Many 3D fans will be aware of the power of Maya, and the influence it has on the world of VFX, from blockbuster films to major games series, Maya is one of the most incredible creative tools on the planet. But like a pack of Arctic Huskies, it demands time and attention if you wish it to take you voyaging across the vast plains of 3D.
CVMP 2012 - Reflections (and Refractions)...Part Two!
So we shall pick up from where we left off in my previous blog, Reflections (and Refractions) from CVMP 2012 part one.
Cloverfield meets Transformers - Some serious VFX action!
Just when you thought Hollywood couldn’t create VFX on a larger scale than Cloverfield or Transformers, this trailer is released, for ‘Pacific Rim’, and it really takes the biscuit!
Directed by the world renowned Guillermo del Toro, this is a tale of wait for it, giant robots made by humans, fighting giant monsters that have arrived through a time portal at the bottom of the sea - Sounds crazy right? Check out this trailer and if you plan to go to see this at the cinema, be sure to prepare yourself for some bone crushingly epic VFX sequences.
Kicking off 2013 with Head of 3D at Framestore Commercials, Diarmid Harrison Murray.
To see in the New Year in style, we have a number of events planned for January 2013, the jewel in this stone clad crown of a month though, is a live interview with escapee and head of 3D at Framestore Commercials, Diarmid Harrison Murray.
CVMP 2012 - Reflections (and Refractions)...Part One!
This was the 9th iteration of the CVMP conference, and it certainly lived up to its billing. The conference struck just the right balance between academic research and commercial production, providing a hugely rich and diverse array of ideas, challenges, successes and future endeavours.
VFX - want to see how it's really done?
Fancy taking a peak behind the VFX scenes at Framestore's cinema? Framestore are one of the biggest post houses operating on Soho (London's VFX Hub...) today. They've worked on everything from The Golden Compass to Avatar to the Skyfall titles). We're conducting our last Open Day of the year there next Wednesday and we're rather excited about it!
In the beginning there was... FIFA International Soccer?
It wasn’t long ago that FIFA 13 was crowned the king of 21st century sports games, with 4.5 million copies sold in the five days after its launch, (1.23 million of those being in the first 48 hours) it’s figures worldwide trounced sporting rivals such as NHL 13 (0.48m), and Madden 13 (1.65m), more importantly though, it exceeded its closest rival, Pro Evolution Soccer, (0.86m) which had Christiano Ronaldo spearheading the advertising campaign, who in this case, off of the pitch, as well as on, has been left in the shadow of this year’s FIFA ambassador Lionel Messi.
£100 Amazon voucher up for grabs in our #merryvfxmas competition, Get Tweeting!
To celebrate the holiday season, Escape Studios are pleased to announce the commencing of our #merryvfxmas Christmas competition!
Discover the Artist Within… at the 2D – 3D Showdown!
What sets 2D and 3D visual effect artists apart? Most would say, not a lot. Both teams of artists are necessary in the creation of stunning CG visuals. But have you ever wondered why someone would choose one path over another? What makes the ultimate Compositor or 3D VFX artist?
Anyone else bored of Apple?
I have been a long time aficionado of Apple products, thinking and innovation. I'm not sure what this means about me or the world around me, but I think I am finally bored of Apple and their products. Yes they work beautifully and my life is full of them, but it just seems to be revision after revision now without any of the innovation that made me fall in love.
1 day left to register for CVMP 2012...
Do you want to be in the know of the newest technology and techniques in the VFX industry? Do you want to meet with some of the brightest VFX talent in the UK and Europe?
Then CVMP is the perfect place for you to be on the 5th and 6th of December!
Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan
Some good news for VFX fans this week, as VES announce that a complete documentary film about the legendary Ray Harryhausen, will be shown at a number of festivals early next year, and better still, those who can’t make these screenings, will be able to get their hands on ‘RAY HARRYHAUSEN: SPECIAL EFFECTS TITAN’ (quite the title, eh?) as soon as March 2013.
Being an avid Harryhausen fan, I own a signed copy of his classic book ‘The Art of Ray Harryhausen’, and have had the great pleasure of attending an intimate lecture held by this ‘Special Effects Titan’ back in 2009.
Robin Squires VFX Course Diary: WEEK 6
Having started a VFX course here at Escape Studios, I’m keeping a diary to share with you how I’ve been getting on so far. And here's an update on week six.
To Whom it May Inspire!
Something Pixar are always great at is sharing their wealth of wisdom with fellow artists. Having come across this wonderful snippet of inspiration the other day, I felt it needed to be shared with all you compositing and VFX artists out there. It’s important to know that even the guys at the top have a tough time!
Live Interview: Defining 50 Years of Bond in a Title Sequence with Diarmid Harrison-Murray
We've invited Head of 3D at Framestore Commercials and Escape graduate, Diarmid Harrison-Murray, to kick off the New Year with a live interview, speaking about his latest work on the Skyfall opening title sequence, and his overall journey as a VFX artist.
Robin Squires VFX Course Diary: WEEK 5
Having started a VFX course here at Escape Studios, I've been keeping a diary to share how I’m getting on so far. And here's an update on week five.
The Honeymoon Promotions!
To celebrate their recent nuptials, The Foundry and Luxology are offering NUKE, MARI, HIERO and modo with up to 30% off in the special Honeymoon Promotions.
Python Tips & Tricks from a NUKE Master; Recording Now Available!
Last Monday, November 19th, we ran a very popular webinar with Victor Perez, a master when it comes to using Python inside NUKE. A whopping ninety nine people attended this live webinar to hear what Victor had to share, and we’ve had an incredible number of requests from people who couldn’t attend to share the webinar recording. For us, this interest has been very encouraging, and we look forward to bringing you more webinars like this.
A Hidden Visual Gem
Japanese Animator Tetsuka Niiyama has created yet another beautiful video in the form of this short (but wonderful) CG movie.
