TIM BURTON'S "VINCENT"

HALLOWEEN POST #1:

Made in 1982, Vincent is Tim Burton's first film that was actually released into theatres. Disney didn't put it on many screens and very few people actually saw it, nonetheless, this amazing stop motion short film should been seen by all. It served Burton well as his proverbial "foot in the door'... Hollywood style.

Based on a poem that Burton had written, Vincent is about a young boy and his fascination with Vincent Price - a storyline that is oddly similar to Burton's own life. Watch it here.

Burton's next film, Frankenweenie, is another dark and morbid tale... this time about a boy and his dog. There is an underlying theme not unlike that of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Think misunderstood monster. Hmmm... does that sound like Edward Scissorhands? If you ever have the opportunity, watch Frankenweenie. We used to have a copy of it on VHS. Vee Aiche what? Good luck.

ENTREDEUX THE SHORT FILM

Entredeux is another fine short film from the French animation/media school Supinfocom Arles. Directed by Francois Turquety & Laurent Labouille, the film uses computer animation, an interesting story and dramatic music to bring human emotion to life. Enjoy!

CLIKCLAK - THE WORD ROBOTS

It seems that every year the French animation/media school Supinfocom Arles, produces some superb filmmakers. Most notably, Oury Atlan, Thibaut Berland and Damien Ferrie, who, as a graduation project, made the beautiful, unique and truly haunting film, Muppets Over Time. This year, in what seems to be an hommage to Rube Golberg, the Peter Fischli and David Weiss film, The Way Things Go, and the Honda COG commercial, students, Aurelie Frechinos, Thomas Wagner and Victor-Emmanuel Moulin have made, ClikClak, a fun and delightful film in which two word robots embrace the curiousity of a little child and introduce him into their world. It is well worth watching.

Looking at Muppets Over Time and ClikClak, we can see that Supinfocom seems infuse its students with the right kind of passion and skill needed to bring together a great story, wonderful visual elements and perfectly suited music. The results are great films. Keep up the good work!

KUNG FU CLOWNS NOMINATED

Filmmaking rule number 839: Clowns don't make for good movies. Exception to the rule: Rocky Morton's Kung Fu Clowns commercial for BellSouth Real Yellow Pages, which has been nominated for a Director's Guild of America Award. "It takes great skill to tell a compelling story in under sixty seconds," said DGA President Michael Apted. "...directors have mastered the format, using their talent, craft and imagination to provide us with some of the most innovative filmmaking out there today."

TEMPBOT - A NEILL BLOMKAMP FILM

Tempbot was filmed in 2004 so it predates Alive in Joburg. It has the same theme as Tetra Vaal with regards to a robotic workforce, however Neill Blomkamp's Tempbot has emotions... although this robot can use some serious councelling.

[via Transbuddha.com.] 15 minutes long.

ALIVE IN JOBURG

Alive in Joburg is Neill Blomkamp's follow-up short film to his truly amazing spec spot, Tetra Vaal. Alive in Joburg is also heavy on CGI, but it is an unsettling and eerie story of an alien invasion in Johannesburg, South Africa. Filmed documentary style, there is a mix of interviews and 'reality/news-style' footage which makes it seem very believable, especially as the underlying theme appears to allude to the effects of apartheid and the current political/ social issues that now exist in South Africa. Nicely done Neill!

TETRA VAAL: BETTER POLICING THROUGH ROBOTICS

Tetra Vaal isn't a new piece, but it is continues to raise the hairs on our necks. Why? It is so well made that you will find it hard to believe that it isn't real. Directed by Neill Blomkamp for The Embassy Visual Effects, it was made as a spec spot for a fictious robotics company. Better Policing Through Robotics. Catchy tag line. The spot was shot in Blomkamp's native South Africa and does an effective job at illustrating the rise of violence and need for an effective means to defuse the current situation.

Shortly after the release of Tetra Vaal, Blomkamp was awarded a number of high end contracts which produced award winning spots, including, Citroen's Alive With Technology, Nike's Evolution and Nike's Crab.

DELIVERING FATHER CHRISTMAS' SINCE 1793

"Rare Exports Inc. delivering Father Christmas' since 1793. Through extensive training of manners and language skills the product is prepared to meet the needs of millions of children."

Directed by Jalmari Helander, Rare Exports Inc. was originally intended as the end-of-the season gift for the clients of Woodpecker Film, a Helsinki based production company for TV commercials & music videos. Placed on the company website, the film gathered nearly half a million unique viewers in just a few months. The film went on to play at numerous film festivals and win a number of awards. Kudos to the filmmakers from us at UNP. We'll take two please!

MUPPETS OVER TIME

Muppets Over Time is a stunning hommage to muppets creator, Jim Henson. Directed by Oury Atlan, Thibaut Berland and Damien Ferrie as a student film, it is haunting yet beautiful. A truly unique and inspiring film that more of us should aspire to. Watch it a number of times to appreciate the subtle nuances and attention to detail. The short features equally moving music from the Silberman Orchestra as well as compositions by Ornadel and the Starlight Symphony.

Originally Muppets Over Time was brought to our attention via the Joey Tomatoes web site, which disappeared briefly, but is now back up in an abreviated form. Joey Tomotoes offers exposure to unique commercials and is worth checking out.