AWN's "Best of the Web" Showcase 2007
Two Things Human Beings Really Love to Do! Alien observers learn the two things that human beings really love to do. We know this film actually came out in 2005, but it was selected for the 2006 Annecy Festival. Like Bendito Machine, this anti-war film finds a unique framework to tell its message. The design work draws one in and many of the gags work because they find less than obvious punch lines, delivered strongly by subtle acting. The one-person production also uses lively titles effectively in lieu of dialogue or voice over.
Luca "Macchia" Frattini
"Weird Al" Yankovic -- Don't Download This Song This music video displays the ramifications of illegally downloading music from the Internet. Produced by Acme Filmworks and directed by Bill Plympton, this animated music video is a nice cross between commerce and art. Utilizing different looks throughout, Plympton's hand-drawn style and flare for the absurd fit wonderfully with the comical tunes of "Weird Al" Yankovic. Not only did the short get picked up all across the Internet, it helped "Weird Al" score the highest ranking on the Billboard charts of his career. It goes to show that free access to content can also generate revue in the end.
Acme Filmworks
The YuYu A faun tries to escape from a black gaseous creature that chases him through the forest. This sequel to littleFoot is another gorgeous fully-animated Flash production from Adam Phillips. At first a viewer might not even know it was created in Flash. The movement is gracefully fluid and the action is wonderfully timed to the rousing musical score. Evocative use of color and design also help drive the simple narrative.
Brackenwood Ent.
The Z-Files -- "Awful Gas" Propaganda Film #764 Using actual audio from propaganda films made by the U.S. government in the '40s and '50s, the Z-Files exposes the absurd way in which the dangers of the atom bomb were minimized. Short and sweet, this well-designed Web series quickly gets laughs with nice acting that exaggerates the ridiculousness of dated PSAs. From the black-and-white character design to the newsreel opening, Zee Risek captures the tone just right.
Rick DeMott is the managing editor of Animation World Network. In his free time, he works as an animation writer for television. His work on the new series, Growing Up Creepie, can be seen on Discovery Kids. Additionally, he publishes movie reviews at his blog, Rick's Flicks Picks. Previously, he held various production and management positions in the entertainment industry. He is a contributor to the book Animation Art as well as the humor, absurdist and surrealist short story website Unloosen.
Darlene Chan is the associate editor of Animation World Network.
Flying Iguanna Prods.
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