Video clip production is not our main profile, so we were very excited to receive the request from the Kispárna Mesezenekar (Little Pillow Fairytale Band) to shoot a creative, animated music video for them. The “Haldal” or “Fishsong” song was given, but we were given complete freedom in everything else, with the only requirement being to create something interesting, something new. Children’s music videos are not necessarily known for their exciting visual solutions, but we thought we could bring something new to the table.
Our animation studio had been thinking for a while about making a puppet film, which would look completely traditional at first glance, but the shot material, greenbox post-production, and “hidden” use of digital animation would still provide unexpected additional content and a more complex visual experience than usual. In a traditional puppet film, only a few characters can be seen, as there is no room for more, and they are only able to perform very simple movements. However, if we break this down into a carefully organized series of scenes shot in front of a greenbox, a dozen characters can perform the most complex scenes. We decided to test this theory on the “Haldal”. If it works, we can later produce a surprising animated commercial film for our corporate clients using this method.
The “Haldal” is only seemingly a puppet film, but in reality it is a complex mixed live-action and digital composite. To maintain the illusion, we filmed each puppet individually in front of a green screen, allowing the puppeteer’s hand to shake intentionally. This, combined with the subtle swaying of the puppet, creates a deliberately amateur effect that, when combined with digital animation, produces a surprising result. The film also uses fake puppets, elements whose movement would not be possible in the real world. The combination of these elements with traditional puppets creates a more visually striking effect than usual.
The structure of “Haldal” becomes increasingly complex: the first shots could still be scenes from a traditional puppet film, but the final big party uses so many elements that would be impossible to achieve with traditional tools. The animated music video also intentionally includes numerous digital “errors”: poorly cut digital elements, post-production hand tremors, etc. If we consciously use these elements to benefit the drama, a quick and simple concept can still produce an effective film.
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