Crazybridge News

March 22 marks the premiere of the special Omens of the Apocalypse on National Geographic. It’s a compelling look at the 2011 mass blackbird die-off in Beebe, Arkansas. The film is unusual not only for its subject matter, but its quirky tone.  Crazybridge created some funny 3D and 2D animations that we’re really proud of, but are hard to describe.

Here’s how National Geographic describes the show:

The year 2011 gets off to a disturbing start. On New Years Eve, blackbirds die in Beebe, Arkansas by the thousands. Nearby, fish and more birds perish. Then a wave of unsettling animal deaths seems to sweep the globe. Are the deaths connected? A wide-ranging story begins with an investigation of the blackbirds death and ends by assessing how the human mind is inspired, or derailed, by seeming patterns or coincidences in nature.

Tune Thursday at 10pm Eastern/Pacific.

Following up last year’s successful Earth: The Operators’ Manual, PBS will be airing two new hours on our changing climate and cutting edge energy production.

Hosted again by Dr. Richard Alley, Powering the Planet and Energy Quest USA premiere on Earth Day alongside a rebroadcast of the original show.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the CGI:

The three shows are scheduled to air on PBS Sunday April 22, local air times may vary.  You can watch the first show in its entirety on the E-TOM site.

Last summer, Crazybridge Studios was asked to create the motion graphics package and all 3D animations for a 10-part series on TV One called Will to Live.  The show features first person interviews and reenactments of people in dire, life-threatening situations and the inspiration they take from living to tell about them.

To emphasize the show’s focus on life-and-death situations, the show’s suspenseful tease is accompanied by a rhythmic heartbeat, visually represented by an EKG.  The pulse quickens and quickens until it flat lines, and as the title resolves, the beats resume.

The stories cover the gamut of harrowing situations, from spinal injuries to near death at the hands of a serial killer, so the 3D animations in each episode need to visualize emergency situations, bullet trajectories, medical procedures, and more.

In addition to these graphics, Crazybridge also created numerous visual effects, including bullet hits, muzzle flashes, and on-screen graphics.

Watch full episodes on TV One’s Will to Live site.

The buzz around Becoming Chaz is building and the reviews are great.  The documentary airs tomorrow on OWN at 9/8c.  There’s an in-depth article in the New York Times, and this one in the LA Times.

Crazybridge created the main title, as well as several motion graphics and medical diagrams.  We also designed the film’s poster.

OWN recently sent out promotional copies of their shows for Emmy consideration, and it was gratifying to see our poster adapted for the DVD sleeve.

“Bird Island: The Story of Isla Rasa” has won the Best Non-Broadcast Program award at the 34th Annual International Wildlife Film Festival, with an additional Merit Award for Animation.

Crazybridge created the animated main title sequence, as well as other animations for the short film.

The tiny island of Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California off the coast of Mexico is much smaller than Central Park, but is home to millions of migratory birds each spring.  In fact, nearly the entire world population of Heermann’s Gulls and Elegant Terns lives on the island between April and July.  Beautifully photographed and written, the film traces Isla Rasa’s history, from guano mining to current conservation efforts.

The 2011 International Wildlife Film Festival runs May 7-14 in Missoula, Montana.  “Bird Island” screens Saturday May 7 at 10am at the Missouri Theater and again on Tuesday May 10 at 9:30am at the Wilma Theater.

Congratulations to producers Sara Poisson and Alberto Montaudon!

You can find more info at the film’s official site.

Years in the making, Earth: The Operators’ Manual premieres on PBS this weekend as part of Earth Month 2011. Scientist Richard Alley takes us to diverse places around the globe to explain the effects of climate change and present real-world solutions for how we all can help solve our energy problems.  Watch for Crazybridge’s motion graphics throughout the show.

You can view the trailer on the PBS site.  Check your local PBS listings or the E-TOM site for air times.

The National Geographic Channel’s “Expedition Week” kicks into full gear on April 7 with the world premiere of Into Iceland’s Volcano:

“In spring 2010, the nearly unpronounceable volcano Eyjafjallajkull spewed ash clouds across Europe, bringing international air traffic to a standstill. Now, for the first time ever, a team of explorers descend into the nearby Thrinukagigur volcano crater – the only place on earth where it is possible to enter an old magma chamber. Inside the crater, the team finds crucial evidence revealing the inner workings of Icelandic volcanoes.”

Our new 2011 General Reel is now online for your viewing pleasure.  It includes clips of some of the studio’s latest work, from the gritty “Hogs Gone Wild” show package to the lyrical “Bird Island” for which we used 3D animation to create the look of traditional hand animation.

Filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” “Party Monster”) tell the fascinating and touching story of Chaz Bono and his transition under the glare of the media’s lights and in the shadow of his famous mother.  The documentary was a hit at Sundance and will be aired on Oprah’s OWN network later this year.  We were excited to do the graphics and title treatment, and privileged to also design the poster.

Crazybridge created and designed the look for Discovery’s new action-packed series Hogs Gone Wild which premiered this month.  The show follows three teams of professionals who trap these destructive and menacing beasts.  Believe me, this show is no boar.  See a sample on Discovery’s site.