My 2011 Demo Reel!

Mike Larned Demo Reel 2011 from Mike Larned on Vimeo.

Thanks for watching! I am currently looking for work in the New York area. Please feel free to contact me.

select 3D feature

How can i select the 3d feature from pftrack betwen 2D view? Dows i always have to enter in 3d viewports to select them and extract the data translate or other data? Because i find the feature that i need and when i go to 3d to select it, i lost them becaus there are a lot of feature and i don´t know what feature i chose

Export Camera-Tracking-Data for 3dsmax

Hi there,

I searched quite long now, but didn’t get any solution for it. Is there a way to export the tracking data including the camera to 3dsmax? Does anyone know a script or something?
Or shall I better use external software like pfhoe for the tracking part?

Thanks in advance

3D Tracking Supervisor

3D Tracking Supervisor

We have an immediate need for an Integration (Tracking/Matchmove/Layout) Department Supervisor to join our team in our Vancouver, Canada Location. While Vancouver residents are a plus, we will relocate for this position.

Job Summary:
The Integration Supervisor is the technical head of the Layout department, working as a creative consultant to the VFX Supervisor, and is responsible for final approval of all layout elements. This position is responsible for leading a team for the coordination of the overall look, and is responsible for tracking elements and matching camera movement with object movement, thereby translating live camera movement into a 3D environment in order to help achieve an optimum visual effect.

Duties and Responsibilities:
·Supervise and support a team that acts as a central hub for all shot preparation to ensure continuity and camera accuracy in CG Elements.
·Converts background plates to various formats to use with specific software to create digital motion files that match the plate photography. This includes animating any live action character or relative object in the scene.
·-Generate 2D Compositing elements, while maintaining the accuracy of camera perspective.
-Models the set geometry used to create the matchmove and environment for Animators and Technical Directors.
·-Does basic composites of the files with the background to judge the move.
·Under the direction of the project Supervisors, the department supervisor will lead a team with the setup of the technical and aesthetic approaches of the matchmove work for a shot, sequence, or even an entire aspect of a show.
·-Partner with the Director, VFX Supervisor and other staff in order to understand and execute creative direction.
·-Maintain high quality and productivity throughout projects.
·Communicate work status to the Producer and VFX Supervisor and Production Management staff.
·-Attend dailies, accurately address critique and comments from supervisors, and complete revisions in a timely manner.
·-Consistently meet production deadlines.

Skills and Education Requirements:
·-Requires 5+ years minimum experience in Feature Film and/or Commercial production with an emphasis on Layout, Matchmove, and Tracking.
·Understanding of photography and the effects of different lenses on perspectives.
·Ability to reproduce exact camera moves within a computer environment.
·Typically has experience as an artist, animator or camera operator.
· Proficient in Boujou, PF track, or Syntheyes
·Must have a willingness to learn new tools, proven ability to be detail-oriented and to work efficiently within a production environment.
·-Excellent problem solving skills including the ability to work under tight deadlines.
·Good written and oral communication skills including strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work in a team environment and take direction.
·-Ability to provide feedback to other artists.
·Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
·A creative problem solver who is organized and critical of his or her own work.
·A history of consistent high-end aesthetic and technical execution.
· -Interest and ability to mentor artists .
·-Bachelors Degree in Animation, Computer Animation, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.

This Integration Supervisor position is considered to be a professional position within Prime Focus VFX requiring the theoretical knowledge and practical in Graphic Arts, Computer Art, Media Arts or a related field. A Layout/Matchmove/Tracking Supervisor must have extensive experience in both traditional and digital (CG) techniques. The Layout/Matchmove/Tracking Supervisor must be highly experienced in digital knowledge of the UNIX, PC and Mac platforms and of the various proprietary software programs utilized in CG work, principally a competency in a 3D Tracking and layout software applications like Syntheyes, Boujou, or PF track. He/She must also have a working knowledge of 3D software packages such as 3DMax or Maya as well as compositing packages such as Nuke, Fusion, Shake, After Effects, Combustion and Commotion. Tracking experience for Stereo projects preferred.

Qualified candidates please send CV and reel link to roula.lainas@primefocusworld.com

Problems with tracking free move rotations

Hey everyone,

I’ve been doing a ton of tests every day to improve my ability to track cameras. I can do all the easy stuff like where you keep the same tracking markers in the lens view all the time.

The problem I’m having is just with free move rotations. Let’s say I stand facing down the X axis, take a good 5 steps to my left, and then turn 90 degrees and take another 5 steps so my camera is now facing somewhere around 90 degrees to the right from where it started at the beginning of the shot. This type of camera move makes it so that the things that were in the view at the beginning of the shot are no longer in the shot by the end.. (I will draw a diagram if needed, just let me know how much more info I need to give).

What happens is that I track it, and it comes out good for the most part, but there is some slipping on the test objects. The slipping is strange because the test object slips like it is rotating in the scene, but it is not rotating at all. The test object looks like it’s rotating maybe 15-30 degrees.

I even went as far to put actual tracking markers down on the ground, which one would think that would give me a 100% perfect track because they are at a perfect 90 degree angle and perfect for aligning my scene geometry/grid plane.

My main question is this: Is there some sort of special procedure I need to take on a rotating free move like this? I just can’t seem to get it no matter how many manual markers and how much auto tracking I do. It’s just looks like a perspective issue on the camera, but that shouldn’t be happening because the lens never zoomed.

I also just did a 360 degree turn while stepping forwards and backwards and a little bit side to side, and that turned up bad as well. I need to be able to add rotations to my capabilities.. It can’t be that professional camera tracking people working on the Harry Potter films and such have to tell the technical director and director that the camera movement cannot be a rotation, that would just be silly. There’s gotta be a way to do this!

Thanks for any help!

Building on fire explodes!

First of all, thanks for the critics, and even for the mails some of you sent about my last vfx clip.
But because of some feedbacks and tip that the film could be better if the clip was like from a handy camera, I started to recreate this with better sounds and effects.

I’ve taken a simple still footage and try to make it into a cool explosion scene.

So, do you like this better?

Music/sound:
Magix Music Maker 14

Composition:
AE CS5
Premiere Pro CS5
3d:
3ds Max

real ocean & foam

Hello,

is there any special feature that allows me to create a real ocean dynamic plus the possibility to get an extra mesh for foam ?

Or just all in one… one mesh that allows me to create a super realistic ocean wave plus foam ?

thx a lot

Climax Studios UK are seeking VFX Artists!

Climax is one of the leading creative lights of independent games development with an outstanding line of top published titles. It truly is an exciting and inspiring place to work in the heart of Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Harbour.

We are currently looking for an experienced VFX Artist to join our award winning team.

Our ideal candidate will:

  • Join an exciting dedicated SFX team to design, conceptualize and animate real time effects for characters and environments on current and next generation platforms.
  • Have 1/ 2 years experience in the games industry and have the ability to demonstrate outstanding visual effects.
  • Be able to accurately render and animate realistic and fantasy elements in line with the overall game concept and physical principles
  • Be responsible for all aspects of 3D and 2D effects work including, designing and conceptualising the effects, animating geometry and camera work
  • Accurately render and animate realistic and fantasy elements in line with the overall game concept and physical principles.
  • Be able to demonstrate a high level of creativity and understanding of modelling, texturing, lighting and particles.
  • Have extensive Maya and Photoshop skills.
  • Real time FX experience is essential.
  • Experience in After Effects beneficial

Please send a current CV/ resume to Stuart Godfrey on sgodfrey@climaxgroup.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Climax Studios UK are seeking a UI Artist!

Climax is one of the leading creative lights of independent games development with an outstanding line of top published titles. It truly is an exciting and inspiring place to work in the heart of Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Harbour.

We are currently looking for an experienced GUI Artist to join our award winning team.
Our ideal candidate will have:

Our ideal candidate will require:
· Graphic design with Games User Interface creation experience to work on a brand new console project.
· The successful candidate will ideally have two years experience within the games industry. You will be able to seek out creative and design / functionality related solutions on their own initiative.
· You should have a strong background from a Graphic Design related area, will strong Flash skills and be able to show examples of beautiful, clean and easily navigable interfaces.
· The candidate will ideally have extensive knowledge of game front-end systems design and functionality.
· The successful candidate will also be asked to produce in game graphic design related assets, such as advertising and fonts so as to tie the in-game environments to the Front-end and HUD.
· Any 3D art experience will be a bonus.

Please send a current CV/ resume to Stuart Godfrey on sgodfrey@climaxgroup.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

Climax Studios UK are seeking a Character Artist!

Climax is one of the leading creative lights of independent games development with an outstanding line of top published titles. It truly is an exciting and inspiring place to work in the heart of Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Harbour.

We are currently looking for an experienced Character Artist to join our award winning team.
Our ideal candidate will have:

• Two or more years experience in Character Artist role with extensive experience of modelling, texturing and rigging.

• Previous work experience will have included creating realistic human/creature artwork for at least two shipped console titles.

• An excellent command of Maya is essential. Demonstrable experience with Adobe Photoshop is a plus.

• Ability to give direction; work with minimal supervision in a cross-disciplinary team environment and proven ability to work in a deadline driven environment.

• Strong people skills. You will be required to organize and take charge of a project within a collaborative work environment.

• The Character Artist will need to demonstrate an ability to apply these skills creatively and in a manner suitable for our upcoming project.

Please send a current CV/ resume to Stuart Godfrey on sgodfrey@climaxgroup.com

I look forward to hearing from you.