Black Tide “Warriors of Time” Viral Animation
Motherland, a swell heap of gents as well as a “…Motion, Animation & Entertainment Company…” asked me to provide art for a series of viral shorts for Black Tide (seen below).
Black Tide “Warriors of Time” No. 1 from Ray Frenden on Vimeo.
Black Tide “Warriors of Time” No. 2 from Ray Frenden on Vimeo.
Black Tide “Warriors of Time” No. 3 from Ray Frenden on Vimeo.
Black Tide “Warriors of Time” No. 4 from Ray Frenden on Vimeo.
Black Tide “Warriors of Time” No. 5 from Ray Frenden on Vimeo.
They provided the character design, reference renders, storyboards, and even frame-by-frame reference for the bits where traditional animation was required. It was a lot of work (with some shots in the fifth video having more characters in one instant than the entire first video’s run).
The way they animated the paper dolls I provided is humbling. I learned a lot in the process and am even tackling my own motion projects as a result. All in all, it was a great experience! I’ve even gone on to design other merchandise for the band.
After the jump is a sampling of the provided reference, my production art, and the illustrations I’ve done of the character since.
Sample storyboard:
Frame by frame reference:
Early color concept I provided:
Apparel illustrations:
Jan 14th, 2009 #
What an amazing amazing project to accomplish! awesome stuff Ray!
Jan 14th, 2009 #
That looks great!
Jan 14th, 2009 #
Wow, very interesting to see the storyboards. Tees look great too!
Jan 15th, 2009 #
Very impressive I must say! And there’s probably no doubt that this has been a LOT of work, since it is animated frame by-frame.
Keep up the good work!
Jan 16th, 2009 #
Thanks, Paul, Tony, and Ameeee.
Florian, it was around seven weeks of work. There is some traditional animation, but the vast majority of the motion was created with paperdolls.
Jan 19th, 2009 #
Where or when may we see the entire video as a whole? These clips are amazing! Just as with hand-made motion animation, the limited animation of much of this is more beguiling than much of the most elaborate animation we see in big budget movies.
Jan 19th, 2009 #
It was a great project, Robert. I’m not quite sure when Motherland is editing together new footage and combining it with these older efforts. I will very likely be talking about it here, though.
Jan 20th, 2009 #
very cool!
I love the mix of your illu style with flashy animation and particle effects.
Jan 20th, 2009 #
Sweet!
Jan 21st, 2009 #
Wow, this really struts your stuff. I reslly hope this opens a bunch of doors for you.
Jan 21st, 2009 #
These are ace! Your style looks even more impressive moving on screen.
Feb 5th, 2009 #
I love the shirts, but I’d love ‘em even more if the logo was much, much smaller… ah, well. It’s exciting to see your career go ballistic, though. Looking forward to the next big project, Ray.
May 9th, 2009 #
very cool!
May 21st, 2009 #
wow that’s a great design that you have! i love the shirts! can i buy?
Oct 16th, 2009 #
There is unquestionably a lot to know about this!