tween

Until recently, I’d never heard of Brand New World, a firm that "develops creative solutions for emerging and advanced media" (to quote Mark Risis, their executive producer).

A quick tour of their site will reveal that they are definitely different. For one thing, they come to the table with a boatload of experience. Their chief executives aren’t 20-something hotshots (not that there’s anything wrong with that); they’re seasoned veterans with a sophisticated approach to brand management and creative development.

I can already hear some of you moaning about how they don’t have a balls-to-the-wall reel and wondering why there aren’t any silhouetted naked chicks on their site. But like I said, these guys are sophisticated. They’re not interested in dipping your eyeballs in electric kool aid; they care about building brands and relationships with customers.

(This isn’t PR-speak, by the way. I’m simply responding based on their site and their work and trying to get you, gentle reader, to look at a firm that’s a little outside the Tween mainstream.)

With that in mind, check out this series of three IDs for the Discovery Home and Health channel. You can tell an awful lot of attention was paid to market research for these spots. Each has a laser-like focus that speaks clearly and freshly to the channel’s audience. From the sound design to the palettes to the varied animation styles, everything lines up to form a cohesive, effective whole with little conceptual or aesthetic fat.

(Speaking of sound design, I love the music on Brand New World’s site. Rarely do I let site music play for ten minutes without reaching for the mute button.)

Cream O’ the Crop members Leroy & Clarkson updated their site recently with new work and a new reel. While I prefer the sense of humor from the previous reel (mostly the dog) the new reel displays some great new work. Maybe I prefer the way the previous edit synched with the track early in the reel drawing me much closer to the work much faster, or maybe I just miss the pooch.

I’m about 99% sure that is a view from their roof on Lafayette street, down in Chinatown.

Finally, Thanks to Jedi Master Justin for making me a Tween author. Wish me luck.

Hunter Gatherer relaunched with some new work.

(News ganked fom K10K.)

Here’s a small collection of work from Psyop’s Lead Technical Director / Animator, Marko Vukovic.

+ Marko Vukovic | Demo Reel
+ EA Sports BIG | NBA Street v3
+ NIKE Shox | Portis
+ Lugz | Arrow
+ Colorado Lotto | Lottoland
+ Fox | Nascar
+ Diet Coke | Bounce

On a related note, here is a recent CGNetworks article featuring the NBA Street v3 spot.
+ CGNetworks | NBA Street v3 Article

boujou 3.0 Demo Available
Download the recently released boujou 3.0 demo. I don’t have a lot of experience with motion tracking software, but boujou is the bomb. Give it a whirl.

Mike Schaeffer: Free Association
I dug this piece from newcomer Mike Schaeffer, another inbox acquaintance. It’s weird as hell, especially with the whacked-out soundtrack, and I like that very much. It feels a little like a compressed dream sequence. The camera moves keep me off balance, and the persistent deep blue background gives the whole thing a slightly creepy air. Good work on the 2D elements, as well.

iCorn (no relation)
Seeing as how my last name is Cone, I was understandably charmed by the lively traffic cone in iCorn. The more I watched, though, the weirder it got. By the end, I just felt violated, used.

Lo Iacono & Diesel
Check out this collaborative piece from Lo Iacono and Diesel. Wild stuff.

(Ripped from Mograph.)

Long-time Cream O’ the Crop residents Umeric have a new reel online. There’s some pretty kick-ass stuff in there.

Patrick Ehrlund has updated Platform 01 with some new work. Really beautiful stuff. Check it out.