Thanks for everything this year VFXTalk!

Its been a while since I’ve had a chance to check in with this community! I checked in once maybe back in late October, and decided to come back quickly before the year is up to wish everyone happy new year, and thanks for all the input from all the professionals here adding in their two cents and guiding each other.

I originally started on this site back in school, learning compositing, and coming here for extra critique, and adding my own views to others with questions. It was such a wonderful community, and being able to talk to so many professionals actually in the industry first hand and to pick their brains about everything vfx related was such an amazing opportunity, I had to become a sponsor.

Since then, I now am a professional in the industry (by definition), I work doing motion graphics and visual effects together in a nice oreo cookie of awesomeness at Electronic Arts, making a good wage (and making sure of it thanks to VFXWages), and getting able to explore my creativity. I would consider myself a success story to VFXTalk as through this community I have taken the knowledge passed down to me from the greats on this site, sifted through all of it, applied what I’ve gleaned to my own career and have made something awesome of it.

So it was most discouraging to have this site brought to my attention:
http://vfxsoldier.wordpress.com/2010…cg-censorship/

These are costly mistakes that I feel will ultimately ruin this site. I hope that from the ashes of this though, a new site will be created after the apparent merger with sputnik and that we have all learned valuable lessons from this incident.

I will continue to be a member of this site, and continue to provide critiques and guidance where I can despite these recent incidents, as I feel an obligation to give back what I took from here and hope others do the same. 😎

dpx display error in DJV

Hi guys,

run into a problem.

Have a number of dpx sequences to check and tried to do so with the djv image viewer but got odd display errors(see attachment).

Is dpx a no-go in DJV? Any alternatives, preferably freeware?

MacOs 10.6.5

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Any good books on 3d lighting you would recommend?

Try to help a fellow vfxtalker…

Quote:

I’m basically compositor and photographer(once worked proff, now for hobby) now i learning about lighting on 3d packages such as Maya and Houdini, knowing very well about light setup for portrait shoots and outdoor lighting too. Can you do me a favor please suggest me any good books are tutorial for learn about 3d lighting.

Now im working with stereo3D and vfx. But im confused about the s3D is this going to stable in feature are its just hype….
once again thanks a lot…..


Studying at Bournemouth University

Dear Forum members,

I just browsed through the internet presentation of Bournemouth University in the UK and figured out that only GCSE degrees are required to begin studying at Bournemouth: http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac…&collection=ug

I live in Germany and here you need the so called "(Fach-)Abitur" to get started at university. GCSE levels corresponds to the german "Mittlere Reife" degree which is one below "Abitur".

Does anybody know if it is possible to start the animation program at Bournemouth without having "Abitur"? If so, please let me know!

Thanks!

Best, Michael

Where do we go from here

Ok so after taking a deep breath I have realised there are two sides to every coin. Maybe I am not a cultured vfx professional like you guys and so I apologise if I offended anyone.

However…

I can’t continue to support a community that treats me and other people like me ie noobs the way I was treated which set off my flame war. I also can’t keep supporting a hole in my pocket.

I will be selling the site to sputnik7 and want to hear your thoughts and ideas on what they need to do to make it grow and flourish not end up where it was going which was almost deleted out of existence by me last night.

Please keep in mind we want encourage collaboration moving ahead, sputnik7 is a indie film site and are interested in putting indie film makers together with vfx pros and Internet distribution to help build the new Hollywood

Water simulation

What is the best water simulation software in your opinion?

What about Tron Legacy

so????what you guys think about tron legacy???
i always ask this question about new movies cause i don’t have the opportunity to watch them on the release date…in my country i have to wait more or less 2-3 months…
are the visual effects good???amazing???
what about the 3d???

CafeFX Closes

We received an email today from Jeff Barnes and David Ebner, announcing that CafeFX/ComputerCafe have decided to shut down. This comes after a downsizing earlier this year. It saddens us here at fxguide to hear the news of their closing and wish everyone the best.

The outstanding company has worked on a number of visual effects films over the years and has a great resume. Articles here at fxguide covering their work include ones on Shutter Island, GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra and a podcast covering the series John Adams.

The actual announcement from Jeff Barnes and David Ebner follows

Quote:

Announcement from Jeff Barnes and David Ebner

After 17 years in business, CafeFX/ComputerCafe has decided to officially close its doors. The current economic climate and global marketplace have made it unrealistic for us to continue to deliver the highest quality visual effects work, which has been our hallmark, at a competitive price and a sustaining profit.

With a resume of over eighty award-winning feature films and hundreds of commercials, music videos, game trailers, ride projects and broadcast opens, we are very proud of what

we have achieved over the years. We end our company’s relationship with the industry we love with pride in our contributions and our heads held high.

We want to thank our many clients for their friendship, confidence, and support in the multitude of groundbreaking projects awarded us over the years. We would also like to thank our competitors, who always kept us on our toes by pushing the envelope. We have watched your work on the latest films with a mixture of awe and envy, as you continue to exceed industry expectations and thrill audiences around the world. You have our utmost respect.

We want to thank our families and advisors who have stood by us and have given their patience and understanding on how to stay sane and viable through these turbulent times in our industry, our state and our country.

But most importantly, we would like to thank our staff and all the incredibly talented people that have come through our doors. You are CafeFX. Your hard work, dedication and passion are what made us such a great studio. Because of you we were able to accomplish the impossible over and over again. Words cannot truly express how much we appreciate all

that you have done to keep us successful for so many years. We will especially never forget our core staff, who helped to make CafeFX a unique and magical place, and who have

now become life long friends and colleagues. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,

you are an exceptional group of people.

We will see you soon.

Jeff Barnes and David Ebner


http://www.fxguide.com/qt/3358

Anyone here own a Ferrari?

I saw the movie "Skyline" last night and one of the characters in it was a visual effects artist who lived in a penthouse and drove a Ferrari.

I was just wondering how realistic that was….. 😀

Gun muzzle flares look too clean (with video!)

Hey everyone! I have a question. Last month I directed an action movie called Silent Takedown. I have a problem regarding the muzzle flares. They just look too clean and clear. Any tips on making them look more rough and gritty? Is the color of the flares good?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O62_hYOmlaY