Tintin Takes Performance Capture to New Levels

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Mon, 02/13/2012 - 19:00 -- Nick Dager

Virtual production driven in a large part by real-time Digital Entertainment Creation software from Autodesk has evolved significantly since the process was used for the landmark release of Avatar in 2009. Peter Jackson's New Zealand-based Weta Digital studio long known for its technological innovation used Autodesk software to take the virtual production process to new levels of real-time performance capture for the animated feature film The Adventures of Tintin. Steven Spielberg's take on the character created by Belgian artist Hergé is an unqualified box office and critical success – with a growing box office gross of over $360 million worldwide – and is one of the 20 highest grossing films of 2011. Reviews have praised the immersive stereoscopic 3D experience together with the unique combination of performance capture and photorealistic filmmaking for an animated movie. The ability to digitally capture the subtleties of an actor's performance and to move digital environment data between pre-production production and post-production has opened up the moviemaking experience ” says Joe Letteri Weta Digital senior VFX supervisor. “We're able to build a virtual set that gives directors the ability to construct shots with the actors in the environment just like they would on a live-action set. The data captured on set is used for lighting modeling textures and the rest of the post-production process. While the underlying technology is similar to what we used on 'Avatar ' we had a better understanding of the tools we needed and were able to realize workflow improvements that enabled us to streamline the movement of capture data from the set to final production.” The virtual moviemaking process for Tintin included Weta Digital artists previsualizing and building the digital environment of the film in low resolution using Autodesk Maya 3D animation and visual effects software and loading that data into the virtual environment. The live performance of the actors on set was captured using Autodesk MotionBuilder real-time 3D character animation software providing a consistent platform that enabled production teams to more rapidly create iterate and refine the look of the movie throughout the production. Applying virtual production techniques to a fully computer-generated film meant Weta Digital was able to create an on-set environment that connected to the visual effects process and allowed Steven Spielberg to work the way he would on a live-action set. He was able to craft his shots and get the take he was looking for all within the context of the world of Tintin. The actors were not only able to interact with each other live on-set they could interact with props and fully inhabit the world in body and in voice. Autodesk's latest technology is enabling filmmakers to enter an incredible new world of moviemaking says Marc Petit senior vice president Autodesk Media & Entertainment. It is helping make the techniques accessible to a broader range of filmmakers and enabling them to better express and exhibit their artistic intent. What Weta's artists and innovators have been able to accomplish by animating and imbuing these beloved fictional animated characters with human performance is truly spectacular. The Adventures of Tintin is certainly the new high-water mark for virtual productions and recently won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film. Weta Digital strives to bring innovative technology to further what is visually possible says Sebastian Sylwan chief technology officer Weta Digital. Our technology requirements tend to be complex and we work with research institutions industry partners and technology leaders like Autodesk to create the most sophisticated tools we can for our artists. For The Adventures of Tintin we benefited from customized technology support from Autodesk to help us get the virtual production process running as efficiently as possible. The process of creating a scene from the Bagghar marketplace where Tintin and Captain Haddock are being followed by the twins Thomson and Thompson for the film The Adventures of Tintin  (left to right: motion capture take camera diagnostic cloth and hair pass and final image) © 2011 Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved. Image courtesy of Weta Digital. To find out more about how Weta Digital used Autodesk software in the making of Tintin visit: http://area.autodesk.com/tintin Autodesk www.autodesk.com ,3091
HDNet Sponsor of UFC Pay-Per-View Events at Cinedigm-Affiliated Theatres,2012-02-14, HDNet was the official sponsor of four live 3D theatrical broadcasts of UFC Pay-Per-View events in 2012 at nearly 75 Cinedigm affiliated theatres. The sponsorship increased the network’s exposure for its MMA programming including promotion of Inside MMA. In addition HDNet personalities Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten had a noticeable presence during 30-minute countdown shows that aired in those theatres prior to the live broadcast of UFC Pay-Per-View events. This news comes on the heels of UFC and Cinedigm announcing late last year the plan to bring the fastest-growing sport in the world to Cinedigm’s affiliated 3D theatres across the country which include such circuits as Carmike Cinemas Rave Motion Pictures Kirkorian Theatres UltraStar Cinemas and Galaxy Theatres. “We’re giving fans the chance to watch UFC like never before – live and in 3D ” UFC president Dana White says. “We’re excited that HDNet will be the official sponsor of these 3D events with Cinedigm. It’s going to be a big year for the UFC and we can’t wait to give our fans the chance to see Pay-Per-View events live in theatres in 3D.” “HDNet has always been the go to source for MMA fans – from fights to news – and partnering with UFC and Cinedigm on 3D is a natural fit to HDNet's ongoing commitment to MMA ” HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon says.  “This sponsorship is just one of many new exciting and cutting edge additions to HDNet and Inside MMA in 2012 from a brand new studio to more live events exclusive highlights and on-site UFC coverage.” ,3092
Visual Effects Society Announces Winners of 10th Annual VES Awards,2012-02-14, The Visual Effects Society announced the winners of its 10th Annual VES Awards February 7th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills California. The annual event recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry in 23 categories of film animation television commercials special venues and video games. More than a thousand attendees – filmmakers producers directors and members of the visual effects community – gathered to recognize the year's best work and the artists who created it. Rango was the evening's most honored project with four awards including Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature Motion Picture Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature Motion Picture and Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in an Animated Feature Motion Picture. Hugo Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Transformers: Dark of the Moon all took home two awards in the Feature Motion Picture categories while Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones each garnered a pair of awards in the Television categories. Stan Lee received the Lifetime Achievement Award and visual effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull received the Georges Méliès Award at the show which was hosted by Patton Oswalt. Antonio Banderas Lou Ferrigno directors Chris Miller Marc Webb and Jennifer Yuh Nelson and a host of luminaries were on hand to present awards. A surprise appearance by Martin Scorsese whose film Hugo received two awards was one of the evening's highlights. The complete list of winners of the 10th Annual VES Awards is as follows: Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Dan Lemmon Joe Letteri Cyndi Ochs Kurt Williams Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture Hugo: Ben Grossmann Alex Henning Rob Legato Karen Murphy Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature Motion Picture Rango: Tim Alexander Hal Hickel Jacqui Lopez Katie Lynch Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries Movie or Special Inside the Human Body: Phil Dobree Sophie Orde Dan Upton Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Series Terra Nova - Occupation & Resistance: Kevin Blank Colin Brady Adica Manis Jason Zimmerman Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program Game of Thrones - Winter is Coming: Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor Angela Barson Ed Bruce Adam McInnes Outstanding Visual Effects in a Live Action Commercial Dior J'adore: Pascal Giroux Julien Meesters Stephane Pivron Manuel Souillac Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Commercial or Video Game Trailer Diablo III: The Black Soulstone: Nicholas S. Carpenter Graham Cunningham Chris Thunig Taka Yasuda Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project Transformers the Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle: Lori Arnold Yanick Dusseault Delio Tramontozzi Jeff White Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Caesar: Daniel Barrett Florian Fernandez Matthew Muntean Eric Reynolds Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture Rango - Rango: Frank Gravatt Kevin Martel Brian Paik Steve Walton Outstanding Animated Character in a Broadcast Program or Commercial Canal + The Bear: Laurent Creusot Guillaume Ho Olivier Mitonneau Michal Nauzin Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture Transformers: Dark of the Moon - 155 Wacker Drive: Giles Hancock John Hanson Tom Martinek Scott Younkin Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature Motion Picture Rango - Main Street Dirt: John Bell Polly Ing Martin Murphy Russell Paul Outstanding Created Environment in a Broadcast Program or Commercial Game of Thrones - The Icewall: Markus Kuha Dante Harbridge Robinson Damien Mac Fani Vassiadi Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture Hugo: Martin Chamney Rob Legato Adam Watkins Fabio Zangla Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in an Animated Feature Motion Picture Rango - The Dirt Saloon: Colin Benoit Philippe Rebours Nelson Sepulveda Nick Walker Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Broadcast Program or Commercial Gears of War 3 - Dust to Dust: Niles Heckman Richard Morton Vernon Wilbert Jr. Outstanding Models in a Feature Motion Picture Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Driller: Tim Brakensiek Kelvin Chu David Fogler Rene Garcia Outstanding Models in a Broadcast Program or Commercial Boardwalk Empire - Georgia Peaches: Matthew Conner Eran Dinur David Reynolds Szymon Weglarski Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture Captain America: The First Avenger - Skinny Steve: Casey Allen Trent Claus Brian Hajek Cliff Welsh Outstanding Compositing in a Broadcast Program or Commercial Boardwalk Empire - Gimcrack & Bunkum: Anton Dawson. Eran Dinur Austin Meyers David Reynolds Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project a.maize: Roman Kaelin Falko Paeper Florian Wittmann Visual Effects Society www.visualeffectssociety.com ,3093
Cinedigm Reaches Long-Term VPF Deal with Zyacorp,2012-02-14, Cinedigm Digital Cinema has reached a long-term virtual print fee deployment agreement with Zyacorp Entertainment’s Cinemagic Stadium Theaters. The agreement will enable the conversion of Cinemagic’s theatres to digital cinema under the terms of Cinedigm’s long-term agreements with all the major studios.  This Cinedigm-financed conversion will deploy 79 Cinedigm-Certified screens across seven sites with completion expected by summer 2012. Zyacorp is a member of the Cinema Buying Group a buying program formed by the independent theatre operators of the National Association of Theatre Owners to find cost-effective solutions for converting theatres from film to digital projection.  Cinedigm is the digital cinema integrator partner for the CBG. “We strive to provide our customers a state-of-the-art family entertainment venue and our commitment to digital cinema further demonstrates this promise ” says Mark Adam president Zyacorp. “We are confident in the outstanding service that Cinedigm provides and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.” “Cinemagic has been very diligent in evaluating their digital cinema options and we’re thrilled we were able to create a solution that works for them ” says Gary Loffredo Cinedigm’s president of digital cinema services.  “We look forward to sharing the benefits of digital cinema with Mark and his team.” ,3094
Christie Announces Christie Duo Integration Kit,2012-02-29, Christie has announced Christie Duo a dual projection integration kit which is intended to give exhibitors the ability to create and deliver their own branded premium theatre experience. ArcLight Cinemas is an early adopter. “Exhibitors have invested heavily in building their own brand in their respective markets. With Christie Duo we’re providing an opportunity for our exhibitors and our business partners to enhance their offerings with a premium experience ” says Don Shaw director product management Christie Entertainment Solutions. “Now any exhibitor can deliver the brightest 2K or 4K movie experience in 2D or 3D on the largest screens. We’re excited to give exhibitors a solution to help them further leverage and market their own premium brand to today’s sophisticated movie-going audiences.” Early adopters of Christie Duo include Grupo Araújo de Cinemas in Brazil and ArcLight Cinemas in the United States which recently installed the system at several ArcLight Cinemas including the historic Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. 
 
“We’ve put our trust in a Christie Duo system to dazzle audiences in our world-famous ArcLight Hollywood theatre ” says Joe Miraglia director of design construction and facilities at ArcLight. “We look forward to receiving and installing the next components in this system – an automated alignment and calibration solution – to ensure optimal image quality and brightness at 4K resolutions for our most discerning audiences.” The Christie Duo integration kit can be purchased with either 2K or 4K Christie Solaria Series digital cinema projectors or as a standalone integration kit for Christie customers who already have Christie projectors. The integration kit features the choice of two configurations: a compact and convenient stacking system for 3D installations or a new innovative physical configuration that perfectly aligns every pixel on the screen for optimal 2D and 3D presentations. Coupled with automated features that easily calibrate align and optimize the images from both Christie Solaria Series 2K or 4K digital cinema projectors Christie Duo delivers a completely seamless premium movie experience for the world’s largest screens. When combined with world-leading 3D systems exhibitors can achieve 3D image brightness levels up to twice as high as what can be achieved using the current large-format market leader — at a significant overall cost saving.
  “We pride ourselves on responding to customer needs and our customers approached us for a flexible and economical solution to deliver a premium cinema experience. They wanted a low initial investment in equipment and not to be constrained by business models that may require them to share ongoing box office revenues with the equipment supplier. With Christie Duo we’re delivering high value at a price point that provides immersive cinema experiences to all ” Shaw says.
  Last December Christie successfully demonstrated a dual-stacked 4K digital cinema projection system displaying true DLP Cinema 4K resolution in 3D with incomparable brightness levels of 68 000 ANSI lumens using two Christie CP4230 digital cinema projectors. Using Christie Duo technology the demonstration was conducted in a theatre in Shanghai to leading cinema owners and exhibitors in China. Attendees experienced a presentation featuring unmatched brightness sharpness and superior 3D images — generating an enthusiastic and welcoming response from industry attendees.   
   Marcos Araújo director Grupo Araújo de Cinemas Brazil agrees. “Affordability without sacrificing quality is paramount for us and we are pleased to be partnering with Christie to bring the premium theatre experience to our customers throughout Brazil.”
 
Christie dealer Kelonik Transisom installed Christie Duo at Grupo Araújo de Cinemas. Says Isaac Besso director Kelonik Transisom “We pride ourselves on introducing the newest and most innovative products to our clientele reflecting our desire to provide maximum customer service to them and certainly the Christie Duo solution fits perfectly with this strategy.” Demonstrations of Christie Duo are scheduled for CinemaCon 2012 with wide product availability in the summer of 2012. The combination of two Christie Solaria projectors and the Christie Duo Integration Kit is expected to deliver significant cost savings compared to other branded ‘big screen’ solutions. The solution will be fully compatible with recently announced Christie Previsto High Frame Rate technology.  
 
 The two main goals of Christie’s HFR activities are to help the industry develop the best HFR content and the best delivery system for HFR content. The first goal involves assisting leading-edge filmmakers and post-production companies in perfecting HFR movie creation so the industry has the most engaging entertaining content possible. The second goal is to assist exhibitors in showing these 3D HFR movies in all their glory. To these ends Christie is helping create the standards for 3D HFR movies through formal and informal technology-development alliances with major producers and directors post production facilities studios and technology partners. On the exhibitor’s front Christie provides one-stop shopping for all the hardware software and services that enable exhibitors to deliver a filmmaker's vision in stunning 3D HFR quality.
 
 Christie Digital Systems www.christiedigital.com ,3100
Joe Satriani 3D Concert Film First to Use Dolby Surround 7.1,2012-02-29, World-famous guitarist Joe Satriani is featured in Satchurated: Live in Montreal the concert movie from award-winning directors and producers Pierre and François Lamoureux which is coming to select theatres nationwide on March 1. Satchurated is the first concert film ever to be released in 3D and Dolby Surround 7.1 The 3D Blu‑ray release scheduled for April will be encoded in Dolby TrueHD. “We carefully selected and placed microphones within the Metropolis in Montreal and the use of the 7.1 surround palette enabled us to capture the entire essence of the concert event from the sound of the onstage instruments to the presence and dynamics of the concert hall ” says director and producer Pierre Lamoureux. “The result is a dramatic 7.1 experience that translates beautifully for audiences looking to experience the film in Dolby Surround 7.1 at the movies or in Dolby TrueHD lossless 7.1 surround sound at home.” Satchurated was filmed live on the Wormhole Tour in support of Satriani’s new album Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards at the Metropolis in Montreal Canada on December 12 2010. Eight cameras captured the sold-out concert in both 2D and 3D.

Satriani is among the few artists in history to release a 3D concert film. He is a leading force in rock music having been voted the No. 6 All-Time Best Guitarist by Guitarist Magazine (UK) and Best Guitarist of the Year three times by Guitar World Magazine. In his career Satriani has sold more than 10 million copies of his studio and live recordings worldwide has been nominated for 15 Grammy Awards® and has sold more than 4 million concert tickets. For behind-the-scenes insight into the 7.1-channel soundtrack of the Joe Satriani concert film Satchurated: Live in Montreal from award-winning directors and producers Pierre and François Lamoureux visit http://vimeo.com/36788587. For more information about where to go to experience Joe Satriani in Satchurated: Live in Montreal visit www.satchurated.com. Dolby Laboratories www.dolby.com ,3102
Fotokem Budapest Grades In the Land of Blood and Honey,2012-02-29,Fotokem Budapest recently used FilmLight’s Baselight color grading system to perform near-set color grading for In the Land of Blood and Honey Angelina Jolie’s new film on the Bosnian War. Fotokem Budapest processed dailies for the film which was largely shot in Hungary. It also hosted screening sessions for Jolie and the film’s crew. Those screenings were held in the facility’s digital intermediates grading theatre with a Baselight Eight used to make real-time grading adjustments. Working under the guidance of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Dean Semler Senior DI colorist Benedek Kaban refined the look of the dailies and applied special color treatments. “The subject matter of the movie is very hard ” recalls Kaban. “Dean wanted a stark look. He shot still photographs every day during production and sent them to me as a grading reference.” After grading the dailies every day Kaban went on the set personally to discuss color related questions with Semler during lunch time. Equipped with a Baselight on a MacBook Pro he was able to apply color correction in the video village in real time. “Dean was particularly concerned about a scene that was shot day-for-night ” Kaban recalls. “On Baselight I was able to achieve the look he wanted with great results—he was impressed. I hadn’t worked with Dean before and that was the beginning of our friendship.” After the production wrapped Kaban spent an additional week with Semler grading a four-hour rough-cut version of the film. That grade allowed them to set a near final look for the film prior to final post-production. FilmLight www.filmlight.ltd.uk ,3104
Harkness Supports Barco Laser Preview,2012-02-29,Harkness Screens recently supported Barco with a preview of its new laser-illuminated projector a prototype which claimed the brightness world record at the second annual Moody Gardens Digital Cinema Symposium in Galveston Texas. There Barco demonstrated its 55 000 ANSI Lumens laser projector prototype on a 72-foot-wide (22m) Harkness Screen. “This is a significant step for digital projection and although laser technology is a few years away from being commercially available what we saw from Barco was an outstanding glimpse into the future of cinema presentation.  We were thrilled to support Barco with this record setting event and look forward to working with them and other manufacturers as the technology develops ” says Keith Watanabe Americas sales director of Harkness Screens. “Barco is dedicated to progressing cinema display technologies ” says Todd Hoddick Barco’s vice president for Entertainment North America. “Harkness was a responsive and key partner in our quest to showcase this progression.  Laser illumination has great promise and we are proud to have shown the industry what our projector is capable of doing on a 72 foot screen.” According to both companies the single-source solid-state laser illumination provided a screen luminance of 22 foot-lamberts (fL) for 2D presentation measured on a 100-foot throw (30.5m). Harkness Screens www.harkness-screens.com ,3105
IFTA Supports US-Chinese Film Agreement,2012-02-29, The Independent Film & Television Alliance has praised the U.S.-Chinese Film Agreement which is designed to offer unprecedented opportunities for the U.S. Independent film industry in China.
 
 ”For Independents this agreement is momentous ” says IFTA president and CEO Jean Prewitt. “Our sector has been unable to benefit fully from the existing revenue-sharing importation quotas and has had limited avenues through which to distribute.  For the first time through this Agreement there is a promise of creating a commercial foundation that will allow independent producers to participate more fully in the Chinese marketplace.”
 
Prewitt says “In addition to improving the existing revenue-sharing regime under the terms of the Agreement China has committed to allowing new local companies to engage in local distribution to introducing transparency into censorship and importation decisions and to offering terms and conditions equivalent to comparable markets such as France and Germany.  Most importantly these changes will accelerate the development of a competitive marketplace in which both the U.S. and the Chinese independent film industries can flourish.”
 
 Prewitt went on to thank Presidents Obama and Hu Vice Presidents Biden and Xi their negotiators and U.S Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk and his team for their tireless efforts to achieve this Agreement.
 
China has agreed that licensing arrangements should be negotiated on commercial terms comparable with other markets proportional in size. Additionally the pact encompasses key provisions that are considered standard practice elsewhere including audit rights approval of sub-licenses consultation on marketing campaigns and the ability to designate a choice of law when disputes arise.
 
Moreover censorship rejection cannot be enforced as a material breach of the Agreement. Instead the licensor and China’s State-Owned Enterprises will now work together to find a solution when these situations arise.
  China has also agreed to affirm that no law or regulations can prevent other Chinese enterprises from actively engaging in the distribution of imported films.  In fact the Chinese government will now promote the entrance of other distributors into the marketplace. ,3106
Independent Films Take 17 Oscars Including Best Picture for The Artist,2012-02-29,Independent films captured 17 Oscars at the 84th Academy Awards including a Best Picture victory by The Artist. The award brings the number of independent films taking Best Picture honors to 20 over the past 31 years according to the Independent Film & Television Alliance.   Independent films collected 17 Academy Awards in the following categories:   Best Picture The Artist (Wild Bunch The Weinstein Company)   Directing Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist (Wild Bunch The Weinstein Company)   Actor in a Leading Role Jean Dujardin – The Artist (Wild Bunch The Weinstein Company)   Actress in a Leading Role Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady (Pathé International Goldcrest Pictures U.K. Film Council The Weinstein Company)   Actor in a Supporting Role Christopher Plummer – Beginners (Focus Features)   Writing (Original Screenplay) Woody Allen – Midnight In Paris   Foreign Language Film A Separation   Animated Feature Film Rango (GK Films)   Art Direction Hugo (GK Films) – Production Design: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo   Cinematography Robert Richardson – Hugo (GK Films)   Costume Design Mark Bridges – The Artist (Wild Bunch The Weinstein Company)   Documentary (Feature) Undefeated (The Weinstein Company)   Makeup Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland – The Iron Lady (Pathé International Goldcrest Pictures U.K. Film Council The Weinstein Company)   Music (Original Score) Ludovic Bource – The Artist (Wild Bunch The Weinstein Company)   Sound Editing Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty – Hugo (GK Films)   Sound Mixing Tom Fleischman and John Midgley – Hugo (GK Films)   Visual Effects Rob Legato Joss Williams Ben Grossman and Alex Henning – Hugo (GK Films) ,3107
China’s Broadway Theatre Company Installs Four Imax Digital Systems,2012-02-29,Imax is installing four of its digital Imax systems in new multiplex theatres in China in partnership with the Broadway Theatre Company. Financial terms of the deal were not released. Imax said Monday that with the latest deal a total of 217 Imax theatres would either be open or set to open in China next year. Also under the latest deal Broadway has a commitment to six theatres with Imax digital viewing in that country. We are pleased to build on our partnership with Broadway as we continue to expand our network in China Jiande Chen CEO of Imax China said in a news release. ,3108
Rising Alternative Emerging Pictures to Screen La Bohème Live,2012-02-29,Rising Alternative and Emerging Pictures have announced the UK screening of Giacomo Puccini’s youthful masterpiece La Bohème live from one of the world’s greatest opera houses Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu on March 13. Rising Alternative president Giovanni Cozzi says “Rising Alternative prides itself on releasing world class opera in HD and it doesn’t get much better than La Bohème from Gran Teatro del Liceu.” He says that 400 cinemas worldwide will be releasing the title live on March 13. Starring the Italian operatic sensation Fiorenza Cedolins as Mimí and the distinguished Mexican tenor Ramón Vargas as Rodolfo with a lavish period production directed by Giancarlo del Monaco (son of the legendary tenor Mario del Monaco) La Bohème live at the Liceu with experienced Spanish conductor Victor Pablo Pérez promises to transport the cinema-goer to a nostalgic musical world filled with poetry lyricism and true love set against the excitement and melancholy of nineteenth-century Paris seen through bohemian eyes. ,3110
Laika Licenses Shotgun Software for Stop-Motion Animation VFX Work ,2012-02-29,Animation studio Laika has purchased a site license of Shotgun to manage production and enhance collaboration for stop-motion and VFX work throughout its Portland Oregon studio. Laika implemented the flexible web-based solution as a central platform for modernizing production management of the data-heavy stop-motion process on its upcoming 3D animated feature ParaNorman releasing August 17 from Focus Features. “The traditional method of sharing information and keeping a stop-motion production rolling involves armies of people with clipboards and a massive hallway of shot boards printouts and schedules ” says Jeff Stringer Laika’s director of production technology. “We have been using Shotgun to manage visual effects work for a long time and when we started ParaNorman we saw an opportunity to use it within the stop-motion pipeline also to modernize some of the processes we were doing manually. “The biggest benefit Shotgun gives us is the ability to organize approved artwork and relate it to the shots ” Stringer adds. “When we are talking about a particular piece of artwork everyone is now sure they’re looking at the exact same thing. That was not the case before Shotgun.” Shotgun is a web-based system that gives all parties involved in a project instant access to critical data messaging and real-time project progress. Its open API enables studios to use Shotgun as a central platform around which they can quickly build custom tools and bridges to other applications using Python scripting. “Shotgun is so flexible and easy to customize that we were able to build great tools quickly that let people feed data in automatically and publish easily ” says Laika technology development supervisor Rob Blau. “The way Shotgun has branched out across the pipeline throughout ParaNorman showed us that it’s a great solution to help us collaborate much more effectively on stop-motion productions.” Shotgun Software http://www.shotgunsoftware.com ,3111
US and China Reach Film Agreement,2012-02-29,U.S. and Chinese negotiators have reached an agreement that is designed to significantly increase the number of U.S. films allowed to be shown in Chinese movie theaters and provide a more equitable share of revenue for U.S. film companies a major priority for the Motion Picture Association of America. In a statement former Senator Chris Dodd chairman and CEO of the MPAA said: “This is a major step forward in spurring the growth of U.S. exports to China. It has long been a top priority for the MPAA and it is tremendous news for the millions of American workers and businesses whose jobs depend on the entertainment industry. “This landmark agreement will return a much better share of the box office revenues to U.S studios revising a two-decade-old formula that kept those revenues woefully under normal commercial terms and it will put into place a mechanism that will allow over 50 percent more U.S. films into the Chinese market. “We thank Presidents Obama and Hu as well as Vice Presidents Biden and Xi for their leadership on this issue along with the negotiators from both countries who worked so tirelessly to reach an agreement especially U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk and his team for their enormous commitment to this effort. “By promoting the growth of a legitimate marketplace for U.S. movies in China this agreement will also complement efforts to fight movie piracy and help protect the jobs of workers in both countries whose livelihoods are dependent on a healthy entertainment industry.” The Motion Picture Association of America www.mpaa.org ,3113
MTI Film Installs Control Dailies Systems at Nice Shoes,2012-02-29,MTI Film has installed three Control Dailies systems at Nice Shoes New York. The new systems will enable the facility to expand beyond its core market commercial post-production into television and film with a proven dailies solution for New York-based television productions. Nice Shoes is eager to tap into New York’s growing film and television market. “We've wanted to extend our successful commercial post services into the entertainment area for some time now ” says Nice Shoes CEO Dominic Pandolfino. “So moving forward with MTI’s Control Dailies provides us with the added ability to service customers in this very important space.” As part of the installation MTI Film and Nice Shoes have entered into a strategic partnership allowing for full service bicoastal dailies and finishing in a compatible environment linked by a dedicated high-speed Internet connection. “MTI’s proven Control Dailies technology coupled with our talent base will provide producers with the comfort of knowing that Nice Shoes is able to expertly finish entertainment projects in an established environment ” adds Nice Shoes Robert Keske. Nice Shoes partner Chris Ryan and Keske traveled to Los Angeles to demo Control Dailies. “Their conclusion was that Control Dailies is the best and most complete solution they've seen in the space. With ten years of development it's what you'd expect Pandolfino says. “MTI Film is very pleased to have its technology introduced to the New York entertainment market through Nice Shoes ” says MTI Film CEO Larry Chernoff. “The quality of Nice Shoes’ creative and engineering staff ensures that customers will be well served.” MTI Film www.mtifilm.com