Rubberman Music Video

Background: In the search for new visual styles of 3D animation, researchers often turn to analogue artforms for inspiration. Successful commercial examples include the stylized aesthetic of recent “Spiderverse” movies by Sony Pictures Imageworks which were inspired by the works of analogue illustrators. My research asks: how can an independent, experimental animator draw on analogue artforms to create 3D animation with a novel and appealing aesthetic? And how can this aesthetic appeal be used to promote environmental awareness?Contribution: "Rubberman” is a 4-minute animated music video designed in collaboration with internationally known Australian band, Jebadiah. My role in the creation of this work includes designing, directing, modelling, animating and rendering the video to which Jebadiah’s song provides the soundtrack. Through an experimental approach to 3D animation inspired by painting methodologies, the video achieves a novel and authentic visual aesthetic. Rather than having a definitive meaning or narrative, Rubberman is evocative or experiential which allows it to be appealing while alluding to serious global concerns including the proliferation of plastics in the environment.Significance: Rubberman has featured in 10 popular music magazines and websites. HiFi Way describes it as a “beautifully animated clip” and Pilerats featured it as one of “The 10 best Music videos of the Week”. It has screened on ABC television’s “Rage” program and, as of January 2024 (2 months after publication), the official Music Video on Youtube has been viewed by approximately 3500 people. The many positive viewer comments indicate that the clip engages the general public.