Animusic 2 Coming in Fall 2005

October 1, 2004

Production on Animusic 2 continues full-on. Pedal to the metal. Processors are rendering 24/7 and hard drives are filling to capacity.

There are 8 animations in production for the new DVD, plus quite a variety of bonus material. Most animations feature completely new sets of instruments and stages. However, since so many people enjoyed Pipe Dream, we're creating Pipe Dream 2 using those original instruments. Also, Mr. Stick (who graces the cover of Animusic-1) returns – this time sporting wheels, and two strings instead of one. And he brings friends. Six of them. Oh, and they perform on three different stages in the course of three minutes. Out of control.

One reason this production is taking a little longer than originally planned is the result of an important decision we made this summer. Rather than choosing between widescreen (16:9) or full screen (4:3), we are rendering all 8 animations in both widescreen and full screen. Each shot is separately customized for both screen shapes.

Because of the additional production time involved in completing two sets of renders, our release target is now Fall 2005. And we're trying to fit it all on one DVD.

Regarding the music, there is a rumor that it will be all classical. But although we may release an all-classical DVD some day, actually only one animation is done to classical music: "Pictures" features parts of three movements from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" (Promenade, The Hut, and The Great Gate of Kiev) . . .about six minutes. Then it's right into some odd-time techno followed by mellow acoustic (we like to keep people on their toes).

Thank you to everyone who has sent in words of encouragement (including "Hurry up and finish!"). It's great to know there are so many people out there waiting to see more Animusic.

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