Lightmill completes graphic animations for First Choice

Lightmill, a new South Bank graphics and editing facility, has just completed its second series of animations and postproduction for the sponsorship of ‘I’m Celebrity, get me out of here!’, this time for the travel company, First Choice.
The animations consist of three main sets of characters based in an Australian bush telegraph hut having a chat about where they would like to go on their holidays. Vaughan the leopard, lovebirds David and Victoria and a family of tree frogs called Perry, Divina and Angus.
“We decided to use the style of an ink sketch animation” said Flint artist Darian Weir, “to make the characters feel more alive, like the old Rhubarb and Custard cartoons. Personalities were also important. We spent a great deal of time developing gestures and facial movement. You’ll no doubt notice influences from some other celebrities!”
Discreet Logic’s new Flint version 8.3, recently purchased from Tyrell was used to create the animations.
“The new Flint is extremely fast and allowed us to multi-layer the animations and make instant changes. The new ‘expressions’ feature was particularly powerful especially when creating walk cycles for the characters. Each part of the character was programmed to react to another. This new Flint has proved to be faster than many older Flames.”
(GB)