Motion Graphics Animation for a Loan TV Commercial

I just completed this freelance TV animation project for an ad agency in Wisconsin. This is a reworked spot from one I did a few years ago. The motion graphics animation was originally done in SD – standard definition – so I needed to update any footage used and reformat for HD – high definition broadcast. The beach footage and the remodeling image were purchased stock items while the rest I created from scratch. It was a little hard to look through hundreds of beach video clips when I was sitting in a snow covered farmhouse studio. I used a clip that provided a nice warm sunset tone to contrast with the cooler snow colors within the spot. In the original TV animation, I had a couple envelopes with the words “bills” on them but it looked a little like cheap clipart. For the new TV commercial, I created a couple 3d ornaments with some cash skin wraps and had them consolidate into the 2 main ornaments. While the VO was pretty quick, I wanted to show a visual that conveyed a winter vacation. The 3d beach ball animation I created fit well. It bounces in at the “vacation” mark and leaves just in time to reveal the remodeling image. If time allows, I usually like to drop something in at the end that maintains the flavor of the spot. The beach ball was small enough and with a little snow, the spot wraps up nicely. I also added a couple small sound effects for the 3d beach ball I created and the loan super. The rest of the audio and VO was supplied by the ad agency.

Eye Care Facebook Banner Ad Design

Just finished this Facebook header design for an eye doctor’s business.

This is a freelance Facebook banner ad design I recently did for an eye doctor’s office. The woman in the photograph is a stock image. The winter scenes I shot right after a snow storm went through the area. The design and illustration elements I created from scratch. Snowflakes were courtesy of Zaph DIngbats.

Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year

Pantone announces it’s 2013 color of the year. This year it’s Emerald #17-5641.

Trade Show Video Animation for Las Vegas Real Estate Show

This high-definition real estate trade show video animation was done for a developer’s trade show booth. The real estate trade show was in Las Vegas and the videos looped on multiple plasma screens on the booth’s walls. The client supplied the architectural photographs for the video. They also provided a graphic design from their website that they wanted the animation look to simulate. To create the trade show animation, I used a combination of Adobe products ranging from Photoshop and Illustrator to After Effects for the finishing. The HD video did not have audio. I added the music track for demonstration purposes. The clip is a shortened version of the full 2 minute real estate video provided for the Las Vegas trade show.

New Animation Business Presentation

Currently doing some planning and storyboards for potential NFL and NFLPA clients. Project has potential to reach into the other major professional sports. A non-disclosure situation until it’s launched but it should be pretty cool.

Disarmed and Recycled Nuclear Weapon Systems Product Photography

This is a product photo of items produced from disarmed and recycled nuclear weapon systems. Photo taken 12/8/12

The group product shot was for BrightandBold.com. The product line is made from a unique copper alloy created from disarmed and recycled nuclear weapon systems. Bottle openers and jewelry make up this group shot. One of the more unique freelance web product photos I’ve done. The company deems the products are safe to handle but it was still a little odd to handle items that were once a part of a nuclear weapon.

Freelance Building Photos of Pitman Theatre at Alverno College

Front entrance to Pitman Theatre. Photo taken 8/22/12

South walkway to Pitman Theatre. Photo taken 8/22/12

North walkway to Pitman Theatre. Photo taken 8/22/12

These architectural photos were shot for a construction company’s portfolio. Most times I would avoid a noon hour shoot but this one worked out well. The design’s long lines reminded me of some of the buildings from the early to mid 20th century. The northern exposure provided some nice shadow areas for contrast. The landscaping provided a nice compliment to the building’s front entrance.

Kenosha County Courthouse Photograph

Kenosha County Courthouse architecture photograph. Photo taken 10/7/12.

I shot this architecture photo a couple times. The landscaping was in process during the first two visits so I ended up retouching the image a little to help it along. The grass was partially finished so I cloned some of it into place being sure to provide a compressed and softer look as the grass moved out of the focus area. The flags were at halfmast so I needed to bring them up for the client’s final photo. On the final visit for this shot, the landscaping had wooden stakes with bright orange ribbons to keep pedestrians off the new grass. Great for the grass – bad for the photographer… These were shot on the weekends to avoid any parked cars or people around the entrance. While this shot had the dramatic wide angle look, I also provided a couple with a normal look. The street lights were a little tricky to shoot around so I provided a couple options.

Medical Animation – Carpal Tunnel Procedure

The first frame of the medical animation showing a carpal tunnel procedure.The images are from a medical animation showing a carpal tunnel procedure.

The internal anatomy was rendered from scratch and imported into Zaxwerks Proanimator 3d. The external effects were rendered in After Effects and exported to an HD movie for the final output. While I had to keep this basic for budget reasons, as a medical animator, attention to detail is extremely important. I kept the nerves and arteries fairly simple so they didn’t take away from the procedure area. I also made the ligaments and the muscles one basic piece to keep the animation to a minimum. I kept some of the textures to a minimum. The smoother finish has a little friendlier look for a potential patient.

Closeup view of the medical animation revealing the carpal ligament procedure. The opening takes pressure off of the Median Nerve (yellow line).

Mitchell Building Cupola Photograph

Mitchell building cupola in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo taken 10/27/12

I shot this photo for Langer Roofing. This is from a series of architectural photographs for a calendar used to promote the company’s visibility. The company handles high and steep roofs like church steeples and high rise buildings.