Track Exploder is a Netflix documentary sequence primarily based on the critically acclaimed podcast from Hrishikesh Hirway, the place musicians “take aside their songs, and piece by piece, inform the story of how they have been made.”
In episode 2, Lin Manuel Miranda, creator of the record-breaking musical Hamilton, breaks down one of many present’s most recognizable hits, Wait For It.
I had labored with Tremolo Productions earlier than after I contributed to “Shangri-la” for Showtime.
I made an animated sequence through the musician Nils Frahm’s section.
This was the place to begin for the “Track Exploder” venture.
At first, I didn’t have a lot to work with. It’s a dwell present, and I think about that the rights of the dwell efficiency captured have been Disney+’s property, so I used to be pressured to begin this venture guerilla fashion.
At first, I searched on-line for the efficiency and display screen captured them on fast time; then I rotoscope them to create the fabric I may work with.
The subsequent part was typography.
It was a pure alternative because it’s a tune, and kind animation is a cheap materials to fill the time and house.
Combining these 2 parts, I put collectively a 10-second check animation.
Then I made a comp in After Results with the lyrics damaged down right into a timeline so I may piece all of it collectively.
This allowed me to dam out which part needs to be typography to punctuate the lyrics and which needs to be different supplies (or generally each).
Within the meantime, the blokes at Tremolo offered extra reference supplies I may work with.
They filmed an actor dressed as Aaron Burr performing the tune. With a mixture of extensive, center, and close-up photographs of assorted actions, I ended up with lots to select from.
I then used the reference footage for rotoscoping.
I additionally integrated extra discovered footage from Hamilton.
In addition to utilizing my very own arms.
The tune and its rhythm actually dictated the selection I made with the animation, and every little thing got here fairly naturally.
This was one of many uncommon initiatives the place every little thing went so easily that I’ve nothing however good reminiscences to look again on. The venture itself, the collaboration with Tremolo Productions, and the way it has been obtained.
In our area, you don’t all the time get to see your identify on the credit score, and I can’t assist however really feel humbled to be part of such an awesome venture and see my identify on the finish of the present.
Authors Bio
Masayoshi Nakamura, A.Okay.A. Good Normal is a contract animator, Movement Designer, and illustrator.
You’ll be able to examine his life as a freelancer in his ongoing mini-comic sequence, “John, I’m solely freelancing,” on Instagram and his web site.
You may also click on right here to see a dwell speak he hosted with good pal Adrian Letechipia about his journey to date.