Role: CG Animation & Rigging explorations
In collaboration with ESPN, Future Deluxe created a 60 and 70-second brand film and a custom-made AFX toolkit package for the NBA channel rebrand.
While working with the team, I had the opportunity to explore motion and build animated assets and rigs that integrated mocap and keyframe animation. For this concept, characters would be silhouettes displaying mapped footage, adding to the already impressive display of iridescent basketballs and unique backdrops.
Thriving for High-powered motion
Controlling the speed of each animation was a crucial technical challenge. By implementing speed ramps as needed, we were able to experiment with different camera angles to emphasize the build-up to an exciting and poised play. This approach allowed us to create multiple variations in a short amount of time.
We optimized the animation pipeline and minimized the need for excessive adjustments by ensuring that the male and female player rigs were easily interchangeable.
Although the project took a different direction, these tests remain an important part of the creative process and serve as inspiration. Take a look at the complete film below.
Credits:
Future Deluxe
Client – ESPN
Creative Director – Will Mercer
Associate Creative Director – Ben Black
Exec Producer – Svet Lapcheva
Head of Production – Caleigh Illerbrun
Senior Producer – Natalie Greenwood
Creative – Dave Webster, Will Denning
Art Direction – Kristian Glenn, Joey Phinn
Senior Designer – Chris Harrison
Junior Designer – Sachi Patil
Houdini/Vfx Artist – Ewan Davidson
3D Artists – Stevie Rees, Federico Piccirillo, Alejandro Olmedo,
Matteo del Nero, Michael Marczewski, Andréa Philippon
3D Animation – Matteo Forghieri, Carol Erique
2D Animation – Guilaume Estrade
Toolkit Developer, Compositing – Hernan Lindenbaum
Future Deluxe
Client – ESPN
Creative Director – Will Mercer
Associate Creative Director – Ben Black
Exec Producer – Svet Lapcheva
Head of Production – Caleigh Illerbrun
Senior Producer – Natalie Greenwood
Creative – Dave Webster, Will Denning
Art Direction – Kristian Glenn, Joey Phinn
Senior Designer – Chris Harrison
Junior Designer – Sachi Patil
Houdini/Vfx Artist – Ewan Davidson
3D Artists – Stevie Rees, Federico Piccirillo, Alejandro Olmedo,
Matteo del Nero, Michael Marczewski, Andréa Philippon
3D Animation – Matteo Forghieri, Carol Erique
2D Animation – Guilaume Estrade
Toolkit Developer, Compositing – Hernan Lindenbaum
