Product Review: By Ko Maruyama

iStopMotion for iPad

One More Frame

Last year, I wrote about the fun application called iStopMotion by Boinx.com. In returning to iStopMotion on iPad, I'm glad to see that the app has gone through many changes and upgrades. Most recently, Boinx has announced the ability to export up to 200 frames in an animated GIF! It's not only a fun application to have as an animator, but it's a teaching opportunity too. When I teach older animation students, they usually understand the importance of timing and number of frames per second. At home with my kids, iStopMotion for iPad is a fun way to craft stories and express creativity. For both older students and young kids, iStopMotion is an accessible way to start making stop motion animations right away. Read More

Chris Cartagena made his feature film debut as an editor on the Academy Award(r)-winning film, Happy Feet and is a native of Brisbane, Australia. He has also worked on various television projects over the years and was the 1st Assistant Editor on the Weinstein Company's Escape from Planet Earth just prior to joining the crew of Free Birds. From Relativity Media and Reel FX Animation Studios, Free Birds is the first theatrical full-length computer-animated film to be made at the award-winning Reel FX studios in Dallas, Texas. Free Birds tells the story of two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks who much put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history -- and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good. Read More

Interview:

INSIDE LOOK AT "FREE BIRDS"

Effects Supervisor Walter Behrnes has worked in visual effects for the film industry for over ten years. He has worked on such features as "The Ant Bully," "The Spy Next Door" and "The Spiderwick Chronicles," as well as the direct-to-DVD features "Open Season 2" and "Open Season 3." From Relativity Media and Reel FX Animation Studios, "Free Birds" is the first theatrical full-length computer-animated film to be made at the award-winning Reel FX studios in Dallas, Texas. "Free Birds" tells the story of two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks who much put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good. Read More

Feature:

A Look Inside Free Birds 3D Production

It was no simple "turkey trot" for the Free Birds crew that was tasked with bringing feathered characters to life for the big screen. First and foremost, the challenge was to make turkeys - which are not typically considered the most attractive of birds -- look appealing. Writer/director Jimmy Hayward contends, "It was important for the audience to care about our turkeys and believe that they could actually be thrown into a big sci-fi adventure. But first we had to make sure the audience would want to look at them for the length of a feature film." Read More

Interview:

Q&A with MONIKA SAWYER

Monika Sawyer has specialized in creating the feather and fur on animated characters for many years. She first carved out this very unique position working as a fur and feathers specialist on a variety of animal characters for such animated films as the Ice Age series, Rio and Horton Hears a Who!, where she first met and worked with Free Birds director Jimmy Hayward. From Relativity Media and Reel FX Animation Studios, Free Birds is the first theatrical full-length computer-animated film to be made at the award-winning Reel FX studios in Dallas, Texas. Free Birds tells the story of two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks who much put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history -- and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good. The film opens nationwide on November 1st. Read More

Video: By Grab Media, a blinkx company

2013 Renault Initiale Paris genesis Modelling Workshop

2013 Renault Initiale Paris genesis Modelling Workshop - With Stphane JANIN, director design studio exterior Choung-Sun OH, Axel BREUN, director design concepts and showcars, Laurens VAN DEN ACKER, director du design Groupe Renault interior designer and Miguel-Angel IRANZO-SANCHEZ, colours and trims designer. Read More

Video: By Clip Syndicate

Video: Asia's animators draw inspiration from Japan's Miyazaki

As Oscar-winning animator Hayao Miyazaki heads into retirement, industry watchers say the next generation of Asian filmmakers stepping out of his shadow will struggle to match the Japanese master's box office domination. Duration: 01:31 Read More

Business Issues: By Maureen Mo Whelan

What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?

News spotlighting the struggles within the visual effects industry, as well as comments from professionals and independents within the entertainment industry, inspired me to write an article based on my own work experience. I've been in front and behind the camera, along with the back-end of post-production, and many places in between. I feel compelled to write about what I currently see happening to the visual effects industry along with the production and post-production worlds, and why the industry is going through rough times.  Read More

Product Review: By Ko Maruyama

Monsters run Rampant

Rampant Design Tools have created a series of images for post production FX in the past. Their newest offering is just in time for the Halloween holiday. MonsterFX Undead provides a series of images that you can use in post for video or still photography. Read More

Video: By Grab Media, a blinkx company

Toronto: CBS Films' Deal To Acquire 'The F Word' Nearing $3 Million

CBS Films is nearing a deal to acquire U.S. rights on the Daniel Radcliffe starrer The F Word for $3 million. Directed by Michael Dowse, the romantic comedy centers on a med-school dropout (Radcliffe), a hopeless romantic who's been repeatedly burned. He has put his life on hold ? until he meets an animator (Zoe Kazan). They click immediately; unfortunately, she's already living with her boyfriend, Ben (Rafe Spall). The film chronicles how the pair navigate their charged friendship. Read More

Video: By Clip Syndicate

Video: Toronto: CBS Films' Deal To Acquire 'The F Word' Nearing $3 Million

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