Hasta La Motion!

Scott Amron’s Stircle stirs coffee without sticks or spoons. Have Scott send you a Stircle or two for your coffee shop, office, hotel, cafeteria, convenience store or restaurant.

http://www.AmronExperimental.com/Stircle.html

“Stir sticks – 400 million of these are thrown in the trash every day. That bothers me. Wooden sticks are bad. Plastic sticks are worse. I wanted a way to stir with no sticks.

So, it goes… Place cup here. Stir happens. Grab and go. Less trash, less CO2, less money and more trees.

A Stircle costs 99% less to run than stir sticks and it stirs better. It can significantly reduce waste associated with stir stick production, distribution, usage and disposal. It can also replace the spoon used by employees behind the counter, ensuring a consistent taste with zero cross-contamination.”

– Scott Amron

University of Washington researchers have developed the first analog video backscatter system for high-definition video streaming from low-power or battery-free devices. The new system burns as low as 250uW for HD video streaming, which is 1,000x – 10,000x less power than existing approaches, by eliminating the power-hungry components of a typical camera—enabling battery-free HD streaming from devices such as lightweight wearables or wireless security cameras.

Several Taiwanese brands showcased their products during an event that marked the opening of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)’s new Delhi office on 17 April.

TAITRA was founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade. It assists Taiwan businesses and manufacturers in reinforcing their international competitiveness and coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets. TAITRA is jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations and several commercial organizations, and opened its first branch office in Mumbai in 1992 to enable Taiwanese businessmen to expand their business opportunities in India.

The opening ceremony of the office was held at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. On the occasion, Taiwanese brands like Tokuyo, Edimax, Gigabyte, VIVOTEK, Advantech and Thermaltake showcased some of their advanced products with fine Taiwanese technology.

Tokuyo, the Taiwanese massage product brand, displayed its leather massage chair (IOT) which is a great space saver and has a unique foot roller with a heating function that helps to de-stress. The brand also showed off its massage chair that comes with back 3D movement along with rolling and press function on foot.

Edimax Technology, a Taiwanese manufacturer of data networking products, showcased among other products its wireless AP controller Edimax Pro APC500 which is a device with web-based wireless network management system. The 2 x 2 AC1200 dual-band in-wall PoE access point which was also at the exhibition is a wireless solution designed to meet the needs of modern mainstream businesses. Its other sterling product is the Edimax AirBox: smart air quality detector which has temperature and humidity sensors. It is connected to a proven, advanced cloud network 24/7 so you can check data anytime and anywhere.

Gigabyte Technology, the international manufacturer and distributor of computer hardware products, displayed its classic ultra compact PCBRIX – a versatile compact PC available with a choice of processors. Redefining the desktop PC in terms of miniaturisation with a form factor that sits in the palm of a hand, BRIX offers leading performance in the tiniest of form factors.

VIVOTEK, a leading brand in global security surveillance, showcased its VIVOTEK H.265 cyber-security enhanced dome camera which is the new flagship H.265 dome network camera, embedded with Trend Micro’s anti-intrusion software, empowering it to automatically detect and prevent credential-based attack as well as block suspicious events, and enable users to enjoy higher levels of network security.

Thermaltake Technology, a manufacturer of PC case designs, power supplies, cooling devices and peripherals displayed its benchmark View 71 Tempered Glass Edition Full Tower Chassis which is designed to expand the legacy of the view series line-up. The  features unrivaled cooling support and expandability surrounded in tempered glass for a one of a kind view.

Global intelligent systems leader Advantech also made its presence felt at the event. Advantech offers trusted, innovative products, services and solutions. The company displayed its benchmark product UTX -3117 which is a plug and play IoT gateway to simplify deployment with multi-connectivity, optimized thermal solution, wide range power input and IoT software integration. The offering is ideal for smart city, smart retail, smart energy and industry 4.0.

These and many other TE products will be displayed once again in India for people to experience them first-hand when Taiwan Excellence will participate in two more events during the year. From  17 to 19 May, these products will be showcased at the Taiwan Expo to be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Similarly, Taiwanese brands will also be a part of the Smart Asia convention to be held at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre in Bengaluru from 4 to 6 October.

The post Taiwanese brands showcase hi-end technology at TAITRA’s new office launch in Delhi appeared first on AnimationXpress.

In the world of cut-throat competition when time is money and everybody is on the run, not having a minute to spare for leisure, many find solace in stealing a moment or two, by indulging in different forms of refreshment. Watching films is one of them and short films more so, as they don’t consume a lot of time as a feature would.

As defined by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a short film is “an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less including all credits”. And if they are animated, it adds to that extra dash of ‘feel-good’ factor for the admirers of this genre.

Crafted with love and passion over the course of a long time, animated short films act as breath of fresh air in this too mechanised a world. These films are a slice of life with its amazing content and treatment. Spanning over a canvas of varied subjects, some of these films focus on prized human sentiments such as love, hope while others convey life lessons.

Animated films enable us to look beyond the realms of reality which live films are mostly incapable of. They help us to envision the ideal that is otherwise an illusion in this real world. The treatment, animation stories get are so different and unique that it’s almost practically impossible to achieve in a full length live action film.

With rapid digitalisation when the world is available at the fingertips with a single click, makers and creators of animated shorts have chosen the social media platforms as the medium to showcase their films to reach a wider audience through their cell phones or other gadgets as that’s something the world is currently hooked to.

So here are a few silent animated short films that speak volumes with its content and leaves a mark on the audience (according to me):

Lili (2018)

Published on YouTube by PicLison
Created by: Hani Dombe (story) and Tom Kouris
Music & Sound: Gil Landau

How does it feel to let go of something too dear to us? This 10 minute 18 seconds wonderful short film aptly portrays that feeling through Lili, a small girl who refuses to let go of her childhood (symbolised by clinging onto her toys) and braves a sandstorm that threatens to take it away.

The sandstorm acts as a metaphor for puberty through which one is transformed from the world of innocence to the world of experience. In the heart of the storm she rediscovers the joy of childhood, but is forced to choose between illusion and reality. Just like all good things come to an end, she finally has to accept the adult life with ts responsibilities and complications, bidding adieu to the past simple life of a child.

The thought behind the film is beautifully captured through the treatment of the content. The protagonist Lili is smartly sketched keeping in mind the details of the character and the setting. She is made extremely simple with powerful expressive eyes. With stunning visuals and animation, the film is like an epiphany conveying the message – ‘genius is knowing when to stop’.

Farewell (2017)

Directors : Chen Yang Hsu, Adeline Jacquot, Paul Jourdain, Alan Sorio, Eléa Trahay
Music : Raphaël Joffres
Sound : José Vicente & Yoann Poncet.

Published by CGBros on YouTube, Farewell tells the heartwarming story of Esma after she has gone through a painful miscarriage. Post this irreparable loss, strange arrival of a hand-drawn bird opens the mind of this young artist for a new start.

Unable to have a baby she began to treat the bird like her own child with full compassion. The way she painted the meadow, represented how a parent builds ground for their children and provide them the warmth of a shelter to grow. The bird then expressed its love and gratitude before finally flying away from the ‘nest’ and she has to let it go, just like a parent has to leave their children to make them walk on their own.

The entire process of overcoming grief through an artistic rebirth and realisation might be the product of her imagination reflecting her inner strength as a character to endure pain and carry on under any dire circumstances. This seven minute short film sends across an important message to look at the positive side of life and how art helps people sustain this otherwise morbid existence.

The animation is absolutely stunning with emphasis given on minute details (it’s when a tear droplet falls on the hand-drawn egg, that it cracks) and audio effects, like the paper in the wind and when she puts it down on the desk. It’s well modelled and inspiringly made with a relatable character where one can actually feel  what the character might be going through. The end triggers a bitter-sweet feeling that lingers long after it’s over.

Tamara (2014)

Directors: Craig Kitzmann and Jason Marino
Writers: Jason Marino (story)
Music: Paden Schmidt and Jaco Wrong

This four minute 36 seconds independent animated short film by Mario is a delicate and sensitive tale about passion, limits, life and the power of dreams. The film opens with Tamara, the little protagonist dancing in joy with her stuffed-toy. But the underlying message of the film surfaces when the audience discover that she’s deprived of the power of sound and words.It delivers a powerful message of self-belief and empowerment. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what what your condition is. What matters is the will to go on and turn the shortcomings into strength, under any condition.

Tamara lives music and dance. She hears with her heart and not merely with ears which becomes more evident from her mother’s expression while she watches her little daughter dance away “to the stars”. Her refusal to give up and not letting her disability come in her way embodies her as the golden ballerina dancing away to glory.

The animation is beautifully made keeping an eye on the details which makes it more lifelike. With unconventional looks and innocently expressive eyes, this big-headed girl creates a place in the minds of audience and emanates the peace she feels while living her dream.

 Head over Heels (2012, posted online in 2016)

Presented by: The National Film and Television School
Writer and Director: Timothy Reckart
Produced by: Fodha Cronin O’Reilly
Stars: Nigel Anthony (Walter), Rayyah McCaul (Madge)
Cinematography by: Chloe Thomson

This British stop motion animated short film is probably the dearest one on this list. Nominated for Best Animated Short Film for the 85th Academy Awards, Head over Heels tells the story of Walter and Madge, an elderly married couple who have grown apart from each other after many years of their marriage.

They live separate parallel lives (he lives on the floor and she lives on the ceiling) barely even looking at each other, leave alone talking. When Walter tries to reignite their old romance, it brings their world crashing down on the ground (both metaphorically and literally) and the couple who can’t agree which way is up must find a way to put their marriage back together by striking an equilibrium.

Posted on YouTube in August 2016, this 10 minute 21 seconds film beautifully captures the complexities of relationships and the various phases it goes through in life. The couple’s world mirrors the modern world which is devoid of a focal point. Thus their world turns upside down, (which is again subjective to each of them) when they fight and cannot zero down on what’s correct way.

Though they seem to have drifted apart, they still have an invisible bond between them that binds them together. The film conveys the message that love always finds a way back if it’s meant to be and it’s never too late to mend anything, even a broken relationship.

The cinematography is fantastic and the animation is smartly crafted, which has won them the first Annie Award for Best Student film and the Cartoon d’Or for Best European Animated Short. The characters resemble clay dolls with unique and immensely expressive as well as sharp features, but it’s the concept and its execution that truly wins over anything else.

Destiny (2012)

Writer,Concept and Script: Fabien Weibel
Directors: Fabien Weibel, Manuel Alligne, Sandrine Wurster, Victor Debatisse.
Sound: Antoine Duchene

“Is it possible to change destiny?”

This is first thing that comes in mind when this five minute 25 seconds long movie comes to an end. Destiny tells the story of a man who is obsessed with time and has clocks all around his house. One morning he wakes up and goes through his perfectly synchronised morning routine until he steps out and gets hit by a bus.

Instantly after the first crash the character seems to wake up from a dream and finds himself back in bed but a few seconds behind the previous version of himself with the potential therefore to save himself or fail and continue this same loop.

The story that was initially shown as omniscient storytelling is re-contextualised as his subjective narration. But soon enough he shows up again in the next scene, duplicated and the narrative point of view is further contextualised. This goes on repeatedly and now the story is being told from the point of view of a character who sees himself on his way to an accident and tries to change the course of events to evade the catastrophe.

Strongly influenced by Harold Ramis’ Groundhog Day, the film aptly sets the mood and the sound rhythm is heightened in order to raise tension. The cameras are usually static in the first half and start moving with increased speed as the film advances. The sound also plays a key in signaling the supernatural elements and complementing the slow motion camera effects introducing a nice sensory image (the character breathing deeply, bathed by sunlight).

The film cleverly focuses on the different concepts of time- ‘temps’ (literal time) and ‘duree’ (figurative or mental time) and spreads a message of not getting caught up in a routined existence. When one stops worrying about ‘time’, it seems to stand still and one (the protagonist) is able to enjoy the beauty of the world which otherwise gets bogged down in a mechanised life. We repeatedly miss the magic around us found in the simplest things in life. But destiny (read death) seems inevitable and inescapable as made very evident at the very end (after the credits have been rolled) and there lies the twist of the tale.

The post #FeatureFriday: Short films, big content: looking at few beautifully made animated films. appeared first on AnimationXpress.

My Hero Academia, the popular series from the anime genre will reach a larger audience, thanks to a new broadcasting deal with Cartoon Network’s Toonami.

With Funimation and Hulu both airing new sub episodes, My Hero Academia will create history in the arena of anime with its simulcast deals.

The excerpt of the series goes like this:

The storyline is based in a world where many people have superpowers known as quirks and there is an entire league of Pro Heroes, who operate around the globe protecting citizens from any threats. A young boy, Izuku, the biggest fan and student of the pro hero world steps in. But, he has no hope of becoming a hero as he was born without a quirk. Fate plays its role when he meets the world’s greatest Pro Hero, All Might, and learns a miraculous secret.

Funimation announced on Twitter the series will air on Cartoon Network’s Toonami starting on May 5 with FLCL occupying the midnight slot with the updated summer schedule. The first episode of FLCL2 was premiered on 1 April which was received positively.

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