Ever since CGI animation more or less became the industry standard thanks to the mega-success of Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY (1995), animated films presented in either 2D or stop-motion have become something of an endangered species. Thankfully, studios the likes of Laika and Aardman are still producing stop-motion animated endeavors, and are helping to keep the meticulous art form alive on the big screen. Another studio that's keeping the stop-motion torch burning brightly is Vanguard Pictures, who recently released their eye-popping stop-motion animated short, TEKONAUTS: A STOP MOTION FILM.
Created over the course of five years, TEKONAUTS: A STOP MOTION FILM is comprised of tens of thousands of shots, and had taken hundreds of hours to complete. Produced by Vanguard Pictures and directed by Paul Greer, TEKONAUTS is a fast-paced thrill ride that finds two pint-sized cyborgs (one red, one blue) engaging in an over-the-top chase across a crowded highway of vehicles. As the characters bob and weave their way through traffic, stylish toy-like vehicles are thrown to and fro, scattering plastic car parts and would-be bystanders across a busy and brightly-colored strip. Clocking in under a short-but-sweet two-and-a-half minutes, TEKONAUTS: A STOP MOTION FILM serves as a fantastic reminder of just how mesmerizing stop-motion animated films can be.
If you dig what you've seen in TEKONAUTS: A STOP MOTION FILM, be sure to check out Vaguard's previous film, NITRO WARRIORS ANTHOLOGY, which features nearly fifteen minutes of LEGO and Hot Wheels-related animation madness.
Lastly, while not related to TEKONAUTS: A STOP MOTION FILM, you can watch the MISSING LINK video posted below, which gives you an in-depth look at the process of creating a stop-motion animated feature. Enjoy!