Staccato creates magic, one frame at a time

For more than a decade, Paul Siciliano has been working on WA’s biggest visual effects and digital animation projects. His studio, Staccato, is creating world-class digital imagery right here in Perth.

“I see my job as bringing your ideas to life in a way that exceeds your expectations” says Siciliano, with the kind of boyish enthusiasm that gives away how much he loves what he does.

Staccato uses cutting-edge digital filmmaking software and hardware but, for Siciliano, it’s more about the artistry than the technology. “I love getting the computer’s zeroes and ones to transport the viewing audience to somewhere magical.”

An example of this was his recent animation for grain transporter, CBH. The spot was finalist for Commercial of the Year at the Campaign Brief Awards and featured a production technique that looked like classic old school stop-motion with wooden models. Paul created the whole charming hand-made look with computer animation. The project was especially fun for Siciliano with his 7-year-old daughter providing the voiceover narration.

In contrast to the deliberately jittery and artfully bespoke look of the CBH commercial, his commercial for the Scratch N Win Pinball Payout shows off Siciliano’s ability to achieve slick high-end, ultra realistic, 3D animation. As well as choreographing the pinball sequence to replicate realistic fluctuations in speed as the pinball recoils off various surfaces, Siciliano hand-painted the textures with multiple layers of detail to accurately render realistic dirt, scratches, illumination and reflection. It’s this attention to detail that’s getting Staccato so much attention.

A typical project at Staccato will be a mixture of concept design, character creation, 3D model-making, computer graphics effects and state-of-the-art animation. But, of course, no job is typical. And that’s another thing that Siciliano loves about his work. One week he could be supervising a green-screen studio shoot with a live actor for a matte painting assignment, the next week he might be creating a 3D animated frog.

Depending on the size and scope of a production, the Staccato team grows to include talented creative collaborators. Staccato has talented character developers, background artists, 3D modelers and animators that can be brought in to achieve great results despite Perth’s typical deadline pressures. Siciliano likes to carefully plan and structure a production process that realizes your vision not just on time and on budget, but beyond expectation.

In addition to the impressive computer hardware, Staccato also boasts a fine coffee machine ready for you to pop in for a chat about your next project.

Web: staccato.com.au

Tel: 0410 664 969