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April 20, 2006
I Am 8-Bit Art Opening
This is rad, the 2nd Opening dubbed Version 2.006 of the 80s gaming inspired artwork is showing from April 19th to May 19th @ Gallery Ninteen Eighty Eight in Los Angeles, CA
iam8bit.net
iam8bit.gallery
iam8bit.book
iam8bit.gallery.opening.blog
Posted by dschnee at 10:30 AM
April 19, 2006
2006 VES - VFX Festival
Looks like this years Festival is set for July 7th to the 9th @ the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, niiice. The lineup has yet to be locked in but presentations on Superman Returns, Poseidon, and Cars are said to be covered. But the interesting bit is the retrospective look at the effects of James Cameron’s Aliens... even though a retrospective look at the effects of Ridley Scott's Alien would really seal the deal for me, bring along H.R. Giger, that would rule.
"This year’s Festival boasts a new location as well as the expected stellar line up of cutting edge panels and screenings. Located in the heart of Hollywood, the historic Egyptian Theater provides the perfect environment for the ever-growing festival with two state-of-the-art screens and the unique Egyptian courtyard for our Festival party. Tentatively scheduled panel subjects include character animation, art direction and VFX, post mortems on the summer’s biggest VFX films as well as a retrospective look at the effects of James Cameron’s Aliens (1986). Tickets and more information will be available soon. If you would like to get involved in the festival, contact the VES office."
nabbed from the VES Spring Newsletter
The 2006 Festival of Visual Effects has been set for July 7-9, 2006 at the famed Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California.
"We are thrilled to be presenting our eighth annual Festival at the Egyptian for the first time," said Visual Effects Society (VES) exec director Eric Roth. "Each year the Festival has grown in scope and number of attendees. This venue shows how much the VES has expanded as well as the visual effects industry's continually increasing influence on the business of films, animation, games and television."
The Egyptian Theatre is a major Hollywood landmark of historical significance. Originally built in 1922 for impresario Sid Grauman, it was restored and renovated by the American Cinematheque, which now operates the state-of-the-art showcase Lloyd E. Rigler theatre with 650 seats and the Steven Spielberg theatre with 83 seats. The 2006 Festival of Visual Effects will utilize both theatres during the course of this year's festival activities.
There will be presentations on such highly anticipated summer movies as SUPERMAN RETURNS, POSEIDON and CARS, in addition to such TV fare as SMALLVILLE. Panels, special screenings and other events are in the planning phase and a full line-up of activities and participants is expected to be announced by May 15.
Posted by dschnee at 7:45 AM
April 18, 2006
Siggraph 2006, Boston
In just a few months here Siggraph B0ST0N6 will take place in Boston, Massachusettes, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition - July 30th to August 3rd
It hasn't been this far outside of the golden state since 2000, when it was held in New Orleans. I've never been to Boston, and it'll be a great excuse to get over there for siggraph this year. I'm looking forward to seeing a new city, catching up with some friends, and doing just a bit of geeking out.
The Computer Animation Festival 'Best of Show' have been announced along with the lineup for the Electronic Theater, which will have a couple of bits on Kong:
King Kong: "VFX Breakdown"
New Zealand
Director: Joe Letteri
Weta Digital Ltd
King Kong: "In a New York Minute"
New Zealand
Director: Chris White
Weta Digital Ltd.
Posted by dschnee at 11:07 PM
April 9, 2006
Server switched + demo reels back online
Everything 'meyemind' has been switched over to a new server, which means all of my reels are back online, cool stuph, including my show reel for King Kong
You can see all 3+ months of 7day 100+ hour weeks breeze by in less than 2 minutes, it's fantastic fun! ohh geez, all that work for that little bit? :( So click on the link below to see the final composited shots rip'd from the dvd, this is pretty much the entire bulk of the work I did, I think there were 2-3 shots that didn't make it into the final cut, but that's all folks, enjoy.
KING KONG [9.4mb] [QT H.264 codec]
details on the shots can be found over in the Comp Department - King Kong
And speaking of Kong... the damn dvd did 6.5 million in sales the first week of release, Universal boasts it's the largest six-day performance in Universal Studios history... thats insane. check out the press release here
See Also: movieweb.com's Interview: Effects Wizard Joe Letteri Talks King Kong
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Press Release Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Box-Office Blockbuster 'King Kong' Roars on DVD
Monday April 3, 11:49 am ET
Mega Hit Amasses a King-Sized $100 Million in Consumer Spending The Largest First Six-Day Sell-Through on DVD in Universal Studios History
Film Continues Its Record-Breaking Success as Universal Pictures' Fourth-Highest Grossing Film of All Time
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- "King Kong" ascended to extraordinary heights in its first six days in release, selling more than 6.5 million DVDs, the largest six-day performance in Universal Studios history. Fans snatched the blockbuster adventure film off shelves, generating $100 million in consumer spending for the Universal Studios Home Entertainment release.
The spectacular first-week DVD sales continue "King Kong's" astonishing commercial success as the studio's fourth-highest grossing film in the studio's 94-year history. To date, the film has amassed approximately $550 million in ticket sales worldwide, following on the heels of "Jurassic Park," "E.T." and "The Lost World: Jurassic Park."
"Hands down, Peter Jackson's 'King Kong' ranks as one of Universal's biggest and most successful cinematic triumphs of all time," said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "Home entertainment consumers recognize the singular-event status of this spectacular breakthrough motion picture which has been further bolstered by the film's stunning technical achievements including its Oscar® win for best visual effects."
The latest larger-than-life spectacle from visionary filmmaker Peter Jackson (the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy), "King Kong" enthralled audiences and critics alike, garnering three Oscars® at the 2006 Academy Awards® and appearing on countless "Best Movies of the Year" lists.
Both the original theatrical version and the Special Collectors Edition two-disc set of the "King Kong" DVD boast collectible package artwork specially created by WETA Digital Ltd., the production company behind the film's impressive Oscar®-winning visual effects. The DVD release of "King Kong" was supported by unparalleled cross-promotional opportunities with an array of prominent partners including Papa John's Pizza, Glad, Hostess, Orville Redenbacher's® Gourmet® Microwave Popcorn, Kellogg's, Nestle, Toshiba, Chase and Kodak EasyShare.
"King Kong" recounts the eternal tale of beauty and the beast, with a script by three-time Academy Award® winner Jackson and his longtime collaborators and fellow Oscar® winners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. Oscar® nominee Naomi Watts ("21 Grams"), Jack Black ("School of Rock"), Oscar® winner Adrien Brody ("The Pianist"), Colin Hanks ("Orange County") and Andy Serkis (the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy) headline this must-see spectacular, with a cast of mind-boggling, mythical creatures and an arsenal of spectacular visual innovations backing them up.
The Special Collector's Edition DVD features an exclusive glimpse of the creation of "King Kong's" two unique worlds -- Skull Island, a land forgotten by time, where the actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and the giant, savage ape known as King Kong forge their tragic bond, and 1930's New York City, a different, but not less perilous, kind of jungle. Other extras include almost three hours of exclusive behind the scenes footage with director Jackson, as he finalizes every aspect of post production on this groundbreaking film. The single disc version is available at $29.98 SRP and the two-disc Special Edition is priced at $30.98 SRP.
For artwork or screeners, please log on to our Web site at www.ushepublicity.com or fax your request to Universal Studios Home Entertainment Publicity at (818) 866-0226.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi Universal.
CONTACTS
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Vivian Mayer
Senior Vice President, Publicity
(818) 777-3594
Lea Porteneuve
Vice President, Publicity
(818) 777-1391
Evan Fong
Executive Director, Publicity
(818) 777-5540
Meghan Gamber
Manager, Print Publicity
(818) 777-0546
www.kingkongmovie.com
Posted by dschnee at 10:51 PM
April 7, 2006
Ray Harryhausen visits the Studio
Yes, Happy Friday Indeed! stop-motion legend Ray Harryhausen came to Tippett Studio today part of his book tour for The Art of Ray Harryhausen. He had lunch in one of our screening rooms with some premium Tippett folks, and afterward held a signing of books and posters for the crew. He came by last year signing Ray Harryhausen: An Animated Life, but I couldn't make it that day, but did have my book signed!
This time around I was here for the signing, but didn'thave him sign his book, instead a co-comper found a hi-rez Clash of the Titans poster online. It had some fold marks and other blemeshes in it, but he cleaned it up nicely and had a couple 11x17" premium matte finish posters printed up. So I had this puppy signed. When It was my turn, I presented it in front of Mr. Harryhausen, and he asked me where I got it... (this was after my co-comper had already had his signed) "ahhh...you know...found it on the internet, had it printed up" eek... ;) Anyhow, a picture was taken of him actually signing my poster below.
It was truly an honor and a rare treat to be graced by one of our industries most influential artist, special effects living legend, stop-motion icon, Ray Harryhausen.
Posted by dschnee at 2:52 PM
meyemind.com upgrade + down time
I'm in the process of switching servers and upgrading to a much better hosting plan, so the site could be down for a day or so...
Posted by dschnee at 9:47 AM
April 4, 2006
Effects To Bark About
A nice spread covering Tip's work on Shaggy!
"To create the mutant lab animals, the filmmakers turned to Tippett Studios, known for its character animation. There, 46 creative artists worked on 110 shots, which including transitions shots as Allen turns into a dog, a DNA sequence, and a surfing sheepdog as well as the lab animals."
"“Our goals were to take a realistic approach to animals that were genetically engineered to have dog traits,” says James Brown, lead animator. “They used the real animals when they could, and used ours when the animals needed to push the cages or bark.” The mice and rats bark, chase their tails, and act like dogs; the rabbits do the same thing. “At one point, the rabbits are in a car sticking their heads out the window with their ears flapping,” says Schelesny. “The king cobra has a shaggy sheep dog tail that it wags. It’s supposed to act cute rather than as a cobra.”"
Check out the article over on the CGSociety Production Focus: Effects To Bark About.
Posted by dschnee at 9:58 AM
April 3, 2006
Charlotte's Web Trailer
I caught this trailer a couple times on Nickelodeon around the Kids Choice Awards this past Saturday. It's good, and exciting to see, I think this is going to do well, especially with Dakota Fanning in it. Templeton the Rat looked great! They were a bit shy about showing Charlotte though... I still don't think they have locked down the 'look' of Charlotte the spider yet... This show doesn't come out until December though... there is still time, :)
UPDATE Watch the CH Trailer HERE!
old...Still waiting for the trailer to hit the online sites, but until then you can watch it on
iTunes via Nick: Nickelodeon Movies Podcast
Posted by dschnee at 11:23 AM
