tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46462804897700556812024-03-13T04:35:49.665-07:00Digitopia Film BlogFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-89447141325141560452014-03-17T23:44:00.000-07:002014-03-17T23:44:22.033-07:00Maya to Houdini Conversion Course: Part 2c - collisions, how to playblast in HoudiniIn this lesson you will be able to start creating particle collisions, adjusting colours, creating different instances of geometry onto your particle simulation and quickly and easily preview them in Houdini's equivalent of a playblast. <br />
<br />
In lesson 2c you will learn<br />
<ul>
<li>collisions</li>
<ul>
<li>how to set up a collision POP</li>
<li>adjusting collision attributes</li>
</ul>
<li>Creating instanced Geometry</li>
<ul>
<li>In Houdini you use a Copy SOP to set up instancing</li>
<li>How to wire any geoemtry and particle simulation into a Copy SOP</li>
</ul>
<li>Colouring Particles</li>
<li>Setting up a Playblast in Houdini</li>
<ul>
<li>a playblast in Houdini is called a Flipbook</li>
<li>How to set Flipbook parameters</li>
<li>How to use the Flipbook viewer</li>
<ul>
<li>The Houdini of FCheck is called MPlayer</li>
<li>What MPlayer can do that FCheck can't</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
The Full list of videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IXUioBm4Pq4" width="640"></iframe>
Enjoy the lesson.<br />
<br />
Please do use the share buttons to tell other artists who may be struggling with the switch across from Maya to Houdini.<br />
<br />
Watch other videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
Why I created the course?<br />
<br />
I've been working as a VFX artist for over ten years, one of the most common questions people ask when moving across from Maya to Houdini is 'how do I do xxxxxxx in Houdini, it's so easy in Maya, but I can't find the function in Houdini'.<br />
<br />
Well the fact is that every software is different, not only do the functions have different names but different 3D software is built upon a whole architecture. To shift from Maya to Houdini requires to understand how the two pieces of software were built upon different architecture.<br />
<br />Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-79680442437911491372014-03-04T22:50:00.001-08:002014-03-04T23:25:32.844-08:00Maya to Houdini Conversion Course: Part 2b - Particle expressions, key frames and graph editorThis lesson will give you the confidence to start using and adjusting basic particle simulations, you'll gain access to the animation controls and expression editor which you can use in other parts of the software<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthTa5K4-UysGeAxznEsBWh1XPiDdRWCfm8w-V9zmMHuy460HTe5oYGh-KZMXBYh70Q_ObNQNwc0Y3267xWASCKg53FcB7muSA8dGLYj3qjNLljXnWEE3sNz5eVweQscuX7P7x05tYy9I/s1600/copy_merge.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthTa5K4-UysGeAxznEsBWh1XPiDdRWCfm8w-V9zmMHuy460HTe5oYGh-KZMXBYh70Q_ObNQNwc0Y3267xWASCKg53FcB7muSA8dGLYj3qjNLljXnWEE3sNz5eVweQscuX7P7x05tYy9I/s1600/copy_merge.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
In lesson 2b you will learn<br />
<ul>
<li>keyframing</li>
<li>seting up emissions attributes</li>
<ul>
<li>impulse activation</li>
<li>constant activation</li>
<li>birth rate</li>
</ul>
<li>middle mouse button to see particle states over a node</li>
<li>setting up expressions</li>
<ul>
<li>where to create an expression</li>
<li>deleting expressions</li>
</ul>
<li>Setting key frames</li>
<ul>
<li>where keyframing lives</li>
<li>adjusting keyframes</li>
<li>how the graph editor works</li>
<ul>
<li>how to access the graph editor using scope parameters</li>
<li>adjusting keyframes in the graph editor</li>
<li>adjusting tangents in the graph editor</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>switching between nodes without simulating them</li>
<li>setting up fields - Fields are called Forces in Houdini</li>
</ul>
<br />
The Full list of videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oVANPjQNmTI" width="640"></iframe>
Enjoy the lesson.<br />
<br />
Please do use the share buttons to tell other artists who may be struggling with the switch across from Maya to Houdini.<br />
<br />
Watch other videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b>Why I created the course?</b><br />
<br />
I've been working as a VFX artist for over ten years, one of the most common questions people ask when moving across from Maya to Houdini is 'how do I do xxxxxxx in Houdini, it's so easy in Maya, but I can't find the function in Houdini'.<br />
<br />
Well the fact is that every software is different, not only do the functions have different names but different 3D software is built upon a whole architecture. To shift from Maya to Houdini requires to understand how the two pieces of software were built upon different architecture.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-3142143800459863222014-03-03T23:44:00.000-08:002014-03-04T23:34:09.062-08:00Maya to Houdini Conversion Course: Part 2a - Particle Set upThis lesson will quickly and easily get you up and running with particles in Houdini and lays the foundation for further particle exploration<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3l3bV7UvyDAByyhEEWAcMxawPVSag3bG2nWMu_QXKeyH9ZMt1pGHuJ2vHHFaTTn30exgoImTnqpbH6aTkD4qid09-1uBsbzp9W9cjwK9ibPntfWgS4L87UXMk8U6up3FpHjYLsPcc70/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_collect_force.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3l3bV7UvyDAByyhEEWAcMxawPVSag3bG2nWMu_QXKeyH9ZMt1pGHuJ2vHHFaTTn30exgoImTnqpbH6aTkD4qid09-1uBsbzp9W9cjwK9ibPntfWgS4L87UXMk8U6up3FpHjYLsPcc70/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_collect_force.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
In lesson 2a you will learn<br />
<ul>
<li>Basic particle setup in Maya versus Houdini</li>
<li>Going beyond the shelf buttons to construct your own particle objects</li>
<li>What the POP node is</li>
<li>Different types of emitters and how to source particles from polygon objects</li>
<li>First object context geometry</li>
<li>How to collect particles together using the collect POP</li>
<li>setting </li>
<ul>
<li>timeline, </li>
<li>FPS, </li>
<li>playback settings, </li>
<li>oversampling, </li>
<li>sampling rate, </li>
<li>maximum number of particles, </li>
<li>setting the pre-roll </li>
</ul>
<li>How to read error messages using the middle mouse button</li>
<li>further traversing the context menus within Houdini</li>
</ul>
<br />
The Full list of videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IYcjH3QC1pc" width="640"></iframe><br />
Enjoy the lesson.<br />
<br />
Please do use the share buttons to tell other artists who may be struggling with the switch across from Maya to Houdini.<br />
<br />
Watch other videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b>Why I created the course?</b><br />
<br />
I've been working as a VFX artist for over ten years, one of the most common questions people ask when moving across from Maya to Houdini is 'how do I do xxxxxxx in Houdini, it's so easy in Maya, but I can't find the function in Houdini'.<br />
<br />
Well the fact is that every software is different, not only do the functions have different names but different 3D software is built upon a whole architecture. To shift from Maya to Houdini requires to understand how the two pieces of software were built upon different architecture.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-13644371809244588902014-03-03T23:16:00.002-08:002014-03-04T23:38:33.648-08:00Maya to Houdini Conversion Course: part 1c - Grouping and TransformingThis lesson will quickly and easily push you beyond the top layer in Houdini and you will leave understanding the different mindset required to quickly and easily start using Houdini.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmPCUw5BfmlhH9zoTtlU-IpouByVF5UXdHT3gT7W1VVEqRz5an-KHBpWEFhr1Nj02B13iWWeQ4flpUk5V12T3wH0IkK_FSUXSVizqYDrbovI_-rBHucZNjj5y7opPl6hOan5LpsZVT24/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_xform_merge.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmPCUw5BfmlhH9zoTtlU-IpouByVF5UXdHT3gT7W1VVEqRz5an-KHBpWEFhr1Nj02B13iWWeQ4flpUk5V12T3wH0IkK_FSUXSVizqYDrbovI_-rBHucZNjj5y7opPl6hOan5LpsZVT24/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_xform_merge.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
In lesson 1c you will learn<br />
<ul>
<li>How to group objects together</li>
<li>How to transform the whole group</li>
<li>How to transform individual elements of grouped objects</li>
<li>Layout options in Houdini </li>
<ul>
<li>maximising the viewport</li>
<li>creating extra attribute editors</li>
<li>linking windows to follow each other</li>
<li>how to have windows stay independent of the selection</li>
<li>colouring nodes</li>
<li>creating netboxes (what a netbox is) and colour those</li>
</ul>
<li>How to ghosting other objects</li>
<li>Where the wireframe and shaded displays buttons live </li>
</ul>
<br />
The Full list of videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rg4Su8GPqOk" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
Enjoy the lesson.<br />
<br />
Please do use the share buttons to tell other artists who may be struggling with the switch across from Maya to Houdini.<br />
<br />
Watch other videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b>Why I created the course?</b><br />
<br />
I've been working as a VFX artist for over ten years, one of the most common questions people ask when moving across from Maya to Houdini is 'how do I do xxxxxxx in Houdini, it's so easy in Maya, but I can't find the function in Houdini'.<br />
<br />
Well the fact is that every software is different, not only do the functions have different names but different 3D software is built upon a whole architecture. To shift from Maya to Houdini requires to understand how the two pieces of software were built upon different architecture.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-82857397279992253622014-03-03T23:03:00.001-08:002014-03-04T23:48:28.205-08:00Maya to Houdini Conversion course: Part 1b - Getting around HoudiniIn this lesson you will understand the differences between the Maya and Houdini workspace and how the concept of contexts in Houdini differ from the Maya workflow. You will leave understanding the different mindset required to quickly and easily start using Houdini.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r1wvjDRS7HpOIPALTEkZkp9fdCGGZEjg2GizVTfemWG-HxHDPwcrIDzwNHjZS6kttlOUtZeZzS-SpixlRSB_eakVbkNZcvC1MFKXv0cudJQYEM5YlMUsRkvlt72ozPBHzFfmaEnlWnU/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_getting_around_02.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r1wvjDRS7HpOIPALTEkZkp9fdCGGZEjg2GizVTfemWG-HxHDPwcrIDzwNHjZS6kttlOUtZeZzS-SpixlRSB_eakVbkNZcvC1MFKXv0cudJQYEM5YlMUsRkvlt72ozPBHzFfmaEnlWnU/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_getting_around_02.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
In lesson 1b you will learn<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>How Houdini contexts differ from Maya workspace </li>
<li>How Houdini lets you go deeper into object mode than Maya does </li>
<li>Using the tab pop up menu feature </li>
<li>How to create the basic primitives in Houdini and how their names differ in Maya </li>
<li>How to go beyond the shelf buttons and really understand how the context based system in Houdini works </li>
<li>How to show/hide objects in Houdini</li>
<li>Chaining items together</li>
<li>How to merge multiple items together</li>
<br />
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4Pt0eNBEEaXqavlflR1_mOeco1q3vMxgHMbin6nVE1u4v5MuOSxukv0SCcWi5WczuAVPHPa3ymbulrdVPryvqU-jIQGe_ViI53kkNTMu-sIe693aaJXtt0ByAKzuV9hI3ht1SEEdQVw/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_getting_around_01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4Pt0eNBEEaXqavlflR1_mOeco1q3vMxgHMbin6nVE1u4v5MuOSxukv0SCcWi5WczuAVPHPa3ymbulrdVPryvqU-jIQGe_ViI53kkNTMu-sIe693aaJXtt0ByAKzuV9hI3ht1SEEdQVw/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_getting_around_01.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />The Full list of videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2B4S4zNsL64" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
Enjoy the lesson.<br />
<br />
Please do use the share buttons to tell other artists who may be struggling with the switch across from Maya to Houdini. <br />
<br />
Watch other videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b>Why I created the course?</b><br />
<br />
I've been working as a VFX artist for over ten years, one of the most common questions people ask when moving across from Maya to Houdini is 'how do I do xxxxxxx in Houdini, it's so easy in Maya, but I can't find the function in Houdini'.<br />
<br />
Well the fact is that every software is different, not only do the functions have different names but different 3D software is built upon a whole architecture. To shift from Maya to Houdini requires to understand how the two pieces of software were built upon different architecture.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-46983990604393388622014-03-03T22:52:00.000-08:002014-03-04T23:55:04.440-08:00Maya to Houdini Conversion Course: Part 1a - where commonly used items in Maya live in HoudiniWelcome to the Maya to Houdini conversion course in this lesson we'll go through through the course outline and what a Maya artist needs to know when moving across to Houdini. We'll go through the interface so you can quickly and easily navigate your way around in Houdini as you do in Maya.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYahymwtKYF77YkKS-EoMQzimG2ajAUnvyG5jPGv_XZfRiQj2goY-dZgH5quKMlZm15XteUTz5XRioFs0wd7RGafZN0wnwfS1TQUkCiqGK3l0XL24g_z4r-aPPityz9VIF9k81XoX7T0/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_welcome_01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYahymwtKYF77YkKS-EoMQzimG2ajAUnvyG5jPGv_XZfRiQj2goY-dZgH5quKMlZm15XteUTz5XRioFs0wd7RGafZN0wnwfS1TQUkCiqGK3l0XL24g_z4r-aPPityz9VIF9k81XoX7T0/s1600/maya_to_houdini_conversion_course_welcome_01.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To shift from Maya to Houdini requires to understand how the two pieces of software were built upon different architecture. <br />
<br />
In lesson I you will learn<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Introduction</li>
<li>Why I'm creating this course</li>
<li>How this course will help you</li>
<li>How Maya and Houdini are different</li>
<li>How Houdini lets you go deeper into object mode than Maya does</li>
<li>How to create the basic primitives in Houdini and how their names differ in Maya</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<br />
The full list of videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series is <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Enjoy the lesson. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/w9V8mvi-__A" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<div>
Do please share using the social buttons below. <br />
<br />
Watch other videos in the Maya to Houdini Conversion Course series <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Conversion%20Course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b>Why I created the course?</b><br />
<br />
I've been working as a VFX artist for over ten years, one of the most common questions people ask when moving across from Maya to Houdini is 'how do I do xxxxxxx in Houdini, it's so easy in Maya, but I can't find the function in Houdini'.<br />
<br />
Well the fact is that every software is different, not only do the functions have different names but different 3D software is built upon a whole architecture. To shift from Maya to Houdini requires to understand how the two pieces of software were built upon different architecture.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-35854141650998962742014-01-05T15:31:00.000-08:002014-02-10T15:26:15.004-08:00Nitro Dust - how to make an animated movie in 4 days<br />
Hi everyone, I recently finished directing my second animation of the year 'Nitro Dust' a psuedo-prequel to <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/p/directors-filmography.html" target="_blank">Digitopia: Discover Me</a>, Nitro Dust is set in the same universe a little earlier in the timeline of the story.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTwaAtmAFgr8xp56CbResfPT3R0kSPmyjgOKGuVTUXNh3Zyg7Q54D8Ge24EATeBN3tmt34awcm8v1777mFOJVK8uZmgaJy5N74GdQb4lhN-YN9JZsEPme4QK1zA8atkFctgolDphH1TU/s1600/Slide3_the_beginning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTwaAtmAFgr8xp56CbResfPT3R0kSPmyjgOKGuVTUXNh3Zyg7Q54D8Ge24EATeBN3tmt34awcm8v1777mFOJVK8uZmgaJy5N74GdQb4lhN-YN9JZsEPme4QK1zA8atkFctgolDphH1TU/s1600/Slide3_the_beginning.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a small team of artists and we made this movie in just four days. In this blog post I'm going to take you beyond the technical set up required to create an animated movie in four days and we'll explore the human story and how you too can create a top quality animated short film in a short space of time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Basically I had four days to make this movie before screening it at a cinema, I had a confirmed booking and an audience of over a hundred who were attending a private screening event.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>I committed to making this movie - less than a week before the screening I had no team together to make this film, this is the story of how I put a team together and got them to produce this stunning animation in less than four days. </b></blockquote>
<br />
First before we begin, enjoy the movie...<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Q6UPUYUEYcc" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I had a core team of four<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>one TD/editor/sound designer, </li>
<li>one very dedicated compositor (who sat down at my machine with Nuke at 6pm on Sunday and got up again at 10am on Monday), </li>
<li>very talented GUI artist and </li>
<li>myself who played director, producer, previz artist, animator, editor, render wrangler. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
We initially had two days to make the movie but most of us worked on Sunday. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Myself I worked four days on it, that is 76 hours over four days. </b></blockquote>
<br />
There were a few others who chipped in with models, rigging, animation, storyboards and editing - but essentially this is a blog post of what a team of four can do over four days.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part i: Getting the team together</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So I had this idea I wanted to make a car chase animation and I wanted to make a western - there was an opportunity for a guaranteed cinema screening and I love seeing my films in the cinema so I decided to make both a car chase done in a western style. I started off my writing a proposal of what I wanted - here's the original pitch I put forward at the studio I was working at to get my crack team together.<br />
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<i>(NOTE: All image copyrights belong to the respective copyright holders - they are being used here for educational purposes ONLY, under fair-use)</i><br />
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<span class="">Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 8:30 PM</span></div>
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<span class="">Sep 19, 2013</span></div>
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<span class="txt" style="word-wrap: break-word;">FW: looking for a team</span><b class="msg-hdr-srch" data-action="hdr-sbj-srch" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.1s ease-out 0.5s, width 0s linear 0.5s; background-image: url(http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/srch-gh-ltr-105420.png); background-position: 5px -22px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; height: 16px; opacity: 0; padding-left: 5px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.1s ease-out 0.5s, width 0s linear 0.5s; width: 0px;" title="Search for messages with this subject"></b><span class="btn left right small" data-action="msg-attachments" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; -webkit-text-stroke-color: transparent; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: #f7f7f7; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0%, 0 100%, from(rgb(255, 255, 255)), to(rgb(230, 230, 230))); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin-left: 5px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 12px; vertical-align: middle;"></span></h3>
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<div class="dtls" style="-webkit-transition: max-width 0.2s ease-out 0.5s; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: max-width 0.2s ease-out 0.5s;">
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<div class="header-expand" style="left: 5px; position: absolute; top: 15px;">
<a class="toggle-details" data-action="toggle-msg-header" href="http://us-mg41.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=65h5mqtu6olsb#" role="button" style="background-image: url(http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 50% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #2862c5; display: block; height: 16px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -9999px; width: 16px;" title="Hide details" toggle-off="Hide Details" toggle-on="Show Details">Hide Detail</a></div>
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<div class="yui3-widget yui3-attachment-tray" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30136" style="border: 0px; clear: both; max-height: 136px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
<div class="yui3-attachment-tray-content" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30138">
<div class="tictac-att white " id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30146" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.74902); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 136px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1177px;">
<a class="tictac-att-norton-logo" href="http://buy.norton.com/specialoffers?VENDORID=YAHOO" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/att/131204012743/img/norton-horizlogo.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration: none; top: 8px; width: 54px;" tabindex="-1" target="_blank"></a><br />
<ul class="tictac-att-header cf" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; line-height: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 24px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; text-shadow: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.298039) 1px 1px 0px;">
<li class="tictac-att-header-att" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/default/16x16/launch-ltr-93369.png); background-position: 0% -721px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; float: left; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">23 Attachments</li>
<li class="tictac-att-header-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; border-left-color: rgb(210, 210, 210); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px;">1.4MB</li>
<li class="tictac-att-header-view" style="-webkit-user-select: none; border-left-color: rgb(210, 210, 210); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Slideshow</a></li>
<li class="tictac-att-header-save-comp tictac-att-show-dd-icon " style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-left-color: rgb(210, 210, 210); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 10px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Save all to</a></li>
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<div class="tictac-att-thumb-cover tictac-att-overflow-right" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30177" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: 72px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px;">
<div class="tictac-att-scroll-right" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: rgba(21, 21, 21, 0.247059); border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; height: 72px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; width: 20px; z-index: 200;">
<div style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/att/131204012743/img/freshsprites-32x32.png); background-position: -6px -1178px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 25px; width: 20px;">
</div>
</div>
<ul class="tictac-att-thumb-flow cf" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; width: 1876px;">
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="23" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=2&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image005.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
17KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
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<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="24" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=3&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image015.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
18KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
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<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="25" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=4&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image018.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
102KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
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<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="26" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=5&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image019.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
68KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
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<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="27" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=6&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image020.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
76KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="28" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=7&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image021.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
66KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="29" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=8&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image022.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
48KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="30" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=9&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image023.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
35KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="31" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=10&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image024.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
47KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="32" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=11&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image025.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
60KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="33" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=12&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image008.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
10KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="34" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=13&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image002.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
29KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="35" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=14&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image010.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
134KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="36" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=15&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image030.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
71KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="37" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=16&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image031.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
61KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="38" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=17&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image034.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
12KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="39" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=18&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image016.png"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
143KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="40" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=19&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image017.png"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
236KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="41" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=20&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image012.png"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
136KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="42" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=21&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image007.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
11KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="43" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=24&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image029.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
17KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="44" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=25&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image035.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
29KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
<li class="tictac-att-thumb has-thumb " data-id="45" data-type="image" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: #ededed; background-image: url(https://thumbp5-ir2.mail.yahoo.com/tn?sid=765108505&mid=ALlTfbwAAD%2BOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&midoffset=2_0_0_30_278&partid=26&f=288&fid=digitopia), url(http://l.yimg.com/tq/shared/603/img/default-at.png); background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(183, 187, 191); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; cursor: pointer; filter: none; float: left; height: 72px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 72px;" tabindex="0" title="image036.jpg"><div class="tictac-att-att-type-gradient" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; height: 20px; left: -1px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 4px; position: absolute; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-transform: uppercase; top: -1px; white-space: nowrap; width: 72px;">
</div>
<div class="tictac-att-att-size" style="-webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 10px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 1px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 3px; top: 0px; z-index: 10;">
26KB</div>
<div class="tictac-att-thumb-save-options" style="-webkit-user-select: none; bottom: -20px; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 70px; z-index: 10;">
<a class="tictac-att-show-dd-icon" data-action="save-att" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/sprite/fresh/freshsprites-16x16-ltr-98433.png); background-position: 100% -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2862c5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 0px 0px;">Save</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-label="Message body" class="msg-body inner undoreset" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30230" role="main" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 25px 30px;">
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Hi guys, I have a project that I’d like to put a team together for. </div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #843c0c;">Premise</span></u></b><span style="color: #843c0c;">:</span></div>
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The project I want to pitch is a high adrenalin action packed trailer for a game idea that I have, called ‘Escape to SafeZoneX’ (working title), which will be about a minute long Mad Max style car chase, where a gang of bikers is chasing a car across to the edge of a canyon as the driver is focusing on the safe haven at the end. As we get to the edge of the canyon we see that the bridge has been blown out. The driver hits the nitro-glycerine switch and the car barely makes it across the canyon and crash lands on the other side. The driver gets out of the burning car, he reaches in and pulls out a baby who he cradles. He looks to the safe zone, he and the baby are still several miles away without a car, we see shadows of foes in the background and the sounds of engines coming on as we fade to black. </div>
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There’s going to be lots of very cool car chase shots, bikers attacking the car, bikers being thrown off their bikes and a huge jump, crash and burn at the end of it. I want to render it in a very manga style, graphic, toon-shader look with lots of abstract shots of when bikers are knocked of their bikes, some reference images below. </div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #843c0c;">The Team:</span></u></b></div>
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Very briefly I’m looking for</div>
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- Pre-Production (day 1):</div>
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o a storyboard artist (a couple of lunchtimes before the start)</div>
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o Look dev artists</div>
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o modellers and/or models (if you have models for characters (the bikers can be of a generic type and duplicated across) or vehicles (one car, one bike to be duplicated) be great to use them)</div>
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o environment artists (planning on using simple shapes and silhouettes (maybe on cards – see images below))</div>
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o producer or someone who wants to play producer to keep us on schedule</div>
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- Production (day 1 and day 2):</div>
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o a DOP</div>
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o animators (be very fast, most of it will be animating cars, bikes and cameras – very short frame lengths)</div>
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o lighters – we’ll set up a master lighting and shader template to pass around that the look dev will make (target to keep renders under 2 mins per frame)</div>
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o effects artist(s)</div>
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o sound design for the production itself and</div>
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o pipeline TD to make sure updated shaders and lighting get propagated through, we’ll be developing them at the same time as animating them</div>
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- Post Production (day 2):</div>
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o an editor (some shots may still be coming in on day two)</div>
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o a compositor to do some grading work too</div>
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o the sound designer from day one to put in all the sound effects</div>
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If this project sounds like something you’d be interested in drop me a line, every shot will be really quick and fast (probably lots of shots with very short durations) and we can build a team. </div>
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Here some reference images and videos to give you a flavour of the piece. </div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #843c0c;">Reference images and videos:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #843c0c;">Mad Max style chases</span></div>
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Original Mad Max car chase - <span id="yui_3_7_2_150_1388650428937_204"><span class="enhancr-links"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Bcov5SGU0" rel="nofollow" style="color: #954f72; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Bcov5SGU0</a> <span class="enhancr-show-preview" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 3px;">(<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="color: #954f72; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Preview</a>)</span></span></span></div>
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From Mad Max 2 opening chase - <span id="yui_3_7_2_150_1388650428937_224"><span class="enhancr-links"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLCmcV4gC_0" rel="nofollow" style="color: #954f72; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLCmcV4gC_0</a> <span class="enhancr-show-preview" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 3px;">(<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="color: #954f72; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Preview</a>)</span></span></span></div>
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From Mad Max 2 closing chase - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbKrKrsFWzc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #954f72; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbKrKrsFWzc</a></div>
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Gorillaz 19-2000 - <span id="yui_3_7_2_150_1388650428937_244"><span class="enhancr-links"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IUjtHf76wM" rel="nofollow" style="color: #954f72; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IUjtHf76wM</a> <span class="enhancr-show-preview" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 3px;">(<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4646280489770055681" style="color: #954f72; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Preview</a>)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #843c0c;">Car chase camera angles:</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30516"><img alt="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1187139_10151540009030703_1086837710_n.jpg" border="0" height="268" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_17" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=12&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="406" /><img alt="http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/111/1112871/best-car-chases-ever-20100820024114018.jpg" border="0" height="227" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_18" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=13&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="465" /></span> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30543"><img alt="http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Car-Chase-Scene-Dos-And-Donts-Our-Advice-for-Filmmakers-inline.jpg" border="0" height="224" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_19" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=21&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="367" /></span> </div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30494"><img alt="http://www.wallpaperhi.com/thumbnails/detail/20120326/gorillaz%20cars%20screen%20music%20video%201920x1080%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperhi.com_20.jpg" border="0" height="450" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_22" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=14&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="800" /></span> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30512"><img border="0" height="355" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_24" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=18&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="638" /></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30496"><img border="0" height="355" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_25" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=19&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="639" /></span> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30517"><img border="0" height="358" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_26" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=20&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="642" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #843c0c;">Render style</span></div>
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Toon graphic novel look from Limbo</div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30511"><img alt="http://libraryofgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/rolling-stones_STOR.jpg" border="0" height="244" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_1" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=22&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="357" /><img alt="http://xboxeye.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/limbo-8.jpg" border="0" height="243" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_2" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=23&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="365" /></span> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30499"><img alt="http://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/limbo.jpg" border="0" height="250" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_3" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=2&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="500" /></span> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30527"><img alt="http://www.liveforfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Limbo-Walking-Dead.jpg" border="0" height="373" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_4" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=24&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="559" /></span></div>
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Gorillaz</div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30501"><img alt="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2350856093_126d0fd860.jpg" border="0" height="377" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_20" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=15&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/chucky2183/thumbs20090413112745.jpg" border="0" height="405" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_21" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=16&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="600" /></span> </div>
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Infamous – graphic images</div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30526"><img alt="http://firsthour.net/screenshots/infamous/infamous-reaper-comic-book-art.jpg" border="0" height="300" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_5" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=25&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="556" /></span> <img alt="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/sony/suckerpunch/infamous/infamous2/infamous2cutscene610.jpg" border="0" height="300" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_6" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=26&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="534" /> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30503"><img alt="http://game-insider.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/infamous-2.jpg" border="0" height="300" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_7" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=3&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="575" /></span></div>
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Japanese style abstract effects (for when bikers get knocked off bikes)</div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30505"><img alt="Superhero Tearing His Shirt Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="380" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_9" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=5&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="380" /><img alt="Superhero transformation Silhouettes Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="362" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_8" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=4&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="380" /></span> <img alt="Army of Doom Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="350" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_10" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=6&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="380" /> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30518"><img alt="Retro Explosion Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="285" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_12" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=7&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="380" /></span> </div>
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Environment silhouettes:</div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30510"><img alt="Office worker Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="285" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_13" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=8&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="380" /><img alt="Superhero in Retro City Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="200" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_14" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=9&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="380" /></span> <img alt="retro superhero Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="380" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_15" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=10&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="375" /> <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30508"><img alt="Superheroes in Retro City Royalty Free Stock Vector Art Illustration" border="0" height="287" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_16" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=11&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="380" /></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1388650428937_30524"><img alt="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/4IUjtHf76wM/hqdefault.jpg" border="0" height="360" id="yiv3672641944Picture_x0020_23" src="https://us-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f30%5f278%5fALlTfbwAAD%2bOUjtRPgAAADcgs50&pid=17&fid=digitopia&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px;" width="480" /></span></div>
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It is definitely quite ambitious but if we get enough people together and a tight shot list we can have lots of fun and make something very cool. Apart from the character getting out at the end, it will mainly be setting up cars and bikes and cool camera angles. Replies to me only please if you want to join the team.</div>
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Thanks</div>
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Farhan Qureshi</div>
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This pitch was e-mailed around internally at the studio I was working at that time. It got me the core team of four that ended up making the movie.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>TIP: Send your pitch out - those who respond to it and want to join you team without any cajoling are the ones who will make your movie happen. </b></blockquote>
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I spent a lot of time before production began trying to convince other people to join the team, I was 100% unsuccessful in getting any more animators to join the team, really my time could have been spent better doing more preproduction tasks than trying to cajole people who weren't interested to join in to my project. <br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part ii: Storyboarding and Animatic</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYk0QncbkcevFvCbKqRvFc8acGF7RK9is0IMZClFJmd2FzP3lhRf1duk061coX2psAfL0JpQvga0_8t_HdjALoYm0hbciKVQYUZSU0eTY0dgPCF08Egey95nasmaWzF81QmGEZ-ieK1U/s1600/Slide3_the_beginning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYk0QncbkcevFvCbKqRvFc8acGF7RK9is0IMZClFJmd2FzP3lhRf1duk061coX2psAfL0JpQvga0_8t_HdjALoYm0hbciKVQYUZSU0eTY0dgPCF08Egey95nasmaWzF81QmGEZ-ieK1U/s1600/Slide3_the_beginning.jpg" /></a></div>
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Step one in any filmmaking process especially in animation is to get a storyboard artist on board - I had an excellent one for an hour or so, she and I sat down as I described the flow of action to her, she made sketches and then came back with some beautifully drawn storyboards. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXUw4TAQM8wAOtUIdZF2fCZLQEaS3bJlkWXoTKWyFcSX6lw_FX_Dumfi7rvCpMlNQLfF1KYKjk0a00Q6tj8qzzvnWzkmSLivW-0HHyC1Pw5-ALzYZG74amO8z9RnfJz_9_b0gZql6fyo/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXUw4TAQM8wAOtUIdZF2fCZLQEaS3bJlkWXoTKWyFcSX6lw_FX_Dumfi7rvCpMlNQLfF1KYKjk0a00Q6tj8qzzvnWzkmSLivW-0HHyC1Pw5-ALzYZG74amO8z9RnfJz_9_b0gZql6fyo/s1600/001.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU1oxokuvXzlTsUDKVaGloG1yRyACffGzoRW9jYyefjKC_0qYCUYj7CDTLLGujoscYJKUHVydPiLJn85Tks0LOMCPm99gOxKeXXdAsuJ9mre5iBdwcQy5CxFEJVVRslS17zVRqDhvwhY/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU1oxokuvXzlTsUDKVaGloG1yRyACffGzoRW9jYyefjKC_0qYCUYj7CDTLLGujoscYJKUHVydPiLJn85Tks0LOMCPm99gOxKeXXdAsuJ9mre5iBdwcQy5CxFEJVVRslS17zVRqDhvwhY/s1600/002.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmAG52wXvO-hgGgcUN9g_jo8C_0K2Aqe8RuKQoaoWa5MlY1XHujuI8HkxamuyUaUz5xDtOO0JqRnmflGjoM-T2-Saxc0UL2Nw7a2fkLGc5e2tp1kNEw7jqTcxmhkb1t6S4fSMc2e6InQ/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmAG52wXvO-hgGgcUN9g_jo8C_0K2Aqe8RuKQoaoWa5MlY1XHujuI8HkxamuyUaUz5xDtOO0JqRnmflGjoM-T2-Saxc0UL2Nw7a2fkLGc5e2tp1kNEw7jqTcxmhkb1t6S4fSMc2e6InQ/s1600/003.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheskjUdQ7trKjrlh0LWX3cNzWo8FoSRZfkTBoeb1aKODWU3Xjv9n4Qcjk8xeDBvxSNrF03yk1WGeLTq6BUHlOYpRdWBVxwMpmy08TenNag46skysSAfg9I6SAj8EDPNKRKc4T40YQwsVQ/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheskjUdQ7trKjrlh0LWX3cNzWo8FoSRZfkTBoeb1aKODWU3Xjv9n4Qcjk8xeDBvxSNrF03yk1WGeLTq6BUHlOYpRdWBVxwMpmy08TenNag46skysSAfg9I6SAj8EDPNKRKc4T40YQwsVQ/s1600/004.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraEPjlcreubdJbUA6yp67mLn9_ik-HG0tg1udcvBQdeOyGy4QdWo2CJviNtzrhjBSZ39MMPVvz_tfnda11g7o9o0AoHtBHBvQQ25QtjaxLvQhOkI8vfNFLu-Z85HBJxohuZREA9gH3JE/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraEPjlcreubdJbUA6yp67mLn9_ik-HG0tg1udcvBQdeOyGy4QdWo2CJviNtzrhjBSZ39MMPVvz_tfnda11g7o9o0AoHtBHBvQQ25QtjaxLvQhOkI8vfNFLu-Z85HBJxohuZREA9gH3JE/s1600/005.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKMaLeU9U32O6Y0fbv1bv31doneNsvdRFjJ0C1xGDi60Vj1GicCn_9sR4A2DHn0qrIIUmSrmjM_jQ5t92NnspLNYhs4ashP0AS7mpJ-X3mhD4PgvuPFeYK1uBvsaMi9yQ1B9RN2YFkCg/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKMaLeU9U32O6Y0fbv1bv31doneNsvdRFjJ0C1xGDi60Vj1GicCn_9sR4A2DHn0qrIIUmSrmjM_jQ5t92NnspLNYhs4ashP0AS7mpJ-X3mhD4PgvuPFeYK1uBvsaMi9yQ1B9RN2YFkCg/s1600/006.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now I could see how many shots there were to do in four days. Note here I still thought it possible to have three bikers chasing the car. Here's the edit I pieced together to get approximate frame lengths - bear in mind I'm still recruiting the team and putting together all the assets as I do this - not to mention trying to figure out how I'll get this whole movie rendered in time too.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RLa4kglbcHI" width="640"></iframe>
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<h2>
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part iii: Reusing the assets from my last movie</span></h2>
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With the project about to start I knew there would be no time to model any new assets. I brought a buggy model from the internet for the princely sum of $5. This was one of the best $5 I could spend as I got exactly the model I wanted - did I mention the budget was zero (again) - some day I'll actually have a budget to work with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEN4x1vwgM_U2QkrSa6HwiJsIuLPUQvC4HJfCbMhov06EuNY4kI7TB9SY6qzcU9O8w-3Nq4eVpZ_O5ax9w-aW19DmMtqfr0fieI93DGfAsHQsK-mX67nw9PvJBJpEernCdAZlwWIdn_dI/s1600/LIbra_in_car_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEN4x1vwgM_U2QkrSa6HwiJsIuLPUQvC4HJfCbMhov06EuNY4kI7TB9SY6qzcU9O8w-3Nq4eVpZ_O5ax9w-aW19DmMtqfr0fieI93DGfAsHQsK-mX67nw9PvJBJpEernCdAZlwWIdn_dI/s1600/LIbra_in_car_01.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjECoyWVf_SU_HFn70hne85Wa61WilXQzsdqFtIne9ff8LNSAL4D9zrDoak1eDte5G8qtCqriHGIE7A50rm6BRmuLWepzEvrddO5LjVXh1u4MB11Uv3eJCN4uv-Xw-yE4knd2seWITfQ/s1600/LIbra_in_car_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjECoyWVf_SU_HFn70hne85Wa61WilXQzsdqFtIne9ff8LNSAL4D9zrDoak1eDte5G8qtCqriHGIE7A50rm6BRmuLWepzEvrddO5LjVXh1u4MB11Uv3eJCN4uv-Xw-yE4knd2seWITfQ/s1600/LIbra_in_car_02.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyP2_OvizEACNQwSNRl3RBGEHYJy4OWGKflTN_ZlD73SPy0ErOhQY-5G6y1_lcmJjvwWPAK9UTKqyKTxcIO9U8COyb0Hq_-Cjd47GFwSHxOHxFx9Qr8rZZ3ZS5FnpYHE6Bpa-OW54deY/s1600/LIbra_in_car_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyP2_OvizEACNQwSNRl3RBGEHYJy4OWGKflTN_ZlD73SPy0ErOhQY-5G6y1_lcmJjvwWPAK9UTKqyKTxcIO9U8COyb0Hq_-Cjd47GFwSHxOHxFx9Qr8rZZ3ZS5FnpYHE6Bpa-OW54deY/s1600/LIbra_in_car_03.jpg" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part iv: Previz and Editing</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi8YWgGv_cQLJEDPKee4q5cN7Fs2-5wZNIcCIZn_bWsr5GSsplmdExRUl0lxvdOe0T61xQWjPKaxAfupXrosFyc952-s_GHXnvOiD0tyk00GlpL-g1lH_WNr4c0Yhmz-kzbvUHwN8ChM/s1600/Slide9_editing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi8YWgGv_cQLJEDPKee4q5cN7Fs2-5wZNIcCIZn_bWsr5GSsplmdExRUl0lxvdOe0T61xQWjPKaxAfupXrosFyc952-s_GHXnvOiD0tyk00GlpL-g1lH_WNr4c0Yhmz-kzbvUHwN8ChM/s1600/Slide9_editing.jpg" /></a></div>
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Knowing that I had the team for Thursday and Friday I really pushed myself hard to get a previz ready for Thursday, as fast as I could animate I still needed to get an editor on board to help sequence and time the shots while I animated. In the credits you'll see a list of three editors, this is the edit that the first editor came up with from the playblasts that I supplied. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4NMxCSPmuTM" width="640"></iframe>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part v: Look Development</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45scDSGm5zym00rK8p6YT1Qc8qwA8doWPUCIxTFk2oAe4dSwMo_Gbz7LSY6Mjc9yMuAF55uyQl4WAyu7a0G7bgbml30Ni1yGIFVTpSJ9PMdDZgAueOSxdjjed-xtpVOjmD9dnTas9xP0/s1600/Slide6_the_look.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45scDSGm5zym00rK8p6YT1Qc8qwA8doWPUCIxTFk2oAe4dSwMo_Gbz7LSY6Mjc9yMuAF55uyQl4WAyu7a0G7bgbml30Ni1yGIFVTpSJ9PMdDZgAueOSxdjjed-xtpVOjmD9dnTas9xP0/s1600/Slide6_the_look.jpg" /></a></div>
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This was an early look dev we came up with - truth be told in some ways I actually preferred this look to the final one we came up with. But the practicalities of the project meant I was animating, directing and producing a movie in what was initially meant to be in two days. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>I had to let the look dev team get on with it and trust what they came up with.</b></blockquote>
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I do think that if I had a producer full time on the project I could have got more involved in the look development too - as it was given the time frame and the fact I was the main animator (the other animator I only had for one day) I spent my time on the animation and the editing mostly. I knew the weekend would be all about rendering.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ldBSDpoYYFM" width="640"></iframe>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part vi: Setting up a Render Farm - using BackBurner</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ_QlouSwnoOBx23ZFsMTLdZJU1egdCo7iKdb9C1Qt1Gh8jO7zOiBTbTrJHEknDTWWfywYKWdKpYvahREJfTilh1IBJnF7c7vA_2t2vGVPoBEyHe9lwzh9B4XtIVzy_91S7JWrqP2520/s1600/Slide4_rendering_hell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ_QlouSwnoOBx23ZFsMTLdZJU1egdCo7iKdb9C1Qt1Gh8jO7zOiBTbTrJHEknDTWWfywYKWdKpYvahREJfTilh1IBJnF7c7vA_2t2vGVPoBEyHe9lwzh9B4XtIVzy_91S7JWrqP2520/s1600/Slide4_rendering_hell.jpg" /></a></div>
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Given that the previz was coming in at almost 2 minutes, I had to figure out a way to set up a render farm. Now I've been used to working at major VFX companies with massive rendering facilities, I even set up a render farm when I worked on the <a href="http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/london-newmian-games.html" target="_blank">London 2012 Olympics</a> using Deadline. But this facility I was at had no render farm to speak off, in fact very little rendering was done on this kind of scale. I spent a massive part of the time figuring out how to set up Autodesk Backburner across a bank of unused machines - these machine as I was about to find out were unused for a reason, namely they seem to have been built pre-1900s :[<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part vii: The Decision</span></h2>
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By the end of Friday we hadn't finished the animation and had a half completed playblast edit. I was in tears about how the project was progressing. I left the office at 11pm to catch my last trian home -as I walked to the station something strange happened. Instead of continuing towards the station I instead went to Tescos and started buying food - not the most shocking thing but although I didn't realise it then I was actually stocking up for a whole weekend at the office. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>It's one of those do or die moments, had I have gone home that night we wouldn't have finished the project. </b></blockquote>
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I turned back and went back in, I animated till 4am in the morning to get the edit completed. Whatever state the edit was in at 4am was what I had to take, I knew if I do not start the rendering process off now then we wouldn't have anything to show at the cinema on Monday morning. I sent all the files to the render farm, which took a couple of more hours, I think I went to bed at 6am that night - it was all a bit hazy. I pushed two sofas together in one of the meeting rooms, I got up three hours later to this quite wonderful sight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGESZcPacMx4QhunjCwiano5JDQ9gs-DGxBh9oXuMY2REWSACcdeZrcL_TyslFtPBh1tFDPfXgZCMK1vJsxsZ0gjbR0g9DNJhdoYpqX_P1V6MP8HxMq-H6NlwWdfZpuLhRcjHMJpgiTo/s1600/backburner_errors2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGESZcPacMx4QhunjCwiano5JDQ9gs-DGxBh9oXuMY2REWSACcdeZrcL_TyslFtPBh1tFDPfXgZCMK1vJsxsZ0gjbR0g9DNJhdoYpqX_P1V6MP8HxMq-H6NlwWdfZpuLhRcjHMJpgiTo/s1600/backburner_errors2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Oh yeah, less than two days to go till the screening and the render farm that we spent so long building did not work!!!<br />
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So to recap it's Saturday, I have half finished animation, a basic lighting rig, a broken render farm, no sound, no grading, no credit sequence, I haven't seen the look development yet and did I mention I hadn't seen my kids for four days - it turns out it would be another three days before I got home still. <br />
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Basically the whole of Saturday I was on my own trying to figure out how I should go forwards. I decided that until my TD came in I would focus on doing the best animation and editing I could, worse comes to worst we would at least have a playblast version to show of the film - but me being me I knew worst would never come, instead I thought that I would get the animation right and work 36 hours straight rendering on all the machines individually if I had to. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSzRDClmHdqVbdVMxDmpOjCkzx49bTzsL3y44tiJf6GJe3bRikumZ6oDsjoMDqnQ4mZQ_Wvb-ccMK-y-_Nyx-EoOz0hM-EP2MZ3mzxdg__4Sf8u92-L6hDITXmPVN4GSYdlJB0IyfXG4/s1600/Slide5_rendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSzRDClmHdqVbdVMxDmpOjCkzx49bTzsL3y44tiJf6GJe3bRikumZ6oDsjoMDqnQ4mZQ_Wvb-ccMK-y-_Nyx-EoOz0hM-EP2MZ3mzxdg__4Sf8u92-L6hDITXmPVN4GSYdlJB0IyfXG4/s1600/Slide5_rendering.jpg" /></a><br />
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That's what I did, rather than trying to build a render farm, I logged onto all the may machines in the office on Saturday night. My compositor came in on Sunday evening, he was actually a producer studying compositing at a VFX college part time. I sat him down on my machine at 6pm Sunday night, turns out I had one of the most powerful machines in the studio and I logged onto every other Maya licenced machine available. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl0XulU8vlVCuTUTdqyoL67YPYs4mGUkwCFWfz0kxDtP-V7Dl6fxAolHgVWKHmv2ZfVpxjXTfXcCwo0zcqAHBnH0Ne3e3PAiexT0AAJpa1uj6nZWc-fs-uDnqblj4f8HolBCYYCD9lbY/s1600/old_school_postit_notes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl0XulU8vlVCuTUTdqyoL67YPYs4mGUkwCFWfz0kxDtP-V7Dl6fxAolHgVWKHmv2ZfVpxjXTfXcCwo0zcqAHBnH0Ne3e3PAiexT0AAJpa1uj6nZWc-fs-uDnqblj4f8HolBCYYCD9lbY/s1600/old_school_postit_notes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going old school - shot name, frame length, camera, which machine it's rendering on - when the renders finished I moved the post it notes from the monitor onto my wall; this shows about a fifth of the render jobs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I then went through rendering each of the shots on each machine and playing render wrangler for 18 hours non stop, feeding renders back to my compositor who in turn fed them back to the editor (who was also doing the sound) - yes there were black frames and for some reason the edit still didn't line up = net result I had to start the render job again, splitting it up on however many free machines I had at half an hour per frame (that'll teach me to render at full 1080HD). <br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part viii: Sound Design</span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQnwMtluUY4KSS-kzm4G-gPeUUj9Z0OatI88Va5ZpSqANkgkIfr19_ZTNavE13fwxabqh8xrtrVAZSz_XiaSbC-gZPeFfZivI_lK9yRN_l2qdEZl-hb9HEGebdwnYDWtwhg9fMz8_ioo/s1600/Slide10_scoring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQnwMtluUY4KSS-kzm4G-gPeUUj9Z0OatI88Va5ZpSqANkgkIfr19_ZTNavE13fwxabqh8xrtrVAZSz_XiaSbC-gZPeFfZivI_lK9yRN_l2qdEZl-hb9HEGebdwnYDWtwhg9fMz8_ioo/s1600/Slide10_scoring.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My sound designer was also my TD, I didn't want to burden him with the task of fixing the render farm (which is why I went old school) I wanted him to focus on the sound - he started with taking another look at the edit on Saturday night, it was now so crucial that we locked every frame, not just so he could time his sound right but also I needed to render out exactly the right amount of frames - turned out from the tests we did that while each frame took about 8 minutes to render on my machine that it would take between 22 and 30 minutes per frame on the other machines. That's something we didn't know at the time. <br />
<br />
He started the sound design at about 11pm on Saturday night and much like myself he didn't sleep again till Monday night after the screening. Listen to the sound below, I think you'll agree he did a great job balancing the sound, working on the edit and being one of the look development team. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>TIP: surround yourself with people who care about the project just as much if not more than you care about it. </b></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
So here's the final movie, took four days to make start to finish, let me know what you think in the comments section below - this is real guerilla animation and shows what can happen if you get even a small dedicated team together - I'm really grateful to them all. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q6UPUYUEYcc" width="853"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Check out the excellent Tamas' sound design page here<br />
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/tamas-rabel" target="_blank">https://soundcloud.com/tamas-rabel</a><br />
and the excellent GUI designer (who designed the end credits) Paolo's page here<br />
<a href="http://www.pparrucci.com/category/portfolio/" target="_blank">http://www.pparrucci.com/category/portfolio/</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-35562921409249896332013-08-20T03:09:00.000-07:002014-02-10T15:10:00.311-08:00Fable Legends announcedThe game I'm working on is finally announced - it's called Fable Legends. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dyS97WQSyrt9ph6ztGZZ4ztufEkXWsJ_YRn-d42guJy3J-DZaaaxMV8UqPh3KVuCTJrUwjvk_d4a0SSbbGmF1-1f2Lm1tn7P16dL-OI00SwWC4IT8IJ2UggPxF8RMdmvwcwkHigU-j0/s1600/Legends02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dyS97WQSyrt9ph6ztGZZ4ztufEkXWsJ_YRn-d42guJy3J-DZaaaxMV8UqPh3KVuCTJrUwjvk_d4a0SSbbGmF1-1f2Lm1tn7P16dL-OI00SwWC4IT8IJ2UggPxF8RMdmvwcwkHigU-j0/s400/Legends02.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's the trailer.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zMbfWiz58zw" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
Here's an interview on the IGN website that should answer a lot of the questions that you have. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aDsrgnYW98I" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
And here are some stunning images from the game. More details to follow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuzn5m_obwv5KyRUG64g1yQOYhF24vA-dECCMkDBkZZqYM8nVzWkRyNREzx2XJJYrdjlBDA7Qw1Arsf0JuBStxf1ztw-AhCSJ-LI1L66yleP4ZU-0TsiuzlxIevDlr4ue9lnsfBZvqPI/s1600/Legends03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuzn5m_obwv5KyRUG64g1yQOYhF24vA-dECCMkDBkZZqYM8nVzWkRyNREzx2XJJYrdjlBDA7Qw1Arsf0JuBStxf1ztw-AhCSJ-LI1L66yleP4ZU-0TsiuzlxIevDlr4ue9lnsfBZvqPI/s400/Legends03.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Ktq-BUjgZpfJoQbijLqcB0GUN-L6nejD2iyAktCaazp1t37HMBhQx2cA1ljb1Wedq6Qea9o13P54RmxiEJGgatm14mkW_vqm4BOaK6T9kI8Ebr4efOTKhRhPlpPxSwv9Z6hk5YM3as/s1600/Legends05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Ktq-BUjgZpfJoQbijLqcB0GUN-L6nejD2iyAktCaazp1t37HMBhQx2cA1ljb1Wedq6Qea9o13P54RmxiEJGgatm14mkW_vqm4BOaK6T9kI8Ebr4efOTKhRhPlpPxSwv9Z6hk5YM3as/s400/Legends05.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hope you enjoy, please do feel free to use the share buttons below. <br />
<br />
My book '<b>VFX and CG from Film Producers and Directors</b>' will teach you how you can create your own animated movie and add CG/VFX into your own film you can buy it here<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJbUkKHcThMemjBS7hA5MrtVD8pUtDL83eFN0WaUrP3Yo61zeBCvL56shrP_dAKYgFKO7iFrBmm34DML5AfBjyfaa6OPW4QneaL0vdUbpnW5HIxGFNLCFp4ikoM_K9BAAA5BJM4jVmkU/s1600/VFX_book_cover_200_wide.gif" title="" /></a></div>
<h2>
Paperback</h2>
<br />
US and International -><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
UK -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Austria and Germany -><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
France -> <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Italy -> <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Spain -> <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
Kindle</h2>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
US and International -><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
UK -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
India -> <a href="http://www.amazon.in/Survival-Producers-makers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.in/Survival-Producers-makers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Brazil -> <a href="http://www.amazon.com.br/kindle/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com.br/kindle/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Mexico -> <a href="http://www.amazon.com.mx/kindle/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com.mx/kindle/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Canada -> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
Austria and Germany -> <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
France -> <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Italy -> <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Japan -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Spain -> <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
*BTW you don't need to own a kindle to read this, you can download a kindle app for you smart phone or tablet from your app store or </div>
<div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
for PC -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/pc/download" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/pc/download</a></div>
<div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
for Mac -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/mac/download" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/mac/download</a></div>
<div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
or get the kindle cloud reader which will allow you to read kindle in your web browser here -><a href="https://read.amazon.com/about" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">https://read.amazon.com/about</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here are some reviews for my book from Amazon<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO8pQ7vZ8IyOXuVYLqxoeyxeJGYO6F3vLbOG0MGqzrmJ3ZwdcEbtTcolTwBBQb1YD0pwbxOK0n4JzzAVNNFWtsGtD9TT6ajZtYmmr72pBLEJpGzzHRsmaizMRNB8jW5P30jl_j6EEebM/s1600/5star_reviews_capture_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO8pQ7vZ8IyOXuVYLqxoeyxeJGYO6F3vLbOG0MGqzrmJ3ZwdcEbtTcolTwBBQb1YD0pwbxOK0n4JzzAVNNFWtsGtD9TT6ajZtYmmr72pBLEJpGzzHRsmaizMRNB8jW5P30jl_j6EEebM/s1600/5star_reviews_capture_01.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWXPT5fx_ghr36dW_jhb39pltKXTV5uGu_xrF57pXV3pIUzHiLuKmmdAS4pnWhQ4by7bg1nahiDVLqOT2wbpjcblxsOjieEt2dE7-BU6KHU2VjFkYGvADikgMnGy620WegDZl9fSE2SU/s1600/5star_reviews_capture_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWXPT5fx_ghr36dW_jhb39pltKXTV5uGu_xrF57pXV3pIUzHiLuKmmdAS4pnWhQ4by7bg1nahiDVLqOT2wbpjcblxsOjieEt2dE7-BU6KHU2VjFkYGvADikgMnGy620WegDZl9fSE2SU/s1600/5star_reviews_capture_02.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thanks<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJbUkKHcThMemjBS7hA5MrtVD8pUtDL83eFN0WaUrP3Yo61zeBCvL56shrP_dAKYgFKO7iFrBmm34DML5AfBjyfaa6OPW4QneaL0vdUbpnW5HIxGFNLCFp4ikoM_K9BAAA5BJM4jVmkU/s1600/VFX_book_cover_200_wide.gif" title="" /></a></div>
Farhan<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-91613030441950619602013-07-29T05:03:00.000-07:002014-02-09T15:02:36.155-08:00How to put VFX and animation into your film<div class="MsoNormal">
I've been asked so often how to integrate VFX and CG into film by low and no budget filmmakers. I've written a quick guide on how you can put in VFX and CG into your movie, whatever budget you are working at this process will work for you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Follow this simple process <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Find out who you need to do the job<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->ii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Define and gather reference<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->iii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Previz <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->iv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Visual Target<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->v.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Integrate into the backplate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stepping through these one at a time we’ll drill down to the
core of how you can get your animation integrated into your film on time and on
budget<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h2>
i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><u>Find out who you actually need to do the job<o:p></o:p></u></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is quite important thing to understand at the start,
the range of different jobs involved in bringing a visual effect or particular
animation to life is quite intense. I
speak about it in great detail in my book ‘<a href="http://amzn.to/Ygqaw7">VFX
and CG Survival Guide for Producers and Filmmakers’</a> going through what each
job role does and how the dependencies between different artists work. Here for the sake of brevity I’ll give you
the bare bones of what you need to know.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<u>If you want a character to animate </u></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are going to primarily be looking for an animator. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The animator needs some support people or materials, i.e.
he/she (I’m going to dispense with the ‘he/she’ construct from hereon) will
need <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->a model and <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->a control rig to animate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQVHC_Sk0ik2CMsNEK9zb6VUckZA51mGKFd5s9tWdK-GzW27pSrb1sYBBH0YGF0RMoixb_aXvDenEfkqeEcVVXdxWz1MsBqlaUdFmHDB4mNbWh3U1AZGo0Alzrav3hDvUyLZY6kv8TbQ/s1600/fig_1_control_rig_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQVHC_Sk0ik2CMsNEK9zb6VUckZA51mGKFd5s9tWdK-GzW27pSrb1sYBBH0YGF0RMoixb_aXvDenEfkqeEcVVXdxWz1MsBqlaUdFmHDB4mNbWh3U1AZGo0Alzrav3hDvUyLZY6kv8TbQ/s640/fig_1_control_rig_01.jpg" height="348" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fig 1. An animator needs a model and a rig before she can start the animation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The model is what you expect it to be, i.e. a model of a
robot, mule or a spaceship. Depending
upon how you progress you may either purchase a model on one of the many online
repositories or if you can’t find one that suits your needs you may need to
hire a modeller to build one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVyZi52Azt6qfN1UaZrgQ2IxQLfqJijpuGPw7TmBhyphenhyphenE0kZQdOL4Wuct5zNtqzbgyF1ZsvpYnUHdO6Oadgs5ni0V94U4Yf1eI72d7eUxLP23JpkWi3TAOC_G16FoyeGxGzDEM-kDjy0J0/s1600/fig_2_turbo_squid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVyZi52Azt6qfN1UaZrgQ2IxQLfqJijpuGPw7TmBhyphenhyphenE0kZQdOL4Wuct5zNtqzbgyF1ZsvpYnUHdO6Oadgs5ni0V94U4Yf1eI72d7eUxLP23JpkWi3TAOC_G16FoyeGxGzDEM-kDjy0J0/s640/fig_2_turbo_squid.JPG" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fig 2. Turbo Squid is one of the many online repositories of CG models that you
can buy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once the model is made it cannot be animated until control
rig is applied to it. Some of the models
you buy online may come with a control rig attached others won’t, be careful to
check that you have what you need when you purchase the model, ideally get the
animator to specify which one they need and whether they need to buy anything
else for it, i.e. a control rig, a set of textures etc. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is quite possible that you could get an animator to do
all the modelling and rigging herself but ideally you’d want her to focus on
the animation as that is what you are hiring her for. Either find a model and rig or hire separate
people to model and rig the character.
Asking the animator to find any support people that she needs is a
sensible idea, as she has probably worked with modellers and riggers before and
can explain exactly what she needs from them.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<u>If you want VFX such as an explosion, water, smoke etc.</u></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here you are going to need an FX artist, an FX artist is
completely different from an animator, he spends his time tweaking variables in
a simulation to create the perfect dust storm or magical effect. The effect artist can work more independently
as he doesn’t need such a wide range of support people and often effects
artists are attune to shader writing, lighting and compositing (see below). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h6c7EWaLosg3Bqhtc16ssaxwui_8lIHMYgTSai63qBum2cfono3A9x9W2ZzOTxI7Xu4pNrL1LwtIS4_96DPGPy3RSBisCTP2CaZyTbBcxQ1kGenAnNVDf8Umha5OJGkw9umMR_TXY1E/s1600/fig_3_effects_controls.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h6c7EWaLosg3Bqhtc16ssaxwui_8lIHMYgTSai63qBum2cfono3A9x9W2ZzOTxI7Xu4pNrL1LwtIS4_96DPGPy3RSBisCTP2CaZyTbBcxQ1kGenAnNVDf8Umha5OJGkw9umMR_TXY1E/s640/fig_3_effects_controls.png" height="238" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fig 3. The effects artist will control simulation paramters to create any
manner of natural phenomena <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/36482651?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/39337711" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/39337711">Houdini Fur test 02</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/39337711">Houdini Fur test 02</a>
from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan
Qureshi</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Video 1. FX can range from complex fluid simulations to hair
and fur simulations</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<u>Do you need a separate lighter?</u></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lighter is someone whose job it is to take the animation
light and render it into its final state.
This is the person who may write the shader for the final CG. A shader is a set of instructions that the
renderer needs to know about, i.e. is it shinny or dull, does it have sharp
specular highlights or large glossy ones, how does it reflect and absorb light,
i.e. a shader will contain a complete list of instructions. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuqtkIzEB5MpY3LjHomMqmpTJ1v2dQurLYRRZvhhAhpAAfeafC0dswr3rrXORmbpda7VneY2_hB1CDdm-gS8NrRvG4AOHn16r-NF1l1EOIso6q85xVJrruprXmMwS1nzVJZD437Xgngc/s1600/fig_4_shading_controls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuqtkIzEB5MpY3LjHomMqmpTJ1v2dQurLYRRZvhhAhpAAfeafC0dswr3rrXORmbpda7VneY2_hB1CDdm-gS8NrRvG4AOHn16r-NF1l1EOIso6q85xVJrruprXmMwS1nzVJZD437Xgngc/s640/fig_4_shading_controls.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
Fig 4. A lighter may be able to write his own shaders that will achieve the
look you want</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ideally you want an animator to be focussed on providing a
great performance for you character not to have her attention split between
lighting and rendering which requires a complete mind shift and different skill
set entirely. Conversely FX artists are
expected to light and render the work themselves, in part that the disciplines
are closer aligned and the lighting considerations for FX would be quite
different than the rest of the CG pipeline.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<u>Do you need a separate compositor?</u></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really you do, as the compositor is another stage removed
from the work either an animator, FX artist and even a lighter do. In part this is due to the fact that the
compositor works in the 2D realm. It is
quite possible that you’ll have your FX artist light and composite the
shot. This really depends on the budget
you have, which we are assuming for the purpose of this blog post is quite
low. Ideally if you can get a separate
compositor than it will free your other CG artists to focus on what they do
best, i.e. animate, do fluid simulations, light etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbBGi4AcjAiPrsCF1niWzLV9DJGeRACZzNdVw6hZ5JRXIBQN1oX1YtmHuUwJBFmDTLLbpibGd1Zwoh5XNinBz16d6bFrtsroPOJ0eYN8-UM6FQb8DtDOVEjXY6LWcdXB_cLXoAgx_MoU/s1600/fig_5_compositing_elements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbBGi4AcjAiPrsCF1niWzLV9DJGeRACZzNdVw6hZ5JRXIBQN1oX1YtmHuUwJBFmDTLLbpibGd1Zwoh5XNinBz16d6bFrtsroPOJ0eYN8-UM6FQb8DtDOVEjXY6LWcdXB_cLXoAgx_MoU/s640/fig_5_compositing_elements.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fig 5. A compositor would put together
all the separate elements together in the final shot<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h2>
ii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><u>Define and gather reference<o:p></o:p></u></h2>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s actually quite startling that the first item is missed
out by so many filmmakers when they engage a VFX/CG artist or Animator
(although they are three different disciplines from hereon I’m going to use
VFX, CG artists and animator interchangeably just to avoid the clumsy VFX/CG
artist or Animator construct) is to not be specific in saying what they
want. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want butterflies in your shot, then don’t just say ‘I
want so butterflies in the shot’ as that can be interpreted in so many
different ways. Instead be specific and
say I want<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->100 butterflies in the shot<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I want them to have a wingspan of between two
and three inches<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I want them to be shocking pink, bright yellow
and deep purple in about equal ratios<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I want them to fly across the screen in a linear
manner going from point A to B in 3 seconds<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Here is some photo and video reference of the
type of motion and colours I want<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I need them in three shots by the end of the
month<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you see how this is much more specific? You as a filmmaker are now much more likely
to get what you need in the timeframe that you asked for. I can’t understate how important it is to
spend twenty minutes up front writing a detailed description of what you need
think in terms of <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->scale i.e. the need to be one fifth the screen
height, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->velocity (remember from high school physics
class, velocity is different to speed, velocity has a direction associated with
it, i.e. I want them to move 5 meters per second from the green lamp towards
the red potted plant)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->dig up reference, if you don’t have time to
trawl youTube or Vimeo for reference ask the animator to dig up reference for
you, she is more likely to have a repository of FX reference<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->get storyboarding, this doesn’t mean that you
need to hire a storyboard artist, you can jot down the basic shapes and forms
that you want to happen with particular reference to the scale and velocity you
want.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<h2>
iii.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><u>Previz</u></h2>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a tendency for artists to always want to present
their best work. This is true of anyone
but I have found with artists and animators that this tendency is taken to the
extreme. The problem that you face as a
filmmaker on a limited budget is that you can’t afford an animator to go off
for three weeks to do a perfectly good animation that you didn’t ask for or
doesn’t fit your movie. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The solution to this is Previz. Previz is short for pre-visualisation. In its current form it means that you do a
rough version of the animation for blocking purposes. In truth previz is a relatively new term for
an older term called blocking, except that previz today has taken on a separate
discipline and identity. You don’t need
to take it this far, but make sure you get the animator to do some previz so
that you can quickly establish the timings and movements – be sure to state
that you understand that it is blocking/previz and that you’re looking to
establish the movements and timings and not expecting anything final. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6z1UuCMYryo" width="420"></iframe><br />
Video 2. Doing Previz up front can help
you determine the flow of the animation earlier and make changes faster before
too much work has gone into the animation.
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting this step done and signing off on it will mean that
you will get what you want sooner otherwise wait for the three week deadline to
pass before finding out that what you get isn’t what you asked for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<h2>
iv.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <u>
</u></span><!--[endif]--><u>Visual Target</u></h2>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By now you should have signed off the previz and can focus
on the aesthetics of how the effect is lit, how the textures look and how well
it renders. This is one of the important
lessons that I’ve learned working in games, is to first do the previz and then
aim for a visual target so that you don’t get distracted along the way. It will help the artist that you hired too to
separate the animation and the lighting tasks.<br />
If you have multiple shots then ask the artist to take one shot through
the whole pipeline first (i.e. from reference -> previz -> visual
target), you’ll find that you only need to do the visual target once and when
the lighting and rendering parameters are established you don’t necessarily
need to revisit them. It’s just a case
of importing the light rig (which you should sign off on your first sample
shot) noting how long the renders take.
Multiply how long the renders take with the number of frames you need
rendered (i.e. the number of shots multiplied by the shot duration) and you
will know when you should have the shots returned to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<h2>
v.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><u>Integrate into the backplate</u></h2>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once all the effects are done you will need them composited
onto the backplate which you provided.
Compositing is normally done by a separate person known as a compositor
who has quite a different skill set to an artist or animator. That is not to say that an artist or animator
couldn’t do it, but they wouldn’t be able to have it fit in to the backplate as
well as a compositor would be able to. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are having an effect which gives off light, like an
explosion, bear in mind that for the budget you have the CG explosion may not
be able to scatter light onto your backplate in the way it would if it was
filmed practically. If you have CG water
simulated then again bear in mind that you may not get proper caustics or
reflections between the CG water and the filmed backplate. This is where you may want to hire a
compositor as their skillset is better suited to find solutions and workarounds
based on the VFX you asked for and the backplate that you provide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This and many other things that you need to know on how to
get VFX, CG, animation etc. into your film can be found in my book ‘<b>VFX and CG Survival Guide for Producers and
Filmmakers’</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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It is the first book on VFX and CG that looks at how all the
various parts of the pipeline fit together from your point of view and tells
you what you need to know and provide to any artists that you may work
with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book is available as both an ebook on your Kindle (you
can download kindle reading apps for your tablets and smartphones, web browsers
or PC and Mac) and as print book from these links below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h3>
Paperback</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
US and International <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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UK <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Austria and Germany <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
France <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Italy <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spain <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Kindle</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
US and International <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UK <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
India <a href="http://www.amazon.in/Survival-Producers-makers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.in/Survival-Producers-makers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Canada <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Austria and Germany ->
<a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
France <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Italy <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Japan <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spain <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></div>
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*BTW you don't need to own a kindle to read this, you can
download a kindle app for you smart phone or tablet from your app store or <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for PC -> http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/pc/download<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for Mac -> http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/mac/download<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
or get the kindle cloud reader which will allow you to read
kindle in your web browser here ->https://read.amazon.com/about<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Farhan</div>
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<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-70755985972944046972013-04-19T05:23:00.002-07:002014-02-09T15:03:04.411-08:00VFX Cloud Studio 2.0 - What it means for Producers and ArtistsHello everyone, buoyed on from the success of VFX and CG Survival Guide for Filmmakers and Producers (Kindle - http://amzn.to/WTZByQ) I've been approached by independent film producers to provide VFX for their projects. The requests have come from far and wide, some asking for quotes others asking me to carry out the work.<br />
<br />
This post is about what is in it for an independent film producer to come directly to the artist and what can the artist do to make sure the work is delivered to schedule and budget?<br />
<br />
<h3>
What does it mean for Filmmakers and Producers?</h3>
<br />
Firstly the producer is going to get his/her VFX done for a fraction of the cost that it would take to do if he/she went to a facility. Some producers are more realistic than others, some will expect the effects to be on par with that of a facility, others realise what a good deal they are getting but still expect a level of quality that would be at least half the quality they would get from a facility. <br />
<br />
To contrast the deal a producer would get from a studio to going directly to a VFX artist here are the rate cards of a highly respected VFX company<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EZaY0MotqQTl71MWk-FZT4ltY1RUbccJvXS21IQbbFwTPu_t3BvJSDqygnhV7V75jf5m6jnQOKWR8o27oorG0LMB3I4BVbWBdIe2PPiZI68sxRZULCMtAm0ux_GC0fokbkKWloVroCc/s1600/london_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EZaY0MotqQTl71MWk-FZT4ltY1RUbccJvXS21IQbbFwTPu_t3BvJSDqygnhV7V75jf5m6jnQOKWR8o27oorG0LMB3I4BVbWBdIe2PPiZI68sxRZULCMtAm0ux_GC0fokbkKWloVroCc/s640/london_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg" height="482" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill Rate Card in £ Source: <a href="http://www.themill.com/media/214554/london_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg">http://www.themill.com/media/214554/london_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLntnDGNm84eYDhar-NmwrNdJYI00DuXcksL4_OxgHdX_vC1yWSws3aZCwINGVKztHAl31-wyyC2c3uelN1eAjU7_feRXF7s9IJmyJPfEQO1GEWHg26J7KmGgHMytjWEf_0oGlsZLP9A/s1600/usa_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLntnDGNm84eYDhar-NmwrNdJYI00DuXcksL4_OxgHdX_vC1yWSws3aZCwINGVKztHAl31-wyyC2c3uelN1eAjU7_feRXF7s9IJmyJPfEQO1GEWHg26J7KmGgHMytjWEf_0oGlsZLP9A/s1600/usa_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill rate card in US $, source: <a href="http://www.themill.com/media/214560/usa_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg">http://www.themill.com/media/214560/usa_rate_card_lndscpe.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaVk6M4w5o5tNa6sQ15144Twio0ivQ8AzDQnnSJdn-_E2RuQtLtPKrhOWKJ28BgQxa49DkbM6ZL4ZqkYT27vZ4I_KkHsm5xlL-AamVElmx_-kmNjes3sdAMoHqndgEkiLWrpeaXAX5nk/s1600/rate_card_edit_19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaVk6M4w5o5tNa6sQ15144Twio0ivQ8AzDQnnSJdn-_E2RuQtLtPKrhOWKJ28BgQxa49DkbM6ZL4ZqkYT27vZ4I_KkHsm5xlL-AamVElmx_-kmNjes3sdAMoHqndgEkiLWrpeaXAX5nk/s640/rate_card_edit_19.JPG" height="454" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edit19 Rate Card, source: <a href="http://www.edit19.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/E19_Rate_Card_2012_v01.pdf">http://www.edit19.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/E19_Rate_Card_2012_v01.pdf</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIHbkn0s4J6IycRtk7VB-Dbqjhn05OW6djgwiJ3RVYvUPCibK92uPRxq0zrH7NGU15Txq7S63PqIS4h7fPsFmH8KY84tOFwpTH20MtPmuLk7F-Bn_EVAppbvRNlNoQX_ZbKt1x78eMQ0/s1600/rate_card_jump_willy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIHbkn0s4J6IycRtk7VB-Dbqjhn05OW6djgwiJ3RVYvUPCibK92uPRxq0zrH7NGU15Txq7S63PqIS4h7fPsFmH8KY84tOFwpTH20MtPmuLk7F-Bn_EVAppbvRNlNoQX_ZbKt1x78eMQ0/s640/rate_card_jump_willy.JPG" height="534" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jump Willy rate card, source: <a href="http://www.jumpwilly.com/rate-card/">http://www.jumpwilly.com/rate-card/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHQGPR61UHNpPzKyaMEJHK3ePnxkhAf59BrHU7BTLTfyx3RfkzOKSEbJHxWHx5VlugDr8Xm1FOOSPenlPap-uR7RwFsRHAEeHgf0ubjxvhhCYEFmHKdtMszV5bH7lZS0Z5PikLGZ_j74/s1600/rate_card_smoke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHQGPR61UHNpPzKyaMEJHK3ePnxkhAf59BrHU7BTLTfyx3RfkzOKSEbJHxWHx5VlugDr8Xm1FOOSPenlPap-uR7RwFsRHAEeHgf0ubjxvhhCYEFmHKdtMszV5bH7lZS0Z5PikLGZ_j74/s640/rate_card_smoke.JPG" height="462" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke and Mirrors rate card, source: <a href="http://www.smoke-mirrors.com/smweb/s&m_data/Smoke&Mirrors_ratecard.pdf">http://www.smoke-mirrors.com/smweb/s&m_data/Smoke&Mirrors_ratecard.pdf</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What you'll notice is that in the UK version CGI is by quote but in the US version you can see it comes in at $3000 a day (i.e. ~£2000 or 2200 Euros a day).<br />
<br />
Typical day rates for VFX artists are between £250 to £300, (i.e. $380 to $460, 290 to 350 Euros), so where does this extra £1500/$2580 (average) price come in?<br />
<br />
Basically the producer is being charged for the various other fixed and running costs like<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>R&D, proprietary technology and specialist knowledge</li>
<li>computers</li>
<li>software licences</li>
<li>render farms</li>
<li>office rent</li>
<li>office costs (desk, chairs, heating, lighting, water, electricity)</li>
<li>admin staff (receptionists, accountants etc.)</li>
<li>marketing</li>
</ul>
<div>
The most significant costs here is the first entry R&D, proprietary technology and specialist knowledge, this is what is going to make the project look great. The interesting thing is that the knowledge actually resides with the artists and technical directors who work there. Of course it's documented in the company WIKI but if all the artists and technical directors left they would be able to recreate the proprietary technology elsewhere.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So how does going directly to the artists stack up against going to the VFX facilities? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well for one pretty much the cost from office rent downwards (office costs, admin staff, marketing) could be eliminated from the budget. Most VFX artists have their own computers that they can work on from home and the cost of software licences and render farms is now based on subscription/pay-as-you-go models (see below) which can be factored into the budget. </div>
<br />
<h3>
What does it mean for VFX artists?</h3>
<br />
From your side, what can you do to deliver on this, after all you are a single artist and don't have the huge infrastructure that facility has, not to mention all the R&D they have done to develop a pipeline, right?<br />
<br />
Well actually, wrong! Things are changing and now you are able to harness the power of the cloud to<br />
<br />
- software licences are changing<br />
<br />
You can now buy monthly subscriptions to virtually any software that you would need without the needing a huge cash outlay to purchase<br />
<br />
For example, renting the whole of the Adobe Creative Suite now costs £46 per month, purchasing it outright would cost £1810<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI0nbC4RSJ5kbjMCmXRH8CGVs1sSMt-ESaoWDlUxkJ65gdB0m6yYuhH8IURFFs6HYwI2kUY0CThg9RxCZD0va2-DhOuiIfxz7qnOWNIrG9fPQZ4-LPIOQEOkJ7nMH5e4Fp7bPIrSgxY4/s1600/adobeCS_monthly_v_annual.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI0nbC4RSJ5kbjMCmXRH8CGVs1sSMt-ESaoWDlUxkJ65gdB0m6yYuhH8IURFFs6HYwI2kUY0CThg9RxCZD0va2-DhOuiIfxz7qnOWNIrG9fPQZ4-LPIOQEOkJ7nMH5e4Fp7bPIrSgxY4/s1600/adobeCS_monthly_v_annual.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/production.html">http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/production.html</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Renting NukeX would be £1600 ($2900, 1925 Euros) for a quarter<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpWi3QkXKhyrMpm9Nbmy9TseiTbeXmtA65fRqFPpNAcLz26ycv0D3_hcnviI276wef40zbHyY323JHsENsz1GlAAwy0aY19w-ii2_otp-dr4lAoRsEZ7dSb1YxkpE-ZkcRHBCHSEO7XE/s1600/nuke_rent.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpWi3QkXKhyrMpm9Nbmy9TseiTbeXmtA65fRqFPpNAcLz26ycv0D3_hcnviI276wef40zbHyY323JHsENsz1GlAAwy0aY19w-ii2_otp-dr4lAoRsEZ7dSb1YxkpE-ZkcRHBCHSEO7XE/s640/nuke_rent.PNG" height="583" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/">http://www.thefoundry.co.uk</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The Foundry even lets you rent plugins like Furnace on a per day basis (subject to a minimal amount in this case 3 days would get you above the threshold)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVj2da7206owcSK5vzPyshtkEVp42cDCxnPb-6uRb6T4EkEc3kBRhLpgcxZH8WxmJ9xnVSTMu6uXtvPGkgmahN_5FxsSRCrcTfs9UwUsqrwF0JTt56EbeoItj_nGV7oTBkslP6FGwPIA/s1600/furnace_rent.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVj2da7206owcSK5vzPyshtkEVp42cDCxnPb-6uRb6T4EkEc3kBRhLpgcxZH8WxmJ9xnVSTMu6uXtvPGkgmahN_5FxsSRCrcTfs9UwUsqrwF0JTt56EbeoItj_nGV7oTBkslP6FGwPIA/s640/furnace_rent.PNG" height="563" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/cart/item.php?product_id=920&buy_or_rent=rent">http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/cart/item.php?product_id=920&buy_or_rent=rent</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
At Side Effects Software you can rent Houdini on a monthly basis too ($995 for Houdini and $2195 for Houdini FX per month)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdhOQ3ISbtEV7rpKiEknFUUjKUDI3paFE3t8KfJcnopGGeASRstdwbME0ubi_2xvaskdpYyCgGT_d7dEPkdl_bodnOlwJVLTlRz88WGIxEtLLn3a02tnoldtDBvp8TgzwCahb_4hs2U8/s1600/houdini_rental.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdhOQ3ISbtEV7rpKiEknFUUjKUDI3paFE3t8KfJcnopGGeASRstdwbME0ubi_2xvaskdpYyCgGT_d7dEPkdl_bodnOlwJVLTlRz88WGIxEtLLn3a02tnoldtDBvp8TgzwCahb_4hs2U8/s640/houdini_rental.PNG" height="640" width="437" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=385&Itemid=190">http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=385&Itemid=190</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is even an option for renting Houdini batch<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TcO86omxkqPU0K8lHn3YNbIkmcFDaN3cSU1cwCldCFAUsh_Jg3I_GxaHxxv-GsWdy-m0_MTmsLvWcu05LCUy3JMhhspqemPNfQDB5aye_Tq2CQZ00fkmiJSjB4R4QPMnjZ15cuwJB9w/s1600/houdini_batch.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TcO86omxkqPU0K8lHn3YNbIkmcFDaN3cSU1cwCldCFAUsh_Jg3I_GxaHxxv-GsWdy-m0_MTmsLvWcu05LCUy3JMhhspqemPNfQDB5aye_Tq2CQZ00fkmiJSjB4R4QPMnjZ15cuwJB9w/s1600/houdini_batch.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=385&Itemid=190">http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=385&Itemid=190</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Autodesk take the whole concept of using the cloud one step further with their Autodesk 360 packages which is a fully cloud based solution allowing you to even use maya on your Android/iPad/Surface. Essentially your tablet or phone becomes a monitor and the memory hungry software is run on the autodesk servers. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLfty56D720HSDkYz33D9aIQ6Rk0-dlpRkxRttgElLqzTQwY89l9GYdzLfP3SDJfY9RQHw7I0-1pvSK_nG0DNrts09JzktGI4i1GwXB-gAWVKrRof7UN8zWQwwrfOp6FlZsD0tgiILyU/s1600/autodesk360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLfty56D720HSDkYz33D9aIQ6Rk0-dlpRkxRttgElLqzTQwY89l9GYdzLfP3SDJfY9RQHw7I0-1pvSK_nG0DNrts09JzktGI4i1GwXB-gAWVKrRof7UN8zWQwwrfOp6FlZsD0tgiILyU/s640/autodesk360.JPG" height="306" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">using the cloud to run your software means you don't even need a powerful machine anymore, source: <a href="https://360.autodesk.com/landing">https://360.autodesk.com/landing</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Autodesk 360 also allows you to cloud render. Cloud rendering has been offered as a service for a couple of years now, there are several dozen cloud rendering services that operate various pay-as-you-go or fixed block subscription models. Obviously this enables you to render the whole job so much quicker without making a huge investment in your own render farm, but also you and your client will now know exactly how much it will cost per extra revision, you can have the cost signed off in advanced of any changes being done.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrdsC6JXYrbu0p6ntcnz8fBHn7tJxhG3KHfMz0etk6elJQQaAXll1qlvfDRzG4CTWOpoU7ckiAgXcFHDqjtpaWLOZV85t-l3V1ZRvmbhempk0iJOpDZQt89Q0ZJ1r-dxtGbLOKZ6qNq4/s1600/vray_render_recommendations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrdsC6JXYrbu0p6ntcnz8fBHn7tJxhG3KHfMz0etk6elJQQaAXll1qlvfDRzG4CTWOpoU7ckiAgXcFHDqjtpaWLOZV85t-l3V1ZRvmbhempk0iJOpDZQt89Q0ZJ1r-dxtGbLOKZ6qNq4/s640/vray_render_recommendations.JPG" height="524" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaos Group (the makers of VRay have 20 render farms that they recommend on thier website, source: <a href="http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vray_services.html">http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vray_services.html</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtEuQnqhJEHAOeIFQmlrhD0omDDEOJlp3P0TOAlAdbNnJnaOJbuRLgL8egF2_xx_5FhKXi7XMrNZhaoR_N0eGicGNDJ8aeAqI3I4Sh9wlMBs9OdPqoZQRj-lY-w4rZraQKPUAtcqjqXQ/s1600/renderman_on_demand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtEuQnqhJEHAOeIFQmlrhD0omDDEOJlp3P0TOAlAdbNnJnaOJbuRLgL8egF2_xx_5FhKXi7XMrNZhaoR_N0eGicGNDJ8aeAqI3I4Sh9wlMBs9OdPqoZQRj-lY-w4rZraQKPUAtcqjqXQ/s640/renderman_on_demand.JPG" height="640" width="574" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
Renderman on Demand is Pixars own render service, source: <a href="http://renderman.pixar.com/products/tools/faq-cloud.html" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">http://renderman.pixar.com/products/tools/faq-cloud.html</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've not used every render service listed below, I put them here to illustrate that you have so many options<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNQR9TjHeRPsW8BSkLKtv8XrUy0rtQrzV-4IMAcleQPmFaIUSAJ14H_8ClJn-wHLzu6zGZTeCxudccAatwdZ1sLQS-59MGPn6fav0c4dPkbBlUJEK_KiLjarpntmTd7TwVIRCgbbjj9Y/s1600/fox_render.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNQR9TjHeRPsW8BSkLKtv8XrUy0rtQrzV-4IMAcleQPmFaIUSAJ14H_8ClJn-wHLzu6zGZTeCxudccAatwdZ1sLQS-59MGPn6fav0c4dPkbBlUJEK_KiLjarpntmTd7TwVIRCgbbjj9Y/s640/fox_render.JPG" height="344" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foxrenderfarm.eu/">http://www.foxrenderfarm.eu/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ1oMqYftwx_v0kj5F1ZjzPoBJKs0zi3qacn-GTscNKnZiJx6_QTh-bSNc8qIqkh7JPiRzZsYxfFok01lMcgyqfow4P7Epu_xrJv2EgrbZm1S-lybcPR1nHFz31N2PJYQa1F4e9A0n_E/s1600/rev_up_render.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ1oMqYftwx_v0kj5F1ZjzPoBJKs0zi3qacn-GTscNKnZiJx6_QTh-bSNc8qIqkh7JPiRzZsYxfFok01lMcgyqfow4P7Epu_xrJv2EgrbZm1S-lybcPR1nHFz31N2PJYQa1F4e9A0n_E/s640/rev_up_render.JPG" height="640" width="595" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://www.revuprender.com/">http://www.revuprender.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvZVE994KgYIpUSiAduH6dgSciB1-_WGHCujfjxqZKgWnccHyp4Af-xxC6atfNVlUbfqz97dJCx_MB6B4uNdL-c4OnoadjI9dyOxNYrDv_Y6UmHeINCk5zxGzxmFAv7NyuL8nU794ewc/s1600/renderRocket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvZVE994KgYIpUSiAduH6dgSciB1-_WGHCujfjxqZKgWnccHyp4Af-xxC6atfNVlUbfqz97dJCx_MB6B4uNdL-c4OnoadjI9dyOxNYrDv_Y6UmHeINCk5zxGzxmFAv7NyuL8nU794ewc/s640/renderRocket.JPG" height="294" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.renderrocket.com/">http://www.renderrocket.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HvejQNSPaMhb4VKqmrbH70WMIyuHJnHQr02cPsUWyA7db03_C33YeIfkin7i2fCMVZwIDiwDvM0oaupf-phc5TItqnlUfjbqJiMi_XcCk6eRm7Vvf8wnuFpujZEjA0GGnvMquFTFvjk/s1600/garageFarm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HvejQNSPaMhb4VKqmrbH70WMIyuHJnHQr02cPsUWyA7db03_C33YeIfkin7i2fCMVZwIDiwDvM0oaupf-phc5TItqnlUfjbqJiMi_XcCk6eRm7Vvf8wnuFpujZEjA0GGnvMquFTFvjk/s640/garageFarm.JPG" height="211" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://garagefarm.net/index.php/free-rendering">http://garagefarm.net/index.php/free-rendering</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Pooling in freelancers I know versus using LinkedIn</h3>
<br />
For the past I've used both freelancers that I have worked with and used LinkedIn to find animators, VFX artists, sound designers etc. Clearly using people that I have worked with in the past is the preferred solution as they are a known quantity and I would only choose to work with the best in their discipline. However I do realise that I'm quite fortunate in that regard (having worked at MPC, Double Negative, Aardman, Mokko, Rushes etc.) and that not everyone has a pool of co-workers they could call upon. So here's a list of recommendations when using LinkedIn to find people.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Create a webform for people to fill out and then post that form on the LinkedIn forums</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Be very specific in your post and ask people to fill out the online form which should have fields like experience, specialism (e.g. rigging, texturing, effects), showreel, software competency levels, availability, day rate, location. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdmMHiJkB50sRrf8C4eHRvP8M8qFerd3F9giJtwotwGUcI2Di2l1vcWmn-oGwN4Iwe9ADhxkkSx6Bm9IIE0Fv_m84m0sQedj6gKBqaVGGxNIk0AHJoSgLmYhPpCvhcT6D9Qp7dSO21JI/s1600/software_experience.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdmMHiJkB50sRrf8C4eHRvP8M8qFerd3F9giJtwotwGUcI2Di2l1vcWmn-oGwN4Iwe9ADhxkkSx6Bm9IIE0Fv_m84m0sQedj6gKBqaVGGxNIk0AHJoSgLmYhPpCvhcT6D9Qp7dSO21JI/s1600/software_experience.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an example of ascertaing candidate suitability through a web form, source: <a href="http://www.primefocusgroup.com/recruitment/uk/ukbvfx001">http://www.primefocusgroup.com/recruitment/uk/ukbvfx001</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Don't promise anything to anyone on LinkedIn</li>
</ul>
<div>
It's actually impossible to reply to everyone who will post, do your best, even if it's an automated response thanking them. Try to be explicit that you cannot reply to every single person but do take time to thank them. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Only follow up with the people who fill in the form</li>
</ul>
<br />
Don't follow up with the dozens of people who write 'see my showreel here' in the comment boxes below. If they can't even follow a simple instruction to fill out a form it's highly unlikely they'll be able to carry out any meaningful work for you. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Where to search for suitable artists on LinkedIn</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvgPL2rTFV-m9GIt43ehaJTiGEJe7E4S4IHhFkznR-YcEoTxyrrTpaz5_xvcPiHkxFVd5rD2w0mSI9_7j94cim7bNAZJx25YPXRC4U6ZYsNMZxnIfN_moMBmr2b_bOTWzTRxWS4dPSWg/s1600/linkedIn_groups_page1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvgPL2rTFV-m9GIt43ehaJTiGEJe7E4S4IHhFkznR-YcEoTxyrrTpaz5_xvcPiHkxFVd5rD2w0mSI9_7j94cim7bNAZJx25YPXRC4U6ZYsNMZxnIfN_moMBmr2b_bOTWzTRxWS4dPSWg/s640/linkedIn_groups_page1.JPG" height="371" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOIAiKBfoGpzEqU3F2os9TJ4K5s0_0Bb6tp7GzESjv6IVOFjk68WosSZfv-G7I8w_CVnYnzWerUBuME_N5XmdGgni-Im9Od5PwsWWJhyphenhyphenrF-03KKJM0uWSsReyQGm1LYRPYMnNJ0phc9I/s1600/linkedIn_groups_page2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOIAiKBfoGpzEqU3F2os9TJ4K5s0_0Bb6tp7GzESjv6IVOFjk68WosSZfv-G7I8w_CVnYnzWerUBuME_N5XmdGgni-Im9Od5PwsWWJhyphenhyphenrF-03KKJM0uWSsReyQGm1LYRPYMnNJ0phc9I/s640/linkedIn_groups_page2.JPG" height="431" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAsJJ_DBovsLpy2skSK-DLRXdAYiKr57vbN6qnCrLK5AXb2TmclF-EETs7QAkRv_5_mP9br-hCAHSpPsqOjb2a_SHOxjCGw2Fa1r1bSU-Ljn8PZNpvNNchUDq56u-xJ_Z3age8yDozwk/s1600/linkedIn_groups_page3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAsJJ_DBovsLpy2skSK-DLRXdAYiKr57vbN6qnCrLK5AXb2TmclF-EETs7QAkRv_5_mP9br-hCAHSpPsqOjb2a_SHOxjCGw2Fa1r1bSU-Ljn8PZNpvNNchUDq56u-xJ_Z3age8yDozwk/s640/linkedIn_groups_page3.JPG" height="138" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8k7k0wi8SQNjfx8Q3fKugiUrzkw6SXfYDAXmPQ-QX0eolECKtITpUm8BDvioBVvxk05hvq83KkADiNcKYShsjO3RhTbakg7B-8-aACJDmQEe-NB3IGnsHMuhQJj_CmieiCnnILDwcN4/s1600/linkedIn_groups_page4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8k7k0wi8SQNjfx8Q3fKugiUrzkw6SXfYDAXmPQ-QX0eolECKtITpUm8BDvioBVvxk05hvq83KkADiNcKYShsjO3RhTbakg7B-8-aACJDmQEe-NB3IGnsHMuhQJj_CmieiCnnILDwcN4/s640/linkedIn_groups_page4.JPG" height="500" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there are many groups on LinkedIn where you can find specific artists, e.g. riggers, FX, compositors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Store and transfer files</h3>
Have big scene files, massive amounts of cache, big render folders that you need to share? Again there are dozens of solutions depending upon your workflow. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiyB1A-2Bqv8wAixc3QAEBYNn484yaKndE7W3IbuO70k7nBjx-6DauP6uH_mh-Fy4JqNYa2f_ifDvW6lIVxg3ZPY4bpqTRqyK1neSmRJSY01_dFeQw9SWZ6_LpBPCiByVqwkPw_6s0Js/s1600/dropbox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiyB1A-2Bqv8wAixc3QAEBYNn484yaKndE7W3IbuO70k7nBjx-6DauP6uH_mh-Fy4JqNYa2f_ifDvW6lIVxg3ZPY4bpqTRqyK1neSmRJSY01_dFeQw9SWZ6_LpBPCiByVqwkPw_6s0Js/s640/dropbox.JPG" height="114" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/">https://www.dropbox.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What's really great about dropbox is the ability to share whole folders without having to do any manual uploading to sending e-mails to the people you are working with, you just carry on working as you would normally and the whole workspace that you are in will be automatically updated. You'll need to work in a dropbox folder which they will install on your machine and on everybody's machine you are working with. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieckhqjMFKiPxF6NdkcIOsvdChyphenhyphenQZ7Ay3YTVeFL3ITnpclAGQqX-bnC41tezSKLD2z8BfPIQXbcr7hVVuv3bbz788N-ZLQcK-zhOs5AA-XFjkbB6uZbywBv71WHEe_10MEg6_UZWzmK1w/s1600/explorer_dropbox_shortcuts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieckhqjMFKiPxF6NdkcIOsvdChyphenhyphenQZ7Ay3YTVeFL3ITnpclAGQqX-bnC41tezSKLD2z8BfPIQXbcr7hVVuv3bbz788N-ZLQcK-zhOs5AA-XFjkbB6uZbywBv71WHEe_10MEg6_UZWzmK1w/s640/explorer_dropbox_shortcuts.JPG" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">create shortcuts in your own folder structure to point to dropbox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Installing and switching to dropbox need not upset your nicely organised folder structure. Keep you current folder structure as it is and but move only those folders that you want to back up or share to your dropbox hierarchy. Go back to your original structure and create shortcuts that point to the dropbox folder.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVujIcYjmlJa5ExflQN2cIxh_-3_ya0x4rqRvzLDZwgOPVxs0_z-AXIxroQsp4U7qSXT0DN5wVwrPUeqnejewpwC7gRLc-RDB8TU6W1flcfCLquCfnhThmGcYZB_qDdmGV8SAoWs9U4OY/s1600/dropbox_pricing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVujIcYjmlJa5ExflQN2cIxh_-3_ya0x4rqRvzLDZwgOPVxs0_z-AXIxroQsp4U7qSXT0DN5wVwrPUeqnejewpwC7gRLc-RDB8TU6W1flcfCLquCfnhThmGcYZB_qDdmGV8SAoWs9U4OY/s640/dropbox_pricing.JPG" height="350" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dropbox pricing, source: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/pricing">https://www.dropbox.com/pricing</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you're serious about carrying out VFX work on the web you may need to go for the Pro version to have enough space to carry out your tasks, remember to factor in this cost into your budget.<br />
<br />
An alternative to dropbox is the WeTransfer portal. Essentially you upload a file here, enter the e-mail address of the person, your own (so that you get a confirmation) and a message. It's done that's it, it's free (bar the huge advertisements they serve while you upload) and easy. When transferring large files or folders, you will have to zip them before sending,<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> Right click on the folder (in windows explorer) and choose </li>
<ul>
<li>Send To </li>
<ul>
<li>Compressed (zipped) folder</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvkE0uI2bYLaV-iUTjBniK-upAM1KcJeLbhpeim6LlHyBfStZ8Etj3_rJpWLvuaSurAdYiMJsc1BJ4rxcEa4K1xvnsiHpgPOlO014WUC0d3r2gSY97tu-UiTWGpd1dKeSKuuLp6MTexQ/s1600/weTransfer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvkE0uI2bYLaV-iUTjBniK-upAM1KcJeLbhpeim6LlHyBfStZ8Etj3_rJpWLvuaSurAdYiMJsc1BJ4rxcEa4K1xvnsiHpgPOlO014WUC0d3r2gSY97tu-UiTWGpd1dKeSKuuLp6MTexQ/s640/weTransfer.JPG" height="300" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="https://www.wetransfer.com/">https://www.wetransfer.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Microsoft also offer their version of cloud storage known as SkyDrive which will essentially keep your machine in sync online. I'm sure there are so many other storage solutions online, please leave a comment in the box below telling me your preferred choice.<br />
<h3>
Communicating through the cloud</h3>
<br />
One of the main advantages of VFX 2.0 is that you don't need to hire any studio space, you will communicate through the cloud across different time zones Again this is no problem there are a variety of online meeting websites that can facilitate these. I've personally used the two below, where sharing screens and drawing exactly how/where I want the animation, FX etc. to go was very handy that an e-mail couldn't have achieved. It was not quite being in the same room as them but if you persist it can be of immense benefit to you. If you search you will find many more portals, again leave some comments below of which ones you like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRERF1iiF-Pl-sIfJs-2bcrs5TxaYQovQEYASff_Ai0DFby09f7830IPPtkfI3Xnx_pPWcG_8cjM13nFXncNSDKI-Vt54sqVHLBktrfY1ZGc6az1rx6cA7jdahdCvDyzqAftM_kABuVCg/s1600/webex.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRERF1iiF-Pl-sIfJs-2bcrs5TxaYQovQEYASff_Ai0DFby09f7830IPPtkfI3Xnx_pPWcG_8cjM13nFXncNSDKI-Vt54sqVHLBktrfY1ZGc6az1rx6cA7jdahdCvDyzqAftM_kABuVCg/s640/webex.JPG" height="304" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.webex.co.uk/">http://www.webex.co.uk/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMnHzHZTfIlYhPClbzUwIOJS1xqqJVTNBn32dEZxT1bmNtJQ9f8VQW5gD73qRlbQ3POv1uKEs4PJ2X8bDHuaYHSkU_n4KhMjSrf_waikZ19Bm_9ga7arwcQxBKAMmITgOugzvj2K0FXw/s1600/gotomeeting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMnHzHZTfIlYhPClbzUwIOJS1xqqJVTNBn32dEZxT1bmNtJQ9f8VQW5gD73qRlbQ3POv1uKEs4PJ2X8bDHuaYHSkU_n4KhMjSrf_waikZ19Bm_9ga7arwcQxBKAMmITgOugzvj2K0FXw/s640/gotomeeting.JPG" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.gotomeeting.co.uk/fec/">http://www.gotomeeting.co.uk/fec/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Conclusion</h3>
<br />
The VFX model is changing, if you now have enough 3D, VFX, animation skills you can go and pitch for work directly at a much lower rate than any facility can whilst also making double the amount of money you would working at such a facility. The tools all exist and filmmakers and producers are looking for your skills especially given the current economic climate, if your showreel can show you are able to deliver. You may need the help of a couple of other people in the CG pipeline but it can be done, I've done it on a few projects now. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
Farhan<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-9932280581665674522013-03-01T06:47:00.000-08:002014-02-09T15:04:09.396-08:00Launching VFX book to number 1 best-seller spot on AmazonSo the past month I have been really busy launching my book 'VFX and CG for Producers and Filmmakers' on Amazon. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Paperback</h2>
<br />
US and International -><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
UK -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Austria and Germany -><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
France -> <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Italy -> <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Spain -> <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
Kindle</h2>
<br />
<br />
US and International -> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2">http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
UK -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
Canada -> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2">http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
Austria and Germany -> <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
France -> <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Italy -> <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Japan -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Spain (and Latin America) -> <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
I started writing the book in July 2012 and launched it in February 2013, again much like my film making this has all been part time after work and getting two kids to bed - whatever energy I could summon I put into the book. <br />
<br />
I launched the book in the middle of February and managed to get it to number one on Amazon under the following categories within 48 hours of launch - it was a massive undertaking which I'll detail for you below. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzy8n6QqubIZKnszZlJUUCwIHrbg-E0Pg8uFEcKzJTkgkKzN43js1yGeiJ92FiPegc_3FmcQcLMk0_xxa4vkaTZn3APZ8fx6-zWPDtQB4h43jw21yt4H51HW7Gh5LcEqqo-dXEYUWBFo/s1600/book_number_1_time_and_date.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzy8n6QqubIZKnszZlJUUCwIHrbg-E0Pg8uFEcKzJTkgkKzN43js1yGeiJ92FiPegc_3FmcQcLMk0_xxa4vkaTZn3APZ8fx6-zWPDtQB4h43jw21yt4H51HW7Gh5LcEqqo-dXEYUWBFo/s640/book_number_1_time_and_date.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Putting the book up on Amazon and getting it to number 1 on the 16th Feb 2013 in its relevant categories</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xSvBbt34AIbSo1P7I6L9WSNoXcqx76dM2xBmSon2__Yr43FrkJRhe9Pp9p3-VWKDk7X7hbcWfeUg-nHSgTOzm43PU41cSSQb-jsOlR1ie7CFJ-3oddAk0WUmFcUXZYP2fOQjAPj6Stc/s1600/number_1_computers_and_film.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xSvBbt34AIbSo1P7I6L9WSNoXcqx76dM2xBmSon2__Yr43FrkJRhe9Pp9p3-VWKDk7X7hbcWfeUg-nHSgTOzm43PU41cSSQb-jsOlR1ie7CFJ-3oddAk0WUmFcUXZYP2fOQjAPj6Stc/s640/number_1_computers_and_film.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. VFX and CG for Producers and Filmmakers number 1 bestseller in 'Computers and Film' category on Amazon, 16th Feb 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN8mKzTQ2UUzMTQJgKzeZkFHP7_qMiIII96Ny5JuNsLYbiMo71rK88oRjAm_JVftuUWaa_sAxupU3lQ3wkulia3tyttJtl0US9kyJuF1demm_1y7_zZl45sXWwBgfMMyYQy0cS2uTJ1E/s1600/number_1_graphic_design.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN8mKzTQ2UUzMTQJgKzeZkFHP7_qMiIII96Ny5JuNsLYbiMo71rK88oRjAm_JVftuUWaa_sAxupU3lQ3wkulia3tyttJtl0US9kyJuF1demm_1y7_zZl45sXWwBgfMMyYQy0cS2uTJ1E/s640/number_1_graphic_design.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. VFX and CG for Producers and Filmmakers number 1 bestseller in 'Graphic Design' category on Amazon, 16th Feb 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXAuQR1E7ucB4GM4mFfbkxxmNfMzd6Ib5CiwxQfFvd68V7n5KeKz8FX5Uo_OEmENdjfa44TXTo2C9c8LMK0UNlHpMTWi_FZW_JrCahXVibpyM1jrYQJ6Ly3896NbZuHpbIjZHW80cDjw/s1600/number_1_web_graphics.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXAuQR1E7ucB4GM4mFfbkxxmNfMzd6Ib5CiwxQfFvd68V7n5KeKz8FX5Uo_OEmENdjfa44TXTo2C9c8LMK0UNlHpMTWi_FZW_JrCahXVibpyM1jrYQJ6Ly3896NbZuHpbIjZHW80cDjw/s640/number_1_web_graphics.JPG" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. VFX and CG for Producers and Filmmakers number 1 bestseller in 'Web Graphics' category on Amazon, 16th Feb 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Launching a book to Amazon has several different stages. <br />
<br />
i. Writing the best book you can<br />
ii. Converting it into an ebook<br />
iii. Selecting a place to sell it - Amazon vs the rest<br />
iv. Finding your target audience - twitter vs the rest<br />
v. Marketing to that audience<br />
<br />
I'll deal with each of these stages in turn<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
i. Writing the best book you can</h3>
<br />
So this is fairly obvious but actually there are few points to take into consideration before you start this step. Firstly writing the best book you can means you have to write an 'excellent' book. Note I said 'excellent' not 'perfect'. Once you understand that perfection is an abstract concept you will know when to stop writing and move onto the next steps. <br />
<br />
Which leads onto the next point. Writing the book is stage one. There are other stages to follow. When you start writing your book make sure you know this so a) you don't burn out in the writing process and b) that you have enough energy to go through the next steps. <br />
<br />
Stage i is where you are going to be most excited and pumped up to do this. But writing an excellent book in itself will not get you to number one best sellers list. <br />
<br />
Before you start writing I recommmend you do some research about how to get your book to number one on Amazon. This blog is a good starting point, I won't go into too much detail as there are whole books written on this subject. I read two books on this subject both of which are excellent.<br />
<br />
Kindle Self Publishing on Amazon: How to Become an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author - and Make Money! - A Guide to Self Publishing on Kindle by Oli Hillie<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Self-Publishing-Amazon-ebook/dp/B007DJ9G92/">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Self-Publishing-Amazon-ebook/dp/B007DJ9G92/</a><br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months! by John Locke<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sold-Million-eBooks-Months-ebook/dp/B0056BMK6K/">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sold-Million-eBooks-Months-ebook/dp/B0056BMK6K/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
They can explain it better than I can, also I don't want to disrespect their work by giving away the formulas in their books.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYpP8PvgzYQtvknINKsLNdQp0zjlqYHrk23r_eSf3ZwZzXmMD3mjF4VaWnCR0PYWa2m0BQJIpUmQyRW0WiFff_1BMGDul1YBzMY-ZgB6dpPXlryZYsoyAp5dx8Yb8VcYhx3cQEhzTNyw/s1600/john_locke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYpP8PvgzYQtvknINKsLNdQp0zjlqYHrk23r_eSf3ZwZzXmMD3mjF4VaWnCR0PYWa2m0BQJIpUmQyRW0WiFff_1BMGDul1YBzMY-ZgB6dpPXlryZYsoyAp5dx8Yb8VcYhx3cQEhzTNyw/s1600/john_locke.jpg" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8XqavUm-EYHGwp65_vEtUvHHETqdQU_cQBwNGuiWrL4LpajMs_MlQeWJXUBXfmhel7ZFe8knDHudny6Rfdb7JtYWM3-TAgKkYRZebuCJL5XtIJw4z0nAIbSJKj6TL8TeeGxdvVFqq5E/s1600/self_pub_book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8XqavUm-EYHGwp65_vEtUvHHETqdQU_cQBwNGuiWrL4LpajMs_MlQeWJXUBXfmhel7ZFe8knDHudny6Rfdb7JtYWM3-TAgKkYRZebuCJL5XtIJw4z0nAIbSJKj6TL8TeeGxdvVFqq5E/s1600/self_pub_book.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Fig 5. These two books helped me set the the plan to launch my book</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After you've done a few drafts, I did six drafts on my own, send it out to people to read and give feedback on. Make sure you select the people wisely, i.e. do not give it to a family member or your best friend who will say it's excellent. My book was on VFX so I gave it to a VFX producer who I respect greatly, and he gave me really excellent feedback which I then incorporated into draft 7. <br />
<br />
Going to draft 8 was one more session of proofreading and re-evaluating. <br />
<br />
Okay a note here on burning out. Inspiration is a perishable commodity, yes you read that right. The initial inspiration that you had at the start will be diminishing rapidly by the time you are on draft 7 or 8 and remember you are still on stage i of the process. <br />
<br />
Give yourself a break between drafts and take some time out to relax. The argument that I heard most often is that you will burn out if you don't break, the response I gave was 'well no one else is going to do the work for me'. The truth is both of these are right. No one else will do the next stages for you - unless you pay them, even if you do you will probably spend at least half the effort in managing them than you would if you did it yourself. You have to do it, but without taking a break you will tire and as well as making mistakes you will make bad choices which you'll ultimately have to come back and fix, i.e. have to do even more work. <br />
<br />
Here's a tip while you are waiting for feedback, allow two weeks or so, take a break and then at at more comfortable pace start investigating the next stages, how to format your book, where are you going to sell it etc. <br />
<br />
I used a gant chart from google docs to plan out all the upcoming stages.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSinDuxqhsO2HQiP8BTCszoNB8pRsY0ERUfm5zWn8Fq82Wcn7Zy2OKZMT96C_P1RyqK94s3fh2xaXlGjEvjN-Akfo_2ZX7Y6CijKXCPUrwifwQYBALs2lY0icKKsCuw3g6O5eNL1dZME/s1600/december_to_do_list.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSinDuxqhsO2HQiP8BTCszoNB8pRsY0ERUfm5zWn8Fq82Wcn7Zy2OKZMT96C_P1RyqK94s3fh2xaXlGjEvjN-Akfo_2ZX7Y6CijKXCPUrwifwQYBALs2lY0icKKsCuw3g6O5eNL1dZME/s640/december_to_do_list.PNG" height="300" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 6. Schedule your tasks so you know what you are supposed to be doing on any given day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is really important to do as<br />
a) you won't waste time when you have the opportunity to work (especially important when you have kids to look after and a day job to do)<br />
b) you'll have a clear target to work towards and not meander and<br />
c) you'll know how many more tasks are still to be done so you can plan your time and energy accordingly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
ii. Converting it into an ebook</h3>
<br />
It may seem daunting, how do you convert your text document into an e-book, how will the text fit onto a tablet screen or a mobile phone screen how do I go about putting in page breaks etc? There are a plethora of softwares that will convert your text document into an e-book for you. <br />
<br />
E-books use their own markup, much like HTML will resize your webpage to fit any window size so the e-book markup language will do the same for any reading device. <br />
<br />
There are two main markup langauges to use, so depending upon which e-reading device you are planning to launch your book on, you will need to convert your book into either a .mobi for Kindle readers or .epub for other e-readers (e.g. Nook, Kobo, Google Books, iBooks etc.). <br />
<br />
The software will convert the book for you into whatever format you choose to export to (for the record I chose Scrivener http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php but there are plenty others out there too). You can typically download a 30 day free trial and find which works best for you. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ3pG0jol8MkVn0SbA-Hkqr371bp3L3JRKBzUvzQbE84F6xAx6Pu7-2jH-rDbV96M8eGcTyfF_WRd_5OPgJJdX5DilkgQbotWOrtdsuFLBDjOzi1lvFuBwD829QexIWgzcYdwb6Fd3Go/s1600/scrivener_home_page.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ3pG0jol8MkVn0SbA-Hkqr371bp3L3JRKBzUvzQbE84F6xAx6Pu7-2jH-rDbV96M8eGcTyfF_WRd_5OPgJJdX5DilkgQbotWOrtdsuFLBDjOzi1lvFuBwD829QexIWgzcYdwb6Fd3Go/s640/scrivener_home_page.JPG" height="636" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 7. Scrivener home page, </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
iii. Selecting a place to sell it - Amazon versus the rest</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So assuming now you have a final version of the book (with multiple drafts and feedback applied) the question is where are you going to sell the book, Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play, iTunes, etc.? The answer will lie in where is your target audience buying these books from? All these book stores are good but for me as I was writing a book on VFX and CG for Producers and Filmmakers I searched the various book stores to see how many titles they had that fit into the same category as my book would. I was quite shocked to find out that there was hardly any animation or film making books presence on Kobo. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8AVxwhY5340BBSU8ASqvayYoQpWiyf2B8solQgLHwBXF8D1gddxjUjPLSxU2dcPsptuE80-cE4c97W1Q_9hbgyzqNviILMSkR7GhmkIWDO4-1G7a6X1tV4j7ajfnrFrw8xZLVjpJp_w/s1600/kobo_animation_results.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8AVxwhY5340BBSU8ASqvayYoQpWiyf2B8solQgLHwBXF8D1gddxjUjPLSxU2dcPsptuE80-cE4c97W1Q_9hbgyzqNviILMSkR7GhmkIWDO4-1G7a6X1tV4j7ajfnrFrw8xZLVjpJp_w/s1600/kobo_animation_results.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 8. This is what the search results for 'computer animation' returned from the Kobo book store<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCOyFK5CEp3DHxK-ayrTPNAVy4ZJ9Pg490OSSKVEbdb3XoI1B78-nlKjCqTzk5IaLZFHFR2zCFHA9hGqnjvx1IBya9vvmUEDbFEtk7dN8yayALiOQgDY-1kO8190-0T3tqk_94T1UemY/s1600/kobo_vfx_results.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCOyFK5CEp3DHxK-ayrTPNAVy4ZJ9Pg490OSSKVEbdb3XoI1B78-nlKjCqTzk5IaLZFHFR2zCFHA9hGqnjvx1IBya9vvmUEDbFEtk7dN8yayALiOQgDY-1kO8190-0T3tqk_94T1UemY/s1600/kobo_vfx_results.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 9. a search for 'VFX' only returned four books on Kobo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The reason I wanted so much for there to be a animation and filmmaking presence especially on Kobo was that I had read that they were leading the charge into the Asian market where there is a large audience for CG and VFX. At the time I was researching into this Amazon did not have a presence in India. However as I got onto the other stages of releasing a book, Amazon had announced that they would be selling to India through their main Amazon.com store. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The final factor that swung it for me to go exclusively on Amazon is their KDP Select programme, which essentially says means by enrolling in KDP Select you forfeit the right for your book to be published in any other e-bookstore in exchange for which your book will be eligible for Amazon Prime inclusion. Amazon Prime is the service they give to their Kindle readers, whereby in exchange for an annual fee Amazon Prime customers get access to free books which they can borrow for a certain period of time. What that means for you is that more people will see your book without having to buy it. But wait a minute how can people reading your book without buying it be good for you? Well the answer is once enrolled in KDP Select you will be eligible for a monthly bonus pool of cash reserved for KDP Select authors, each time your book is borrowed by Amazon Prime users you will get a share of the monthly bonus pool depending upon how many borrows of your book occur. This could be potentially more rewarding than selling your book as readers don't have to stake the cash for your book, they get it free as they've already paid upfront for borrowing on Prime. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Each book store has its own merits, I would just advise you to look to see how many similar books to yours are sold at these book stores. If one of them has a larger catalogue than the others, chances are your target audience are already buying from that bookstore. Also remember people do not need to own a Kindle, Nook or Kobo to read your book, there are apps that can be downloaded onto tablets and smart phones for each of these, in fact chances are many avid readers already have all three installed onto their tablets/smart phones (see the links at the bottom of the page). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
iv. Finding your target audience - Twitter versus the rest</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Early on in the process, ideally while you are waiting for feedback from an early draft you will want to go and search for where your target audience frequent on the internet. Are your customers more likely to converse through Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Reddit, Google+, Pintrest etc.? Wherever they are you need to find them first, establish how many people you can find in these places and how many you can engage with earlier. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Expecting Amazon to promote your book is a false assumption. Amazon or any other book store will not go out of their way to promote your book, what they will do is host it for you and make it easy for customers to buy and read it. You have to promote your own book, most likely you don't have a marketing budget to spend on plastering billboards and buses with your book cover so it's smarter for you to find out where your target audience lives and focus your energy on marketing directly to them through social media and forums.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdysZkTf_Mrk5A3_4aL6l4FtpTFZ21CM_G8-bPE9akzPCYORgB1exGTU_IenHEz5an6dy3WiKj6AYUa4h5hHGPsRAiF43dQThIVuKo3izgrnTQt7dPpECnetU2rVKz09Q9MMIalirpT0/s1600/twitter_home_page.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdysZkTf_Mrk5A3_4aL6l4FtpTFZ21CM_G8-bPE9akzPCYORgB1exGTU_IenHEz5an6dy3WiKj6AYUa4h5hHGPsRAiF43dQThIVuKo3izgrnTQt7dPpECnetU2rVKz09Q9MMIalirpT0/s640/twitter_home_page.JPG" height="348" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 10. I used my book cover to help point people to my book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The other great thing about twitter is that you can brand your homepage anyway you like While you can serve your page to a lot of people on twitter there is also a lot of spawning every second on twitter and though you think you may have served it to thousands of people, really they may not see it in amongst all the other tweets. Also the time of day you tweet is important, if you tweet while half your audience is asleep (remember it is an international business) by the time they wake up and log in, how many other tweets are they going to have in their timeline. The twitter homepage will list the most recent tweets first, even then then there is not guaranteed way to ensure your tweets will be the first one seen, all you can do is maximise its chances to be seen by tweeting at the right time of day. However twitter is only part of the marketing process, there are many other social media platforms.<br />
<br /></div>
<h3>
v. Marketing to that audience</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I use the word 'engage' and not 'sell', there is a big difference in the two. Engaging means you are sharing the same interests and ideas with like-minded people. Even if you do not sell to them you will have made new acquaintances and potentially friends too based on your common interests. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I went (initially) down the route of twitter, I found that I could find people who had the same interests as I had here and they were are keen on sharing knowledge especially when it comes it education and learning new skills and techniques in CG and VFX. The use of hash tags (#) was key to finding an audience who I could connect with. Hash tags are like keywords whereby you can quickly find other people who are using the same hash tag that you are interested in. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you go down the route of twitter you had better find a way to shorten any links to your book into a shortened form otherwise you will burn through your 140 character limit. Again there are many sites that will shorten URLs for you, I went for bit.ly as I had seen that used more often. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One of the interesting things about using bit.ly is the analytics tools it comes with. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oQItrg_6PV3mZ-VxR0OsbkcVLVlzEw0wi22OcbKzC-EYXhg1pFbHKJ0lm2nvZH0q4lcDHrlSDqossvFwXPfyafEbjvNNTUu78s0o70d-SBjqFheB8ZrKEgQUrpj_QWVd7fmVb0di_1I/s1600/bitly_stats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oQItrg_6PV3mZ-VxR0OsbkcVLVlzEw0wi22OcbKzC-EYXhg1pFbHKJ0lm2nvZH0q4lcDHrlSDqossvFwXPfyafEbjvNNTUu78s0o70d-SBjqFheB8ZrKEgQUrpj_QWVd7fmVb0di_1I/s640/bitly_stats.JPG" height="640" width="577" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 11. Bit.ly analytics allowed me to track the effectiveness of my twitter strategy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Using the bit.ly analytics toolset I could drill down into granular details including see right down to the number of clicks in the last hour and where they came from. I timed the analytics checks to coincide with how many hits a tweet (or retweet from a high net tweeter) generated. I could then establish the returns on my time and effort and where to focus next. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Conclusion</h3>
<div>
All in all, the main takeaway is that while writing an excellent book should be your primary goal there is a lot of other work to be done to get your book to the number one best-seller list in any book store. Pace yourself, the race is long and you'll need help to get you to the finish line.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can see my book at any of the following Amazon sites, international customers please use the Amazon.com link below. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
<h2>
Paperback</h2>
<br />
US and International -><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
UK -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Austria and Germany -><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank"> http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
France -> <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Italy -> <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
Spain -> <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-Volume/dp/1484021541/</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
Kindle</h2>
<br />
US and International -> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2">http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
UK -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
Canada -> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2">http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2</a><br />
Austria and Germany -> <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.de/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
France -> <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.fr/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Italy -> <a href="http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.it/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Japan -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.co.jp/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
Spain (and Latin America) -> <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/">http://www.amazon.es/Survival-Producers-Filmmakers-Guides-ebook/dp/B00BDV8GY2/</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*BTW you don't need to own a kindle to read this, you can download a kindle app for you smart phone or tablet from your app store or </div>
<div>
for PC -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/pc/download">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/pc/download</a></div>
<div>
for Mac -> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/mac/download">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/kindle/mac/download</a></div>
<div>
or get the kindle cloud reader which will allow you to read kindle in your web browser here -> <a href="https://read.amazon.com/about">https://read.amazon.com/about</a></div>
</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0NXO84UEtv_cBqxVedZNuUeYu41rF74zU1CKPpNpbVvLjsRCR5ofx0U08Fm2KkduZ0pxuTm9qWtyNrU7la3wTkowH-zV4abG4c-gBeNLlCZY2BqY5cL_dXc6UMjkj98JL-yhSKMiFXo/s1600/VFX_and_CG_Survival_Guide_For_Producers_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0NXO84UEtv_cBqxVedZNuUeYu41rF74zU1CKPpNpbVvLjsRCR5ofx0U08Fm2KkduZ0pxuTm9qWtyNrU7la3wTkowH-zV4abG4c-gBeNLlCZY2BqY5cL_dXc6UMjkj98JL-yhSKMiFXo/s640/VFX_and_CG_Survival_Guide_For_Producers_06.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
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<div>
Please feel free to leave comments and your own experience in the comment section below. Thanks for reading.</div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-45928464355202879502013-01-04T16:57:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:13:07.781-07:00How to set up your own VFX Studio - business considerationsIn this post I am going to guide you through the process of how to set yourself up as a your very own VFX studio. In practice this post can relate to setting yourself up as your own business, whatever industry you are in, but seeing as this a VFX oriented site I'll use the business model of a VFX studio for the purpose of this exercise. <br />
<br />
Most of us VFX and animator types are employed as freelancers or contractors, there are very few staff positions in this industry so knowing how you can maximise, conserve and stretch your pay is really vital especially in the economic climate we find ourselves in. A lot of the specifics that I will mention relate to UK tax law, it is the same concept whichever country you are in, they just have different names and are set at different level (maybe you can substitute in the names and percentages in the comments below for your own country).<br />
<br />
I am going to use an example to show how you can earn the same day rate but take home more money, all names and figures are arbitrary, so don't be disheartened if the pay scale is not what you are receiving or seems too low, I'm using round numbers purely for simple illustration. None of this is meant as legal or financial advice, please consult your own accountant for this. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Why set yourself up as a limited company?</h3>
<br />
Setting yourself up as a limited company is quite simple to do in practice, but there are a few initial tasks and then many continuous tasks that you'll need to dedicate time to. So you are probably wondering why go through all of that in the first place. <br />
<br />
Well the answer is simple and can be summed up in two words. <br />
<br />
<b>SAVING TAX </b><br />
<br />
yes it's that simple all the extra admin that you will do is simply to save you some/a lot of tax. <br />
<br />
Let's look at an example, in the UK there are various tax bands (again these bands exist in your own countries, they have different names and are set at different rates but they do exist) understand how the tax system works and where you fit into it and you will see how advantageous and worthwhile the extra admin is. <br />
<br />
From the HMRC website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/income-tax-rates.htm (what a thrilling read that is)<br />
<br />
'For 2013-14, the main rates of income tax will be the 20 per cent basic rate, the 40 per cent higher rate and the additional rate will be reduced from 50% to 45%.'<br />
<br />
i.e. when you earn more than £42,475, you can expect to pay 40% on that amount. Most if not all VFX artists that I know earn more than this amount. Therefore they are losing (I mean paying) 40% of any money above this figure. <br />
<br />
Using the http://iknowtax.com/2013/ calculator, someone on a day rate of £200 will essentially take home £50k, assuming a two week holiday. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_QWbIEhEA1-uksTev08AgGwp_HEy3b0V1eZmtwgWQdVtNL8uGOlcgQhpvzhUcWje1yxfzJnJxAUnPxWdC1HU6ofLGl3UYtz8ogrFRH3MwHHgQhGdq2LRYntDaZxNxvdliz1T3sILgvY/s1600/50k_take_home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_QWbIEhEA1-uksTev08AgGwp_HEy3b0V1eZmtwgWQdVtNL8uGOlcgQhpvzhUcWje1yxfzJnJxAUnPxWdC1HU6ofLGl3UYtz8ogrFRH3MwHHgQhGdq2LRYntDaZxNxvdliz1T3sILgvY/s640/50k_take_home.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig1. Take home £35,793 when you earn £50,000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now imagine you are on a day rate of £300, i.e. £75,000, a perfectly reasonable amount for an experienced VFX artist. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXV0tyzao4skSm0iNDQG7YVAhyphenhyphenKs122xr1kgtvT0EzmnhwRpmL85xqS68zVDSawuniwUFtRL5gdfZJio6M85gtBUjOGKWhQxIN__Zhfy2qdspiBXEfGFnr0EqRdDfGcCnEnsnmSLxusA/s1600/75k_take_home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXV0tyzao4skSm0iNDQG7YVAhyphenhyphenKs122xr1kgtvT0EzmnhwRpmL85xqS68zVDSawuniwUFtRL5gdfZJio6M85gtBUjOGKWhQxIN__Zhfy2qdspiBXEfGFnr0EqRdDfGcCnEnsnmSLxusA/s640/75k_take_home.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Take home £50k when you earn £75k</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
You can see now that you are really only taking home two-thirds of your pay. What essentially is happening is that you are being taxed at a standard rate of 20% after your personal allowance (i.e. the first £7,800), then taxed at 40% after you reach £42,475. Therefore if you are earning these kinds of money as a freelancer you are going to be taking home two-thirds of your pay. <br />
<br />
Now contrast that with being a limited company where you would pay 20% on any pretax profit. <br />
<br />
So how do you work out pretax profit?<br />
<br />
Well before we talk about that we are going to talk about another tax, in the UK it is called Value Added Tax (VAT), don't worry this isn't necessarily a bad tax, well that is to say it's not one that you will have to pay, but moreover, one that you will charge to your client. VAT is currently charged at 20% therefore for example if you were to charge as per our first example above, £200 a day, you would add on 20% to that.<br />
<br />
£200 + 20% = £240 a day.<br />
<br />
But here's the clever thing about charging VAT<br />
i. your client can claim that back, thus reducing their pretax profit by the VAT you have charged them and<br />
ii. you don't pay the full 20% to the government, you pay 14% of that, or 13% if you are trading in your first year, assuming that you are not on the flat rate scheme, if you are then you pay the full 20%.<br />
<br />
In practice that means, you do a week's work at £200 a day. You bill them as in fig 1.3<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTdE4FYhCfYuuho6ibuiQH7LBqKDl23DqVpwXy9IwQnuHvL90qW9Dm7NmR8ClLgEp4lOojXlUQUXJXUonahnnyIr2zyFIm9NXBXikQqDeKl8satrrki8L__1x4Kh3n7nIKKYipuBjXzY/s1600/Vat_charged_at_20%25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTdE4FYhCfYuuho6ibuiQH7LBqKDl23DqVpwXy9IwQnuHvL90qW9Dm7NmR8ClLgEp4lOojXlUQUXJXUonahnnyIr2zyFIm9NXBXikQqDeKl8satrrki8L__1x4Kh3n7nIKKYipuBjXzY/s640/Vat_charged_at_20%25.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Charging VAT at 20%<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
now the Inland Revenue will charge you 14% or 13% if you are in your first year, i.e. they will charge you 13% of £1200, i.e. you pay the Inland Revenue VAT of <span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>£156</b></span> (at 13% if it's your first year)<br />
<br />
therefore you make £44 extra, which is an extra 7.3%. <br />
<br />
When you consider that this £200 extra in VAT didn't exist when you were a freelancer, it is a win-win situation. The client reduces their tax exposure by <b style="background-color: yellow;">£200</b>, you made <span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>£156</b></span> for the exchequer and you pocket <span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>£44</b></span> yourself for the trouble. Extrapolate that out to a year...<br />
<br />
Now onto the aspect of your own tax bill and reducing it through expenses and wages. <br />
<br />
First are you married, with a partner? If yes, is that partner working? If the answer is 'no' then you can pay them a wage too. This is how it works using a simple profit and loss equation using yourself and your partner (who isn't currently working) and whatever expenses you can charge (more on allowable expenses below)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UF9_A_usIHbmyjjy_kxFSyhxzznRQ7Bg63HhmlQ3OrJctTIBPjPzFhnGIkLd04t7gaoZ-q1PTk1zzT5nk69ZzqGBzpwu_H8S98ShES5oHqrfO_ohf0azPn5cr3bAGJ4CoW4NaTzCBkI/s1600/p_and_l_part1_correction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UF9_A_usIHbmyjjy_kxFSyhxzznRQ7Bg63HhmlQ3OrJctTIBPjPzFhnGIkLd04t7gaoZ-q1PTk1zzT5nk69ZzqGBzpwu_H8S98ShES5oHqrfO_ohf0azPn5cr3bAGJ4CoW4NaTzCBkI/s1600/p_and_l_part1_correction.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fig 4. pay yourself and your partner a wage reduces your tax liability</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Fig 4. You can see how paying yourself and your partner a minimum wage (currently in the UK set at £650 a month) and the company's expenses you end up paying corporation tax of <span style="background-color: yellow;">£211.60</span> on earnings of £3000, i.e. less than 10%. <br />
<br />
Now if you have a child who needs to go to nursery, you can have the nursery invoice the company directly as a service provider. Fig 5 shows how that affects your tax payment<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lX5APJpBVJFrte0yt5hTmhS-BGO3Hs5Vat2h12kintwETkatERi5M3I8oxDSkbsDQY6xzTspTAG_X7F6A_SIQ102Ef0p6sWx013e-v0ozdhtxsm8ZTVkSt2eSe6TMqkVtAZgsxWbpGY/s1600/p_and_l_part2_correction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lX5APJpBVJFrte0yt5hTmhS-BGO3Hs5Vat2h12kintwETkatERi5M3I8oxDSkbsDQY6xzTspTAG_X7F6A_SIQ102Ef0p6sWx013e-v0ozdhtxsm8ZTVkSt2eSe6TMqkVtAZgsxWbpGY/s1600/p_and_l_part2_correction.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Having the childcare provider directly invoice the company will reduce the tax bill further</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now if the nursery charges £500 a month say then your tax bill is now<span style="background-color: yellow;"> 4.8%</span> (£146/£3000) from the 40% that you would have been paying (assuming this month's payment was over the standard rate tax threshold).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All in all you can see how setting yourself as a limited company is going to make sure you keep more of your hard earned money. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Question: Why are you paying yourself minimum wage?</u></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You do this so that your personal income stays below the standard rate tax threshold, i.e. so you don't pay income tax. Your tax payment should go through your corporation tax or at least the majority should go through the corporation tax. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Question: What are allowable business expenses?</u></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anything that is directly involved in you doing your job. Examples include</div>
<div>
- computer hardware related to your job</div>
<div>
- computer software related to your job</div>
<div>
- training courses/books related to your job</div>
<div>
- travel to see clients (note that commuting is not allowed, but if you have a contract that is less than 40% of the year, you can claim that travel cost)</div>
<div>
- home office provided that you use the home office for actual work purposes you can then apportion a percentage of your mortgage/rent and bills to the expenses, for instance </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>one of your rooms in your five room apartment you use exclusively for a home office, then you can put 20% of the mortgage and bills through as a business expense. </li>
<li>If you use this room half the time for work and half the time for non work then you can apportion 10% of the associated costs as a business expense.</li>
</ul>
Note that the amount you set this split is the amount of time the room is used not the total time in the week, for instance if you get home and have four hours in the evening, then you measure how much of that four hours is spent for work and how much spent for leisure. <br />
<br />
<u>Question: why is there a £100 charge for an accountant?</u><br />
<br />
See how much money he/she saves you, it's a cost worth having.<br />
<br />
<u>Question: my wife/girl friend is pregnant, can she claim maternity pay?</u><br />
<br />
Congratulations (I hope you find the guy who did it :), yes she can so long as she has been employed for more than twenty four weeks. <br />
<br />
<h2>
How to set yourself up as a limited company?</h2>
<br />
This is really simple<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Find a good accountant, he/she will do most of the work - this will take about an hour</li>
<li>Fill out the forms they give you, don't worry - this will take ten minutes</li>
<li>Go to the bank and tell them you want to open a business account, that you will need two accounts, one a current account (where you will get paid) and the other a deposit account (where you will put aside any tax money to be paid to the inland revenue) this will take about an hour</li>
<li>Say no to the bank when they try to sell you a slew of useless products for your new business account - this will take about an hour plus time on the phone as they will continue to call you afterwards since you are now a valued business customer</li>
<li>Give all the details back to the accountant, he/she will send you a form to sign and then wait for the paperwork to come through. - this will take ten minutes to collate and send</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
What will it cost you?</h3>
<br />
<u>Money</u><br />
Accountant about £100 a month, i.e. £1200 a year<br />
Payroll about £300 a year (you could do it yourself but it is a real hassle, most accountants have payroll departments attached)<br />
<br />
<u>Time</u><br />
About a week of solid work to set up and running.<br />
An hour each month (spread out over the whole month) to collate all your expenses - collecting and organising receipts<br />
An hour each month to calculate your expenses<br />
An hour each month to make all the bank transfers<br />
<br />
<h3>
Is it immoral?</h3>
People who aren't doing it will make you feel that it is (they're just upset that they are too lazy or not as smart as you to have figured it out) but no it isn't and anyone who says it is is an idiot. <br />
<br />
You are running a business, every business has costs. If you ran a sandwich shop would you not write the bread, the cheese, the salami off as a business cost? Would the knives, plates, grill not be legitimate business tools? Would you not have to pay the electricity bill? Would you not pay your staff? <br />
<br />
Running a VFX Studio means you have to pay a slew of costs as well, just like in any other business you subtract these costs from your revenue to work out your net profit. You then pay corporation tax on this figure. <br />
<br />
Anyone who tells you otherwise, point them to the fact that you charge value added tax @ 20%. That is 20% extra money that never existed if you were on Pay as You Earn (PAYE). In the example above you have made £600 extra on an earning of £3000. If you were on the flat rate VAT scheme all that £600 would go straight to the exchequer, i.e. that's 20% up front straight away into the tax pot - how it will be squandered from there is the civil service's responsibility<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-20671590670398557552012-12-30T12:50:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:13:49.082-07:00London Newmian Games I recently finished a job working on Olympics presentations for the recent games here in London. I worked on the lighting and effects for the various 2012 logos. I lit these 2012 stings that appear on the giant jumbtrons. Any time any event is about to take place the 2012 logo will fly right on screen and the title of the event would be displayed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/56487400" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/56487400">jumbtrons</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
There was a team of six of us in a lofty sunny room in Farringdon working on this - we actually worked in a rather convulted way, working from Maya to 3DS Max to Cinema 4D into AfterEffects with some Nuke in between.<br />
<br />
Somehow it seemed to work. Oh yes and I was helping set up the render farm to configure it with all these different renderers.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/56485351" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/56485351">lighting: mental ray for maya</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
We got the model from another company in Maya, the animation was done in 3DS Max but the initial shading and lighting was done in Mental Ray in Maya. I took the animations back and recreated the shading and lighting network. I installed Mental Ray on the farm using Deadline (no mean task in itself).<br />
<br />
I also did the effects on a sponsor movie, where Wenlock dives in and out of a swimming pool (Maya fluids and nParticles) and pulls down a cloth at the end (nCloth).<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/56486220" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/56486220">water sims</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/56485651" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/56485651">Cloth Sims</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
Video: Wenlock water + cloth effects<br />
<br />
The third thing I did was some of the after party graphics where we could deviate from the brand guidelines as we pleased.
Video: distorted 2012
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/56488551" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/56488551">Distortions Effects</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-28690602492578096022012-01-27T04:39:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:14:21.127-07:00Naiad R&DSo I've been busily furrowing away learning Naiad. I thought I'd share some of my first tests with you and how I went about doing these. <br />
<br />
Naiad test 01 - firing liquid against a wall<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35695762?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/35695762">Naiad test 01</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
Naiad test 02 - a block crashing into liquid<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35714393?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/35714393">Naiad Test 02: Block crashing into water</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
Naiad test 03 - trudging through thick liquid<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35741590?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/35741590">Naiad test 03: block trudging through thick fluid</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6238522">Farhan Qureshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/36482651?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/36482651">Naiad Test 04: Rigid body collision</a><br />
<br />
So firstly I should say massive thanks and point you in the direction of two excellent training resources that will get you up to speed very quickly on learning Naiad<br />
first is the excellent CMIVFX site who have an equally excellent Naiad training kit available here<br />
<a href="http://www.cmivfx.com/tutorials/view/331/NAIAD+Simulating+Liquids+Volume+1">http://www.cmivfx.com/tutorials/view/331/NAIAD+Simulating+Liquids+Volume+1</a> <br />
<br />
The other is a free one hour getting started tutorial from Exotic Matter themselves which you can find here<br />
<a href="http://www.exoticmatter.com/naiad-training-videos/">http://www.exoticmatter.com/naiad-training-videos/</a> <br />
<br />
After you manage to install Naiad which is no mean feat in itself then you need to learn how to build a graph. I won't go into the graph building here as there are lots of other resources that will do that for you, but I'll focus on controlling the fluids and some of the considerations you'll need to take into account if you're coming from a Maya or Houdini background. <br />
<br />
So first if you're used to Maya then this is going to be more difficult (Naiad is built on the same node based workflow as Houdini) , but it's more a case of looking at it in a different way. Here you have to build and link each node individually to make a network - it may be the case later that these networks are compiled into a single button, much like Houdini now does. <br />
<br />
I'll attack the graph in stages so it's not overwhelming<br />
<br />
Setting up a particle and emitter<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyVRwMYPX0PagqtSLEe9O0MxRnZ_nWwx34tbTD7n1_ell4jUbsA2IrW54yMPn9fBo7UWwMEt-NM4xKxOtla9JariC5iMekQDPX-jM-7oa7KKnxy2QiWjsiEN4OtEANigb_tKIPQPCKmg/s1600/01_setting_up_an_emitter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyVRwMYPX0PagqtSLEe9O0MxRnZ_nWwx34tbTD7n1_ell4jUbsA2IrW54yMPn9fBo7UWwMEt-NM4xKxOtla9JariC5iMekQDPX-jM-7oa7KKnxy2QiWjsiEN4OtEANigb_tKIPQPCKmg/s400/01_setting_up_an_emitter.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
so the node at the bottom you can think of as an emitter. It needs two inputs the one on the left is the particle input, here you'd specify all the properties of a particle much as you would in Maya.<br />
<br />
The branch on the right think of it as your emitter shape. Here I've set up a simple box shape. In order for the emitter to read that in it needs to go through a couple of extra nodes, first a MeshVolume which turns the Box_Mesh into a volume which is how Naiad interacts with particles. Next that volume is is exported through a Field-Export. Notice the circle and square shapes here. The emitter node has a number of input plugs which are also circular and square. <br />
<br />
Circles are bodies and meshes, squares are fields. <br />
Basic rule: circles plug into circles and squares plug into squares. <br />
<br />
You'll notice also a lage 'G' node and a camera scope - The 'G' node is the globals, it's where you set your project preferences and the like, the camera scope allows you to visualise the 3d scene - more about scopes later.<br />
<br />
Next we need to collide it - here I'm colliding it with the floor<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOykBy0qybhe_9OYHO513I1h3BvtCPa40L95_Fbt1SVMkWHkU81d2t_K4PkkTy20S1s1_WmqR53l5L37KI3_YT6z8g_5DY0lNtC5_e5xxuEC5fk7SH8XibWQdXbaX20UMXHEXUPObi3Vg/s1600/02_collision_with_floor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOykBy0qybhe_9OYHO513I1h3BvtCPa40L95_Fbt1SVMkWHkU81d2t_K4PkkTy20S1s1_WmqR53l5L37KI3_YT6z8g_5DY0lNtC5_e5xxuEC5fk7SH8XibWQdXbaX20UMXHEXUPObi3Vg/s640/02_collision_with_floor.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Again same deal here, we need to turn that mesh into a volume. We then plug both of these into a 'Join' node. <br />
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Add some gravity (which is a node called acceleration) and dynamics which will make trigger all these forces and collisions. <br />
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The join then goes into acceleration which by default is set to -9.81 in the y axis. You can of course change this. <br />
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The Dynamics node will make it all work.<br />
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I've put in a particle-Kill-Plane at the end. This will basically kill any particle below the level I place it at. You can of course change it to kill particles above a the kill plane if you wish. This will speed up the simulation time as you may not be interested in calculating particles that are outside of the bounds that you care about. There's also a killmask that will allow you to define better the area you want to cull particles from. <br />
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Finally to output and view the simulation you will need an Emp-Terminal node with a scope attached to it.<br />
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Terminals come in two different flavours - an EmpTerminal will recursively write out every step (frame) to disc so you can scrub back and forth afterwards. A regular terminal will not and everything is held in RAM.<br />
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the scope here is a Particle-Scope, there are different scopes for different bodies. If you want to visualise a mesh you'll need a mesh scope. <br />
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Once that's all written out you'll most likely want to visualise it as a mesh not a particle system. <br />
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You'll need to set up three new nodes, either to the side in the same file or in a new file.<br />
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First you'll need to read back in the particles that you wrote out, you do this with an Emp-Read node and point the directory to where you output the particles in your Emp_Terminal.<br />
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The Particle-Mesh3 node will then take those particles and mesh them out into a polygon for you to take back into your lighting pipeline. <br />
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The meshing parameters will help you make it smooth or rough.<br />
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Step through the graph again and it will write these out as .emp files for you to bring back into Maya/Houdini as you'd like. <br />
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Quick tip: to run through your scene faster use the left most button 'Launch Naiad' of the stepping buttons to step through the scene outside of the current instance of the programme.<br />
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This will open up a new window where you can specify more threads to use - you can use them all and increase the processing speed. <br />
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You can choose to run Naiad on any file from here, so you don't even need to have your file open. I'm sure various studios have this linked into the render farms so you could really speed up your sim time. <br />
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Here I've set it up to use all 8 threads that I have. <br />
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If you're unsure of how many threads there are available on your machine just run the Task Manager and click on Performance, that will show you all the machine's threads. <br />
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Hope this was useful in explaining how I got these sims done, for a more exhaustive explanation of all the nodes see the learning resources I gave at the top.<br />
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ThanksFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-61888069806135976372012-01-26T15:18:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:14:41.664-07:00Jelly on a plate served by HoudiniI was playing around with the new fluid solver in Houdini 11. I came up with a pretty cool jelly animation by adjusting the viscosity settings and collision tolerances.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35718925?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Here's the basic setup and settings<br />
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The basic set up <br />
Geo:<br />
basic box shape with a smoothing operation to create the shape<br />
cutter geo - which we'll reference into the collision object below<br />
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Dynamics<br />
The AutoDop network - which is created from the shelf<br />
The output mesh - i.e. the dough/jelly shape with dynamics applied<br />
The ground plane<br />
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Lights:<br />
Lights and shaders live here<br />
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<b><u>Dynamics - The AutoDop network</u></b><br />
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From left to right:<br />
left branch - : the cutter which needs two nodes to make it cut through the jelly<br />
middle branch - the ground plane for the jelly to land/sit on<br />
The right branch: the particle fluid feeds into the solver (settings below)<br />
At the bottom a file node so we can cache it easily<br />
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The particle fluid object nde<br />
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I ramped up the Rest Density to viscosity to really high numbers, this helps the Jelly sit in place and not collapse as it lands.<br />
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You can see in the SOP path that it's pointed to the obj/dough_shape that we made at the start.<br />
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on the solver I found these useful elasticity and plasticity settings that keeps the fluid stuck together when the cutter comes into contact, watch the video closely and you'll see that the fluid tries to adhere itself back together - you can see that in the image below how the particles stick together. <br />
Tip: keep the gas constant set at 400, changing this too much causes unpredictable results - the Houdini docs recommend a value of 400, so best not to stray too far from that. <br />
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<b><u>Animation</u></b><br />
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This is very quick - the only piece of animation was on the cutter which I used to cut the jelly. The sim will respond to any kind of animation that you can throw on the cutter.<br />
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<b><u>Shading</u></b><br />
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I initially tried a clay shader as I was trying to to make dough, I wasn't overly pleased with the results so I switched it to a glass shader with a tinge of red - hence the jelly look. <br />
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under the displacement tab I added ramp (a simple red to green) and a small amount of displacement. You can see this result at the start of the video where the playblast is in the top corner.<br />
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In the noise tab I checked on the 'Do Noise' button, I bumped up the frequency and turbulence to create that nice texture on the jelly. <br />
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The lighting came out really nicely casting a red shadow with all the noise coming through on the ground plane. I think it took about two to three minutes to render each frame - then again I had the render farm to myself so it was really quick. Hope you like it.Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-112153049508168772011-12-02T07:10:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:15:09.412-07:00Pirates! set tourHere is a cool video from David Sztypuljak from HeyUGuys when he came to visit the set. He's done a pretty cool commentary too. Hopefully it'll show why it's so cool to work here.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FzC9O7WtELY?hd=1" width="853"></iframe>Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-38702908009440920792011-11-17T11:43:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:15:38.317-07:00Pirates! trailer number twoThe new Pirates! trailer is out. <br />
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Before I joined Aardman I met the former CTO at a networking event, I was talking to him about working at Aardman and mentioned it is the best animation company in the country. He looked steely back at me and said 'No, it's the best animation company in the world!'<br />
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Well I've been here in Bristol (well on the edge of Bristol - more South Gloucestershire actually) for most of the year. We're very close to finishing off the movie now. It's really been a special experience working on this movie.<br />
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Have a look at the trailer in full 1080p, quite a few of my shots are in here too. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hzIxECXjW1I?hd=1" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Speaking of finishing of the movie we had our crew photo taken today, here it is.<br />
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that's me in the third/fourth row on the left leaning up against the roof of the house - three spots away from the director no less.Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-82693710087909600182011-11-17T11:40:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:15:59.805-07:00Just Pitch It<style type="text/css">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: http://storyassistant.com/2009/02/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Been a bit quiet on the blogging front for a while - apologies, it's not been for the lack of wanting to blog but moreover that I've had not one, not two, but three pitches to deliver. I'm not at liberty to say to whom I'm pitching to, suffice to say that they are a major film company. I can't even say what the projects are as they technically own them until they decide whether to option them or hand the projects back to me. All I can say is none of the projects are actually Digitopia.<br />
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A while ago when I was deep into making Digitopia: Discover Me a producer told me to have other projects in a state ready to pitch. As Digitopia may not fit in with the projects that the person I'm pitching to is looking for. That was actually a great piece of advice. I applied for TalentLab an initiative funded by Skillset and BBC. As part of the process I had to write outlines for two alternative projects. These two projects then went on to take a life of their own. One of these is a Rom-com which I pitched a few weeks ago. <br />
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<u>Turning up to the pitch and fighting nerves</u><br />
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The pitches arrived, I had to pitch three projects in three weeks, I'm sure there's an analogy with London buses that I'm supposed to make here. Really I was nervous, but I was more overtaken with trying to prepare for each pitch. I was concious of finishing preparations for the rom-com pitch which was actually my middle pitch. In a way this made the first pitch easier, I spent just under a week preparing for the first one and under a week preparing for the last one. <br />
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<u>Top tips for preparing for a pitch</u> <br />
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<ul><li>Accept you're going to be nervous – it's natural, trying to fight it is futile. Accept it the same way you accept the colour of the walls are (insert colour of closest wall). </li>
</ul><ul><li>Can these people really change your life? No! Just go pitch they will either like it or not. If not move on – only you can change your life</li>
</ul><ul><li>You have something to offer them –it's not a one way street, even the biggest and best film producers need ideas. That's where you the pitcher come in. Go into the meeting with the attitude that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Think of it as a partnership of equals.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Rehearse – even if it's to yourself in an empty room. Better still ask someone if you can rehearse to them. Even if you think the person has nothing to offer the idea, just by doing the process you'll initiate a discussion. It's better to have that discussion in a rehearsal than in the actual pitch. </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">take out the batsman out of the equation and just </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> pitch</td></tr>
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So having gone through this experience I now have a slate of five features fully developed and ready to go. It may be that I have to go though some of these lower budget ideas before I can come back to making Digitopia.<br />
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Going through these pitching process I realised that I am not too far away from making one of these lower budget productions. I've already been making lots of useful contacts on LinkedIn with potential collaborators. It's a matter of figuring out which one to pursue first. I've decided to pursue all of them simultaneously and see which one bites first. <br />
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</div>Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-8137468880344851792011-07-18T12:03:00.000-07:002013-08-15T07:16:21.078-07:00Pirates! trailer aheadAghast ye landlubbers (well you'd be disappointed if we didn't start with some pirate speak), here is the project that I'm currently working on.<br />
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I've moved up to Bristol to work at Aardman Animation on their latest project Pirates!<br />
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I'm sure you all know about Aardman's rich animation history, it's a real honour to be working here. I'm not sure how much I can say about Aardman or the Pirates! movie but as you can imagine the quality of work here at Aardman is phenomenally good.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/h5rQ6BbUt6E" width="560"></iframe><br />
Pirates! trailer, watch ye at 1080p<br />
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I'm one of the Effects Technical Directors on this show, doing lots of awesome fluid and particle effects (water, fire and everything in between the two) hopefully have many good shots for the reel.<br />
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The Pirate Captain - voiced by no less than Hugh Grant (and you thought he was good in Questiontime)<br />
<ul><li>Moving away from baby</li>
</ul>Being that this supposedly a blog about being a dad as much as it is about CGI and filmaking, the only downside is that I'm away from baby for most of the week. I travel up from Paddington to Bristol on monday and go back on Friday. I do speak to my boy everyday on the phone - I've taught him to count to ten over the phone, who says remote learning does not work? <br />
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In an odd kind of a way leaving at the crack of dawn on monday actually feels more 'dad' than anything else I do. I quietly sneak out so as not to wake anyone (obviously try to wake the wife up - 'I'm going now!!! I said I'm leaving, don't pretend to be asleep!!!').<br />
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I poke my head through the bedroom door and see baby sleeping away, blow a kiss and silently whisper that it's all for him. I did once try to kiss him on the forehead like you'd see Will Smith do in Pursuit of Happyness, but stood on one of his squeaky toys. He woke up, crying ensued and a train was missed (none of which is true but would add some comic relief to said Gabriele Muccino/Will Smith movie)<br />
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<ul><li>It's the same but different</li>
</ul>In reality anyone who works in VFX knows you do long long hours (why is that anyway? One can easily envy all those people who leave work at 5) so you wouldn't really see your kid anyway. And if you do see them in the mornings you're probably running late for work.Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-66254205062265827632011-07-07T12:07:00.000-07:002013-08-15T07:17:21.929-07:00Counting the costs<div class="MsoNormal">
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So now the film is finally finished, I have been busy researching which are the right festivals to send it off to. I want to avoid sending it off to every festival, not least because of the massive costs implications but some are not really relevant to the piece.<br />
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All in all looking back at the film, yes there are certainly some things I wish I could have done differently. But overall I would say that given the time and budget constraints that I was under I’m very happy with the way it turned out. </div>
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Speaking of budgets I thought I would use this blog entry to show you the budget I put together way back in Nov 2009 when I started making the short.<br />
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Putting a budget together at the start is definitely a useful (if not wholly inaccurate) exercise. It helped me plot out what I needed to do, all the tasks that would be involved in making this happen. And there were a lot of tasks that needed to be done.<br />
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Some of the tasks listed below didn't happen either, like the fur and hair, originally I wanted to digitise the fur, such that it would be like having the Dodo and Mammoth covered in glowing-pulsating fibre optic fur. In the end we went for a premiere plugin to do the job for us. <br />
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Looking back at it now, I think that I would at least quadruple the amount of time spent of the concept stage and add an animatic into the list. Putting the prep work in here will save loads further down the line.<br />
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All values are in £ sterling. <br />
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Fig. 1 Budget as I estimated costs, date Wednesday 11<sup>th</sup> November 2009</div>
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I'm not a producer, well not a producer who's ever had a budget to play with, I think the cost of £30k would be around the ball park. I did the whole project for zero. </div>
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I set the producer and director costs to zero. I figured if I was to ask for funding the people putting money in would not be too impressed if I asked to be paid a full producer and director wage. Although it is justified to be asked to be paid, right?<br />
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Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-14254389258728997802011-07-07T12:04:00.000-07:002013-08-15T07:18:00.430-07:00Three full time jobs - only one wage...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This entry is about holding down a full time job in VFX, making an independent movie and being a dad, how to pack three full time jobs into twenty four hours.<br />
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<ul>
<li>How much time can you actually spend making your movie? </li>
</ul>
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Anyone who has had a baby in the past ten years or so will know there so many (too many) books about how to look after a baby. The biggest topic in these is 'having a routine'.<br />
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Pre-baby, speaking about 'routines' was so dull that I would actually fall asleep while reading these books.<br />
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Having had a few hours sleep a week, I now wish I paid a bit more attention to these so called experts and I would have been able to spend a lot more time making my movie. <br />
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After the day job and then the baby related items, there isn't really much time to spend working on the movie - typical start time would be close to midnight.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Time spent making movie average 20mins a day for fouteen months. </span> </b></div>
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<ul>
<li>spending time with baby (and not working on your movie)</li>
</ul>
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When your baby is a newborn it is definately easier. For one I could rest his head on the top of my forearm and feet would snugly fit into my hand. I could just about contort myself enough to use my left hand to push down the Alt, Shift and Control keys (these are important in any 3D software), and use the right hand to move the mouse. <br />
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Even when baby was awake he would sit quietly and watch me work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now my boy is calling the shots (already doing better than me)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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As baby grows older a) you can't rest them snugly on your arm and b) they don't lie still for more than four seconds.<br />
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The long and short of it is that you can't work while baby is awake.<br />
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In fact you really shouldn't work when baby is awake as I found out whilst trying to set some renders off instead of focussing on baby and the ensuing catastrophe. I had to rebuild a lot of furniture that night. <br />
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I blame the multitasking culture that we live in. If I could get the renders kicked off during the day I could comp the files in the night. Of course those renders failed as I rushed through the set up whilst trying to make sure the bookshelves weren't pulled down.<br />
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<ul>
<li>What to do when you've got ideas in your head but you can't get to the computer</li>
</ul>
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<ul></ul>
You spend the whole day thinking about your own movie, but a combination of work and family life will keep you from getting to your machine. What can you do?<br />
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Remember: Patience and frustration are inversly proportional. Don;t blame yourself, it's just the way things are. <br />
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You just have to wait till the midnight hour. Of course that one hour you have to yourself will pass in the blink of an eye. <u><i>Stay focussed and whatever you do don't start taking photos of your monitors because you think it will look cool on your blog. </i></u><br />
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<ul>
<li>Anytime for yourself?</li>
</ul>
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No, unless you count working as your leisure time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg5DHhqf3X_fKiL5ilTdv66WQiM3knnCQlIo8efTK3S0q_6afJNx26oQm9lrmZBacegTyvHu1cNuAcWDWu29mcP375xpsL_fxAiP2HkPMD4jsxGRoWr1cAcmz87UYOf5A7R4lTBwqdao/s1600/DSC07753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg5DHhqf3X_fKiL5ilTdv66WQiM3knnCQlIo8efTK3S0q_6afJNx26oQm9lrmZBacegTyvHu1cNuAcWDWu29mcP375xpsL_fxAiP2HkPMD4jsxGRoWr1cAcmz87UYOf5A7R4lTBwqdao/s640/DSC07753.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all very well wanting it, but how do you keep yourself from getting distracted and taking photos of your workspace to put up on your blog? </td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><br />
</li>
<li>The acid test - how much do you want it? </li>
</ul>
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Time will pass, be it a week, a month, a year, that time will pass. You can choose where you want to be at the end of that time period. Do you want to have accomplished your goal or do you want to be in the same position as you are now?<br />
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If you really want it you'll have to focus on the long term reward and push your body through the pain and barrier. You'll also have to sacrifice everything you enjoy and hold dear.<br />
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Do not take this as scientific advice. Sleep is good it will get you through the day, but adrenelin will turbo charge you to get through any amount of time. You probably know that the adrenlin and excitement you get out of your projects is hard to achieve anywhere else. <br />
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<ul>
<li>So what is the right combination? </li>
</ul>
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Sure spending time and nuturing a relationship with your baby is definately important, perhaps the most important thing to give to your child is your time.<br />
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Personally I think another important thing is to set an example. You don't, well I certainly never want to be the type of parent who tells thier kid to do one thing whilst never having done it myself.<br />
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I think if your child sees you going after your goals and dreams then they'll be more likely to go after theirs. Either that or they'll see you as an abject failure and try to distance themselves from you at public functions...Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-35142253878379756292011-06-18T15:44:00.000-07:002013-08-15T07:18:28.873-07:00Sound Design<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 300; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hi this is a post from the sound designer on the project, his name is Yuval Gerstein, he did a great job scoring Digitopia: Discover Me. I've taken the following with permission from Yuval's blog at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://yuvalgerstein.com/2011/03/10/digitopia-animation-project/">http://yuvalgerstein.com/2011/03/10/digitopia-animation-project/</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">.</span></span></span></h1>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You can find out more about Yuval on his blog at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://yuvalgerstein.com/2011/03/10/digitopia-animation-project/">http://yuvalgerstein.co</a>m.</span></span></span></h1>
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DIGITOPIA animation project</h1>
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<span class="sep" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Posted on </span><a href="http://yuvalgerstein.com/2011/03/10/digitopia-animation-project/" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11:50 am"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2011-03-10T11:50:51+00:00" pubdate="">March 10, 2011</time></a></div>
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<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://yuvalgerstein.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/000_intro_0110_libra.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" height="299" src="http://yuvalgerstein.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/000_intro_0110_libra.jpg?w=535&h=299" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%;" title="Digitopia- Libra" width="535" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">D</strong>igitopia is a world created by Farhan Qureshi. He introduced me to this project at the beginning of 2011 and I was quite excited about it. Growing up in the 80′s, I was addicted to the early video games and used to skip school just to have a go at those huge arcade machines they had at the center of Jerusalem. So when Farhan asked me to write the music and sound design for his project I was thrilled.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">T</strong>he aim of the project was to create a short stand alone animation that would then be pitched at festivals around the world, namely the 2011 Cannes festival, in order to find investors to turn this into a full feature film.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">P</strong>retty early on I realized this was going to be much more about the sound design than about the music. The challange was to make Libra (the main character) speak to the audience and create the sounds that surround her in this digitopia world.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://yuvalgerstein.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/003_dodo_0010_libra_at_console.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" height="168" src="http://yuvalgerstein.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/003_dodo_0010_libra_at_console.jpg?w=300&h=168" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%;" title="Digitopia 1" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">W</strong>hen Libra finds the crazy arcade machine she starts playing with it out of curiosity and encounters digital holograms of long extinct animals. She interacts with the arcade machine and dangerous events unfold…</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I</strong> used my trusted Logic pro 9 for this project, and I found working with video on it is a breeze.</div>
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<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I</strong> think Farhan and his small team did a great job with digitopia, the animation is beautiful and captivating and I only had to reinforce that through the sounds and the music.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">U</strong>nfortunately I am not able to post the film here because it was sent to Festivals and has to be kept a surprise for now. I do hope it does well in festivals and that investors would see it’s potential to become a feature (3D??) animation film.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">C</strong>heck out Farhan’s blog for more information on this project : http://digitopiafilm.blogspot.com/</div>
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<a href="http://yuvalgerstein.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/001_lec_0010_at_doorway.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" height="168" src="http://yuvalgerstein.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/001_lec_0010_at_doorway.jpg?w=300&h=168" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%;" title="Digitopia Libra 1" width="300" /></a></div>
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Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-89649434530314345272011-06-17T16:25:00.000-07:002013-08-15T07:19:26.807-07:00Anatomy of a shot - from storyboards to post<h1>
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Hi, sorry it's been a while since my last post, been busy moving jobs and moving to a new city too (more about that in a later post). </div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Super fast update - I f i n i s h e d t h e m o v i e ! ! ! </span></i></b></div>
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Now I am busy sending it off to film festivals around the world, a full time occupation unto itself. </div>
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For this post I will show how I progressed through all the various stages to complete the short film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Digitopia: Discover Me</i>, the processes I employed and how I managed the whole process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<u>Background<span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span><o:p></o:p></u></h1>
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I have several years of experience as a CGI artist and filmmaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have worked in various guises as a Maya Generalist, Crowd Sim TD, Effects TD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the process I have used previz to gain approval for design elements that I wished to use further down the pipeline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I have been making short films for several years, I have the ability to plot out sequences which portray various emotions relevant to the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have studied Film Directing and am fully conversant with the techniques used to direct attention including </div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span> shot composition </div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span> clear staging of foreground and background elements, </div>
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<o:p> </o:p>When I started my short film the first stage was to translate the script into a shot list and make decisions regarding the flow and pacing of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main considerations I had were</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>I worked with multiple storyboard and concept artists to help me to establish</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span> a shot list</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Storyboards to help set up shot sequences [credit: Lucy Blundell]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Concept art to help model environment [credit: Rob Richardson]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Concept art to establish lighting and particle effects [credit: Stephen Trumble]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>The blocking was done in two parts first blocking in the cameras to establish timings and shot flow</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The characters were left largely unanimated while I blocked all the compositions, camera movements and timings in</span><span style="color: blue;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I would then assemble and edit purely to evaluate the camera movements and timings</div>
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Basic posing which explains the character’s situation was enough to evaluate whether the edit was working and how I could change it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Multiple iterations between blocking and editing were necessary before animation could begin</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>The timings of the sequences were subject to change to allow the characters appropriate time for their animation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;">With the cameras in place the animation allowed the piece to come to life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>After multiple iterations of animation it is time to add lights to the scene to set up the ambience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Through shadows and contrasts, lighting can heighten the tension in the script<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>I decided to leave effects to the end, the edit needed to be locked down at this stage.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The use of expressions and ramps replaces keyframing used in traditional animation<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>I would then take all the rendered layers and composite and grade the footage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The final stage could not have been accomplished without a robust previz pipeline <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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There were over fifty shots in the short film which I had to manage through the various stages (from blocking to grading) and provide feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the various different edits I appraised each shot and decided upon only those that merited their place in the final film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There were many elements, that needed to be tracked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case I had to match up the GUI elements which another artist was providing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-92007103358720069232011-03-29T14:06:00.000-07:002013-08-15T07:20:32.722-07:00Effects blog entry<div class="MsoNormal">
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<u>Doing the effects in super speed</u></div>
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I had initially wanted to put effects everywhere in pretty much every scene of the movie. However to finish the movie off on time I was left with one and a half days to do all the effects off. One and half days to do the effects for the whole movie = not going to happen. </div>
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Before even starting the effects I still had to<br />
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<li>grade the movie, </li>
<li>composite the effects and layers (it's odd you spend so much time breaking everything into separate layers in 3D only to put them back to together in 2D)</li>
<li>sort out the hologram effects, </li>
<li>finalise all the GUI stuff </li>
<li>sort out the credit list (fortunately I had some help from Craig with these three items), </li>
<li>work with the sound designer </li>
<li>do the dodo to mammoth transformation (a blog entry in itself) to do. </li>
<li>render out the final edit (how many times will Premiere crash?), conform the movie </li>
<li>burn the movie to disc case (this is fraught with danger) I wanted to also create some cool cover art for the disc (I didn't really fancy going to bed this month anyway) </li>
<li>and send it off to the festival (i.e get to the post office and hope there isn't too long a queue)</li>
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I had about two and a half weeks to do all this before the deadline, I really needed the effects done super quickly. Fortunately being an effects artist as a day job you get used to starting and completing complex <i>unplanned</i> effects shots by the end of the day - only this time I was the producer setting these ridiculous schedules. <br />
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<u>The spreadsheet knows best<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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To figure out how to do this I went back to the master spreadsheet and looked at all the shots that I could realistically put effects in (in a day and a half). </div>
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I categorised each shot as either an</div>
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FX A – grade ‘A’ shot where the effects were essential to the plot</div>
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FX B – grade ‘B’ shot where the effects would support the plot</div>
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Pretty much all the other shots would be a grade ‘C’ shot where I’d like to have effects in there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJph3c2sw9Mj3GScxmPRNdDnpueXgBl446eWhgl1BLkR-yLa5q6YNAUdjYBvdMd9bhLqOHXGHIM4Msl2W3L8OhEBqxuTuc3T-McyQ9PjD9JMa9J6ogc-hRCZCCFQIgYpQQEIk5JfZPoA/s1600/fig_01_spreadsheet_FXgrade_.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJph3c2sw9Mj3GScxmPRNdDnpueXgBl446eWhgl1BLkR-yLa5q6YNAUdjYBvdMd9bhLqOHXGHIM4Msl2W3L8OhEBqxuTuc3T-McyQ9PjD9JMa9J6ogc-hRCZCCFQIgYpQQEIk5JfZPoA/s640/fig_01_spreadsheet_FXgrade_.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fig 1. I went through each of the sequences I split them up into FX A and FX B grades<br />
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Fig 2. It dawned fairly early that the snow around the mammoth would be the major area to focus on getting right. </div>
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This initial list gave me a total of 18 effects shots of which it broke down into </div>
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11 grade As and</div>
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7 grade Bs</div>
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Time was running out (I had just spent half a day updating the spreadsheet <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>) pretty much all the FX B particles had to be cut, I then had to focus on the most important FX A shots. </div>
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I started on the Dodo Dust and the Mammoth Snow as I called them. As it was getting late I split the work thus</div>
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1 day on the simulation - I thought getting the particle animation right was most important</div>
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Half a day on the rendering – well rendering particles should be pretty straight forward, right? WRONG!!!</div>
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<u>Particle Sim<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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Simulating the particles was very quick it’s just as well that this is my day job I managed to whizz through the simulation phase very quickly.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XKYDsEMaz9E" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
Video 01. with and without Dodo Dust and Mammoth Snow</div>
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I won’t go into any great depth on how to create particle effects there are many good tutorials for that. The basic set for the sim involved render type sprites on the particles. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp8kBXkpLe6kGucwYIlsIlt89_kRDITz0Rk_bCV-uE81omcxyNUBICxv_xxyzFXU71Bk5pdJNlSHd4vmkznWKv1nub19Q5t4kSv60MJAHJaMi4jREq7v8AZ9wzj5cjBbWKm8xF0NnSSs/s1600/fig_03_dodo_dust_set_up.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp8kBXkpLe6kGucwYIlsIlt89_kRDITz0Rk_bCV-uE81omcxyNUBICxv_xxyzFXU71Bk5pdJNlSHd4vmkznWKv1nub19Q5t4kSv60MJAHJaMi4jREq7v8AZ9wzj5cjBbWKm8xF0NnSSs/s640/fig_03_dodo_dust_set_up.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
Fig 3. Basic setup of the Dodo Dust</div>
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I quickly set up some basic expressions to control the lifespan (lifespanPP means per particle lifespan), the scale (which used a ramp over its life), the twist and opacity (again using a scale) – again many sites that will go into the particulars of each data type for you (I recommend the particularly excellent digital tutors although other particular excellent sites are available). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr4g7A26PGDAdUpWlFW12bLqtqaxj7ZqGqP1s3nSRd9V8Pf7Wz8pNmJxsFGixALcvRLdkH-KYjvzFVdaZzfSZwKaUKiyfvKkuhtx-S8VVvKsefD5HS_LID2HavuPeCsLu-9YevaBSHz0/s1600/fig_04_basic_expressions.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr4g7A26PGDAdUpWlFW12bLqtqaxj7ZqGqP1s3nSRd9V8Pf7Wz8pNmJxsFGixALcvRLdkH-KYjvzFVdaZzfSZwKaUKiyfvKkuhtx-S8VVvKsefD5HS_LID2HavuPeCsLu-9YevaBSHz0/s1600/fig_04_basic_expressions.gif" /></a></div>
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Fig 4. Setting up some basic expressions on the ground snow</div>
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I threw in a couple of quick fields to add some turbulence and gravity, you can always use the relationship editor to see which fields effect which particles. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkrUX22kbJCpjHZhTNS32TY33dftHbixPDWh5HKnIdYRC5wZoHdwhbBalSwveVnrABZl9kbQhQ1dQmy9xNFs4UEuqz1VhZZR9g3kXOhifJy_mR5xn9j9kRcZLoto0uegDPlBp6Xcmjl8/s1600/fig_05_relationship_editor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkrUX22kbJCpjHZhTNS32TY33dftHbixPDWh5HKnIdYRC5wZoHdwhbBalSwveVnrABZl9kbQhQ1dQmy9xNFs4UEuqz1VhZZR9g3kXOhifJy_mR5xn9j9kRcZLoto0uegDPlBp6Xcmjl8/s1600/fig_05_relationship_editor.gif" /></a></div>
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Fig 5. Adding fields can soon get out of hand, name them sensibly and use the Dynamic relationship editor (Windows | Relationship Editors | Dynamic Relationships)</div>
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<u>Particle Rendering<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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The thing about working at the top post production companies as everyone who works in such places will tell you is that you have all these wonderful in-house rendering tools to render particles in amazingly quick and reliable ways. These are great but when you try to do the same thing at home alone you don’t have any of these wonderful tools and have to go back to basics. </div>
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For some odd reason I got a lovely alpha channel with the Mammoth Snow, but with the dodo dust I could only get the alpha of the small spots to render and not the dust at ground level. </div>
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To combat this I used a combination of the maya hardware renderer and the render buffer to get the job done.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWUTTjn035ePh1rQfyTBlUv00gTazsxk4JufScGencPaJKc1HqVDGgw0_tgRHN4o9uXI1mJUQloDp5nfM67GG8t_2IGEi37mKGhwp7liph6X4a-72SJkTx0IIHxRErgfv0GiOwXD8rko/s1600/fig_06_maya_hardware_render.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWUTTjn035ePh1rQfyTBlUv00gTazsxk4JufScGencPaJKc1HqVDGgw0_tgRHN4o9uXI1mJUQloDp5nfM67GG8t_2IGEi37mKGhwp7liph6X4a-72SJkTx0IIHxRErgfv0GiOwXD8rko/s1600/fig_06_maya_hardware_render.gif" /></a></div>
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Fig 6. The Maya Hardware renderer is fairly basic, considering the time I had available it probably wasn’t a bad thing as I didn’t have to navigate through a myriad of settings.</div>
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The even older school way of rendering out particles, which I’m sure no post production house uses anymore is the hardware render buffer. I used these back in the day when I matchmoved shots and had to render out wireframes and cones to prove the camera track – oh what fun it was…</div>
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Fig 7a. the hardware render buffer gives various controls to render out multi pass (for motion blurred particle effects) and various draw styles</div>
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Fig 7b. There are various Alpha sources you can choose from the Alpha Source drop down</div>
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Fig 7c. Here you can set the draw style, render your particles as points or smooth shaded (i.e. for sprites), you can also render out the whole thing as a wire frame. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsVOyn2JCdQvKEpZPf1pL_MXb_anpQsXjGVj6K3ZFnObmYHGgEItm0yWoa9F4WShCuRHxeRiGJ9QkEe2MLyZQcUey3waTCzsiz11XFp0zL9kSpeb2A9NRzBnafXjOogWoGvuTlecRZK4/s1600/fig_08_hardware_render_buff.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsVOyn2JCdQvKEpZPf1pL_MXb_anpQsXjGVj6K3ZFnObmYHGgEItm0yWoa9F4WShCuRHxeRiGJ9QkEe2MLyZQcUey3waTCzsiz11XFp0zL9kSpeb2A9NRzBnafXjOogWoGvuTlecRZK4/s640/fig_08_hardware_render_buff.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fig 8. All in all the hardware render buffer gave a fairly okay output, it was more the speed I needed to hit the deadline. </div>
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<u>Still to do – time running out rapidly<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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All in all for a day and half work I think it came out quite well, by focussing on the effects that pushed the story forward I was able to stay on course (a course which involves no sleep for the next two weeks, but a course none the less). I could have spent a lot longer on polishing the effects and creating more effects for each shot, but as everyone who works in CG knows, <i>you never really finish a shot you just run out of time…</i></div>
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Next step compositing and grading. </div>
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Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200674951199860850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646280489770055681.post-61528938815551034482011-01-21T16:27:00.000-08:002013-08-15T07:21:28.435-07:00Lighting pass 01 – not to be taken lightly<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have just last night completed the first pass of lighting, in all I have lit 54 shots in two weeks. Given that the typical work time is two hours per day (starting at 10pm), that works out to almost <gasp> two shots an hour </gasp>. Obviously numbers are misleading, what I actually did was spend more time on setting up a light rig for a particular area/camera angle and then propagated that light rig through to all the shots that need them. Here’s the first pass of the lighting.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Video 1. The opening sequence with first pass lighting, preview render quality </span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving onto lighting – why it’s important</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Some may say that lighting is the most important part of the movie, mostly these are lighting artists and people trying to sell books on (CG) lighting. Deciding which element is the most important element in the movie is a debate unto itself (it’s effects by the way </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-GB">) but lighting is so crucially important in determining the tone and feel of the piece it is certainly worth tackling in isolation. </span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lighting strategy</span></span></u><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before even starting the lighting I devised a strategy for completing all the shots on time to a high enough standard that would require as little rework as possible. The date for finishing the lighting was Sunday 16<sup>th</sup> Jan 11 (yes that’s the Sunday before writing this post) and there is a fair amount of rework to be done... But without a strategy I’d be even further adrift. </span></span></div>
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Fig 1. I like to know what I want to achieve before I turn on the computer</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The main points were to investigate what settings would be useful and what wouldn’t. I spent a lot of time considering whether or not to use <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Global Illumination </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Final Gather</i>. While these obviously beautify an image are they really necessary and worth the extra rendering time? Those of you who have played with these know that it can more than double the rendering time, given that I’m working to a deadline I couldn’t really afford all these extra overheads. </span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Searching for reference</span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The biggest task in determining which strategy to use was the use of reference. I stumbled across this excellent blog </span><a href="http://www.evanerichards.com/blog/?p=561"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.evanerichards.com/blog/?p=561</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“American Cinematographer” nominates the top 50 best shot films of the last decade</i>. This was a real gold mine, I looked through every one of them and selected the ones that I felt would represent Digitopia the best. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A theme started to occur in the images that I was selecting, they were all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">low key</i> (i.e. the ratio between the key and the fill was very low, so the key light is much brighter than the fill light) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">high contrast</i>. They all had heavy shadowed areas and light on only half the face or around the edges with the eyes mainly in focus. </span></span></div>
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Fig 2. Deciding on a low key solution – I put the images that appealed most to me over my monitors</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I created a mood board and posted it above my monitors to constantly refer to while doing lighting. Of course this was slightly futile since I have to work in the dark as my boy sleeps in the next room. I would however constantly refer to these boards at other times. This strong aesthetic appeared so early I knew that this was the lighting rig I wanted to use. I could now rule out the use of Final Gather and Global Illumination - as awesome as these are they not going to be necessary for me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson learnt: let the art dictate what you are going to do, not the technology.</span> </span></i></b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(repeat three times before going to bed)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Working through the shots</span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I alluded to in the intro I knew I had two weeks to get through 54 odd shots, there are five main sequences or areas of interest. My method of working was to aim to get through each area of interest in three nights, the plan being spend two nights setting up all the lighting nuances and then in the third night import and test all the rigs in the other shots that require this light rig. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fig 3. I would try to spend the bulk of the time making critical choices about lighting</span></span></div>
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Fig 4. Keeping track of which light rig to use was a task in itself, but time spent well if I need to make any changes. </div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Render farms vs online rendering </span>services<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> vs render it yourself</span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At this stage I wanted to focus exclusively on the lighting, the motivation of the lighting and how the story could be told with the use of lights. Actually working without audio at this point really helped focus the attention on the lights and animation to tell the whole story. Having said that it would be incredibly irresponsible to not consider how all of this would be rendered out. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How am I going to render out this (mini) epic? The initial thought turned towards render farms. How practical is the use of render farms and setting one up? </span></span></div>
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Fig 5. Should I or shouldn’t I? </div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does it really make sense to spend a month setting up a render farm that will be used for one month? You do the math. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Given the amount of time it would take to ftp up and down the files and tackling all the dependencies for images and references would be mission in itself. This pretty much ruled out an online service. </span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Enter the savior - command line rendering</span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started to read up about command line rendering. At first all things <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shell</i> can seem a bit daunting but given the other enormity of the other options it was well worth researching this. It turns out command line rendering is</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">a)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">really simple to use</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">b)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">a lot faster than batch rendering. You don’t have to have Maya open, all the resources can be tailored to the render and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">c)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">you can stack multiple command lines together in a single .bat file</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fig 6. command line rendering + .bat files = success </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to learn more about command line rendering visit the excellent digital tutors website or this very cool link that explains it all too </span><a href="http://www.jawa9000.com/Technical/batch/batch-rendering.htm"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.jawa9000.com/Technical/batch/batch-rendering.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So as each shot was lit I would append the path to it to the end of the batch file. When the clock struck midnight (or thereafter) I would force myself to down tools and go to bed (my baby would wake me up soon after and I have to go to work), but not before I double click on the batch file. While I sleep the renders get done!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Note 1: when you do render through a .bat file be aware that all the images will get put in whatever the last folder you had your project set to. It’s not an issue, well it’s not an issue now that I figured it out </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings;">K</span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note 2: you may well get up at night just to check the frames rendered out okay. Don’t do this, it will be fine, sleep, get you energy up for tomorrow’s fight. </span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lighting with a GUI that isn’t yet complete</span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the areas of interest is where my character, Libra is interacting with the arcade machine. At this point I don’t have the final GUI (graphical user interface) art for the arcade machine screen. All I have is very crude placeholder screen grabs for what the arcade machine monitor may/may not look like. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m working with a very talented artist to do the GUI work (more on that in a future post), we working online together using online meeting clients (working online is a whole post in itself) and discussing and reviewing concepts and WIP (work in progress). The GUI is going to be one of the major sources of lights. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So how can I light without knowing what the source of light looks like?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During our discussions this theme came up several times, the way we resolved it was to come up with an understanding of the story and how the GUI itself would emit different colours depending upon the intensity of the situation. Roughly speaking we managed to get a basic colour scheme of light the GUI will emit through the sequences, of course these may all be up for changes and iterations as we progress. </span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next stop – Render City</span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now is the winter of our rendering, the upside being when I finish winter will be over and it will be spring. I’ve managed to keep the average render time to around thirty seconds per frame at 720HD, preview quality in Mental Ray. Obviously I will turn up the quality settings but there are two other major components that will add more immersion to the film</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Motion blur and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Depth of field </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I wanted to focus exclusively on the lights I haven’t tested out these techniques yet, but from my research I am going to use the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mip_motionblur/mip_motionvector</i> nodes to calculate the motion blur without adding any time on to the renders. This will be a major boon if I can get it working, if you have ever rendered out motion blur you will know how much it increases render times. These mental ray nodes allow for much more control of the motion blur. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To achieve the depth of field I am planning on rendering out an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">luminance depth</i> layer and together with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">camera blur</i> tools in After Effects achieve really controllable depth of field which I intend to animate on some shots to pull focus in particular between Libra and the console/dodo/mammoth. </span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Countdown to Cannes </span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my previous post I wrote I want to get this all done by March 5<sup>th</sup> 2011 to enter it into Cannes. I would like to spend more time on lighting but as we all know you could spend months and years on it (animation/lighting/rendering/effects) without ever finishing it. The most important thing for this project is to get it to a standard where I can enter it into Cannes, that far outweighs any minor tweaking. It’s the story and its execution that more than any amount of tweaking will deem its success. Need to get this done...</span></span></div>
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