Client: Intel, Inc., via a multimedia and animation studio it hired, TRACER Design (Phoenix, AZ)
Summary: I was retained by TRACER to provide creative consulting, production and storyboard design, and script writing services to develop a 3D-animated video, that would help Intel to launch the computer industry’s first line of cellular and radio modems for portable PCs
The result: This 7:30 minute video, “Freedom,” was shown by Intel around the world, and was very favorably received
Contents
(1) Background
(2) The script I wrote for this documentary
(3) The video
(4) The result
(1) Background
In 1992, Intel was preparing for its launch of the first generation of wireless modems for portable computers, and wished develop a video to introduce 3,000 marketing executives throughout the world to these products – in a very dramatic fashion.
Intel retained TRACER Design, of Phoenix AZ, a multimedia and computer animation firm, to develop the video. I was subcontracted by TRACER to consult on, write the narrative script for, and design tge this video.
The original concept, developed in conjunction with Intel by TRACER’s CEO, Chad Little, was to convey that these new wireless products would “cut the cable” between portable computers and land-wired telephone networks; hence the title we gave the video, “Freedom.”
(2) The script-storyboard I created
The Terminator T-1000, a liquid metal assassin, from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)
Via continuing consultations with Chad, we came up with the concept of using chromium mannequins to tell the first part of the story, of the difficulties that “road warriors” — traveling professionals — had at the time, always having to find a phone jack into which to plug in their laptops and mobile devices. The chromium mannequins idea grew out of our shared love of a move that had been recently released, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” which featured a liquid chromium villain. This was cutting-edge 3D animation at the time. Watch the trailer here.
The video project was divided into two parts:
- A dramatic opening sequence, that would take the viewer “inside” the project
- The main body of the video, which would contain explanatory narration and visuals
The opening sequence that I designed, and the overall theme of the video, features our 3D chromium mannequins dragging large cables through a forest, which are then severed by Intel’s “Excalibur”-type sword.
The main body of the video contains:
- 3D visualizations of how messages are forwarded from tower to tower, and are stored until the user opens his/her portable computer and logs onto a wireless service, at which time the message is transmitted
- Market growth visualizations
- Animations showing how these modems are attached to portable computers
The remainder of the video would be narrative-driven, but also using our chromium mannequins as props to tell the story, whenever possible, for theme consistency.
It took approximately four months for me to develop and refine the script, production design and animation storyboard, after which it was signed off on by Intel executives, who were reportedly very excited about it.
(3) The video
Here is the finished 7:30 video, “Freedom,” the production of which was directed by Chad:
(4) The result
- “Freedom” was shown to approximately 3,000 Intel-affiliated marketing executives, and displayed at numerous technology conferences, throughout the world
- Through TRACER executives, I learned that intel was thrilled with the quality of the production, and the way it was received around the world.
- Because of the above, I was offered a job as a creative lead with TRACE, which I accepted. One of the major projects I worked on was researching, writing and designing the storyboards for the multimedia version of a book that Chad was contracted to write, “Becoming A Computer Artist,” via SAMS Publishing (here).