Sara Martinez-"Constellations": This project was made with the use of black construction paper and clear push pins, added affects in FCP and Photoshop, and was given a more star-like effect. The stars move around to create different scenes and pictures in the sky. Some parts of the movie are sped up more than others and I find it a bit distracting. I like where this project is heading and would like to see it made to be longer. I like that the stars "played" themselves in different scenes such as the city sky line, where the stars made the buildings and the actual stars. I also like how one image transforms into another with the subtraction and addition of the push pins.
Joel Ramnaraine-"Sunlit Romance": This project was filmed outside in a park setting. Its about two young people and their intriguing relationship. The whole movie, the audience wonders about their relationship because there are scenes that look like they are searching for each other, scenes where they are walking away from each other, and finally a scene where they end up together. Its a nice piece and although there was one setting and one camera angle, it worked well with the tone of the movie, and the music complimented the mood.
Nicole Pennington-"Dead Leaves": In this project, dead leaves form images to create a narration of a love story. Full of hope and sadness, its a beautiful romantic tragedy. This project shows a good sense of motion and I almost forgot that it was a stop motion animation. The crumbling of the leaves and the last piano key struck my heart and made me feel a connection with what the couple was feeling as they parted. Fantastic piece.
Leslie Dulfer-"And Then There Were Two": This piece fits a very cliche idea of a love story. The way that male figure portrayed his feelings were very exaggerated, but in a good way. When the two figures fall in love I expect too see them running in a field of flowers as well, to complete a corny scene. The video is tasteful and the choice to have no music allows the audience to fill in that void themselves.
Jim Kirkwood-"Les Lapins": My absolute favorite stop motion animation piece in the world!! Its cute at first with the bunny's because they are known as innocent creatures, so you don't expect to see them having sex at the end. The music also compliments the movie, especially with the line, "with your cheeks so soft." It shows a good sense of timing. The subtly of the flirting at first mixed with the raunchy and indiscrete love scene makes it perfectly hilarious and fun to watch.
Olga Brachollari -"Moot": As the girl drops the cup of liquid on the floor, a mud monster is born. This already gives leeway to an interesting movie. All the mud monster wants to do is stop pollution!! I like that he winks as he is throwing the cup away after making his way to the garbage can. But shortly after he is stepped on and that reflects on how others step on peoples efforts to recycle and be environmentally friendly. Wish there was music to add to the drama of the movie since it was so short, one with a climax when he finally throws away the garbage and a fumbling sound when he is being squashed.
Gaby Mendez-"The Sacrifice": Nothing spells irony quite like this movie. Its funny how the Wheaties cereal pieces are trying so hard to be a part of the cereal in the bowl and little do they know that they are escaping away to a dark fate. The faces on the cereal was a great addition because it shows more emotion and thus allows the audience to connect with them more. However, I wish there was milk in the bowl to make it look more realistic. Also, the liquid state of the milk could have added nicer movement to the piece.
Kirstin Anderson-"Buaia Baruk": Great soundtrack to go along with the movie. Has a good guy/bad guy feel to it, and has you rooting for the monkey the entire time. Its fascinating how the cut outs are used in various scenes. There was so much movement for a paper material that isn't very flexible to begin with. The timing of the actions and the music is on point. Overall, a very successful project. One thing to change would be to not have the music cut off so abruptly at the end.
William Scott-"Under My Skin": Nice elevator music. Adds a casual feeling to such a casual routine in the overall movie. Its a good way of spicing up an everyday scenario and making us all want to have music like this play as we clean our face and wash our hands. I didn't get the message at first about it being a short movie on the perspective of someone who has OCD, but now I do.
KT Stemper-"Towel Dry": I like the various camera angles. Also, how the movie settings aren't limited to one room. I like how instantly the towel comes to life and takes a journey. We saw a short story through a towels perspective and a humans perspective. Should fix the clips where you can see shorts on the person when they are getting out of the shower, I feel like this movie should perhaps be longer to express a definite narration.
Emily Sneeden-"Check Your Spam": I love how an animated drawing is brought into a real life setting through a use of metaphorical play on words. "Check Your Spam" is ironic because spam mail is sent to a spam folder so that you don't open up a virus. Also, the title hints that you should perhaps check the expiration date on your spam can. The fact that the 2D realm meets the 3D realm is a great twist to this project.
Ryan Rudock-"Flashed": I don't really understand this movie. Why is the superhero, Flash, moving so so? I wish there was more of a story plot going on. I did like the shadow of the action figure on the background photo because it reminds me of an old time movie setting when they are in a car "driving" but the only thing moving is the background. So the inverse was done in this case.
Anthony Moitisanti-"Familiar": I like how you use the nature of the transformer to transform into a helicopter to get to the cookie jar. And letting us know what the transformer is looking at, by having the objects twinkle, was creative and humorous. Perspective through a toys eyes. Abstract and unreal world is successfully played.
Kelsey Olson-"Film Colorer du Ferbie": This movie shows us a mystical world of love, lust, and longing. This theme is a very adult them, that is portrayed through children's toys. Its wrong yet intriguing at the same time. I like how the Ferbie moves through the house animating so many other objects. Thats what gives the sense of another world, like how toys come alive when people aren't looking, rather than just a possessed Ferbie. I also like how the lighting and mood change throughout the story. From day to night, excitement ad fear.
