portfolio - films
a selection of my animation work
This page features a selection of my animation films, starting with the most recent projects. As an artist, I am interested in combining my work with other, complementary, art forms. In the past, this has led to several collaborations where my music complemented or supported the work of visual artists, film makers, and performing artists. Through my work as composer for animated films, I have developed a particular interest in animation as art form, which has culminated in my becoming an animated filmmaker myself.
why I began making films as well
Most film-music assignments are time-constrained and leave little room for self-expression, especially in the US, where I have lived since 1993. As I prefer a condition in which there is time and opportunity to experiment, I decided that it might be interesting to create my own animation films.
This has resulted in a number of animated shorts, initially just experiments, but lately I have completed several films with a strong narrative component. For all films I do the sound design and some of the music. I started animating using 3D Studio Max (Water Worlds and Ancient Mystery), but for all recent productions I use Reallusion 3D software and Magix Vegas Pro as video editor.
the list
An overview of my main films. Click a thumbnail to access the movie. More information is available at The Virtual Realist.
It Was Only a Dream (2021-2024)
After a rough night,
a young woman ends up in a cheap hotel
and meets herself in a surreal dream with unspected consequnces.
Crying over Spoiled Milk (2017-2024)
Walter Pinhead is staying at his remote country estate,
just to get away from Halloween, which he detests. He is looking forward to a good night's sleep. All is quiet, or is it?
Knock on Wood (2021 - 2023)
In the town of Ratfort, some deceased are
still alive in their casket.
They're saved, but doctor and undertaker are at a loss.
One day, two elderly ladies gossip at the wake. The "deceased" gets so irate that he jerks up, giving the ladies a scare,
and the undertaker an idea on how to solve the problem.
A Glint of Hope (2019)
John
stands at the bedside of his young wife, Clarissa, who is dying.
After her passing, he faithfully visits her grave, until one day she
appears as apparation and cites a poem imploring him not to grieve
for her.
The Third Wish (2016)
Walter Pinhead has found a magic lamp on the beach.
Upset after wasting two wishes, he makes an
unfortunate third one that lands him inside the lamp and sets the genie free. The genie walks off, roaring with laughter. The next day, Pinhead is discovered by his friend
Xandra. This sets a series of events in motion that results in Pinhead regaining his freedom while
returning the genie to his proper place inside the lamp.
Playing Dead (2016)
In this surreal story, Walter Pinhead
finds the members of his Committee dead. However, the same Committee later attends
his funeral, after Pinhead has died in a scooter accident. Fortunately, his girlfriend wakes him up; it was just a nightmare.
The Lost Client (2014)
Private Eye Walter Pinhead is faced with quite a challenge
when his client Alura Simmons is kidnapped! Who is behind it and
why? Join Pinhead and his resourceful hacker friend Franciska on
their quest to solve this puzzle, and, eventually, free Alura. My
entry for the 2014 Pinhead competition, Kidnapped.
Radio Drama (2013-2024)
A radio announcer suddenly collapses at the end of the show. Was his
death natural or was it murder and, if so, who did it? Find out in
this animated short, based on a late 1940s episode of the Five
Minute Mystery radio play series, called Announcer's Delight.
Breezaway (2013)
An animated commercial for the imaginary product Breezaway,
which does wonders after a night of serious drinking. This is just a fun clip that served as my entry for the 2013
Pinhead Ad Man competition.
Brain Trust (2012 )
Walter Pinhead's Halloween takes a pleasant turn
when he is asked out by the attractive new recruiter, Carlotta
Panache. But what is she really up to? When Pinhead asks her to
drive him back to the office later that evening to pick up his keys,
he learns the gruesome truth.
Pinhead's Dilemma (2011 )
A time machine transports Walter Pinhead to a time before his
birth in 1950s England. His life being miserable, he ponders whether it would be
better not to be born at all. This was my entry for the 2011
Pinhead Lost in Time competition. It won an award for Best Story.
The Case of the Two Fiancées (2010 )
Inspector Thorne and his Sergeant Muggin are called to untangle
the murder case of the "handsome and arrogant Broadway star," Keith
Cameron, who has not one, but two fiancées! The story started out as
an NBC radio play from 1951, which provided the dialog for the film.