Vancouver Studio Tour & VES Celebration 2008

[mbenard]

(Part 2 of 2)


http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_CIS.jpg (http://www.cis-vancouver.com/)
<CLICK to LINK through to CIS Vancouver> (http://www.cis-vancouver.com/)

CIS VANCOUVER (http://www.cis-vancouver.com/)



Last on our tour was the shop formerly known as Rainmaker: CIS Vancouver (http://www.cis-vancouver.com/). Many years of excellence have kept CIS at the forefront of visual effects, with shops in London, Hollywood and now Vancouver. CG Supervisor Geoffrey Hancock talked us through film and digital intermediate processes and VFX pipeline as we toured the large facility, which also houses Deluxe Film Labs and Post Production. Artists were working on shots from four features, and CIS had recently completed VFX for Clint Eastwood's Changeling and the teen vampire flick Twilight. Geoff showed us a complex breakdown for the opening and closing sequences of Changeling in the screening theatre.

http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_CIS-Reel.jpg (http://www.cis-vancouver.com/)
<CLICK to LINK through to CIS's Showreel> (http://www.cis-vancouver.com/)



http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_PubNight.jpg (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102)
<CLICK to LINK through to Additional Gallery Photos> (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102)

PUB NIGHT AT THE CAMBIE (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/)

Friday evening found us at The Cambie Pub, connecting and socializing with Lost Boys Learning alumni including Poshin Wang, Alex Lama, Perry Sohn and Andy Chen, and former Lost Boys Studios artists Ken Meyer, Kevin Genzel, Chris Uyede and Trevor Adams. Networking is a huge part of the industry, and if there are some good burgers, good music and beer at the same time, all the better. It's not a coincidence that the best industry gossip has a direct relationship with beer consumption!



http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_CVFX1.jpg (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102)
<CLICK to LINK through to Additional Gallery Photos> (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102)

VISUAL EFFECTS SOCIETY VANCOUVER - COCKTAIL RECEPTION (http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/)

On Saturday evening we drove down to Granville Island, an artsy area of Vancouver on False Creek that houses the Public Market, Arts Club Theatre and Emily Carr University of Art & Design. At the Granville Island Hotel, the VES Vancouver Chapter hosted a cocktail reception for those attending the Visual Effects Society Celebration, and annual event that brings together industry luminaries and students alike, to discuss, promote and learn about the visual effects scene in Vancouver.



http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_CVFX2.jpg (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102)
<CLICK to LINK through to Additional Gallery Photos> (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102)

VISUAL EFFECTS SOCIETY - CELEBRATION OF VFX - VANCOUVER 2008 (http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/)

After some delectable munchies, a drink, and visits with VFX Supervisors Robin Hackl (The Hulk, Blades of Glory), Bob Habros (Blade, Eureka, The L Word) and John Gajdecki (Slither, Fallen, Dr. Doolittle) we went to the Emily Carr University screening theatre, where John Gajdecki hosted an informative presentation complete with 3D glasses and free mouse pads.

http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_CVFX3.jpg (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102)
<CLICK to LINK through to the Visual Effects Society> (http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/)

Studios presenting shot breakdowns this year were Frantic Films (http://www.franticfilms.com/) (stereoscopic VFX for Journey to the Center of the Earth), The Embassy (http://www.theembassyvfx.com/) (first 3D iron man suit for Iron Man), Image Engine (http://www.image-engine.com/) (3D environments and matte painting for The Hulk) and CIS Vancouver (http://www.cis-vancouver.com/) (full 3D environments for Changeling). We learned a lot about the pre-production planning and technical R&D that goes into each sequence.


For more behind the scenes photos (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=102) visit our gallery (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/gallery.php). Watch for further project posts of our Ghost and Product Shot project coming in the next few weeks.

Cheers,

Mark

Lost Boys Learning is North America's only dedicated accredited visual effects school with world-class training in photo-realistic 3D for VFX and compositing for film and television. Boasting a 94% placement rate Lost Boys Learning offers a specialized 1 year Visual Effects Diploma on Vancouver Island, Canada. Our students work with the award winning VFX Supervisor and experienced mentor, Mark Benard, in a project-based learning environment, covering VFX pre-production and shooting, 3D for VFX and compositing. We are now accepting applications for our new intake starting in January or May of 2009. Please visit our website (http://www.lostboys-learning.com/) and/or email us for further information.

[Ammarkk]

Hi Mark...wow..very Interesting.

[foxco]

I wish I had hear about this earlier. It would have been a blast to hang out at the Cambie.

[mbenard]

I just realized I didn't make any mention to the sponsors of the VES Event...

My bad!

We wouldn't be able to have such great events without their financial support!

http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_SideEffects.jpg (http://www.sidefx.com/)

SIDE EFFECTS SOFTWARE
Our product innovations are award winning and production proven. The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences has twice honored our technology, but not before they talked to our users to ensure that it has truly contributed to “the art and science of making motion pictures”. Houdini is a complete, tightly integrated and fully customizable 3D solution that scales to handle the biggest jobs. Our innovations have been production proven on more than 5000 shots in over 200 feature films.

But handling tough shots, or data-intensive shots, is not the only reason artists choose Houdini. Our users desire the utmost in creative freedom without comprising their production goals. Houdini’s procedural approach allows them to continue to revise shots quickly and up to the last moment. Houdini’s digital assets allow them to focus on creative and not on the technology. Quality and artistic freedom is a key reason over 700 film professionals use Houdini.

For both large and small facilities, Houdini is a sound investment. The product has been proven in the toughest production environments and our company offers outstanding support and custom services. With Houdini, production facilities are able to handle shots that normally require in-house programming. Houdini integrates well with their current tools, and as a complete, integrated and scalable solution, Houdini is able to handle any company’s ever-growing production needs. With Houdini’s digital assets, any production process or trick created can easily be used on future productions.

Houdini users are not only among the most knowledgeable professionals, but they readily contribute their expertise and help on the Houdini forums. In addition to working alongside our users, we enjoy hosting them at local events, forums and user group meetings. We created the Houdini Apprentice program that allows any digital artist to experience our software and our community for free. And we certainly enjoy partying with users and partners at our Houdini "get .hip" parties.

As a private company, we follow our passion. We are passionate about 3D animation and finding ways to constantly advance the industry.


http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_AnnexPro.jpg (http://www.annexpro.com/)

ANNEX PRO

Annex Pro is a value-added reseller based in Vancouver, BC and serving Western Canada since 1983. Our expert team works with creative professionals in film/TV post, game development, visual effects, audio post + music and corporate media, offering solutions to technological challenges. From software applications to workstations, from shared/collaborative storage to render farms, from mixers, to mics and monitors, Annex Pro understands the industry and your workflow. Contact us (https://www.logiforms.com/formdata/user_forms/20537_3390168/66395/) for a complementary, no-obligation consultation today!

http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_Central.jpg (http://www.digitalfilmcentral.com/)

DIGITAL FILM CENTRAL

Central is Vancouver's first true Digital Intermediate facility. It was designed from the ground up to provide an environment dedicated to film images and data integrity of the highest quality. We offer a comprehensive package of digital film post services, including; film scanning (ARRISCAN®), film recording (ARRILASER®), color grading (Baselight®), color management (Truelight®), and VFX I/O.
Central is positioned to be completely complementary to Vancouver's VFX community. In other words, we don't create the shots; we provide support services to the VFX houses that create the shots.


http://www.lostboys-learning.com/images/news/ForumCollage_TourFall08_Oceana.jpg (http://www.oceana.com/)

OCEANA DIGITAL

Oceana Digital is a recognized leader and systems provider for digital production, post-production, broadcast, new media and high-end digital computing. Oceana represents best-in-class products with a commitment to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Founded on the basis of providing the highest level of customer support in a highly customizable environment. Oceana works with each customer to ensure the best solution for their specific needs.

Oceana combines system expertise and business experience to guarantee that your individual and corporate needs are met. From software upgrades to system installation or full facility integration, we are ready, willing and able to improve your workflow and productivity to enhance your customer's experience and your bottom line.


Cheers,

M

[icedeyes]

I am sad i couldn't be there Mark... The studio tours were one of the things I really enjoyed about the school...

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.