Joetv | Motion graphics package
HOW MIGHT WE
Create a system of motion graphics and overlays to showcase contestants names, scores, details, etc. Ideally positioning JoeBox as an official gameshow.
background
JoeBox is a Youtube gameshow where contestants compete to come up with the best answer for their judge, Joe, who scores each round based on his own reaction to each answer, drawing, etc. The show consists of different rounds, that're totally different each episode. If you've ever played JackBox, you'll get the gist.
I reached out to Joe in August after watching a few episodes of his first season. The JoeBox format was immediately such a fun watch, but without a scoring visual those first few episodes were a bit harder to follow (which was probably also because I watched them while doing dishes). I had to reach out.
I've always believed that creatives do their best work when it's something that brings them joy. I truly believe working on JoeBox has not only been one of the most fun projects I've ever worked on, but through this process I've also learned so much about Blender, Animation, and creating MOGRTs for other producers to work with.
graphics package
I created a lower third overlay that shows each contestant receiving their score at the end of each challenge. Then a liminal box space where each contestants final tally appears at the end of each episode. Since JoeBox is shared in a season format, I felt that it was important to understand what the totals are at the end of each episode.
The "box" where scores appear at the end of the episode is covered in doodles from the previous season's Drawing Rounds. I'd love it if eventually there's a version covered in doodles. The box was made using Blender, and each packing peanut was dropped using a physics simulation, so that they stacked sort of naturally.
Since JoeBox also has a rotating cast of contestants, I also put together a lower third packet to introduce them at the start of each episode / season.
I love the set that Joe, etc put together, so I wanted everything to be made of cardboard / familar materials. The lower third flags are made to look like washi tape, and the scores are tape and bean cutouts.
Intro
After watching the first season, and putting together some of the graphics package, I knew I wanted to make an intro animation for each episode. One thing about me is I love a title sequence. It had to be something that set the tone of the show, and played with the show's two major ingredients beans and cardboard. This would also hopefully accomplish the goal of legitimizing the show for new audiences.
The beans were each made and animated in Blender. JoeBox has a variety of beans, Black Beans for the point system, Jelly beans to change a contestants answer, and silver beans that're awarded during silver bean rounds.
Joebox spin-offs
After JoeBox season 2 ended, there were several spinoff episodes - so I created unique intro sequences for each. This format of spin-off episodes repeats between each season.
Joe Box jr
JoeBox Jr pitts Caleb against two kids.
Joe Box: halloween spectacular
JoeBox's Halloween Spectacular revists the original three hall of fame contestants with Halloween themed rounds. This was a departure from the original intro sequence, and was made primarily using blender. Through this project I really learned a lot about working with Blender. This was my third time ever using Blender for animation, rather than modeling and sending the 3D assets to After Effects.
Joe Box sr.
JoeBox Senior was like it's junior counterpart, only this time it pits Patrick against two older contestants, a stage actor, and a psychic.
This time Joe was inspired by old baseball TV graphics packages, so we went with an 80s TV aesthetic. I loved matching the style of older 3D graphics.
Joebox: the Tournament of Champions
The Tournament of Champions is the ultimate final match between the three winners of the first three seasons. This was the most ambitious JoeBox animation project to date.
The goal was to create something dramatic and over the top, to really sell the gravity of a match between three previous champions. After hearing Joe's vision for the episode, I immediately thought it would be so fun to create a 3D rendered statue of Joe, matching some of the visuals he'd pulled as inspo.
I met up with Joe and scanned him in different poses using the app Polycam. I've been a huge Polycam power user for a while, but up until now I've only really used it to scan the cakes my girlfriend bakes. After scanning Joe, I created a Lincoln Memorial -esque statue of him with his palms out, holding both Jelly Beans and Black Beans.
At first, Polycam did NOT work as well as it usually does, here are the first few scans...
After creating the statue, I built a Hall of Champions set that showcases the three season champions, along with a memorial for the others who've competed thus far, and tons of easter eggs from the show up to this point.
This was all rendered using Eevee in Blender 4.5. For the portrait frames, I scanned my mom's picture frames while I was home for thanksgiving. Everything here was made by me in blender, or scanned to add into the scene.
Closing
Again I want to reiterate that this has been one of the most fun design projects I've ever worked on. It's so fun to see people online interacting with the work I've made here. I hope that this work has helped to legitimize the show. I truly want to see this show thrive, it's been so fun to watch it evolve across three seasons so far.
I'm so thankful to Joe for trusting me with his namesake, and giving me the ability to just try things out and see what works. This project has given me the opportunity to do the kind of mutimedia work that I really enjoy, and it's been a really great learning experience.
If for some reason you've read this far, check out JoeBox on youtube, it's great!
Credits
All work featured was created for the series JoeBox on YouTube.
Motion Graphics by myself, in collaboration with Joe Gleason.
Audio beds in the show were added in post by Joe.
None of this work was created using AI.