LightWave Studios in California

[JMarc]

Digital Domain (Venice, California) uses LightWave for some stuff. Mainly in the commercial department but some feature film work too as you can see in Titanic.

Here is an online list of projects where LightWave was used in some way:

http://adh.best.vwh.net/lwproj.html

I will add that I personally used LightWave to create elements for the playback graphics in "The Tuxedo" and "Bulletproof Monk" too but I don't work in California. :)

[Mythigo]

Thanks for the info. Personally, I don't really mind what people use to produce 3D with, but I do mind blanket statements that smack of absolutism. LightWave is a tool that I think has wonderful abilities and qualities, so I hate when it's dismissed out-of-hand.

[JMarc]

I agree. Software shouldn't matter. It's the artists that count.

It's not so easy to convince potential clients who have only ever heard of Maya until you show them the great work you've produced with something else. This happens pretty often around here in Toronto, home of Alias|Wavefront! Why just yesterday a client was being toured through our studio and when he was told of our use of LightWave he said he had never heard of it. It doesn't really matter. It was our reel of work that brought him here!

For the record we also use Houdini, Max and Maya here but LightWave is the workhorse! (I will add that we have a couple of old Softimage licenses sitting on the shelf too). What it comes down to at our studio is what software the artist can work best in and use to get great results quickly.

[wgreenlee1]

Well here is one (http://www.dnahelix.com/santa.html) you might check out.
Imax then its supposed to go to the theators soon...

got the link from Lux (http://www.luxology.net/index_d.aspx) so I hope I dont start a flame war ......

[Scott 3d]

Nick Digital, Computer Cafe and Eden fx all use Lightwave.

[AAbel]

Area 51 is all Lightwave (for the 3d stuff).

[Nikos]

Here's a couple of more links:

http://www.lalightwave.com/jobs.htm

[proton]

check out thethread about my trip to LA....in just a short 2 days I went to several bad ass LW shops like :

Digital Domain

Zoic

Area 51

Digital Threshold

UFO Films

Eden FX

Pixel Magic

and...and...and....

Check out this list (not complete) and it should explain alot:

http://www.lightwave3d.com/product/projects_list.html

[Mythigo]

Cool. Awesome, guys. Thanks much.:thumbsup:

[Remi]

YAY FOR LIGHTWAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!:bounce: :bounce: :applause: :applause:

[SplineGod]

Originally posted by Mythigo
Recently over the past few months I've had some people tell me that LightWave isn't used at production houses in California. I know that this isn't true, but can anyone tell me what studios do use LW in a major role?

Also, what movies (bigscreen) used LW for the final renders that went into the film?

Facts people, I need facts. Frankly I'm tired of hearing how Maya and XSI are the only apps used and that LW doesn't measure-up. Mind you, the people telling me this are for the most part laymen, but I'd like to have some ammo to shoot back with (preferably large caliber).

Thanks kind people.
Those "some" people dont have a clue what theyre talking about.
You have two types of Lightwave studios:
Those that use only lightwave
Those that use Lightwave and other 3D software.
Heres some studios of the top of my head that use Lightwave:
UFO
S4
Eden F/X
Zoic
Digital Domain
Pixel Magic
Area 51
Threshold Digital
Rhythm and Hues
Amalgamated Pixels
Disney Imagineering
There are lots of others too...

[3DDave]

Don't forget ILM.

Episode 2's CG R2-D2 was animated and rendered in Lightwave.

David

[NanoGator]

What's life like in those areas of California? Can somebody making 40k a year survive?

I'm probably going to apply at DD or EdenFX in the coming months, but am unsure about where i'd want to live around there.

Any tips?

[CIM]

XSI is barely used at all yet; it's still too new. Most are probably still using SoftImage.

Lightwave is used in alot of studios. Who cares what cluelesss noobs and biased ppl. say, anyway. Look at Newtek project list and other info. out there.

Showing how much Lightwave is used and what it's used for is Newtek's role. If they can't go toe-to-toe with alias/wavefront or avid, then it's their problem. If they're not playing the same game, then they'll lose.

[SplineGod]

Originally posted by NanoGator
What's life like in those areas of California? Can somebody making 40k a year survive?

I'm probably going to apply at DD or EdenFX in the coming months, but am unsure about where i'd want to live around there.

Any tips?
You can probably survive on $40k a year out here. I would really do as much as I could do before just moving out here. Its fairly expensive out here. I would try and find someone who actually works at those places and get as much info out of them as you can. DD typically hires people on a project basis. Be prepared to get hired and laid off rapidly. I would also look at working somewhere else cheaper and closer to where you live and build up a good demo reel and experience. Siggraph and similar shows are a good place to talk to these companies or people who work for them. There are other studios that I know are gearing up as well. Everyone knows everyone else out here. If you get any job working somewhere its the best way to get a foot in the door elsewhere. Knowing someone at your studio of choice is a more sure way of getting in them then thru a demo reel.

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