Hasta La Motion!

> Quicktime H.264
(6.6mb)
> iPod Compatible
(4.5mb)
> Watch in Flash
(4mb progressive)

Germany’s ZDF (aka Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen) combines the Chinese landscape with Olympic athleticism, along with the obligatory cultural reference in the form of a flying dragon for this slick branding of their Games coverage.

– Big thanks to Ulrich for the video.

> Quicktime H.264
(17mb)
> iPod Compatible
(6mb)
> Watch in Flash
(5.5mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(47.5mb)
> iPod Compatible
(18.7mb)
> Watch in Flash
(16.2mb progressive)

UPDATE: Added the “making of” video above.

Designed by BDA Singapore, this is the “official opening title sequence to the Beijing Olympic Games 2008″. Official because its the sequence used by Beijing Olympic Broadcasting, the host broadcaster of the games set up to provide television signals of the games to the rest of the world.

The video is a combination of live action and 3D animation, and is based around the “Chinese elements of nature – metal, wood, water, fire & earth”.

Read more about the spot here and here, and thanks to Nick for the video.

> Quicktime H.264
(123mb)
> iPod Compatible
(85.9mb)
> Watch in Flash
(70mb progressive)

David Mitchell, from That Mitchell and Webb Look recently narrated a Channel 4 series called TV is Dead? all about the “challenges the television industry is currently facing as a result of the digital revolution”.

One part of the series looked at the often over looked importance of television idents, something Australian television loves to dismiss, and something that this site is all about promoting. The clip should serve as an interesting introduction to the world of idents, and also offers a great peek into the UK television industry.

– Enormous thanks to Andy for the video.

A terra cotta bunny, a playboy centerfold and a Mandril. What do these things have in common you ask? If your answer was the cast list to the greatest YouTube video of all time you’d be wrong (that would be cool though). The correct answer is that these are all images used and re-used in the testing process of creating digital imagery. The folks over the unfortunately named Art Fag City have put together a post of 20 CG Image Archetypes for your browsing pleasure. Lots of good history and links here. Take a look.

[LINK] (http://www.artfagcity.com/2008/07/28/img-mgmt-20-archetypes/) to the original post (marginally NSFW because it has a naked teapot in it)

Thanks to Azathoth for the link

Share and Enjoy:

> Quicktime H.264
(3mb)
> iPod Compatible
(2.6mb)
> Watch in Flash
(2.1mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.7mb)
> iPod Compatible
(2.2mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.7mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.1mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.2mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.6mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.6mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.3mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.1mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.7mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.4mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.1mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.8mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.5mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(1.9mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.5mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.3mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.5mb)
> iPod Compatible
(2mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.7mb progressive)

An incredibly simple use of aerial footage, combined with the familiar beats of music that screams “you’re watching a news channel” create a surprisingly effective collection of idents for Al Jazeera English.

They express the kind of simple dignity that an international news channel broadcasting to over 100 million people should command, as opposed to say this.

– Big thanks to Sean for the videos.