Sliced Bread Animation

Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

G-Force trailer with a 3D secret!

Posted by Administrator | Filed under Anaglyph, Feature Film, Games, News, Personal, Sliced Bread, Video

I wrote a draft post about this some months ago (see below) but held back until the release was confirmed. Now an official release has been sent via Kotaku, its now Ok to reveal that Disney are now releasing 3D games titles (with glasses) and we helped them. Back in the Summer of last year I was ask in to consult (for free!) on how to get the 3D (anaglyph) looking right, and in early March of this year I was shown the complete G-Force game with the 3D capablity. The strength of the 3D came into question against health and safety concerns, watching a minute piece is OK but for hours of playing time, this can be an issue (Disney ran a couple of focus groups to deal with this). When I was there to see the final piece I really thought the developers had done a superb job, the 3D was at the right level against the concentration of gameplay, where the cuts scenes also made full use of the 3D effect.

From Kotaku:

Guinea Pig sporting action title G-Force and Wii mini-game collection Toy Story Mania will both ship with 3D support, the developers announced tonight.

G-Force, a game based on the upcoming 3D movie, did have the 3D display on show this evening. Both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will support 3D graphics, which can be switched on and off on the fly.

The 3D graphics used in the game requires gamers to sport a pair of cardboard blue and red lensed glasses and uses a type 3D known as off-axis, the developers said. The effects seen in motion were surprisingly good, The guinea pig lead stood out on the screen, enemy shots seemed to blow out of the television and the world felt more realistic, though with slightly muddled colors because of the graphics.

Though not the first game, by a long shot, to sport 3D graphics the game certainly seems to put a shine on the red/blue technology.

Draft post not sent [Jan 5, 2009]>>

Not a particularly ‘animation’ post this one, nor am I entirely sold by the trailer. However, I do have a little insider knowledge on the G-Force Wii game that is due to be part of this, where I know they are definitely doing an anaglyph (with glasses) version of it. How do I know this? Well back in the early summer of last year I was invited to Disney HQ in London to consult for a couple of hours as they were having an issue getting the 3D working. There are so many permutations to getting it right, and of the few projects we have done, we have always come across various issues – but the end result is always rewarding.

Its interesting that the anaglyph approach has become fashionable once again (remember Jaws in 3D?), I think it has something to do with the upcoming Monster vs Aliens by Dreamworks which will be the first ‘proper’ 3D release on their new-fangled screens (no need for glasses here). Apparently its based on the same technology as our ‘special’ 3D monitor.

There are no hard and fast rules on getting the 3D right for use with glasses (although you should ensure you have the right type of glasses), but having some knowledge on distancing and targeting objects does help (there are a number of Maya and After Effects tutorials online that can assist). That’s was mainly the problem at Disney, and thankfully the game developers had given them some tools so that we could adjust aspects in situ. Its a thoroughly satisfying experience to be able to pass on the (little) knowledge that we have and I’m sure the end result will look amazing. Although, I am slightly concerned about people playing an anaglyph game for hours on end – but we’ll leave that for another day!

Old post lost and found – Wall-E not for me…

Posted by Administrator | Filed under Animation, Feature Film, Personal

Here’s the lost post, let me know your thoughts (see also Oscar nominations announced..):

OK so I may not make the greatest of friends when I say what I am about to say… but here it goes anyway – I didn’t think that Pixar’s Wall-E was that great.. certainly to level of acclaim it is getting. Sure the scenes and the character animation was flawless, but a few things didn’t work for me, such as; why did we have ‘real human’ characters at the start (and the President) and then when we went to the spaceship, did we have CG characters? I thought the overall story was weak, sure the love interested between EVE and Wall-E was cuter-than-cute, but the lifeless-ness of the human characters in the over-eating consumer world (and the end resolve) was a lame thread. Also the characterisation of those human characters in CG was too generic – would we all look the same if we were fat?

I think if you compare Wall-E to some of Pixar’s greats like Ratatouille or Toy Story, I didn’t think it was even as good as Cars (which is well documented as having a troubled production), sorry but it really doesn’t fit for me. The thing is, I haven’t read a bad review yet but I have spoken to some people about it and whilst I have been met with initial – ‘Oh its so amazing’ when I challenge my points.. I am equally met with ‘yeah your right it was a bit strange..’. I don’t think this is the downturn of Pixar by any stretch, but it will interesting to see how it copes with the pressure of continuing to turn out fine films (especially as they have Disney to look after now).

Ooops..

Posted by Administrator | Filed under General, Personal

Sudden flurry of posts relates to the fact that some our database got lost yesterday – human error! Normal service resumes shortly.

Like a hamster in a cage…..

Posted by Administrator | Filed under General, Personal

I love these images found on the Sun newspapers online viral page (yes I hold my hand up!), for once something a little more artistic than ‘glamour’! I think its the subtlety of the people that makes it work so well, also the art direction. I’m not sure where they have originally come from or if they are part of a campaign… would be nice to find out?

The Butterfly Jar

Posted by Administrator | Filed under Animation, Personal, Video

Dug out my old 1996 college film and uploaded to YouTube, you can check it out here:

Got the hang of it now so expect more movies from now on!

Purley Boys – amazing place the internet!

Posted by Administrator | Filed under Personal

I always seem to get get horrified ‘gasps’ when I explain my schooling at Purley Boys, I remember Mr Akers standing up during one lunchtime and exclaiming: “What do you think this is some damn comprehensive!” Of course it was! Being at PB was an incredible experience some of which is highlighted in this article, and remember I only left in 1989! The cane had been abolished when I was there but there were many ‘incidences’ I had where I think Mr Akers would have like that option.

Purley High was certainly run along unusually traditional lines. Consider the school’s ‘Rules and Procedure for the Guidance of Parents and Boys’, 1978 edition. They don’t mention caning but they must have left the prospective parent and pupil in little doubt about the style of the place. Here are just a few extracts: (more…)

My Dinner with The Brothers Quay (I wish!)

Posted by Administrator | Filed under Animation, Personal

Very interesting interview with The Brothers Quay over at AWN.

Timothy and Stephen Quay. All images unless otherwise noted courtesy of Zeitgeist Films. Right images courtesy of Sarah Baisley.