I love 3D animation as a form of storytelling, but most 3D animation is geared towards kids/family, esp. with the phenomenal success of Disney and Pixar. And I’m generally more interested in adult themes. Sure those Pixar films are lots of fun, but I often find their sentimentality and cartoon-like style to be frustrating and, at times, dull. And since I enjoy horror fiction so much it was a real treat to come across the trailer for a new 3D animated horror film Blood Trail at Twitch.com. It’s just a wee bit extreme for me, but I still like the style and effort even thought the situation is pretty generic horror. It’s so well done with superb sound and great character design/animation that I’d like to see the whole film when it’s released.
Googling led me to a nice backgrounder on the film at VFXtalk.com. Nathan Love, head of the Nathan Love Studios, will direct the Matt Cochran screenplay. There’s a good interview with Matt (and larger screen size for the trailer) along with some storyboards and making-off imagery at motiongrapher.com) in collaboration with Perspective Studios. From the credits listed in the article, the bulk of the film seems to be shot in Maya with help from Z-Brush, Real Flow, Mental Ray and After Effects/Photoshop (among other programs).
I think 3D animation is a natural for horror and the supernatural. I’m surprised there aren’t more animated horror films (including machinima). Phil Browne did a nice adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Terrible Old Man” a year or so ago using The Movies game engine with lots of customization. I wish more filmmakers would try their hands at horror. It’s a vibrant literary genre with indie authors who might be willing to adapt their own work for machinima, or license it inexpensively.
Be advised that the content of this film is graphic and definitely not for most people’s work place.
[flv:/Flash_Movies/BloodTrail.flv 540 303]
Yeah, I like the more adult stuff as well – only Final Fantasy has filled that niche for me so far. This one? Love the look of it but like you said, maybe a bit TOO gorily graphic. But hell, you know I’ll be in the theatres watching it through splayed fingers! I’ll take what I can get.
Yes, I agree with you – Why aren’t there more 3D animated horror films? I found this one over on motiongrapher earlier and it scared the pants off me! Very disturbing and violent but very well done, high production values. Thanks for the post!
This is very cool. I am into dark animation myself. Currently in school for graphic arts and gaming art and design. Very new at both. But I love video games and I love music so I am putting them all together.
http://www.myspace.com/insanly_dark . . . under my interest you will find a game i have created. First of games and animation clips/movies to come. I dedicate a lot of my time now….
Add me up look me up but do not try to cut me up lol
oh my. This is so great! Man, you always have the best stuff!!
Honestly, I sat there with my mouth open in horror and shock. If they were/are aiming for ‘anti-Pixar’, then they did it perfectly. Gruesome and VERY impressive.
Well put, Biggs. I’m sure that’s the reaction they were looking for. I hope they are successful enough to continue with the full-length film. I’d love to see some of this style of horror show up in the machinima world. Eh?