CNN – Counterfactual Files
Counterfactual Files is a series of short-videos launched by CNN Politics and developed internally within the CNN Digital Creative team. Each series explored different ‘what-if’ alternate history scenarios with experts in the field weighing-in. Through the use of footage, images and 2D/3D assets I was responsible for the design, animation and editing for about half of the season, this was an intense sprint because the turn-around was pretty tight but all-in-all I was satisfied with what I was able to deliver within the short turnaround.
Details
- Production Studio: CNN
- Producer: Jackson Loo
- Creative Director: Jonathan Reyes
- Art Director: Padraic Driscoll
- Role: Designer/ Animator
One of the first things that was on the agenda was to design and animate the ‘Counterfactual Files’ open, this was something that we slugged into the open for every episode and was made into a toolkit so the appropriate Historian and copy would be updated with each episode.
‘What if Abraham Lincoln had Lived?’ This episode consisted of 2D and 3D animations and I received some support from the internal creative team on graphic elements such as the hand-waves of Lincoln (:38) and the cel-animated elements – chains + sickle (1:11), largely I was expected to own what I worked on.
I enjoyed giving these animations a Tim-Burtony’s stop-motion type feel. I felt the animation style would compliment the monotone-mood of the series.
Process Stills
This project required excellent time-management and the ability to problem-solve, you know that saying that “Every project is completed within the allotted time”? I can’t think of a more phrase than that.
Final Notes
A few keyframes here and there, a few late nights. But no compaints and a great time working with the team at CNN Digital Design.
