CGSociety CGNews
Wide ranging collection of CG applications covered at VIEW. Architecture, medical imaging and space entertainment.
Sunday, 08 November 2009
Advertisement
Last night, I was lucky enough to meet a few of the artists we've featured in the Ballistic books. Margharita Permurosa and Mario Vetri, both EXOTIQUE 4 artists, came past and they joined a small band of us for dinner. One of those two-storey, loud and boisterous restaurants that could only be Italian. Great night, so great to meet you, thanks Marg and Mario. (I was later to meet Marco Fantechi, Tiziano Baracchi and his wife Marina.
Very impressive reconstruction of Italian architectural sites, by the Centro Conservazione Restauro researchers. OK. Onwards. When Elena Biondi and Alessandro Bovero began their presentation at VIEW this morning, many of the conference attendees were jumping into the Lavazza bar outside. Not for long. The two Centro Conservazione Restauro researchers had combined the most accurate renderings of original antique Italian masterpiece furniture textures and interiors, with a perfect mix of period Italian Harpsicord and barroque organ pieces. Truly wonderful visuals.
Isaac Kerlow talked authoritatively about bringing a good story to screen. We were all introduced to Isaac Kerlow, a true futurist in VFX. As the writer of an often updated and re-released industry staple, 'The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects', Kerlow offered advice that talked of his years working at Disney and recognizes the limitations and barriers to producing good screen stories in some countries. Of course, some films have a limited audience of the film-maker and his three friends. He illustrated some guidelines and points of interest.
Having just come from Prague, he noted that some Eastern European countries and Chinese film industries, are still in a state of flux, as 'the ropes of communism are still being felt'. He pointed to some influences in his own work, like 'The Iron Giant', illustrating all the traditional elements of story-telling. 'Princess Mononoke', 'Spirited Away.' 'Graveyard of the Fireflies' - [please check this out]. Written in a regional style, all these production are said to have an impressive momentum. The Korean 'Wonderful Days', and Wan Laiming development of 'Monkey King'. There are many different ways to write a story. The development of the director's 'little voice' is important. Watch Brad Bird, Chris Hedge, Miyazaka. Creating suspense, they surprise us; with flawless magic.
Ofek Shilon from Simbionix showed how CG saves lives on the operating table. To accentuate the range of CG, and the breadth of application to this visual technology, Ofek Shilon from Simbionix was next, describing the latest piece of hardware and software package that is helping surgeons train for life-saving operations. The use of these simulations means you can practise for a very long time without hurting anyone. The patient would be scanned and the CT scan is used to produce a 3D mesh. That can be used in the same hospital or in any corner of the globe. The surgeon can be trained. Minimizing X-Ray time, refining performance, saving lives.
Bringing two images into one: Jayme Wilkinson of Blue Sky Studios talked about stereoscopy in the latest 'Ice Age' film. Jayme Wilkinson is the Stereoscopic supervisor from Blue Sky Studio. 'Ice Age 3' is his fifth film with the outfit. He showed us through the character creations for Scratté, Dino Mom and Buck in the new 3D Ice Age 3. Wilkinson represents a pool of tremendous talent, and strides the technical and artistic side of the creative. He has worked at many post houses, worked at Texlon designing the early PDAs. At Disney as a CGI Lead, he worked on Lilo and Stitch, Brother Bear, then at EA, he contributed to the NASCAR series of games. As an animator, TD and Stereographer, he is in the hot seat, contributing technical and artistic talent to Blue Sky's latest 3D film, 'Rio'.
Roger Guyett showed how the 'Star Trek' project allowed him to think big and direct the VFX with reality in mind. As research for the VFX Supervisor and 2nd Unit Director job on JJ.Abrams' 'Star Trek', Roger Guyett sat down with his daughter and watched every 'Star Trek' film. This was his 21st film with ILM, and from the beginning he says he has always wanted to create VFX at a grand scale. He got his wish with Alex Jaeger, Chris Stoski and Ryan Church concepts and matte paintings. In this presentation, Roger allowed us to see into the Spacejump sequence, which involved Kirk and two others skydiving down from a drill platform. While the struggle can be to decision about what was real and what was CG, the cornerstone of good VFX is to create the set as large and as real as possible. 'Really doing it.'
Michael Giacchino salutes the Associazione Filarmonica Felettese of Feletto Canavese. Keynote speaker and performer Michael Giacchomo and the greater proportion of VIEW goers were treated to a performance of the music created for the films covered during the conference. This was performed by the Associazione Filarmonica Felettese of Feletto Canavese and made for a tremendous conclusion to the day.
