Weta Digital’s models supe on The Hobbit
Weta Digital models supervisor Marco Revelant tells us about some of the challenges in creating digi-doubles, trees and a range of other creatures and characters for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Read the ArticleFar Cry 3: digital survivors
Ubisoft Character Technical Director Kieran O’Sullivan recently spoke at a highly successful 3Dec Autodesk function – fxguide spoke to him afterwards about the technical workflow, character design and rigging for the cast of Far Cry 3.
Read the ArticleThe Hobbit: Weta returns to Middle-earth
fxguide explores the world of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with Weta Digital and the filmmakers behind Peter Jackson’s epic vision.
Read the ArticleThe Future Mets
Marc Rienzo recently wrote, directed and vfx supervised spots for the New York Mets, one in particular took the Mets way into the future via motion capture.
Read the ArticleAssassin’s Creed III: The tech behind (or beneath) the action
Inside the ocean simulations and ship physics for Ubisoft’s new Assassin’s Creed III game, with amazing behind the scenes code testing and simulation clips.
Read the ArticleUnderstanding Magic Bullet(s): a personal quest
The 7 things you need to know about Red Giants Magic Bullet Range, – for those lost but wanting to check out these great tools.
Read the ArticleRise of the effects
How DreamWorks Animation used Houdini, cellular automata and other effects techniques on Rise of the Guardians.
Read the ArticleVES Understanding Unions Panel report
From Hollywood, our in depth report from the recent VES panel discussion “Understanding Unions”. Why are visual effects artists not represented by a union? Should they be? How would that work? Why is there no trade association? How do these issues affect the entire industry?
Read the ArticleVFX Oscar Shortlist announced
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 85th Academy Awards®.
Read the ArticleGood evening, tonight we have a case of on-set workflow: Hitchcock
We look at the RED camera use and DIT work on Hitchcock using Light Iron’s OUTPOST on set workflow.
Read the ArticleLife of Pi: a tiger’s tale
Bringing to life digital oceans and characters for Ang Lee’s Life of Pi. Includes several making of breakdown videos.
Read the ArticleTwilight’s final battle
Tippet Studio discusses the visual effects behind the final wolf and vampire battle in Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
Read the ArticleEA – Medal of Honor – DD’s virtual production pipeline
We talk to Digital Domain’s Gary Roberts and Richard Morton about their virtual production pipeline for an EA Medal of Honor cinematic spot.
Read the ArticleThe Man with the Iron Fists: Making Brass Body
We talk to Gradient Effects about the challenges of creating metal armour for a character in ‘The Man with the Iron Fists’. Includes vfx breakdown.
Read the ArticleBond’s boldest adventure yet: Skyfall
The practical and digital visual effects behind Skyfall, the latest Bond film from director Sam Mendes.
Read the ArticleBryce Bayer RIP (Bayer Filter/sensor Kodak scientist)
Bryce Bayer, the Eastman Kodak scientist who invented a now pivotal color filter for digital photography that bears his name, has passed away. Bayer, 83, died on November 13th in Bath, Maine.
Read the ArticleAcademy’s Tech Council Adds Eight New Members
Doug Cooper, Paul Debevec, Ray Feeney, Josh Pines, David Stump, Steve Sullivan, Bill Taylor and Beverly Wood have accepted invitations to join the Science and Technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Read the ArticleSIGGRAPH Asia in Singapore – just 2 weeks away
Now only two weeks away, we take a final look at what’s in store for SIGGRAPH Asia 2012 in Singapore.
Read the ArticleLess is more: The Bourne Legacy
Learn about the invisible fx in The Bourne Legacy – the wolf, drone shots, Manilla chase and that motorcycle crash. Bourne Legacy is out on Blu-ray and DVD soon.
Read the ArticleVES “Understanding Unions…” panel announced
The Visual Effects Society is hosting a panel titled “Understanding Unions: The Good, The Bad & Unknown Of Forming A Visual Effects Collective Bargaining Organization” on Saturday, December 1, 2012 in Los Angeles…
Read the ArticleMultiple bits: Wreck-It Ralph
We talk to Walt Disney Animation Studios VFX supe Scott Kersavage about Wreck-It Ralph.
Read the Article20th Anniversary Edition: the rebirth of Flame
The new 20th Anniversary Edition of Flame is now available, with a dramatically re-designed workflow that shows a clear commitment to the flagship software. We look at the new edition, breaking down what is great as well as where this first release falls a bit short.
Read the ArticlePost starts again in lower Manhattan
How one SoHo post company has managed to soldier on without power after the devastating storm in New York.
Read the ArticleCloud Atlas: choose your own adventure
We explore the VFX in the epic film Cloud Atlas from Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer.
Read the ArticleDisney buys Lucasfilm and thus ILM
A look at the news behind Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm which includes ILM, LucasArts and Skywalker Sound.
Read the ArticleAutodesk releases 20th Anniversary Edition of Flame
Autodesk released Extension 1 of Flame 2013 to subscription customers today, bringing a dramatic change of workflow to the product. This week, fxguide has full coverage of the new release including free online training, an in-depth article, and an fxpodcast with Philippe Soeiro.
Read the ArticleCasinos, crowds & cut-off fingers: Argo to Vegas
The invisible crowd, city and casino vfx in Here Comes the Boom, Argo, Alex Cross and Vegas. Updated with new before and after images.
Read the ArticleFaux Images: Michael Auerswald reports from Germany
“Faux Images” is a quarterly meeting in Berlin, where the animation, design and vfx scene meets to share ideas, present their latest work, network or just have a beer, Michael Auerswald (fxphd member) reports for fxguide.
Read the ArticleSharks might fly
In 2001, Jeremy Hunt ushered in an era of internet viral videos after creating ‘405’ with Bruce Branit, in which a passenger jet had a freeway close encounter. Read how Hunt has returned to that indie ‘get the job done’ approach for his latest project – a music promo for Billy Talent’s ‘Surprise, Surprise’. Includes a befores and afters clip.
Read the ArticleEmmy Eng. Awards for ACES, Kodak, Colorfront, Filmlight
The 64th Primetime Emmy Engineering Award honorees include ACES, two Filmlight products, Colorfront On-Set Dailies, Eastman Kodak, the ASC Color Decision List and Toon Boom Animation for Storyboard Pro.
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