Also, take the time to visit www.elliotelliotelliot.com

Monday, April 30, 2007

Boxhead and Roundhead - On The Run

You'll find all the Boxhead and Roundhead cartoons here now:
http://www.vimeo.com/channels/boxhead

28 comments:

Jason Kotey said...

cool stuff! utterly mad!

I love it, dude!

Boris Hiestand said...

it seems they're getting more sophisticated technically. Like with the others I think your choice of music is very strange, but I like it. well done!

Elliot Cowan said...

Jason - cheers pal.

Boris - I am always pleased when you are happy.
Regarding the music: firstly I pick something that I like, not just because it's pointless choosing anything I don't like, but because as I usually have to listen to it six or seven hundred times it's good to have a track I'll still feel enthusiastic about after the 451st time.
I try and pick something with some sort of rythm.
I don't edit the tracks to the music, but I think that listening to the music creates nice timing in your head on a subconscious level.
Thirdly, the music usually has a connection to the vision, even if it is only tentative.
In this instance the lyrics have very little to do with it, but the original film clip involved the band running around a small town somewhere in Ireland, I think.
I only saw the clip once when I was 15 or so but the upbeat pace worked well with all the running about so I stole it and used it for myself.

Boris Hiestand said...

The fact that the images don't time to the music makes me feel very uneasy, which might add to the chaos you're trying to create here. Still, I'd rather feel easy when watching a piece! The timing of your films always feel slightly off somehow. If you animate to a click track or metronome like in the old days, you can insert any piece of music afterwards. Of course you don't have to have something happen/an accent on every beat, but subconsciously it will help the 'feel' of the 'flow' more, 'dude', even if you choose not to have ANY music under it.
Karma dude, zen, you know... totally.

But hey, I still love it! dude.

Elliot Cowan said...

I can't agree with your policework there, Boz.
I think my timing is very good, regardless of the music.
Occasionally I deliberately like to leave a bit of empty space just to mess about, this is true.
I also don't entirely agree about timing to the music, but to decide who is correct we will have to duke it out with broken bottles in a back alleyway somewhere.
So watch your back...

Boris Hiestand said...

let's have beers first, THEN kill each other.

now you can say something horrible about my mother to fire me up.

Jampix said...

Hi Elliot I truly enjoyed your new Boxhead and Roundhead film your choice of music added a je ne sais quoi feel which for me is rather a plus then a minus.

Thumbs up dude, all the way!

Elliot Cowan said...

BH - Your mother is a homo.

BF - Thank you. A very nice thing to say. I wish you good luck and hope that your massive Belgian testes are emptied with regularity and great volume.

Patricia said...

Elliot, I have suffered for B & R and wish they would emigrate. That place is not safe, especially if there are swarms of flying cochraches. Your timing, music and plot are impeccable, I think this is your best film and, as a member of the public, my opinion should count for something! (word verification is BAGZA, quite appropriate, eh?)

Elliot Cowan said...

Patricia - thank you so much.
It's funny you mention the immigration because I've been contemplating doing something similar.
Needless to say they wont find that the grass is greener anywhere...

Anonymous said...

I agree this is your best film yet!!

Elliot Cowan said...

I suspect that BnR will discover that the grass is no greener on the other side.

DW said...

this has to be your best yet! you rule!

Elliot Cowan said...

Cheers Daryl.
I'm finding your Beano stuff amusing.
Your caricature of Posh is very entertaining.

Anonymous said...

Ellioty! Congratulations on your Adventures of Boxhead and Roundhead. I have thoroughly enjoying viewing them. Nice choice of music with Crowded House. May this big wide world be treating you well.
Much love, van-wah

Elliot Cowan said...

Van-wah!
You champion!
Say hello to Juan when you see him next and give Pam a punch in the throat for me!

Anonymous said...

Consider it done!
Van-wah

MikeS said...

well done, elliot. they get better and better with each new short film. cheers!

Elliot Cowan said...

Cheers, Smookalooka.

max said...

Obviously it's love for your characters that motivates you.

This is really good fun. I agree with all said by those that commented before me. It's really accomplished without being polished.

Elliot Cowan said...

That is true for the most part, Max.
As for being accomplished without being polished...you could describe my career, sex life and personality the same way.

hugo der knabe said...

I just came across your blog and saw how great is your film making method, how impressed I was with it.
I give you my best wishes for your future endeavors.
If you have a moment, please visit my drawings-blog

mr.ed said...

buenísimo! y una gran canción también!

great! (& great song too)

Elliot Cowan said...

Hugo - thank you very much. Your own work is very good.

Ed - you have been a favourite around here for quite some time.
Oscar and I discuss you often.

Animated AF said...

Just came across your Blog via Cartoon Brew. Very nice animation with a great style and lovely smooth movement. After effects I presume?

Elliot Cowan said...

Cheers Gagaman - Thank you very much.
I think I've seen you on Drawingboard.com.
I do use After Effects.
I've dabbled with Flash but in the end gave up, frustrated and baffled.

Dante said...

Lovin Boxhead and Roundhead. Any chance that between you and Matt you might release the music? Also you might like to check out fill you in by Josh Pyke on you tube. The artwork is done by Jason Peacock who is another awsome artist.

Elliot Cowan said...

Heya Dante.
There seems to be some real interest in the music.
I've emailed Matt about putting it online somewhere.

As for Josh Pyke, I sure do know him.
I made some very minor contributions to one of his music video clips - Live In A Box, it may have been called.

 
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