The Portland design and animation community came together for an incredible evening packed with fun conversations, industry insight, and new connections. Animated Music Video Production was AEPDX’s first in-person event in 2023, with what seemed like just as many returning members as there were newcomers.
The event featured a panel of industry-leading directors and producers sharing behind-the-scenes insight into how they created some of their most well-known animated music videos. John Robson (Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy”, Autre Ne Veut’s “Okay”), Mike Anderson (Meg Myers’ “The Underground”, Junior Jack & Pat BDS’s “Tecky Dream”) and Deep Sky (Big Wild’s “OMGarden”, The Smashing Pumpkins’ In Ashes) bared so much of their process in creating these projects, including both their successes and missteps along the way.
This article is a repost from AEPDX's event recap here.
Dancing rabbits. A worm party. THAT infamous U2 album? The Portland design and animation community came together for an incredible evening packed with fun conversations, industry insight, and new connections. Animated Music Video Production was AEPDX’s first in-person event in 2023, with what seemed like just as many returning members as there were newcomers.
As the new manager of the group, Deep Sky, the Portland-based animation and live action studio, will manage and host the group going forward, leading event programming, partnerships, and community engagement. Autodesk, the global leader in design and make technology, and Toolfarm, the leading reseller and distributor of video software products and plugins, have joined as sponsors.
The event featured a panel of industry-leading directors and producers sharing behind-the-scenes insight into how they created some of their most well-known animated music videos. John Robson (Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy”, Autre Ne Veut’s “Okay”), Mike Anderson (Meg Myers’ “The Underground”, Junior Jack & Pat BDS’s “Tecky Dream”) and Deep Sky (Big Wild’s “OMGarden”, The Smashing Pumpkins’ In Ashes) bared so much of their process in creating these projects, including both their successes and missteps along the way.
A self-described ‘basement mocap enthusiast’, John Robson’s journey from music video director to motion capture R&D lead grabbed everyone’s attention.
Beginning as a freelance director, John teamed up with some of the most well-known artists of the era, such as Gnarls Barkley and U2. He explained how he was accustomed to feedback from the production team and the artist, but when fans responded so viscerally to the band while in production, it added a whole new dimension of direction and pressure.
As John gained notoriety, he began experimenting with 3D animation styles, exploring things like photo-realistic character design, motion capture, and photogrammetry. This led him to projects like his award-winning short film Safety First and Autre Ne Veut’s “Okay” music video.
John capped off his presentation with the brand new music video for the Portland-based band Eyelids called “They Said So”, which utilized paper mache puppets to create the highly-unique look.
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With deep experience in creating and developing TV shows, in addition to music videos, Mike brought a broad perspective to the panel.
Mike takes advantage of the freedom and smaller scale of music videos by using them as an opportunity to test concepts, just like he did with Junior Jack & Pat BDS’ “Tecky Dream” and Meg Myers’ “The Underground”.
Mike elaborated that music videos are a perfect testing ground to utilize techniques, tools, and pipelines, without needing to follow corporate brand guidelines or receive feedback from many stakeholders. Once he ironed out the issues on the music videos, he scaled each music video’s pipeline to fit the needs of TV.
His perseverance paid off when FXX and Adult Swim each put a show of his into production at the same time. Born from his highly recognizable character puppets and animations style, Mike got to work with his new partners producing FXX’s Good Morning Pickles and Adult Swim’s Hot Future.
Arguably his most exciting project to date is his upcoming self-produced pilot “Worm Party!”. Maintaining the visual style his fans know and love him for, Mike is utilizing the AI performance capture technology Plask to create an even more cost-effective concept.
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Representing Deep Sky as a whole was studio Creative Director Barret Thomson and 2D Animator Adam DiTerlizzi, two leads for the studio’s collaboration with Big Wild on the “OMGarden” music video.
Deep Sky is known for it’s cross-collaborative animation teams, having worked on a wide variety of projects like The Smashing Pumpkins’ In Ashes animated series, System of a Down’s “Genocidal Humanoidz” music video, and Superplastic’s virtual influencer social content for Janky, Guggimon, and Dayzee.
But tonight, they shared one of their most recent music video projects in Big Wild’s “OMGarden”. Big Wild kicked off the presentation by sharing Mopsy’s influence and inspiration for the video. Barret and Adam described how they thought the band’s vision would best align with a 2D/3D mixed media approach.
The Deep Sky team's presentation was a comprehensive dive into their creative process, providing the audience with a unique behind-the-scenes look at their production stages. They showcased everything from initial character concepts to storyboards, animatics, and the color key, giving a clear view of the project's evolution. Barret's demonstration of using Gravity Sketch as a 3D pre-visualization tool was particularly enlightening. He skillfully set up the forest grove scene, which was central to the video, using VR to sketch in 3D. This innovative approach allowed him to convey his vision for the scene's layout precisely to the team.
Adam took over to explain how various elements were seamlessly integrated. He detailed the intricate process of blending the 2D animated characters with 3D environments, followed by the meticulous work of compositing and adding final effects. This part of the presentation highlighted the team's technical expertise and artistic finesse in bringing complex scenes to life.
The culmination of this extensive creative process was strikingly evident when the video was played live at Big Wild’s Portland show in late 2022. The audience's reaction was nothing short of electric. Thousands of fans, immersed in the experience, danced energetically, their excitement mirroring that of woodland rabbits. This moment was profoundly gratifying for the Deep Sky team, as the ecstatic response of the crowd was a testament to the video's resounding success. It underscored the power of their storytelling and visual craftsmanship, reaffirming their role as innovators and leaders in the field of animation and design. This achievement was not just about the technical aspects of production, but also about the emotional connection they forged with the audience, a true hallmark of impactful storytelling.
The much-anticipated event, which finally came to fruition after three years of meticulous planning and anticipation, marked a monumental shift in the landscape of Portland's design and animation community. During these years, while many of us navigated the challenges of staying connected in a predominantly virtual environment, the essence of this event lay in reigniting the spirit of collaboration and creativity in a physical space, signifying a new era of building and strengthening creative connections.
Portland, a city renowned for its vibrant culture of innovation, creativity, and exceptional production capabilities, served as the perfect backdrop for this gathering. The event brought together a diverse mix of seasoned professionals, budding artists, and enthusiastic newcomers, all united by a shared passion for design and animation.
Deep Sky’s Executive Director and the leader of the Animation and Effects Professionals of Portland (AEPDX) group, Jared Hobbs, captured the essence of the occasion in his opening remarks. He emphasized the grassroots nature of this burgeoning community, stating, “This group exists to grow that excellence from the grassroots, which starts with every one of us in this room.” His words resonated with the attendees, highlighting the importance of individual contributions to the collective growth and success of the Portland design and animation scene.
The event was not just a gathering but a celebration of the rich tapestry of talent within the Portland community. It provided a platform for sharing ideas, forging new partnerships, and welcoming new members into a thriving, collaborative environment. The interactions and connections made here were not just about networking; they were about nurturing a sense of belonging and fostering a community where creativity and innovation could flourish.
As the event unfolded, it became evident that every participant, whether a veteran in the field or a newcomer, was a vital part of this dynamic ecosystem. The collective energy and enthusiasm set the stage for a future where these strengthened connections would catalyze further growth and innovation in Portland's design and animation industry. This event, three years in the making, was not just a milestone but a beacon for the exciting possibilities that lay ahead for this creative community.
