Digital Musings From the Editor:
We concluded our focus last month on 3D environments and digital acting with Ellen Wolffs Flying The Virtual Skies in THE AVIATOR and Isaac Kerlows Creative Human Character Animation: THE INCREDIBLES vs.
Category: Visual Effects
Kim Libreri Helps Develop Iridas Products
Kim Libreri, former vfx supervisor at ESC Ent., played a key role in the inception and development of Iridas FrameCycler Digital Daily System and SpeedGrade, the new non-destructive color grading and film finishing application. Both products were used extensively in the two MATRIX sequels as well as CATWOMAN.
Craft Animations Releases HeliCam for Maya
Craft Animations, the inventors of the Hyper-realistic Physics Engine (HYPE), has released Craft HeliCam v1.30, the first tool of the commercial plug-in suite, Craft Camera Tools (CCTs), for Maya.
CCTs, previously released for 3ds max, is used by animators to control and record camera movements directly in the viewport, in realtime, with a joystick. CCTs offers animators freedom from the unnatural robotic perfection of spline curves. CCTs move cameras with a natural human imperfection, offering HYPE Freedom and timesavings.
In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe
Hanks to Star in The Da Vinci Code
Tom Hanks will play famed symbologist Robert Langdon in Columbia Pictures upcoming film adaptation based on Dan Browns best-selling thriller THE DA VINCI CODE, slated for release May 19, 2006. Ron Howard will direct from a script by Akiva Goldsman, who previously collaborated on Oscar-winner A BEAUTIFUL MIND. Brian Grazer and John Calley will produce. Presumably vfx, with lots of potential for virtual environments, would be handled by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America
SOFTIMAGE|XSI 4.2 Now Available
Avid Technology Inc. announced version 4.2 of SOFTIMAGE|XSI software, offering a series of enhancements designed to streamline the creative process for professionals working on complex CG productions including games, films, broadcast and post-production projects. Now, advanced features, such as crowd simulation and compositing and paint capabilities, are included with different versions of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 4.2 software.
In Anime, Technology, Visual Effects, Anime, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America
Four Studios Back Toshiba’s HD DVD Format
AP reports that Japanese electronics maker Toshiba Corp. is getting support from Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and its sister studio New Line for its next-generation DVD format, HD DVD, to be launched at the end of 2005 in players, recorders and other products.
MotionBuilder 6 Now Shipping
Alias announced that Alias MotionBuilder 6, the latest version of the famed 3D character performance and animation software, is now shipping to customers worldwide.
In Anime, Technology, Visual Effects, Anime, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe
Choose Your Spidey 2 DVD
SPIDER-MAN 2, with vfx designed by John Dykstra and created by Sony Pictures Imageworks, slings its way on multiple DVDs Nov. 30, 2004, courtesy of Columbia TriStar Home Ent.
A double-disc special edition loaded with more than 10 hours of bonus material retails for $29.96.
Bonus features include:* Commentary by director Sam Raimi, actor Tobey Maguire, producer Ani Ahrati and co-producer Grant Curtis* Technical commentary
In Home Entertainment, Visual Effects, Home Entertainment, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America
Game Creator To Adapt Oz for Bruckheimer
Uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer has optioned the videogame series OZ as well as tapped creator American McGee to adapt the film script, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Bruckheimer has put in place a trilogy deal with Walt Disney Co. based on the property, which serves as a prequel to the classic L. Frank Baum book, THE WIZARD OF OZ.
McGee will pen the first films script and outline two sequels. McGee and writer Camden Joy have already completed an 500-page illustrated novelization of the game, which Warner Books will publish.
Nick Cassavetes to Direct Iron Man
New Line Cinema and Marvel Studios have signed Nick Cassavetes (THE NOTEBOOK, JOHN Q) to direct the highly-anticipated big screen adaptation of IRON MAN. The film is scheduled to be a 2006 tentpole release. The project, which is being produced by Marvel Studios' ceo Avi Arad and Angry Films' Don Murphy, is based on a script by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and David Hayter. The studios will begin casting immediately.
Digital Musings From the Editor:
Last year when VFXWORLD met David Schaub, the animation supervisor on THE POLAR EXPRESS, we couldnt resist offering him the chance to write an exclusive production diary on the making of Robert Zemeckis experimental film. Now you can read Schaubs first of three installments, Testing and Prepping, which should lend some context to this fascinating -- and controversial hybrid.
Prisoner of Azkaban Escapes on DVD
Alfonso Cuarón stepped into the directors chair for HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, the third and darkest entry so far in the smash movie franchise, which arrives on DVD Nov. 23, 2004 (Warner Home Video, $29.95). Not surprisingly, along with the creepier plot and creeping sense of doubt, the vfx are up to the task, particularly the CGI creatures such as Buckbeak and the Dementors.
In Home Entertainment, Visual Effects, Home Entertainment, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe
Former ESC Ent. Staffers Form Evil Eye Pictures
In the wake of ESC Ent.s shutdown, former senior staffers Dan Rosen, Matt McDonald and John Jack have launched Evil Eye Pictures in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A design and compositing-focused company, Evil Eye specializes in art direction, compositing, shot design, on-set supervision, matte painting, set extensions, motion graphics and title design. With years of experience in creating and supervising 3D imagery as well, Evil Eye provides a critical eye, working with clients to achieve their unique vision.
In Anime, Business, Visual Effects, Anime, Business, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All
New James Bond Game Puts Players in Villain’s Hands
Electronic Arts announced the release of the latest videogame in the JAMES BOND series, GOLDENEYE: ROGUE AGENT. This first-person shooter gives players the chance to explore the dark side of the Bond universe and experience life as a ruthless, unpredictable villain. The game is available for PlayStation 2, Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube.
"By allowing fans to step into the shoes of the bad guys, GOLDENEYE: ROGUE AGENT is the most exciting, cutting-edge episode of the Bond videogame series to date," said Patrick Gilmore, exec producer at EA Los Angeles.
In Interactive, Visual Effects, Games, Interactive, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Imagina 2005 Takes Shape
The 23rd edition of Imagina, the European Digital Content Creation Trade Show, will take place in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Feb. 2-5, 2005.
Animal Logic Welcomes New Digital Production Incentive by NSW Government
At a screening of the Chinese blockbuster film HERO last week, the NSW attorney general Bob Debus announced that a NSW fund used to attract traditional film projects will now also be available to digital production. Animal Logic welcomed the incentive and applauded the government for recognizing the importance of digital production to the future of international filmmaking.
Animal Logics director of communications & public affairs, Greg
IMAX 3D Polar Express Continues Record Run
Despite its failure to catch on at the dominant box office, THE POLAR EXPRESS has clearly been a boon for IMAX, as the large-format companys maiden 3D feature grossed approximately $2,050,000 over the weekend, following last weekends record $2.1M gross. Playing on 60 screens in North America, the movie registered a noteworthy estimated per screen average of $34,000 for the period ended Nov. 21, 2004, and has now grossed a total of almost $6 million in only 11 days in IMAX theaters.
In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Australia, North America
Lucas Digital’s Morris Departs to Pursue Computer Animation
Jim Morris, president of Lucas Digital for 11 years, is heading south to produce computer-animated movies. Chrissie England, svp of production at ILM, has been promoted to president of ILM.
Jim, Chrissie and their team at ILM have been working hard over the last 18 months to implement sweeping changes in both the operations and structure of ILM, commented Lucasfilm Ltd. president Micheline Chau. Now that those initiatives have been launched, Jim is taking this opportunity to move on to other areas of the entertainment business.
E=mc2 Launches Double Edge Digital in Major VFX Global Expansion
Award-winning vfx company E=mc2 Digital, which was recently acquired by Double Edge Ent., a privately held film production company based in Los Angeles and Taiwan, has launched a sister animation/vfx studio, Double Edge Digital, in a major expansion of its facility, staff and capabilities in Glendale, California. In addition, Double Edge Digital execs and creative staff are overseeing the formation of a digital production infrastructure in Taipei, which will mirror the California facility, for the efficient throughput of select aspects of the company's visual effects projects.
In Business, Visual Effects, Business, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Africa, Asia
Harry 5 Gets New Director
British director David Yates has been hired by Warner Bros. to helm HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, reports VARIETY. Yates only has one big screen film under his belt in 1998s THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT. He is best known for his TV work, which includes THE WAY WE LIVE NOW and miniseries STATE OF PLAY. The fifth film is the mega-franchise is set to start filming in late 2005/early 2006 and arrive in theaters summer 2007.
Bourne Supremacy Director Takes on Watchmen
With Darren Aronofsky having left the film to work on his pet sci-fi project THE FOUNTAIN, Revolution Studios has hired THE BOURNE SUPREMACY director Paul Greengrass to helm the adaptation of the classic graphic novel, THE WATCHMEN, reports AINT IT COOL NEWS. Lloyd Levin and Larry Gordon are producing the film, which is scheduled to hit theaters summer 2006.
Raimi to Remake Evil Dead
Director Sam Raimi and original producing partners Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell have announced that they will produce a remake of the cult hit THE EVIL DEAD, reports VARIETY. Raimis Ghost House Pictures, the joint venture of Raimi, Tapert and Senator Intl., will produce the film. Senator Intl. will finance the film and retain the worldwide rights. Evp of motion pictures Nathan Kahane will oversee the project. Ghost House is looking for a director to reinvent the series before a new screenplay is written.
Shrek Scribe Tackles Lightning Thief
Fox 2000 Pictures has hired SHREK writer Joe Stillman to adapt Rick Riordans childrens book, PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF, reports VARIETY. Maverick Films' Guy Oseary is producing the film.
The story chronicles the 12-year-old demigod son of Poseidon, who ventures out into present-day America to rescue his mother, return Zeus' stolen lightning bolt and prevent a civil war among the gods.
Wachowskis Develop V for Vendetta
MATRIX creators Andy and Larry Wachowski and Joel Silver will produce a film adaptation of Alan Moore's futuristic graphic novel V FOR VENDETTA, reports VARIETY. MATRIX first assistant director James McTeigue is in negotiations with Warner Bros. to make his directing debut on the film.
Taking place in an alternate future, in which Germany wins World War II and Great Britain becomes a fascist state, a terrorist freedom fighter named V begins a violent guerilla war to destroy totalitarianism. A young woman he rescues from the secret police joins his cause.
Digital Musings From the Editor:
With all of the fascinating superhero movies in 2004, VFXWORLD asked maven Danny Fingeroth to explore the post-9/11 terrorist vibe as well as the role of CGI. As always, his analysis is lively and thoughtful.
