OVERVIEW
The city of Kalamazoo Michigan is home to many historic companies and brands like Gibson Guitars and Checker Cab. This 10 minute animated video was produced for Kalamazoo Valley Museum as part of their local history gallery renovation. The video is shown at the entrance of the gallery to give visitors an overview of what's to come. The assets I had to work with were somewhat limited to what the museum had on hand, things like old postcards, photos, a few film clips, and a terribly damaged recording of a classic local radio jingle. They also wanted to use some licensed footage from B.B. King and the classic motion picture "Orchestra Wives" which featured the song "I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo" Challenging as it was to create, they were very happy with the results: a whimsical magic cab ride through Kalamazoo history.
FEATURED SKILLS:
Creative Concept, Graphic Design, Animation, Video Production, Audio Production.
Creative Concept, Graphic Design, Animation, Video Production, Audio Production.
SOFTWARE:
Apple Final Cut HD & Motion; Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Avid ProTools.
Apple Final Cut HD & Motion; Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Avid ProTools.
PROJECT SAMPLES
INTRODUCTION: The video opens just before dawn as we hop on board our magic taxi cab. The radio crackles to life with the sounds of Kalamazoo's yesteryear, and off we go!
AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY: This section celebrates rural Kalamazoo County's rich agricultural heritage as well as the early industries that once employed thousands, but now have faded away into memory. The featured music here is performed by local country music legend Rem Wall from his long running WKZO television show which is featured elsewhere in the video.
GIBSON GUITARS: One of Kalamazoo's most famous companies is featured here in a montage of famous artists who've played Gibson guitars over the years. It's closes with the immortal B.B. King playing what might be Gibson's most famous individual guitar, his beloved "Lucille"
THE CLOSER: After a brief trip through some of Kalamazoo's famous brands via animated postcards, our journey ends at a drive-in theater where we've arrived just in time to catch the most memorable moment of "Orchestra Wives" featuring the swingin' big band sounds of "Ive Got A Gal In Kalamazoo" Just try getting this out of your head after working with it for 3 months...