Nervo.tv
04-17-2008, 08:00 PM
Nervo (http://www.nervo.tv) is an animation & design firm based in Portland, OR. The images and information below are related to a series of animations we have created for the launch of the online brand Let Us Kiss. Here is a link to the project on our page ( http://nervo.tv/index.html?sect=5&proj=letuskiss).
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Over the last few months Nervo has created a series of High-Definition animations for the launch of the "Let Us Kiss". The online brand dedicates itself to more than just getting people to communicate with each other, even-though it does just that in a much more visually attractive and intelligently orchestrated manner.
By working with the brand's Creative Directors Rodrigo Butori and Kristina Slade we've created a series of animations that users can send to each other along with a custom message. Each animation is completely unique as we've used a variety of techniques ranging from plain stop motion to complex 3D graphics.
The brand's online presence will gradually evolve into many interactive circuits, which currently include Facebook, My Space and others. We will likely continue to collaborate with them on other animations so please check back later for more.
Nervo's Music Director created all of the music tracks and sound effects for the different animations again showcasing our versatility in the music field as well.
We have assembled the information below to share with other XSI and After Effects users some of the technical processes we have gone though to achieve the final results from the link above.
---x---
"Padded Landing" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukpadded.mov)
Our design approach for this animation was heavily influenced by Salvador Dali's paintings. The background was painted in Photoshop and later placed as a background for our animation. The animated breasts were simulated to collide with the painted plane and hand. The dancing shadow effect for each object was also based off Dali's aesthetic and was achieved through a series of standard plugins in After Effects as well.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/padded_final_stills.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574341)
* Screenshots from the final animation entitled "Padded Landing". To view these larger or comment please visit Flickr here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574341/) and here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574335).
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/padded_elements.jpg
* Original Matte Painting and models created for the animation. To view these larger or comment please visit Flickr here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2375508215) and here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2375508223).
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"Peacock" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukpeacock.mov)
This animation was designed by Swedish Illustrator Linn Olofsdotter (http://www.olofsdotter.com). In the brief we received from the client, one of the main subjects surrounding the brand was flirting. We chose the peacock as a symbol since the animal not only uses its tail feathers to attract mates, but the feathers themselves are very clear graphic eyes, which we've abstracted into more obvious eyes that animate and wink at the camera.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_final_frames.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574329)
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_xsi_web.jpg
* Screenshots showcasing the rig setup for one of the peacock's feathers and the animal's neck. To view these larger click here (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_feather.png) and here (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_head.png).
For this piece we have utilized XSI to add flexibility to each element (feathers, head) with the images projected on flat planes, which later where brought into After Effects for final assembly of the layout and further compositing. The overall movement of the feathers as well as the intricacy of their fluidity was further enhanced and controlled with a set of expressions as showcased below.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_expressions_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_expressions.jpg)
---x---
"Hug" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukhug.mov)
For this animation we utilized a wide variety of techniques. We utilized XSI to create the three characters and also generate the water and sand elements for further compositing in After Effects. All of the graphic coral and other decoration for the bottom of the ocean was design in Adobe Illustrator and later placed in the After Effects Comp.
We managed to keep the same movement on the camera by exporting the camera info from XSI and importing into AE. The algae and some of the bubbles were the only other elements we generated out of XSI.
The stills further below show some of the structure we've had to set up for our XSI project, including the rigging and animation for all of the characters.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_final_stills.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574341/)
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_xsi_various_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_xsi_various.jpg)
The compositing process for this animation was a little more intense. We created a variety of particle systems for small dust like bubbles and larger ones as well using Particular (http://www.trapcode.com/products_particular.html) in After Effects. We also altered the colors of the the characters in post by utilizing the various channels rendered out of XSI. This allowed larger tweaks to be made in post and freeing 3D artists to spend more time in animation instead. This has been a standard practice we've adopted, which allows art direction to continue making changes until the end of the process without stalling the 3D staff and avoiding re-rendering sequences.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_compositing_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_compositing.jpg)
Since most of the background elements were created flat and later integrated in After Effects, we utilized a sequence of scattered light that was placed over the illustrated elements and distorted utilizing a simple mesh warp effect to achieve the same light effect found on the characters. The image below showcases this process.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/light_scatter.jpg
---x---
"Mushrooms" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukmushrooms.mov)
This animation was also designed by Linn Olofsdotter (http://www.olofsdotter.com). The visual approach was intended to resemble back lit animated asia signs (not sure who has seen the same references).
Since we wanted to achieve a very peaceful camera movement, all of the 3D elements were rendered with a static camera and later assembled in After Effects. We again utilized "Particular" to create the water fall, leaves, bubbles and the floating and glowing light particles.
Although this piece is quite simple, we wanted to share it because we think it's a great example of creating really graphic 3D for a motion graphics oriented piece.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushroom_final_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushroom_final.jpg)
Below are screenshots of how we approach the control over the flower and mushrooms as well as the snake over the illustrated tree.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushrooom_xsi_various_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushrooom_xsi_various.jpg)
---x---
"Balloons" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukballoons.mov)
This last animation was mostly created in XSI. We first developed the characters as showcased further below while working simultaneously on a matte painting for the background. An intricate rig was created for the punk balloon for a more detailed control over the behavior of its movements.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/balloons_final_frames.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2369223683)
In these frame we showcased how we designed the textures for the balloons first and later those vector images were converted into the finished models. On the right we see a sketch of one of the "characters" next to the finished model as well. As seen below, the compositing process was much simpler than the previous animations since the desired look was achieved straight out of XSI.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/bulid_balloons_web.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2375534609)
The intricate behavior of the balloons was achieve in animation after meticulous implementation of a flexible rig that would allowed a realistic connection between the different parts of the model. You can view a clip of the "Punk" balloon here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2422054444).
---x---
* Credits for this project includes:
Production Company: Nervo
Creative Director: Nando Costa
Producer: Julie Gash
3D Modeling & Animation: Thiago Costa, Jeff Norombaba, Gabriel Beauvais, Mario Ucci, Catherine Langevin
2D Animation: Nando Costa, Alphonse Swineheart, Robbie Johnstone
Compositing: Nando Costa, Thiago Costa
Design & Illustration: Nando Costa, Linn Olofsdotter, Fabiana Fortes, Gavin Potenza
Matte Painting: Joshua Cox
Music & Sound Design: Darrin Wiener
If you are interested in reading other articles on our projects take a look at TIMEX "Waveforms" (http://community.softimage.com/showthread.php?t=864) as well.
---x---
Over the last few months Nervo has created a series of High-Definition animations for the launch of the "Let Us Kiss". The online brand dedicates itself to more than just getting people to communicate with each other, even-though it does just that in a much more visually attractive and intelligently orchestrated manner.
By working with the brand's Creative Directors Rodrigo Butori and Kristina Slade we've created a series of animations that users can send to each other along with a custom message. Each animation is completely unique as we've used a variety of techniques ranging from plain stop motion to complex 3D graphics.
The brand's online presence will gradually evolve into many interactive circuits, which currently include Facebook, My Space and others. We will likely continue to collaborate with them on other animations so please check back later for more.
Nervo's Music Director created all of the music tracks and sound effects for the different animations again showcasing our versatility in the music field as well.
We have assembled the information below to share with other XSI and After Effects users some of the technical processes we have gone though to achieve the final results from the link above.
---x---
"Padded Landing" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukpadded.mov)
Our design approach for this animation was heavily influenced by Salvador Dali's paintings. The background was painted in Photoshop and later placed as a background for our animation. The animated breasts were simulated to collide with the painted plane and hand. The dancing shadow effect for each object was also based off Dali's aesthetic and was achieved through a series of standard plugins in After Effects as well.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/padded_final_stills.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574341)
* Screenshots from the final animation entitled "Padded Landing". To view these larger or comment please visit Flickr here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574341/) and here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574335).
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/padded_elements.jpg
* Original Matte Painting and models created for the animation. To view these larger or comment please visit Flickr here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2375508215) and here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2375508223).
---x---
"Peacock" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukpeacock.mov)
This animation was designed by Swedish Illustrator Linn Olofsdotter (http://www.olofsdotter.com). In the brief we received from the client, one of the main subjects surrounding the brand was flirting. We chose the peacock as a symbol since the animal not only uses its tail feathers to attract mates, but the feathers themselves are very clear graphic eyes, which we've abstracted into more obvious eyes that animate and wink at the camera.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_final_frames.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574329)
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_xsi_web.jpg
* Screenshots showcasing the rig setup for one of the peacock's feathers and the animal's neck. To view these larger click here (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_feather.png) and here (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_head.png).
For this piece we have utilized XSI to add flexibility to each element (feathers, head) with the images projected on flat planes, which later where brought into After Effects for final assembly of the layout and further compositing. The overall movement of the feathers as well as the intricacy of their fluidity was further enhanced and controlled with a set of expressions as showcased below.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_expressions_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/peacock_expressions.jpg)
---x---
"Hug" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukhug.mov)
For this animation we utilized a wide variety of techniques. We utilized XSI to create the three characters and also generate the water and sand elements for further compositing in After Effects. All of the graphic coral and other decoration for the bottom of the ocean was design in Adobe Illustrator and later placed in the After Effects Comp.
We managed to keep the same movement on the camera by exporting the camera info from XSI and importing into AE. The algae and some of the bubbles were the only other elements we generated out of XSI.
The stills further below show some of the structure we've had to set up for our XSI project, including the rigging and animation for all of the characters.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_final_stills.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2294574341/)
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_xsi_various_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_xsi_various.jpg)
The compositing process for this animation was a little more intense. We created a variety of particle systems for small dust like bubbles and larger ones as well using Particular (http://www.trapcode.com/products_particular.html) in After Effects. We also altered the colors of the the characters in post by utilizing the various channels rendered out of XSI. This allowed larger tweaks to be made in post and freeing 3D artists to spend more time in animation instead. This has been a standard practice we've adopted, which allows art direction to continue making changes until the end of the process without stalling the 3D staff and avoiding re-rendering sequences.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_compositing_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/hug_compositing.jpg)
Since most of the background elements were created flat and later integrated in After Effects, we utilized a sequence of scattered light that was placed over the illustrated elements and distorted utilizing a simple mesh warp effect to achieve the same light effect found on the characters. The image below showcases this process.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/light_scatter.jpg
---x---
"Mushrooms" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukmushrooms.mov)
This animation was also designed by Linn Olofsdotter (http://www.olofsdotter.com). The visual approach was intended to resemble back lit animated asia signs (not sure who has seen the same references).
Since we wanted to achieve a very peaceful camera movement, all of the 3D elements were rendered with a static camera and later assembled in After Effects. We again utilized "Particular" to create the water fall, leaves, bubbles and the floating and glowing light particles.
Although this piece is quite simple, we wanted to share it because we think it's a great example of creating really graphic 3D for a motion graphics oriented piece.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushroom_final_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushroom_final.jpg)
Below are screenshots of how we approach the control over the flower and mushrooms as well as the snake over the illustrated tree.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushrooom_xsi_various_web.jpg (http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/mushrooom_xsi_various.jpg)
---x---
"Balloons" View Quicktime (http://www.nervo.tv/media/motion/video/nervo_qt_lukballoons.mov)
This last animation was mostly created in XSI. We first developed the characters as showcased further below while working simultaneously on a matte painting for the background. An intricate rig was created for the punk balloon for a more detailed control over the behavior of its movements.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/balloons_final_frames.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2369223683)
In these frame we showcased how we designed the textures for the balloons first and later those vector images were converted into the finished models. On the right we see a sketch of one of the "characters" next to the finished model as well. As seen below, the compositing process was much simpler than the previous animations since the desired look was achieved straight out of XSI.
http://www.nervo.tv/press/letuskiss/bulid_balloons_web.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2375534609)
The intricate behavior of the balloons was achieve in animation after meticulous implementation of a flexible rig that would allowed a realistic connection between the different parts of the model. You can view a clip of the "Punk" balloon here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nervo/2422054444).
---x---
* Credits for this project includes:
Production Company: Nervo
Creative Director: Nando Costa
Producer: Julie Gash
3D Modeling & Animation: Thiago Costa, Jeff Norombaba, Gabriel Beauvais, Mario Ucci, Catherine Langevin
2D Animation: Nando Costa, Alphonse Swineheart, Robbie Johnstone
Compositing: Nando Costa, Thiago Costa
Design & Illustration: Nando Costa, Linn Olofsdotter, Fabiana Fortes, Gavin Potenza
Matte Painting: Joshua Cox
Music & Sound Design: Darrin Wiener
If you are interested in reading other articles on our projects take a look at TIMEX "Waveforms" (http://community.softimage.com/showthread.php?t=864) as well.