TV roundup: four shows with feature effects
We break down some notable VFX shots from TV shows The River, the Titanic mini-series, Inside the Human Body and Underbelly: Razor.
fxphd sale extended + free class from NUK217
fxguide’s sister site – VFX training provider fxphd.com – is extending its sale. Join for $199 and get two courses + extras for the April term. Plus see a sneak peak of NUK217 – NUKE and Digital Environments.
DeepX – Underwater @ Cine Gear
We preview Achtel’s Deep X underwater RED Epic camera rig, which will be launched at this weekend’s Cine Gear Expo in LA.
What does it take to make a CGI cookie?
A step-by-step, detailed look at a Ballerina cookie spot by Swedish studio Lost Liner, including breakdown videos from concept to final.
Breaking down Ghost Recon Alpha
We take a look at Mikros Image’s CG and compositing VFX for Ghost Recon Alpha, a short promo for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Includes a breakdown video and bts images.
Paul Debevec and ICT: an fxphd BKD
Watch a full fxphd class featuring ICT’s Paul Debevec on the development of the Light Stage, plus find out about fxphd’s limited time special offer.
Comic effects: Men In Black 3
fxguide goes back to the Men In Black and back in time with MIB3 and the VFX artists at Sony Pictures Imageworks. Includes bonus fxinsider content.
MPC is berry nice to Ribena
We speak with the 3D and 2D artists behind a fully CG Ribena spot created by MPC, and feature behind the scenes videos from the TVC.
Battleship: tactical water and fluid sims (updated)
For a film to challenge the water pipelines of companies like ILM & Scanline it needs to be pushing the limit of cutting edge technology. Regardless of the box office success of Battleship, the water simulations are incredible, & the overall effects impressive. UPDATED: With new exclusive making of ILM clips.
Cinematics case study: Mass Effect 3
Digic Pictures breaks down its work for a Mass Effect 3 trailer with detailed behind the scenes videos, images and commentary.
Dark Shadows: retro old school VFX with a modern twist
Rarely do a film’s themes & conceptual approach match so nicely with the methodology of the vfx used to make it. Dark Shadows deploys miniatures, old fashion sets, water tanks: all using cutting edge vfx. (UPDATED + MPC)
BL4Nuke: Baselight for Nuke and on set
We take a look at Baselight’s new Filmlight and FLIP products for on-set through to post color management and grading.
FUGU & TAKO: A vfx director’s short film
Robot vfx has just made a funny short film, FUGU & TAKO, that follows the story of two Japanese salary men whose lives radically change when one of them eats a puffer fish in a sushi bar. The film was written and directed by Ben West who we caught up with to discuss the work.
FMX 2012 – day three
Day three at FMX saw a huge turnout for the ILM and Weta Digital Avengers presentation, plus more great virtual production talks.
Cinesite announces sale to UK private investment firm Endless LLP
Endless LLP has acquired Cinesite from Kodak for an undisclosed amount. The deal involves Cinesite’s existing management team, supported by its new investment backer.
FMX 2012 – day two
Day two of FMX 2012 in Stuttgart brought a number of exclusive first-looks at movies such as Men In Black 3 and Total Recall, breakdowns of the VFX for Game of Thrones, plus some incredible virtual production sessions.
Art of Stereo Conversion: 2D to 3D – 2012
An in-depth look at the art of stereo conversion, including The Avengers, John Carter, Titanic and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
FMX 2012 – day one
fxguide is in Stuttgart, Germany for FMX 2012, our second year at the festival. It looks to be an incredible week of visual effects, animation, virtual production and filmmaking presentations. Here’s our rundown of day one.
VFX roll call for The Avengers (updated)
Surely one of two or three films that will define the term ‘summer blockbuster’. The Avengers brought together not only some great Marvel characters but also an impressive roll call of visual effects houses: ILM, Weta and several others.
fxguidetv live @NAB2012 BTS video
As a thanks to our readers who supported our fx2012 drive, we have the promised behind-the-scenes (BTS) video. Geek out a bit with the tech behind our fxguidtv live netcast from Las Vegas.
Total Recall: the version you never got to see
A new models and miniature doco, Sense of Scale, is screening this weekend in London. We have a deleted scene about the models for the never-made 1987 version of Total Recall.
RED: Mike and Ted sit down at NAB
Here is a chat between Ted Schilowitz, Leader of the Rebellion at RED Digital Cinema (and employee number 1) and our own Mike Seymour. Note this was recorded by RED on EPICs at RED’s own NAB booth.
Wrath of the creatures
We delve into the VFX behind the creatures of Wrath of the Titans with MPC, Method, Framestore and Nvizage.
Inside two key Titans scenes
Behind the scenes with Framestore on their Labyrinth VFX and Nvizible on the armillary sphere for Wrath of the Titans.
Work hard, play…
We like to think we work fairly hard at fxguide, certainly at NAB we were surviving on not much sleep – but we also really enjoy each other’s company, and the company of the great people we get to work with. Here is our unofficial goof reel video from NAB 2012.
Band of Misfits: Dneg’s pirate adventures
We talk to Double Negative about helping Aardman complete the stop motion animated Pirates! Band of Misfits.
Who’s the fairest Beast of them all?
We feature a breakdown clip of Tippett’s Studio’s work for the Beast in Tarsem Singh’s ‘Mirror Mirror’.
NAB 2012: What we are talking about
fxguide will be LIVE all day April 17th from The Foundry booth (#SL9724), streaming from 1700GMT – 2300GMT. Here are some of the announcements that have been made already, embargoed until this morning, or cool stuff we expect to be talking about tomorrow.
fxguide nab twitter feed
Our NAB coverage this year includes a combined twitter feed from the fxguide crew. You can see our tweets from events and the show floor by visiting our NAB live page.
Science of fluid sims: part 2 – RealFlow
In an accompanying piece to our earlier coverage of fluid sims, we look at how Fusion CI Studios use RealFlow for their simulation work.