Studio Monthly articles from August 2008

Studio Monthly archives from August 2008

R/evolution time.(editor's note)
August 1, 2008... There is a revolution emerging right now in the world of animation and motion graphics--the move to full-on 3D production and post. These are transformative times indeed, from the sharp rise in shooting and posting live-action, stereoscopic 3D...

Gear up spotlight on camera lenses.(TECHNOLOGY DETAILING YOUR STUDIO)
August 1, 2008... LENSES FOR A RANGE OF APPLICATIONS Fujinon recently made two new major introductions to its lens lines: a Premiere Series lens, the HA23x7.6BE, and the ZA series, a line of cost effective HD lenses. The HA23x7.6BE has 23 times magnification...

Autodesk 3ds Max 2009; It may not start a revolution, but it delivers on productivity.
August 1, 2008... Recent releases of some major 3D programs just don't deliver the WOW! factor that they once did. Not long ago, every release introduced at least one exciting tool, such as subdivision surfaces, global illumination, and cloth and fluid...

Cakewalk pro suite; More bass for your buck.
August 1, 2008... Like many of you, I've been a long-time user of Cakewalk music production software. During the past few years the program's just been getting better and better with each new release. The latest bundle, Cakewalk Pro Suite, includes Sonar 7,...

Create an animated time-lapse sequence with Autodesk 3ds Max and Softimage/XSI.(how)
August 1, 2008... STEP 1 RESEARCH AND REFERENCE To create something as instantly familiar and recognizable as a time-lapse sequence, reference is absolutely essential. Start by taking your own photographs and investing a good amount of time researching...

Create film-like animations for a 90-second PSA withy Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects.(how)
August 1, 2008... STEP 1 CREATE YOUR COMPOSITION Before you do anything else, it's extremely important to plan out your scene. First, make sure you're happy with the overall composition. This will give you a better idea of the scene and will keep you...

Create an on-set direct-to-disk shoot/capture/edit setup with AJA Io HD and Final Cut Pro for a greenscreen shoot.(how)
August 1, 2008... STEP 1 FIND A WELL-LIT GREENSCREEN STUDIO Additional lighting is always necessary to set up good key/fill/rim lighting for the talent (see step 6). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] STEP 2 TAP THE SIGNAL Set the Sony V1U HD...

Animation's next frontier: curious? NYC-based Curious Pictures pushes the limits of animation, applying fresh perspectives and innovative techniques to film, commercials, video games and beyond.(@WORK)
August 1, 2008... In the collaborative world of production, creating buzz-worthy, indispensable content that sells--and sells well enough to turn a profit--can seem damed near impossible, especially when you've got a business to run. Unless, of course, you work...

Introducing the new FS-5 the new class of DTE recording.(FOCUS enhancements)
August 1, 2008... Defining a new class of DTE recording, the FS-5 Portable DTE Recorder weighs only eight ounces, brings Direct To Edit[R] recording technology to your HDV or DV handheld camcorder, and enables you to add custom metadata while you're recording....

FS-4Pro HD DTE disk recorders.(FOCUS enhancements)
August 1, 2008... Weighing one pound and only 1 .5 inches thick, the FS-4 brings Direct To Edit Technology to your DV or HDV camcorder. And when recording is complete, your footage is ready to edit instantly--no capturing, file transfer, or file conversion is...

DreamWorks charges into the next dimension; Shrek goes fourth will be rendered and shown in 3D, as will every DreamWorks animation movie released from 2009 onward. But the CPU requirements? mind-boggling. Will the rest of Hollywood don 3D glasses?(the biz)
August 1, 2008... You think you have heavy computing requirements? Try keeping up with DreamWorks Animation. "We'll always want more than more," explains Ed Leonard, DreamWorks Animation's chief technology officer. "There's never enough computing to satisfy the...

Bond cuts close to the edge.(hot house)
August 1, 2008... The term "cutting edge" is fast becoming a cliche. But when speaking about Bond, a full-service post-production house in downtown Manhattan, the phrase is more than apt. These guys are first-rate editors, which takes care of the "cutting" part....