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	<title>cgnews &#187; Features</title>
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		<title>second annual &#8216;made with after effects&#8217; winners announced on motion+connect</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/21/second-annual-made-with-after-effects-winners-announced-on-motionconnect/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/21/second-annual-made-with-after-effects-winners-announced-on-motionconnect/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:04:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Animation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[competition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3d]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[awards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vfx]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11810</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>motion.tv announced the winners in the second annual Made With After Effects Awards. The competition recognizes the best work created worldwide, using primarily Adobe After Effects.</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a title="motion.tv" href="http://motion.tv">motion.tv</a> announced the winners in the second annual Made With After Effects Awards. The competition recognizes the best work created worldwide, using primarily <a title="After Effects" href="http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects.html" target="_blank">Adobe After Effects</a>. </p>
<p>Judges included Chris and Trish Meyer from <a title="Crish Design" href="http://www.crishdesign.com" target="_blank">Crish Design</a>, and Elaine Montoya and Becky Padilla of <a title="the motion group" href="http://themotiongroup.tv/" target="_blank">the motion group</a>; motion.tv founders. There were over 70 entries from around the globe. The caliber of work was outstanding, which made it extremely difficult for the judges to narrow down to 10-top finalists.</p>
<p>The awards show took place live on <strong>motion</strong>+<strong>connect</strong>, Tuesday December 20, 2011 at 7:00pm MST.</p>
<p>The winners and finalists are listed below. </p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/mwae2011_winners.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11811" title="mwae2011_winners" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/mwae2011_winners.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="344" /></a></p>
<p>1st place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/1st-place-carbon-captured-part-1/" target="_blank">Carbon Capture Part 1</a> &#8211; Daniel Gies</p>
<p>2nd place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/2nd-place-squanderpus-animated-short/" target="_blank">Squanderpus</a> &#8211; Lisa Poje</p>
<p>3rd place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/3rd-place-an-introduction-to-snails/">An Introduction to Snails</a> &#8211; James Clark</p>
<p>4th place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/4th-place-answear-com-unlimited-fashion-store/" target="_blank">Answear.com &#8211; Unlimited Fashion Store</a> &#8211; Mateusz Metelski (Media Ambassador)</p>
<p>5th place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/5th-place-keep-walking-johnny-walker/" target="_blank">Keep Walking</a> &#8211; Noelle and Joy Vaccese (Twins Are Weird)</p>
<p>6th place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/6th-place-the-packs-a-d-s-haunt-you/" target="_blank">The Pack A.D.&#8217;s Haunt You</a> &#8211; Michael Roberts</p>
<p>7th place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/7th-place-barcelona-2020-promotion/" target="_blank">Barcelona 2020</a> &#8211; Ernesto Porto (Ernex)</p>
<p>8th place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/8th-place-wuershum-the-meaning-of-innovation/" target="_blank">Wuerschum &#8211; The Meaning of Innovation</a> &#8211; Marc Böttler (Motion Fruit)</p>
<p>9th place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/9th-place-selling-detroit/" target="_blank">Selling Detroit</a> &#8211; Nicole Novak</p>
<p>10th place: <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/20/10th-place-ellens-times-square-billboard/" target="_blank">Ellen&#8217;s American Eagle Times Square Billboard</a> &#8211; Jonathan Winbush</p>
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		<title>the operators&#8217; grey days &#8211; a new twist on the show reel</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/09/the-operators-grey-days-a-new-twist-on-the-show-reel/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/09/the-operators-grey-days-a-new-twist-on-the-show-reel/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:09:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11681</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p> Award winning London creative post production company The Operators and acclaimed photographer &#038; director Stuart McClymont teamed up to create a sensational show piece. Encompassing a cross section of technical disciplines to create a unique creative showreel of accomplished work within a defined narrative.. The result is a phenomenal short entitled ‘Grey Days’.</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Operators is a London-based creative post production shop specializing in innovative, creative techniques bridging the gap between print and digital media.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11683" title="the_operators_grey_days_01" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_01.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="369" /></a></p>
<p>The Operators’ creative team were talking recently about ways to promote and showcase their work in a way that set them apart from the traditional show reel approach. Ben Le Tourneau, Director of Motion, came up with an idea.</p>
<p>Instead of doing what everyone else was doing &#8211; compiling a montage of client samples &#8211; he wanted to make a short film that captured the essence of their unique creative style while showcasing their client work. The extraordinary result &#8211; <em>Grey Days</em>.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_021.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11696" title="the_operators_grey_days_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_021.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p><em>Grey Days</em> is a ‘morning in the life’ story about a man just trying to get to work. It chronicles the annoying hassles we’ve all faced &#8211; from his car not starting, crashing his bike into a passerby on the sidewalk, discovering he has no cash for a cab ride after he’s already hailed it.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_031.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11697" title="the_operators_grey_days_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_031.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="369" /></a></p>
<p>And all along his journey, he’s peppered with advertisements and promos wherever he looks; from his cell phone and iPad, to the billboards, magazines and newspapers that all come to life with moving imagery.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_041.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11703" title="the_operators_grey_days_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_041.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="369" /></a></p>
<p>As you watch Grey Days, you realize the creative sophistication required to bring such imagery to life &#8211; and the challenges of some very complex VFX.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_051.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11704" title="the_operators_grey_days_05" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_051.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="370" /></a></p>
<p>&#8220;What started off as a little idea &#8211; which was to create somewhat of a gorilla film around the streets of London &#8211; soon evolved into quite an epic project. We brought on board photographer/director Stuart McClymont to help us evolve this idea into a reality. And that’s how it all started!</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_06.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11688" title="the_operators_grey_days_06" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_06.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>Because if its increasing complexity, <em>Grey Days</em> ended up having to be very well organized. There were a ton of locations we wanted to film on the main character’s journey, and as this was a strictly self promotion piece, our budget was uber tight. We were adamant that we wanted to shoot this with a documentary feel so there was very little effort in prepping the locations for post production help.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_07.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11689" title="the_operators_grey_days_07" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_07.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="369" /></a></p>
<p>“We tried a few different camera solutions, however we finally decided on the Canon 5D as it could deliver a high quality HD image, while still being lightweight and mobile enough to strap to the actors head.  We used Final Cut Pro 7 for the edit; Color for the grading; mocha Pro for Planar Tracking, roto, inserting, warping and removal and stabilizing; Adobe After Effects for all the VFX compositing; Adobe Photoshop for retouching and prepping the artwork and PFHoe for 3Dtracking.  All up it cost us three staff months to create the piece,” explains Ben Le Tourneau.</p>
<p>There were many different areas in some shots actually tracked. Sometimes some shots had four or five different tracking areas &#8211; all-in-all, around 70 areas/shots.</p>
<p>“This project could have never been achievable without mocha pro. Since we could prep each area within a shot, tracking such loose camera work, was an amazing challenge. We encountered everything possible that should have caused the tracker to fail, but it made it through the more challenging shots. Also the latest Shape export and tracking export works beautifully, which made the workflow between mocha pro and After Effects seamless,” explains Le Tourneau.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_08.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11690" title="the_operators_grey_days_08" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_08.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>The Operator crew didn&#8217;t just use mocha for the tracker, though there were a ton of shots that needed to be stabilised,  rotoscoped and cleaned up &#8211; all of which was tackled a lot quicker in mocha Pro. “Even the ability to render out some of the insertions was a true gem; take for example ‘ether’,” says Ben. “Also, where we found serious lens distortion, the lens collaboration tool really helped bed the artwork in beautifully without having to manually animate/warp the artwork each time.”</p>
<p>Most shots would have failed using conventional tracking techniques, however tracking the newspapers and magazines were very challenging. &#8220;But what we found was, as long as you track from the right frame and animate and nurse the spline/tracking areas, a close and create a natural effect is achieved. ‘Adjust track’ was also very helpful,&#8221; he explains.</p>
<p>With purse strings pulling ever tighter, and the ever expanding delivery platform opportunities like web, D,O,O,H iPads, The Operator crew wanted to show that high-end VFX work can be done without the hero suite costs. “Our ability to do VFX within a reasonable budget is something I feel really strongly about,” says Ben. “As desktops keep getting stronger, more opportunities are now materialising that used to be totally unobtainable.”</p>
<p>The Operators VFX house is finding that in the commercial field, photography is evolving from a static print-based medium to incorporate motion and become animated stills. It is with the convergence of these disciplines that they are focusing on the ability to facilitate still-to-motion campaigns, or ‘Image Motion.’  “For every still brief we work on, we can employ static and moving components to create a complimentary motion campaign for digital billboards, viral advertising and ISO. This Image Motion product pushes the boundaries of the digital medium and broadens the scope of the photographic/static output.”</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_09.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11691" title="the_operators_grey_days_09" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/the_operators_grey_days_09.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="369" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Watch <em>Grey Days</em> on <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/09/the-operators-show-work-in-creative-original-short-film/">motion.tv</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Credits:</strong></p>
<p>A Film by:<br /> <a href="http://theoperators.net"> The Operators<br /> </a></p>
<p>Directed by:<br /> <a href="http://stuartmcclymont.com  ">Stuart McClymont</a></p>
<p>Prosthetics:<br /> <a href="http://billturpin.com  ">Bill Turpin</a></p>
<p>Sound:<br /> <a href="http://filmsoundesign.com">Tom Lowe</a></p>
<p>Music by:<br /> Madness &#8216;Grey Days&#8217;</p>
<p>Cast:<br /> Adam Morris, Sally Deane, Kai Bastard, Ben Le Tourneau, Scott Freeman, James O&#8217;Neill, Joey Grange</p>
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		<title>happycamper creates world of happiness for china mobile</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/09/happycamper-creates-world-of-happiness-for-china-mobile/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/09/happycamper-creates-world-of-happiness-for-china-mobile/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:31:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11755</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p> Happycamper, the Scandinavian, multi-functional, design driven Motion Design duo created a world of happiness for China Mobile. </p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happycamper_china_mobile_main.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11766" title="happycamper_china_mobile_main" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happycamper_china_mobile_main.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="329" /></a></p>
<p>Happycamper, the Scandinavian, multi-functional, design driven Motion Design duo was<strong> </strong>awarded the China Mobile project in August of 2011 and we were very excited to get the opportunity to work with a Chinese agency and client. The idea was to produce three spots, a 60 second and two 30 second variations, for their Wireless City-services.</p>
<p>In mid-November they finished everything and the spots aired on December 1st in China.</p>
<p>Their vision was to create a unique world of happiness and warmth by mixing physical miniatures with CG-characters.</p>
<p>They worked out the concept for all the characters with help from talented artist <a href="http://www.bagonasart.com/">Vaidas Bagonas</a>. The final models were done by <a href="http://www.milford.se/">Milford</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11757" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_01" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_01.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="463" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_02.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11758" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_02.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_03.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11759" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_03.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="722" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_04.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11760" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_04.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="786" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_05.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11761" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_05" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_05.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="154" /></a></p>
<p>The displays play a vital part in all the spots. In order to make them blend in with the very analogue feeling, the happycampers gave them a clay-ish, handmade look.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_06.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11762" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_06" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_06.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="1244" /></a></p>
<p><strong>The Animatic</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_07.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11763" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_07" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_07.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="431" /></a><br /> <a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_08.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11764" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_08" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_08.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="431" /></a></p>
<p><strong>The Shoot</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;In September we went to Bristol, UK for a 5-day shoot at the Bottle Yard. We filmed all the background plates including houses, trees and all other inanimate stuff. It was awesome to see the talented artists of <a href="http://www.codsteaks.com/">Codsteaks</a> work on creating all the small props. Almost like being a little kid again.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>It was a truly terrific crew to work with and the catering made us never wanting to leave!&#8221; said Andrés Rosas Hott Founder/Director/Creative Director</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_09.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11765" title="happy_camper_china_mobile_09" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/happy_camper_china_mobile_09.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="1747" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><strong>Watch the China Mobile spot on <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/09/happycamper-creates-world-of-happiness-for-china-mobile/">motion.tv</a></strong></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>CREDITS</strong></p>
<p><strong>HAPPYCAMPER</strong></p>
<p><strong>Director:</strong> Andrés Rosas Hott<br /> <strong>Director:</strong> Robert Rosén</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>STINK</strong></p>
<p><strong>Executive Producer:</strong> Daniel Bergmann<br /> <strong>Executive Producer:</strong> Desmond Loh<br /> <strong>Producer:</strong> Giles Johnson<br /> <strong>Production Assistant:</strong> Ni Ding</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>OGILVY BEIJING</strong></p>
<p><strong>Associate Creative Director:</strong> Yun-Sheng Tu<br /> <strong>Group Account Director:</strong> Li Yu<br /> <strong>Associate Creative Director:</strong> Gang Ye<br /> <strong>Art Director: </strong>Jiafeng Wang<br /> <strong>Producer: </strong>Jing Li</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>CODSTEAKS</strong></p>
<p><strong>Art Director:</strong> Matt Sanders<br /> <strong>Project Manager:</strong> Renae Cronin<br /> <strong>Managing Director:</strong> Sue Lipscombe<br /> <strong>Art Dir./H.O.C:</strong> Paul Drake<br /> <strong>Prop/First Aider:</strong> Louise Vergette<br /> <strong>DoP:</strong> Fred Reed<br /> <strong>1st Assistant Director:</strong> Toby Sherborne<br /> <strong>Music &amp; Music publisher:</strong> Sharon Chin from Two AM</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>MILFORD FILM &amp; ANIMATION</strong></p>
<p><strong>Executive Producer: </strong>Johan Gustafsson<br /> <strong>Production Manager:</strong> Martin Widö<br /> <strong>VFX Supervisor:</strong> John Roxenhed<br /> <strong>Model Supervisor:</strong> Jonas Moberg<br /> <strong>Light Supervisor:</strong> Robert Krupa<br /> <strong>Animation Lead Artist:</strong> Tim Van Hussen<br /> <strong>Lighting Lead Artist: </strong>Hannes Drossel</p>
<p><strong>Animators:</strong></p>
<p>Antonio Deiana<br /> Martin Joas<br /> Jonas Forsman<br /> Martin Haglund<br /> Christofer Brandtieng<br /> Onni Pohl</p>
<p><strong>Modeling/Texturing:</strong></p>
<p>Daniel Axelsson<br /> Daniel Bystedt<br /> Gustav Tell<br /> Kristian Mårtensson<br /> Kenneth Nyman</p>
<p><strong>Lighting:</strong></p>
<p>Daniel Holmgren<br /> Stefan Lagerstam<br /> Simon Rainerson<br /> Damir Filipovic</p>
<p><strong>Rigging:</strong></p>
<p>Gabriel Pettersson<br /> Serena Tripepi</p>
<p><strong>Compositing:</strong></p>
<p>Victor Sanchez<br /> Ilia Negrescul<br /> Jonathan Harris<br /> Marcus Krupa<br /> Fredrik Höglin<br /> Samuel Schulthess</p>
<p><strong>Match Moving:</strong></p>
<p>Sebastian Ekman<br /> Ilia Negrescul</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>zombies get motion 504 treatment in chiller promo</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/08/zombies-get-motion-504-treatment-in-chiller-promo/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/12/08/zombies-get-motion-504-treatment-in-chiller-promo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:06:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11729</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Broadcast design &#038; animation studio motion504 recently teamed with NBC-owned network, Chiller, to create a comic-book-influenced promo for the upcoming movie, "Remains," based on the graphic novel of the same name by Steven Niles. The movie premieres on Chiller on December 16th.</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11733" title="motion504_chiller_remains_01" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_01.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>Broadcast design &amp; animation studio motion504 recently teamed with NBC-owned network, Chiller, to create a comic-book-influenced promo for the upcoming movie, &#8220;Remains,&#8221; based on the graphic novel of the same name by Steven Niles. The movie premieres on Chiller on December 16th.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_02.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11734" title="motion504_chiller_remains_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_02.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>Niles&#8217; &#8220;Remains,&#8221; Chiller&#8217;s first original film, journeys to Reno, Nevada where a horrific blast has turned the locals into the ravenous undead. A group of remaining humans takes refuge in a vacant casino and fights a losing battle against the undead, who grow steadily stronger, smarter and more aggressive by the minute.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_03.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11735" title="motion504_chiller_remains_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_03.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>&#8220;We came to motion504 with a very rough edit and asked them to design a visual treatment for the trailer,&#8221; says Brian Everett, Chiller Design Director. &#8220;The goal was to connect to the story&#8217;s (graphic novel) origins, while at the same time capturing all the visceral action the film has to offer. On a rather tight timeline, they created an animation toolkit that&#8217;s slick, textural, and really helps elevate the footage. Being that &#8216;Remains&#8217; is Chiller&#8217;s first original movie, it&#8217;s been great to collaborate with the team at motion504 and develop a piece of communication that&#8217;s both scary and stunning.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_04.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11736" title="motion504_chiller_remains_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_04.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>To stay true to the movie interpretation, motion504 Creative Directors Scott Wenner and Amy Schmitt hand-sketched detailed frames from the film itself. As they were illustrating, motion504President / Creative Director Andrew Reynolds began creating animatics and tests, building the sequence simultaneously to accommodate the short timeline. After refining the edit, the three then animated the scenes, giving life to the piece by adding movement and distortions to the environments and zombie characters.</p>
<p>To stay true to the movie interpretation, motion504 Creative Directors Scott Wenner and Amy Schmitt hand-sketched detailed frames from the film itself. As they were illustrating, motion504President / Creative Director Andrew Reynolds began creating animatics and tests, building the sequence simultaneously to accommodate the short timeline. After refining the edit, the three then animated the scenes, giving life to the piece by adding movement and distortions to the environments and zombie characters.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_05.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11737" title="motion504_chiller_remains_05" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_05.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>With the short turnaround time, motion504&#8242;s hands-on approach worked well, with Reynolds posing as a zombie for a number of the shots, and Schmitt and Wenner using their own hands for reference to create elements.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_06.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11738" title="motion504_chiller_remains_06" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/12/motion504_chiller_remains_06.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>Dozens of pencil sketches were scanned and colored in Photoshop. Animation was executed in After Effects, using a wide variety of techniques to give life to each scene.</p>
<p>Watch Remains on <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/12/08/zombies-get-motion504-treatment-in-chiller-promo/">motion.tv</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Credits</strong><br /> Project Title: &#8220;Remains&#8221; promo</p>
<p>Client: Chiller<br /> VP Creative Director, Chiller/Syfy: James Spence<br /> Creative Director, Chiller/Syfy: Shea Pepper<br /> Design Director, Chiller/Syfy: Brian Everett<br /> Writer/Producer/Editor, Chiller/Syfy: Dan Frome<br /> Project Manager, Chiller/Syfy: Bill Ikin</p>
<p>Broadcast Design &amp; Animation Company: motion504/Minneapolis, MN<br /> Creative Directors: Andrew Reynolds &amp; Scott Wenner<br /> Illustrator: Scott Wenner<br /> Animators: Andrew Reynolds, Amy Schmitt &amp; Scott Wenner<br /> Executive Producer: Eric Mueller</p>
<p>Tools: Photoshop (initial coloring), After Effects (animation)</p>
<p><strong>About motion504</strong></p>
<p>motion504 is a broadcast design, effects and animation studio specializing in the art of motion. Featuring the talent of senior-level creative directors, designers and animators, the company works for TV, film, music and advertising clients.</p>
<p>With its open studio space, motion504 is built upon the idea of collaboration through communication, critique and contribution amongst its artists and clients.</p>
<img src="http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11729&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>superfad crafts animation for new hertz campaign</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/11/18/superfad-crafts-animation-for-new-hertz-campaign/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/11/18/superfad-crafts-animation-for-new-hertz-campaign/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:43:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Animation]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[hertz]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[superfad]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11661</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Superfad bathes cities, cars, flowers, and Hertz’s new mascot Horatio in the gilded hue. </p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11662" title="superfad_hertz_gold_01" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_01.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>For the new campaign for Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards membership, Superfad bathed cities, cars, flowers, and Hertz’s new mascot Horatio in the gilded hue.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_02.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11663" title="superfad_hertz_gold_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_02.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Superfad previously worked with DDB New York on a previous Hertz spot that introduced Horatio in a cameo: This time the agency decided to give him a starring role in “Gold Is Better” a spot also marks Hertz’s first fully animated commercial in twenty years. To expand on the character of Horatio, Superfad went through extensive development to capture both his swagger and his charm.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_03.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11664" title="superfad_hertz_gold_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_03.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>A charm that is further added to by the voiceover talent of the inimitable Owen Wilson. Superfad Creative Directors Kinda Akash and Brian Drucker created a friendly, clean look to the Hertz world that is bursting with life, while the 3D team devised a style based on simple geometric shapes. The result is a vibe that’s pure sunshine.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_041.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11671" title="superfad_hertz_gold_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_041.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_05.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11666" title="superfad_hertz_gold_05" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/superfad_hertz_gold_05.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Watch the video on <strong><a href="http://motion.tv/2011/11/16/superfad-crafts-animation-for-new-hertz-campaign">motion.tv</a></strong>.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Credits:</strong><br />
Production Company: Superfad<br />
Creative Director: Kinda Akash<br />
Creative Director: Brian Drucker<br />
Designer: Sarah Ancelmo<br />
Head of CG: Todd Peleg<br />
Technical Director: Jin Lin<br />
3D Animation: Matt Parent, David Dam, Will Robertson<br />
Compositor: Jim Forster<br />
Producer: Dina Chang<br />
Head of Production: Nicole Stevens<br />
Executive Producer: Geraint Owen</p>
<img src="http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11661&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>elastic spaces &#8211; created by nice shoes for motion 2011</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/11/16/elastic-spaces-an-original-piece-created-by-nice-shoes-for-motion-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/11/16/elastic-spaces-an-original-piece-created-by-nice-shoes-for-motion-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:44:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[short]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11550</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p> Elastic Spaces is an original piece Nice Shoes created for the motion 2011 conference. We used the opportunity to investigate algorithmic design based on the phenomenon of the moving image. The design process itself became their guide, taking on an evolutionary life of it’s own. <p/>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Elastic Spaces</em> &#8211; an original piece created by Nice Shoes for the <strong><a href="http://motion.motion.tv">motion</a></strong> 2011 conference and presented by Nice Shoes Creative Director Brian Bowman.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_main.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11562" title="elastic_spaces_main" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_main.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="336" /></a><br />
We used the opportunity to investigate algorithmic design based on the phenomenon of the moving image.</p>
<p>We started with two basic rules:<br />
1. static camera = persistence of motion<br />
2. roving camera = persistence of surface</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11551" title="elastic_spaces_01" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_01.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_02.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11552" title="elastic_spaces_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_02.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>This lead to a number of diagrams involving different ways in which a sequence of images could be organized. By exposing the image sequence as a system of adjacencies, the diagrams themselves took on a spatial component.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_03.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11553" title="elastic_spaces_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_03.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>The sketch above takes diagram B and organizes the concentric image sequences by color hue. We wrote a Maya script to handle this by analyzing the color values in our texture maps as they were applied.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_04.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11554" title="elastic_spaces_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_04.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>The design process itself became our guide, taking on an evolutionary life of it’s own. Our final iteration was a physical sculpture of the Maya script, closing out our film in reality. The ephemeral algorithm becomes manifest in the physical. Lofty ideas for sure but a heck of a lot of fun to draw, shoot, render and make.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_05.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11555" title="elastic_spaces_05" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/elastic_spaces_05.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>Watch the final piece on <strong><a href="http://motion.tv/2011/11/16/elastic-spaces-created-by-nice-shoes-for-motion-2011/">motion.tv</a></strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Credits</strong>:<br />
Creative Director: Brian Bowman<br />
CG Animation: Andy Mai<br />
Maya Scripting: Andy Mai, James Collins<br />
Physical Modeling: Kit Lam<br />
Photography: Kit Lam<br />
Editor: Tony Dolezal</p>
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		<title>gravity brings hasbro board game to life in animated spot</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/11/16/gravity-brings-battleship-live-board-game-to-life-in-action-packed-animated-spot-for-hasbro/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/11/16/gravity-brings-battleship-live-board-game-to-life-in-action-packed-animated-spot-for-hasbro/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:00:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Animation]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[gravity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11627</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p> For client Hasbro, Gravity has produced a stunning, action-packed, 30-second animated spot which brings the "Battleship Live" board game to life. Gravity produced the spot through agency UPROAR! Zviah Eldar, Gravity CEO/Chief Creative Director, and Bob Samuel, Gravity's CMO/Executive Producer, made the announcement. The "Battleship LIVE" spot was part of a larger package that Gravity produced for Hasbro and UPROAR!, which also included spots promoting "Monopoly LIVE" and other products. </p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11628" title="gravity_battleship_01" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_01.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>For client Hasbro, Gravity has produced a stunning, action-packed, 30-second animated spot which brings the &#8220;Battleship Live&#8221; board game to life. Gravity produced the spot through agency UPROAR! Zviah Eldar, Gravity CEO/Chief Creative Director, and Bob Samuel, Gravity&#8217;s CMO/Executive Producer, made the announcement. The <em>Battleship LIVE</em> spot was part of a larger package that Gravity produced for Hasbro and UPROAR!, which also included spots promoting &#8220;Monopoly LIVE&#8221; and other products.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_02.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11629" title="gravity_battleship_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_02.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the <em>Battleship LIVE</em> spot, we see a fast paced aerial view of a fleet of battleships as they come under attack by a squadron of fighter jets. Seamen onboard the ships retaliate to the attack by firing missiles against the invading air force. Explosions abound as an enormous tower suddenly emerges from the sea, shooting red lasers at the enemy aircraft.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Said Samuel, &#8220;Almost everyone here grew up playing the classic &#8216;Battleship&#8217; game, and now, many of us play it with our kids! So the opportunity to work on this spot was exciting right from the start. The fact that this assignment allowed Gravity to create some really kick-ass photoreal military animation was more than enough for us to embrace this terrific project.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_03.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11630" title="gravity_battleship_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_03.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Gravity&#8217;s Creative Directors Harry Dorrington and Yuval Levy led the team. Dorrington, also Director of the spot, said, &#8220;Our goal with this spot was to provide a visceral, highly realistic piece of animation that would serve as a &#8216;call to action&#8217; so that viewers will visit the website to learn more about the modernized version of this classic game. Viewers will be intrigued and excited by this new twist on the traditional <em>Battleship</em> &#8211; which is now electronic and features a massive control tower. We depicted one naval force challenging another in this piece, keeping the fun of the traditional game intact, while notching up the excitement to a new dynamic level. We initially provided our clients with start frames and treatments to help bring this spot to life, and we ultimately delivered a feature film-style reference to the animated battleships, jet fighters, and turbulent seascape within the narrative.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_04.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11631" title="gravity_battleship_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/11/gravity_battleship_04.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="367" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Says Levy, &#8220;We wanted to make a strong visual connection for the viewer here, between the classic <em>Battleship</em> board game and today&#8217;s modern era videogame play. To do so, we took a videogame cinematic style approach, depicting to our viewers that playing this famous game is still as exciting as it&#8217;s always been, but now that it&#8217;s been updated and modernized with an electronic tower, the imagination of the player is now even more heightened than in the past. Perhaps our biggest challenge in the spot was to create the CG water and water simulations, presenting the clash of these two massive naval forces in a hyper realistic way. To us, this spot is comparable to a movie trailer for an imaginary film – it presents the buildup to a dramatic war, with the viewer wanting to see how the action will ultimately play itself out in the end.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>UPROAR! Chief Creative Officer Erik Nelson said, &#8220;We enlisted the help of Gravity to deliver triple AAA video game quality animation for the newest innovation from Hasbro &#8211; the LIVE game tower. This new way to play face to face has been built into two of Hasbro&#8217;s biggest brands, <em>Monopoly</em> and <em>Battleship</em>. Our challenge was to get kids, tweens and teens to choose this new evolution of board gaming over the vast array of digital gaming options. To make the challenge even more difficult, we were burdened with a lean budget and a tight timeline. The concept was to bring the fantasy of each gaming experience (<em>Monopoly</em> &amp; <em>Battleship</em>) to life in CG, and then introduce the new, all-powerful LIVE Tower to disrupt the action. The result would show the dynamic new gameplay the LIVE Tower adds to each game.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>&#8220;Harry, Yuval, Russ and the entire team at Gravity delivered in spades,&#8221; Nelson continues. &#8220;The end product was truly beautiful animation with a very unique look. Our goal of appealing to our target by playing in the visual world of video games lent an authenticity to Monopoly and &#8220;Battleship Live&#8221; that I believe is sure to drive sales. We are looking forward to the holiday shopping season to see how LIVE performs at retail. Win or lose, UPROAR! will most definitely be working with Gravity again in the near future.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Adds UPROAR! Creative Director Dan Lombardi, &#8220;When we approached Gravity&#8217;s Bob Samuel about its this live gaming project, we had three issues…1) Timing, 2) Budget and 3 Quality for the Timing and Budget. The Gravity team took on the challenge and never looked back. UPROAR!&#8217;s goal was to create a new vision for classic board games like &#8216;Battleship&#8217; and &#8216;Monopoly,&#8217; and show how these games are evolving for the next generation of board gamers. Gravity brought an energy and enthusiasm to the project that matched our own.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>He adds, &#8220;From the first pitch materials to the final cut, Gravity went above and beyond, and never failed to impress. Plenty of obstacles were thrown in their path, yet the Gravity team kept its focus on moving forward and turning out the best commercials possible. When the project started out behind schedule, Gravity forged ahead and continued to churn out top quality animation. Without their commitment and focus on the big picture we would have never been able to have the success we&#8217;ve had.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>&#8220;Harry, Yuval, Bob and the Gravity team brought a &#8216;can do&#8217; attitude to the project, and a sense of optimism that kept it moving ahead, on time, and on budget. And the results are stunning. We couldn&#8217;t be happier with the final output,&#8221; Lombardi concludes.<br />
Watch the <em>Battleship LIVE</em> spot on <strong><a href="http://motion.tv/2011/11/15/gravity-produces-action-packed-animated-spot-for-battleship-live/">motion.tv</a></strong>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Credits</strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Client: Hasbro<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Agency: UPROAR! Dallas &amp; New York<br />
Erik Nelson, Chief Creative Officer<br />
Dan Lombardi, Creative Director<br />
Mark Mazut, Creative Director<br />
Mindy Miller Berg, Amy Shore, Agency Producers<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Production, Visual Effects &amp; Editorial Company: Gravity, New York<br />
Zviah Eldar, CEO/Chief Creative Officer<br />
Harry Dorrington, Director/Creative Director<br />
Yuval Levy, Creative Director<br />
Russ Dube, Producer<br />
Karen Bianca Bisignano, Head of Production<br />
Bob Samuel, Executive Producer<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Music &amp; Sound Design: Amber Music<br />
Sound Design: Andy Brannan<br />
Composer: Eugene Cho<br />
Music Supervision: Mike Perri<br />
Executive Music Producer: Michelle Curran<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>About Gravity<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Gravity is an international visual effects, design and brand communications company with proven expertise in three integrated divisions: Features &amp; Television, Commercials, and Digital. With 250 talented professionals across offices in New York, Los Angeles, Connecticut and Tel Aviv, the company is a widely renowned generator of high-end visual effects, creative content, motion graphics design, animation, branding, and digital strategy.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>The company&#8217;s clients include Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Entertainment, HBO, Paramount Pictures, The Weinstein Company, Dimension Films, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Mercedes Benz, Verizon, Pantene, MGA Entertainment, Carlsberg, Kmart, and Braun. Gravity&#8217;s recent feature film credits include &#8220;Tower Heist,&#8221; &#8220;Crazy, Stupid, Love&#8221;, &#8220;The Adjustment Bureau&#8221;, &#8220;Arthur&#8221;, &#8220;The Other Guys&#8221;, &#8220;Salt&#8221;, &#8220;The Reader&#8221;, and &#8220;Ghost Town.&#8221; The company&#8217;s television credits include HBO&#8217;s &#8220;Bored to Death&#8221;, &#8220;The Sopranos&#8221;, and &#8220;Sex and The City.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gravityworld.com/">Gravity</a> has offices in New York and Santa Monica.</p>
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		<title>jonny quest titles &#8211; inspiring character design</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/09/13/jonny-quest-titles-inspiring-character-design/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/09/13/jonny-quest-titles-inspiring-character-design/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:49:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Animation]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11486</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p> Roger D. Evans’ Jonny Quest Opening Titles has gotten quite the online buzz lately. And rightfully so! This self-proclaimed 53 year old man (now going on six) pays tribute to one of THE coolest cartoons ever to spin up the imagination of many a kid growing up in the 1960’s.
Roger will be a featured speaker at motion 2011. </p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Roger D. Evans’ <em>Jonny Quest Opening Titles</em> has received quite the online buzz lately.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>And rightfully so! This self-proclaimed 53 year-old man (now going on six) pays tribute to one of THE coolest cartoons ever to spin up the imagination of many a kid growing up in the 1960’s.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Roger painstakingly recreates the JQ cast as &#8220;3D&#8221; characters for his stop-motion opening titles tribute.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>This post focuses on the character design for Race, an intelligence operative assigned to protect Jonny after his mother died. Race could fly all types of aircraft, was adept in many forms of self-defense, and was a weapons expert. The Quests held Race in high regard and treated him like a member of the family.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jonny_quest_orig.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11487" title="jonny_quest_orig" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jonny_quest_orig.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Clearly, Race looks totally different in these two shots yet we know with certainty that it&#8217;s Race because of his ever present red flap shirt, even though it occasionally changed into a T-shirt, sometimes in mid-story.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Fun fact: According to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAF3BF9A910570004" target="_blank">documentary</a> about Jonny Quest, the Hanna Barbara animators were not very proficient in drawing human form and had trouble following master artist and JQ creator Doug Wildey&#8217;s reference drawings. The HB animators were far more comfortable with stretchy, rubbery characters like Yogi and Boo-Boo. Thus, Race was Race, as long as he had white hair and a red shirt. So we have to decide which &#8220;look&#8221; to settle on for Race.</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_02.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11488" title="jq_race_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_02.jpg" alt="" width="648" height="432" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>To start his version of Race, a generic soldier action figure that had a fairly &#8220;clean&#8221; head was located. His hair line was too high and his nose and eyes would have to be altered during sculpting.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Since the neck and body were less than desirable to Roger, he used a separate body to make Race complete. It didn’t matter that the head and body were different colors since they both would be painted later.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_03.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11490" title="jq_race_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_03.jpg" alt="" width="648" height="432" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Super Sculpey was applied to his head to extend his hair line down onto his forehead and to areas on his face to chisel his cheekbones, widen his jaw and added a clef chin.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_04.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11491" title="jq_race_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_04.jpg" alt="" width="648" height="432" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Race’s eyes are colored black with a felt tip pen. Though they will be painted over later, the original eyes looked very realistic and were distracting to Roger during the sculpting process.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s the final &#8216;generic&#8217; version of Race.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_final_A.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11492" title="jq_race_final_A" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_final_A.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="792" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_final_B.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11493" title="jq_race_final_B" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/jq_race_final_B.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="792" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>View the video on <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/09/01/jonny-quest-opening-titles/" target="_blank">motion.tv</a>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Roger will be talking about his Jonny Quest project at <a href="http://motion.motion.tv/schedule/sessions/motion11/">motion 2011</a>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>Check out his amazing comprehensive &#8216;making of&#8217; documentation on his <a href="http://www.rogerevans.tv/jq_page2.html" target="_blank">website</a>.</p>
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		<title>nailgun* serves up dynamic package for us tennis series</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/09/09/nailgun-serves-up-dynamic-package-for-us-tennis-series/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/09/09/nailgun-serves-up-dynamic-package-for-us-tennis-series/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Animation]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[show open]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11465</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>nailgun* serves up dynamic animated show open and packaging for the United States Tennis Association US Open series tournaments</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tennis is in full swing, and thanks to design/production studio <strong>nailgun</strong>* so is a new animated USTA show open/show package that can be seen on numerous networks like ESPN, CBS, ABC and the Tennis Channel during US Open Series events. The :15 piece has already aired during more than 10 tournaments this summer.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_00.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11472" title="nailgun_usta_open_09.11_00" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_00.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p><strong>nailgun*</strong> (known for their deft touch with sports related show opens and packages),  had previously worked with ESPN branding their coverage of all four grand slam  tennis tournaments however, according to <strong>nailgun*</strong> Creative Director Michael Waldron, this assignment was different.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&#8221;The packages we did for ESPN was specific to the ESPN brand,&#8221; Waldron says. &#8221;This package had to have its own look, but yet feel right for the many networks that it aired on. The USTA had a package that had been on the air for quite some time, but they wanted to start fresh, which they left it up to us for the most part. The only specific was that there had to be the flaming ball logo, no people so that it could be used for both ATP events and WTA events, and use the familiar blue green hard courts.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_03.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11475" title="nailgun_usta_open_09.11_03" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_03.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>Set to a driving hard rock soundtrack, the new US Open Series show open begins on a shot of the deconstructed USTA logo, as a fiery tennis ball passes through the elements, seeming to come to a rest as the logo appears to coalesce, before hurtling towards the North American territories where the tournaments take place.  The ball personifies the sheer power and prowess one expects to find in the US Series as it takes us through various states of power play before resolving inside the USTA logo.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_02.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11474" title="nailgun_usta_open_09.11_02" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_02.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>&#8221;The tracking shot of fiery tennis ball was the most intensive in the sequence,&#8221; Waldron notes. &#8221;We wanted to convey the speed and power of the modern tennis game. We wanted to be very cinematic in our approach so we made sure that there was a sense of scale. We also played with the speed of the action. Having slow motion sequences with fire is not easy. Fire is not very fluid so it looks choppy when you slow it down, but we came up with a great solution.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11473" title="nailgun_usta_open_09.11_01" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_01.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>That solution involved the creative use Adobe AfterEffects, Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as 3D animation software Maya.</p>
<p><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_04.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11476" title="nailgun_usta_open_09.11_04" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/nailgun_usta_open_09.11_04.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>&#8221;Creating hair in Maya is very processor intensive so we ended up making two animated tennis balls &#8212; a close-up ball and a distance ball so that way the close up ball was super detailed while the distance ball was much lighter for rendering,&#8221; <strong>Erik van der Wilden</strong>, nailgun*’s Director of Editorial + Animation adds. &#8221;Just the sheer scale of the project was challenging, but so was making the look work, not just for the USTA, but for their broadcasting partners as well. It was very tricky but they all loved the new package and we’re proud to be a part of it.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Watch the show open on <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/09/09/nailgun-serves-up-new-open-for-usta-series/">motion.tv</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><em>About nailgun*</em></strong></p>
<p><em>Founded by Michael Waldron and Erik van der Wilden in 2003, New York-based nailgun*, is a collaborative of artists &#8212; designers, writers, photographers, editors, producers, animators, filmmakers, illustrators, strategists, painters &#8212; who’ve come together to create unique visual solutions for clients that include ESPN, HGTV, Spike, VH1, E!, Versus, TV Land, Universal Channel,  Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, Publicis, McCann-Erickson NY and Ogilvy &amp; Mather.</em></p>
<p><strong>Creative Credits:</strong></p>
<p>Client: USTA</p>
<p>Project: Show Open/Packaging</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Production/Animation/Design: nailgun*, New York</strong></p>
<p>Creative Director/Director: Michael Waldron</p>
<p>Director of Editorial + Animation: Erik van der Wilden</p>
<p>Senior Producer: M. Shane Dolly</p>
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		<title>Have you had the pleasure of meeting Brian Bowman?</title>
		<link>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/09/07/have-you-had-the-pleasure-of-meeting-brian-bowman-yet/</link>
		<comments>http://cgnewsold.zocoloco.com/2011/09/07/have-you-had-the-pleasure-of-meeting-brian-bowman-yet/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 06:13:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Industry]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cgnews.com/?p=11448</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you had the pleasure of meeting Brian Bowman yet? Whenever we meet someone, they&#8217;re always introduced by their title. Brian Bowman is the Creative Director at Nice Shoes. Kinda leaves you wanting more, doesn&#8217;t it? So, I&#8217;m just going to dwell on one word in Brian&#8217;s title. Creative. Brian Bowman is indeed creative. No [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/ns-bbowman_press10.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-11452" title="ns-bbowman_press10" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/ns-bbowman_press10-264x300.jpg" alt="" width="158" height="180" /></a>Have you had the pleasure of meeting <a href="http://motion.tv/2011/09/06/brian-bowman-speaking-at-motion-2011/">Brian Bowman</a> yet?</span></p>
<p>Whenever we meet someone, they&#8217;re always introduced by their title. Brian Bowman is the Creative Director at Nice Shoes. Kinda leaves you wanting more, doesn&#8217;t it?</p>
<p>So, I&#8217;m just going to dwell on one word in Brian&#8217;s title. <em>Creative</em>.</p>
<p>Brian Bowman is indeed creative. No questions asked. He is passionate about his work.</p>
<p>So what happens if you take a creative person like Brian, and put him in an environment that nurtures creativity – like the New York-based studio, <a href="http://www.niceshoes.com">Nice Shoes</a>? <strong>Verses: Found</strong>.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/brian_bowman.png"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-11449" title="verses_found" src="http://cgnews.com/files/2011/09/brian_bowman-300x172.png" alt="" width="300" height="172" /></a>Verses: Found</strong><br />
<em>Manhattan. 7 am on a Sunday in September, 2009. Sitting on a park bench in front of a Korean deli, locked out of my building. It was a cool, beautiful morning typical of early September, which made it hard for me to be grumpy about my predicament. The sun was coming up later and lower, an indication of autumn’s approach. A piece of paper blew up against my foot. I picked it up. It was a poem, with no name or signature.</em></p>
<p><em>The more I read, the more I wondered about the poem’s anonymous author. Who wrote this and why? I began to conceive of a film that would speculate on the author’s intentions and words. There was an intrinsic tension to the abstract verses; one line implied gratitude while the next deferred it. Visually, what would that look like, what could that be?</em></p>
<p>Nice Shoes recently produced a series of stereoscopic 3D poetry-based shorts they call &#8220;Verses&#8221;. Poetry mixed with visual effects is an unusual combination. But that was part of the challenge. The artist – Brian Bowman in this case, took a short poem and interpreted it visually. He based his creation on a poem that he literally found scrawled on a piece of paper that caught on his shoe as he was walking down a street in New York City. Artist unknown.</p>
<p>This is elaine montoya – chief imagination office at <strong>the motion group</strong>. Come meet Brian Bowman – along with many of the top creative minds in the motion picture, broadcast, and design industries.</p>
<p>Join Nice Shoes Creative Director Brian Bowman as he describes making the film Found (part of the Verses series) in a discussion about life, happenstance and the cathartic process of filmmaking. Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at <strong><a href="http://motion.tv">motion</a></strong>.</p>
<p><a title="Brian Bowman" href="http://motion.tv/2011/09/06/brian-bowman-speaking-at-motion-2011/" target="_blank">view Brian&#8217;s reel on motion.tv »</a></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>// feed your brain //</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Q. Why should I be at motion?</strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600;">// THE RIGHT BRAIN //</span><br />
A 3-minute Short…Everyday<br />
Elastic Spaces<br />
Exploring the Intersection of Advertainment and Storyselling<br />
Failure is Not an Option<br />
Fresh Out of the Starting Gate<br />
Change with a Changing Industry<br />
Getting There: Real Life RPG<br />
HAX Double Vision<br />
If These Walls Could Talk<br />
If You&#8217;re Good at Something, Stop Doing It<br />
Industry Timeline: Return of the Swiss Army Knife<br />
Kinda Makes You Think…<br />
Look From a New Angle, Change What You See<br />
Mashup: Transforming Movie Scores<br />
Now THAT’s Creative!<br />
Removing My Cat&#8217;s Dingleberry: Notable Achievements<br />
Standing Out from the Crowd<br />
Taking Care of Business. And You.<br />
The Lost Art of Original Music in Advertising<br />
Walking Through Walls<br />
When Time is of the Essence<br />
Verses: Found</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600;">\\ THE LEFT BRAIN \\</span><br />
100m2 in the Palm of Your Hand<br />
3D Broadcast Graphics: After Effects + Cinema 4D<br />
3D Broadcast Graphics: From Sketch to Screen with Cinema 4D<br />
Audio Post-Production Basics for Video Professionals<br />
Beyond Keyframes: // LAB<br />
Creating 3D Titles – Yesterday<br />
Creating Custom Looks…in 20 Minutes!<br />
Creating the TRON Legacy Title Animation Effect<br />
Destruction City Trailer: Adding Effects that Sizzle<br />
Forward into the Past: History in Motion<br />
FOX&#8217;s Fringe: 3D Text Effect<br />
HDSLR Editing with Adobe CS5.5 Production Premium<br />
Lean, Mean, After Effects Machine<br />
Lean, Mean, Premiere Machine<br />
Learning C4D: Creative Camera Movement // LAB<br />
Open Workflows with Adobe CS5.5 Production Premium<br />
Planar Tracking for Graphics &amp; Effects<br />
Professional Video: The Adobe Roadmap<br />
Putting it all Together: My Strong Suite<br />
Roto Brush and Warp Stabilizer: Shortcuts to Higher Production Values<br />
Stereo Conversion for Film &amp; Broadcast<br />
Sweetening Your Audio with Adobe Audition<br />
The Edge<br />
The Graphics Factory<br />
The RED Workflow Acceleration Secret: Now You Know<br />
The Reel World: Final Cut Pro to Premiere Pro // LAB<br />
Title Design from Concept to Screen: On Little or No Budget!<br />
Track the Impossible: Using mocha and CameraTracker in After Effects<br />
Upending Identity Crisis<br />
Using Effects in Final Cut Pro X<br />
Using Motion to Create Effects for Final Cut Pro X<br />
Who&#8217;d a Thunk It!?!<br />
Vector Art is your BFF: Illustrator and After Effects<br />
What’s new in Adobe CS5.5 Production Premium<br />
You’ve got Flash in my After Effects // LAB</p>
<p><strong>A. To feed my brain.</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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