My good friend, Ivan Kander of the talented Lucky 9 Studios, came knocking in the middle of July looking for some help with overflow work. He had an agricultural project in the wings and given that I live in the rural farmland of Pennsylvania, it seemed as though I would have no shortage of inspiration. This NASDA project also gave me the opportunity to work with a recently-found colleague, Ross Bollinger. Ross is an incredibly talented visual storyteller from the Philadelphia region. We've each done some work for ReMade, so it was only a matter of time until we crossed paths. If you're looking for storyboards, animatics, or an all-around talented animator, tell him I sent you.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture was founded in 1916. Their primary objective is to represent the state departments of agriculture in the development, implementation, and communication of public policy and programs. These programs are designed to support and promote the American agricultural industry, while protecting consumers and the environment.
One of the interesting aspects of this project was that it wasn't just merely for the average viewer. It also needed to resonate with NASDA's members who are very much involved in the agricultural community. This meant walking a fine line regarding the visuals. Some details needed to look accurate to appeal to the agricultural community in addition to being instantly recognizable to the layperson.
One thing I learned on this project is that cows with black and white spots will always be dairy cows. Beef cattle look entirely different; with breed specific variations in colors and patterns. I'm sharing that knowledge with you.
This project also marked the first full project that I was able to use the BattleAxe RubberHose tool. I was fortunate enough to be invited into the closed beta, and it was incredibly clutch during this project. If you haven't already checked it out, I highly recommend it. Reach out to @battleaxedotco on Twitter to get the scoop.
Thanks for watching!
