Cut it Out

When working in After Effects or Photoshop, one works with 'layers'. The following pieces of motion graphics play with the idea of layering in the software and layers as physical cut-outs layered in space. What I love about these pieces is the overarching sense of physical craftsmanship even though they were created in virtual space.

The first is the title sequence to the TV mini-series A Pedra do Reino (The Stone of the Kingdom) created by Brazilian studio LOBO.



The crazy movement of the environment is balanced by the measured progression through the tunnel, and the developing visuals are complemented by the rhythmic music. There is a very visceral sensation of traveling into the world of the film, and the idea of opening is conveyed by the long series of apertures that the camera passes through. The titles start very two-dimensional, with images in each progressive plane moving laterally across the screen, but the convention is soon broken and three dimensional movement is introduced. This opens up a whole new paradigm. The fact that one can pick out each individual drawn element further enforces the idea of physical cut-outs.

The second is the end credit sequence of the film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, helmed by Jamie Caliri, Todd Hemker and Benjamin Goldman.



This title sequence is what got me interested in - and prompted me to pursue - motion graphics. As you can tell from my few posts so far (this being number 2) I love how motion graphics is directly influenced by pre-film techniques of moving image, and this title sequence combines many: Toy theatre and theatrical set design (cut-out waves), shadow puppetry and silhouette (the silhouettes of Count Olaf's head), paper toys (the spinners). It is also a blend of many different artistic styles, ranging from Edward Gorey, most obvious because of the gothic humor and muted colors, to the narrative tropes of titles by Fritz Freleng and Saul Bass (hide and seek, chased vs. chaser, miniature vignettes, playing with graphic design as a spatial element).