What an incredible job by the NBC graphics team for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Sleek, elegant, dramatic, everything the Olympics is. I’m glad to see such high profile graphics being created in Cinema 4d. David Barton, the Senior Designer for NBC Sports recently posted the opening animation with a few wipes, lower thirds and studio graphics. Looks like he’ll be updating his site soon with more styleboards, samples and reels. So bookmark his site, or check back here.

Click more for information and credits from lead designer David Barton

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Intro Olympic Games, Vancouver 2010, for SVT from Dogday design on Vimeo.

This is the official intro for SVT (Sveriges Television) and their coverage of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. I did all the modeling, texturing, lighting and animation while SVT took care of the music, timing and editing as well as all the post effects.

This clip shows the intro and some of the wipes they will use when announcing specific sports.

I used CINEMA 4D and the MoGraph module, the SVT guys used After Effects.

Disclaimer: This is the first time I’ve posted my own work and I don’t intend on making graphicsmafia a platform for my work, but it is sports related and I don’t have any other posts in the cue. So enjoy and send in some of your work.

The Chicago Bulls DIVAS is an in-game featured video which originally aired at the United Center on February 10th 2010. With the help of the crew at the UCTV who edited the spot, I created all the visual effects for DIVAS in Cinema 4D and After Effects.

Thanks to everyone at the United Center and especially the Chicago Bulls for giving such hilarious performances. I’m glad they don’t play basketball like they sing.

Daily Planet recently completed the 2009 Chicago Blackhawks Hit the Ice in-game video and the folks there were kind enough to answer some questions about the process. Be sure to check out their other great work.

Chicago Blackhawks – 2009 Game Opener from Brad Chmielewski on Vimeo.

Daily Planet ltd. is a Chicago based editing and motion graphics studio. Recent works have included design, visual fx, claymation and cgi for local and national commercial advertising campaigns, broadcast television shows, music videos, web-based viral media campaigns, and brand identity packages.

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Really great from Justin Bates and the Mill.

‘Super Sunday’ 09/10 on Sky Sports from Justin Bates on Vimeo.

From SD&A in 2007
scofield.tv

Thanks to Rommel, Michael and team at the Chicago Bears for sending over the 2009 Bears in-game Intro.

Lucsious or Felipe Posada created this is a few years back. If you like this look, well you’re going to have a great eye for design because this one is beautiful. But, to learn how “grow” elements on in the background like Felipe, check out Jayse Hansen’s tutorial on CreativeCow.net to get started. Some of those masking principals are useful. Also, looks like some 3d stroke is flying around in there as well.

For those Cinema4D and After Effects users out there (if you already don’t know) allow me to introduce you to GreyScaleGorilla. A longtime friend of GraphicsMafia, Nick has been posting some valuable tutorials. Great for beginners and intermediate users.

This is also a good time to ask, would you readers be more interested in seeing tutorial/resource posts or in seeing whatever cool inspiring sports related graphics I come across?

Cinema 4D: CS Tools – Cluster from Nick Campbell on Vimeo.

Download CS Tools for C4D

Check out all Nick’s great videos.

Rezn8 with 3 March Madness spots this year. Nice simple effects that don’t overshadow the emotion of each play. You wouldn’t wan’t to detract from those closeups and Rezn8 does a great job of making the graphics the main character when they have to be.

Here are a few techniques that work great in these spots and I’ve linked to some tutorials that cover similar topics. Not to say this is the way Rezn8 created these spots, but at least you can play around with ONE way to get it done.

3D text in after effects

Ah the million dollar question. Well the oldest way that I know of is duplicating your layer and moving back -1px in Z-space about 40times and then pre-comping the layers. However Zaxwerks makes a very popluar plugin called 3D invigorator that allows you to manipulate simple 3D shapes, extruded splines and text right in After Effects. John Dickinson of Motionworks just posted his 3d invigorator tutorials to get you started. But I like Chad Perkin’s Shatter trick simple and doesn’t require any plugins.

Reflections

Try Video Copilot’s 3D reflection tutorial. Pretty simple tutorial, even adds a little blur to the reflection.

Compositing and tracking

Another Video Copilot tutorial, HUD (or Heads up Display) covers a similar subject. Except in March Madness video you would track the background (perhaps a chair) or any static element in the scene.