My original idea for this list was to feature each video and do a short, one paragraph write up about each. However, after I got through the whole list I felt that my write ups were too leading. So I’ve decided to shut up and let the work speak for itself. This is a collection of my top favourites from Vimeo in 2013, with a few entries submitted by friends. Featured here are some short films, visual effects breakdowns, promo spots, and TV packages. If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve likely seen links to these videos over the course of the year. I highly encourage you to explore each of them and find out what makes them all so awesome! Without further ado, and in no particular order, 2013’s best:
To This Day
To This Day from To This Day on Vimeo.
Surprise and Delight in Red and White
TARGET // Surprise and Delight in Red and White from Giant Ant on Vimeo.
MōVI
The MōVI platform has the potential to reshape what is possible in cinematography. We used to delight in complex shots, but over time we’ve become lazy and too comfortable with the phrase “fix it in post.” Perhaps the MōVI will help us get back into the frame and back to basics. (Also, I just love the horse.)
MōVI: The Burton Session from Freefly on Vimeo.
MōVI: The Macro Farm Session from Freefly on Vimeo.
Light Echos
Light Echoes from ben tricklebank on Vimeo.
Why Do I Study Physics?
Why Do I Study Physics? (2013) from Xiangjun Shi on Vimeo.
Audi R8 V10 Plus Evolution on the Outside, Revolution on the Inside
Audi R8 V10 Plus Evolution on the Outside, Revolution on the Inside from Mark Jenkinson on Vimeo.
MTV IDOL
These are gorgeous promo spots for MTV in France. A lot of these, especially the use of colour, remind me so much of the promos that MTV used in the US back in 80s and 90s. (And it should be obvious by now that the quickest way into my heart is by featuring some animal…)
MTV IDOL from Polynoid on Vimeo.
Earth Day “Rethink Butts”
Submitted by @ragingclaw, this short spot makes a powerful point.
Earth Day “Rethink Butts” from Psyop on Vimeo.
Anchor Glass Cows
Anchor Glass Cows from Assembly on Vimeo.
Making Glass Cows from Assembly on Vimeo.
The Abolitionists
Title Sequence for American Experience’s mini series “The Abolitionists” from G.R.O.W. on Vimeo.
No Money Down Low Monthly Payments
Submitted by @ragingclaw.
No Money Down Low Monthly Payments from Lukas Vojir on Vimeo.
Iron Man 3: HUD + GFX Process Reel
IRON MAN 3 : HUD + GFX PROCESS REEL from Johnny Likens on Vimeo.
Sleep and Live
Sleep and live from Adam Blumert on Vimeo.
The Bear & The Hare
The Bear & The Hare from Hornet Inc on Vimeo.
The Making Of: The Bear & The Hare from Hornet Inc on Vimeo.
Tuurngait
Tuurngait from Tuurngait Team on Vimeo.
Transparent Machines™
Transparent Machines™ from beeple on Vimeo.
Yule Log 2.0
This is a project put together by Daniel Savage featuring over 60 artists from around the globe. You should check out the Yule Log 2.0 project and watch as many of the shorts as you can find time for. These two are my favourites.
Yule Bonfire & Forest Friends from Yule Log 2.0 on Vimeo.
Vince Guaraldi’s Living Room from Yule Log 2.0 on Vimeo.
Keloid
Carn
Carn – Jeff Le Bars from Jeff Le Bars on Vimeo.
Box
The machines featured in Box were put to use making much of the magic seen in Gravity. These platforms, along with things like MōVI, are some of the advances I think will get us back into truly groundbreaking production territory—we’re not gluing pens to plates of glass anymore.
Box from Bot & Dolly on Vimeo.
“Oblivion” Process Montage
One of the things that really impressed me about Oblivion was the use of a 360° rear projection screen to supply the practical lighting for the tower interiors using cloudscape footage captured at Haleakalā in Hawai’i. Don’t “fix it” in post if you can get it in frame the first time.
“Oblivion” process montage from dlew on Vimeo.
SmashHits – Ice/Jelly
SmashHits – Ice/Jelly from Analog on Vimeo.
Did I miss one? Is there a video on your list that would be criminal not to include? Let me know in the comments!
