THAC11 report
The eleventh Twenty four Hour Animation Contest (or THAC11) is now behind us. This is the second year I participated (Battle of Smallville) and, while waiting for the results, I want to share with you some of the best entries.
This year’s theme was “A Mistaken Identity.” You know, when you see someone and think they are someone else. In THAC, the theme can be interpreted however the participants like (and they did so in very creative ways).
If you like to play the game, you can try to spot the mod element. In every frame of the movie, there must be a red brick connected to a grey brick or the there must be the letter T visible in any way (printed, built, or anything creative that looks like a T). That is a way to make sure the participants produced their brickfilms within the 24 hour time frame of the contest.
It would take you over 2 hours to watch all 76 brickfilms made for THAC11, but I picked out the best ones for you. Just for the fun of it, here’s my favorites in categories I just made up.
Best overall performance
“The Does” by A&M Studios
“The Does” takes us into a classic family sitcom with a nice setup and good animation. As the director says… well, you’ll see. I only want to point out that it is a very good use of different minifig’s heads.
“Con” by AquaMorph Productions
Based on a good narration, the animation is well done and really helps to tell the story.
Very good lightning… I love all those back lights.
“The Code’s Game” by AniMax
I don’t know the show they are referring to, but I catch the gist. What I like is the way there is a helicopter in the movie… without ever seeing it.
Best Space Themed movie (aka MonsieurCaron’s favorite)
“Sector Se7en” by Spencer Olson Films
Wow, the best short in my opinon. And it’s in Space, what can I ask more? The use of SFX for the holograph and the flying is very well done.
“The Supervisor” by Legoander
WOW. This is a simple yet effective little story. And well animated robots and humans.
“Planet of the Sneeuwpop” by Annoying Noises Productions
You gotta love the way those spacemen teleport.
Best use of microscale
“Expectation” by Loïc F-B
Loïc F-B made good use of lightning in his film. I love his city landscape in forced perspective. I’m taking notes here for my own movies.
“The Key” by Binding Brick
Making the spaceship in microscale was a great idea. A nice montage that goes well with the music.
Most amazing integration of the mod element
“Mental” by Chris Wynn
The way the MOD element (the letter T) is hidden is just awesome. Check the white walls.
Best use of Chima
“AX 2” by PritchardStudios
Good use of Chima minifig and Chi bricks. I like the way we switch between worlds.
Best dream sequence
“No Crawme Steals Christmas” by Brickhead Productions
You must see that cop sleeveless ! And… is that a song or what ? It’s a great movie!
“How I survived” by Sean Willets
I could have put this one into the “Best use of microscale” too.
Best plot twist
“The Liberator” by Bluper8
There’s a good twist in this story.
“The Police Delivery” by ForlornCreature
Another well animated good short story.
“Magnus Lapsus” by Mighty Wanderer
Nice smooth animation and good voice acting… except for the end. NOOoooo
Best non-English language
“Fish tale” by soppenjim
Very funny use of the theme. The spoken language is Norwegian. Don’t worry, there’s subtitles.
You can wath all 76 brickfilms on this playlist.
As you know, the C in THAC is for Contest, but I prefer to look a this event as a Challenge. If you can make a good brickfilm within 24 hours, you’re a winner, you made the challenge. 🙂 Tell us which one is your favorite brickfilm in this year’s THAC and why… because there are so many ways a brickfilm can be great!