Big Buck Bunny (2008)
Here at the PDG, we reserve the right to post films released under the Creative Commons License. While not technically public domain, CC films are free to download, copy, or modify, usually as long as credit is given to the original creator(s). Licensing your film in the creative commons is an amazing way to get it seen by millions of potential viewers, often when the traditional distribution methods (theatrical release, television rights, home video, even iTunes, etc) fail, or just aren’t open enough. Naturally, the downside is that your CC released film won’t make you any money - at least up front. But the old methods of distribution are dying, and CC licensing may just be the future - or, at very least, a bridge to the future.
We at the PDG love creative commons licensed films because they give us a chance to share newer films with you! In color! Sometimes in HD! How charming!
One company paving the way in open content releasing is the Amsterdam based non profit Blender Foundation. Big Buck Bunny is the foundation’s second film created on their own free open source “Blender” animation software. In fact, they have since made a third animated short and are currently in production on a fourth. But perhaps more importantly, aspiring animators around the world have access to animation software that works on most computer platforms, for free. In short, Blender has leveled the playing field for animation artists, essentially making it possible for anyone to make the next CG animated classic.
So what kind of film do you get that’s made on free animation software, produced entirely with donation and grant money with the intention of just giving the final product away? The answer: a truly hilarious comedic animated short that rivals anything the big studios are making, that’s what. Big Buck Bunny is very much in the animation style and humor of Fox/Blue Sky’s Ice Age films and easily matches them in both animation quality and laughs. Loads of credit should go to director Sacha Goedegebure who also wrote the story and screenplay, and along with the rest of his team, designed the characters and story boarded the scenes with the finest of details in mind. Watching Buck, you can tell that Goedegebure and his team picked each shot, as well as each bit of staging and blocking, with great care. The results… are delightful.
Without giving too much away, there is a terrific Rambo/Predator style montage that will leave you in stitches, and in love with Buck!
Enjoy!
Big Buck Bunny (2008)
Download various file formats directly from the official Big Buck Bunny website or download MP4’s below:
Obviously, I think we can all appreciate the irony of an award given to a movie about plastic surgeons doing 