How many of you remember the famous A-Ha music video that allowed the young woman to enter the world of the sketch? If you’re old enough you likely remember going “wow!” at that music video and wondering how in the world they did that. Well now an app has been invented that allows you to experience this sensation as through the camera on your phone you can turn your own home and surroundings into a living art sketch. Developed in the Trixi studio, this app does cost a small amount and comes with three different filters that you can use to view your surroundings.
So why is this so cool?
A-ha’s music video Take On Me was a revolutionary attempt at making a work of art within the video. A young woman was able to enter the sketch world and experience life on the other side of reality so to speak. Once there she and the hero attempt to escape a couple of pursuers that eventually catch up to them. The hero then rips a hole in the comic page through which the girl escapes. Later on it’s discovered that the hero is okay and eventually he joins her in the real world. It’s a strange love story that has a definite twist but it works well with the song.
How did the app get made?
The original video used what is called rotoscoping, which is in effect tracing over the live action film one frame at a time to give the impression of smooth, uninterrupted movement. This was what allowed the film to appear as live action in one part and sketch animation in the other. By using ARKit, Unity 3D assets, Gameflow, and animations made by Mixamo this app is able to turn virtually anything within the scope of your phone’s camera into a work of moving sketch art.
How long did it take to make?
The original video took days and even months getting right through the process of rotoscoping. It was a time-consuming process that had to be repeated over and over for each individual frame. Many times it had to be redone so that it looked and felt right in the video. With the ARKit version it took just a couple of days to complete. That’s one of the biggest differences from then to now, the technology that is available makes things happen a great deal quicker.
It might seem like a bit of a silly app but really it’s no sillier than any other program you might put on your phone and it can be a lot of fun as well. Fans of A-ha, who took a break after 1994 and then again after 2010, will no doubt get a kick out of this new app and think it’s something great. It is in fact something that a lot of people can enjoy just for the simple fact that it brings back a little nostalgia and a love for the music videos of the old days.
Follow Us
