Among the thousands who made the mecca to SXSW this year, so too did the grad students from Boulder Digital Works. Here's how they felt when they returned.

As always, Psyop delivers some great characters in these new spots for MiO out of TAXI, New York. Here are some interesting notes on the production:

Avoiding the mechanical output that often comes with traditional motion capture techniques, Psyop instead interpreted the live action performances, translating them into the world of the spot. This gave Psyop’s animators creative freedom to sculpt performances and massage comedic timing. The spot’s lush look is the result of a novel approach to production that effectively dissolves the line between live action and animation.

"Approaching a full CG spot with a live action mentality led us to an entirely new place," said Creative Director Eben Mears of Psyop. Instead of shooting live action video plates on set, Psyop shot high resolution stills. These still images were then projected onto 3D geometry, creating a virtual set into which the 3D characters were later composited.

The best ideas (whether in advertising or for brands) take what exists and tweak it in some new way. Sprinkles Beverly Hills used that model and created a baked goods ATM that dispenses cupcakes 24 hours a day to desperate housewives. Sweet.

KONY 2012 is a 30-minute video posted by Jason Russell, with the goal of raising awareness and creating international pressure for the arrest of Joseph Kony — who has has abducted more than 30,000 children in Central Africa since 1987 and forced them to be child soldiers in his Lord’s Resistance Army. Russell says he intends to use the power of the web, via this video, to create a groundswell for justice.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.