Studio Monthly articles from November 2007

Studio Monthly archives from November 2007

Red eye.(editor's note)
November 1, 2007... Is the RED ONE camera the closest thing yet to representing the human eye? Some regular posters on Reduser.net think so. But now that the first beta cameras are in the hands of working DPs (Peter Jackson and Steven Soderbergh aside), and...

Upgraded D-ILA options from JVC.(Spotlight on Projectors)
November 1, 2007... The latest 1080p offering from JVC, the DLA-RS2 HD front projector, features a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1, a direct result of the company's original and proprietary technology housed in the projector's 0.7-inch full HD D-ILA device and...

Ready for your presets.(Spotlight on Projectors)
November 1, 2007... The new CP-X200 3LCD projector from Hitachi America is a lightweight in only the best sense. This 2,200 ANSI lumen projector weighs 7.7 pounds and features a 500:1 contrast ratio. Extras include Hitachi's Input Source Naming function, which...

Bright, long-lasting LCD power.(Spotlight on Projectors)
November 1, 2007... Christie has released the LX1500, a 3LCD projector that merges XGA LCDs with a quad-lamp optical illumination system. An extremely bright 15,000 ANSI lumens is generated by the advanced optical engine and a four 330W lamp array. Incorporating...

Autodesk fires up (and opens) its systems.(Spotlight on Projectors)
November 1, 2007... Autodesk has released new versions of its Inferno, Flame and Flint visual effects systems, as well as the Fire and Smoke editing/finishing systems, for Linux-based PCs. The new releases deliver open file systems for improved interoperability...

Second skin.(Spotlight on Projectors)
November 1, 2007... Alien Skin Software has released Exposure 2, the latest version of its film stock simulator and effects package. Exposure 2 lets users enhance any digital photo by simulating the rich, organic look of film. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

RED ONE digital cinema camera: still in beta, but already a dynamic technology.(ROI reviews)
November 1, 2007... This is an unconventional review of a very unconventional camera. First, full disclosure: Although I was hired by RED to do some testing in the early development of this camera, I am now also an owner of the first iteration of the RED ONE. This...

Apple motion 3: new features and a deeper reach into 3D.(ROI reviews)
November 1, 2007... Motion 3, the latest version of Apple's real-time motion graphics application, is packed with important new features for higher-end users, and extends the reach of the program into 3D, at least partially. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unlike...

Apple Soundtrack Pro 2: one step closer to being a complete audio post tool.(ROI reviews)
November 1, 2007... Soundtrack Pro 2 is a unique audio post program. It lets you create intelligent compositions and place sound effects to picture with Apple Loops and MIDI. It features audio recording for ADR, voiceovers, music and sound effects and provides a...

NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600: kicking in high-end performance for high-res animation.(ROI reviews)
November 1, 2007... Like many technology markets, the graphics card industry has undergone several significant changes in the last few years. First, pioneer 3DLabs dropped out of the business, leaving only ATI and NVIDIA. And last year, Advanced Micro Devices...

Entity FX.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Eli Jarra VFX Supervisor Project: Rush Hour 3 (New Line Cinema) Featured Plugs: GenArts Sapphire, The Foundry's Tinder and Furnace www.entityfx.com "We used a combination of GenArts Sapphire and The Foundry's Tinder and...

Shilo.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Jose Gomez Co-Founder and Creative Director Project: Hidden Palms show open (CW) Featured Plugs: Tiffen Dfx digital filter suite for After Effects www.shilo.tv "We have a lot of experience directing live action shoots, so...

Sway.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Chris Nichols, VFX Supervisor Project: "Peel Out," television spot for the Subaru Impreza (Plum Productions, DDB/NY) Featured Plugs: RealFlow (RF4), VRay and SimCloth for 3ds Max www.swaystudio.com "We used Next Limit's...

Guerilla FX.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Thor Raxlen, Creative Director/Director Project: "Quick Is Deadly," Nike ZOOM campaign (Wieden & Kennedy) Featured Plugs: Red Giant Software's Instant HD www.guerillafx.com "We shot Phoenix Suns' NBA point guard Steve Nash,...

Flickerlab.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Harold Moss, Managing Partner/Creative Director Project: Criss Angel Mindfreak Halloween animated promo package (A & E) Featured Plug: Trapcode Particular www.flickerlab.com "For A & E's Criss Angel Mindfreak, Designer/After...

Rev13 films.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Tony Manolikakis, Online Editor and Colorist Project: Rez Rides show opener (Rezolution Pictures International) Featured Plugs: Boris Continuum Complete filters www.revl3films.com "We have two important types of clients:...

Digital kitchen.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Brad Abrahams, Creative Lead Cody Cobb, Senior Creative John Foreman, Designer Mark Bashore, Head of Production Steve Fitzgerald, Designer (not pictured) Project: Wired Science :30 promo (PBS) Featured Plug: Trapcode...

Frantic Films.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)
November 1, 2007... Sean Konrad, 2D Technical Director Project: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Mandate Pictures/Fox) Featured Plug: Frantic Films Awake (for eyeon Digital Fusion) www.franticfilms.com "Frequently in visual effects we are asked to...

Plug-in directory.(Plug-Ins for Editing + FX)(Directory)
November 1, 2007... Feeling inspired? Check out our updated directory of plug-ins for editing and effects to find out where to download or buy your next set of killer plugs. This comprehensive listing of widely used plug-ins, arranged by company, includes host app...

Use the new MIDI sequencer in Adobe Audition 3.(how)
November 1, 2007... STEP 1 RUN ADOBE AUDITION 3 AND ADD A MIDI TRACK Click Insert > MIDI Track (or Alt-M). If this is the first time you've added a MIDI track, your system might scan for VSTi's and other plug-ins before the track appears; this should only...

Create complex shiny metal surfaces with nodes in LightWave 9.0.(how)
November 1, 2007... STEP 1 APPLY THE AMBIENT OCCLUSION NODE BY ITSELF The ambient occlusion node is quite scale-dependent, so begin by applying it by itself to make sure you get the effect you want. In the Surface Editor, select the desired surface. Make...

Create animated titles with Trapcode in Final Cut Pro.(PRODUCT MANAGER TUTORIAL)
November 1, 2007... STEP 1 SET UP YOUR LOGO TYPE The first step is to set up the logo type and the background. On video track one, place a Custom Gradient Generator (Effects (tab) > Video Generator > Render > Custom Gradient) and create a simple background. I...

Searching for the perfect camera: what I want, what I'd pay and why I'll wait a bit longer to invest.(issues)
November 1, 2007... Camera manufacturers are getting so close to delivering what most of us would consider to be the ideal camcorder. But what would that camera consist of? In my opinion, the perfect camera would be light and easy to carry, yet be big enough...

Troika's triple-threat branding.(STUDIOS ON THE RISE)
November 1, 2007... WHAT'S THEIR GIG? Something good came out of the 2000 dot-com bust (besides the demise of the self-satisfied, cigar-smoking, 19-year-old instant millionaire). Back in the day when it seemed that all things Internet would transform our...