Special Effects – Visual Effects – Cinema
VFX portal
Jan 3rd
VFX Portal is a Facebook/Twitter like platform dedicated to VFX World with different features :
- a wall system where every Users (just need to Register) can publish a Status, Blog post, Quote or Link. Page will refresh automatically.
- a Private Message Board to contact each other in private.
- a Chat system at the bottom of the page, limited to 10 users for now.
- a Message Board to let people publish some job opportunities, announcement or reels.
You can use the wall to share anything you want, link, news, tips, your mood, or ask for question when you need some help, or if you are struggling with something. The idea is to offer a very flexible, easy, and automatic platform where people can access information very quickly.
We also have a blog roll presenting the latest news from the most important VFX website.
Also in development :
- a Toolbox, with a lot of very usefull links
- a global VFX Wiki, if people are interested in helping to this big feature
- an image bank
It’s here : http://portal.makingfx.net
Just need to Register
Let’s meet Harry J Alpert – Motion Control Operator
Mar 4th
Harry J Alpert has been in the film business for over twenty years as a Director of Photography, Camera Operator, Assistant Cameraman and Animator. In the Visual Effects business he specialized in Motion Control, Blue Screen, Green Screen and High Speed cinematography as an operator and D.P.
He recently published an article about his career in the Magazine “All Lights”, but he also accepted to answer few questions for Making FX.
Hi Harry, thanks for taking few time to answer my few questions.
Paul Franklin and the Dneg’s team on Inception just won the Oscar for the best VFX. What is your first reaction after the announce of the result ?
I was thrilled to see Mike Chambers, up on the stage for the Oscar He was a VFX producer on “Inception”. Very exciting! I had worked with him for ten years at Boss Film many years ago, as well as, at Digital Domain on “True Lies”. “Inception” well deserve the Oscar!
Doug Smith was my boss on “Independence Day”. It was extremely exciting to see him receive the Oscar as well!
The world of Daniel French
Mar 4th
Today, we’re going to discover a very talented artist who choose to work on miniatures. I discovered his work on twitter, and I decided to share it with you. He just finished to work on an really nice miniatures, and he took some time to answer few questions.
First a time laps about the build of the miniature:
Hi, can you describe briefly how you started to work with miniatures and why ?
Through the years, I’ve been lucky enough to work with both set design and CGI. At the same time I’ve always been fascinated by miniature work. Late last year I wrote and directed a short film and we decided to try out some miniature effects. Together with Production Designer Silas Puls we created a miniature set extension. The film is currently in post production and will be online in a couple of months. Recently a new project came up, and we made this test to show the producers.
Cinesite – New website and Reel
Mar 4th
Hi,
A small announcement just to let you know that Cinesite, one of the major VFX Facilities in London just launched a new website and put a new showreel online.
It worth to have a look at this new website which offers shots Full Screen. It’s a good idea. That’s nice.
CINESITE : http://cinesite.com
Angela Wilson Gyetvan Launches New 3D Company, Digital Whisper
Mar 2nd
Today, a new company, dedicated to 3D productions for TV and Film industry has born ! Here is the press release published on Studio Daily.
Industry Expert to Focus on Problem-solving and Advisory Services to Facilitate Cost Effective Live-Action 3D Production
LOS ANGELES, March 02, 2011 | SHOOT Publicity Wire | — In response to the fast-growing and oft times confusing 3D production needs in television and film, industry expert Angela Wilson Gyetvan today launched Digital Whisper. The professional services consulting company aims to provide better clarity, options and recommendations for companies either planning to enter the industry, shoot in stereoscopic 3D, or looking for guidance and insight for the best and most up-to-date resources and technologies within the 3D world.
Despite the incredible growth seen in the 3D industry over the last few years, there has never been a central unaffiliated resource for 3D knowledge and go-to-market strategies for both large and small scale producers of 3D content.
“As with all things new, 3D production has a steep learning curve. Digital Whisper works with all stakeholders at all levels to give them the best solutions for their problems,” said Gyetvan. “We are here to help navigate the back country; identify the necessary resources, and bring all creative visions to life — on time, and on budget — whether it’s a feature film, high-profile football match, or brand-new 3D network. My new shop will focus on tracking and assessing the whisperings and wisdom in the world of 3D entertainment.”
Wednesday – Tips & Tricks day !
Mar 2nd
It’s wednesday, the day we publish some tips and tricks.
If you have some stuff you’d like to share with the community, feel free to contact me at ludovic.iochem[at]gmail.com to give me your tips. It will be published here the next wednesday.
Let’s start right now.
1- photoshop : if you want to paint some atmospheric effects, try a layer in Linear Dodge mode and paint on it with a very small opacity and a bright color.
2- photoshop : to paint some light effects like fire, spots, etc… put a layer in Color Dodge mode, fill it with black, and paint with a color and small opacity.
3- photoshop : the most important things when you want to merge few different sources in the same image are Perspective, Light Direction, and Blur/Grain. Try to focus on that !
4- Nuke : don’t play to much with the near and far clip plane of your Camera, or you’ll have some aberrations and issues. Very small Near Clip like 0.1 may cause issues on distant objects.
5- Nuke (old but it was in French last time) : to move your camera in Nuke while you’re looking inside it, CTRL+click on the camera Logo in 3D Mode. It turns green. Then move inside the window, it will move the Camera.
That’s all for today.
Randy Cook explains Dynamation
Mar 1st
I showed you few pictures yesterday about Randall William Cook working with his pipe on the Terror Dog for Ghosbusters. Today, he’s back with a small clip of the documentary about Ray Harryhausen “ Special Effects Titan” that I introduced few days ago.
In this clip, you’ll learn what Dynamation is, and how it works. I really hope we’ll be able to see the full documentary someday.
If you have some question, feel free to ask ! Maybe we’ll find a way to get the answers !
