Newsletter #8 - Snags and a New Trophy
Can’t believe we’re already halfway through the year – and I don’t know about you, but this winter chill has really gotten to me! Things have been buzzing here at Machine Studio – bouncing between BBQs, character rigs, and unveiling the trophy for Machine Games.
Uber Eats – Democracy Sausage Campaign
A big one to kick things off was an Uber Eats shoot, part of their cheeky Democracy Sausage campaign, timed perfectly with the federal election.
Uber Eats teamed up with Aussie cooking legend Iain Hewitson – flipping snags and cracking jokes to encourage Aussies to vote and to get a sausage delivered straight to their door, onions optional.
It was a one-day shoot with a full crew, sunny skies (interrupted now and then by low-flying planes), and sizzling BBQs. We brought in most of the crew externally, which let the Machine Studio team jump in wherever needed to keep things running smoothly. With the election just around the corner, the edit went out quick smart.
As a reward, we managed to hang on to the barbecue for our very own arvo BBQ, but don't mention it to Special.
Behind the scenes shots of our Uber Eats Democracy Sausage Shoot
Wayarang DEWR Animation – From Snags to Sliders
Once the election hype faded, it was back to the post-production suite. Damien and I dove deep into animation land, working on a two-minute explainer for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), in collaboration with Wayarang.
I took on the role of character animator – rigging up sketches by the talented Tahlia Pearce in After Effects. Once the heads, limbs, and eyebrows were all rigged and ready, it was time to animate.
A little tip: filming yourself doing the motion and referencing it while you animate can make a big difference. It might feel silly, but it really helps to bring the characters to life.
Rory films himself striking character poses for our recent work for Wayarang.
Outside of client work, we also finally unveiled the trophy for our very own Machine Games. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to check out the video here… I still reckon my design is better.
Watched: It Was Just an Accident
With winter comes the Sydney Film Festival, and one standout for me was the Palme d’Or-winning It Was Just an Accident – a slow-burn, politically charged film set in Iran.
Jafar Panahi, director of It Was Just An Accident
The story follows a group of victims driving around in a van with a man tied up – someone they believe was their torturer in prison. Over the course of the film, they try to uncover whether he really is who they think he is… and if so, whether or not to take revenge.
A small-budget indie, it’s stripped back – no score, just diegetic sound. It relies entirely on story and character. You're drawn in slowly and uncomfortably, but with moments of unexpected humour that ease the tension.
After the screening, I looked into the director, Jafar Panahi, whose work consistently pushes against censorship in Iran. He was supposed to speak at the screening, but couldn’t attend due to illness. I would have loved to hear what inspired him to tell this story. Still, the film went on to win the Sydney Film Prize – and deservedly so. It’s a bold, unsettling piece.
That’s all from me for this edition. We’ve got a busy period ahead, and I’m sure you’ll hear all about it in the next newsletter.
Till next time,
Rory
