Oregon-based companies pride themselves on being amongst the first to leap beyond the established creative norms. And Fashionbuddha, an animation studio in Old Town Portland, thrives off this innate quest for innovation. “We’re a unique studio from the standpoint that we have animation and interactive under the same roof,” explains founder and Executive Director Robert Lewis.
Fashionbuddha got its start ten years ago creating high-end flash websites but has since expanded into mobile apps, interactive installations and broadcast animation. “We were all under the same roof at the beginning because it made sense with those projects but now we’ve splintered to some degree and it’s just as exciting,” says Lewis. Continue reading... “Case Study: Fashionbuddha Shares the Monterey Bay Love”
One of the cool things about the animation/VFX industry is that it’s continually evolving beyond the established parameters. The artistry of a well generated scene or special effects sequence is now no longer confined to a piece of film, but has also begun to take on an interactive element as video games move closer to the cinematic boundary.
Pipeworks Software, based out of Eugene, is at the heart of this constantly shifting field. Ever turned on an Xbox or Xbox 360? Continue reading... “Case Study: Pipeworks’ “Zumba Fitness” Tops Global Charts”
Filmed entirely in and around Portland, A Walk In My Shoes tells the story of a stressed-out high school teacher who wrecks her car and finds herself living in the shoes of the mother of one of her students – a woman she had previously judged and criticized. The movie features over 40 special effects sequences used to underscore the ‘magic’ in the storyline – all of which were created by www.hive-fx.com at its Portland-based headquarters.
“Our contribution to this great movie goes to prove that you don’t have to go to Hollywood to get Hollywood-grade VFX,” said HIVE-FX partner Jim Clark. Continue reading... “Case Study: Hive FX brings VFX sizzle to “A Walk in My Shoes””
In early 2010, Oregon shop Feel Good Anyway began an intense journey into the heart of a network rebrand for IFC. IFC’s vision for the project was to extend the channel’s reach beyond indie film to include a wide selection of indie culture. Music, film, food, sex, gaming, internet shenanigans—all of these categories would be within IFC’s creative domain. They placed a particular emphasis on comedy as a focal point for the new brand, and everything from the logo to promos to the show packaging had to reflect the “Always On. Continue reading... “Case Study: Feel Good Anyway IFC Rebrand”
Canada has a new hero and his name is “El Tabador”, a 4-inch tall Mexican wrestler who warms your heart, tickles your funny-bone, and effortlessly works in a few good words about Koodo Mobile.
El Tabador follows in a long tradition of Lucha Libre fighters. He’s part detective, ladies’ man, and a righteous defender of justice and the creation of Portland-based Bent. To meet this brief, Bent drew Director Rob Shaw’s vast knowledge of Lucha Libre culture and worked closely with the TAXI 2 to design Tabador from first sketch to final computer-generated character. Continue reading... “Case Study: Bent Image Labs and Koodo Mobile”
Oregon-based companies pride themselves on being amongst the first to leap beyond the established creative norms. And Fashionbuddha, an animation studio in Old Town Portland, thrives off this innate quest for innovation. “We’re a unique studio from the standpoint that we have animation and interactive under the same roof,” explains founder and Executive Director Robert Lewis.