Paris 3D/VFX studio Fortiche (who’s “Ekko Seconds” work for League Of Legends graced the cover of Stash 112 this summer) just released the WildStar launch cinematic, another fantasy/sci-fi MMO gaming project crammed with extreme characters, tightly choreographed action, and good fun. [Watch]
Nexus director Kibwe Tavares, who you know from his excellent big fish tale “Jonah,” turns his considerable narrative talents to the financial world in this detail-packed three-minute brand film for Umpqua Bank animated by the Nexus crew and produced thru CAA Marketing. [Watch]
UK designer/animator Steve Kirby just dropped us his first animated short and our first chuckle of the day. Based on two minutes of audio from a local radio phone-in show, “If the Cuckoo Don’t Crow” captures the eccentric charm in a true story of hurricane prediction, lost tea towels and a one-earred Jack Russell. [Watch]
Lots of innovative character work here from director Limbert Fabian (who co-directed the incredible Chipotle “Scarecrow”) and the Moonbot crew for an ambitious new Michelin campaign out of TBWA\PARIS designed “to bring Michelin’s unique tire development philosophy to life.” [Watch]
The character insanity continues in the second teaser from NYC animation house Nathan Love leading up to their big announcement on Sept 22. We swore not to reveal what the “A” in ANL stands for, but we can tell you the news has to do with the continued invasion of the US by UK animation/VFX studios. [Watch]
If you need a kick in butt to start animating again or just want to fall back in love with the craft, Glenn Keane is your guy. After four-decades of character work on animated Disney features, Keane’s passion and excitement remains infectious and then becomes outright visceral as he explores 3D drawing in virtual reality with the HTC Vive headset paired with 3D painting app Tilt Brush. [Watch]
