Ever wanted to control things with your mind? Get a secret message over to your pals in a public place? If so, then the future is going to be very exciting for you.
Irish Producer nominated for 'Best Animated Short' Academy award.
You may remember our very own Paul Harrison recently wrote a blog post about the increasing success of Ireland’s animation industry.
Event for the animation and creative community: Monday 25th February.
This week we had a chat with our friends over at Made Visual Studio, who are screening an animated film about Monty Python legend Graham Chapman – (pretty awesome project right?) and its taking place next Monday, 25th of February at East London’s Rich Mix.
Googly Eyes
Contrary to the title of this blog post, we're not writing about these googly eyes, no, this post is about the busy week we've had technologically. HTC unveiled their latest flagship smartphone here in London, the HTC One (not to be confused with the One X, One X+, One S, One V...). Sony announced the Playstation 4, boasting some serious specs as expected, although we don’t actually know what it looks like yet.
We're going through ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...
If you're a regular through our doors then you might have noticed a few changes. Here at Escape HQ we've been busy building, painting, schlepping, and revamping our office area, studios and break out space for a new and rather fresh look. There's still quite a few bits and bobs to do but here's a look at what we were then and what we are now...
A woman's touch...
The role of Visual Effects Supervisor is hugely important on set as well as during the whole post production process. This person works with both the Director and Clients to convert artistic concepts to stunning visual imagery.
Now THAT'S a portfolio!
Tomorrow, Escape Studios will be hosting another industry visit to the heart of Soho, where our friends over at Cinesite will be showing attendees exactly where the lifeblood of UK VFX is pumped from.
Animation Ireland
And how has this happened? Well a decade of tax breaks and investment basically. Tax breaks to aid production costs and funding for development prior to production from various sources. Very interesting given the impending tax breaks around the corner in the UK. Could this be a new dawn in film and broadcast for us here?
I was amazed by how many companies are turning out real quality work in Ireland. The tax breaks have not affected the passion for excellence. In fact I would say it has merely fuelled it - the companies are competing against eachother to produce the best work. And as the industry steadily grows there are now whispers of full length animated movies being made there.
If you are curious about what has been happening in Ireland check out the Animation Ireland showreel on their website...
Here's something you may not know. Ireland has a booming animation industry. No I didn't know that either until I went to the Cartoon Finance conference in Dublin last year. In fact the animation industry is doing so well, that in the face of the downturn, it has become one of their major exports. At the conference, it was quipped that the animators are now the ones with the proper jobs.
WFTV: Women in Technology Networking
A big thank you to the ladies from WFTV (Women in Film and TV) for organising a networking event last night for women who work in technical roles across film and television. Three of us (Davi Stein, Anita Gribble and myself) from Escape went along to see what was going down! We had a great time meeting women from lots of different fields. Among them was a DOP, a few editors and to our delight two effects TD’s from MPC.
Truly EPIC God of War trailer
We were enticed this week when we saw this epic live action trailer for Sony’s game ‘God of War: Ascension’, It was made by creative studio and production company ‘Imaginary Forces’, a firm who have worked on a huge amount of projects, spanning from commercial work to television and film,
Google Chrome, Powerade, Transformers, Minority Report, and Boardwalk Empire, are but a few of their accolades to date. Impressive stuff!
If the game is half as epic as this evocative ad, viewers will no doubt want to get playing right away!
Too much Apple for Ashton Kutcher?
Ashton Kutcher has unveiled that he got himself into a a real pickle, taking on a method actors approach when preparing for his latest role in a film set to hit screens in April 2013, which will follow the life and times of Steve Jobs.
It's paper, but not as you know it...
We’re fans of art all across the spectrum here at Escape, and these sculptures, created by Chinese artist Li Hongbo are rather mind boggling.
What appears upon first viewing, to be a set or porcelain sculpted heads, are actually a set of heads that are crafted out of thousands of layers of soft white paper,
A form that was originally used to make Chinese toys and decorations – book editor and designer Li Hongbo, became intrigued by their form and took the medium to another level. Check out this site for videos and snaps!
Webinar: Kick starting your career in CG with Anita Gribble and Garreth Gaydon
Recruiters in any company will be sent hundreds of applications on a weekly basis, and when it comes to getting your application noticed, just try putting yourself in their shoes for a moment. For example, their first job is to sort through the good from the bad. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to impress at a glance.
Total Rigging in Total Recall: Webinar
On 7th of February 2013, Escape HQ will be welcoming Jakub Krompolc, who is head of rigging at London’s Prime Focus world.
The Ultimate Metal Band
Being in a band can be testing, creative differences can get in the way, varying levels musicianship can stunt progression, and of course there are some nights where it just doesn’t come together on stage.
17th Art Directors Guild Awards: Nominees
Last week, nominees for the 17thArt Director’s Guild awards were unveiled.
Escape makes it to the South Pole (Sort of...)
One of our long standing customers and friend, Managing Director of Glassworks London, Hector McLeod, has taken on a rather 'pedestrian' themed project over the past few months, and not in the usual sense of the word.
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.
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.