Finding the time to hone ones skills is more often than not more a troublesome task than finding the will to learn. In a busy world it’s never as simple as signing up for a fulltime course and cracking on with it.
MPC work their magic in epic new Samsung ad!
The ad above created by MPC, is one of the most epic of the year so far. From a herd of wildebeest, to a T-Rex, to an explosive alien invasion, this one and a half minute clip, set in an empty city, shows a laid back viewer in control of this multiverse, and being rather apathetic to the radical changes occurring around him.
Escape HQ - April 17th - '2D to 3D' - VFX Legend, Paul Chung.
We’re very happy to announce that in just over a week’s time, (Wednesday April the 17th – pencil it in!) we will have none other than VFX legend Paul Chung here at Escape HQ, presenting at our Open day to a room of eager VFX loving attendees.
Spartacus: War of the Damned has been brought to life by some serious green screen action!
If like me you’ve been eagerly anticipating every weekend for the time when you can stream the latest episode of Spartacus: War of the Damned, you’ll know that this weekend was the penultimate episode of arguably the most fantastically gory series ever to hit television screens.
I feel like a right Planck in this Lycra!
Thanks to the Max Planck institute for Informatics, actors may be spared the embarrassment of wearing the ever so flattering lycra body suits when it comes to shooting scenes laden with VFX.
The Uncanny Valley is close!
Readers of our blog out there will remember a piece we posted a few weeks back about the concept of ‘the uncanny valley’, and I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s pretty darn weird in action!
When the pencil is mightier than the pixel - Quietly questioning 'the Croods' production choices...
I haven't yet seen the Croods, but my four year old's pester power means a trip to the cinema is inevitable this Easter. When I saw the first trailer a number of months ago, however I was left a little cold and felt little compulsion to make the effort to see it. It seemed rather predictable, not particularly lovable characters and no real 'hooks' to grab me. I did change my mind completely a few weeks later when Chris Sanders started releasing his story boards for the Croods. They are nothing short of stunning.
Check out this Stash!
A great mash up of some amazing VFX, motion and animation work collated by the guys at Stash. Titled ‘Stash 98: Another 100 minutes of motion brilliance’ this one and a half minutes of footage is a showcase collaboration of clips that are tantalising for the eyes.
Lovable Film, Despicable Me 2.
I loved the first slice of 'Despicable Me'. And it’d be an understatement to say I am excited about this new trailer and release of ‘Despicable Me 2’ this summer! On the site, you can see some of their 3D turntables of the CG car they designed that is amphibious, there’s also some concept art on there too.
A hell of a lot of animals!
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the recent Academy award for Best Visual Effects, given to Life of Pi last month, it is important to remember that R&H was not the only studio to have had creative influence to the film.
The Visual Effects Academy
So, the time is nearly upon us to open our doors to all you budding VFX artist wannabes to show you what we’re made of!
Conference on VFX, Animation, Videogames and Digital Architecture seeks work from Animators!
One of the beautiful things about the internet is the ability to translate any language to your own with the click of a button. Meaning we get to find out about more awesome events like this...
'Masks' - The most fantastically bizarre animation you'll see all year!
We reckon that this is quite simply on of the most excellent (and unique) animated shorts you’ll have seen in a while!
An animation by Patrick Smith, created entirely on the back of a pre written score by musician Karl Von Kries. This short shows a mad scientist that perfects a cloning process of a small grey population of people. Who in turn are edible to the larger, superior Masked folk. The little grey clones have a trick up their sleeve though, so make sure you watch until the end!
The animated short has won a number of awards in it’s time, and if you haven’t seen it yet – click away
Every Young Girl’s Dream (well, quite a few…)
I’ll probably get in to trouble if I say that EVERY young girl dreamed of having their very own Prince Charming slip on the glass slipper and whisk her away from a life of boredom, ill-treatment and endless cleaning, but it would be fair to say that quite a few girls grew up getting lost in this particular fantasy, and it would appear that Emma Watson is one of them!
Who says you can't create in Microsoft Paint?
There was always one kid in school who, when it came to using computers - was a wizard with the mouse, and would create pictures on ‘Paint’ as soon as your Business Studies teacher had his back turned. Well, some school out there was graced with the presence of this chap ‘Jim’.
Black Phoenix 3D Project (it's as cool as it sounds!)
You may have read our blog a few weeks back about the robot dog/drone/potential death machine that was created by the US military, if you did catch it, you’ll know that this ‘Black Phoenix’ from 3D artist Vitaly Bulgarov project is not far away from being very much a spot on prediction of the near future.
The First Ascent of Everest, In 3D!
Wheels are in motion for the first known ascent of Mt. Everest is to be made into a 3D feature, by award-winning N.Z. documentary maker Leanne Pooley.