'Get AAAGR Before Your Friend Does'
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
How to Train Your Dragon In Uk Cinemas
Dreamworks new animated feature film How To Train Your Dragon is out in UK cinemas today and will be available to watch in IMAX 3-D
Watch The How To Train Your Dragon Trailer in full Quicktime HD 1080
Behind-the-scenes of How To Train Your Dragon on Making of.com (above)
Animation Mentor graduate Mike Stern worked on the film.
You can Follow Him Here On Twitter
Wee Brian who was one of the three animators on Aardman’s The Deadline also worked as an Animator.
Animation World Network interview with Directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, also includes interview with Head of Character Animation Simon Otto entitled DreamWorks Unleashes the Dragons
Avatar
Dir: James Cameron
It has been confirmed today that Avatar will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the UK on April 26th 2010. As yet there is no word of a release date for the 3-D version of the film which will probably be announced when 3-D technology becomes mainstream and more affordable in the home, so it could be a while yet.
Senior Animator Robert Kuczera has just sent me an e-mail asking if I would post a link to an interview with CG Heute entitled Robert Kuczera – Animieren Fur District 9 detailing the work he did on District 9 while at The Embassy in Vancouver. How could I refuse! The interview was originally written in German so the Google translation is a little ropey in places although it is easy to follow.
Robert’s extensive body of work, which can be seen on his website includes animation for adverts and films such as Comfort Creme and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban while working at various effects studios including The Mill and Framestore CFC. He is also known for his 9 minute short CGI film Dragon Slayer
WINNER: Logorama
Nominee: French Roast
Nominee: Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty
Nominee: La dama y la muerte (The Lady and The Reaper)
Nominee: Wallace and Gromit in A Matter of Loaf and Death
It’s no surprise that Pixar’s UP won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, but there isn’t usually a great deal of fuss around the Best Animated Shorts. Here are the 4 nominees and overall winner. Although Logorama is very clever, after the initial novelty of seeing the world made out of corporate logos, the story doesn’t grab you as much as it could have and consequently the film could have been shorter. I thought A Matter of Loaf and Death should have won and there was unfortunately no sign of Alma which is one of the best short films of the year. It must have been overlooked by the voting panel and should have at least been given a nomination.
Feb
28
2010
Posted at 12:52 pm | No Comments
One of the better Done In 60 Seconds competition entries for the 2010 Empire Awards. The film cleverly replaces the alien prawns with clowns. Created in Ireland, the film has yet to be nominated, with other less deserving entries getting in to the top 20 shortlist. Vote now for the existing entries, although the District 9 entry will hopefully be entered from the Irish round of the competition. Voting closes on 12 March.
Feb
15
2010
Posted at 5:06 pm | No Comments
UP
Dir: Pete Docter
Pixar’s latest film Up is released on Blu-ray today in the UK. I was looking forward to seeing this as I missed it at the cinema. Written and directed by Monsters Inc. director and veteran Toy Story animator Pete Docter Also includes Pixar’s latest animated short Partly Cloudy
An interesting section in the making of documentary, describes how the story department fleshed out Carl and Ellie’s developing relationship. One idea shows them trading ’punches’ throughout the years to gain one-upmanship over each other! The idea was unsurprisingly discarded as the ‘cross your heart’ concept was deemed more prominent. It just shows that Pixar develop their stories to the full, exploring every possible avenue, while going through many rewrites before deciding on the final draft.
Feb
12
2010
Posted at 5:43 pm | No Comments
Main Title Sequence For The BBC by StudioAKA
The BBC are currently running the main title sequence to accompany coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver
Overseeing the project was Marc Craste an animation director I have admired for a long time, whose previous work includes the Lloyds Bank ‘For The Journey’ adverts. Jon Klassen was brought in as co-designer to help Studio AKA create the overall style.
The short story tells the tale of an Inuit who is faced with various Olympic challenges while having to retrieve a head stone, taken by a great bear from the inukshuk totem statue called Ilanaaq or ‘friend’, the emblem of the Winter Games.
The infectious music is from Cry Me A River by Vancouver’s Michael Buble
Jan
18
2010
Posted at 5:35 pm | No Comments
Just got round to seeing Avatar in IMAX 3-D. Instantly, from the very first scene, you know that you are about to witness something special. The film is visually stunning and James Cameron utilises the 3-D effect brilliantly, using depth to the fullest without overly pushing the effect out of the screen. Some 3-D films try to exaggerate the effect unnecessarily, which causes image separation and is therefore hard for your eyes to adjust. The camera technology in this film is so good that your eyes don’t have to over compensate and the large polarising glasses retain the vibrant colours of the 2D version.
The 3-D in Avatar is most effective and not surprisingly so, with scenes that have obvious depth, such as the sleeping pod room, the AMP suit hanger, the briefing room full of RDA soldiers or scenes high in the huge Home Tree, looking down to the distant jungle floor of Pandora below. The projected 1.78:1 image, which almost fills the huge 65ft x 48 ft IMAX screen, assists the 3-D effect so much so that it sometimes gives you the feeling of vertigo. The sheer size of the screen transports you into the lush alien world and seems to connect the audience more emotionally with the characters.
One slight disappointment however was that, as IMAX is still projected from 70mm film (as opposed to being entirely digital) the orientation of the film running through the projector still produces a certain amount of blurring and strobing when there is a lot of fast motion on the screen. To help compensate for this, the 3-D separation is purposely held back by the compositors on certain action scenes, resulting in a less exaggerated effect, which seems to be more pleasing to watch.
Is 3-D the future of cinema? Well for now it seems to be looking that way, especially on the IMAX screens, currently drawing audiences back with record breaking box office figures BoxOfficeMojo.com. If only the technology existed where IMAX 3-D was entirely digital and without the glasses. I think Avatars’ success though, is not only down to the new (ish) 3-D technology, but word of mouth about the breathtaking CG and quality of the performance capture, with some people even going back to see the film several times. The release of Avatar will hopefully push the technology along at a faster pace and we should start seeing quality non anaglyph 3-D in our homes sooner than expected.
Although the story may have been told many times before and there are obviously influences from James Cameron’s other films, as it turns out, the film proves that this is definitely not a bad thing at all.
Dec
28
2009
Posted at 5:16 pm | No Comments
District 9
Dir: Neill Blomkamp
Released on Blu-ray today in the UK. Believe the reviews, District 9 employs some groundbreaking film making from first time feature director Neill Blomkamp Behind the scenes info District 9: Making Of
Dec
21
2009
Posted at 5:55 pm | No Comments
The Gruffalo was created by Studio Soi and Magic Light Pictures for the BBC. The short 30 minute animated film combines both CGI and Stop-Motion techniques to create a stylistic look which is faithful to the original book
Here’s a great interview with Axel Scheffler as he talks through his initial Gruffalo book illustrations.
If you don’t manage to catch it on Christmas Day, the DVD is available now.
Dir: Jakob Schuh & Max Lang
Voice Cast: James Corden, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The 3D Motion Traning Approche Explained
Most of you are probably wondering, just what is this 3D and motion training thing? The short answer is 3DMT is an approach to health and performance. It includes two parts, evaluation and training.
First, the 3D in 3DMT represents the 3-dimensional nature of our evaluations. We use a high tech 3D motion analysis system to evaluate how your body moves. We use the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS) which until now has been limited to specific applications in academic research and University Hospitals focusing on extreme musculo-skeletal conditions. APAS type 3D analysis systems are the best way to capture and analyze human movement, and what we call functional ability. 3DMT allows you access to this same cutting edge technology at very affordable prices.
The second component of the 3DMT approach is training. Once we evaluate the way you move and identify strength, flexibility, or coordination deficits it is then necessary to train your body to move more efficiently. This is done by re-educating the neuromuscular system to operate more efficiently. There is no pill or quick fix, your neuromuscular system learns by doing and therefore requires your active participation in a consistent manner.
3D Motion Training has been very successful and includes indirect benefits like the confidence, understanding and ability to put you back in control of your own health or performance. Since you do all the work you get all the credit and satisfaction for your improvement!
The 3D Mt Traning Program
The training aspect of the 3DMT approach is different from most other forms of training popular today. The biggest differences are in the implementation of the exercises and the scheme by which exercise sessions are conducted.
In most training and rehabilitation facilities medical and training professionals typically match various exercises to patients and athletes based upon a stated goal. As some of you know this doesn’t always work. The 3DMT approach goes one level higher considering the functional ability of the client or athlete when prescribing exercise programs. Because we do this, our outcome success rate is very high.
3DMT also takes a different approach in it’s exercise sessions. It is very difficult to know exactly how long or how many days, weeks, months will be necessary so instead of offering one on one training or appointments, we offer training on a monthly basis without limitations.
Ever have trouble getting an appointment with a therapist or trainer? Ever run out of time right in the middle of your program? We accommodate you whenever you want to come for as long as your program takes.
3D Motion Tranning Approche Explained
Most of you are probably wondering, just what is this 3D and motion training thing? The short answer is 3DMT is an approach to health and performance. It includes two parts, evaluation and training.
First, the 3D in 3DMT represents the 3-dimensional nature of our evaluations. We use a high tech 3D motion analysis system to evaluate how your body moves. We use the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS) which until now has been limited to specific applications in academic research and University Hospitals focusing on extreme musculo-skeletal conditions. APAS type 3D analysis systems are the best way to capture and analyze human movement, and what we call functional ability. 3DMT allows you access to this same cutting edge technology at very affordable prices.
The second component of the 3DMT approach is training. Once we evaluate the way you move and identify strength, flexibility, or coordination deficits it is then necessary to train your body to move more efficiently. This is done by re-educating the neuromuscular system to operate more efficiently. There is no pill or quick fix, your neuromuscular system learns by doing and therefore requires your active participation in a consistent manner.
3D Motion Training has been very successful and includes indirect benefits like the confidence, understanding and ability to put you back in control of your own health or performance. Since you do all the work you get all the credit and satisfaction for your improvement!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Advanced Motion Measurement
AMM, Inc. develops 3D motion capture hardware, software and systems for the motion analysis industry.
AMM has a comprehensive product line including AMM 3D-GOLF with TPI 3D golf swing biomechanics analysis, and sports motion analysis in general. High-end, high-speed optical, electromagnetic and inertial systems are available.
AmmSensor™ is a real-time wireless 3D sensor that is Bluetooth compatible. Together with AmmTrainer3D™ and AmmGraph3D™ a graphics display package, they address a myriad of motion capture applications in many different industries. AmmSensor™ may be used in the life sciences, industrial, entertainment, military, training, simulation, animation and the movement science fields. AMM has developed the AmmTrainer3D™ biofeedback training system that can be used in biomechanics research, rehabilitation, sports science and for sports training.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Computer generated motion graphics
The term motion graphics originated with video editing in computing, perhaps to keep pace with newer technology. Before computers were widely available, motion graphics were costly and time consuming, limiting their use to only high budget film and TV projects. With the reduced cost of producing motion graphics on a computer, the discipline has seen more widespread use. With the availability of desktop programs such as Adobe After Effects, Discreet Combustion, and Apple Motion, motion graphics have become increasingly accessible.
The term "Motion Graphics" was popularized by Trish and Chris Meyer's book about the use of Adobe After Effects, titled "Creating Motion Graphics". This was the beginning of desktop applications which specialized in video production, but were not editing or 3D programs. These new programs collected together special effects, compositing, and color correction toolsets, and primarily came between edit and 3D in the production process. This "in-between" notion of motion graphics and the resulting style of animation is why sometimes it is referred to as 2.5D
Motion graphics continue to evolve as an art form with the incorporation of sweeping camera paths and 3D elements. Maxon's CINEMA 4D is known for its ease of use, plugins such as MoGraph and integration with Adobe After Effects. Despite their relative complexity, Autodesk's Maya and 3D Studio Max are also widely used for the animation and design of motion graphics. Maya — traditionally used for high-end special effects and character animation — has the advantage of including an extremely robust feature set and wide-ranging user base. 3D Studio Max has many of the advanced features of Maya and uses a node-based particle system generator similar to Cinema 4D's Thinking Particles plugin. There are also some other packages in Open Source panorama, which are gaining more features and adepts in order to use in a motion graphics workflow. Blender and its node-editor is becoming more and more powerful.
Many motion graphics animators learn several 3D graphics packages for use according to each programs' strengths. Although many trends in motion graphics tend to be based on a specific software's capabilities, the software is only a tool the designer uses while bringing the vision to life.
Lending heavily from techniques such as the Collage or the Pastiche, motion graphics has begun to integrate many traditional animation techniques as well, including stop-motion animation, cell animation or a combination of both
Motion graphics
Motion graphics are graphics that use video and/or animation technology to create the illusionmotion or a transforming appearance. These motion graphics are usually combined with audiomultimedia projects. Motion graphics are usually displayed via electronic mediathaumatrope, phenakistoscope, stroboscope, zoetrope, praxinoscope, flip book) as well. The term is useful for distinguishing still graphics from graphics with a transforming appearance over time without over-specifying the form of for use in technology, but may be displayed via manual powered technology (e.g.Motion graphics versus film
Motion Graphics include animations, movies, etc. The term "motion graphics" has the potential for less ambiguity than the use of the term "film" to describe moving pictures in the 21st century. "Film" is also used to describe photographic film (the 20th century medium of choice for recording motion), the process of recording footage, and the industry it most serves. However, digital video recording and digital projection to display motion graphics have the potential to make photographic film obsolete. The term "capture" is often used instead of "film" as a verb to describe the process of recording footage, perhaps due to the term's compatibility with digital video and motion capture technology. "The motion picture industry" is the formal term for what used to be called the "film industry".
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