News Stories

Blistering barnacles: finally another film worth seeing in 3D

[The Copenhagen Post]

The Adventures of Tintin is based on the much loved Tintin comic books that have for decades captured both children’s and adults’ imaginations.

Directed by the infamous Steven Spielberg and produced by the super clever Sir Peter Jackson, the script is based on three of the stories: The Crab with the Golden ClawsThe Secret of the Unicorn, and Red Rackham’s Treasure.

From the very beginning of this action-packed film viewers can expect to fall in love with the ever-curious and always fearless young reporter Tintin (Bell) and his ever loyal companion, Snowy, the super-smart, snow-white terrier.

Filmed in 3D, this film is as much about a great story as it is the amazing special effects.  …

One scene that excellently demonstrates the joys of modern cinematic techniques is when Captain Haddock, stricken by sobriety, relays his family history. Here the viewer is taken on a glorious visual assault as Spielberg reaches a height of creativity not seen since Avatar. Through masterful match cuts and dissolves, viewers are sure to be wowed by reflections in blades and bubbles, the bottom of a whiskey bottle transforming into a telescope and a desert morphing into a squalling ocean.  …

See the full review here: http://www.cphpost.dk/in-a-out/reviews/156-reviews/52394-blistering-barnacles-finally-another-film-worth-seeing-in-3d.html

Martin Scorsese's Hugo Poster

[Cinema Blend]

… Of course, it’s Scorsese’s 3D images that really are going to help sell Hugo. Our own Katey Richcalled them “probably the most gorgeous live-action 3D film ever made.” Statements do not come more bold than that, and we’re all dying to see for ourselves what Scorsese was able to accomplish in Hugo.

The film opens on Nov. 23. …

Read the full story here: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Martin-Scorsese-Hugo-Poster-Has-Time-Its-Side-27472.html

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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