The New World of Animation

Artist around the world are mixing storytelling, animation, music and live action. The results are stunning. There is a new mode of storytelling forming in our midst. The Narrative now needs to have impact, be direct and have meaning. The exception of course is Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

Jonas Odell is a Swedish music video and film director and founder of FilmTecknarna. He has directed a number of short films, music videos and commercials. At the Berlin Film Festival 2006 his short film "Never like the first time!" was awarded the Golden Bear for Best Short. The image above is from Odell remarkable music video for UK band The Hours for their song "Ali In The Jungle" go here to see it.

The New Highway for Storytelling

My friend Jesse Alexander just put out a new post on his blog Global Couch. It is a must read. He describes the state of Transmedia storytelling. He knows what he is talking about. Jesse is the Co-Executive Producer of Heroes. This NBC show is changing television. They've figured out a way to dynamically engage viewers thus creating the model for engagement television. Heroes's approach is getting noticed by it's Peers (they just won a Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Media Programming) and by Academia (hear Jesse deliver a talk at MIT with the respected Henry Jenkins.)

Convergence culture is pushing media companies to expand beyond their core businesses. They are beginning to spend money to drive content online, to devices and new platforms. Traditional entertainment is imploding. "Creators" you NOW need to rethink EVERYTHING.

Indy Mogul on Next New Networks

The DIY culture for filmmakers is in full display at Indymogul.com. This show helps low budget Soderbergh's enhance their storytelling voices. In this episode IM shows you how to make your own dolly, skateboard wheels and all. Notice the terrific integration of their ad sponsor T-Mobile into the program.

IM is distributed and paid for by the brilliant people at Next New Networks. NNN is a micro-television network that knows how to connect diverse communities to their niche specific shows. The shows invites viewers to contribute, share and distribute content. This amazing Company has had as many as 33 million video views in 1 month across it's 16 micro-networks. They expect to expand to 30 shows by the end of the year. NNN is a Transmedia force and the future of hybrid entertainment.