fxguide: fxpodcast

An in-depth discussion about color management workflow with Brian Gaffney and Dan Lion from Technicolor Creative Bridge

We speak with GenArts' CMO Steve Bannerman and VP of Engineering/Chief Scientist Gary Oberbrunner about the upcoming release of Sapphire version 5.

Alex Wuttke, Double Negative visual effects supervisor, about two main sequences from 2012.

We talk with Ed Ulbrich (Digital Domain) about the newly formed Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) Digital and what it means for artists and companies.

The Previsualization Society was officially announced today to "focus on producing and publishing information and resources to promote effective previs through key activities such as promoting standards, education, workflow development and practical knowledge exchange". Founding members of the Previsualization Society are: David Dozoretz, Founder, Director and VFX Supervisor, Persistence of Vision (POV) Previs; Chris Edwards, CEO, The Third Floor; Ron Frankel, President and Founder, Proof; Colin Green, President and Founder, Pixel Liberation Front; Daniel Gregoire, Owner, Halon Entertainment; and Brian Pohl, CEO, POV Previs. After the jump is the official press release with more details. Cross-Disciplinary Community to Focus on the Development of Previsualization Los Angeles, CA (September 30, 2009) -- The Previsualization Society, a non-profit, interdisciplinary organization dedicated to the advancement of previsualization ("previs"), was officially announced today. Founded by previs practitioners for those who produce or use previs, the Previsualization Society will build a community to maximize the current and future capabilities and contributions of the previs medium. The Previsualization Society includes members from many different disciplines and markets, just as the previs process does, and is already comprised of a number of charter members from the motion picture industry. The Previsualization Society will focus on producing and publishing information and resources to promote effective previs through key activities such as promoting standards, education, workflow development and practical knowledge exchange. As inspired by the recently completed ASC-ADG-VES Joint Technology Subcommittee on Previsualization, co-chaired by David Morin and Ron Frankel, the organization will also provide a platform for ongoing interchange and learning between all contributors that engage with previs. Previsualization is a "collaborative process that generates preliminary versions of shots or sequences, predominantly using 3D animation tools and a virtual environment. It enables filmmakers to visually explore creative ideas, plan technical solutions, and communicate a shared vision for efficient production.* By bridging and providing value to multiple creative collaborators and departments, previs has become a common practice and has the potential to empower all steps of the process as content production continues to evolve in the digital age. "When I started my career in previs 15 years ago, I used to always have to explain why productions might need previs," said Previsualization Society president Colin Green. "Now producers simply call saying 'we need previs.' Despite the popularity of the process, there are still many different views of what previs is, and how it should all work. The Previsualization Society will be a great way to bring expertise into a common forum for everyone to share." "When the previs committee delivered its final report last month, it was clear that a lot of work remained to be done," David Morin remarked. "As a result, members of the committee decided to create a permanent organization dedicated to previsualization. In this brave new world of digital moviemaking, previsualization has the potential to do a lot more good than it already has. The Previsualization Society will develop that potential, and anyone interested to help should join!" Membership & Sponsorship Membership in the Previsualization Society is open to previs professionals (previs supervisors and practitioners), associates (directors, producers, storyboard artists, cinematographers, art directors, production designers, editors, studio executives and other industry personnel) and academics (students and educators). General interest memberships will also be offered. Founding members of the Previsualization Society are: David Dozoretz, Founder, Director and VFX Supervisor,

We geek out with 3D guru Master Zap about linear compositing workflow, separating fact from fiction.

Jeff Heusser talks with Andreas Wacker, founder of INTERDUBS, a clip hosting company for post houses and production facilities.

We talk about creating an acid trip with VFX supervisor Brendan Taylor from Mr. X

An in-depth discussion of color science with Chief Colorist Peter Doyle

For District 9, writer/director Neill Blomkamp turned to a host of Vancouver-based studios, along with Weta Workshop and Weta Digital in New Zealand, to provide alien creatures and other effects for the film. fxguide profiles the work of Image Engine, The Embassy Visual Effects, Zoic Studios and Goldtooth Creative in bringing Blomkamp's vision to life.

For Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, director Michael Bay enlisted ILM and Digital Domain to create several new characters and blockbuster action for the sequel to his monster 2007 hit. Mike Seymour speaks to ILM's Digital Production Supervisor Jeff White in this week's fxpodcast. In our online article, Ian Failes speaks to Digital Domain's Visual Effects Supervisor Matthew Butler and CG Supervisor Paul George Palop about their work.

This week we look at digital and practical effects on Terminator Salvation with ILM and Kerner Optical

An interview with Rob Cook, co-architect and primary author of Pixar's RenderMan

Jeffrey A. Okun, Chair of the Visual Effects Society, sits with us to discuss the mission and latest news from the VES.

A conversation with ILM vfx supervisor Roger Guyett about the film Star Trek.