Last Friday, some of the Escape staff & students were given the opportunity to visit the El Segundo studios of Rhythm & Hues, one of the premier studios in the VFX industry. Rhythm & Hues has led the way in CG animation with their work on such features as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Golden Compass and Hop. Currently they are working on Ang Lee's next film Life of PI and awaiting release of the much anticipated Snow White and the Huntsman.
Is Implosion the new Explosion?
Slate Magazine has very nicely summarized an emerging trend - big Hollywood blockbusters are shying away from explosions, instead using the subtler but somehow more frightening implosion to tell the story of utter destruction.
Stunning Commercial Work from Escape Studios Graduate Justin Wentz
One of our recent graduates - who was hired as a Matte Painter at The Mill in Los Angeles - posted this commercial that he just worked on for Pepsi. Take a look at this extended version. It's SO well done! Congratulations to Justin and the rest of the team at The Mill that worked on this spot. It's really impressive.
The Dark Knight Rises Final Trailer
Are you ready for this? Christopher Nolan's final Installment in his beloved Batman Trilogy is almost out and here is the final trailer. Looks like our buddies at Double Negative are at it again with some amazing VFX work (check out that bridge collapse!). The Dark Knight Rises hits a theater near you on July 20th
Hot Smokin' Deal on VFX Bootcamps
Summer is almost here, so what will YOU be doing during summer vacation? Watching TV? Surfing the internet? Hanging out all day at Starbuck's?
Summer blockbusters mean work for VFX
It's summertime, and that means loads of new movies in the theaters. This LA Times article outlines what we all know - great movies contain great visual effects! And they cost money to make.
Fun "Pirate's" Spoof
A fun spoof on Pirates "Band of Misfits" & "Hunger Games"
Enjoy the Mashup...savvy?
Prometheus, and progress!
It's been an exciting and challenging term for my new students.
Hollywood abandoning 35mm film?
I read this article in the LA weekly with great interest - as a visual effects artist confined to digital I can see the perceived cost savings of going all-digital. But as I've learned in my own photo collection, the momentos that last the longest are the negatives and the prints - firstly, they're readily visible (once you unarchive) without the use of specialized technology that may or may not become obsolete in a few years; and secondly there's no chance of accidentally deleting these analog artifacts, unless you should throw them away, have a home flood or fire.
Pictoplasma 2012
Check out this cool intro for Pictoplasma this year.
A celebration of all things wacky in the world of character design.
Tupac Performs at Coachella Courtesy of Digital Domain
During their sold-out set at the Coachella Valley Music Festival, headliners Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg wowed fans when they were joined onstage by Tupac Shakur via a holographic projection. This incredibly realistic likeness of 2Pac was created by Hollywood vfx studio Digital Domain and reunited the legends in an exclusive, original performance of “Hail Mary” and “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.”
How Cool Is This USB Typewriter?!
I spotted this typewriter-turned-computer-keyboard on Etsy today. An antique typewriter has been modified to work as a USB Keyboard for PC, Mac, or even iPad. It's a beautiful, unique and fully functional computer keyboard!
The Documentary 'Bully'
After watching 'John Carter of Mars' and 'Hunger Games' - I'm taking a step back from VFX films and into the harsh world of 'Bully'.
Great work from Escapees in the UK
Our friend Joe Kelly has gone back to the UK, and is currently working at Escape in London. We miss him! He is still close to our hearts, and he keeps us informed as to the 'haps across the pond. Just yesterday he sent us some gorgeous work done by Escapees at the end of week 6, the Maya Core portion of the VFX Production courses currently finishing up in London. Feast your eyes!
Let the Hunger Games Begin!
If you're one of the millions of Americans who have read “The Hunger Games” then you'll probably be waiting in line to get tickets for the opening weekend. Yes... I said waiting in line. It will be THAT popular. I can't wait to see it after seeing this trailer for the film.
Solipsist Experimental Short Wins Slamdance
Take a look at director Andrew Thomas Huang experimental short "Solipsist" which recently won Slamdance's special Jury Prize. You can check out more of his work on his site, andrewthomashuang.com.
Two Thumbs Up for John Carter from Mars
I recently went to see John Carter from Mars and after all of the negativity associated with the film I was pleasantly surprised.
Psyop wins Annie Award for Twinings "Sea"
The talented folks over at Psyop recently won a well-deserved Annie award for their work on Twinings "Sea" in the category of "Best Animated Television Commercial". They actually beat themselves out of the award, as well as others (they were also nominated for Norton "Stuff"). You can read some making-of information here - just click the "details" tab.
Well done, Psyop!
San Diego as the New Hollywood?
I recently read this interesting article in the San Diego Daily Transcript about Barry Sandrew, President of Legend 3D - a San Diego based company - who wants to bring thousands of visual effects specialists from Los Angeles and other parts of the country to San Diego. You can read more about it here. I find it particularly interesting that he wants to give the studios an incentive to do business in San Diego and has already met with San Diego's mayor about setting up an economic zone to attract 5,000 visual effects jobs from Hollywood. Hollywood South, perhaps?
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