Score: 10

"I loved every single frame of it"

submission: Ghost Crush.

date: January 22, 2009

This was simply amazing. So effective in style, idea and animation. The way you handled all the aspects with care, but never lost focus on the movie as a whole is really commendable.

I was surprised when i saw that you are the same artist who made the flashvideo for All I Need from radiohead. I didn't like that one so much, i felt it lacked focus and it had way too many special effects for no good reason. You are kind of pushing it here too at moments with the special effects, but since the world is so unique and the characters so magnificently designed it didn't distract. It must have been awesome to create such strange Burton-esque creatures. What i love even more is how they move around and aren't trying too hard to make a funny or scary impression on the viewer. Maybe with some resemblance in approach to the stopmotion The Nightmare Before Christmas, but in a smaller scope.

Which brings me to the animation, which was simply splendid. When the giant walked passed the camera i was in awe. Drawing walkcycles from the side is one thing, making them from a low diagonal perspective in pretty hard. Also the part where the little froglike creatures jumped towards the token was really impressive.

I like how it remains an extremely simple love story in the end. All the characters, the halloween theme, the cool setting or even the sick brain icecream couldn't hide the flash's golden heart. This is a rare gem in it's kind which i can watch over and over, thanks for making it.

AITD

Score: 8

"Lol, It's been a while, aye?"

submission: John McCain

date: October 14, 2008

I didn't know you were around anymore, but then outa nowhere this John McCain flash lol.

I thought it was hilarious. As an european i've been following the news and debates between McCain and Obama also. They are both great characters to be spoofed. A very random observation how John McCain sais my friends so many times. I didn't even realise it, but now that you made me aware, i can sort of remember. It's pretty hilarious actually. In fact i find John McCain really hilarious to look at and listen to even though he isn't really trying to be funny, I can't really explain why.

Comes across as a pretty nice guy, but i doubt he really knows whats going on about economy and major issues.

I really missed the trademark McCain greeting though. With his arms half raised, because he isn't able to lift them higher after his war antics. Maybe some Sarah Palin in the flash wouldnt hurt either. I assume you made the song also.. I always respect people who can do that, since i cant make shit, even though id love to make some songs.

Anyway, great to hear from you again. I noticed you improved a bit in the special effects and animation department as well.. Keep it up!

AITD

Score: 6

"Trapped in your hot car.."

submission: All I Need

date: October 4, 2008

Thanks, for making a music video to one of my favorite In Rainbows songs. I have to say that i quite liked it. But because I am a long time radiohead fan of their music, video clips and the artwork created by Stanley Donwood, it makes me a tough critic when it comes to judging any videos that use their music.

The flash contained some experimentation with pictures of people combined with textures and flash vector, which i quite liked. It was a good decision to keep most of it in dark sober tones to keep the different elements in a coherent form. The colored essence of the characters was a nice focus, probably very much inspired by the in rainbows theme.

There were a couple of things that kinda killed the flash for me though. From my own experience, i found out that it's best to refrain from having characters literally sing the lyrics of the song in a music video. It simply makes it look a little bit corny. Also, the disney like style of some of the characters and the bluntness of the scene where you see a woman abused by her husband is in my opinion not really that fitting for a very introspective Radiohead song.

Most importantly, my advise would be to think of a concept first in the future and then to try to fit it to the music. If you just draw a flash from scene to scene in sync with the song, it comes across as a bit uninspired to me. I know that a lot of people disagree with me on this and that they love videos that are completely in sync with the music, so in the end it remains a matter in taste. I just think that a music video comes across with more originality, power and vision, when there is a concept that is loosely based on the mood of the song and interpreted in an original way by the artist. If you saw the 4 awesome finalists of the Radiohead animation contest you can maybe see what i mean.

Well that's enough crap written by now, I hope you understand where I'm coming from. Keep it up

AITD

Score: 10

"You know"

submission: the Life & Death of 8-Bit

date: August 10, 2009

Sometimes i wish i could copy myself 20 times and then everyone of me would make an animation to a song of yours. They are always very inspiring. The 8 bit sounds work awesome with the ambient sounds. I'd really like to hear some songs of you that are a bit longer though, so you can take more time building the atmosphere.

Love, AITD

Score: 9

"I'm probably not the right guy to review your work"

submission: two colours

date: August 10, 2009

But, I really love the song, like i love 90% of your stuff. The easy part around the 1 minute mark was great. I notice the off sync continuation after that, but it didn't bother me that much. I think it's refreshing.
Like a painter not painting within the lines anymore, but going with his brush crudely over the canvas. To show other people how great this can work this must be used in an animation. Who knows? How is your life by the way?

Love, AITD

Score: 10

"amazing song dude"

submission: Goodbye Horses Jeff Farley rmx

date: January 24, 2009

Totally love it.. Great atmosphere. The singing is really good too. Kind of reminds me of Joy Division, but with a lot more cheerfullness.. Splendid. Cool Lyrics too