December 2016 - Planet Nutshell

December 20, 2016

2016 Year in Review

Another year is in the books and we got to work with an incredible group of clients. Here are some project highlights from 2016:

World Wildlife Fund

Wow, we got to work for the big panda! Soon after this video was released we learned that the Obama Administration had approved the removal of The Arctic from the Department of the Interior’s five-year offshore drilling plan. We’re happy to have played some small part in winning that temporary reprieve, and just today we found out that the administration has gone even further.

Roca

We’ve already talked a lot about our work for Roca this year, as well as the inspiring work they do, but the video certainly belongs in this list as it really pushed us to think and animate in new directions.

Harvard Business Publishing/IBM

Our talent for distilling complex and abstract concepts into short, memorable experiences was on full display in our work for the great team at Harvard Business Publishing.

Exploozy

One of this year’s biggest projects started as a joke. We created Exploozy on a lark for April Fools Day and to our surprise it became kind of a big deal on the Internet. It was also screened at the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and it got picked up by the prestigious Animation Show of Shows, which purchased the exclusive rights to screen it in theaters nationwide. While we can’t show the full video, we do have a trailer…

Kentucky Educational Television

Our relationship with KET continued this year with many new shorts, but here’s a favorite: An animated music video set to archival performance footage from KET’s studio. Get ready to laugh and please feel free to dance. We won’t judge.

American Heart Association

Kids and parents alike are sure to like this little ditty we produced for the wonderful folks at the American Heart Association. Get moving kids!

Scholars Strategy Network

And here’s a video we recently completed for Scholars Strategy Network. I could say so much about how their work is now more important than ever, but I’ll let the video do the talking.

McLean Hospital

Last up, but certainly not least up, is a project that was near and dear to my heart. A three-part series for McLean Hospital on Mania/Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder.

I owe a huge thanks to all of our clients who collaborated with us and taught us many things along the way. And of course, I have so much gratitude for the Planet Nutshell team. None of this would be possible without them.

December 5, 2016

New Video for Scholars Strategy Network

Our new video for Scholars Strategy Network couldn’t come at a more pertinent time. Their core mission is to improve policy and strengthen democracy by connecting researchers and scholars with key stakeholders in government, media, civic organizations, and beyond. How does that work in the real world, and how are they working to cut through the noise, fake news, and misinformation that are rampant today? Watch the video to find out.

The Script:

Our world is saturated with information. Much of it is unreliable.

How can leaders and policymakers sift through it all and make smart decisions?

How can journalists find credible experts to weigh in?

And how can citizens make informed choices?

It’s never been harder to cut through the noise, bias, and confusion, but there is a solution: the Scholars Strategy Network.

Our mission is to connect policymakers, civic organizations, journalists, and citizens with research that supports better public policy and better media coverage.

To do that, we’ve built a growing, nationwide network of researchers–all volunteers, and all committed to sharing their work and explaining it clearly.

Our members are ready to lend their expertise wherever it’s needed.

Across a range of issues, the Scholars Strategy Network is making an impact nationwide.

In Massachusetts, policymakers turned to our experts, whose research pointed to a bi-partisan tax law that gave four hundred fifteen thousand low-income families a raise.

In Washington, our researchers told the White House to cut red tape for college financial aid, and they did, making life a little easier for millions of students.

And thanks in part to research provided by our members, over two hundred thousand more people in New Mexico now qualify for Medicaid coverage.

Scholars Strategy Network: Research to improve policy and strengthen democracy. Connect with us today to learn more.

December 2, 2016

Planet Nutshell is Hiring a Designer/Animator

Planet Nutshell seeks a talented, self-driven, and fun-loving designer/animator to join our team and help us create unique and original animated content. We are a purpose-driven company with a strong focus on creating media with social and educational impact.

Requirements:

1. Design & Illustration: Candidate should have a strong illustration background with the ability to adapt to various styles. Experience creating characters, props, & backgrounds is a must.

2. Character Animation: Candidate must have a strong character animation reel and demonstrated proficiency with creating believable, natural, and cohesive character motions and emotions.

3. Storyboarding: Ability to collaborate with a team and transform ideas into clear and concise visual storyboards.

4. Candidate should have experience using industry-standard design software such as Adobe Flash/Animate, Illustrator, & Photoshop.

Pluses:
– Experience with After Effects & Cinema 4D
– Background in Graphic Design

This is a full time position in our Cambridge, MA studio. Please apply at jobs at planetnutshell dot com