Who said Brand New School could only do motion graphics? The studio has pumped up their 3D game more than a few notches with this new Jeep spot for BBDO Detroit.

 

 

Paranoid U.S. have added the award-winning directorial/creative collective The Vikings to their roster.  Check out the fruits of their union.  Giant spiders, suicidal hands and other hilarious reasons to buy things.

AWN's annual roundup of Oscar contenders is up - you can watch clips from all the short and feature animated nominees. The new Pixar film called Lifted looks like good fun. But looking at some of the other shorts it's a complete mystery why Charlex's One Rat Short didn't make the final five.

New from Pistachios, Psyop/Blacklist's Swedish darlings, comes a slew of new PSAs for a Partnership for a Drug Free America. Freehand doodled and witty to boot. Two of my favs are "Not Again" and "Stop Looking At Me". The rest of the spots began airing across the US during last week's American Idol, leaving those of us who don't watch the talent show to our smokey vices.

Digital Kitchen is expanding to meet growing demand and looking to immediately recruit the following positions in their Seattle, Chicago and New York City studios:
1. Editor - Creative for DIGITALKITCHEN
2. Creative Lead, design/agency oriented
3. Creative Lead, 3D/animation oriented
4. Creative, design/boarding oriented

Get full details and contact info in the JOBS FEED.

NickToons asked Adolescent for "over-the-top, adrenalin-driven, absurd scenarios" aimed at boys and the NY studio gave them these three IDs set in a bizarre arena full of trippy characters (including Spin-Psycho, Squid-O-Watt, Canman and Balloonimal) waging slapstick battle.

Among other responsibilities, this person will assist design and animation staff by creating supplemental boards and logo studies for pitches, preparing presentations, and designing and animating show packages. To start in February. We are looking for a bright applicant who is interested in a career as a motion designer and who has good communication skills.  This person also needs to be a team player that is organized, willing to learn, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure quality.
Please email john@colourmovie.com with link reel and resume or send a DVD to:
Colourmovie
4459 Avocado Street
Los Angeles, CA 90032
ATTN: JUNIOR

In Dead Man Walkin', one of a series of Comedy Central ID spots produced by Interspectacular, Tristan Eaton's cute yet nuts Billy Bananas pays for a life of crime and mischief with a wacky blue and red laced 3D trip to the "chair" and a 'toon afterlife.  Billy Bananas, the incorrigible simian,  will soon be invading homes worldwide as a5" injection molded vinyl figure produced by Thunderdog Studios and Interspectacular. See more here at Vinyl Pulse.

 

Hyundai "Fluid" is one of the first completed spots shot with the
new "Phantom Hd" high-speed data camera (still a prototype). The camera is
capable of shooting true HD up to 1000fps which was necessary to shoot the
model cars interacting in silver paint.

Using Flame, Clear Post replaced the models in the shot footage with 35mm and digital
still elements of real Hyundai models.

Watch and read more about the spot here.

1st Ave Machine has just completed a new ridiculously attractive music video that blends CG elements with live action insects for the band Clark. The track is called "TED" and you'll be seeing this beauty popping up all over the place in the next week, month, year. It's a keeper. God I love CG entomology. Watch the video here.

And a bit more info on the video since I want to keep on gushing about:

From 1st Ave Machine director Arvind Palep: “These insects have a distinct regal quality, we wanted to augment that quality of perfect intimidation. We started designing and creating elements that would blend with and add to characteristics already present.”

“It’s a bit shocking, but that’s what we love to do,” says Palep. “Triggering that primary emotional response; that curious, excited surprise in viewers is what we are always after.”

Blur just released this trailer for their newest short called A Gentleman's Duel. The Venice-based studio has got Oscar noms for their last three animated shorts (and a movie deal too). Go watch it and let me know what you think.

 

Digital Domain VFX super Eric Barba steps into the director's chair for this golden poke at self-important tech ads from Amalgamated USA.

 

*eckoTV, Episode 3 is the latest chapter in Marc Ecko’s DVD adventure exploring elements of pop culture like action sports, street art and uh, rainbows. Here's the show packaging from Hollywood interactive agency Heavenspot.
Watch OPEN 1
Watch OPEN 2
Watch BUMPER 1
Watch BUMPER 2

Toronto based Insight Sports is currently seeking a candidate to complete high-quality, highly creative, on-time design materials for Broadcast and other projects as needed. Qualifications:
- Strong communication skills
- Expert in After Effects, Premier Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator
- Knowledge of Maya or 3D Studio Max
- Familiar and comfortable with Broadcast Techs and Standards, NTSC, HD, Mobile and broadband delivery systems and transports
- Experience with AVID and NLE and asset
- 2D Storyboarding skills
- Great Design skills
- 5-7 years experience with a major broadcaster or production studio/agency
- Degree from an accredited college

Send a resume (pdf) to broadcast.job@gmail.com quoting Broadcast Designer in the subject line. You must supply a reel or a link to samples.

Head Gear always manage to mix the fun with the smart and do it in unfussy and nonderivatve ways that makes me glad. Here's some new work up on their newly re-done site.
Watch the Blistex campaign
Watch Recruit Ireland "Beep"
Thanks to Glossy for the tip.