If you’re anything like us right now, you’re just getting back into the groove after a long, food-filled holiday weekend and you’re playing catch-up with the internet. So much to see and so little time! To help you out, here’s a quick collection of our favorite projects to have launched this week — check ‘em out over your second (or, in our case, third) cup of coffee. And if you’re hungry for more, we encourage you to explore further via our Discover page. Enjoy!

It Feels Good to Be Better — by Martina Milova and Tara Buono

 Short film “It Feels Good To Be Better” touches on all the right topics: human hypocrisy and the search for enlightenment! It combines illustrated backgrounds with live action film as it follows protagonist Mr. V around the world on a quest for answers and truths. Writer/director Martina Milova and illustrator Tara Buono joined forces on the project and have been scraping away to make this film between jobs, paychecks, and the odd day off. They shot their first experimental scene in front of a makeshift “green-screen” concocted out of a bed sheet, and since then the film took on a life of its own as more and more creative people hopped on board the project.Now they’ve graduated to a real green-screen studio — check out the beautiful clips in their project video — and are on their way to post-production. Sweet! - Daniella J.

Smith/Wymore Disappearing Acts New Work Apparatus — by Lisa Wymore

Sheldon Smith and Lisa Wymore have a Bay Area dance group called Smith/Wymore Disappearing Acts that creates intricate multi-media dance/theater works combining choreography with technology in experimental ways (que bueno!). Dancing aside for a moment, though, check out their super-charming and subtly hilarious pitch video. Reminiscent of SNL weekend updates (check out the lighting demo about 50 seconds in and “gestural information” right after), the duo makes you want to see their show simply for the sake of seeing what such delightful people could create on stage! About two minutes in they actually show you clips, and if the girl sliding across the table is any indication of their style, you can bet their new work Apparatus is going to be a blast. - Daniella J.

Vincent Moon & Lulacruza in Colombia — by Lulacruz

Argentinean-Colombian musical duo Lulacruza are teaming up with Vincent Moon (of the cult-beloved Takeaway Shows) on a cinematic quest to explore the modern day people, sights, and sounds of Colombia. Sitting at the crux of film and music, their undertaking offers an exciting update on the practice of traditional field recordings — and I’m truly thrilled by the thought of what they will capture. Alejandra’s description of the region’s history is a compelling enough reason to back on its own, but the project is also offering rewards like rare field recordings and exclusive outtakes. This is the kind of stuff I used to covet as a young, wannabe explorer of the world (who am I kidding, I’m still that), and it makes me ecstatic to see Kickstarter emerging as a tool to enable its creation.  - Cassie M.

Voices of the Grand Piano — by Ferdinand Maisel

Avant composer Ferdinand Maisel attacks the piano from all sides…literally. Rather than confining himself to the ivories, the experimental pianist plays the instrument like a drum, or guitar, banging on the piano, or strumming its innards and subsequently processing the organic sounds through digital sequencers and an array of effects pedals. The result is a sweeping mix of electro-acoustic music that touches on John Cage’s prepared piano technique and 21st century computer composition. - Mike M.