‘Venom’ and ‘Aquaman’ get official release dates for Chinese audience

China’s restrictions against screening Hollywood films in theatres is apparently being lifted as big budget productions Venom and Aquaman are heading to the country real soon.

Whilst Sony’s spin-off on the anti-hero is raking in the moolah from all quarters despite several negative reviews and criticisms, Venom is spewing its way into the Chinese theatres on 8 November 2018.

China’s embargo on releasing American films was apparently owing to the strict censorship policies in the country. However, it had negative ramifications on its domestic box-office as it witnessed a 28 percent plunge in overall collections in the six weeks since the decision was passed.

But much to the delight of its movie buffs, the world’s second largest movie market is once again opening its gates to Hollywood films, and DCEU’s Aquaman too is arriving at the Chinese shores on 7 December 2018, exactly two weeks before its release in the US.

However, the Chinese Government has provisionally granted these releases in an effort to encourage the Chinese audience to support domestic productions too, rather than only foreign releases.

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Volvo will use Nvidia’s new technology for its next generation vehicles

Volvo Cars is collaborating with Nvidia and will be using the later’s high-powered Drive AGX Xavier technology in its next-generation vehicles. The technology will help Volvo take steps in artificial intelligence for vehicles as well as a higher level of computing power.

In the keynote Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, “As a world leader in safety technology and innovation, Volvo understands there is a direct connection between safety, comfort and the computing capability inside the vehicle.”

The hardware has the power to be able to handle full autonomy within controlled areas (Level 4 autonomy), but will launch Level 2+ capabilities. The cars are expected to start production in the early 2020s and will use Nvidia’s platform to monitor the vehicle and keep eye on the driver.

Nvidia has previously said that its software is capable of tracking a driver’s head and eye movements to know when they may have not noticed something in their environment.

In a press release, Nvidia and Volvo said, “The next generation of Volvo cars will initially deliver Level 2 automated driving features and higher. Level 2 autonomy is defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers as when ‘driver is disengaged from physically operating the vehicle by having his or her hands off the steering wheel AND foot off pedal at the same time’.”

Last year Volvo and Nvidia started joint development of advanced systems and software for self-driving cars and this new agreement expands the existing collaboration between the two companies.

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The Disney Conservation Fund awards $5 million to conservation organizations around the world

The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) continued its more than 20-year commitment to conservation by awarding more than $5 million in grants to support 76 organizations working to protect the nature around the world. Three of these grant recipients are conservation organizations working in India: Arulagam, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Panthera.

“The Walt Disney Company has a rich history of respecting, protecting and preserving our natural resources and wildlife; as such, we are proud to award these latest grants to people and organizations around the world that share our mission. Our donation directly supports efforts to save animals and habitats in critical ecosystems across the globe and inspires others to do the same,” said The Walt Disney Company Corporate Social Responsibility senior vice president Elissa Margolis.

Arulagam’s work focuses on the oriental white-rumped vulture. The organization engages with communities and stakeholders in South India through conservation programs to raise awareness of the positive impact of vultures for the ecosystem, and to protect vulture breeding habitats. The International Fund for Animal Welfare’s project aims to reduce human-elephant conflict and raise support for elephant conservation and protection in India. Meanwhile, Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization, will work to educate villagers, children and religious figures about snow leopards and the threats they face in Northern India.

Since 1995, the DCF has directed more than $75 million to conservation organizations working in 120 countries and supported more than 2,000 conservation projects, helping more than 600 non-profit organizations working hand-in-hand with communities to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet. It has recognized 169 Disney Conservation Heroes for their efforts to protect wildlife living alongside their communities in 48 countries and have also worked to connect the expertise of more than 180 professionals from Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment—from educators to veterinarians—to make a greater conservation impact on the ground.

Other grant recipients for this year include the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). DCF works with the Foundation and its partners to save critically endangered Sumatran rhinos from extinction in Indonesia. Sumadi Hasmaran has been recognized as a Disney Conservation Hero for his leadership in the establishment and management of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS)—a 250-acre breeding and research facility.

The majority of funding for DCF is provided by The Walt Disney Company and supplemented by the contributions of guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and other select Walt Disney World Resort locations, sailing with Disney Cruise Line or staying at select Disney Vacation Club resorts.

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Confederation of Indian Industry to launch Indian Digital Gaming Society

The digital gaming segment has emerged as an industry in itself, with global corporate investing heavily towards the development of this sector. The global gaming market is estimated at US$ 110 billion. However, India, in spite of being one of the largest users of digital products and services, is in a nascent stage with respect to the digital gaming industry.

India has a large skill pool to offer in the fields of game development and testing, arts, designing and information technology. This presents a significant opportunity for the Indian gaming industry to forge partnerships with leading global digital gaming companies and open doors for massive investment and job creation in the country.

IDGS  (Indian Digital Gaming Society) founder and president Rajan Navani said, “With the Indian Digital Gaming market across mobile, PC, console and e-sports growing exponentially, IDGS fulfils the need for an industry-led body to bring stakeholders across the ecosystem together, including government, to nurture and grow a global opportunity for Indian industry in the creative world just like IT services opened India to the world three decades ago

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been at the forefront of leveraging innovative trends to build the competitiveness of Indian industry and enhance its growth potential for the betterment of Indian citizens.

IDGS will provide a platform for the young start-ups and youths to unleash their creativity and contribute towards the digital economy of the country and the sector will open up new avenues in India.

Advantages of IDGS will include setting direction strategically for envisioning future opportunities for growth, capabilities, and competitiveness. It will also help in providing Information on policy provisions and create a platform for the effective industry-government dialogue along with consultancy services for new entrants.

 It will serve as a knowledge platform with insightful reports and newsletters, seminars and workshops while also notifying about the opportunity alerts raised with respect to RFIs/REPs both national and global tenders. One other advantage would be the tracking of progress of projects and facilitating of relevant dialogue since it aims to have an outreach across platforms.  

Policy and Progress Advocacy

Represent industry, aspirations and concerns, providing unbiased perspective to policymakers; review progress of procurement and development with the government and engage with national and state governments in policy formulations to create an enabling environment.

Policy and market research

Track the global digital gaming industry, identify new trends, map impact and pinpoint opportunity areas; analyse policy opportunities to maximise potential and capitalise capability mapping of industry specific products and services to create a repository of innovators and manufactures

Emerging technologies and new opportunities

Monitor and create access to emerging technologies for a gaming application; create an international network of industry associations to enable access to state –of – the –art technology and incubate locally developed technologies in public and private sector.

Indigenization and Innovation

Engage institutes of technological and management excellence for indigenization and innovation in digital gaming; promote sustained engagement between industries, R&D institutes and innovative technology ventures and combine operational experience and technological expertise into innovation

Export Promotion

  • Raise awareness of the Indian digital gaming industry on a global by publishing capability reports and convening platforms
  • Showcase domestic industry in international digital gaming exhibitions
  • Facilitate interaction between foreign delegation and Indian industry
  • Provide consultancy services to foreign companies seeking to outsource to India.

Education and skill development

  • Promote digital gaming technology and management as an integrated multi-domain curriculum.
  • Facilitate skill development programmes for the digital gaming industry through partner organisations.

The digital India mission holds the key to the development of a robust gaming industry in the country through its emphasis on promoting digitalisation.

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Warner Animation Group to bring vintage cartoon characters back

The previous two animated movies that Warner Animation Group (WAG) released didn’t capture people’s imagination in quite the way they had hoped for. The need for a new strategy seems to have been realised as they are planning to make a movie on the ever-green vintage characters.

According to a recent piece in Variety, WAG is currently in the process of developing seven fully-animated features on vintage characters. The new reboot strategy is being supervised by WAG executive Allison Abbate as well as Jesse Ehram and president of the production Courtney Valenti.

One of the films being fast-tracked is a hybrid version of Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera’s MGM creation Tom and Jerry, the cat-mouse duo who starred in over 160 theatrical shorts between 1940 and 1967. Tim Story who has directed live-action films like Barbershop, Shaft and Ride Along series will shoot the cat-mouse movie in 2009.

Sources also say that since Tom and Jerry didn’t speak and relied on physical comedy to draw laughs, this version will stick to that style and not cast actors to voice the duo. That decision should also help add to the international appeal of the film.

Besides Tom and JerryScooby Doo animated (Chris Columbus as creative producer; Tony Cervone directing), Space Jam 2 hybrid (Ryan Coogler producing; Terence Nance directing), Wile E. Coyote vs. Acme hybrid (Chris McKay developing the film), The Jetsons (Matt Lieberman/Conrad Vernon developing the film), The Flintstones and Wacky Races are the other classic cartoon feature films that have currently got in development.

We can’t wait for the vintage content to make a comeback and induce our nostalgia. 

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‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ officially wraps production as Tom Holland posts emotional message

Tom Holland and the cast have wrapped up the three-month filming schedule of Spider-Man: Far From Home as the 22-year old star posted video thanking the fans and for their unprecedented support.

Set just minutes after the events of Avengers 4, the sequel to 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming sees the web-slinger spinning all the way to Prague and Venice, where some portion of the movie was shot, before concluding the hectic schedule back in New York. And just a few hours ago, Holland posted an update as the filming came to a close. He’s seen tucked away in his Spidey colours with Zendaya, who plays Michelle, standing right next to him.

The plot of the movie though, is tightly kept under wraps as despite several snapshots and stills leaking from the sets, the fans haven’t been able to decipher the story. However, besides Vulture and Scorpion making a return, the friendly neighbourhood may also have to deal with a new villain, Mysterio, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Then there’s MCU favourites Nick Fury and Mariah Hill in the mix too.

 

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THATS A WRAP #farfromhome

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But Spider-Man aficionados shouldn’t expect any trailer or teaser for the foreseeable future as the movie now goes into post-production. Industrial Light and Magic, Clear Angle Studios and Luma Pictures are some of the VFX studios that will apply the finishing touches to the film.

Based on Marvel Comics, Spider-Man: Far From Home is directed by Jon Watts and arrives in theatres on 5 July 2019.

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BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd.

Established in the year 2005 as IP Company.  Little Krishna TV Series is its first creation. Followed by Krishna aur Kans (Theatrical Film), Shaktimaan TV Series, BIG Bees Nursery Rhymes and DaVincibles TV Series (Co-production with Moonscoop US). The company has won many International recognitions and accolades for its creations.  The company’s focus now is on creating new content exploiting existing content on digital platform and in international markets and cater to the service requirements of Domestic and International Producers.

Company Link: www.relianceanimation.com

We are looking candidates at the below following streams

Storyboard Artist – 2D Flash

Job Location :- Pune

Experience:- 2 – 10 years

Responsibilities :-
  • Good understanding of script, film making, camera angles, scenes, sequence.
  • Good drawing skills and composition sense.
  • Meet with creative supervisor to discuss objectives of storyboard what is desired or to be achieved.
  • Create storyboards by implementing storytelling objectives.
  • Follow instructions of creative supervisor.
  • Address any problems with creative supervisor ask necessary questions.
  • Communicate progress of work to creative supervisors and to appropriate production staff.
  • Ensure quality and style of show is consistently achieved in storyboard work.
  • Follow proper document management requirements (i.e., file naming and storage) according to the production’s guidelines.
  • Meet all deadlines as determined by Line Producer.
  • Attend and contribute to relevant meetings and pitches as needed.
  • Maybe be required to pitch storyboards.
  • Ensure all storyboard notes are added and feedback is correctly incorporated.

Key BG & Key Layout Artist – Photoshop

Job Location :- Pune

Experience: 2- 10 years

Responsibilities :-
  • Should have excellent drawing skills, perspective knowledge, location study, good sense of composition.
  • Meet with creative supervisor to ensure background and layout needs of show are fulfilled.
  • Follow instructions of supervisor.
  • Complete all BG/Layouts designing work within assigned deadlines.
  • Resolve BG/ Layout design issues with creative supervisors.
  • Communicate progress of work to appropriate production staff.
  • Ensure all artwork is properly backed up and stored appropriately.
  • Review storyboard for background key color callouts.
  • Comfortable working on a pen tab and must be able to work digitally.
  • Assist with special projects, and ready to explore different styles.

 Animator – 2D Flash

Job Location :- Pune

Experience: 2- 10 years

Responsibilities:
  • Good understanding of 2D animation principals.
  • Command on 2D Flash software is mandatory.
  • Should have good drawing skills in flash.
  • Experience in classical hand drawn animation is a strong asset.
  • Ability to work with strict deadlines and a fast-paced production environment.
  • Should have the ability to confidently act out a scene.

Qualifications BFA/ MFA, GD Art, ATD or 2D Animation Degree or Diploma from reputed institute.

Candidates can mail their CV with their demo link to indira.shetty@biganimation or contact number 9823145654 details

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Using Cinema 4D to Create a Real-Life Fortnite Shootout

The Corridor Crew walks you through their latest Corridor Digital short Foam Fortnite. Go behind the scenes of the shoot, edit, VFX, and more.

If you don’t recognize the name Corridor Digital, I’d guarantee you would have at least seen one of their most popular YouTube videos like The GlitchNerf John Wick, Real GTA, or Nerf Team Fortress.

As entertaining as the short films on the Corridor Digital channel are, you can find equally entertaining and educational videos on the Corridor Crew channel (formerly the Sam and Niko channel). Its a series of videos that take you behind the scenes of the office life, as well as tutorials on their biggest sequences, shoots, and general post-production madness.

Using Cinema 4D to Create a Real-Life Fortnite Shootout- Corridor Digital

Image via Corridor Digital.

We had a chance to hang out with the crew at the Maxon + Greyscalegorilla pinball party at NAB this year. It was there that a giant group on Cinema 4D enthusiasts likely finally convinced Wren Weichman to make the jump to C4D, which he talks about in this video.

We are a few months into the teams transition, and the Corridor Crew channel has been a blast to watch as Wren and Clint Jones learn Cinema 4D.

Their latest short film, Foam Fortnite, is another one in a series of popular foam blaster videos. Take a look at the final short here, and then we’ll hop into the behind-the-scenes challenges.

This particular video was sponsored by X-Shot, a foam weapons manufacturer. This means the production required additional planning and approval process, quite similar to any type of commercial or corporate jobs you may encounter in your own projects.

On the Corridor Crew YouTube channel, you will see the challenges the team faces in terms of pre-production, shooting, editing, VFX, client feedback, and final delivery.

Let’s hop back a few weeks before the release of Foam Fortnite, and take a look at the on-set challenges.


Shooting Foam Fortnite

Well before this particular episode, the crew has showed off a few minor points of interest like prop production. In this video, you’ll get a look at the set, and all the work that goes into capturing this short.

For those interested in cinematography, this video is packed with tips and stories from Foam Fortnite Director of Photography Arthur To. He talks about his work on films like The Revenant, where he served as Emmanuel Lubezki’s DIT.

Using Cinema 4D to Create a Real-Life Fortnite Shootout - DP

Image via Corridor Crew.

He even briefly touches upon creating the LUTs for the film. (If you missed our recent piece Should 3D Artists Think Like Cinematographers?, be sure to give that a read and download the 13 FREE LUTs for your projects).

There are also some great notes and stories on “ruining the magic” of movies from actor Paul Prado.


Pickups and Editing

In this episode, we see the crew grabbing some additional shots they need to complete the edit. You can feel the intensity of the approaching deadline, and the team offers some advice on keeping your sanity during crunch time. You’ll also learn about some great compositing tricks the team uses to quickly complete shots.

While some sequences required manual frame-by-frame rotoscoping, you’ll see Wren use a workaround where he creates inverted masks out of grass elements and places them into the scene. Therefore allowing him to quickly complete a shot so they can move forward with other challenging sequences.

Finally, you’ll get a glimpse inside of a client meeting, and see how the crew has to make additional changes to the project.


Foam Wall VFX Breakdown

In this final video, Wren and Clint breakdown the foam wall VFX shot. You’ll see how they created the wall in Cinema 4D, then tracked the shot, and composited it into the scene.

You’ll learn some cool tricks on tracking difficult shots, how they use a handful of GSG tools to speed up their entire workflow, and finishing the shot.

If you’ve enjoyed these videos, consider subscribing to Corridor Digital and Corridor Crew for more great content every week.

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MARNI – Finding Rome.

Inside ILM’s art department

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For VFX Voice, members of ILM’s art department ran down how it all works there. They create stunning stuff!