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Bill Desowitz presented six questions to a host of schools and has compiled the first collection of some of the answers.
Tagged With: Motion
ReelSmart Motion Blur Pro 3.0 for Shake Released
RE:Vision Effects has released ReelSmart Motion Blur Pro version 3.0, a major upgrade to the popular Shake plugin set. ReelSmart Motion Blur (RSMB) automatically tracks every pixel in a sequence and blurs based on calculated motion.
Motion Capture Software Helps Boy Walk
Edmonton's Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital's Syncrude Centre for Motion and Balance has used motion-capture software to help a six-year-old boy walk, reports THE GLOBE AND MAIL. Using the same technology that was used to create Gollum from THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, the hospital's "gait lab" helped doctors determine a surgical strategy to help Quinn Kozlowski, who suffers from cerebral palsy, walk.
Motion Analysis Helps Capture I, Robot
Motion Analysis Studios (MAS) has teamed with Digital Domain to create the seamless integration between live-action and CG elements needed for Foxs upcoming I, ROBOT (opening July 16, 2004).
Vicon Moves into Mocap Expansion
Given the preeminence of CG characters in movies and gaming, Vicon Motion Systems has acquired Los Angeles-based House of Moves (HOM) in an effort to expand its U.S. motion capture presence. The move formally establishes HOM, an indie motion-capture service bureau of long standing, as a new technology test-bed for Vicon.
In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America
Motion Computing Includes Full Version of Alias SketchBook Pro
Alias and Motion Computing agreed to include the full version of Alias SketchBook Pro on all Motion M1400 Tablet PCs configured with the Motion Pak software package sold worldwide. The bundle combines Motion Computing's cutting-edge Tablet PCs with Alias SketchBook Pro's best-in-class digital pen-based sketching and annotation software.
NAB2004: An Overview
Bill Desowitz provides an inside look at NAB2004, including some of the latest digital advancements and a revealing case study of Van Helsing.
Motion Graphics Presentation
Begins: April 22, 2004
California State University Northridge presents a seminar with motion graphics director Ed Cheetham. He will present his work for CMT-MTV and TNN and discuss careers in motion graphics and animation. The discussion will be followed by a review of student work. The event will take place at 2:00 pm in the Art Department Ad 300 Purple Crit. Room. For more information, e-mail mary.a.trujillo@csun.edu(link sends e-mail).
Apple Introduces Motion at NAB
Apple has introduced Motion at NAB2004, a new application that redefines motion graphics by giving artists the creative freedom and power to deliver stunning results faster and more intuitively at a price of $299. Motion features interactive animation of text, graphics and video, with instant previewing of multiple filters and particle effects, and introduces "Behaviors" that allow artists to add natural looking movement to type and graphics, such as gravity and wind, without the use of complex keyframes.
The Future of Motion Capture
Henry Turner investigates the newest developments in motion capture and motion control, which brings the technology on-set. Includes a QuickTime movie clip from Hidalgo.
Life Study: 'The Animal Motion Show'
Mark Ramshaw reports back regarding the impressive work being done in commercials and music video in the U.K.
Vicon Advances Mo-Cap Workflow with New Vicon iQ Update
Vicon announced Vicon iQ 1.5, a new release of the companys intelligence-based motion data processing application. Now shipping, the new software encompasses a number of production-critical capabilities to enable automated handling of motion data from capture through to animation.
In Anime, Technology, Visual Effects, Anime, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Motion Analysis Makes Mo-Cap History With David Fincher Nike Spot
Motion Analysis Studios recently made motion capture history when they created a 50-foot-by-50-foot volume to capture motions of NFL stars Terrell Owens and Michael Vick for the Nike Gridiron commercial spot directed by David Fincher. This latest cutting-edge spot takes viewers right into the action of a digital football arena, complete with snow and a fantasy football team of 22 growling opponents.
Academy to Present Bonner Medal to Greenfield
The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to award Douglas Greenfield the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation. The medal will be presented during the Scientific and Technical Awards dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel in Pasadena on Feb. 14, 2004.
Greenfield will receive the Bonner Medal for his longstanding support of and service to the Academy and the motion picture industry.
The Man Who Would Be King: Q&A with Peter Jackson
Bill Desowitz sits down with Peter Jackson to discuss lessons learned about vfx that Weta Digital applied to The Return of the King.
'Inspired 3D: Lighting and Compositing': Dead Give-Aways: Real World Vs. the CG World — Part 2
Continuing our run of excerpts from the Inspired 3D series, David Parish, in the second of a two-part article, addresses the dead give-aways between the real world and the CG world.
Wild Earth Game Becomes Motion Simulator Attraction
Creators of the WILD EARTH videogame at San Diego-based Super X Studios are joining forces with the Entertainment Technology Corporation (EnTCo), of Philadelphia, to produce a motion simulator-based version of WILD EARTH for zoos, amusement parks and other location-based entertainment venues.
Academy to Present Screening of Disney’s Victory Through Air Power
In anticipation of Disneys upcoming WAR TOONS DVD set to be released Dec. 2, 2003 (as part of TREASURES WAVE 3), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a 60th anniversary presentation of the Walt Disney feature VICTORY THROUGH AIR POWER on Oct. 22, 2003, at 8:00 pm, a film not screened in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years and rarely since its original release on July 17, 1943. This part documentary, part animated cartoon is based on Alexander P. de Severskys 1942 book.
Kush Games Teams With Motion Analysis to Create More Realistic Hockey Game Play
For ESPN NHL HOCKEY, Motion Analysis Studios took realism to the next level by teaming with developer Kush Games and setting up motion capture cameras literally on an ice rink. "To get a motion capture shoot set-up and running in just one day, especially at a location outside of our studio, was a major accomplishment," said Jeff Swenty, head of production for Motion Analysis.
Vicon Surpasses Projections with Mo-Cap Installs
Vicon reported record sales of new and upgraded motion capture systems at the close of the first half of fiscal year 2003. The impressive sales figures included new system installs at customer sites worldwide in biomechanics, medicine, film, VFX, game development, broadcast, education, engineering and government market sectors. The sales period, tallied through March 2003, represents the best six months in the U.K.-based company's history.
RadioShack Selects MotionStar for Campaigns
RadioShack's Broadcast Communications division has been using MotionStar Wireless from Ascension Technology in the production of three 60-second spots for Shack TV. The motion capture system (used in JAY JAY THE JET PLANE and STARSHIP TROOPERS) allows animations to be mixed with live-action scenes featuring Battery Man and Charge Boy, two informational characters that help customers find the right accessories for their RadioShack products. The spots are shot on 35mm film and produced in-house at the Broadcast Communications Center. They are used internally and by agency clients and corporations nationwide.
The decision to go with MotionStar was based on the system's capabilities and onsite training, according to Ed Delaney, senior director of broadcast. "After looking into other systems with software interface and what the motion picture industry was using, it was a clear choice to go with MotionStar. Also, the support from Ascension, with onsite training, allowed us to produce a spot to see how it worked. That was a great selling point." Delaney adds that the MotionStar system is now "another great tool" for the talented animators at the Circle R Group.
Zoic, MAS & Nexus Digital Bring FX to Buffy Curtain Call
Los Angeles-based Zoic Studios, along with motion-capture specialists at Motion Analysis Studios (MAS) and Nexus Digital Studios, have created the epic effects for the show finale of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, airing May 20, 2003 at 8:00 pm on UPN. Zoic co-founder Loni Peristere has been working closely with BUFFY creator Joss Whedon since the first season. Along with his Zoic Studios and fellow digital effects supervisor Patti Gannon, Peristere and Whedon have been batting around ideas for the historic last episode for months.
Southern California , 3DS MAX User Group
Begins: April 30, 2003
Motion Media Invites you to our first 3DS MAX User Group!
Where: Motion Works Studios 4054 Glencoe Ave. Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
When: Wednesday, April 30 6:00PM - 10:00PM Food and Drinks start at 6:00PM Meeting starts at 7:00PM
Motion Theory Evolves For ESPN
Venice, California-based design and production company Motion Theory showed how skateboarders came to be in "Evolution," the newest spot in ESPNs "Without Sports" campaign. Conceived by ESPN and its agency, Wieden+Kennedy/New York, the ad debuted during the Superbowl pre-game show. "Evolution" begins with an animated surfer riding a wave. As the surfer cuts up the wave, his surfboard sprouts wheels, evolving into a skateboard.
Notes from the Underground Part Five — Escaping Muybridge's Curse (Can We?)
Jean Detheux continues his series on the nature of art and draws us to understand that perhaps mimicking reality isn't a true representation of the world.
