February 27, 2009

"body/traces" Exploring Movement with DIY Lasers and 3D Animation

New media artist Sophie Kahn and choreographer Lisa Parra are exploring do-it-yourself (DIY) laser scanner technology and stop-motion 3D animation for their video installation "body/traces."

Their work-in-progress was presented last month at the Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Here is an early mock-up of "body/traces" uploaded to YouTube in February 2008:

And here's a still from their installation:

Kahn and Parra use the David Laser Scanner system, a free software program that can be used with inexpensive scanners, video cameras and construction materials to create scans of three-dimensional objects. On the David website, you'll find an excellent step-by-step wiki on how to use their software.

This video provides an overview of how to use the David Laser Scanner:

For a more elaborate use of 3D scanners I recommend this instructional video from Know How Show:

More DIY 3D Laser Scanner Explorations

Kyle McDonald, inspired by Sophie Kahn and Lisa Parra, created his own version of a DIY 3D laser scanner for a stop-motion animation with basic tools including a camera, projector and the open-source Processing software. You can watch his video on Vimeo, learn more about the project and view a Flickr photo gallery:

DIY 3D Scanner from Kyle McDonald on Vimeo.

I learned about McDonald's explorations through an excellent write-up in Create Digital Motion.

Radiohead's "House of Cards"

The most famous example of artists using structured light and laser technologies has to be Radiohead's "House of Cards":

"House of Cards" is an open-source remix project that you can learn about on Google Code. You can also watch a high-quality visualization of the "House of Cards video."

There are two good making-of videos for "House of Cards." The first is a look at the GeoVideo System from Geometric Informatics:

The second is a general look at the making-of this popular music video.

Posted by Doug Fox at 6:25 AM - Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

January 2, 2009

Mr. Fortune Meanders in his Rhythmic, Bouncy Manner Through City Streets

Mr. Fortune (2006), animated by Eric Lerner, is a live action/computer graphic mix featuring the stretchy, rhythmic ambulations of a guitar playing lead character.

Definitely watch the higher-quality version on Lerner's site.

Credits:

Direction, Animation and Writing: Eric Lerner

Music: Ariel Einfeld

Posted by Doug Fox at 6:47 AM - Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Velvet Mattoni Ad Features Cascading Water Dress

Mattoni, a mineral water from the Czech Republic, created a TV spot that features a famous model sporting just a water dress -- this liquid simulation serves-up a captivating visual effect:

[Via Motionographer.]

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Björk's Wanderlust, a Stereoscopic 3D Animation

Björk's Wanderlust music video can be watched in either 2D or in a stereoscopic version if you have 3D glasses. Wanderlust includes live action, animation and puppets in a compelling visual experience. Chris Elam of Misnomer Dance Theater did the choreography.

Visit this page on Wired to watch high-quality versions in 2D and 3D.

A 2D version from YouTube:

And the making of Wanderlust:

To learn more about Wanderlust:

- "Making a 3D Music Video for Björk: Constructing a 3D Rig with Silicon Imaging 2K Cameras" in Studio Daily.

- "Björk's Wanderlust Music Video" in Post Magazine.

Posted by Doug Fox at 6:41 AM - Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Madagascar 2: I Like to Move It, Move It

Here's the opening dance number, "I Like to Move It, Move It," from the Madagascar 2 Trailer:

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Toshiba's Movement-Based Timesculpture Ad Builds on Bullet-Time

Toshiba's innovative, movement-based Timesculpture ad promotes its Upscaling technology.

Timesculpture is an evolution of the bullet-time technique, which was made popular in The Matrix. In bullet-time you slowly rotate around a still shot. With timesculpture, you're seeing the manipulation and merging of loops of human movement. The following videos highlight the difference.

First, here's the Timesculpture ad. 200 Toshiba HD camcorders were placed on a circular rig to capture the movement loops that were composited into the final clip:

This clip is a behind-the-scenes look at how the timesculpture filming technique was used to make this ad:

Toshiba has a good press release that offers more details about this process.

You can watch the famous bullet-time scene from The Matrix to compare to timesculpture. And here is how the bullet-time scene was created.

Posted by Doug Fox at 6:39 AM - Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

3D Character Animation for Joinville Dance Festival 2008

In this animation to promote the Joinville Dance Festival 2008 in Brazil, a 3D character is constructed solely out of dance shoes. Concept and design by Frederico Freire:

Joinville Dance Festival 2008 from Magno Borgo on Vimeo.

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December 31, 2008

En Tus Brazos, an Aregentine Tango Story Told Through Animation

In "En Tus Brazos" (2006) a tragic accident cannot stop a couple from embracing the Tango. Read more about this story in the info section on their YouTube page.

And visit the "En Tus Brazos" site to learn more and watch a higher-quality video.

Credits:

Production Company: Supinfocom Valenciennes
Directors and Graphic Designers: François-Xavier Goby, Matthieu Landour, Edouard Jouret
Music: Carlos Zarate and Alfredo de Angelis

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"Wall-E" Breakdances in this Disney Promotion

I don't think that Wall-E dances in this animated feature film from Disney. But he does breakdance in this short promo:

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Illuminated - A 3D Robotic Dance Animation

Animator Kevin Abbott from the Digital Media in the Performing Arts department at Western Michigan University created this 3D metallic robot animation, "Illuminated," (2007) with mocapped dancing from David Curwen.

Watch in HD on Vimeo and read production details:

Illuminated - Motion Capture Dance Animation from Kevin Abbott on Vimeo.

Credits:

Title: Illuminated (2007)

Dance Company: Western Michigan University Department of Dance

Dancer: David Curwen

Animation and Concept: Kevin Abbott

Choreography: Kevin Abbott and David Curwen

Music: Radiohead

Produced by: Western Michigan University

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Aspiring to Become a Dancer

In this touching 3D animated short, "Steps," by Eran Lazar, a girl with a leg impairment aspires to become a dancer and attends an audition:

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Mixing Live Action, Animation and Mocap in the Trash Dance

Oliver Fergusson Taylor created "Trash Dance" (2008) for his masters project at Bournemouth University. Trash Dance combines live action and 3D animation based on motion capture data from a breakdancer. Read his notes right after the video to learn more.

As you watch the following clip, pay particular attention to the light and shadows. I like what he's done:

From Vimeo:

This is my 9 week Masters Project @ Bournemouth University.

For this piece I combined motion capture and various dynamic techniques in Houdini 9 to create a breakdancer made from discarded items of rubbish.

Software used: SideFX Houdini 9, Apple Shake, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop.

The footage was filmed on a Panasonic SDX-900 DVCPro50 Camcorder.

Credits:

Title: Trashdance (2008)
Description: Motion Capture Animation
Created by: Oliver Fergusson-Taylor
Dancer: Exlis Staddon
Music: Lyrics born - I Changed My Mind

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Live Action and Animation in Chandon's After Party TV Ad

The Chandon TV commercial to usher in the New Year features a mix of live action and computer graphics. A fun, unexpected spot with wire-frame Argentine tango dancers:

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