The Backwater Gospel

The infamous Animation Workshop hit hard this time, churning out a really impressive production, which is way ahead of what you’d expect from a student film. Granted, they had a pretty reasonably sized team, and from what you can see, all of them were apparently crazy talented. Now go and enjoy the Backwater Gospel – also make sure to check out their extensive blog with progress elements and making of snippets.

Luv Deluxe

24-year-old director Saman Keshavarz has had a lot of success with first times. After scoring big time (YDA, Clio, Emmy) for his apparently first commercial – a kind of trashy looking but charming Canon ad – he took SXSW’s Best Music Video Awards for his first music video. Although the video is already a bit older, we didn’t want to keep back on this one. It’s unusual narrative is reminiscent of the classic Prodigy’s Smack My Bitch Up, but takes the idea further. Enjoy!

Coalition Of The Willing Launch

Coalition of the Willing is an animated film about an online war against global warming in a post-Copenhagen world. Between the start of February and the beginning of June 2010, Coalition of the willing was released in sections, now the final film is ready for your viewing pleasure.

Headed by Knife Party aka Simon Robson, the film has been crafted by artists and filmmakers using an array of eclectic techniques.

To celebrate the launch, there will be a launch event this Wednesday, June 30th. In London hosted by Nexus and Berlin hosted by Sehsucht Berlin and Parasol Island. We have 20 tickets to give away to the London launch. tickets will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. please send your request by 5pm on tuesday to beccym@nexusproductions.com

Feel free to just drop by the launch event in Berlin at CSA Bar, Karl Marx Allee 96, 10243 Berlin, 19:30h.

Book Review: The Language of Film

The book ‘the language of film‘, released in April 2010, examines the topic of how film communicates its meaning to the audience.

The authors show which factors have to be considered while producing a film. They start with the basics such as a good story (obviously), the aesthetic choice of framing, light and camera. Furthermore, they deal with the topics semiotics, narrative, intertextuallity, ideology and framing of images as well as constructing meaning. The style of the book is detailed. It explains complex facts in a very clear and concise way.

The structure of the book allows the reader to skip chapters. It is possible to read the book not only linearly, but to jump around in it, without getting lost. A clear and concise design facilitates the navigation throughout the book.

The running glossary explains technical terms as soon as they appear, there is no need to constantly look stuff up. Highlighted thinking points discuss interesting aspects and inspire the reader to reflect the topic. Further reading tips help pave the way to more knowlegde.

The fact that all those details are arranged at the sides of the pages makes it easy for the reader to still concentrate on the main text. Case studies at the end of each chapter exemplify the theoretical knowledge. There are many stills which are analyzed to visually explain the theoretical aspects.

All those references are integrated in the design without losing clarity. Case studies at the end of each chapter help to understand the theoretical part by using examples of famous films or films which are published on the ava books website.

The book contains a lot of practical exercises which makes it a great textbook. It appeals to both beginners and professionals by giving a broad overview of the field and then using interesting examples for each detail. The reader will be able to reflect upon small details of films as well as the big picture.

However, folks hoping to find a book which explains everything about framing, storytelling and co should look elsewhere. The main focus of the title are the technical and conceptual aspects of film and which reactions it evokes in the audience.

(With thanks to Katrin Förtsch for help on research and review.)

La Gaite Lyrique

Yves Geleyn has delivered this dreamy Short Film for the french Gallery La Gaîté Lyrique, a new venue in Paris featuring digital art and contemporary music.

The film contains some of Yves’ signature characters, which lead the viewer through the gallery’s architecture. However, it’s more of an emotional journey than an architectural walkthrough,. The 3D (by One More Production) might feel a bit rushed on some shots, but the stylized quality fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the piece. Additionally, there is an interactive walk through in the works, realized with the studio Grouek.

Second Wind

Ian Worrel has drawn up this wonderfully meditative mixed-media short film, “Second Wind”. This spiritual journey of two friends becomes a story about life and death whose refreshing aesthetic consists of paper/pencil cell animation that has been comped and colored digitally. Though some scenes feel a bit rough, the story and style draw you in.

Being his final project for CalArts 2008, here‘s some nice behind the scenes stuff.

Dvein Gets Xcentric

Barcelona-based Dvein gets eccentric with six beautiful ident-like spots for the experimental cinema’s exhibition, Xcentric. The exhibition will feature 50 years of Spanish, independent cinema as well as travel to different locations in the US. Commissioned through their reps, 8 de agosto, Dvein directed and produced the spots with their usual technical finesse. The 3D blends perfectly with some live-action elements to end in an abstract poem.