A Look Back on Jonas Odell

I love music videos, to me they feel like one of the highest artform in film. There are as many styles of them as they're styles of music. And would you believe it has been a decade since I have been exposed to theses combination of audio and visual, now granted I remember my mother used to watch these and the "Clint Eastwood" video from the Gorillaz was the first one I was ever into but still. The music videos of the last decade are what showed songs in a new light for me and growing up I thought they were imaginative, clever and so full of originality much like movies and tv shows were. One particular artist whose work is everything good about the music videos of that time is Jonas Odell.

Jonas Odell has a strong reputation for his unique techniques at blending live action with animation. He shows that "music video" is infact an illustrative artform, by using computer effects to their full advantage Odell would bring certain designs as well as the song he works with to life. To anyone who wants to create "music videos" Odell is a cultural influence, someone with a distinct style you could recognize. So to show my appreciation I decided to look at the videos I  feel present Odell as an artist.

When Cartoon Network produced a series of music videos based on their shows, Odell directed this wonderful music video "My Best Friend Plank". Based on the show Ed Edd n Eddy, Odell captures everything that made the show so cherished and so heart filled. With it's retro colours, filters and superb scenes, Odell gives so much personality to a piece of wood much like Antonucci did. 

 However he brought himself to the mainstream with the video for artist Goldfrapp's Strict Machine. Though I'm not a fan of Goldfrapp, I can't deny how well Odell has utilized his directing skills; this video proves as a good example of how to introduce your abilities to the public. The use of effects and imagery is done perfectly setting the tone for more creative videos to come from Odell.

If I had to pick one music video that defines Odell's career it would be his music video for Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out". To me everything about this video captures what made indie music video so creative and original, there's so much visual wonders in this video that make the song even more iconic. Admit whenever you think of this song or the music of 2004 this is the first thing that pops into your head. There's so much of Odell's trademark use of combining live action with designs, the animation literally never misses a beat while also having a Terry Gilliam feel. In fact it makes you wonder what it would've been like if Gilliam stayed producing animation instead of moving to motion picture. Still this video is still as impressive and innovative as it was back then.

Another Odell music video I feel captures his unique style is his video for "Bang Bang" by The Audio Bullys. Going for a more modern look this video matches the song perfectly, with it's simple yet bright colour scheme and amazing effects this video is one for every music lover to admire.

Going for a more mature area of style, Odell's video for Feeder's "Feeling a Moment" proves to be even more impressive. I for one consider this to be one of the best songs of 2005 and it's this video that solidifies my opinion. With top notch cinematography and expressive effects this video stays nostalgic as well as timeless. 

His music video for cult artist Ida Maria's "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" goes for a graphic and fundamental vibe. You can sense a Warhol/ Lichtenstein influence here.

Returning to work with Franz Ferdiand, Odell once again creates a creative video much like he did 10 years ago. This shows Odell's ability to use retro imagery and designs and depict through well edited visuals.

But aside from music videos, Odell has also brought his techniques to short films such as Lies. A series of stories from certain people presented in 3 different styles. It's worth a look if you're fan of mixed animation.

Even if you're not a fan of the bands/artists Jonas Odell has worked with, it's hard to deny his unique take on the combination of audio and visuals. He has the ability to adapt an illustrative look to each film he has made, which is high priority for me to find in music videos (as well as film in general) If you're as interested in his resume as much as I am, than may I recommend you check out his Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/jonasodell) and come to your own conclusion. Looking back on his works makes me wonder what he'll make for yet to come but for now may I ask, what music music videos did you grow up watching? and I'll see you next time.

The Lingo Show Review

Ever since "Dora the Explora" animation for younger kids has become either abysmal and boring in terms of writing and characters. Though there might be some exceptions (that I probably don't know of) but mostly there's nothing. One cartoon that looks like it's taken the same route as most kid shows these days but  actually thinks it's going outside the box. A recent show that only the people of UK know about is "The Lingo Show"

Now I'll start by saying I was not interested in seeing this show but after seeing a picture of it I became a little curious. Now I also know that any programme on CBeeBies is bad news in my book, but how bad can it be. For those who don't know, The Lingo Show is an animated/half live action hybrid about a minature circus with talking insects that entertains kids everywhere. The show teaches it's viewers different languages, now it sounds pretty promising for a show on CBeeBies. But is this better than the monstrosity known as "Bobinogs" or do we need to get out the bugspray.

Like I said The Lingo Show is about a bug called Lingo who conducts circus performances in a flying mechanical tent. The performers who are Wéi, Jargonaise, Queso, Blodwen, Dyzio, Jaadoo,
Kikli, Subah and Leib; are not only insects as well, but they come from different countries; so it adds more cultural equality. Lingo and his team would travel around the UK to perform their Big Bug show using one of his performers. The idea of animated talking bugs is much similar to "A Bug's Life" or "Santo Bugito" it may sound holesome when you look at it and the idea that it teaches pre-schoolers different languages before they go to school makes it work for older audiences as well, but does it make it more entertaining....well.....In the show, one of the character's must find different objects as props for his/her act, while the're getting the object the character teaches the viewers the name of the certain objects in his/her language. Now that wouldn't be a problem, if they didn't do it in every single episode!!!

Now this is where The Lingo Show falls flat, because it wants to focuss on being educational and because it tends to use that same formula in every episode, it feels like it's missing that element that makes a story a story. Also the way they teach kids a different language is too simplictic, now I know learning a new language is hard, especially for pre-schoolers and I'll admit that the strongest point is the variety of cultures. But the problem with "The Lingo Show" is that it suffers from what I like to call "kid show symdrome" where a tv show has to talk down to it's audience, relays on annoying characters and because it's aimed at children under the age of 7, they have the excuse for their flaws. 

Another thing The Lingo Show lacks is clever dialogue, it often resorts to breaking the forth wall but not in a funny or clever way. Theres also a running gag where Lingo and the other characters tell the audience to wave their hands in the air, is this an exercise show for a language show? Seriously the only reason why they do that is so they can bring the objects back and from where they found them.....How in the bloody name of Carol Vorderman does that teach children in any way. That if you want to borrow something you just wave your hands in the air like "HEEEEEYYYY HEY BABY!!! OH! AH! so they can appear in the place you want them No! that's not the way life works, even if you're a cartoon bug!

Now that we're done with the plot, let talk about the animation. Now the show has a mix of animation and live action which I must admit is a clever combination. It's animated in Flash so it's moves in the same way as "Naughty Naughty Pets" or "Mucha Lucha" while it could be better at least it fits the character designs. Speaking of which, the character design of the bugs looks cute but I've seen better; they look like background characters from "The Buzz on Maggie" if you ask me. Because the background is live-action as well as the human characters, theres very little design so it's more focused on the bug characters. The only problem is that there are not many bug designs which is lacking. Fortunetly the show doesn't focuss on the live action so it has a good ratio. So the visuals are meh, but at least it has some variety unlike Charly the Unicorn or the Bobinogs.

With the animation out of the way, let get on to the more important bit which is the characters.Unfortunatley the characters in Lingo Show have the personality of paint, despite them having different accents most of the characters lack any personality which doesn't help the show in any way. It seems like their only purpose is to get the objects they need for their performances and teach the audiences their languages. Because of this and that the producers refuse to tell a story none of the characters have any depth. Lingo is this perky bloke who mostly speaks to the audience while setting up his Big Bug Show and that's about it really, Queso the Spanish bug who like the others is not memorable or funny, which is a shame because he could have been a great comic relief. The rest are nothing special and it doesn't help that each of them have to sing their own theme song in every episode they're in; now to be fair I'm sure the actors were having fun with these roles but that alone won't save the show. Hey at least the bugs airn't racist stereotypes.

Overall The Lingo Show may seems like a fine show for younger viewers but turns out to be a typical broken kids cartoon with a repetative plot (if you can call it that), mediocure animation, bad forth-wall humor and characters whose purpose is to teach the audiences different languages and nothing else. It's nice to see a CBeeBie show teaches children different languages because it shows that it does stick to it's title but that alone won't save it. If you're like 5 or 6 you'll enjoy it, but if you're over that age limit than it feels like a lackluster. To the parents that are reading this, may I suggest you expose your kids to the Muzzy video than this.

As an answer to my question, is it better than Bobinogs?....Yes and No. Compared to Bobinogs  Lingo Show has more educational value, slightly better animation and less irritating gags. However what downgrades it, is it's lack of story, depth and humor; so it's debatable really. I don't depise the Lingo Show but I don't think it's that good compared to other recent cartoons like Adventure Time or Fish Hooks. I don't think it'll even last that long. I give The Lingo Show a rating of 1/5 just be thankful it's not on a channel for older kids.

Thats all I have people, I'll be back for more posts but for now I'm gonna catch up on my Portugese.

Whatever Happened to Brian Wood

Animators they have really seem to have become a part of the art community, they really have the integrity to bring their artwork to life. Animation has touch the hearts of children and adults alike and we owe it to these masters to have made us laugh and cry with these revolutionary flicks. Out of all the animators in the world there is one who has been on my mind for so long; that persons name is Brian Wood.

 

For those who are unfamilar with this fellow Brian Wood was known for his creation The Cramp Twins. It was a well done cartoon based on a graphic novel it had original character designs, interesting stories, great characters and it's catchy theme song. Telling the story of 10 year old twins Wayne and Lucien Cramp who make it through the modern world with their constant sibling rivalry it has proved it's self to a hit among young children and teens and I also like to consider it as one of my all time favourite program. (As you can see I've added it to my top 10 animated shows list)

 

One thing that has bothered me since the show's cancellation is what the dickens has happened to him over the years, I mean I have searched his name over the web and have found barly anything to do with him. There is no profile of him on Wikipedia and I've seen no website of his not even a blog. The only images I've found of his work (that are not Cramp Twins related) were these (below)

http://www.whateverittakes.org/celebrity.aspx?celeb_id=02

 http://www.britishanimationawards.com/awards_history/2004/awards_wood.htm

                                                                                                                                                                           Things like this makes me wonder why Brian Wood never went on to make another great cartoon like cramp twins or even another childrens book. Also how come no one has written about him on Wikipedia didn't he have any friends or colleagues that could have written a profile for him.
 Where the hell has he been all these year!

If I knew better I say that the people at 4Kids abducted him and left him on an desserted island at the edge of the earth to die. Or maybe they threw him into a space shuttle and blasted him into space where he got sucked into a black hole. Well even so it's a shame that people will never see another new product by Wood, it's also a shame that I've never have been able to find Wood's website infact I don't understand why he hasn't made a website, and even if he did how come we have not been able to find it .

But despite this I have been so lucky enough to find two animated short films made by Wood himself "Mr Jessop" and "School Disco"

Mr Jessop

Made during Wood's college days, Mr Jessop is a simplictic tale about a man who goes to the train station with dark, graphic occurances that make this a unique combination of surreal twisted doodles with the mature conflict that occures in real life. It's the same equavilant of a childhood crayon drawings on acid.

School Disco

Wood's next animated short was School Disco, which illustrates different points of views of high school students. This short is definately one of Wood's more mature pieces, it shows his ability to adapt slice of life events to animation. It even feels rememisent of those nights of attending such school discos as well the club scene of the 90s. This was probably the influence behind the Cramp Twins episode "Dance Pants"; infact you'll find alot of resemblance to that show in the character design. 

Overall as well as creating the cult classic The Cramp Twins, Brian Wood has made some strange mature expressionist toons in his lifetime.Although it really sucks when theres not much about him on the web and that he just disapered from the world of animation. I don't understand why someone who could have made a great cartoon like The Cramp Twins fade into such bitter obscurity for so long that it feels like he left the face of the earth. His work is alot better than anything that Dreamworks Animation have made in the past 7 years and way way way way way better than anthing and mean anything that the producers of that Problem Solverz show could make (BTW that show is gonna suck) But I digress it was great to find his early shorts, as a fan of the Cramp Twins i really think it would do justice to see this man return to animation.

If you know what happened to Brian Wood for the past 6 six years, where he is and why he never made another product ever again or if you know the proper web address of where you can see his work for real than tell me at the comment box below. I would really appreciate it.

......................and Brian Wood where ever you are we just want you to know; we really miss you u_u