Motion graphics production company Roger recently created two heart-pounding sports packages for Fox Sports Net’s Major League Baseball (MLB) and Spike TV’s “MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Uncensored Live.” These latest projects show the versatility and range of Roger‘s conceptual and design skills, a striking difference from the kid-friendly animation for which the studio is best known.rnrnThe MLB open follows the path of a baseball as it leaves the pitcher’s arm to the batter. Zooming chalk lines and iconic, animated baseball players shrouded in shadows lend a sense of excitement and mystery as game footage of the next match-up is interspersed throughout the promo.rnrnrnrnSet to a pulsing Skrillex dub-step track, the “MMA Uncensored Live” montage showcases several variations of the heavy and monolithic “MMA Uncensored Live” logo animating on. The details of the fight cage’s chain link fence, bright flashing lights and smoky effects bring the intensity of the sport right to the viewers.rnrn rnrn”The process was seamless from beginning to end,” says Jason Scott, Fox Sports Net Creative Director. “Roger pitched really strong ideas being fully aware of the usability factor for the MLB season and multiple regions. The creative was never compromised to accommodate that factor. They always brought solutions to the process.”rnrn”Roger was the perfect partner,” remarks Ian Kahn, Spike TV Director of Production & Project Management, Advertising & Design. “Terry and team took all the input we supplied and came back with a great-looking package that’s robust, flexible and provides a really strong identity for the show. They always come back with a slick and unique vision, and couldn’t be an easier or more fun team to work with. They’re an amazing shop and I can’t wait to partner with them on something else again in the near future.”rnrnTo view the work, please visit: http://bit.ly/KQVVsernrnFor the Fox Sports Net MLB package, one of the main objectives was to create a toolkit that would be dynamic, but also flexible enough to work for every baseball region in the country. With this in mind, Roger crafted a design that would scream baseball without favoring any team or region. This allowed a “generic” team to be utilized instead of dealing with the identity of the players themselves.rnrn”By using 3D-animated baseball players, we were able to capture more of the sport’s fast-paced action because we weren’t restricted to sourcing pre-existing game footage,” explains Terry Lee, Roger Owner/Creative Director. “We created cool-looking angles and used bullet-time, slow-motion action. Particle effects also added depth and emphasized the animation.”rnrnSpike TV’s MMA package involved a different tack, highlighting the technical aspects of MMA fighting while still embracing the “raw” attitude of the fans. Much time and attention was spent on modeling minute details, dialing in the texturing and lighting, and adding smoky atmospheric effects to enhance the drama. rnrn”The world of MMA fighting has this stigma of being aggressive and visually grungy,” says Lee. “However, it is a legitimate sport with the training and technique involved rivaling the most demanding physical activities. We wanted a design that was bold and classy. Our goal was to bring atmosphere and depth to this package and use elements that also help ground it in the MMA world.”rnrnThe challenge on both projects was to create toolkits that were easily managed by an in-house team and versionable in an edit bay. Roger molded its creative to maximize the use of whatever system used its graphics. The MMA package needed to be especially flexible since the elements are integrated during live broadcast. In the case of MLB, Roger took advantage of the Avid’s capabilities in tracking type into a plate of footage to elevate the animation of the package. rnrn”Creative collaboration with the client is our ultimate goal,” concludes Lee. “We work best in settings where we can easily have a dialogue, ensuring that everyone is on board every step of the way. This was our approach with MMA since three entities — us, Spike and Original Media – were involved, which ultimately made the collaboration better for everyone. Jason Scott from FSN is a great creative and understands the process from both sides. It was one of the biggest packages we ever delivered, but also one of the smoothest.”rnrnCreditsrnProject: Fox Sports MLB Show Package rnAirdate: March – October 2012 rnrnDesign & Motion Graphics Company: RogerrnCreative Director: Terence LeernArt Director: Paul YehrnExecutive Producer: Sarah ColernProducer: Drew NeujahrrnDesigner: Robyn Lee, rn2D Animators: Paul Yeh, Scott Warniak, Anthony Mai, Jun Kwakrn3D Artists: DJ Kim, Justin WilcottrnCoordinator: Brandon StevensonrnMusic/Soundtrack: ‘Dark Horses’ by SwitchfootrnrnProject: Spike TV MMA Uncensored Live Show PackagernAirdate: March 1st – Ongoing rnrnDesign & Motion Graphics Company: RogerrnCreative Director: Terence Lee rnArt Director: Dane MacBethrnExecutive Producer: Sarah Cole rnProducers: Drew Neujahr, Brandon StevensonrnDesigners: Gabe Ferraro, Robyn Leern2D Animators: Gabe Ferraro, Justin Wilcottrn3D Artists: DJ Kim, Justin WilcottrnMusic/Soundtrack: ‘Equinox’ by SkrillexrnrnAbout RogerrnRoger is a playground that brings creative visions to life. As a motion graphics production company, we specialize in design-driven storytelling, integrating live-action, 2D/3D design, editorial and animation. Our unique approach to working with clients begins with loud and clear communication. Here, ideas bloom year-round, nurtured by a wellspring of creative talent we have cultivated. Recent clients include Nickelodeon, Burger King, MTV, FOX, ABC, Sony, Pitch, Discovery Health & Fitness, HGTV, WeTV and AMC. www.roger.tv
Michele Lu Kumar Priya PR 310.922.0464 Contact Michele via email
Liz Charky Directs a Playful and Reflective Video For Henry Hall’s “Tiny Door”
Directed by Liz Charky, the music video for Henry Hall’s ‘Tiny Door’ is a playful and profound exploration of the song’s intriguing perspective on love. Silly moments and serious heartbreak are skillfully weaved together in a series of cheeky, dreamy, profound, and sometimes psychedelic scenes. “I am a huge fan of love songs that have an unusual, hyper-specific perspective on love,” says Hall. “That’s what I wanted to do with ‘Tiny Door.’ It’s about loving someone unconditionally while recognizing that love is something that isn’t always straightforward — I think that’s something we all attempt to come to terms with in our lives. I thought it was a unique yet universal detail about love and therefore an intriguing subject matter for a song. Even though the song is a ballad at its core, it still has a lighthearted sense of humor to it — that’s really portrayed well by Liz, and Ellin Aldana, our cinematographer.” Charky explains, “When I first listened to the song, I felt it was a love song full of longing with a kind of wishful melancholy. As I spoke with Henry about his intention behind the lyrics and sound, I was assured that I'd need to explore heartbreak in a nuanced way – with a degree of levity and playfulness. For me, falling in and out of love runs the full course of human expression. Love and heartbreak can be so emotionally intense and sometimes lonely, other times quite goofy or liberating. In developing the concept, I focused on both the literal and figurative ways that falling in and out of love might look like. So, you see Henry and co-star Franny Arnautou falling, flying, dancing, raging, winking, smiling, and... Read More