Recent
Origins of Us
BBC
Darkside got involved from design through to final output on this amazing new show by the BBC. Over 140 shots were created in just over 5 weeks. Roto scopes along with 2D overlay graphics combined with 2D to 3D conversions of still art work make up the vast majority of the show, as usual working with the folks at the BBC was immensely fun.
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OTHER RECENT WORK
Kudos & the BBC
Outcasts
Darkside completed over 300 vfx shots for the BBC 1 sci-fi show Outcasts. Set in the year 2040, Outcasts tells the story of a group of people setting up for long term colonisation after the Earth was destroyed.
BBC
Horizon
Darkside created a beautiful set of animations, that take the viewer to the centre of the earth, as part of the BBC’s long running and highly acclaimed documentary series ‘Horizon’. It was broadcast on BBC2 on 31 August.
WAG TV
Life on the Line
Sometimes it can take a few design iterations to get a final animation that really sings, as these different titles for the Discovery Channel’s ‘Life on the Line/Factory Lines’ series show. After working through a few initial pitches with WAG TV, including this charming Saul Bass inspired animation, we finally developed the grittier and more industrial look you can see in the final title sequence.
WAG TV
Life on the Line
Pretzel
NR Reading
Pretzel
JP Morgan
S & M
America’s Cup
Darkside animation provided the graphics for America’s longest running sporting event: The America’s Cup. Sets of blank score boards and striking icons were skilfully animated so that all of the information could be updated live throughout the race.
Pretzel Films
GoodYear Tyres
Darkside was commissioned to design graphics and organic data-flows to complement Pretzel Films’ elegant, high-concept promotional film for Goodyear Tyres.
Kudos
Hustle
“We love Hustle!” We were thrilled to be asked to produce CG-VFX (26 shots) for a number of key sequences on episode 3 of their new series. The shots invlove recreating a roulette table, including its hidden inner workings, in full CG. The finished result looks truly photoreal! Our sincere thank’s to Jane Hudson (Producer) and Roger Goldby (Director) for inviting us to play a small role in this fabulous production.
Rolls Royce
Electric Phantom
Darkside has created the presentation video for what is probably the most desirable ‘green’ car on the planet, the 102EX Experimental Electric Phantom!
Iron Maiden
The Final Frontier
Darkside Animation Films were thrilled to be chosen to imagine and create a universe for Iron Maiden’s title track video of their new album The Final Frontier (Released on 16th August 2010).
As well as working around the clock to turn out three months of animation in just 6 weeks, the Darkside team developed entirely new technology to bring to life as never before Iron Maiden’s monster mascot and protector Eddie.
Chameleon Design
DFDS – Sea Captain
This fun commission was geared as a re-brand following the recent takeover of Norfolkline by DFDS Seaways. The animation clip depicts the DFDS Sea Captain travelling home to a huge welcome from his family. A big thank you to Keith and the Chameleon team.
CBBC
Mission 2110
Mission 2110: 9 feet tall robots are always a very cool thing to build! Darkside have been commissioned to produce the CG VFX elements for the first two series of CBBC’s exciting new children’s sci-fi show set in the distant future. The show cleverly shadows CBBC’s highly successful Raven format, but delivers a truly 21st century experience – where every second counts!
Bray Leino Agency
Litozin
We are delighted to be commissioned, once again, by the prestigious Bray Leino to produce two 10 second TV Commercials for Litozin – a unique patented food supplement, made from specially cultivated rose-hip. The end result was two animated TV commercials that had a vibrant and highly stylised look that followed two specific themes – gardening and dance.
Bray Leino Agency
Freederm
CG animated sponsorship “stings” for the final series of Big Brother and for the new series of Vampire Diaries.
ITN
Election Night
The Darkside Animation team are understandably delighted to have been chosen to provide supporting 3D Caricature Election Graphics for this truly historical event in British politics. Working with the highly professional and very talented ITN design team has been a very inspiring experience for us all. We are thrilled to have been allowed to play a small role in the first class Election coverage provided by ITN. We must also give special thanks to Kojo and his team for their support and guidance throughout the project.
Kudos Film & TV
Spooks BBC1 (S8 – Ep8)
Darkside were also commissioned to produce CG-VFX for the final episode of series 8. As you would expect, the action and drama is super-tense as the Spooks team fight for every second before a massive bomb explodes – which is where we step in! CG elements for this pinnacle sequence were put together in record time. We must also give a special mention to Neil and his team at Special Effects GB Ltd for their excellent SFX contribution to these exciting sequences. Special thanks also to Alrick, Chris, Bea, and Kim.
Kudos Film & TV
Spooks BBC1 (S8 – Ep2)
Darkside were commissioned to produce two key sequence shots of a series of huge explosions at a major gas distribution works. All CG visual effects were created from single plates with post animation layers added on top.
Virgin Media TV
Trauma (Titles & Stings)
Darkside were commissioned to produce a series of titles & stings variants, as well as a countdown sequence, for this hit US show which has come to Virgin TV. The brief was to use shards of glass to create and form the word Trauma against a black background.
Pretzel (London)
Network Rail
The Northern Hub: Following the massive PR success of our first Network Rail commission, we were delighted to be retained again for a second film that was focused on Network Rail’s “Northern Hub” project. This second film followed the same highly stylised look as the first. It comprises of approximately a minute and a half of CG animation and tells a short story about the expansion plans that will benefit people living in the north of England.
Kudos Film & TV
Spooks BBC1 (S9 – Ep1)
Having produced key CG-VFX sequences for the last series, it is fantastic to be commissioned, once again, to produce CG-VFX for the latest series. This BAFTA winning show is surely No.1 for tense action drama and we are naturally delighted to be allowed to play a small part in its creation.
Pretzel (London)
Network Rail
London to Scotland Link: Pretzel – Network Rail
Wag TV
X-Machines
Wag TV’s fantastic new series is “Top Trumps” on TV for the world’s ultimate super machines. Fantastic! This exciting new series was commissioned by Discovery Channel and is currently showing on Quest (Channel 38 Freeview) on Thursday evenings at 10PM. Each episode is an hour long and features three super machines. Darkside were delighted to be chosen to develop and produce the programmes titles, stings, and data deployment screens, which follow a Transformers meet Thunderbirds theme. Additionally, we were also commissioned to produce the same for the US version of the programme which goes under the name of Heavy Metal Taskforce.
Bray Leino
Olbas Oil
Darkside produced one 20 second and three 10 second CG TV commercials for Olbas Oil. 3D assets were used for the project which were created, textured, lit and animated to bring to life the Olbas family for this latest campaign. It is always an honour to be selected for such a long-established household brand! The run of commercials TX’d in the run up to Christmas 2010 with a TV campaign still running. As always, it was a total pleasure to work with the very professional Bray Leino, with special thanks again to Ellie.