DVD they … Continued
Finally some big guns (Marvel, CBS mobile and publishing house Scribner) have opened their eyes wide to the potential of mobile entertainment. Their Killer Content project for small screen mobile platforms is a graphic novel/video series hybrid called “N”, created by none other than the King of Terror Stephen King and esteemed graphic novelist Alex … Continued
The best video game cut scenes today can easily compete with Hollywood’s biggest CG effects movies. But many of the high profile game titles still lack in the emotion, storytelling and (voice) acting department. Not so true for Metal Gear Solid – Hideo Kojima’s iconic video game series that pioneered the stealth game genre. Our … Continued
We’re still waiting for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to award an Oscar for the best film title design (it’s one of our hangups). American TV title designers are better off; they’ve got their Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Design. The titles that get nominated represent some of the best American TV … Continued
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