After lunch we were taken to a firearms simulator. It housed MANY virtual firing lanes, in which M16 assault rifles were modified with an air system that accurately simulated recoil.

Using laser projections, you fire at a screen that simulates an array of different environments. It records all shots, hit or miss. Then you can review all the data after the session to see how accurate you were, shot/kill ratio, etc. It was really interesting, and extremely difficult.

Here they brought up a funny simulation where turkeys are attacking you. You had to shoot them several times, until they explode.

Brandon gunnin’ them down.

Brit and Richard went prone for more stabilty.

Paul taking out some enemies.

Charlie doing the same.

After 3 different environments (including one on Mars), the boys got to use the video simulator… that is shot with live-action video/actors to mimic real-life scenarios that soldiers will encounter in the sand box.

You weren’t allowed to shoot anything until there was a threat. Even if someone had a rifle… if they weren’t pointing it at you or someone else you couldn’t shoot. Here Brit is waiting for someone to make a move.

They told us how this simulator, while expensive to build… saves the Army millions of dollars annually in live ammunition. This is the first stop for soldiers in training who may have never held a firearm in their life. This way they get acclimated with the weapons before they ever fire a live round.

After we wrapped things up in the simulator, Drill Sargeant Ferguson let Richard try on his body armor.

Then it was back to the bus to get ready for the show. I snapped a group shot of the band with their Drill Sargeants: Ferguson, Crump, and Johnson… all of which were amazing hosts, and answered every question we threw at them.

This tour/boot camp was really something special. I couldn’t help but think during our stay… how many people get this sort of tour? It can’t be a lot. The hospitality of the Army, and Fort Jackson to give the band an experience like this is TOP NOTCH.

2009 Motion Graphics Reel from Andy Sapp on Vimeo.

My 2009 reel showcasing my motion graphics efforts. Short, sweet, and right to the point. Enjoy.
Soundtrack: Motor by SebastiAn.

After months and months of countless hours… the new Advanced Armament Corp. website is finally up and running. This site has been an enormous undertaking from all angles. I’m really happy to see it go-live.

Check it out, click around, browse the online store.
www.advanced-armament.com

I designed this poster going for more of a SWAT feel than last years poster design. The photo I had to work with was cluttered with noise from low-light shooting, so it took a lot of retouching to make it look decent. I can definitely see this as a movie cover on the shelf at Blockbuster.

Unfortunately… this poster design fell victim to the chopping block, and got veto’d for print.

Keep an eye out for the comedic spin off the Strength Means Durability ad I designed for Advanced Armament.
This ad was a lot of fun to make, and is on newstands now.

AAC 2009 SHOT Show Video. from Advanced Armament Corp. on Vimeo.

The video loop I created for the Advanced Armament Corp. SHOT Show booth. Features footage from various competitions, training classes, and the AAC Silencer Shoot. This video also features a visual breakdown of the 2009 product line.

A lot of effort went into this project… especially the motion graphics segment at the end of the video. Every element was individually animated (sparked text, script text, silencers, flash hiders, individual specifications, etc.), and composited to the music.

Soundtrack: “Beware the Circling Fin” by Early Man.

A quick snap of some of the motion graphics I am putting together for this years SHOT Show video for Advanced Armament Corp.
I’m pressed for time… but this is turning out NICE.

With a MASSIVE effort behind it… The 2009 Advanced Armament Corp. catalog is finally complete. This project was an immense undertaking, and I am very glad to see it finished. I have been wrenching on the design, layout, and revisions for months. I’m VERY pleased with the result, and extremely proud of the final product.

If you would like to see the catalog in more detail, click here to download a PDF version.

A new full-page ad I designed for AAC. Keep an eye out for this across newstands everywhere.