Hornet_States United | STASH MAGAZINE

Yves Geleyn on the “Monster in the Closet”

Hornet director Yves Geleyn reveals to Stash readers his design and narrative goals behind the powerful new 90-second PSA for States United to Prevent Gun Violence:

“Most commercials would cut on the gunshot, but we felt strongly that we should show it. If it were live-action, broadcasting regulations would have stopped it. Animation allowed us to show the whole scene. People expect the climax even less because of the medium.

“Once we settled on using animation, the key to heightening the emotional impact is in the simplicity of the piece. Less is more. Your brain fills the gaps. You understand that you are in a kid’s room, but it is not filled with too many objects. It is about the mood. This gives more room for the characters to inhabit each scene.

“The character designs themselves are graphic. They have human proportions but in an illustrated way. It is about striking a balance between lovable characters while keeping them realistic so people can project themselves. The family also does not have any sort of key defining characteristics, which helps make them relatable to a wider range of people.

“Speaking in terms of lighting, it is designed in such a way that it points to areas we want you to focus on (something Renaissance painters used frequently). The lighting is sharp. There are no gradients. There are no shadows, just highlights. The lighting helps to build the scene.”

Facts about kids and guns in the US:

• 1.5 million American children live in homes with unlocked and loaded firearms.
• Every day at least 6 children age 0 to 18 are injured in an unintentional shooting.
• 75% of gun shot injuries to children under ten that are serious enough to require hospitalization are due to unintentional shootings. [Watch]

Ustwo Monument-Valley | STASH MAGAZINE

Ustwo: Monument Valley Game Trailer and Behind the Scenes

Inspired by the work of M.C. Escher, Japanese woodblock prints and a love of architecture, Monument Valley from ustwo took the iOS gaming world by storm on it’s release last week with a combination of minimal character design, gorgeous pallets and immersive, unhurried gameplay (the total absence of in-app [Watch]

Talia Randall_Common Room Animation | STASH MAGAZINE

Talia Randall’s “Common Room”

UK artist and spoken-word performer Talia Randall’s seven-minute performance of her poem “Common Room” takes on an unpredictable new life as 13 recent graduates from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem each add their own disparate and arresting animated sequences all assembled into one melancholy and affecting whole. [Watch]

Lorde of the Barbes_Tixier | STASH MAGAZINE

Jean-Michel Tixier Draws the Line for Agefiph

Paris illustrator/director Jean-Michel Tixier’s light touch and clean draughtsmanship ease the delivery of a serious message in this spot for Agefiph, a French organization helping the handicapped to find work. Produced through international talent agency and production company Lord of Barbès. [Watch]

Cravendale Barry the Biscuit Boy by Blinkink | STASH MAGAZINE

Joseph Mann and Andrew Thomas Huang: “Barry the Biscuit Boy”

Blinkink directors Joseph Mann and Andrew Thomas Huang lead a massive crew into a three-week shoot of 16 live-action puppets and animated stop-motion models for Cravendale thru Wieden+Kennedy London. [Watch]

Merlin Flügel: AFTER SCHOOL CLUB 2014 | STASH MAGAZINE

Merlin Flügel: AFTER SCHOOL CLUB Festival Trailer

Wonderfully eccentric hand-drawn animated festival trailer from German director/animator Merlin Flügel for the 2014 edition of AFTER SCHOOL CLUB, a free week-long art and design festival organized by students in Offenbach Germany “all about getting in touch and having a good time together.” Director/animator: Merlin Flügel Sound Design: Jonatan Schwenk Music: Felix Krapp [Watch]

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