Need more? Watch over 100 psychedelic music videos in our 2Pause special collection.

1. Atoms for Peace – Before Your Very Eyes (dir: Andrew Thomas Huang)

Breathtaking visuals created using specially-written programs were used to capture director’s Andrew Thomas Huang’s innovative vision in the first of our music videos to be featured in our second Top 5 Psychedelic Music Videos. Throw in a mindblowing use of colors and a psychedelic vibe perfectly fitting Atoms for Peace’s track and you’re left with a spectacular and memorable promo. Definitely one of 2013’s finest!

2. Metronomy – I’m Aquarius (dir: Edouard Salier)

Although not so trippy in terms of editing and movements, this music video directed by Edouard Salier is nothing short of psychedelic when it comes to cosmical construction and design. The result is an out-of-space journey as kaleidoscopic and out-there as anything those magic mushrooms could provide.

3. Mouse On Mars – Cream Theme (dir: Zeitguised)

A 100% old-school, true-to-the-Psychedelic Rule Book but spectacular nonetheless promo directed by Zeitguised, the third music video on our list is a real feast for any hardcore fans of the genre. It even comes with the ultimate psychedelic cherry on top (a warning to not watch the video if you suffer from photosensitive epilepsy!) Presuming you don’t of course; prepare yourself for one hell of a ride!

4. Max Cooper and Tom Hodge – Fragments of Self (dir: Nick Cobby)

A black and white psychedelic music video seems as difficult to achieve as cooking a tasty meal without salt and pepper. We don’t know what type of chef director Nick Cobby is, but he’s definitely proven himself worthy of a mention with this psychotic monochromal promo for Max Cooper and Tom Hodge.

5. We Are Shining – Wheel (dir: Carl Addy)

For the final music vide of our list, it’s time for an areal of psychedelic techniques skillfully mastered by Mill+ director  Carl Addy in this music video for We Are Shining. Telling the story of a primitive man and his encounters with modern tribalism, fashion, music, sex and booze, the “Wheel” is also an ode to montage and to creating consciousness-expanding visuals out of a multitude of very different styles and sources.

So what’s your verdict? Are these vids worthy of “Eyeballs Will Bleed” title?

If you need a bigger dose to satisfy your thirst of psychedelic vids, don’t forget to check our special 2Pause dedicated section and subscribe to our Vimeo New Psychedelica channel!

The post Psychedelic Music Videos 2014 appeared first on Submarine Channel.

The weeks before Christmas mark the period in which even ads show a more human side; no longer exclusively focused on selling product, but on trying to prompt us to rememberwhat really matters. To stir emotions. To bring up the light hearts, the fuzzy feelings, the merriness, the cheers, and everything else we love about these special days. And with them, bring creative freedom and less restrictions for directors and audio-visual production companies. Like last year, we picked five Christmas ads we simply can’t stop watching and thinking about.

1. Finn, directed by Ben Liam Jones @Passion Pictures

God, those puppy eyes are straight from the dictionary’s definition of ‘cutesy’. Animators Kyra & Constantin together with live action director Ben Liam Jones from Passion Pictures give life to one of the most adorable characters ever: little Finn, the beeper in the supermarket, who just happens to love, but who is alone on Christmas. In a very subtle way, however, this is more than a classic story of finding people to share the holidays with, prompting us to literally give spending a break!

2. The Supporting Act, directed by Elliot Dear @BlinkInk

The people’s darling, this Christmas ad has it all: a great recognizable story, relatable characters (looking at you, dad’s beer belly!), catchy soundtrack, sleek animation. Not to mention a lovely portrayal of  the relationship between a single dad and his daughter, which is less commonly represented on screen. BlinkInk producing high end content, as always, and Elliot Dear (check him out on 2Pause) directing a different sort of music video. Enchanting! And here’s the Making Of.

3. Moz The Monster, directed by Michel Gondry @Partizan

They say: it’s the least successful John Lewis Christmas ad in five years. They say: it’s plagiarism. We say: we don’t care! We love Moz nonetheless! Gondry flaunts his usual fab style, the ad has a great story with a teenie-weenie personal touch as the monster, despite being utterly huggable, remains a monster and thus is slightly destructive. And did we mention the app? Yep, you get to create your own Moz monster AND take a selfie with it!

4. The Battle, directed by Moth Studio

This last installment in the stunning looking series of Christmas ads directed by Moth Studio for the Salvation Army provides exactly conclusion it needs. It is however no excuse to not watch the individual episodes featuring Emma, Chloe and Gus. Each episode beautifully portrays a side of this very complex and, unfortunately, quite true story.

5. A Magical Holiday, directed by Johan Renck @Forsman & Bodenfors

This one is fully packed with stars. Nicki Minaj, Jesse Williams (*cough* Grey’s Anatomy), John Turturro and Lily Collins among others, entrust their talents to Swedish director of music videos-fame Johan Renck. The result is a whimsical modern fairy tale with what can be called a psychedelic, yet undoubtedly fun, story-line. Perhaps at moments a tad too politically correct and heavily saturated with the “girl power” ideals, but given this year’s #metoo context, it seems more talk is needed. And Renck brilliantly addresses these serious issues but makes sure to top them with “glitter and glee”!

The post Our Favorite Christmas Ads 2017 appeared first on Submarine Channel.

1. Declan McKeena – Paracetamol, directed by Matt Lambert

Paracetamol is partially inspired by the tragic death of Leelah Alcorn – a transgender girl who, misunderstood by family and society, decided to take her own life. Singer song-writer (and prodigy) Declan McKeena wanted to capture the dark tone media usually uses in the representation of LGBT people. And she wanted to portray an authoritative figure who often plays a role in these scenarios. Talking about the promo’s challenges in The Guardian, he admits “When making a music video, it becomes quite difficult to find a director who can put all your words into pictures and convey the same message. Paracetamol needed somebody who genuinely cared about what the song was trying to say. Trans music videos can be pretty bad and send out the completely wrong message.”

Matt Lambert, known for his thought provoking photographs and films (see also our 2012 interview with Matt), seemed a perfect fit for tackling such a sensitive subject. His protagonists were two real teenagers: one gay, one trans. The setting resembles a laid back after party. The shots look as if recorded by one of the participants. They captured the thoughts, youth and life-style of the two teenagers, together with some of their struggles and self explorations. Instead of being heavy and overly dramatic, the promo feels intimate and real. A six-minute taste of what it feels like to be in their shoes.

Declan further elaborates: “We wanted to make something positive, with people who are actively affected by the topics in the video. The teenagers that Matt and his team cast were from east London, and watching their friendship develop, almost in real time, was awesome. Those guys are 15, and the story resonated with them.”

2. BAYA – A Call To Say Hello, directed by Andreas Bjørseth

It’s not often we get a glimpse of the real story behind a song. The promo of “A Call to Say Hello” portrays a real meeting between the singer BAYA and his estranged father. It’s their second meeting in 27 years.

The lyrics are BAYA’s words dedicated to his father. But nordic filmmaker Andreas Bjørseth also explores only the father’s perspective, by inserting recordings of the father’s words throughout the promo.

The promo’s format lets the two protagonists ‘communicate’ and have a ‘dialogue’. We don’t know if they are actually saying these things to each other face to face, but the promo makes the conversation real. It also gives the father a chance to address his ex wife. Given his clumsiness, it’s probably the first time he has done this in years.

The music video also features a series of animations by John Christian Ferner Apalnes. (The two previously collaborated on “Gate 212 / Gimme That Dive”). His texts and drawings reinforce the realism. “Truth,” in this case, doesn’t come from the objective depiction of things. It comes from subjective perspectives which viewers need to compile together.

3. Augustines – When Things Fall Apart, directed by Jack Lightfoot

A sport almost unknown. A record breaking hero of only 17 who lives in a rudimental farm house with his family. Will Morphey is the 1300cc Stock Car World Champion. He has a house filled with trophies. He also still still stumbles on the chickens in his yard.

Director Jack Lightfoot perfectly captures the key elements Will Morphey’s existence. The daily routine, the preparations, and the actual race. Close-ups reveals his everyday life. There are car crashes. There’s a world record on the line. And we’re left wondering if Will is going to succeed and fulfil his dream. Perfect ingredients for drama, yet the ending stays true to the real nature of its protagonist: laid back and humble.

In an interview on PromoNews, director Jack Lightfoot explains, “I wanted to create (…) a raw, endearing promo that takes us inside a relatively alien sub-culture, and showcases passion and dedication within a completely different environment. I felt the track leant itself to such a story – the  the notion of dedication and staying focused on something, whatever else is going on ‘You gotta move on when things fall apart’.”

4. Subculture Sage – Gold, directed by Ricky Patel

You’re in for a visual treat! Gold deals with a heavy subject but the setting is rather exotic. Rather than ‘squeezing the gold’ out of the story and using the visuals merely as illustrations to the track, director Ricky Patel lets the protagonists have a voice. And the promo speaks volumes because of it.

We follow two gold diggers in the Zimbabwean woods as they go about their daily routines. Hearing their strategy right at the beginning suggests a happy ending. The protagonists might not be looking like entrepreneurs, but they have a vision and a plan. Surely it will all eventually be ok for them. They do find what they were after. But it’s far from enough. These people are hardly in a better position than at the start of the journey, and my initial expectations seem naively optimistic. It is not the tragedy of their story that impacts me, but the way the narrative builds up and squashed my expectations. And because of this, I am able to relate with these two men.

5. Oh Wonder – All We Do, directed by Mike Lee Thomas

An emotional video that speaks for itself. Mike Lee Thomas takes a break from his usual commercial works for Adidas, Canon, and Microsoft, and choses to focus on projects with ‘timely messages’. He started a powerful internet crowdsourcing campaign aiming to document people’s ideas on what it means to be human.

When talking to PromoNews, Mike Lee Thomas explained: “At a time when there are so many crazy things happening in the world, Oh Wonder are one of those few artists who are constantly pushing positive energy and this was such a blessing to collaborate on a project like this with them and several other filmmakers, as a team. This wasn’t about making the sexiest, visually aesthetic video we could. It was more about producing something that is honest, and that looked at core ideas of what it means to be human through a global conversation. Through the internet and Skype we were able to all come to together and have conversations with real people, which this film is the result of.”

All We Do is simultaneously humbling, intriguing and inspiring and most definitely worth reflecting upon.

The post Docu Style Music Videos (Part 2: Portraits) appeared first on Submarine Channel.

I hand-picked ten docu-style music videos that stood out for me. These first five feature promos that tell stories about specific places and events. The upcoming one will be centered around portraits.

1. Lyves – “Darkest Hour” directed by Thomas Ralph

An uncomfortable introspection into how some of Britain’s young minds perceive the Brexit and what it means to be British. Director Thomas Ralph portrays teenagers that could not yet vote but will be affected the most by this dramatic decision the older generations made for them. While some of the kids seem to simply embrace what’s happening to their country and their future, others are left puzzled and confused.

Talking about how he managed to get such insightful thoughts from the kids the director confesses: “As we recce’d and found our kids and families we found that ‘Brexit’ as a word, a topic and as a situation bore an immediate stigma. Therefore we felt we needed another initial angle to then seed in our political theme. Before shooting I’d seen an old Martin Parr documentary where he literally travelled the country and asked one simple question, ‘What does being British mean to you?’ I was drawn to its simplicity and openness so we used that as our starting point, growing into ideas of describing oneself, their home, their hopes, their fears, etc. It was only when we were there that current social issues came to the fore. In many cases it happened naturally.”

The music video was winner of the Homespun Yarn 2016 – a competition that supports young talents in the UK. Thomas is definitely one to watch.

2. S G Lewis ft. Gallant – “Holding Back” directed by John Merizalde

In “Holding Back,” John Merizalde portrays what the Cascade skating ring meant for a small community in Atlanta. For many years, it was a way for young people to get together and compete in a place that was safe from drugs and gang wars. It captured the life and soul of the community, and while in time its impact somewhat diminished, it still represented a landmark for the members of the community. A place they knew they could always go back to.

The director brilliantly manages to pay tribute to this wonderful space. He draws his inspiration from the works of AG Rojas, Romain Gavras and Daniel Wolfe, and this shows in the perfect balance between the artistic and authentic cinematography. Merizalde knows how to capture his subjects so that their specificity transpires, while in the same time playing with filters and framing in order to achieve a memorable atmosphere. With a life as fascinating as his aesthetics, it feels surreal Merizalde actually made his debut directing church movies. And he quit film school because he felt one “doesn’t need film school in order to make films”.

3. PJ Harvey – “The Orange Monkey” directed by Seamus Murphy

The third installment in a collaborative trilogy between PJ Harvey and photo journalist and filmmaker Seamus Murphy, focusses on capturing the ‘daily’ life in the war regions Kabul, Parwan, Nangarhar and Helmand, Afghanistan. The Orange Monkey serves as a great yet subtle reminder that life has to and does go on also in these very troubled provinces.

Thanks to Murphy’s incredible artistry the dichotomy between war instruments and every day elements is not something ostentatious but feels very organic. As dramatic as this is, weapons and soldiers feel no longer out of place and alien, but seem integrated in ‘normality’. This realization is in part disturbing, in part comforting, as the inhabitants deserve a somewhat normal life even in troubled times.

The other two parts of the trilogy bear a similar message and aesthetics. “The Wheel” features footage shot in the Balkans and explores aspects of the Kosovo war and the migration crisis. “Community of Hope” is focussed on disenfranchised communities in the US and the impact they have on society.

4. Jack Garratt – “Surprise Yourself” directed by Tom Clarkson

A promo shot with a GoPro is slightly surprising especially when you’re no stranger to the music video industry, as is the case with Tom Clarkson. Yet, it perfectly fits the concept: real people facing their fears. The camera brings a certain rawness to the whole setting, giving the promo authenticity. And it puts viewers in the shoes of the protagonists. We too find ourselves riding the roller coaster, jumping from a plane, driving a car or getting a tattoo.

Talking about the filmmaking process in an interview for PromoNews, the director admits: “Finding real people to participate was key to delivering that sentiment so the entire cast were found through a mix of Jack’s social channels and street castings by Leanne Flinn. We were so lucky to have everyone who took part and shared their journey with us… their courage and what they achieved was astounding and inspiring. It was a privilege for Jack, the team and I to have their trust and be able to share in their experience.” 

5. Souls – “I Wait for You” directed by Jonathan ‘JJ’ Augustavo

The latest album for Souls is one of producer David Gledhill’s most personal projects, as it is part of his grieving process following the death of his wife. “For the first time in my life I felt like I was making music that actually meant something,” he says. Frustrated that he couldn’t find singers that moved him enough, the producer decided to search instead for old voices from the past – talented singers that died before becoming famous.

A deeply realistic, spiritual and moving experience is also what director Jonathan ‘JJ’ Augustavo aimed for with his visuals. “What I made is my perspective of my country. Of what America is,” he says. “To a mixed Filipino-American from Seattle collaborating with a white guy from Ohio, a Chino-Latino from the Bay, and a producer from London. A postcard of this country that is not based on stereotype but actually something real and spiritual”.

Together Souls and Augustavo create four docu-style music videos, all going back to the roots while trying to capture the diversity and essence of the American people: “Bad Girl”, “Satisfied”, “I Go On” and “I Wait for You”. What the duo achieves however transcends the genre and gives life to something unique. The images capture a reality, the pre-recorded tune depicts another. The mix of them creates something else altogether, still a documentation of reality, but this time including the emotions of the two creators.

The post Docu-style Music Videos 2016-2017 (Part 1) appeared first on Submarine Channel.

Christmas ads are more like short films. They convey positive messages and promote traditional Christmas values through emotionally-charged storylines. And the creatives who make them enjoy more freedom and substantial budgets to bring their visions to life. For example, last year’s John Lewis campaign Man on The Moon had, according to Telegraph UK, a shooting budget of no less than £1m. This year, there are more Christmas ads than ever, with famous film directors and actors getting involved. All of them heart-warming, all of them showcasing exquisite techniques and impeccable construction. Here is my top 5.

1. Come Together, dir Wes Anderson

When six times Oscar-nominated director Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel) takes time off to direct a commercial for H&M, you know you’re up for something special. When that ad happens to be filled with seasonal joy and touching messages, you can expect a real treat. Add Adrien Brody to the mix and here comes greatness!

2. Christmas with love from Mrs Claus, dir. Tom Hooper

Forget Santa… Mrs Claus is the super hero! With an incredible collection of Christmas outfits, the latest technologies and even a helicopter, it’s up for her to deliver the last minute gifts, save the day and surprise even traditionalist Mr. Claus in the process. Janet McTeer’s ‘Mrs. Claus’ can proudly stand next to any Batman or James Bond. It might just be that we are not yet done hearing from this lovely lady created by Tom Hooper (The Danish Girl, The King’s Speech).

3. The Greatest Gift, dir. Sam Fell

Great inspirational message, an adorable stop motion animation filled with super cute characters, and some funny and witty lyrics on top. What more could do you want from a Christmas advert? Not much more, and director Sam Fell from Passion Pictures brings it. Yet, the always resourceful marketing peeps from Sainsbury thought you might just want to put your own spin on things. Enter: The Story Studio app – a DIY stop motion kit allowing you to make your own animation. For tips and tricks there’s even a ‘making of’ available.

4. Frankie’s Holiday, dir. Lance Acord

Tale as old as time, seen hundreds of times. Yet, there’s something irresistible to Mr. Frankie(stein)‘s story. We relate to the pursued protagonist, we feel his sorrow and we cheer at the (predictable) end. Brilliant work for Apple created by Lance Acord from Park Pictures, reminding us that Christmas is not so much about inventing new things, but more about finding new ways to enjoy very well known narratives and traditions.

5. Buster The Boxer, dir. Dougal Wilson

The John Lewis ad is back in the hands of Dougal Wilson – the man who, in 2011, really took these adverts to another level with Shadows, prompting him to become THE John Lewis Christmas ad director (with the exception of 2013 and 2015). However, it was a tough year for the John Lewis ad. The commercial’s launch first suffered from bad timing. Released shortly after the US elections, many read the ad as a metaphor for the surprising outcome. Lots of parodies followed. Then, the internet fell in love with a touchingly sentimental Polish ad. A moving story about a grandpa and his efforts to learn English in order to communicate with his granddaughter. Some critics called the John Lewis ad ‘out-Christmased’. But it wasn’t. Not really. Buster had its own hashtag, a plush toy, a soundtrack, and a 360-degree app. Add to that the short fan video made by the main character of Aldi’s Christmas ad, the John Lewis ad remains the ad to beat.

The post Our Favorite Christmas Ads 2016 appeared first on Submarine Channel.

Milli: A Small Snail in a Big World

Milli, the world’s most adorable snail, engages on an epic journey to discover the thing(s) that snails do best. On her adventures she finds a bunch of equally charming characters, such as Miro the ladybug, Leo the chameleon and Wanda the owl – each with their own problems. Milli, as a sweet and helpful snail, helps them sort things out. 
The story of Milli is simply adorable and deals with friendship, self-discovery and helping out others. The narrative is complemented by gorgeous painterly artwork that creates a heart-warming atmosphere, while characters and objects are done in a style that resembles children’s drawings.

Parents and children can follow Milli’s adventures by reading the story together or by listening to the narration (the text on screen just like the narrative voice can also be turned off). Each chapter features interactivity and mini games, perfect to keep the little ones engaged and curious about exploring Milli’s universe. The kids are asked to do small things like letting apples fall from a tree and discover the worms in them, look under leaves, make music with the grass, search for pieces of broken glass and rearrange them, etc.
 Milli is a mountain of inspiration not just in terms of the actual story, but also considering that creator Jana Schell and  Studio Honig crowdfunded the project through a Kickstarter campaign (yes, we pledged!).

Wuwu & Co

Behold an exquisite touch of genuine nordic delight! The goal of the iPad app Wuwu & Co is to experience a set of rather peculiar short stories in a very immersive and innovative way. The whole adventure starts in a little house in the woods during a snow storm. By moving the tablet in different directions you will be introduced to the mediated reality of strange creatures that are in some sort of trouble. Each little animal has a story to tell of how they ended up in the problematic situation, and what you can do to help them out. The resolution comes in the shape of a mini game that requires the user’s physical participation. Shaking the tablet makes the snow fall off a tree, while saying “wake up” in the tablet’s microphone awakens some of the creatures who can then be saved etc.

From the design of the characters and the environments to the actual content of the stories, Wuwu & Co oozes a mesmerizing nordic aesthetic. Weirdly looking yet fascinating creatures and the atypical narratives prompt Wuwu & Co to be an incredible and memorable adventure for the little ones.

Part of the app’s beauty comes from the fact that the augmented reality drags you into the story. But I liked how the creators from Step in Books did not simply rely on the novelty of the technology. Literally shouting at strange at strange creatures, getting physically involved in the stories and doing things just because a narrator asks you to (and you do them just for the sheet fun of it), all these things scream “childhood is awesome!”
Wuwu & Co makes me want to be 5 years old again!

Lucy and Pogo

Lucy and Pogo provide a beautiful mash-up between text and lovely interactive mini games for children. Lucy is a curious cat that is tired of being left home when her neighbor friend Pogo the dog goes to school. She attempt to join the group of pupils, but finds herself rejected for simply being a cat. This doesn’t discourage resourceful little Lucy, who then joins the class disguised as a dog. The attempt to rescue everybody from a bus accident blows up her cover though, leaving the school’s teacher wondering whether cats are really that terrible. The story has a happy ending and –spoiler alert– Lucy is allowed to join the dog school as herself.

This clever story about diversity and acceptance is spiced with small interactive moments for children, such as waggling the tails of the dogs, helping Lucy to put on her suit, counting claws, peeing against a tree and (in a fun twist!) making it grow, connecting dots to discover the dogs’ greatest enemy, etc. The super funny texts and less than ordinary depictions of dogs peeing and doing other silly stuff guarantee to make this CatznDogz creation a hit for kids. But the app not only addresses kids. The smart phrasing, the rhetorical questions highlighting the pointlessness of the fights between cats and dogs… they are small Easter eggs for parents to ponder upon as well. Lucy and Pogo is clearly a great life lesson for everybody to think about, regardless of age.

Fiete Choice

Sometimes all anyone needs is a good old game of picking the ‘odd one out’. Fiete Choice proves very educational: children learn how to pay attention and compare things using different criteria based on shapes, colors, accessories, quantities etc. Some puzzles are quite straightforward such as picking the blue triangle in the line of yellow ones, or selecting the pig among the cats. As the game progresses, the difficulty increases and challenges become more complicated. Like picking the animal that doesn’t wear yellow boots, selecting the glass that has the least amount of juice, picking the fish that looks in a different direction than the other fish and so on.

Fiete Choice has 99 levels consisting of 3 to10 suites. The suites change quite quickly and the criteria constantly evolve. The item that was the odd one out for one reason, can become the odd one out for another reason or, on the contrary, can blend in with the others. Children are bound to develop their cognitive skills and logical thinking, and the world of Fiete is a great place for parents to explore as well. 
Studio Ahoii, whose founders initially made Fiete Choice for their own kids, delivers a simple yet beautifully designed product emphasizing that the “less is more” slogan can perfectly work for kids apps as well.

Metamorphabet

Easy as 1, 2, 3, Metamorphabet is the ultimate ABC app for kids. The alphabet has never been more fun to learn and explore. Each letter comes with a set of corresponding elements which are brilliantly morphing into one another. For example when poked the letter “b” grows a beard and then gets a beak from which bugs come out, one of them being a butterfly. When dragged, the letter “c” grows into a cone which then kids have to spin in order for it to turn into a propeller attached to a car. Once they press on its lights, a caterpillar shows up at the wheel. Thus kids are invited to poke, prod, drag and spin each of the alphabet’s 26 letters to reveal spectacular shifts and help letters evolve into the next one in line. All the visual elements belonging to one letter are clearly pronounced by a voice over, which makes this app a great tool for learning new words as well. 
The kids control the morphing with finger gestures.

The 3D design feels very organic, almost tactile, it’s like you can grab the letters from the screen. They feel less abstract and this makes kids feel more in control. Whether this Vektorpark creation really is a more effective way of learning the alphabet remains to be seen. It however surely is a mesmerizing way of presenting it. One that parents and kids alike are going to enjoy tremendously looking at and interacting with.

The post Top 5 Favorite Apps For Kids (under 6) appeared first on Submarine Channel.

David Wiesner’s Spot

Behold the ultimate world-within-worlds app! With David Wiesner’s Spot, you’ll find yourself wandering around in five different spaces: Lower Rugg – a tiny world beneath an armchair; an intergalactic space station; Oceana Prime – an underwater world; Mekanikos – a world of robots; and Katzaluna, a world of cats. Each space has its own story – you can for instance follow the two cute aliens trying to find their friend in the under water environment, enjoy the cat parade or search for the fluffy dust bunnies. Throughout the exploration users encounter several hotspots. Some simply enrich the experience by providing additional details to the scene, others work as transition gates for the other worlds. And this is actually one of the greatest features of the app: the pinch and zoom technique. The transitions make it seem like the new space was simply a very small part of the older one. Using similarities in shapes, colors and shadows users can experience spectacular shifts such as transitioning from the spilled sugar crumbs on a picnic cloth all the way to the outer space and into the blinking world of robots.

With Spot, David Wiesner fulfills his ambition to create something that’s story-centered – a product specific for the iPad that is neither a book nor a game. The process of creating spot was an organic one, explains David in the behind-the-scenes interview, “The pace of working in the digital world is such that I was creating the art as the app was being made from it. The story elements evolved as I worked. Ideas and images would pop up and force me to look at what was happening, and the exciting thing is that connections and possibilities would reveal themselves. Almost like improvising – which was okay! I wasn’t trying to force something on it, and I’m happy about that.”

However the true potential of Spot is hidden in the how-to-use companion book, David Wiesner’s Spot: A Parent & Educator Guide. You can dive in and explore the app by yourself, but in a classroom setting or together with your child, the narrative shows its full potential. The themes such as “things are not always what they seem” or the “role reversals” (e.g. alien planets are not hidden in the outer space but in the microcosmos) are a great tool for starting discussions, unleashing the imagination and ultimately connecting with the children’s minds. This is why this app for kids can indeed educate and pose questions in a way that neither books nor games can. Clearly, Spot is one of the best advocates of why iPads should be integrated in children’s education, which is confirmed by the many awards it received in 2015 from parents, teachers and new media specialists alike.

Toca Nature

Rediscover the wonders of nature with this gorgeously looking app! Showcasing a spectacular and original design, Toca Nature prompts parents and children to work together to create and explore a self sustainable environment. Or, as play designer Mårten Brüggemann describes it in the behind-the-scenes material, “Toca Nature does not aim to replace the experience of going into an actual forest; instead we want to amplify the mysteries and magical moments that could be experienced in the wild. In Toca Nature the forest is in your hands – you create it and you explore it. From big to small, Toca Nature simulates a world that is alive in itself but dependent of your care”.

The game play is based on two main interactions: creating a world and exploring it. The initial ecosystem has to be constructed first. Then, when the proper conditions are met, the animals – bear, fox, hare, woodpecker, deer, wolf and beaver – come to populate your world. Each animal has its own food and should be fed individually. Therefore children can easily learn the basics about the circle of life and what happens when you overpopulate a space with a species. The ultimate goal of the app is for kids to create a balanced environment and take care of it. Each animal lives best in a specific forest, although their paths can occasionally cross. The various types of foods have specific growing conditions. Animals will hint at what food they like most though they will accept other types of food as well. Just as in real life, the children are also bound to discover that animals are not always reliable. They have a will of their own. Nature can, after all, be quite surprising!
Awarded App Store’s Best of 2014, Toca Nature favors another great way for parents and children to connect and interact and to work together.

Professor Astro Cat’s Solar System

Remember those tedious text books and wordy encyclopedias meant to initiate us in the basic workings of our solar system? I do! Tidal waves of information entering my ears but not a single drop of knowledge sticking. Well, luckily, the next generation of curious kids now stands a better chance at learning these things. All thanks to Professor Astro Cat and his travels through space! The adorable app teaches children the basic things about the solar system in a fun, interactive, easy to process and remember way. The Earth, Sun, Moon, and the planets, the Kuiper and Asteroid belts together with the space travels will become beyond familiar for the little ones. The subjects are presented in such a cool and exciting way, it will be a piece of cake for kids to relate to them. For instance, the app compares planets to fruits making it very easy for children to visualize and understand the differences in their sizes.

The game is structured in five stages. By pushing different tabs and buttons, kids will explore the frontiers of our solar system and discover planets, moons, suns, spacecrafts and everything in between. Must-not-miss the absolute star of this journey: the ‘unzip’ feature, which allows young users to take a peak at the inside components of each planet. Another stage consists in tests meant to check what kids have learnt. Play the jetpack challenge made of of 10 questions and receive a fish for every correct answer – fish bones for every wrong one. The ultimate goal is earning stars and medals that later get turned into parts that build a rocket!

Based on the best-selling book ‘Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space’ inspired by a concept of illustrator Ben Newman, this whimsical app is the love child of Minilab Studios and Flying Eye Books. Every designed element, every piece of information seems to be made with the sole purpose of charming and educating children in the most fun way possible.

Lumino City

By far the most complex, cutting-edge, innovative and mind-blowing creative iPad app in this Top 5, Lumino City is simply stunning. Winner of a Bafta for artistic achievement as well as many more international awards, this jewel of a game deserves every single praise given to it.

The premise is simple: a little adorable girl is searching for her grandpa that has disappeared. In the hope to find him, she must enter the bizarre Lumino City and reset the order there by solving various puzzles. Due to the settings being created entirely by hand, the atmosphere of the game is highly tactile, which makes the whole experience extremely organic and perfectly fitting the iPad’s ‘touch environment’. The situations and the puzzles’ design are incredibly original and awe inspiring. Expect to create electricity with lemons, find boats on the top of mountains, encounter suspended gardens and windmills in the sky. And there is even a little dark room for developing photos.

As if that weren’t enough, the creators from State of Play Games came up with a companion app that provides more insight into how Lumino City was made. A masterpiece in terms of a behind-the-scenes showcase, this second app also allows users to play with the lighting and camera used to film the game, as well as switch back and forth from the Lumino City app to the Making Of.

Despite being such a fabulous app, there are some downsides to Lumino City that prevent us from considering it our top pick. The app was designed to be enjoyable for both children and grown-ups of all ages. This means it’s not 100% constructed with the kids in mind and it shows. The puzzles can prove quite challenging and frustrating even for grown-ups, let alone younger minds. The game can prove quite addictive and requires a playing time of 8 to 10 hours. Possibly even more for younger children. Having said that, this game is worthy of any second spent on it. Lumino City reinforces the idea that sometimes we do need real life objects to create digital artistry!

Dreii

Dreii is arguably the ultimate puzzle game. The goal is rather straight-forward: with the given pieces you have to build towers that reach the highlighted area. Careful though: the pieces have an extremely organic construction and are rather respectful of the laws of physics – a cylinder over a cube will roll over while misaligned cubes can tip over your entire construction. The difficulty level gradually increases but help can come from unexpected places from real-time players from across the world (if you’re playing online, that is).

One of the particularities of the game comes from its original and specific sound design, individually created for each character and inspired by archaic instruments and ancient melodies. All instruments were performed and recorded live with some of Switzerland’s finest musicians. The organic sounds beautifully compliment both the realistic movements of the puzzle pieces and the funny characters. Dreii is also the first real-time multiplayer iPad game making use of advanced physics and 3D rendering. It was featured at SXSW, Sonar, Cinekid and IndiCade and it won a European Design Award.

Despite having the same drawback as Lumino City and not being purposely aimed at children, Dreii does have incredible educational value. Your mind is constantly stimulated by the intriguing original puzzles, while the lack of a narrative structure does help in restraining its addictiveness, should you be concerned of the amount of time your child spends playing on the iPad. With its beautiful and innovative design, Dreii proves that you can always create a cutting edge and engaging experience with a simple basic concept.

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• You’re never too old, too famous, or too classic to make an interactive music video. Bob Dylan did so three years ago. In 2015, Duran Duran and Led Zeppelin joined the club.
• 360 Degree panoramic videos are still in fashion.
  See for example Foals, Bjork, Avicii, and Infinite.
• I could fill an entire top 5 with Interlude productions.
  Interlude had you zapping through TV channels while listening to Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone”, remember? These guys are eliminating all competition. Seriously, did you check their portfolio?
• Interactive + Lyric Music Videos = BIG LOVE.
  What to call this 2015 love child? Lyinteractive? Interlyric? Point is: we’re bound to see more interactive lyric videos. See: CeeLo Green, Azealia Banks and the above mentioned Duran Duran.
• Creatives started really thinking outside the bo… err screen!
  Yung Jake – Both required two iPhones and Snapchat to watch. And this Android app for Kimbra’s “Carolina” invited people to go on an abstract virtual road trip. Not to mention production studio Colonel Blimp turning Channel 4 viewers into directors by having them select the scenes to be featured in Years & Years’ “Shine” promo via tweets.
• There’s a chemistry between interactive music videos and fashion films.
  For instance, Australian fashion brand David Jones’ commercial was created using cameras triggered by the music of Daniel Johns.

Maria Dicieanu’s list of absolute must see interactive music videos:

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Part 2/2. In Part 1, Maria talks about her 5 favorite projects from Playgrounds.

Whether they were creative directors, animators, sound designers, interactive multimedia performers or vfx artists, these guys proved they can not only produce stunning works, but also present them in ingenious ways.

1. PIPS:LAB (@pipslab)

PIPS:LAB‘s work revolves around multimedia installations, performances, data mining projects and other mixed media mashups. During Playgrounds they entertained the crowd with a live interactive data mining performance. Each person in the darkened room was provided with a tiny flash-light to be used as a tool for light-painting. PIPS:LAB’s moderator gave us instructions on what to write. We were asked to ‘light paint’ our names as well as the answers to deep questions, like: Do you believe in an afterlife or not? Answers were recorded, processed and then all answers were displayed on the screen superimposed on a photo of each specific individuals from the audience. Guess you had to be there, but it was incredibly spectacular and captivating. The performance kept everybody one hundred percent engaged and at the edge of the seats. The true revelation, however, came all the way at the end. The question of whether there is an afterlife is irrelevant in an online environment where there is no heaven or hell and everybody goes on “living” as data for all eternity. PIPS:LAB’s brilliant stunt left me pondering the paradoxes of our online existences. Who knew writing your own name with light in the dark could be so insightful?

2. GMUNK (@gmunk)

Bradley G Munkowitz‘s was by far the most popular presentation at Playgrounds this year. The motion graphic artist known as Gmunk must have included at least 300 slides (not that I actually counted them!). And what he showed blew my mind. At the end it felt I’d been hit by a wrecking ball of knowledge. Right from the start, Gmunk stressed that “only freaks survive in the creative audiovisual field” and that in order to “make things happen you need to throw your work out there.” This seemed to be a recurring theme at the Playgrounds talks this year. Gmunk also believes that you should take inspiration from the works of others, but to always make sure you add your own flavor, to reinvent it and make it live forever. (What is it with creators and eternity?). He made another valid point regarding expectations. Case in point, his music video “Pearl 7” for Tycho – See. An unexpected flop despite the beautiful visuals, Gmunk re-shot the entire video.

This presentation simply had it all: quotes from famous people, exciting visual references and examples, fascinating “making ofs”, and every now and then a pornographic element to keep the audience in check. It was all totally befitting this intellectually orgasmic experience.

3. White Noise Lab (@wnlab)

With so many beautiful examples of visual artwork, we sometimes forget the audio component. White Noise Lab‘s talk was a much needed reminder about the power of sound. Roger Lima also stressed the importance of “getting your projects out there,” and that we should be “willing to learn by failing” and not wait for commissioned work to create something. As an example, he played a cover version of the Game of Thrones Theme – a project just for fun in which he combined his love for the HBO show with his love for heavy metal. It went viral on YouTube and helped him make valuable connections which ultimately got him booked on various projects.

A highlight of the presentation was the breakdown of the creative process behind the sound design of the Under Armour “Calling All Spurs” ad. We got to experience the project from the brief’s stage and then we listened to different versions of the mixes. Right under our very own eyes and ears we witnessed how sound influenced, and was in turn influenced by the images. It was a real treat to acknowledge how much the audio and video can shape one another, especially considering that in the media industry sound design tends to come in only after the image is on lock. And about luck, Roger Lima says: “There is no such thing. The more you work the more luck you have”!

4. Ustwo (@ustwo)

Ustwo‘s major breakthrough was their game “Monument Valley,” which was featured in Netflix’s popular “House of Cards” series. The amazing game app was subsequently downloaded many times prompting “Monument Valley” to be crowned the Apple Game of the Year and win an Apple Design Award. Well deserved, me thinks. The game’s architecture design is incredible. I was of course intrigued by this story and curious how Ustwo’s Neil McFarland would tackle the circumstances that brought fame to his indie game. but he didn’t mention House of Cards at all.

Next, Ustwo focused on how to take Monument Valley to the next level. VR offers interesting possibilities especially when paired with Samsung Gear. According to McFarland this will be the first time users will be able to move things using the power of their head/mind – “a pretty cool feeling.” A very exciting prospect and I’m super curious to see how the mesmerizing Escher-inspired spaces of Monument Valley will look when one can actually walk through them.

5. Framestore / Edwin Schaap (@EdwinAnimation)

Edwin Schaap is no stranger to Playgrounds having won the Playgrounds Award in 2013 with his beautiful emotional animation Little Freak. I found his talk to be one of the most honest presentations I’ve ever witnessed. While most creators would show the audience the works they are most proud of, Schaap took us on a journey down memory lane and presented his very first animation projects. Nothing very impressive or glamorous, but Edwin was able to pinpoint exactly what he learned from each project thus perfectly illustrating his growth as an animator. Super useful info for any aspiring animator.

Next he showed some of the current work he did for Framestore studio. The challenging work he did for the live action/CGI movie “Paddington”, making the ‘invisible’ creatures for “Jupiter Ascending“, and even the CGI bats from “Dracula Untold” no longer seemed out-of-reach, since Edwin so perfectly showed us where he came from. Edwin’s inspirational tips: “Step out of your comfort zone; Keep it simple where you can; Don’t be afraid to just start something; Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; Don’t get lost in the small detail; Stay passionate!” Overall, a fearless presentation.

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Part 1/2. In Part 2 Maria talks about her top 5 most inspiring presentations.

Playground’s lineup consisted of creative directors, filmmakers, designers, animators, and vfx artists from all over the globe, who walked us through the creative process of their latest projects. They pointed out useful tips and tricks and showcased projects and films that, in turn, inspired them. From European indie arty projects to commercial works, and a unique behind-the-scenes look at the vfx work done for the Jurassic World movie, each guest brought stunning pieces to display.

(Main image credit: still from the Playgrounds Titles from the section made by Woodwork)

1. De Staat – “Witch Doctor” by Studio Smack

One of the most impressive music videos of 2015, and definitely the ‘Netherclip‘ of the year, this incredible promo for “Witch Doctor” looks like it was shot in one take. The music video is the love child of a perfect collaborative process between directors Studio Smack, artist Floris Kaayk, and Dutch indie rock outfit De Staat. Torre Florim, lead-singer and songwriter of De Staat and the mastermind behind several of the band’s music videos worked side by side with the creators in brainstorming the most effective ways of visualizing the track. Florim brilliantly pointed out that as far as his music was concerned “the songs that are not suited for radio are often the best for music videos.”

This video has some amazing and uplifting CGI choreography that inspires strong emotions from viewers. Everyone who first sees this track wonders, “Is it real or not?” And this is what makes the promo truly magical – something the song on its own could never deliver. Most definitely a must-see video, worthy of its YouTube glory!
Also check out the making of.

2.    “In The Eyes of the Animal” VR installation

The perfect example of why VR is such an incredible and exciting technology when in the hands of artists with visionary minds, such as Marshmallow Laser Feast. “In The Eyes of the Animal” aims to recreate the vision of various forest animals, such as deers, dragonflies and owls. Once users put on their VR helmets, which allow for 360-degrees panoramic vision, and wear the special backpacks that simulate movement through vibration, users may experience what it’s like to be in the body of various animals. Though the images are rather ethereal and the surrounding creatures are schematically portrayed, which can make it difficult to identify the embodied animal, the experience is quite powerful. The participants genuinely feel as if they are flying or floating.

The forest and animals were captured using lidar and CT scanning techniques, photogrammetry and a 360-degree aerial camera. Through observing the function of animal sight (a dragonfly experiences life over ten times faster than a human and is able to process twelve color wavelengths, whereas humans can can process only three) the audiovisual experiment is a speculation of an alternative, nature inspired, reality.

The project shows great potential for further development in terms of better understanding wild life. But I was delighted that the experiment focused on the observation of the forest creatures, and not replicating their real life conditions. The fear of potentially getting devoured by various predators could have literally have made my heart stop!

3.    “The Armenian Genocide” by 2VEINTE

Looking at the incredible portfolio of this Argentinian collective of creatives, one can’t help notice the joyfulness of the visuals. For this project 2VEINTE stepped out of their comfort zone and adopted a black-and-white, dark mood. “The Armenian Genocide” commemorates 100 years since the events that cost the lives of approximately one and a half million people. Whether it was Pablo Gostanian’s personal connection to the story due to his Armenian roots, or simply the studio’s wish to push boundaries and explore a different type of storytelling, the resulted short film turned out to be an incredibly powerful and emotional experience. Three-and-a-half minutes of dark and twisting psychedelic animations made me sink into the tragedy, which wrecked my heart and sent a shiver up my spine, while at the same time dazzling me with abstract shapes mashing into one another.

4.    “The Box” by GMUNK

Already two years old, but Gmunk‘s “The Box” remains an incredibly relevant projection mapping masterpiece. Hearing Bradley G Munkovitz talk about what needed to happen in order for this project to work, really made us see it in a different light. I started to appreciate and understand the brilliancy of it at a deeper level. The fact that the “The Box” still stands out among all these productions of incredibly talented creators at Playgrounds is testament to the power of cutting edge innovative artworks and what happens when boundaries are being pushed and artists “imagine whatever.”

5.    “The Writing On The Wall” by Aaron Duffy

Another ‘oldie’ that’s still fresh today. “The Writing on the Wall” is a one shot music video for the ever creative band OK GO and remains a feast for the eyes, it challenges the mind through optical illusions. The promo features visual tricks that emerged from director Aaron Duffy‘s annual Halloween costumes, giving us a taste of what it means to push yourself with every opportunity for expressing creativity. This is also the perfect example of how a small personal project can be turned into an actual job. “The Writing On The Wall” might have needed 63 takes, months of preparations, and a budget worthy of a short VFX film, but this quick-and-dirty low budget version ended up being nothing short of spectacular.

Cherry on Top

I want to award mention to the Playgrounds’ Titles that charmed me at the start and end of each festival day. As the creators from Golden Wolf beautifully put it, “it’s not just about what we do, but what we can do collaboratively.” Indeed, these titles show how spectacular things can look when a bunch of super creative people get together, which in the end, is what Playgrounds festival is all about.

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