This week I will be taking a look at a Michelin Tire commercial featuring a sad stretch of road. This commercial shows a bunch of animals that have been run over and sadly sit on the road not able to move. This commercial is kind of creepy, but underneath its creepy exterior it is a good animation. The actions, activities and even the screams of the animals are set to music. Because of this, I feel that this animation is a very modern throw back to the old days of animation that were set completely around music. Also, the animal movements and use of squash and stretch add to this feel as well without taking away from the technical aspects of the animation.
The animation starts by showing the animals that have been hit by cars and are now stuck to the road. This is a very creepy scene. In this scene there is an animal that is playing a harmonica that sinks up with the song playing in the background. Also, as the rabbit walks he is bouncing up and down to the music much like Steamboat Willie. This allows the beat throughout the commercial to have more emphasis. Finally, the scream of the rabbit, rather than being just a scream, adds a haunting note to the music. This allows the main character to become part of the music, much like older cartoons.
Not only did the use of music give this animation an older feel, but the animal movements did as well. As the rabbit makes his way to the road coming down the embankment, there is extreme squash and stretch, reminiscent of older animations such as falling off a cliff. Also, as the car screeches to a stop the road ungulates and causes a wave off into the distance. This is an example of extreme exaggeration.
Although containing aspects of older animations, this animation has a unique modernness. It does this through its use of slow motion and rain effects. The rain and background has a very realistic look to it while all of the characters look very cartoonish. This adds to the creepiness and depressive nature of the sad stretch of road. Also, the slow motion effect is done very well. During the slow motion you can see the rabbits uvula moving in his mouth without a close-up. I thought this was a good touch in increasing the intensity of the situation.
ETA I commented on Megan’s Blog and Chuck’s Blog.
Mike G. Blog 
I thought that this commercial was really kind of creepy the first time I watched it. The use of roadkill as a tire commercial was just a little to weird for me. But once I took a longer look, I realized it was really clever. I really like the effect they used when the car actually stopped and the road uprooted. And because of that all of the animals popped up and started to dance. I think that you are right that the music added to the animation. Without that then the animation would fall short.
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