Love Machine

Very fun little movie with awesome use of stop motion and good music. Olax always has something interesting to bring to the table. Also love the detail of using a white background for the title card to go seamlessly into the film.

Stop motion musical as robot "Mr D.J" looks for a hi-fi connection who can match his capacity to breakdance in the most shocking of ways.

I think sonically you utilised some really creative music reminiscent of Afrika Baambata but narratively I had issues with the film. It was pieced together well enough, and the visual flourises of the karaoke bar and the electrical shock meant we had something to work with, I just felt that the focus on the style of the film was done at the expense of any real substance.

We almost got there with the introduction of the speakers and the rebuking of advances, it just missed a beat, excuse the pun, to leave me satisfied as a viewer.

Story: 1.5/5
Technical: 3.5/5
Elements: 2/5
Overall: 2/5

I have such a soft spot for stop motion animation, so this hooked me right away. Very cute little film with slick professional lighting and a great musical number. Only criticism is that the animation could have been a bit smother in places, but I also know how difficult and time consuming this art form is. Absolutely the hardest genre in my opinion, so you should be very proud of what you made. Good job team <3

I really don't have the patience to do stop-motion so I really take my hat off to Olax for doing that here. The story is very cute with a very sweet-looking musical robot on the search for love and when rebuffed looks to supercharge itself to appeal to at least one of the giggly speakers.

Certainly, the main (only real) musical number is super cool - a confetti-laced croon right out of some Sinatra film, Our robot has become a real heart-throb. I did find things a little slow-paced and everything does hinge on the wonderful song mentioned above. Little else really happens though and what is the message here; being yourself is not enough?

Nipicking a bit I know. This film can't fail to bring a smile to your face and will do so once more in the CHCH final.

What a pleasure it was watching this. The musical number in the middle was superb, from the transition into the disco-like space to the music and stop motion work. You really captured the soul of the wee robot and had us all on board with his mission. Finishing with a neat ending that got a great laugh from the crowd.

What an undertaking to do stop motion. Well done to Olax. Can't wait to see what you do next year.

LOVE MACHINE is a delightful little addition to the competition this year, and probably one of the most visually striking.

In a year where I've done nothing but complain about drab white walls in people's films, this is a great example of "leaning in" to a pure infinity white aesthetic that actually improves the film. There is a brightness to this film that makes me smile every time I see it, and that robot absolutely pops on camera. Very photogenic.

The stop-motion itself is a little scrappy, and the occasional wire can still be spotted, but it's 48Hours, and I'm willing to overlook that stuff for something as different as this.

I love the song, I love the ending, I love the voice acting. I guess I'm a little concerned about the story beat where the robot seemingly attempts to electrocute himself only for it to give him superpowers - I wouldn't show this to too many children lest they go around sticking forks in outlets.

LOVE MACHINE is so self contained and cute, with a sneaky cheeky sense of humour underneath the surface. I wouldn't be surprised to see it go further in the competition just for its uniqueness alone.

Challenge for next year: OLAX are such an interesting team, in that they seem to make staggeringly different films each year, which feel like they're straight up from different teams, so any improvements or challenges feel a bit arbitrary. How about this - next year, take us to space.