A Scanner Darkly

Based on legendary science-fiction author Philip K. Dick's own experiences, "A Scanner Darkly" tells the darkly comic, but deeply tragic tale of drug use in the modern world. The film plays like a graphic novel come to life with live-action photography overlaid with an advanced animation process-a method known as interpolated rotoscoping, first empolyed in Richard Linklaters 2001 film "Waking Life" - to create a haunting vision of America seven years from now. The site design, which is extremely digitized and pixelated, places the user behind the scanning console themselves, scanning the film and actors, but in turn also being tracked as you view the site. A very cool looking production.... More

A Scanner Darkly

ByeByeBlackBird

ByeByeBlackBird is a minimal movie promo site that for a movie directed by Robinson Savary, with James Thierree, Derek Jacobi, Michael Lonsdale, Jodhi May and Isabella Miko. The website presents all the characters, music and clips, and promotes the film with a very simple navigation (using Flash) based on the movie billboard poster. Nice interpretation of the poster and successful job turning it into a website. Unique.... More

ByeByeBlackBird

Coraline

Based on a novella by Neil Gaiman, (Sandman comic books) and directed by Henry Selick (Nightmare Before Christmas) this new stop-motion film promises to be an inspiring tale and visual treat. This creation took about 10 years to evolve from a bedtime story to a complete movie, but it's a good thing it did – it is the first movie to be shot in stereoscopic 3-D, making it ideal for a modern 3-D viewing experience. But before you go, be sure to see the eclectic web site and create a button-eyed version of yourself.... More

Also posted under animation & game design, extra experimental.

Coraline

Digital Film Festival

Not just a great design. DFILM is a pioneer site that provides all the information you need to break into the emerging field of Digital Film. DFILM provides the complete resource - a classroom, a stage, and even a trading post for used film equipment. See the online festival and even make your own Flash movie.... More

Digital Film Festival

Eveo

Eveo, Inc., seeks to democratize the entertainment industry by putting the means of distribution in the hands of filmmakers. Eveo has set about developing a new form in this clean, duotonal site.: the eveo - personal, engaging, short videos that convey unique creative visions from independent filmmakers all over the world. The site accomplishes its goal through a utilitarian approach to the colors and a tight navigation scheme to quickly lead users through short bits of content and showcase the variety of movies.... More

Eveo

Hanso Foundation

For those who are not familiar with the TV show, this site is the launching point for a massive interactive game based on the hit ABC series Lost. Hinted to in a commmercial during the show (Tivo users may have missed this), a live TV ad points you to the fictional Hanso corporation site which actually is the beginning of a cryptic crossover game that intertwines with the mysterious happenings on the TV show. Done in a sort of 'Donnie Darko' way [a classic design for scary films], the site seems harmless enough until you start to dig deeper, and reveal some disturbing elements that would not appear in a regular corporate site. Interestingly this game, being called 'The Lost Experience', will continue on for several weeks, with different clues being given in each country the show is aired... sometimes online, sometimes by phone, or through the show itself. So,... More

Also posted under animation & game design.

Hanso Foundation

Hungryman

Hungryman developed this new site to show off the company's personality, and exhibit the sense of humor of their directors. Using unique textures and vintage photos borrowed from eclectic rock station WACKY79 (Louisville, Kentucky), every page merges the kitsch mystique of these 1950’s - 1970's grainy photos with the award winning work of the Hungryman Directors Roster. In addition to the simplicity of the design, the pages are contrasted with fluid and snappy motion that create a subtle visual tension. Overall, this website feels nostalgic, lovable, and may even bring a wry smirk to your face.... More

Hungryman Commercial Production Company

KM Broadband

2 very ambitious broadband sites. Movieline is focused on presenting up-to-date movie trailers for indie films. Gravitygames presents an ambitious lineup of broadband content for all 'X' style games - from skateboarding to wakeboarding. Nice graphics and generally interesting, but somewhat lacking in fresh content. Both are interesting places for getting the low-down and insights into film and sports artists. See trailers from the latest releases or competitions and learn a bit about the artists and athletes in the Flash and Quicktime driven broadband magazine formats. These are the first of several ambitious broadband platforms that kick media is developing. They are all linked locally from Kick Media BroadBand.... More

Planet Earth

Don't forget to catch this show this Sunday. Planet Earth, a five years in the making mini-series event will be an epic visual feast for the mind and eyes. In this day and age where we may easily forget that we even share this planet with other animals, this show will hopefully be a consciousness-expanding event. While the site itself has some poor points, is overly bulky (need at least 1GZ and broadband) and is rather disjointed, it really will come down to the show broadcasting on March 25th. This site gives you a tiny taste of this marvelous new nature show... and sadly, perhaps one of nature's last hurrahs.... More

Also posted under green design.

Discovery Channel | Planet Earth

Remstar Corporation

Remstar Corporation plays a big role in cinema, music and television entertainment in Canada. This full flash corporate web site is rich in content (each film has a trailer) and easy to navigate with quick, and fluid animation. This site also includes a content manager so the client can update its content. Nice and clean.... More

Also posted under corporate design.

Remstar

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

A very simple and beautiful site with few gimmicks or "flashiness" for this anticipated third film from Julian Schnabel (Basquiat, Before Night Falls). It just maintains an overall cohesion of colors and treatments — type included — that gel nicely together. We also really liked the blurry, "bleed-to-white" spot-transitions between sections. Very nice.... More

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

The Ring

Apparently if you see this site you will die 7 days later... Well, not really, but we were just happy to see another dark 'trailer-site' emulating the seminal Donnie Darko. The Ring.... More

The Ring - Official Movie Site

Tongsville

A miniature, but deeply detailed world is now complete in this slightly bizarre site for a video production company, Hammer & Tongs. In Tongsville visitors explore a number of unique city attractions & metaphors - try the bank on the boardwalk or visit the theater - where each is a refined interactive destination. Tongsville uses a menage of pixel styles that are best compared to famed digitally designed experiences like Netbabyworld and eBoy's eCity. Interact and enjoy the surroundings, but hang in there, as there's lots hidden away to be found... (psst, try to find God Mode!).... More

Tongsville