Constantine Claymation - John Con Noir - Our Latest Masterpiece!

John Con Noir is a Constantine claymation for the television show Constantine starring Matt Ryan. Its character, John Constantine, is from DC Comics' Hellblazer. The sets, puppets and props were designed, fabricated and built by our very own Carol Rasaphangthong and Jennifer Kim - who were also the animators on John Con Noir. The graffiti art in the alley set was done by artist, Amy Tanaka, who occassionally, like several other artists and creatives, lend their special skills and talents to Cool Town projects.

Constantine John Con Noir EP.1 "Trash" was featured on DC Comics' website and DC Entertainment's official YouTube channel. It has been mentioned on several blogs and websites such as ChannelSuperhero.com and others alike. It is a property of Warner Bros. and currently lives on DC Comics' website and can also be found on our social outlets and channels as well as NBC's official site.

Find behind-the-scenes content on our official site!

We're Moving!

For the latest updates and most current events please visit us here: http://www.cooltowncreations.com  Trust us, you don't want to miss what we have in store - come by and see for yourself! See you there!

Have a Happier New Year!

NEW!! Late Night Television: Couch Commerce Ep.1

Don't you just love infomercials!?! It's so bad, it's good!  A new series from Cool Town Creations/Claymation - sit back, relax and laugh-out-loud!

Late Night Television: Couch Commerce Ep.1 features "Insta-Hickey", "Insurance Software" & " Key-Earrings" mock infomercials. These are intended to make you chuckle just a little on the inside - so please, put away your wallet and whip out your sense of humor. Enjoy! 

Behind-the-scenes and other exclusives:

Instagram: cooltownclaymation

facebook.com/cooltownclaymation

twitter: @cooltownclay

Credits:

Written/Directed/Edited by: Carol K. Ras-

Art Dept: Carol K. Ras-, Jennifer Kim, Irma Gomez & Coral Huerta

Animation: Jennifer Kim & Carol K. Ras-

Original Music by: Dave Grimm

Voice Over Talent: Noelle J. Paul

A Cool Town Creations™ Picture

StopCART-Motion™ -or- StopMoToon™ Is a NEW HYBRID developed by Cool Town Creations/Claymation™

StopCART-Motion™  {stop-cart-motion} also coined StopMoToon™  {stop-mo-toon} 

by Cool Town Creations/Claymation™

StopCART-Motion™  -or- StopMoToon™  is a unique hybrid between a mixed medium animation. It’s predominately Stop-Motion Animation with a Cartoon Effect which is used to create a very specific atmosphere intended to not only support a storyline, but to enhance the visuals by combining an array of mixed medium art. This technique really allows us to create cartoon style films using a method that we’re already familiar with and are working to master, Stop-Motion Animation. We appreciate the art and efforts that go into making both types and in no way is this intended to take the essence away from its original formatting, but to bring them together and help them immerge, so to speak, in this technologically booming era. This unique union allows both mediums, along with others that may be mixed in there, to support each other, to help to create a world that may not otherwise come to life as envisioned or realized, but only when coupled with two totally separate worlds, 3 Dimensional Animation (Stop-Motion) and 2 Dimensional Animation (Cartoons), along with others.

StopCART-Motion™  or  StopMoToon™  was birth like most innovations were---within  limitations. We had to get creative with limited resources, and not only is this true with a lot of our projects, but this was also experimental. The lack of resources in this particular case was---time; and it was a major part of how this all came to play. Another major thing that really helped in the birth of StopCART-Motion™  or  StopMoToon™  was that we had set pieces and characters all in different sizes and scale, and were a bit bummed about the possibility of them not ever being used again unless, of course, we decided to continue creating puppets and sets at that particular scale. So, in using this technique, we’re able to reuse a lot of our characters, sets and props because, essentially, they would never be shot together even if they’re in the same scenes (with very few exceptions).

This is truly an immersive technique for us and we are excited to develop more projects using the StopCART-Motion™  or  StopMoToon™ format in both the near and distant future. 

Be sure to check back soon for samples of this technique!!

Happy New Year!!

{2013} Here we come!

Behind the Scenes "Crush"

We are working to bring you the latest Cool Town short film...thanks for you patience and please stay tuned!

"Fresher Than Cool: Mic The Unheard" Ep.4 Highlights Abbey Scott!

Cool Town Claymation's newest segment "Fresher Than Cool: Mic The Unheard" highlights singer/songwriter, Abbey Scott. Read more about Abbey Scott below!

Bio:

Abbey Scott began her journey in pursing her musical career as a songwriter. Her ability to capture emotions and frame moments into words doesn't limit her to just inking them, but she would later discover her desire to sing them as well.

Her lyrics are refreshing and her music are both deep and energetic---from a unique concept to an obvious subject, Abbey's innovation shines. She is currently writing with other artists while compiling a demo of her own. She plans to shop her music for potential commercial usage---films, television, etc. as she continues crafting her artistry. Abbey is also hoping to do more shows. So, be on the lookout, whether it's sung by her or not, it's only a matter of time before you hear an Abbey Scott song hit the surface.

Trivia:

Abbey is also a Host & Reporter, Actress & Model. You can peep her Hosting Reel on her YouTube page or link to it from her website. (links below)

Abbey's Official Website:

http://www.abbeyscott.com/

Listen to more of Abbey's music here: 

http://www.myspace.com/abbeyscott

http://www.youtube.com/abbeyscott1

"Like" her Facebook Page here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Abbey-Scott/189537462000

Cool Town is an innovative platform for creative artists to collaborate and turn a simple thought into something tangible-stop-motion animation that is entertaining, educational and visually stunning. We are looking for underground, indie, unsigned musicians in all genres who want to gain free exposure and add to their following. This is an opportunity to be headlined in our growing community; we'll conduct an interview, feature the artists' material and highlight the artists in their own personal segment we call "Fresher Than Cool" hosted by Cool Town's very own Claymation VJ's. 

Email: cooltownclaymation@gmail.com for more info!

"Fresher Than Cool: Mic The Unheard" Musician Highlight Ep. 2 Ron Deuce "The Truth"

Cool Town Claymation's newest segment "Fresher Than Cool: Mic The Unheard" highlights Ron Deuce "The Truth". Download "My Gift To You" & read more about Ron Deuce below!

Bio:
"I am a Music Artist who has traveled numerous times across the U.S. My mission is to give my account on life in order to inspire, push, and communicate with people. Music is my weapon, and Music is my peace." -Ron Deuce "The Truth"


Other Links:
DeuceTheTruth.Tumblr.com
YouTube.com/RealWorldDeuce


Download Ron Duece's latest album "My Gift To You" here:  http://www.megaupload.com/?d=46X3VVKD


”MY GIFT TO YOU” WILL GIVE NEW LISTENERS AN UP-SCALE VIEW ON MY TALENT, WHILE GIVING FANS/FOLLOWERS OF MY MUSIC A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF MY BACKGROUND.” - RON DEUCE ”THE TRUTH”


Cool Town is an innovative platform for creative artists to collaborate and turn a simple thought into something tangible-stop-motion animation that is entertaining, educational and visually stunning. We are looking for underground, indie, unsigned musicians in all genres who want to gain free exposure and add to their following. This is an opportunity to be headlined in our growing community; we'll conduct an intereview, feature the artists' material and highlight the artists in their own persnal segment we call "Fresher Than Cool" hosted by Cool Town's very own Claymation VJ's. 


Email: cooltownclaymation@gmail.com for more info!

Harry Potter & The "Cool" Team!

This project came to me as a gift for a 'Harry Potter' fan. When I was first approached about it, I thought, "This is a piece of cake!" but to my surprise, it wasn't! When Jen and I got started, things went very smoothly. The base with the landscaping came out well and exceeded our expectations. We then moved on to the garage...BAM...done in just a few minutes...then..."The Burrow"...

Our initial attempt was disastrous! It was off  scale and way too heavy. This was a difficult and quite challenging project for us because we had to build this set for durability given that it would be shipped to our client once completed.  By the time we'd come to discover that we failed at our first attempt, it was well into the next morning and we'd been up around the clock at this point. So, we called it a morning.

We returned to the project two weeks later.  And, fortunately, because of our trial and error session we had a better understanding of how to go about building the house. Not to mention we had plans to attend a paneling for Oscar nominated Art Departments and either it was a total coincidence or simply fate, but the 'Harry Potter' Art Team so happen to be one of this year's Oscar nominees and was on the panel. We did some prep work and then took off to the Oscar paneling. Aside from the seminar being extremely inspiring and beyond humbling, we got a chance to meet and  speak to the Supervising Art Director, Neil Lamont and Set Decorator, Stephanie McMillan, from 'Harry Potter'! Besides the fact that they were a joy and a pleasure to meet, we chatted with them a bit about our project and our attempt to replicate The Weasley's home, with partially recycled materials. Neil was blown away by the idea and reassured us that it would be difficult.  Nonetheless, he gave us some great advice and suggested a few ways to approach it. Stephanie was really informative on how she came up with the decorative concept for the interior, which will be put into great use when we decide to revisit 'Harry Potter' themed projects!

Overall, it was such a fun set to replicate and having been able to meet the creative minds that contributed to the vision of the actual film itself, was truly a cherry-on-top for us! It was like meeting our Lady Gaga being that we are primarily Production Designers/Art Directors ourselves.  Not only that, but we got to meet the Art team from 'Inception' as well, and just missed the opportunity to meet Team 'Alice' who took home the Oscar's for Best Art Direction...darn...maybe next time!

Anyhow, enough rambling...Check out the results below! =) Enjoy!

Best,

Carol K. Ras-

Materials used:
The house itself was made out of cereal boxes and various materials. The garage was made out of cardboard for the base and a paper towel roll to complete the top. The car and the chimney are made out of hardening clay. The base is made with foamcore and the landscaping is a diorama kit that was purchased.

"Fresher Than Cool: Mic The Unheard" Musician Highlight Ep.1 Troy Turner

Cool Town Claymation's newest segment "Fresher Than Cool: Mic The Unheard" highlights filmmaker, musician & artist, Troy Turner. Read more on Troy below!

Bio:
When we first met Troy, which was back in October of 2007, he was 
alongside of us making short films. Troy always had a unique sense of design and a eye for capturing images with compositions that define his illustrious language. He is currently exploring stenciling and other forms of art while continuing to write music. Troy plans to soon play in local venues so more can 
discover his sound. You might see some of his work in Cool Town sometime in the near future! 


Cool Town is an innovative platform for creative artists to collaborate and turn a simple thought into something tangible-stop-motion animation that is entertaining, educational and visually stunning.  We are looking for underground, indie, unsigned musicians in all genres who want to gain free exposure and add to their following. This is an opportunity to be headlined in our growing community; we'll conduct an interview, feature the artists' material and highlight the artists in their own personal segment we call “Fresher Than Cool” hosted by Cool Town's very own Claymation VJ's. 
Email: cooltownclaymation@gmail.com for more info!


We're passionate artists extending our time and talent to help other creative, passionate people be 
seen and heard.

Celebrating Black History Month!

The Great Thinker - thinking of how to make great history for the future.

Happy Valentines Day!

Celebrating Self-Love & Those Who Have A Place In Your Heart!

Ellen 'dominates' Cool Town!

Just to exercise our skills and for some good practice we decided to 'have a little fun' (dancing to Ellen's theme song!) by replicating, to the best of our ability and with limited resources, The Ellen DeGeneres Show's set along with a Cool Town Claymation version of Ellen to complete the package! This was lots of fun to do and was completed in a total of 9 hours build time and 2 hours shoot time. We'll have the quick skit up in a few days! But for now, we just wanted to share some teaser photos with you all. Enjoy! Hope you like them. =)

P.S. Yes, we are aware that she's in the wrong chair, however, this was before we shot the actual skit and we wanted to get some cool footage before Clay-Ellen got down and really dirty from the animation process. =) Thoughts??

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