Paul Robinson – Motion Design for sports and broadcast. More specifically Paul is part of the WWE team providing motion design across the World Wrestling Entertainments stable of shows. 

Show Notes: Compiled by Matt Lloyd

02.00 - WWE overview: multiple brands all designed in-house.

03.09 - Workflow at WWE, the life cycle of a typical project, design process.

04.20 - WWE has 2D and 3D design departments; the distinction between them being blurred. During the design process, after style frames have been created, “match-up” graphics are made, featuring the actual talent, to test that designs will actually work in practice. All manner of elements are created: transitions, lower thirds, snipes.

06.00 - Discussion of broadcast vs. online media and their relative importance to WWE. Live shows are still its bread and butter.

07.00 - How having a niche network can allow for visual experimentation. The diverse aesthetics to be found within the WWE network.

07.54 - The reason PR has worked as long as he has at the WWE (five years): he is given considerable creative autonomy.

08.24 - Comparison of trends in advertising motion graphics vs. the WWE.

08.50 - Discussion of the aesthetic influences of the WWE graphics teams.

09.30 - The team actively share inspiration and techniques. Open communication of ideas really helps the design process. Muse opening titles, a personal favourite of PR.

11.42 - Render engines and render farms Consider upload and download times when opting for render farms (eg Rebus, Pixelplow)

14.37 - Paul’s background story started in motion design at age 30.

15.00 - “My transition in to motion was a necessity…”

15.54 - People started hiring him off the back of his personal projects.

16.30 - “Motion graphics is something where you can sit in a room and make your art. Films are a great creative release as well, but more of a team thing… They're two different things”.

17.00 - Music videos PR has worked on: For the band Hollow Bones: Balance//Collapse

18.27 - Discussion of metal illness and the importance of removing the social stigma around it.

18.55 - Eric Thirteen episode

20.15 - FCB’s mental health campaign featuring John Kerwin.

21.23 - Paul’s fledgling years as a filmmaker.

22.00 - Paul’s originally intended to be a stuntman, and was introduced to this world by his uncle, a stuntman who worked on Loaded Weapon.

23.10 - WWE graphics teams structure.

25.35 - Opportunities for juniors/interns at WWE.

26.00 - Working culture at WWE.

26.55 - “Talent will get you through the door, but everybody has to get along.” According to Paul, there's no room for big egos on his team.

27.17 - “One of the reasons I love the industry so much is that the community is so welcoming, so helpful”.

27.40  - Pro Video Picks:

Octane - OTOY provides GPU-based software solutions that aid in the creation and delivery of cutting-edge digital content.

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