New York in Motion

Inside the studios shaping digital communication in New York

Directed by Graham Elliot, New York in Motion unfolds as a vertiginous guided tour through the most important motion graphics studios in New York City, offering an in-depth look at what is perhaps one of the most significant art forms in contemporary times. The film sets out to answer a deceptively simple question: what exactly is motion graphics, and who are the people creating so much of the visual vocabulary in our cultural discourse today?

Over 60 minutes, Elliot interviews more than 50 of the most influential artists and practitioners in the field. The best men and women in the motion graphics industry discuss the evolution of their discipline and the new horizons of digital animation, including figures from companies and institutions such as Adobe Creative, the School of Visual Arts, and Alien Kung Fu.

The gritty urban landscape of New York serves as both backdrop and muse throughout the film, with designers shown at their desks, on the streets, and in the subway. The result is a portrait of a city and an industry in constant dialogue, capturing the sense that motion graphics both mirrors and transforms our shared personal and cultural awareness.