But, like so many apps this is a case of user interface and design not matching the content of any one particular audience. I love the look, the feel, the humor and the charter development. ![]() And on the other hand, a six year old who may engage with the opening narrative won't particularly find the game dynamics or learning their ABCs that enticing. They will be clicking the home button and heading elsewhere because the witty narrative and brilliant animation won't impress them. But, I'm not convinced that three and four year olds will appreciate the story enough to get to the section that seems to be designed especially for them. The games may be a little complex if children get to that section of the app (I'd have to do some testing to be sure). We know that after we play the D game, then there will be E game and I found myself wondering: "Do I really have to do this all the way to Z?" The ABC games are great for younger children: they have appropriate prompts and the audio celebrations of the characters and the little animation sequences between the games would appeal to pre-schoolers who are usually your target market for ABC apps. The issue for me was that the ABC section of the app was way too long, it is a narrative black hole. The Numberlys is effectively an ABC app bookended by an amazing narrative opening and closing inspired by the work of Fritz Lang. But as an adult reader of this app it was disappointing and as a child development researcher I think this app misses the mark in a way that many apps aimed at children do. The animation and their visuals alone make this app worth the purchase and I understand why they chose to go in the direction of creating the app in the way they have with the ABC element. The concept and execution of this storyline is damn good and I take my hat of to the creativity of the concept. They have the ability to tell stories that are as good as the best of them. We don't get 26 individual games for each letter of the alphabet.Īfter this section, we come to a narrative conclusion, which is most satisfying as it again captures the whimsy and wit that Moonbot Studios does so well. The games are cleverly designed in terms of visuals, but are not particularly groundbreaking in regards to game dynamics, and after a while the games start to repeat themselves. And, suddenly the Numberlys get all Letterly and we engage in a series of interactive games that help the characters to build and shape every letter of the alphabet from A to Z. Seeking something more than numbers, they go about inventing the alphabet. ![]() The games are focused on a collection of five delightfully crafted characters who set about attempting to make their world more interesting. Wherever possible shots were lengthened or combined to show continuous action.The reason for presenting The Numberlys as an app becomes clear in the second half, which turns from pure story to a narrative game. Actions were kept simple and linear wherever possible, avoiding cuts and anything that implied passage of time without directly showing it. We worked under very strict constraints for layout, advised by a professional provided by Amazon to help determine whether a preschool level audience would be able to follow the story. I’m also responsible for a number of final models, including the organ.Ĥ- "Sunbites" Commercial- Assembly ~ 1 week on previs and final camera for shots shown - Also responsible for a number of environment and prop modelsĥ- "Beats: Extraordinary Hero" Commercial- Gentleman Scholar - 2 days on previs for the first shot, 1 day on final robot animation - 1 day on previs for second shot, 1 day on final robot animationĦ- “The Numberlys” TV Pilot- Moonbot Studios - 2 weeks on sequence shown for previs, environment blocking, and some final modeling - This was a pilot for Amazon, intended for a preschool level audience. ![]() There were no existing storyboards or animatics. All of my layout for this project came from my own ideas working with the director. I was responsible for previs for all of the shots shown.ģ- "Sisters" Short Film- Psyop -1 week on sequence shown - I’m responsible for all camera work and staging for a large part of the film, including all shots in this sequence. ![]() The full film can be viewed here.Ģ- “Coca-Cola: Man and Dog” Commercial- Psyop - 1 week on shots shown - We did a full previs pass of this project in 3d before passing it to the 2d animators, who then worked from our timing and cameras. I was the Layout Lead and one of the Technical Directors on the film, overseeing all of the previs and camera work. 1- “The Boy Who Learned To Fly” Short Film- Moonbot Studios - A short film for Gatorade on the life of Usain Bolt.
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