The Future Of Mankind {part II}

Hello science friends...

As promised here is the development work for the TBWA London virals inspired by 1950's Sci-Fi B-Movies.
Once again I loved researching reference for these projects as for one I love the genre and have always been a big fan of Sci-Fi, especially the A-Bomb generation of science fiction films.





First of all I put together some images I presented to the agency along with some sample storyboards of the ideas I had going on, which myself and Ben Campbell (producer Rampage Studios) pitched.

As usual I wasn't given a lot of time at this stage and produced some reference boards and original boards to go with my written pitch in about a day.
I wanted the films to seem as if they were produced and presented by a classic 1950's film studio, and although the original concept called for these films to appear as if they had been made in a garage by one individual with very low-tech, I was permitted to design an animated logo which started each film.
I took inspiration from old RKO, classic Paramount and Films Incorporated title cards.














The agency liked the direction we took and allowed us to elaborate our storyboards for a few more days before we started designing all the graphic elements contained within each film.











Here are two of the storyboards I presented to the agency in order to give them a complete overview of what I had planned to film and animate.
Coming from an animation background I always tend to storyboard in a rigid manner, imagining on paper what I aim to film. Once on set though I find the storyboards can be quite restricting at times as other elements come into the fray: the limitations of the set, the lighting, technical elements I did not foresee or consider, what the actor brings to the performance.

I had some time to work with the actor (Boris Hiestand) prior to the shooting day yet what he brought to the performance on the day was hilarious, and the energy he put into it, considering the weight of the jet-packs and costume under the studio lights,
was amazing.

 












The storyboards had to be produced swiftly as not only we needed approval from the agency at every step of the production, but we also needed to source all elements I wanted as well as designing anf animating all the ideas I had conceived.
 You can see some examples in these two storyboards of some of the ideas which Daniel Thomas from Rampage Studios then took and designed and animated for the final films. Great guy and great work!




For the third and final film in the series though I wanted a very home-made, classic B-Movie monster moment and hired puppet maker Magdalena Bieszczak to build a scary looking bee based on the design below.
The effect of a puppet with its mandibles dripping in vaseline and KY gel flying at the camera lense hanging by a very visible wire was exaclty what I was looking for... I feel Ed Wood would have approved!



I hope you enjoy the films as much as I enjoyed making them!

THE FUTURE OF MANKIND

The Future Of Mankind {part I}


Hello again science friends!

At the end of the summer your truly directed 3 shorts for TBWA London, for which we used as inspiration Ed Wood and 1950's B-Movies.

Shining a light on the science facts of Roche's generation sequencing systems (yeah, we know!) we also poked fun at the fantastic concepts of early science fiction.

This is the third (and my favourite!) film produced by Ben Campbell of Rampage Studios and directed by myself...

I'll post storyboards and development work in the next few days to show the progress from concept to finished film.

Hope you all enjoy watching it as much as I had in making it...
And please leave a comment or a thumbs up if you do!

THE FUTURE OF MANKIND







'Su un muro sporco c'e` scritta la storia dell' Italia'

"On a dirty wall the history of Italy is written"





I had trouble explaining and coming to terms with my feelings this past weekend at the exit of the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
I have not lived in Italy for 17 years yet although I have made my home in England, have traveled considerably for work and resided in countries as far afield as the Philippines, I have always considered myself Italian.
 
In heart, mind and spirit.

For the past years the figure of Berlusconi has haunted me, as it did to many Italians abroad, with his inane remarks, his gaffes, his cavalier attitude towards his own countrymen's misfortunes, his incompetence in leading his country and his relentless ability to become embroiled and be the centre of scandal upon scandal... Corruption, sex, political.

To have such a pantomime of a man at the head of your home country is a joke you're willing to share with others in the pub, but smarts deep inside you.

Last week, with a minority of 308 parlamentarians, Berlusconi was asked to leave with immediate effect 'For the good of the Country'.
The defeat, tainted by last minute betrayals and made bitter by a string of new allegations about his private life, must sting. Berlusconi will try to remain at the head of his party but he'll discover that for every sinking ship there are a vast number of men who have no interest in protecting him anymore.

I realised as I was drawing this piece that I was becoming angry with each and every brush stroke, incensed by what one man could do to his fellow countrymen out of greed.
Yet one man alone cannot drive a whole country into an economic distaster of European proportions, others have helped him achieve that power, reach those postions; more still are responsible by doing nothing, their apathy and inertia posing no obstacles to those who are greedy for power. Each and everyone of us, responsible in one way or the other.
Perhaps part of my anger was also directed at myself for becoming so detached with the country I love so much.

To me he is now this old syphillitic, perma-tanned sleezeball, his hand firmly squeezing out whatever life there is left in his rancid ball-sack, cloaked in the stained remains of a flag he helped tear to pieces, flashing that famous corrupt smile through even faker teeth.

Good riddance!
 
We will now have Monti to lead Italy, elected not by the people, but placed there to save the country's economy.
Previously at Goldman Sachs and the Bilderberg Group, Italy will have a banker at the head of its state, just like Greece will.
Before it was the politicians who did the bankers bidding, as Ezra Pound said "Politicians are just the bankers' waiters", but now the bankers are stepping into the light and taking actual control.

Will a banker ever hold the people's interest above all else?

This we'll have to wait and see as Italy enters a new stage in its tumultuos history, one finally without Berlusconi.



“A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him.”
Ezra Pound

ps. I don't usually do long political posts but I just had to get this one off my chest... Next week normal service will be resumed! 

First look at FRANKENWEENIE

Halloween approaching and what best way to celebrate than to take a first look at Tim Burton's Frankenweenie.





All rights of the images are property of Disney & Tim Burton





 Disney has released some images and Tim has done a little interview with Entertainment Weekly ahead of the All Hallows Eve weekend.

Although the film is not going to be released for a while yet it's great to start seeing some images out there.
The animation should be in the can in a few weeks and personally I cannot wait to see the finished thing.
I missed out on a crew screening a few weeks ago due to my work commitments in Paris for the Cartoon Network show Angelo Rules, but nothing is going to stop me from the next one.

As you can see by the first pics revealed of the film Frankenweenie is going to be released in glorious Black & White and in 3D.
Working on a film with such a classic horror movie look was an immense pleasure and trying to work out shots and storyboard scenes with the notion that these would be in 3D and have some lush black areas was a fantastic challenge.

In the EW interview Tim explains the origins of the Frankenweenie story and his love for dogs in general:

“It’s such an unconditional relationship. A lot of kids have that experience – I certainly had that experience with a first pet. You’ll probably never have it again in your life in that way, it’s so pure and memorable.”

For the full article go to Entertainment Weekly

What a nice chap!

















Hello people!

As mentioned in my last post I was on my way to the Pixel Vienna Festival, and what a wonderful event.

I had the chance to chat about the good 'ol days with Roger Rabbit animator Al Gaivoto and attend the talk by Andreas Deja about the grand masters of Disney animation, which he accompanied with a mountain of great pieces from the Nine wise old men as well as some old clips.

I also had a chance to catch up with my buddy Florian Satzinger who did the artwork for one of the festival posters (the best one!)

http://paperwalker.blogspot.com/2011/10/pixel-6-poster-artwork.html

I also had the pleasure of being interviewed by a thoughroughly nice chap, Martin Lorenz for his fantastic blog/site.

As well as animating, illustrating, visual content and workshops, Martin documents events and interviews industry professionals for his site... Where does he find the time?!

Anyway, here is the link to his site and my interview...

www.martinlorenz.at

Once you've done reading mine check out the one from Andreas Deja!

Christian gets PIXELATED!

Hello lovely people...

Hope all is well as another season of festivals and events is upon us.

This time I'm jetting off to Vienna for the Annual Austrian Conference on
Computer Graphics & Animation: PIXEL

Aside from being excited at the prospect of taking in so much from the the games industry and the talent behind it, it will be a great pleasure for me being at the same event as Andreas Deja.
This guy has animated some of the best Disney villainsof the past 20 years... Gaston, Jafar, Scar as well as designing and animating Lilo.

Really looking forward to catching his presentation!

If anyone is in town come by as I bore yet another audience with a talk on story and storyboards and then come enjoy one or three local beers!

All the best to you all

Christian

Bienvenue a` PARIS

Exciting news this week as yesterday was my first day on the new series of Angelo Rules, the show produced by TeamTo.

Indeed I have been invited to Paris to supervise storyboards for the Cartoon Network show and the lovely people from the studio have already made me feel very welcome.

Awesome!


One Hand Clapping brings ED WOOD to the digital age!

















Hello science friends... And welcome to our latest funny little film!

Thanks to the great guys at TBWA London we were able to channel our inner Ed Wood and direct 3 marvelous gems in the style of 1950's B-Movies.

Shining a light on the science facts of Roche's generation sequencing systems (yeah, we know!) we also poked fun at the fantastic concepts of early science fiction.

This is the first film produced by Ben Campbell of Rampage Studios and directed by myself...

Hope you all enjoy watching it (and the two that shall follow shortly) as much as I had in making it...
And please leave a comment or a thumbs up if you do!


THE LONGEST LEAP 


(just click on the title to open the YouTube page!)

best to you all







CARTOON FORUM 2011... Poland here we come!

Hello everyone!

Sorry it's been a while since my last post but it's been busy busy busy as aside from working on a number of little projects (more on these another time!) I've been working up to this years' CARTOON FORUM.

ONE HAND CLAPPING has been developing one of our concepts which has been accepted in this year's forum, to be held in Sopot, Poland.

My business partner and good buddy Paul McKeown and I will be pitching our show CHEESE TOASTIE BRAIN MONSTER to a room packed with the elite of European animation and broadcasters.

Will post more about this in the coming weeks AND during the event itself, and if there are some of you attending then come by and say hi.

Ciao


A few more...

Hello all,


been away to see the Foo Fighters' kick it in Sweden so apologies for getting these on so late...


Here are few more pieces I'm selling.


Enjoy!






Fox on the Run!
Water colours and black ink on white bristol paper. Size is 42cm X 30cm.



Town Square.

Inspired by the showdown between the animals and the farmers in the town square on Fantastic Mr Fox.

Black ink on white bristol paper. Size is 42cm X 30cm.






Rat. Study #1

My favourite character in the film.
Black on white guache on brown sketchpad paper.

38cm X 28cm

Foxy. Study #1

A rough sketch of the charming hero.
Guache on brown sketchpad paper.

38cm X 28cm








All pieces will be on a first come first served basis and delivery will be by secured post unless a courier service is requested which will be added to the price.

Email me if you see something you like.

...................................... ................................... .................................... ..................................... ..............





These pieces were made once I had completed my work on Fantastic Mr Fox and I came back to these characters while working on my next film.

Artwork for SALE...

Hello all,

so as promised here are the initial few pieces I'm selling here first before they go onto a store.
These and the following are sketches, comic pages and studies of characters I've worked on or have inspired me during my time on the last 2 films I've worked on.


All pieces will be on a first come first served basis and delivery will be by secured post unless a courier service is requested which will be added to the price.

Email me if you see something you like.

...................................... ................................... .................................... ..................................... ..............



The first is a page of a comic based on the White-Cape concept.
Here he's facing off to a knife-wielding Rat.

Black ink on white bristol paper. Size is 42cm X 30cm.

£210 including postal charges.
























The second piece is a little bit of fun based on my time on Fantastic Mr Fox.
I was dying to go back to Rome to recharge my batteries, eat some good food, drink
some wine and see some friends and I roughed out this escape scene involving Foxy
in one of Rome's alleys.


Water colours and black ink on white bristol paper. Size is 42cm X 30cm.

£210 including postal charges.























The final piece of the day is rough sketch of Rabbit, the chef from Fantastic Mr Fox. I loved the idea of catching him on a break, or after the big banquet scene in the film where he's busy cooking for all the other animals in Badger's flint mine; I based this on a quick pose I drew of a bud of mine who works in a tip top restaurant.


White gouache and pencils on grey bristol paper. Size is 42cm X 30cm.

£170 including postal charges.
























These pieces were made once I had completed my work on Fantastic Mr Fox and I came back to these characters after a period of a few months.

Listerine Mouthguard commercial Mach .2

Here's the second of the Listerine Commercials I storyboarded recently...





SPRING SALE... coming soon!

Hi folks,

just a quick one to let you all know that I'll be posting some pieces I've worked on in the past couple of years which I've decided to put up for sale... Time to clear out some of my studio before I succumb under a mountain of artwork, books and comics!

Anyone interested these will be first come first serve pieces, but if anyone would like one to order just drop me an email.

All the best

Christian

Frankenweenie... End of story





















It is with great pride, yet tinged with emotion and melancholy that I announce the end of my involvement in Tim Burton's Frankenweenie.

It has been a great privilege to work with one of the great visual directors working today and after my collaboration with Wes Anderson I was indeed blessed with another great challenge.

It is almost 2 years that along with a small group of extremely talented story artist we embarked on visualising Tim's charmingly dark tale of a boy and his dead dog and I feel there's some of our best work in there.

What is left to do in story will be completed by the marvelous Rob Stevenhagen in the next couple of months while the rest of us take some well deserved rest and begin the anticlimactic process of seeking new challenges and new projects.

The past four months have been extremely tasking, working long hours out of Tim's own studio in North London, prisoners of his attic and our work, yet they feel rewarding and fulfilling.

I sincerely hope to work with the man again and that you all enjoy the film when it's out next year.

Cheers

Christian

WHITE-CAPE the comic... By Wes Anderson & Christian De Vita

Hey,

just a quick note this morning to show you all the pages of the comic that appear in one of the scenes in Fantastic Mr Fox.
If you've seen the film, it's the scene in immediately after Fox and his family are dispossessed from their tree house and dig their way to safety.
Fox, his family and Kiley are resting in a cave and cousin Kristofferson confronts Ash as the little nerdy Fox is reading his White-Cape comic, 'White-Cape vs. The Black Dog'.

We generally referred to that scene as 'Beagle Ticks' (or SQ0170_002-0032-01 if you work in production!) because Ash is spreading rumours around school that Kristofferson has Beagle Ticks and Pelt Lice.

Incidentally the titles of each White-Cape cover reflect the mood Ash is in, tracking his emotions throughout the film, and the title 'White-Cape vs. The Black Dog' comes from a little in-joke Wes and I had after a particularly hard 70-72 hour long working week.

The artwork is produced in inks on standard A3 drawing paper. I went for a sketchy Underground Comics style or something similar you'd find in Tales From The Crypt as it suits my lazy hand and I enjoy getting lost in fast, rough linework.

A friend of mine happened to find an interview Wes did last year in which he talks about the possibility of producing a White-Cape comic... Not going to happen.

But if you'd like to see the interview go here

http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/11/16/exclusive-wes-anderson-reveals-possible-fantastic-mr-fox-spin-off-comic-book/

Hope you enjoy viewing these pages as much as I enjoyed drawing them.


































































All images are copyright of 20th Century Fox™ and © 2011 Fox and its related entities. All Rights Reserved. Property of FOX.

More WHITE-CAPE

As promised, folks...

Here are a few covers from the White Cape comic which appears in Fantastic Mr Fox.
I've singled out Alone in the Arctic Circle as this was one that Wes had me change at the last minute as he wanted the titles of the covers to reflect Ash's mood throughout the film, tracking his emotional state.
My original title Ice Madness was more a nod to 1950's horror comics like Tales from the Crypt, but also an in joke I had with someone on the production about Ren & Stimpy's Space Madness episode.

In the next few days I'll post some inside pages from the comic book I drew which was then taken by the props department, scanned and printed to a size that would fit the puppet of Ash for some scenes in the movie.

All artwork for the covers and comic pages was done in inks on paper by the way, all the text written by hand; the colours were added later in Photoshop.

Comments are always welcome!


Little BIG Panda storyboards

Immediately after Fantastic Mr Fox I was asked to storyboard the opening sequence to the film Little Big Panda, a Chinese-European production headed by Benchmark Entertainment Picture Productions.

It's the very first Chinese hand drawn 2D animated feature film to be produced for a 3D screening and although I was not on the project for long as I had other commitments with my own company One Hand Clapping, I thought I'd share with you some of my storyboards for this cute little Panda adventure.

Hoep you can tell I love to drawn clouds... Must be because I have my head stuck in the clouds most of the day!





Wes Anderson's WHITE CAPE.

It's about time I post some of my White-Cape work I did for Fantastic Mr Fox.

For all of those who haven't seen the film, White-Cape is the comic book character created by Wes and designed by myself that Mr Fox's son Ash reads throughout the movie.
At the time I was given freedom to design the character in my particular comic book style and create a number of covers and posters as well as some pages of the comic to be included in some of the more salient scenes of the movie.

Like the scene in which Ash forces cousin Kristofferson to sleep under his train set.

















So for the next few weeks I'll be posting some of the White-Cape artwork I produced for the film, included some which never made it in the final cut of the movie and some which was designed for an intended 2D animated section of a White-Cape cartoon that the animal children were meant to be watching.

Hope you all like!