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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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’.
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.
The art of rendering (updated)
As part of out ‘Art Of’ series, we explore the world of renderers by looking at GI, and speak exclusively to Pixar (RenderMan), Solid Angle (Arnold), Chaos Group (V-Ray) and many more.
First look: Imagineer’s mocha v3
Scheduled to be released on April 16th, Imagineer’s new version of mocha Pro is shaping up to be their biggest release ever. We have an exclusive first look at the software, including some background on the development and tech as well as a hands-on review by fxphd prof Ben Brownlee.
Titanic stories
Revisit the visual effects of James Cameron’s ‘Titanic’ with personal stories from several members of the VFX crew.
The making of L’Odyssée de Cartier
We go behind the scenes of L’Odyssée de Cartier with Digital District.
For Example: Scott Metzger and Mari v1.4
In our continuing For Example series, we talk to lead texture artist and vfx supervisor Scott Metzger about The Foundry’s Mari. Scott will also be joining fxguide live from the Foundry booth at NAB.
Comic effects: 21 Jump Street
Effects veterans Richard Edlund, ASC and Helena Packer break down duMonde’s VFX for ’21 Jump Street’.
Support fxguide: live event coverage, iPad app and more!
Learn how you can support fxguide to provide more live coverage, an iPad app and more.
Pointcloud9 – a LIDAR case study
We look at the LIDAR tech currently being used by Pointcloud9, part of risefx in Germany.
The Walking Dead: Season 2 – walk harder
Behind the scenes with Stargate Studios’ VFX for the second season of AMC’s zombie hit ‘The Walking Dead’.
Speaking for the trees: The Lorax
Animation director Lionel Gallat discusses his work on Mac Guff’s latest animated adventure: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.
Around the world in six ads
We break down six recent TVCs with VFX from Mikros, Fuel, Zoic, Glassworks, Mothership/Digital Domain and MPC.
A world away: John Carter
Tharks, Thoates, Woola and white apes – how Double Negative brought the creatures of John Carter to life.
Infrared tracking: ingenious innovation for WWF
How The Ambassadors used Phantom cameras and infrared tracking to complete a WWF spot.
Spirit of Vengeance: a grittier Ghost Rider
We talk to the visual effects team behind Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
Electric aliens: Buf’s VFX for The Darkest Hour
Buf breaks down its visual effects for The Darkest Hour. Includes a behind the scenes making of video.