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Prada’s Trembled Blossoms
 February 8, 2008 4:55 am
Trembled Blossoms, a short film advertising the new Prada line, is worth pointing out not for its animation, which is a blend of awfully inept mo-cap and awkward CG effects, but for the simple fact that Prada is using animation to promote its clothes. Illustrator James Jean has posted some of the concept artwork that he created for the film, and for the record, it’s far more pleasing to the eye than the finished product. (via NotCot.org) |
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Am I the only one who’s reminded of the Diva from “The Fifth Element”?
I just watched this the other day, and was so disappointed with the finished product . . . James Jean is, in my opinion, one of the most unique and talented artists to come around in a long time and he deserves projects that will make his concepts and artwork shine.
At the same time, kudos to Prada for recognizing and embracing Jean–I hope the exposure will make people more aware of his work and lead to better-executed projects down the line.
Processrecess–Jean’s blog–is fantastic, by the way.
I have to agree, the concept art is so much better than the final product! those drawings are so beautiful.
plus, that plaid dress makes her look fat! :P
If you take the money it costs for that handbag and invest it in an Orange savings account, you’ll get a better return.
seems to me the problem with the final film is mostly in the rigging of the models – - really poor weight painting (not to mention the models themselves). the way her belly caves in and the unsightly creases of the elbows and wrists.
also just from a technical standpoint in shading, if they had just done something with the ambient color they would have gotten so much closer to achieving the subtlety and softness of jean’s original paintings. instead we’re left with harsh outlines and almost toon-style shading. just a great example of what happens when you have poor technical directors – - perhaps unsung heroes of digital animation. unfortunately its usually the case when you don’t even notice their work, you don’t realize what a great job they did.
the final “commercial” is especially sad in falling so short of the great potential inherent in jean’s paintings.
finn parks: thanks for your thoughtful perspective about why this commercial doesn’t work. much more interesting to read than the typical “this sucks” variety of comment.
That fashion catwalking cycle was insufferable
Flawed or not, it’s very lush and elaborate, like a Prog gatefold or a Metal Hurlant from the ’70s.
What a great illustrator. Thanks, Amid!
I was appalled by the commercial product oh-so-promoted by Prada. Having to deal with a worldwide campaign, I began a superficial, I admit, search of information about the animation itself. I was more curious about the technique and the making off than the advertising purposes of the film (because, personally, I don’t see the commercial end of this campaign). As an art work, it’s impressive (and thanks to your posting I came to know the artist’s original work on his website), relating to the actual products is, however, completely another story.
The original drawings, I agree, are far more interesting and catchy than the animation.