Yup Dreamworks are at it again. The creators of Shrek and Madagascar are back with a new animated adventure that looks like fun. The full length trailer was released yesterday and it looks like what you would expect from Dreamworks.

I heard about this a few years ago but never really heard anything till today and I must say I am very much surprised. Sporting the trademark character style of it's previous projects this looks like Dreamworks have finally bought out an original idea for an animated movie. Don't know if anyone else has noticed but most of the animations being bought out over the few years since Toy Story and Shrek were released each one sported very much the same stories. Now the studios are getting it together again, with "UP", "9" and now "How to Train your Dragon" we could be seeing more great animations.

"Synopsis: A Viking teenager named Hiccup lives on the island of Berk, where fighting dragons is a way of life. The teen’s smarts and offbeat sense of humor don’t sit too well with his tribe or its chief… who just happens to be Hiccup’s father. However, when Hiccup is included in Dragon Training with the other Viking teens, he sees his chance to prove he has what it takes to be a fighter. But when he encounters (and ultimately befriends) an injured dragon, his world is flipped upside down, and what started out as Hiccup’s one shot to prove himself turns into an opportunity to set a new course for the future of the entire tribe."



The dragon looks very cute in this. Almost Pokemon like I suppose and definitely different from most dragon designs and concepts out there like the long snake like neck, thou saying that it is very snake like in appearance. This is being bought to the cinema's in 3D, which seems to be the in thing for films these days, which is why parts of the trailer run threw or the camera view looks towards something coming towards you and sometimes look out of place. And this film from the looks of it will suit in 3D. I love the eye's of the dragon as it changes from sharp and hard like a snake to cute and cuddly, so great.

Well Enjoy

See you in the Vortex.

glitter-graphics.com

After a long wait the new Avatar trailer is now available online in hi-def and looks amazing.


"Avatar is the story of an ex-Marine on the planet Pandora who, as an Avatar – a human mind in an alien body – finds himself in a desperate fight for his survival and that of the indigenous beings called Na’vi."

Hopefully this will not echo films like "Final Fantasy: The Spirits within" with stunning visual effects but poor storyline but so far it's looking pretty damned good.

Nice little in-names there. The title "Avatar" makes more sense now with the humans using half-human half-Na'Vi and using them as puppets (bit like the avatars in things like second life) and the planet name "Pandora"? Now there is a name that is bound to bring in a lot of trouble.

Thou some of the animation does look "animated" which brings you back to reality but for the most it still looks impressive and dying to see it now. Some I have heard complain that it looks flat but that's becuase this is going to be coming out in 3-D in cinema's which is why it tends to look flat to the naked eye. If this is in 3-D it's going to look amazing.

Watch the trailer and then at the end admit that your jaw is wide open

In Other News:
Flat hunting has been very disappointing from rooms that were not as advertised to agents not turning up. But seeing a nice little flat share on Monday so finger's crossed.

Doctor Who: Waters of Mars has had a confirmed air date of Nov 16th on BBC 1

New YouTube page

And Christmas is getting here faster!

See you in the Vortex.

I have been meaning to write this for some time but been a bit busy. Now I finally have the time for this entry.

Obviously the recession affected a lot of people. But with me finding it hard to get work, many of my friends and relatives I find are often asking the same questions to me "Will the recession have an effect on the film industry?"

It does seem impossible with the amount of films being released each year that film makers or VFX artist are having trouble, especially in the UK where a lot of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters are being filmed and made yet no one seems to think the UK could be capable of competing with the likes of ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) and other effects houses and film studio's located across America's southern states. We don't seem to be doing bad.

I have read a report from the UK film council on UK films production from Jan 09 to Sept 09. Film production in the first nine months of this year were £857.2 million, compared to last years £512.3 mill from the same first months as last year thou we seemed be making less films and spending more on them, average budgets are also up from previous years. But these tend to be contributions from multiple sources outside. The recession has had some effect with some drop in the the averages of budgets yet we seem to be making more films.

But surely more films are being made without VFX and CGI to save on money? From the looks of it no.

The London VFX houses don't seem to be having much trouble. In fact a couple of the biggest houses in London are reporting to be fully booked with work till 2011, with the new Harry Potter effects being generated in London as well as the new film "Where the Wild Things" London is making it self more known for it's CG and VFX and a lot of it in high quality.

I have been noticing more job openings coming up in the British film industry, and with some reports early this year from various job sites mentioning the film industry making a quicker recovery. Seems this may be coming true thou not entirely recovered what with budget cuts to TV shows and re-showing of old shows instead of making new ones. Film doesn't seem too bad at this point and all thou budget is down quality doesn't seem to be.



Sources:
Times Online Article
UK Film Council Research and Statistics Unit

See you in the Vortex.

This was leaked a few days ago but the official release today is today at 9pm Pacific time, but since I don't live in Pacific time I am going to share it today just a few hours earlier then Disney's release.

Over the past few weeks teaser posters have been released over the internet featuring various character's. Even these look funny.





I think I like the Rex one, he's always been a secret favorite of mine.

As most already know the film is about what happens to our heroes when Andy goes to College and his box of toys are donated to a day care center (Nursery is the UK equivalent). The new trailer encompasses that as well as a cute montage of young Andy with the toys in the form of a home movie made by "mum". Then the real action of the trailer begins.

Just by watching the trailer you can see how far Pixar has come since Toy Story 1. The human animation, modeling and expression have vastly improved and makes the film seemed more polished. The film also keeps up with the quick quips, gags, and funny montages like the series of Day Care mishaps with the kids and the issue with Buzz's resetting to factory standard language will also keep folks laughing. Who doesn't want a Spanish speaking pom pas spaceman?

Animation looks as good as ever.

Cinema Release: 18 June - US, 23rd July - UK

I did have my reservations about a 3rd installment of this film franchise and thinking that Disney exec's would kill Toy Story by sequel it to death. Which nearly happened when they bought the Toy Story name and franchise from Pixar, but luckily Pixar saved the day by re-doing the story and bringing out trailers that actually make it look like it is as good as the previous 2. Thou fears are not fully rested it is chained up for the moment but I'm sure things will be fine.

Enjoy the new trailer and share your thoughts. Remember you don't have to be a bravejournal member to make a comment.





Sources:
SlashFilm
HeyUGuys

See you in the Vortex.

Got confirmation of this animations entry late last night. Sad thing Is there is only 5 other entries with 6 days to go, need 20 for the competition to go ahead, so fingers crossed.

This does sound better on my machine, I think it's the compression.


Check out the other entries here

See you in the Vortex!

Yup the BBC released it this morning




I loved it the moment I first saw it on the official website this morning.

Different yet familiar. I think most have read that this new series is going to be a reboot of what has gone before, the TARDIS has gone back to the same design on the outside as William Hartnell's 1st Doctor back in 1963. Not sure about the inside but I do know that the inside of the TARDIS and the screwdriver have had a makeover. Always been a but skeptical about reboots but from what I have heard so far it is looking good. I have talked about it briefly in another blog post

I love how this new logo has gone back to the familiar taking inspiration from the classic logos



It's got a nice little Hartnell feel to it and the "Doctor Who 2010" gives it an futuristic/modern reminder. Will be interesting to see what they do with the titles as I understand it they are bringing back the face in the title sequence as well, thou I will miss the TARDIS flying threw the Vortex at speed.

Still got 3 more specials with David Tennant coming this year with "Waters of Mars" being aired soon, no confirmed date as yet, it was said to be around Halloween.

Logo is available as a wallpaper on the BBC website, but sticking to my Christopher Eccleston/Destro one for now (Just love the suit look)

What do you think about the new logo? You can comment on the post using the form below, you don't have to be a bravenet member to make a comment just post away and/or you can vote on what you think here would love to see what others think of it.

In Other News:
HIV campaign vid is now done and uploaded to Eyeka.com waiting for confirmation of acceptance before sharing I think in case there is a problem. Closing date is soon so I am hoping to hear something, only thing is there is one other entry and if they don't get 20 videos by the 13th then it won't go ahead which is a real shame. So much work goes into these videos and then nothing happens.

Happy Birthday to mum today, she is out enjoying the sun in Greece with Dad.

Still flat hunting, just been told one of the flats I wanted to see has just this minute gone. Typical, still got some to see hopefully will have days and times soon.

Oh yeah Website will be 2 years old on the 19th Nov, so going to do some updating, deleting and moving about but nothing major so stayed tuned by subscribing to the blog, following me on Twitter, or becoming a friend on Facebook. If you are going to follow me on Facebook put "LottyAnimatedUK" in the message so I know your not a spammer.

I think that might be all.

See you in the new vortex logo

Finished this book this morning now going to share with you. (And don't roll your eyes, I see you)

One of my all time favorite entertainers, always makes me laugh and this book is no different.

The title of the book certainly is appropriate for the man in so many ways. The book takes us threw the thoughts, ramblings, musings and anecdotes of this family man and much loved entertainer and as you read it would explain a lot about his personality. As he explains in this book, this is not a biography, more of a things that have happened to me kind of book.

This book is laugh out loud from start to finish, even the last pages makes you carry on laughing. Well with a chapter like "I date-raped myself" and a chapter on his war with nits is bound to be funny and struck interest, I know I had to have the book when I saw the date-rape chapter, just had to find out. It's like sitting in his kitchen having a cuppa and the dog cleaning itself by our feet, just like having a conversation then a story book as most autobiographies are, highly enjoyable. Must of looked like a mad women sitting at Gatwick airport laughing my ass off. Only people who would sit with me were my family.

Anyway, this book takes us threw the musings and memories of childhood, growing up and becoming a father as well as making it in the business. The book is just as entertaining as the man. Thou I have to say I have never felt the need to strip and jump my optician when going for my bi-yearly examination.

Overall highly enjoyable. This book does delve pretty deeply in to sexual awakening, masturbation, sex and various names to call woman's appendages so not suitable for thous who aren't into explicit sex in books but you can jump the chapter as he does give warning. This book does not cover the Russell Brand Radio fiasco as this was released roughly the same time as this happened so don't expect any talk on that in this book. If your not keen on the guy then don't buy the book just to pick at every little thing as I know some do, saw a review and focused too much on the radio fiasco then the content of the book which is a shame and highly misleading. Leave the book for the little people fans like me.

Jonathan Ross - Why do I say these things? can purchased from
Waterstones
Amazon
Play.com

Next Book:
Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy



I know what some of you are thinking 'Is she mad?" going from Jonathan Ross to a literary classic?

Simple answer. Yes.
Got the film "Jude" on DVD starring Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet (Yeah I know another Chris film but he is so yummy) And have been told it's better to read the book then see the film which is what I am doing. And I try to read the book that a film is based off of before seeing it for the most part, better that way I think as then you are not skipping parts of the book that the film left out just so you have something familiar to read about.

In Other News:
HIV campaign vid is still in post. Did a render off yesterday and needs some tweaking, got 13 days left to do it in.

I did purchase Autodesk Entertainment Creation suite off of eBay then the guy turned round and said it's a student license so told the guy no thanks today so a little pissed off about that as a student license is useless to me.

Hopefully seeing a house share in Peckham tomorrow and going to start nagging other agents too for the viewings I want.

Escape Studios are doing a animation competition, prize is a online course with them and a chance for some work experience at The Mill. Interested check 'em out. Escape are also on Twitter

That's all for now folks

See you in the Vortex.

Well the Maya render is now completly done with now, which is a relief becuase it took forever mainly from the hardware render and a couple of crashes due to internet issues but back on track now back in composting.

Did have a couple of issues when I hit the composting part as I found that the hardware render wasn't done properly, the rain was appearing threw the buildings, walls and objects so that obviously couldn't happen so went back in and changed everything to green so it can be removed in After Effects and still make the rain look like it's behind and in front of objects. The green was difficult to remove but simply and quickly I added a channel mixer to the layer and turned in monochrome so the scene is black but not the rain and then changed the blending mode so the scene can be seen on the back plate. I think the end result looks better then the original, the rain is certainly easier to see (depending on your screen settings)



As you can see from the video I broke it down into 3 stages. First stage/plate is what I had originally and as you can see as the vid pans up to the building it doesn't look natural and the rain has no depth and just falls threw the building. Second Stage/plate is the re-render of the hardware with everything in one single colour to make it easier to remove. Third and final stage is what it looks like now and I'm sure you will agree it works.

I have now entered the stage on putting it all together now then the final render.

In Other News:
I am upgrading from Maya 8.0 to Maya 2010. I got a FANTASTIC deal for a entertainment package from Autodesk with Maya, 3DSMax, mudbox and 2 other programs I am so pleased with this deal. Means I can continue working with an update version of the progames for a few more years.

Still flat hunting in London, if you are looking for a fun, easy going, always pay on time tenant or flat mate? Get in contact.

I think that's all for now.

See you in the Vortex.

Well got a email yesterday from Eyeka.com with results from the Philips: Let Your Ears Decide campaign that I entered in for. And sadly no win, but there were some great vids so not much surprised. The Winner was a user called "Flashgordon" with "The Sound of Love" so check him out.

As usual some had some problems with the winner but they are not worth the time. Decision is final by Philips. So onto the next project and improve and learn. But this video was featured in the Eyeka.com's editors pick so still very proud about that.

Here is my entry in case you missed it.



Patrick Swayze  has died from his long battle with pancreatic cancer. He will be missed and my thoughts are with his family at this time. I have been thinking about this clip from MASH, just as brave here as he was in real life.

Keith Floyd the BBC cook has also passed away with a heart attack. Another great shame he had his problems with drink as well as a long fight with bowel cancer but such a great guy. He will be missed.

On a slightly higher note, still looking for a place in London so any help would be appreciated.

See you in the Vortex.