.

The Exquisite Corpse - episode 12

2010-03-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Check out the EC, episode 12 right here, right now! To comment and/or come up with a new storyline for episode 13, please visit www.exquisitecorpse.co.nz

AMY BEHRENS NEW PRODUCER

2010-03-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Presenting: Amy Behrens, our brand new producer AKA Hoopdiver! A much needed extension to our production team, Amy can be contacted @ hoopdiver@cirkus.co.nz

Amy: "Hi there, the pom has invaded but don’t worry I’m not one of the whiny ones! Looking forward to diving through many hoops!"

FRENCHIES AT WORK FOR CIRKUS

2010-03-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

From the famous French animation school Supinfocom we’ve got Vincent and Romain @ Cirkus Auckland helping us out. Les blues created this latest episode………. of the Exquisite Corpse!

ILLUSIONIST

2010-02-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a little article on our new addition to the team - The illusionist Matthew Tan
Click here to go to the Media Design School article

EXQUISITE CORPSE CONTINUES IN 2010

2010-02-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

Kevin Geeves from Ogilvy Singapore came up with the following line:

A giant with magic mushrooms for hair eats a mushroom from his head. This sends him on a ‘trip’ to Blackpool‚ England‚ where the giant is an attraction at a Ripley’s ‘Believe it or not‚’ attraction. Staring at the mushroom haired giant sits a small boy…

That’s awesome Kevin – and a great opportunity for some radical change of direction for the Corpse. Trapezist Timo Lenton, Hoolahooper Toni Chase and Puppeteer Joe Helmore designed, animated this trippy trip. Thanks to the Marshall Smith (world famous in New Zealand) of Soundroom for the funky sound design. Check out their work @ www.thesoundroom.co.nz!

CIRKUS' ANIMATION ABC - HOW IT WORKS...

2010-02-17T20:33:00.000-08:00

As the whole world jumps onto the animation bandwagon, we think it’s prudent to try and explain the animation process in SIMPLE steps for all. Replace your frowns with the “aah! I see the light” nod. Check out our “ABC to animation” here.
Easy as, just like that.

FLASH... AHAA!

2010-02-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

Clear your toolbar favourites and have the new Cirkus website take centre stage. And YEAH it’s flash AHAA. See the work in a sparkling splendorous resolution, snatch your mouse and scroll over the glittering gadgets! More to be wewealed next month!

MORE DUTCH MAFFIA

2010-02-17T17:38:00.000-08:00

Gypsy Noortje Verbeek took her caravan to the other side of the world to join the Cirkus as part of her curriculum. Noortje is a student creative communication at the University of Eindhoven and will be a helping hand in the creative copy-writing department.

PEET

2010-02-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Brief: create the X factor of a travelling toy house through different environments to suit your budget – produce this within 2,5 weeks for a..... limited budget. Lovely idea from creative team James Willis and David Donald of the Brandagency ex Perth. In our approach we used miniatures, matte paintings, toys, 3D and some random interweb imagery. Definitely different. Thanks Juggler Christian Greet, Puppeteer Joe Helmore, Dwarfthrower Daniel Wu, Illusionist Matthew Tan, Daredevil Chris Lynne and Gerardo de Gerardo for your perseverance and out of the box thinking!

COMFORT “Fireworks” tvc

2010-01-17T19:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Ogilvy London for the script and brief to create a new Comfort line up. Featuring our newly designed “Comfees” family who cheekily find an alternative means of application for Comfort Exhilarations. Nice work from our extended animation team Strongman Scott Wilkinson, Knifethrower Layne Howe, Daredevil Chris Lyne, Acrobat Matt Pitt, Dwarfthrower Daniel Wu, Merlin Lepper and Dale Hobson.

EXQUISITE CORPSE – JANUARY

2010-01-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

Yeah right. We don’t do Januaries! We only just manage to drag our lazy bodies to the waterline. Please find below the fruit of that labour.

Meanwhile we have received some great storylines thank you! We will start production momentarily for the February newsletter with the following storyline of Kevin Geeves ex Singapore:

"A giant with magic mushrooms for hair eats a mushroom from his head. This sends him on a ‘trip’ to Blackpool‚ England‚ where the giant is an attraction at a Ripley’s ‘Believe it or not‚’ attraction. Staring at the mushroom haired giant sits a small boy…"

2009 has been a happy year for Cirkus

2009-12-21T19:18:00.003-08:00

We roamed the world getting to know new interesting people, created time for the Exquisite Corpse opening up new opportunities and infusing Cirkus with new talent and ideas. We’ve added a Liontamestress, Hoolahooper, Dwarfthrower, and a Puppeteer to our troope of performers -broadening our palette. Strongman Scott is settling in New York despite “that crisis” - enabling Cirkus to service the USA and Europe in their own time zones.

The Comfort work is maturing both in character animation as in its “appearance” by means of flexible thinking and the “experience” factor. Other highlights are the QMM project, the CAT Westrac and the Landcorp projects. Small budgets can go a long way if there’s a good idea and an open mind to the production approach.

2010 will kick off with a flashed up Cirkus website (finally!) and a new

viral to kick start the year’s Promo tour. For now, from all of us, thanks for your support and enjoy your silly season!

Cheekily yours, The Cirkus team

COMFORT BIG DAY KEY VISUAL

2009-12-21T19:18:00.001-08:00

Andy in a bustling street scene to finish 2009 – more exciting Comfort work to be released early next year!

Exquisite Corpse

2009-12-21T19:17:00.001-08:00

Juggler Christian Greet likes a continuous camera move…

Introducing...

2009-12-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

Toni Chase the Hoolahooper! Toni graduated from Unitec recently and Cirkus fell in love with her work immediately. Currently she’s working on a Cirkus “special” with Dwarfthrower Daniel Wu and Puppeteer Joe Helmore: all to be revealed next month. Welcome to the Cirkus Toni!

Exquisite Corpse 9

2009-11-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

Eva Radke from Film Biz Recycling (USA) came up with the following storyline;

Georgio O'Keefe, grown and old even, emerges like a newborn from the dark, central spot of the cave flower. Helga grabs her sword and severs the newborn/old artist from the umbilical cord. Chicken eats the afterbirth (and yoke), sprouts a feather - resembling a desert flower - the petals multiply and fill the screen.

We like weird! You can sue Dwarfthrower Daniel Wu & animation director Joe Helmore. Check out this episode here!

True Local – Facial Book

2009-11-18T20:28:00.000-08:00

True Local hops on the Facebook bandwagon as this commercial shows. Share your favorite places with all your friends and family! Too easy.

Another Big Day in Comfort Land

2009-11-18T20:20:00.000-08:00

Bigger, better and EPIC. In this episode, Lily is having a baby with soon-dad-to-be-Andy going on a mad rush trip to the hospital to be at her side; still smelling fresh and fragrant after his ordeal. The Comfort boys Layne Howe, Chris Lyne, Boris Plateau, Matt Pitt, Merlin Lepper, Dale Hobson, Daniel Wu, Timo Lenton and New York Strongman Scott Wilkinson worked around the clock to get this commercial out. Awesomeness guys!!

Ringmaster and Bearded Lady @ the New York Boards Summit

2009-11-18T20:02:00.000-08:00

Ringmaster Marko and Bearded Lady Craig have returned from a successful New York Boards Summit trip. This year Cirkus made an effort to make the venue a happy place. Jean Loscalzo of Supercreator.com dressed up our booth in Cirkus style and well… have a look yourself but we think she did a magnificent job!

Magic Brian performed in front of our booth during the networking break of the Summit to catch the crowd’s attention. Jokes and laughter all around when he dressed himself up in a straight-jacket, betting his own one hundred dollars he would escape within a minute. Here's a photo of Magic Brian, a movie is coming soon!

Big Cat

2009-10-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

The majority of animation work tends to cater to the cute and designy. We jumped to the opportunity to create this BIG BOYZ TOYZ spot for Brand agency. Josh Edge and Rikki Burns wrote the script for Westrac Cat and gave petrol heads Christian Greet, Joe Helmore, Matt Pitt and Daniel Wu free range to release some of their testosterone. We are now looking forward to animate the Battle of Kursk!

Landcorp online

2009-10-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

Animation director and resident trapezist Timo Lenton animated a cute and charming on-line viral, created for The Brand Agency / Landcorp.

Exquisite Corpse No. 8

2009-10-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

The of the year is nearing and we're at episode 8 already! This time Daniel Wu, one of our very own animators writes;

The phoenix catches up to the dragon in no time and shoots right past it. The dragon catches just the tiniest bit of contact with the
phoenix and is set on fire. Dragon then freaks the hell out and throws
Bavarian Hilda and Chicken off of its back. Both Hilda & Chicken lands just outside of an entrance of a cave, they step in to find a dead end with a wooden door painted in a blinding shade of gold, slivers of mysterious light streaks can be seen crawling through the gaps of the doorframe. They wonder....

This episode is the most feminine yet.. just have a look for yourself here!

Ringmaster, Bearded Lady and Strongman to attend New York Boards

2009-10-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

And we’re off again. Producers Craig Sinclair and Marko Klijn will join Scott Wilkinson to attend the Board Summit of which Cirkus is a sponsor. The Cirkus Booth will be both beautiful as entertaining!

Check out the Boards summit @ www.boardssummit.com

TRUE LOCAL CAMPAIGN

2009-09-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

A little, quirky campaign for BMF Australia promoting Truelocal on-line service on TV, have a look :)

EXQUISITE CORPSE: 7

2009-09-20T18:00:00.003-07:00

This month we have chosen the storyline from Alan Xi and goes as follows;

"As the blue blob (now a worm like creature) struggles to crawl along the side of the hills with difficulty, a bird suddenly swoops down and eats it. Immediately the same blue feathers from earlier start sprouting all over its body as it morphs into a phoenix and flies after the dragon."

Steven Lin, student animator from AUT Auckland, designed/modeled and rigged and textured the bird and phoenix models. Fellow Student Jonathan Chen created the storyboard and stop motion animation of the worm.

Animation and compositing on this episode was handled by Joe Helmore, Christophe Brebion and Juggler Christian Greet. So there you have it: BIG effort this time around – check out the models and other assets, WIP’s @ the Exquisite Corpse FTP (passwords can be found on the Forum under "welcome")

Check out the episode here!

CIRKUS FIND TRUE LOVE

2009-09-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

A new performer has joined the Cirkus! We are thrilled to announce Bangkok based Ingrid Truelove, will represent Cirkus in Asia as the newly baptized Harlequin. Having climbed through the ranks of TV Production at numerous Sydney advertising agencies, Ingrid moved to Bangkok 2,5 years ago to follow her love.

Since then she has been representing a US film production company (Moxie Pictures) across the Asia region and recently, she expanded the roster to allow some of the most highly regarded production companies in the world permanent exposure in Asia, through The A List.

Since calling Thailand her home, life has undertaken some major changes, swapping weekends filled with Bills Breakfasts, Bondi-Coogee walks for Bangkok street food and island hopping in The Andaman.

Aside from Bangkok being a city full of colour, movement and spirituality (and traffic!), it is become recognized globally as the creative and production hub for Asia. Ingrid: “It is an exciting time to be here and I look forward to bringing Cirkus to Asia!”.

Ingrid can be contacted on mailto:harlequin@cirkus.co.nz

RINGMASTER & HARLEQUIN @ SPIKES

2009-09-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

Marko and Ingrid will attend Spikes 2009 in Singapore to learn, watch and mingle with the creative crowd. Check out this event @ http://www.spikes.asia

MATTS MUSIC VIDEO

2009-09-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

Matt the dancing Monkey is one of the great Cirkus animation directors. He has been responsible for many of the Comfort animations as well as other high profile Cirkus projects. Outside Cirkus Matt continuously works on side projects.

Check out his music video from the 2009 release Standing in Silence by Rhian Sheehan where a deconstructed music box melody draws you in to a beautiful but ultimately haunting sonic journey.

PINK VARIANT VIETNAM

2009-09-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

Yours in fruitiness!

EXQUISITE CORPSE: NEW WEBSITE + EPISODE 6!

2009-09-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

It is finally here: the new Exquisite Corpse website! We have been developing this concept with a focus on more interactivity from you, the potential contributors.

Right now there is a direct access the Exquisite Corpse FTP where you can download the working files used in the EC and a chance to have a play with them. If you are keen to help out and/or add animation or design to the EC, get your flash of fame and upload your fruits of your labour back onto the FTP. Your work may end up in the final cut!

Another new feature is the forum, where you can comment on all the work being completed. Go ahead and comment on the episodes, check out what is being worked on by everyone and get involved: at the forum you can spill your animated beans, converse with fellow fans and let people know if you have uploaded something new to the FTP.

While we are talking about the EC, we have launched episode 6 and we are on our half year mark. Among the entries we have chosen Tiffany Sun’s entry as she offered up to help animate this storyline:

A submarine flies across the sky and crashes into the dragon. The dragon lets out a roar and swings the submarine onto the mountains. A blue blob crawls out of the submarine and falls face down on the side of the hills.

Tiffany took control of stop motion. Human Cannonball Christophe did the dragon animation and the compositing was handled by Daredevil Chris. Sound design once again by Entirely Sound in Auckland!

So get onto it and check out the new website and the 6th episode of the EC!

YOU WIN SOME, YOU LOSE SOME...

2009-09-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

You win some, you lose some. Nice character design for this pitch. Maybe for something else one day….

BACK FROM CANNES

2009-09-17T21:28:00.001-07:00

After over a week packed with inspiration and sunshine, Marko and Chris have returned to NZ from the Cote d Azur.

The Cannes International Advertising Festival hosted ad makers from the world over, interacting in screenings, panel discussions and functions. The parties and nightlife were also used to full advantage (she’s a hard life...). Cirkus was introduced and talked about. Who knows what will come out of this. Anyways, a great time was had by all! We like the blurry effect on the photos caused by sunscreen.

EPISODE 5 OF EC!

2009-09-17T21:27:00.001-07:00

Episode number 5 is up and running. Adding to the ongoing randomness was this months story from Tess Bos:

Marvin the cat opens the door of his spaceship and invites his buddy Giraffe in. They head off for the mushroom cloud. At the summit we see Bavarian Hilda and the Chicken riding the dragon whilst harvesting flowers.

Combining rotoscoping, 3D modeling, animation and compositing, this episode is most colourful and quirky. It blends together the talents of Christophe Brebion, Jay Potgieter from Auckland AUT (good on ya Jay!) Trista Townsend and Matt Pitt. Strong sound design provided by Kahra Scott-James, accentuating our efforts.

Check out the Exquisite Corpse on the web. We are on just about all social networks possible, so take your pick:

Youtube

Facebook

Twitter

JULIAN STOKOEs VIDEOCLIP

2009-09-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Check out Exquisite Corpse director Julian Stokoes latest music vid for Greg Johnson. Thias was a collaborative animation created with a group of illustrators called Watermark over a period of 8 weeks. Nice 1 Julian!

Video can be viewed here

It is a Rainy Day

2009-09-17T21:19:00.000-07:00

Animating rain, wet and drabness for this Indonesian Comfort tvc. Nice to instill a bit of grunge for a change! VIDEO TO COME!

TELECOM XT MOBILE

2009-09-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

For Telecoms new XT Mobile campaign, the script and directors brief called for the hero Richard Hammond to be placed in a Test Drive centre - a virtual, high-tech digital world.

Cirkus worked closely with Saatchi & Saatchis Craig Farndale, Connan James and Director Adam Strange to create the clean lined, glassy, reflective and modern environment that fit the brief. The project was not without its technical challenges - the team had to build in as much subtle sophistication as they could while working with a primarily white environment and additionally having the floating screens projected imagery working clearly and legibly against the pale background.

Cirkus then supplied elements to Flame Artist Nigel Mortimer to help create the final 3 x 60 second commercials.

EXQUISITE CORPSE - 4

2009-09-17T21:11:00.001-07:00

Wow… time flies when you are having fun, No. 4 already!
This month we go walkabout with Amy Thextons story of Whybin TBWA Auckland:

The feather catches fire, melting a helpless George into a technicoloured pool. From his liquid remnants grows a vivid forest of bizarre flowers and plants, which unfurl skyward until they dwarf the mountains. Chocolate chip cheetahs, gingerbread giraffes and liquorice snakes wind their way through the thick foliage

Ok…this was a challenge but we did it anyway.
Mixing up stop motion, 2D and 3D rendered this quirky wildlife skipping around in a colourful world. Nice 1 Julian Stokoe, Merlin Lepper, Christophe Brebion and Trista Townsend.

Once again sound design from Kahra Scott James of Entirely Sound from Aotearoa!

What happens next? Enter your storyline here please !

QUEENSLAND MOTORWAYS

2009-09-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Earlier in the year, Cirkus pitched successfully on Queensland Motorways Free-Flow campaign to agency Cummins Nitro, Brisbane. The campaign calls for numerous commercials rolling out over several months to introduce the easy flowing traffic effect caused by Free-Flow Tolling (pre-paid with tag or video matching).
Headed up by Animation Director Christian Greet, Cirkus created a specific render look with smooth lines, animating patterns and rhythms of symmetrical flowing cars to Queens - Dont stop me now.

CADBURY CANADA

2009-09-17T21:04:00.001-07:00

Check out Cadburys online bicycle factory we helped out to character animate for Chuck Gammage animation ex Toronto Canada.

http://www.thebicyclefactory.ca

CANNES 2009

2009-09-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

OK already, we will go!
We need to catch up on our buoy to buoy swimming.
Animation Director Christian Greet mailto:(juggler@cirkus.co.nz)and Executive Producer Marko Klijn mailto:(ringmaster@cirkus.co.nz)will pitch up the Cirkus tent at the Cannes International Advertising Festival and are keen to meet you in person.
See you there!

HUGGIES BLOCKBUSTER WINS BRONZE

2009-09-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

The Cirkus troupe paid the Axis Awards a visit last month. Producers and Animation Directors dressed up in their best outfits and mixed and mingled with the NZ advertising crowd. The cherry on the cake was ‘Huggies Epic’ winning bronze!

We’ll re-enter next year for Huggies ‘Recycle Nappies’ to score the gold.

QMM CONCEPT ART

2009-09-17T20:39:00.001-07:00

There is something quite beautiful about raw concept art that gets made at the very start of a pitch.

CONTORTIONISTS LAST CIRKUS TRICK

2009-09-17T20:38:00.001-07:00

The flexible Contortionist has left the Cirkus... New opportunities, exciting challenges. Viktoria Berryman says she had a great time at the Cirkus and is sad to be leaving but new adventures are waiting upon her! Viktoria has been mother hen for the past few years and this task is going to be taken over by the resident Lion Tamestress, Felicia Brunsting. Contact her for any office, marketing or advertising related inquiries on mailto:liontamestress@cirkus.co.nzor 0064 9 486 0865.

A CUNNING COMFORT STUNT

2009-09-17T20:22:00.002-07:00

How satisfying when you find out the work produced renders measurable results!
Check out this film highlighting the impact Comfort Campaign has made in the Asian territory. See the introduction into Clothworld, the launch in Vietnam and right through to Andy and Lilys dream wedding – AND – featuring a real life-size Andy and Lily in Vietnam! Please check out the video below:

Cirque d’Auckland

2009-09-17T20:22:00.001-07:00

Ahhh…

Cirkus Auckland has been strengthened with a Frenchie. Christophe Brebion will be complementing our (character) animation team. Christophe has a strong 2D cell animation background.

EXQUISITE CORPSE AGAIN CONTINUES…

2009-09-17T20:21:00.001-07:00

The EC continues with a follow up from Carl Thelin, Common Communications Shanghai. This third storyline was selected by Cirkus Bearded Lady Craig Sinclair and Ringmaster Marko Klijn at Adfest 2009.

Carl won himself a Magnum of Milltons Bio Dynamic 2000 Chenin Blanc wine. Here are a couple of Carls words on his big victory - I couldnt have dreamed of walking away from a bottle that good. I think about a dozen people shared it with me, but I still drank nearly half the damn thing myself. I was still working on it, drinking straight from the bottle out in the parking lot outside Peach when I got spotted by an Australian Director who mistook me for a serious party animal and hauled me off to get up to some mischief with a gang of Aussies. We eventually parted ways and I ended up at the JWT Shanghai party where I made the mistake of having two martinis. I had an early flight the next morning, which was not a good thing.

Seems like Carl had an awesome time! If you would like to see the animated version of his storyline for the Exquisite Corpse or think you can work that wine better; please visit the Exquisite Corpse page .

BACK FROM OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE

2009-09-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

Cirkus ‘Ringmaster’ Marko Klijn (EP) has returned home to the Cirkus from a fulfilling trip oversees doing a bit of networking, visiting agencies and getting the word out on the ‘Exquisite Corpse’.

Starting at the Lynx Awards, Marko took time to visit some of the agencies of Dubai. From the desert to the humidity of Thailand, Marko attended Adfest 2009 where he joined Bearded Lady at the Cirkus booth in the production corner to meet Asian Pacific Creatives,, Directors, Producers and Account Managers.

CIRKUS SET UP BOOTH AT ADFESTS PRODUCTION CORNER

2009-09-17T19:48:00.002-07:00

From Dubai it’s on to Bangkok, where Marko will join Bearded Lady Craig Sinclair.

At the Adfest festival in Pattaya, Cirkus will once again pitch up a booth at the production corner to showcase our services, latest work and do a bit networking. Check out our last years booth!

CIRKUS TWITS

2009-09-17T19:48:00.001-07:00

Yes that’s right - you can now add us to your Twitter account - visit http://www.twitter.com and search for CirkusAnimation! We will update our page during the day with news on jobs, festivals, our interactive project ‘Exquisite Corpse’ and more!

WHAT THE?

2009-09-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

The Cirkus ‘Freak’ and ‘Bearded Lady’ traveled to Thailand to oversee Comfort ‘Amplification’. For this production we were required to animate and integrate Andy into a live action world. We can only but praise the Thai team for the effort to recreate a green Andy for the talent on set. For once, the offline is more entertaining to watch!

MARKO AT DUBAI LYNX AWARDS

2009-09-17T19:25:00.001-07:00

Ringmaster Marko Klijn will be once again travelling to the Eastern parts of our planet to attend the Dubai Lynx Awards Festival. Cirkus has entered this year with the Comfort Chase Amet tvc, which shows rock star Andy from Cloth world being chased by ensuing paparazzi. Marko will be in Dubai until the 18th of March to meet and greet and learn.

COMFORT PARIS TOWER

2009-09-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

Just nice on its own...

WHATS ANOTHER YEAR

2009-09-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

This is what the great poet Johnny Logan sang on the 1980 Euro Song Contest. But before we go too deep, here it goes for Cirkus:

Crisis, what crisis? The tides at Takapuna beach remain unchanged, we’re having a great summer with the Pohutakawa in full blossom and birds merrily chirping.
Meanwhile, Animation Director Scott is manning New York office brilliantly, and Cirkus spread the word @ Spikes, Adfest and Boards. Highlights surely are the completion of Huggies with a coupla golds won thus far at the Singapore Creative Circle, the increased quality of the Comfort work – both in it’s character animation and it’s rendering - and the Cirkus Promo ; looking forward to create a sequel for 2009. After all we are Cirkus and expected to stand out from the crowd!

Huggies epic wins gold

2008-11-20T19:57:00.002-08:00

Finally here is the full version of the Huggies Free to be tvc. At 105 seconds long this is gigantic for us commercial - love that short formatte - peops.
This team really got stuck in with a smile. Christian Greet, Timo Lenton, Phil James, Chris Maguren, Chris Lyne, Layne Howe, Jared Toth, Dylan Coburn and his Karactaz won 1 gold for best direction and 1 gold for best animation at the Singapore creative circle awards.

ARTWORK SUPPLY

2008-11-20T19:57:00.001-08:00

To ensure a quick and easy process we have uploaded a special PDF on how to supply Cirkus with your artwork. Have a look here!

RONALD MCDONALD - ENDANGERED SPECIES TVC

2008-11-20T19:56:00.000-08:00

Check out the second TVC for Ronald Mcdonald, Endangered Species, produced for Leos Sydney.

RONALD MCDONALD - HOUSE CHARITIES TVC

2008-11-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

Cirkus is currently working on an Australian Ronald McDonald House Charity Campaign (RMHC). RMHC is an independent, non-profit organization, that seeks to help seriously ill children and their families

Here is the first of two 30sec TVCs produced for Leo Burnett Sydney which finds our live action hero boy in a cardboard world created by his Happy Meal box. We follow him through various locations where money contributed from the Happy Meal goes to helping out the children and their families.

STOP MOTION MAGIC

2008-11-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

This year, producer Marko Klijn and animation director Scott Willkinson attended the
Ottawa 08 International Animation Festival in Toronto. Canadians do like our accents and as a result we are now connected to the Stop Motion company Wind Up Pictures with Stop Motion master Neil Burns as leading man. Go check out his stuff and float through the magical land of Stop Motion madness.

BRICK WALL

2008-11-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

Felicia (liontamestress@cirkus.co.nz) has spend hours and hours to build a "clothified" brick wall for one of the key visuals of Comfort "The Chase". Not bad for a first timer aye...

SILVER SPONSOR AT BOARDS SUMMIT - NY

2008-11-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

This year, Cirkus is the one of the Silver Sponsors of the Boards Summit and, as we speak, producer Viktoria Berryman is on her way to the Big Apple! She will join Scott Wilkinson (who is already based in New York) to the Boards where Cirkus has a stand, so come visit us, check out our latest work and chat with Vik and Scott!

Comfort Ibiza 2 tvc and key visual

2008-11-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

As the Comfort saga moves on, this time around it is the main character Andys fragrance that gives him away in this chase. He just cannot hide from these obnoxious papparazzi.
Cirkus overcame some sudden speed bumps to get both kv and tvc produced within 9(!) weeks. Nonetheless, dare we say it, Kevins and Cirkus best so far!

Thanks to our Comfort team: Scott Wilkinson, Layne Howe, Chris Lyne, Boris Plateau, Phil James, Timo Lenton, Matt Pitt and Vik Berryman...

CHRISTIAN GREET WINS A JUICE TV AWARD

2008-11-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Cirkus Animation Director, Christian Greet won the Juice TV Award for Best Roots and Electronic Music Video. The promo for TAHUNA BREAKS Real Life follows a silhouetted band on an animated sheet of paper around town. The 8th Annual awards were held on October 1st at the Stamford Plaza in Auckland
The video saw Christian pull out all the tricks in his magic bag – directing (wrangling people and paper!), editing, tracking, roto, 3D, compositing, grading and a few late night wines…

I had the opportunity to work with the talented, up and coming band Tahuna breaks and the idea for the music video was inspired by the lyrics of the song.
The opening of the video shows the band on a piece of paper that gets rejected several times, trampled on, driven over and eventually literally ends up in the shit. From this absolute low point a breeze of wind picks it up and the journey takes a turn for the better. The paper ends up in the ocean where it drowns. But it is not the end…as the whole environment then transforms onto paper, as if the Idea has become eternalized and materialized.

This video could not have been done if it wasnt for the help of Blair Watkins.
He not only supplied the camera and steady cam rig, but also preformed some outrageous stunts (like hanging of the back of a car), putting his gear and life at danger to get the shots required.

The post work was quite overwhelming, involving lots of frame by frame tracking.
But the biggest task was to print out all the black and white frames of the band, and wrinkle them by hand. This would have taken me years to do by myself. Luckily the band stepped in and sacrificed their evenings and drew on favours from friends to get a large team together to get it all done in time (and make it fun on the way).
When time was short and much work still to be done, Marko (the mighty Cirkus Ringmaster) stepped in. He loved the idea of the project and let me work on it during working hours.
So really, like with all these projects, it was a tremendous team effort, and would have not been realized without the above mentioned helpers (and many more!) In the end we always think we could have done better, but are all blessed to be recognized and awarded for everyones hard work.

Thanks to you all, Thanks juice TV.

Christian Greet

THE ANIMATION PROCESS

2008-11-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

Recently a few of you have asked us how the animation process works, well here ya go. Feel free to forward this to your clients, the last page showing animation versus life action can really help those that are new to animation relate to the process.

AWESOMENESS!!

2008-11-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

Everybody loves a montage...

HUGGIES 30 TVC

2008-11-20T19:20:00.000-08:00

Check out our latest TVC created for Huggies with Ogilvy Singapore.
This 30 second spot is part of a bigger project; we will showcase the complete project soon.
In the meantime, have a look at this beautiful piece of work, created with a troop of animators using a mixture of stopmotion, 3d & 2d animation.
stay tuned...

COMFORT IBIZA - KEY VISUAL

2008-11-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

Step into this bath and lose your bubbles instantly!

IT IS FINALLY HERE!!!

2008-11-20T19:15:00.000-08:00

The newest, grandest, greatest, colossal Cirkus showreel is out now!
Sit back as we step right up, to present to you our fearless, priceless acts!

It’s an absolute fact!
More than quadruple the array of moving pictures and genius animated talent that have ever been
congregated, are now on one single Digital Versatile Disc.

Magical and strange act from exotic countries – compiled at the edge of the world – forever united in overshadowing vastness, are here to finally be revealed on show!

So let us delay no more and make place for our gigantic… DVD Get your copy now from Felicia - liontamestress@cirkus.co.nz

TAKE IT TO THE BRIDGE!

2008-11-20T19:13:00.001-08:00

Brooklyn Bridge! A fine example of Industrial era engineering and a great walk with the best views of the Manhattan skyline on offer... James Browns oft quoted line finally held some resonance for me (Scott)

.

HUGGIES PHASE 2

2008-11-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

We now do babies!

Cirkus completed this Huggies live action/animation tvc for Ogilvy Singapore. Live action was shot on the red camera by Director John Blick. Bearded Lady Craig Sinclair proved to be an excellent baby whisperer, so no illegal sedatives were used shooting this commercial.
Cirkus boys, Christian Greet, Timo Lenton, Phil James and Layne Howe took care of the animation passes. You may wonder... what about phase 1 then? Stand by, its coming very soon now!

FLARE IN USE

2008-11-20T19:06:00.000-08:00

Check out the photos of Flare Key Visual Artwork in use throughout Vietnam:

COMING SOON!

2008-11-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

Our latest DVD will be on show very soon. Contact liontamestress@cirkus.co.nz if your patience is already running low. Here’s the cover designed by “Trapezist” Timo Lenton.

CIRKUS HAS A NEW ATTRACTION!

2008-11-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

That’s right folks, we have a new show for your viewing pleasure!

The artistic direction for the latest promo from Cirkus came to life from left field.
Animation director Christian Greet: “What we initially set out to do was going to be very different. However the basic concept remained that the promo should play on the viewers’ emotions & mood”.

This promo, produced over a 6 week production period, with a team of 3 not having much sleep, is made from a combination of photo-mapping, 3D animation and After Effects.
The landmarks featured within this film are made from images from different European cities.

Camera mapping allows us to create photorealistic environments with very little effort but it has its limitations to how much the camera can be moved. Therefore, the Cirkus team needed to 3D model the city featured in the end shot; the camera is HUGE here. The true test on this CG shot was to make it integrate perfectly amongst all the other photographed shots. A bit of film grain definitely helped!

Next to come, we’re thinking a "making of" portraying the madness going on in the office during a project like this. It will offset the dramatic aspect of our promo we reckon.

SPLATZ

2008-11-20T18:54:00.000-08:00

Fresh’n’fruity splatz: a fun little online game. This game is based on a TVC produced for Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand.

Animation directors Christian Greet, Timo Lenton and Phil James teamed up with illustrator Nathan Jerevicius to create this flatly shaded 3D animated film.

CIRKUS CHRISTMAS PARTY (IN FEBRUARY!)

2008-11-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

Due to work obligations Cirkus postponed our Christmas get-away till February. Deciding to opt out of the usual 5 star dinner, all computers were shut down for the weekend, and the whole team plus partners travelled to Hahei in the Coromandel for some rest and relaxation. In between barbeques and beach time,we managed a kayak trip around to Cathedral cove and a night time dig at hot water beach. What a blast, much fun was had and there is nothing like the beach to cure a hangover!

For info on Hahei check out: www.hahei.co.nz

PREVIZ

2008-11-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

This year Cirkus has had the pleasure to work on some pre-visualization animation giving some of the Cirkus team a nice time-out from commercial land. Contracted by Underworld 3, Animation Director Christian Greet,

led a troop of 4 animators to build and animate the previs. Cirkus also sent out ‘on set’ man Chris Maguren to be a constant point of call during the shooting process, animating on the fly with VFX Supervisor Charlie McClellan.

COMFORT FLARE VIETNAM

2008-11-20T18:36:00.000-08:00

1 X 30” tvc and key visuals: The Comfort story continues. This project gave us the opportunity to have some real fun in character animation! Scripted by Kevin Geeves and produced by Julian Tok of Ogilvy Singapore and directed by the usual suspects, Scott Wilkinson, Layne Howe and Dan Taylor with a team of animators including Matt Pitt, Kyla Bendall, Boris Plateau, Chris Maguren, Chris Lyne and Timo Lenton.

The “Flare” story brings to life new characters, being Andy’s band and a couple of roadies. Set in a concert hall, Andy the Rock star and Lily his wife show off their dance moves with the help of Comfort “Goodbye Stiffness, Hello Freedom”.

This project took a total of 12 weeks to produce.
Cirkus also created Key visuals for this project and flexible Andy now features Vietnam wide!

NZ AXIS AWARDS 2008

2008-11-20T18:33:00.000-08:00

Cirkus wins a bronze Axis in animation design for WWF!
This spot was directed by “Freak” Phil James, “Illusionist” Tim Civil and Ben Stevens and made for WWF China through Ogilvy Beijing. Using a mix of 2D and 3D animation processes it shows the plight of the Tiger through an evolution process.Lovin the continuous camera move! You change 1 thing, you change everything! Well….

This tvc also made in-book status for D&AD Awards 2008 and was a Film Craft finalist in the 2008 Adfest Lotus Awards.

THAI POUCHES

2008-11-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

1 x 15” tvc and key visuals: Thailand:Another Comfort project for Ogilvy Singapore.Thai Pouches came our way in the middle of producing Flare. Creative Director Kevin Geeves, the driving force behind de Comfort project, devised this script for Thailand to utilize the new Comfort band characters modeled for the Flare tvc. Cirkus also generated several key visuals for this project.

SCOTT NEW YORK

2008-11-20T18:15:00.000-08:00

An adventuring Animation Director! The chance of Scott Wilkinson to win the green card lottery equals that of an elephant dropping on your head as you read this. Subsequently, Strongman Scotty is now living it up in New York City! Still very much part of the Cirkus team, Scott will be managing the Comfort Projects from NY. (This gives Cirkus nearly 24hr turnaround – nice!) Scott has based himself for operation with the nice kids at Interspectacular www.interspectacular.com.

Anyone wanting to contact Scott directly can reach him at: strongman@cirkus.co.nz

SPIKES AWARDS BALI

2008-11-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

Ringmaster Marko Klijn attended the rather exclusive Spikes Awards in Bali to hear about the state of affairs of the advertising community. Cirkus Statuettes and cards were handed out to relevant contacts. Back next year we reckon!

SIMPLY SQUEEZED

2008-11-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

A charming little orange juice commercial for Ron Davidson of Creative Hotpot (www.creativehotpot.com). Directed by Cameron Chittock with D.O.P John Cavill, this project meant a fun but long day in the studio, puppeteering some oranges to give them the right amount of personality!

COMFORT SPRINGBREEZE - VIETNAM

2008-11-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

1 x 30” tvc and key visual: Comfort “Spring breeze”, another Cloth world spot, for Vietnam. This time, the emphasis was on the new “Spring breeze” fragrance. Co-directed by Scott Wilkinson, Layne Howe and Dan Taylor, this ‘loony tunes” inspired piece was produced within 6 weeks and became the No1 commercial in Vietnam during April.

CHINA LAUNCH

2008-11-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

1 x 30” tvc: An adaptation of Comfort Ibiza, previously generated for the Vietnamese market, featuring new animation passes and geometry.

ARNOTTS - VITA WEAT

2008-11-20T15:27:00.000-08:00

1 X 30” stop-motion tvc: Australia: Finally, a stop motion job! Working with GPYR Sydney, Cirkus created this funky vita-weat tvc. Using expert model maker and stop motion director Norman Yeend, this tvc was shot in 14 days. With a bit of clean up, we created this charming yet realistic looking food spot.

MOLTO KEY VISUALS INDONESIA

2008-11-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest key print visual for fabric softener “Molto” Indonesia. Keeping within the Comfort ‘Clothified’ context, this fruity visual takes it’s inspiration from the 60’s.