motion504 feature

POEMS INSPIRE MOTION504 TO SHINE

OCTOBER 8, 2010

Minneapolis, MN — (October 8, 2010) — Minneapolis broadcast design and animation studio motion504 recently completed two animated pieces for the 2010 Motionpoems premiere, which takes place tonight at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. This is the second year that Motionpoems has invited filmmakers and animators to create visual explorations of previously published poetry.

The Motionpoems were helmed by motion504 Creative Directors Amy Schmitt and Scott Wenner. Both designers selected poems that inspired them to try some new techniques in storytelling.

Schmitt’s film, based on the poem “Sea Salt” by David Mason, uses stylized illustrations and overlapping paper textures to create a dream-like world. “I was inspired by print design and other traditional media, and I wanted to create a moving illustration of the poem that was not done in a literal way,” said Schmitt.

“Karl” by Dag Straumsvåg inspired Wenner to create a realistic 3D world that explores the themes of predator and prey of the poem. “I was drawn to the idea of a moth trying to escape from a spider as a metaphor for Karl. The poem has a dark undertone to it, and I tried to figure out how to show that feeling in the animation.”

“Motionpoems gives us a chance to try out some new techniques and experiment, which we don’t always get to do,” continued Wenner. They received encouragement from motion504 Founder and Creative Director, Andy Reynolds. “Any time that we can stretch ourselves and try new things it benefits all of us, and our clients, because we learn a little bit more every time we try something new” said Reynolds.

Schmitt used a combination of watercolors, paper textures, 3D modeling and calligraphy to create her animation. Wenner modeled his characters in Cinema 4D and used some photographic textures to get the feeling he wanted. Both artists composited everything using After Effects.

In addition to collaborating with Queen Quills calligrapher, Emily Snyder, Schmitt also relied upon Kelly Pieklo, from Splice, for Sound Design. “The texture of Emily’s work was just the element I was looking for to round out the complete look,” said Schmitt. “Kelly’s an old friend, and he instantly grasped the cyclical themes of the poem, and figured out how to translate that into a meaningful soundscape.”

Motionpoems.com is the brainchild of designer/animator Angella Kassube of HDMG and Minnesota poet Todd Boss. The project is designed to make poetry accessible to a media-savvy generation by bringing the magic of animation to poems by some of the best living poets in the world. More information is available at motionpoems.com.

To view “Sea Salt,” click here.

To view “Karl,” click here.

“Sea Salt”

a poem by David Mason

First published in The Times Literary Supplement

Poem © David Mason, 2009

Design and animation by Amy Schmitt

Sound Design by Kelly Pieklo

Calligraphy by Emily Snyder

Reading by Vera Mariner

“Karl”

a poem by Dag Straumsvåg

Translated from the Norwegian by Robert Hedin

First published in Willow Springs 63

Design and Animation by Scott Wenner

Reading by Andy Reynolds