In the fall of 2015, we participated in an experiment at the VR Days designed to explore how visual storytelling works in VR. One year later, Ashes to Ashes is released. This short tragicomedy in VR is the final outcome of this adventure. The whole experience of making Ashes to Ashes was a blast. But what did we learn … Continued
In a media environment ruled by speed and a growing obsession with authenticity, docu-style music videos are gaining ground. They serve as promoters for the music while featuring real characters and stories, and this combination ensures their larger appeal. What you get is documentary filmmaking in a condensed and highly accessible form. I hand-picked ten docu-style music … Continued
Video games have never shied away from BIG emotions. But losing your medic by the claws and teeth of a larger than life alien monster does not have the same emotional impact as losing your son after a long battle with cancer. In recent years several game designers have taken storytelling in games to another … Continued
In the American animation studios, story artists like to play story games. Often done as warm-up exercises, story games such as Next 5 are also a popular assignment during story internships. These games are a lot of fun to do, but they are also a great way to practice some of the basic skills of … Continued
Most of us don’t seem to care much about our online privacy. Why should we? And what are the effects of living in a world where we are connected –observed even– 24 hours a day? In these five interactive projects, directors and designers address one of the most important issues of the information age: the … Continued
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the season to be jolly, time to decorate the Christmas tree, exchange gifts, and watch the annual John Lewis Christmas advert. Yes, what has started as a publicity stunt back in 2007 for the British department store has grown into an annual tradition signalling that the countdown to … Continued
It’s hip to say you shouldn’t go to film school. Why would you? It costs a fortune and doesn’t give you any certainties as far as getting a job. Not to mention the incapable and out-of-touch teachers you have to deal with, right? So, instead of film school, why not use the huge amount of free … Continued
During my first visit to the DOK Leipzig festival for documentary and animation, it weren’t the animated documentaries that stood out. I was much more excited by the many humoristic and bold shorts celebrating (female) sexuality. Visualizing the clitoris and the penis as happy animated characters, or a female’s orgasm through Norman McLaren-esque visuals, or … Continued
In this second installment of Maria Dicieanu’s Favorite Apps for Kids, she covers ‘must have apps’ for under 6-year-olds. These apps are gooood. You might succumb to the urge to snatch the iPad right from your toddler’s unsuspecting hands to play with them yourself. See the harvest below, or find the previous Top 5 featuring … Continued
Back in the 1990’s, when I was in high school, I had this friend who would buy the ‘Art Of’ book of every new Disney film. These huge books were hard to find and very expensive, but they were pretty much the only way to get a glimpse of all the cool art that was … Continued
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