Claytorial

Common Craft has posted a blog entry listing “Explainers to watch in 2009.” The team at Claytorial was excited to see our name on that list, along with some other members of the Explanation Network, including our friend over at Nutintuit, Joshua Gunn, who does the web video series “In A Nutshell”. Gunn recently completed a video of the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken.” Another useful blog that made Common Craft’s list is Explainist, written by former members of the HowStuffWorks.com team.

We have had an amazing last few days. In the last week we have not only met and spoken to many unique companies that share the love for innovative creative custom videos, but we have also spoken to people that share their own interest in the production of these explanatory videos. The people at Claytorials would like to thank Common Craft for bringing us all together, and wishes the best of luck to all inspiring video producers out there. We look forward to hearing from many creative minds out there.

Coverage is just flooding in on claytorials. As shown below, they are mentioned on Killerstart ups, and now, striking the attention of TechVibes.  Either get on Killer Startups and make a vote, or hitup Techvibes and lay down a comment

I suppose that some people out there might wonder why use claymation to illustrate the ins and outs of a product or service. And, in fact, there are several answers to that question. There have been a multiple of different formats and styles out in the tech sphere that have been used to create a product demo. None of them are wrong, just different.

Check out common craft. They use paper cut-outs to help simplify a complex process. Everyone has seen a flash animation that highlights a step by step process. And there has even been screen shots with voice-over accompaniment that describe complex functions. That’s why claymation made so much sense. It hasn’t really been utilized in this way on the web before. It’s a style that is instantly recognizable and yet fresh all at once.

There have been some great claymation advertising campaigns in the past. Anyone remember the Techron commercials for Cheveron? Claymation even has a timelessness quality to it, if I may be so bold. I could see people enjoying Wallace and Gromit for generations to come.

To summarize my point I’ll leave you with a personal favorite of mine - Pingu. This little guy has been charming guys and gals for decades. He was hot before “March of the Penguins” and he just has such great attitude.

A big thank you to the people  Eyejot in Seattle for upgrades to our account.This will be of great help to us up here in Vancouver in the delivery of the claytorial. If any of you haven’t had the chance to peek eyejot, I would definitely check it out, they are doing some interesting work in making video messaging the norm.