NDR Zeitsprung

•

NDR Zeitsprung

For the brand new show „Zeitsprung“ of the NDR (North German Broadcasting Service’s) we created an entire on-air-design package. The topics of the show are diverse and have been divided into four categories: Culture, Body & Soul, Technology & Mobility and Society. The design focus was on the openers of the show. To introduce more variety and dynamism to the structure of the broadcast, we decided not to just produce one opener, but instead to dedicate an individual opener to each of the key topics.

In order to present the topic “Future” in a contemporary and tangible way - not resorting to classic visualizations of the future using complexity through info-graphics and wireframes – we wanted to generate an opener using analogue materials.

An experiment was the key concept. What is needed, in order to create something new? The unusual experiments are intended to help us discover something new and to aesthetically capture the process.

Kultur / Culture

The opener for the key topic „Kultur“ (Culture) thrives on opposites: whereas the surrounding environment feels almost sterile, the varying scenes in the glass bell jar, which have been cut together abruptly, are more playful. We are juggling with contrasts: simplicity to complexity, sobriety to kitsch, perfection to naivety. The surreal space creates a feeling of floating and reminds us, through its look and feel, of an exhibition area as a parallel to art. Objects oscillate, dance, fly, circle, glide, and flutter within the clearly defined space of the bell jar.

Technik & Mobilität / Technology & Mobility

A mystical inter-play between light, reflections, materials and movements guides us through an undefined space. The contrast between the differing, visible sources of light and the heavy, shiny materials in the surroundings literally builds tension. Darkness, magic and gentle movements dominate the scenes. The viewer is given a sneak peek of the future-experiment.

In the studio whilst filming the opener for Technology & Mobility.

Gesellschaft / Society

Different objects made of a large variety of materials (acrylic, wood, glass, rubber, water, paper, crystal and brass) move around through a geometric construction, which the space seems to dissolve. The individual elements shift themselves, roll, jump and interact whilst at the same time everything seems to be floating. Subtle tracking shots calm the scenes, which generate intended puzzlement for the viewer through their complexity.

In the studio whilst filming the opener “Society”.

Body & Soul / Body & Soul

The intensity of the colours, materials and the shapes appeals to all our senses. We take ourselves on an emotional, exciting and sensitive journey. Textiles flutter gently in the wind, whilst viscous liquids loose their gravitational pull, thereby embodying topics such as esotericism, love and sexuality.

Behind the Scenes

To realise the individual scenes, a lot of craftsmanship was required. Almost all the constituent parts were made by hand or modified as necessary. Due to the abundance of different materials used, the preparation was accordingly time consuming and demanded a high degree of talent in improvising.

Body & Soul / Version Two

Stills and clip from the second (not used) opener "Body & Soul“.

Outtakes

A compilation of outtakes from the final but unused shots for the themes Culture, Body & Soul and Technology & Mobility.

Collection of Materials

This collection of materials shows a small sample of the objects and materials used, which we discovered during our research, produced ourselves or which we had made. For the opener, these were arranged in the form of a kind of set design. We wanted to create an unseen and initially puzzling composition. The actual existence of the arrangement was intended to be questionable and to seem, in a way, “impossible”. Additionally, within the scenes we defied the laws of physics, designed diffuse and surreal spaces and with the help of reflected light and mirroring, created further perplexities.

Year: 2016

Client: NDR - Norddeutscher Rundfunk / Herstellungsplanung Fernsehen

Executive Producer: Yvonne Olberding, Christine Gerberding
Project Management: Maryam Bonakdar, Dorothee von Winning
Account Executive: Nora Wehrhahn

Concept, Direction & Production: Florian Stumpe, Melanie Spintig
Music & Sound Design: Michael Fakesch

On Air Design

A logo, lower thirds, motion graphics and bumpers were produced to complement the title animation. Here the main focus was also on the experiment, whereby after effects were used here as a digital platform for our work. Geometric shapes and stop-motion style animated transitions were combined with each other in multiple layers.