Wintry Mix

In December 2022, the jazz guitarist and Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at UNT, Davy Mooney, reached out to our lab to collaborate on a unique experimental animation of the song Wintry Mix from his latest album, Way Back. Here we share the behind-the-scenes of the creation of this project that just got completed in time for the launch of Mooney’s new album.

Christine Veras and Philip Martin collaborated to create unique hands-on frame-by-frame animations for Wintry Mix in the experimental animation lab. The process started during winter when they captured videos and images of the Texas landscape, as that was one of the inspirations for the song:

They animated using a variety of techniques and tricks: In a multiplane structure, we shot through ice, we used calculator rolls to paint sequences, strips of paper cutouts to simulate the guitar strings, we used torch lights to create light effects captured frame-by-frame, and we even animated time-lapse sequences of plants seem through a kaleidoscope to mimic the saxophone vibrations. All to create textures and movements to help the animation reinforce and play with the melody.

All the animations were captured using Dragonframe, the industry-standard stop-motion animation software. Once exported, the material was edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, mixing and remixing the animations, layering, and overlapping them to match the mood and rhythm of the music. The entire process was a playful experimentation.

The complete video for Wintry Mix was launched in June 12, 2023. See the complete animation below:

Wintry Mix Animation

Watch here the audience reaction to the film compiled by the Experimental, Dance & Music Festival 2023:

Here is an interview the festival did with Director Christine Veras: https://matthewtoffolo.com/2023/09/01/filmmaker-christine-veras-wintry-mix/

American Idiot Collab

Students in the Experimental Animation Course created in our lab original animations that will feature on the stage during the American Idiot play produced at the University Theater at UTDallas. The play première is on Thursday, October 27, 2022. Tickets can be purchased here.

Play synopsis:

“Slinging razor guitars, thundering drums, and an anti-hero named Johnny. Not the prelude of typical entries in the canon of musical theatre. But these elements herald a groundbreaking American musical all the same: with the burning passion of characters who yearn for something more, songs bursting with emotion, and a story that dares you to feel and celebrate and hope.

The music of Green Day and the lyrics of lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong captured the zeitgeist of a generation with its Grammy® Award-winning multi-platinum album. American Idiot puts those raw emotions front and center in a highly theatrical and thoroughly satisfying rock opera that burns up the stage.

Monster hits like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, 21 Guns, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Holiday, and the title track soar like they were written for the stage under the direction of Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), choreography by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Black Watch) and music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal).”

In the project, the animation students met with the play director Christopher Treviño and the projections designer, Safwan Chowdhury. Segments of three songs were chosen, and the students started to animate them. See below the credits of the animations for each song:

See below a few behind-the-scenes images of the students while animating:

Once the play is over, we will make all the animations available for viewing on the lab’s YouTube channel. See below for a sneak peek of the work and get your tickets to see the animations on stage with the amazing performers.

Watch here the completed animation pieces: