The next time you watch a James Bond film, pay attention to the title sequence. Even the very early Bond films used motion graphics to create the effects of women diving into dry martinis (shaken, not stirred), and guns firing slow motion bullets. In the 1960’s and 70’s, motion graphics were cutting edge and expensive. Now in a complete U turn, motions graphics are utilitarian and cheap.
The increased use of motion graphics came with the availability of desktop editing applications, with the term “motion graphics” coined by Trish and Chris Meyer in their book about the use of Adobe After Effects.
The real value of motion graphics is to allow still images to be animated; no longer do you have to do any filming to make a video. Indeed, there is an increasing trend among Tallboy’s clients to use motion graphics rather than have shoot days. Superb videos can be made purely in the edit suite, all without shooting a shot. But – be warned – cutting back on shoot days doesn’t necessarily saving money. Complicated motion graphics, such as the opening sequence on the BBC 10 O’Clock news, takes time.
However, simple, clean motion graphics can be created both easily and very efficiently and can really enhance a video, particularly if it is fact based. Re-doing simple motion graphics to re-fresh and update a video can also be an easy option to ensure your video remains current.
Tallboy has the expertise and the skill to make highly effective motion video based videos. Click on the link to view some of our best examples.
Fun facts:
- Saul Bass, born in 1920, is seen as a father of the use of motion graphics in film title sequences. The opening titles of the hit series Mad Men is considered a tribute to his style. He died in 1996.
- British director Daniel Kleinman is the brain behind the opening sequence of the Bond film Casino Royale. He wanted to use motion graphics to create the same feeling as the early Bond films – although Casino Royale is the only Bond opening sequence that doesn’t feature women.