Hasta La Motion!

Hi
I need help on building a workstation for a very specific need.

I need to composite 2K DPX 10-bit log files that have been datacined (scanned from 35mm) with CGI (delivered to me as EXR 2K). Other than plug-ins, I don’t plan to use anything else on this station.

One workstation is all we can afford, and it’s an indie project. But it has be able to composite in 2K, and I expect the workload to be as heavy as possible – CGI, smoke, blur, what-not. I DON’T want a ready made solution.

After researching this for a week, I have come across these issues:
1. Do I need 4/6/12 cores? i7 or Xeon?
2. Is 12GB RAM enough or should I go for 24GB?
3. Do I need a Quadro FX (4800 or 5800) or can I make do with a lesser graphics card?
4. I’ve read elsewhere that I need a RAID 0 Cache for real-time viewing, but how? Can I make do with eSATA, USB 2.0 or SATA II or III? Will this work:
a. Main drive: 128GB SSD for OS and software
b. RAID 0 500GBx2 for Cache 7,200rpm
c. Media Drive 2TB 7,200rpm (for source files)
d. Output Drive 4x1TB RAID 5 for rendered files
5. Can I save money if I have a render farm of cheap Quad CPUs?
6. Can I work with and HP2840zx 24" monitor for viewing 2K (along with HP’s calibration kit and a Blackmagic Decklink HD Pro)? How many monitors will I need? If I need two, can the GUI monitor be an Apple 30"?

The aim is to save money where high-performance is not needed so I can spend it elsewhere. We have just enough money to set up a workstation that will perform fast enough to get the job done in real-time (I mean working in real-time, rendering not included).

I hope I have made sense. It is very confusing and terrifying to spend a lot of money when one has no clue how to proceed. Any help will be welcome. If I have left out anything, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Description MPC is looking to recruit talented artists to join their facility in London.

Overview
Paint/Prep Artists prepare 2D digital plates for compositing. Typical tasks range from wire and rig removal, cleaning greenscreens, through to plate recreation. Artists employ various techniques including compositing, painting, and projecting.
Artists at this level should have flawless and quick rotoscope capabilities. You should understand and evaluate what needs to be rotoscoped, and quality-check your own work. Basic painting and prep skills will start to be refined in this role, and artists will use software packages including Silhouette, Shake, Nuke, Mocha, Photoshop, amongst others. Artists should have a basic understanding of how to properly implement matchmove cameras to help with projecting.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of Nuke and basic knowledge of Unix.
• Ability to roto in Silhouette, and import tracks from Boujou and other programs
• Compositing mattes to check paint/prep work, using Shake or Nuke
• Painting and prep skills in various software packages
• Working knowledge of projecting for paint/prep tasks
• A strong eye for detail and precision.
• Ability to organize your time, collaborate and effectively communicate with your supervisors and team mates, and be able to take direction.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver on schedule while working under pressure if required.

Salary: Competitive remuneration package
Location: London

To Apply please send your CV to millie-c@moving-picture.com

Roto Animation Artist – Mid
A Roto Animation Artist is responsible for delivering high quality character and object roto-animation for feature films. They would be working closely alongside Matchmove Artists and Animators to create animation that matches the movement of the selected character / object on the film backplates and that also moves realistically in 3D space. Successful applicants should have the ability to work well as part of a team and be capable of delivering work to meet deadlines.

Primary Responsibilities

• To roto-animate a variety of characters and / or objects that match the film backplates for various film projects and maintain consistent shot quality
• To work closely with Roto Animation Supervisors / Leads to create convincing performances and motion of characters and objects in both screen and 3D space within the animation package for the addition of CG effects.
• To be able to follow direction and take ownership of your tasks.
• To be able to confidently flag when there are issues and lack of clarity of your tasks informing relevant supervisors and production managers.
• Do their best to stay positive and accept direction changes in an intense production environment.
• To be conscious of continuity between scenes when working with other Roto Animation Artists on the same character / rig.
• To organize their time, collaborate, and effectively communicate with their supervisors and team mates.

Experience and Skills required

• Relevant experience in a similar role, preferably within feature films.
• The candidate must thrive in a team environment and enjoy working with other artists.
• Candidates should demonstrate a good eye for detail and precision with strong problem-solving skills
• Able to deliver results to a high standard with the aid and direction of the Roto Animation Leads / Supervisors.
• Ability to be adaptable and accepting of changes in a production schedule.
• An understanding of the computer graphics production process and other departments/disciplines needs and requirements.
• Aware of project schedules and capable of delivering work to deadlines.
• Knowledge of 3D animation toolsets (preferably Maya).
• An understanding of animation principles and work methods.
• Good communication skills both technically and creatively.
• Animation/drawing/sculpting skills a plus.

To Apply please send your CV to millie-c@moving-picture.com

Description MPC is looking to recruit experienced VFX Producers to work on a number of exciting feature film projects due to begin in the coming months.
Key Producer Responsibilities:

• The Producer role carries significant responsibilities both internal and external to the facility. From the bidding process through to driving a production schedule and managing a budget, being effective in this role is crucial to a well organised project.
• Forming a partnership with the VFX Supervisor to carefully manage both the client relationship and internal team priorities while always ensuring the best standard of work is being produced at all times.
• Representing MPC as the key client liaison on the project, handling this responsibility and relationship with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Working closely with the Production Manager to create and drive a schedule of deliverables and accurate resource requirements over the project duration.
• Managing show budget and finances.

Skills and experience:

• The ideal candidate will have proven experience as a Producer on feature film projects in an established VFX facility.
• Proven ability to manage and cater for client expectations is essential.
• Business acumen and an ability to balance financial responsibilities and negotiations in what is at times a very demanding environment.
• Thorough understanding of CG production pipelines and post production in general is essential.
• Outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail coupled with exceptional people skills and the ability to work within a team environment.
• Strong skills in communication – both written and verbal.
• Good understanding of Filemaker Pro and Excel.

Salary: Competitive remuneration package
Location: London

To Apply please send your CV to millie-c@moving-picture.com

[NEWS=”http://www.cgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/vote_newsman_th.jpg”]28343[/NEWS]Charged Studios went back to the future to create a bold interactive live-action spot that plays like a hijacked TV broadcast from the year 2057 – sending out a desperate plea for people to vote in the 2010 elections by showing what the future holds if they don’t.

Directed by Adam Pierce and Yaniv Raz, the video opens as actress Olivia Wilde (of ‘House’ fame), a tech-savvy political activist from 47-years in the future, interrupts a news program broadcasted in the year 2010 with an urgent message. Introducing herself as Olivia Kickin’ Chipotle Glazed Time Warner, she gives a frenzied, terrifying, acerbic – and sometimes humorous – account of an America governed by ‘RepubliCorp,’ a war-hungry, inept party that rose to power as a direct result of poor voter turnout in 2010.

The technically innovative imagery was designed, created and brought to life in 2010 by Charged Studios’ director/producer Adam Pierce and his staff of visual FX artists. The team spent a week designing, refining and executing the graphic elements for the video using After Effects. Charged Studios’ Andy Harmon deftly edited the spot, and created the jagged effects that gave it a distinctive futuristic look

Pierce also guided the aesthetic of the apocalyptic style of the set, creating the look of a clandestine rebel hideout. Charged’s designers and fabricators built the set in the company’s Brooklyn studio over three-days selecting an eclectic mix of props that included salvaged electronic components, metal scraps and army surplus supplies – to style the environment.

The interactive elements of the video were designed to allow viewers to automatically customize the video using Facebook. Individuals who choose to participate in the interactive element see their photos, hometown and friends on Olivia’s display.

Using an interactive audio track to move the personalization to the next level, MoveOn.org invites users to become part of the storyline by clicking on an element that prompts the character to yell out their names. Charged Studios’ audio division recorded over 500 names to facilitate this feature, as one feature in a multi-faceted audio mix by sound designer Daron Murphy.

Laura Dawn, creative director for MoveOn, was integral to the creation of the spot, including leading the client’s team and crafting the script with the Onion News Network’s Michael Pielocik.

Says Dawn, “Charged did an incredible job of bring our concept and script to life—in fact, the final product far surpassed our wildest dreams of what this interactive video could look and sound like. Charged knocks it out of the park every single time—they deliver creative media on time, on budget, that looks like we spent 2 million dollars on it. For a not- for -profit trying to break through a crowded messaging space, their talent & professionalism has been invaluable.”

The concept for the spot drew strong, immediate interest from talent, as Olivia Wilde came aboard as soon as she read the treatment. Next to sign on was Romany Malco who is best known for his roles in ‘Weeds,’ and ’The 40 Year Old Virgin.’ Romany brought intensity and hilarity to his role as the fellow political rebel, Alfonso Petfinder Dot Flavorblast.

“This is the second interactive video MoveOn.org has entrusted to Charged Studios,” notes Pierce. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with talent of their caliber, and use our visual effects talent, technical experience and design aesthetic to help maximize the impact of their messages.”

About Charged Studios:
Charged Studios is an animation, CGI, design and live-action production company known for its artful fusion of organic mediums and cutting-edge technology to create cost-effective visual stories with both punch and wit. Our full-service approach to commercials, broadcast programming, promos, interactive spots and emerging media takes each project from concept to completions with a shared creative vision.

CREDITS
CLIENT: MoveOn.org
CATEGORY: web-interactive video
TITLE: Save The Future

AD AGENCY/CLIENT: MoveOn.Org
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Laura Dawn
COPYWRITER: Laura Dawn, Onion News Network’s Michael Pielocik

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Charged Studios
PRODUCER: Mike Landry
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Adam Pierce
DIRECTORS: Adam Pierce, Yaniv Raz
DP: LA: Terrence Hayes
Additional Photography: Chadwick Davidson (NY)
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Daron Murphy
PRODUCTION COORDINATORS: LA: Lisa Remington, NY: Andy Harmon
ART DIRECTOR: Phillip Godwin
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Jon Craine
SET DRESSER/ LA: Paul “Pablo” Sison

ANIMATION + VFX COMPANY: Charged Studios
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Adam Pierce
PRODUCER: Mike Landry
COMPOSITOR Djuna Wahlrab
MOTION GRAPHIC FX: Adam Miller
COMPOSITOR: Peter Blank

EDITORIAL/POST PRODUCTION COMPANY: Charged Studio
ON-LINE EDITOR: Andy Harmon
POST SUPERVISOR Eric Rothman

SOUND DESIGN + AUDIO POST COMPANY: Charged Studios
MIXER: Daron Murphy
SOUND DESIGNER: Daron Murphy

RELATED LINKS
www.charged.com
http://cnnbc.moveon.org/index.html