Grimm: creature case studies
How the talented artists at Hive FX & Bent Image Lab create the morphing effects in the TV series Grimm.
Blood & Chrome: a possible VFX future?
As a new model for a cutting edge production, the production of Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome is extremely interesting, both from a production/virtual production standpoint and distribution.
Kon-Tiki: water sims & digital sharks
Behind the scenes of Norwegian film Kon-Tiki, which features water sims, environment work and sea creatures, including, yes…those…sharks (the best CG sharks we have seen).
The Hobbit: exclusive 85 page iBook by fxguide (now closed)
Our Christmas present to you!
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.
Far 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Assassin’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.
Understanding 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.
Rise of the effects
How DreamWorks Animation used Houdini, cellular automata and other effects techniques on Rise of the Guardians.
VES 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?
VFX 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®.
Good 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.
Life 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.
Twilight’s final battle
Tippet Studio discusses the visual effects behind the final wolf and vampire battle in Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
EA – 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.
The 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.
Bond’s boldest adventure yet: Skyfall
The practical and digital visual effects behind Skyfall, the latest Bond film from director Sam Mendes.
Bryce 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.
Academy’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.
SIGGRAPH 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.
Less 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.
VES “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…
Multiple bits: Wreck-It Ralph
We talk to Walt Disney Animation Studios VFX supe Scott Kersavage about Wreck-It Ralph.
20th 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.
Post starts again in lower Manhattan
How one SoHo post company has managed to soldier on without power after the devastating storm in New York.
Cloud Atlas: choose your own adventure
We explore the VFX in the epic film Cloud Atlas from Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer.
Disney buys Lucasfilm and thus ILM
A look at the news behind Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm which includes ILM, LucasArts and Skywalker Sound.
Autodesk 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.