Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Animated Deforestation New Music Video from Clyde Peterson

Set to the tune of "Already Gone" from The Shaky Hands, Clyde Peterson illustrates a story about the destructive consumption of human kind with his unique style of animation. I love his use of Lincoln Logs and other toys, there is something poignant about using childhood references to produce such a strong message. Check it out.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Kids Aren't That Smart

I recently had a visit from a dear friend all the way from New Zealand. While I flipped through one of the gossip mags she left behind i found an ad that made me laugh out loud. The image, an illustration of a young girl holding moms lipstick with it's trace all over her face and dress. The tag, "Kids aren't that smart."

The product is called Calci Yum, a sneaky way to make sure your kiddies have strong bones. I love it. What's best? They have some commercials too, drawn by Simon, the man behind one of my favorite modern cartoons, Simon's Cat.




...and for kicks - here's Simon's Cat

Zooey Deschanel in Cotton

Another lovely commercial job from Ms. Deschanel...this time showing off her vocal skills too.

"The touch, the feel, the fabric of our lives..."

Animation Street Art Combo

Follow up project from Blu and David Ellis. Once again, amazing. The two use every inch of a ratty old court yard, and even the sweeping of the sun to add to the overall story, journey really, of the piece. I love the movement in and out and around the windows. check it out.

Monday, September 28, 2009

How Big Is Your Social Network, Really?

The Viral Factory enlist the Samsung Corby to find out how many friends four exceptional networkers can really pull together. The result? All out paint fight! So fun.



Stay tuned, I hear there is more to come!

Levi's Gets Patriotic - Go Forth

When the crackled patriotic speech (that immediately conjures images of an old phonograph, and speeches from presidents long past) breaks through the TV set it always grabs my attention. I'm not sure if its the message, or just the uniqueness of the audio that does it, probably just the romance of the crackle that i love so much. The tracks are said to be original recordings of Walt Whitman reading his poems, Pioneers, and America. Set to images of Americana for Levi's Jeans this is the makings of the current Go Forth campaign via Weiden+Kennedy, Portland.



The print supplements to the campaign come from one of my favorite photographers Ryan McGinley. (thanks to homotography for the imagery)


Thursday, September 24, 2009

Hitchhiking Coming Back into Fashion?

Last night i saw two separate corporately dressed hitchhikers looking for a ride out of the city during rush hour while I was on the way to class - i love it! Maybe it's Jack Kerouac or stories from my hippie parents about hitching rides to protest rallies that have romanticized my views of the freeloading traveler but I would love the country to turn back to a place where need takes precedence over want and the rides are shared (of course watching out for men with hooks for hands and not traveling alone as a single woman, or picking someone up while driving alone as a single woman, but still!)

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are Pops Up in Los Angeles

That's right, pop up store front 15 Twenty has been taken over to celebrate the impending release of Spike Jonze helmed film version of the classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are.

Can you make one in Boston please?

Circus Zoetrope for Temperley London

This has got to be one fo the coolest things I've seen in a long long time. Directing collective Legs created a Victorian circus Zoetrope for Temperley London to showcase their Spring 2010 line (also circus themed, hence the inspiration) at fashion week. I love the creepy beauty that the old time circus aesthetic has.

What's a
Zoetrope? It's a wheel of still images in succession that when spun produces the impression of movement, basically the origins of film and animation as we know it today. The tecnology inspired the innovators of the medium such as Eadweard Muybridge, ( but you film school kids already knew that!)

Check out the Zoetrope in motion below and for more info about the making of process see here.

Temperley London Circus Zoetrope from LEGS on Vimeo.

..and speaking of Zoetrope's and advertising, just last year Sony Bravia landed a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records for creating the largest Zoetrope. Very cool. Check it out.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

If You Spell Something Wrong Do You Deserve Surgery?

...I dont think so." Find out what else you don't deserve and stop picking on the Insurance Companies - check out this Funny or Die sketch featuring Will Farrell for MoveOn.org.


The video has caught over 600,000 eyes today alone, now that is viral.

Bored to Death's Animated Intro

Did you catch the premiere of HBO's Bored to Death on Sunday? The new show featuring Jason Schwartzman (i know not in a Wes Anderson flick) and Ted Danson starts out with an animated intro that is an illustration and literary blend - i like it. The opening titles and the show. Check it out.

If any one knows who made the intro please let me know!

Logo-land, Logo Overload? Logorama

Amazing. Logorama is a short animated film from graphics studio H5 that was FOUR YEARS in the making. Imagine, a world comprised entirely of corporate logos and mascots. Not too far of a leap is it?
Creativity Magazine is featuring a Q&A with the creators as well as design boards, a clip and storyboards from the film, I recommend hopping over to check it out.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mad Men for Vanity Fair Shot by Annie Leibovitz

I know, I know, it's Mad Men mania. After last night's repeat Emmy Wins, today's Oprah special, and yesterday's killer episode it seem s like its all Mad Men all the time. So, I'm going to continue to add to it! Check out these spreads from the September issue of Vanity Fair from famed photographer Annie Leivobitz.



Don't they make you want to jump into that world and steal Don and Betty's wardrobe (or furniture depending on your shopping fetish!)

Looking Back at Canada Dry

Don't you love the little commercial fun facts you get as bumpers to some of Mad Men sponsors? I'm loving the vintage Canada Dry they've been showcasing and couldn't help but to find some more.


This first one featuring Ann Margeret is very Mad Men, it reminds me a bit of the Patio/Bye Bye Birdie spot that Sal directedt...



One gulp is for thirst, the others for kicks...


The taste that's less sweet...

Friday, September 18, 2009

Seu Jorge does Bowie

My friend Sue has got some Bowie up on her blog today, what a good way to start out the morning? Since i'm a little sleepy I'm feeling a little more like Seu Jorge does Bowie myself.



Thursday, September 17, 2009

I heart They Might Be Giants

I love They Might Be Giants - it's the melodic geek in me. It started as a child when i was drawn to them because of the pure silliness - I returned a Bag of Groceries, Particle Man, Istanbul was Constantanople. Over the years they have written a number of my favorite tunes - Twisting, First Kiss, End of the Tour - and they have amazing videos to accompany many of them - which I surprisingly haven't really explored before. Here is a little film done to the tune of Dr. Worm for Nickelodeon's Ka-Blam.




expect much more in the near future!

Puff the Magic Dragon

So sad, another iconic loss this week, Mary Travers has passed away.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

New From Grandchildren, While You Wait for the Others

You know I've been loving the animation of Grandchildren, the latest for band Grizzly Bear does not disappoint.

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

I love how the stop motion of the actual person takes on the appearance of 2D animation when shown in the pulled out multiples. Can't wait to see what Sean Pecknold does next because apparently he becomes better at his craft with each project.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

What Would You Call Mad Men from Boston?

That's right MA Men, a Funny or Die Spoof for all of the Massholes out there or any of you that know of a few Massholes. Joey McIntyre and Crew represent Sterling Cooper and Co. - the Boston Office.



Tip a little for Teddy Williams!

Monday, September 14, 2009

United States of Tara Take Home Emmy for Title Design

I can't believe it's been another year already, I feel like I was just writing about Mad Men taking the Emmy for Outstanding Design (by Imaginary Forces) last month.

This year's winning intro is an animated, paper doll, pop- up book type design, really darling, but I haven't seen the show as I don't get those "premium channels" is it any good?

Check out this Q&A with the creators i found on Motionographer.

Amex Finds Smiling Faces in Everyday Objetcs

American Express launched a new campaign recently, "Don't Take Chances, Take Charge." I caught the spot on the NFL opening light last week and of course fell in love with the simple and creative use of the faces found out and about in our world. The campaign included a slew of full page adds in papers across the country. Cute huh?



for kicks, here's a fabulous flickr collection of faces on everyday objects.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Surf Shadows

Remember this commercial for Surf that I called the best laundry commercial ever? A girl crawls into her duvet and is brought into another world? Well the same creators have brought another treat into the world of detergent commercials, Surf Shadows. This spot uses the concept of shadow puppets to create another alternate laundry reality. Absolutely beautiful, ads like these that just ooze creativity are why I love advertising.


via BBH London and Director Guy Manwaring.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Novocain for the Soul

I couldn't help it, I just came back from the dentist. A classic from the Eels, actually, probably the song that put them on the map. The Music Video was directed by Mark Romanek.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Revolution 9

Number 9, number 9, number 9....

It's a strange day isn't it? We already know the Beatles Rock Band launch is taking advantage of the bands connection with the number, Tim Burton's new movie "9" also opens today. I found a great version of Revolution 9 backwards, with a translation on YouTube (for those of you who aren't near your record collection!) Check out the videos below for the song forwards - and backwards.


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Making up a song about Coraline

Yep - finally, finally saw Coraline this weekend. So cute. I can't get enough of that clay stop motion animation look. Loved it. As many of you probably know, They Might be Giants originally was to create up to 10 songs for the film but it took a darker turn in production and the only one that made the final cut is the Other Fathers Song, sung by TMBG's John Hodgman who also played the role of Coraline's fathers in the film.




ps. I just realized the last few filsm I've mentioned on here were for all intensive purposes kiddie flicks, hmmm. oh well!

R.E.M. and MoveOn.org We Can't Afford to Wait

R.E.M. loaned their 1988 tune You Are the Everything to MoveOn.org to help members tell their personal reasons why they can't wait for Health Insurance Reform.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Fallen Princesses from Dina Goldstein

By the time most modern woman are in their mid-twenties we get it, Prince Charming isn't coming. But for whatever reason it takes a few years of heart-ache and romantic abuse for the Fairy Tale Myths to be truly defunct.Photographer Dina Goldstein does a fabulous job at illustrating these could be real world Fairy Tale Princesses. I think my favorite is the Snow White scene. It may be one of the less extreme scenarios but the reality of the set up reminds me of Philip Lorca DiCorcica, Tierney Gearon, or other photographers that play with a balance of reality and orchestrated situations to heighten the most relevant elements and to estabish a strong overall mood.
Check out the rest of Diana's work and the other images in this campaign here.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Digging for Vinyl

These ads for Merchant Records popped up on Ads of the World today - I like the idea, though i might have executed it differently, done it animated, or as a kid in a sandbox or something - regardless I like vinyl in advertising - makes me smile.

Also, i have records on the brain as I met my wedding DJ last night - who knew it'd make me so excited?!

ps. i know i said these and only posted one ad, they are all the same basically the same with different shoes, the shortcomings of the campaign.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A Very Important Date

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland arrives this March - seems so far away doesn't it?!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Mad Men Inspired Bacardi Ads


I have a problem. After each new episode of Mad Men I find myself scouring for the vintage ads the team is working on that week. I just want to see if their ideas are real and authentic to the brand strategy or are fabricated for the show. I know what the answer probably is, but I still look.

In honor of this week's Bacardi brainstorming session, here are some vintage Bacardi Rum Ads for your enjoyment.
ps. I know they aren't all from the 60's but I think they still work well together as a group.

Cut Up World of Demitri Stankowicz

French animator Demitri Stankowicz (represented by Passion Pictures) uses an endearing mixed media approach to animation using photographic images combined with cut paper and traditional hand drawn or computer animation creating a signature all his own.







The most exciting part? From the looks of Dimitri's website there are a few new projects in the works to look forward too, "Another Likely Story" seems particularly intriguing. I will be keeping an eye out and will keep you informed!