cgCoach Blog

Aaron Sims is one of the most successful special effects artists and art directors in Hollywood today, having worked on everything from Men In Black to Sucker Punch. But he has yet to helm a feature film as director. That might all change as the internet buzzes over his latest passion project. Archetype is a seven-minute short that puts lots of major sci-fi films to shame...

This is awesome... just would love to see this as a full feature.

Weta has undoubtedly moved up the ranks in the VFX world have a look at this article and see what you think? Do you agree? has Weta really taken the lead? What is your thoughts on Weta's latest release Rise of the Apes?

http://www.btlnews.com/crafts/visual-fx/has-weta-digital-taken-the-visual-effects-lead/

Tsukuba SoftEther venture company, has developed an innovative 3D input devices - codenamed QUMA . The input device is like a computer mouse and keyboard, and can be installed on a desktop machine via USB. However, surprisingly, unlike the mouse and keyboard, it's shaped like a real human.

When using this product, anyone without proper 3D training or experience with CG software can manipulate the device quickly and easily.

An article covering the vfx in the upcoming final installment of Harry Potter, in talking to VFX supervisor Tim Burke. Definitely looking forward to this last film.

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/06/28/harry-potter-visual-effects-wizard-tim-burke-says-3-d-is-very-very-good-in-final-film/

Here is a list of the most impressive characters to grace the silverscreen, see if you agree? I am not so sure about No. 8. Is there any characters you think are missing from this list?

http://guyism.com/lifestyle/best-cgi-characters-of-all-time.html

Always been a fan of Pixars work, and this will be there next project it seems... BRAVE! check out the link to there show website and have a look at the artwork. Some nice paint work there that has me intrigued.

http://disney.go.com/brave/#/home

Leading VFX studio MPC has explained how it created 300 plus shots for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The article covers their Environments and Crowd Sims. Not sure about the movie or the VFX, have any of you seen this movie at all yet? what is your opinion? any good?

http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/06/16/mpc-presents-vfx-work-from-pirates-of-the-caribbean/

Lasseter has some great insights into the way he sees his work, and how I imagine he has tried to instill this in his team at Pixar. From my perspective it is refreshing to see a different approach, as opposed to it being all about the bottom dollar. I really would love to see this kind of vision shared with all artist. Not easy to find this kind of work environment, and very difficult to foster. But one I think that is sooo much more productive for creatives! Follow the link and have a read!

http://marclougee.com/2011/06/15/pixar-perspective-creativity/

Staffordshire University 2011 VFX Degree show reel.

Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire this is the latest showreel to come out of the VFX programme.

The latest block buster to come to the movie theatres has Cinesite in London, doing VFX for the film, check out the article below;

Cinesite worked on a range of shots including a retro version of the Cerebro Room, Azazel’s fight sequences, a military parade in Red Square, and Washington DC, devastated by nuclear war

http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/06/13/cinesites-115-vfx-shots-for-x-men-first-class/