BOARDWALK EMPIRE SEASON 1 VFX BREAKDOWNS
What's real? What's not?
This is not only an incredible look at how it's done, but how much can be done. Some serious study material for anyone learning visual effects. That Brainstorm Digital took the time to assemble this is a real gift to us all.
Thank you.
And if you're like us and just can't get enough, here's Season 2's breakdown reel.
RYAN SHECKLER CRUSHES IT IN MANHATTAN
Skaters have always been keen to the power of video and have produced some of the most dynamic work ever. The skill with which they shoot and the style of their edits hardly ever disappoints.
But this takes the art form to an epic level. It's poetry in motion.
Watch as an incredible idea is executed in perfect harmony with a real slick edit. There's some serious skill at work here, both on the decks and in the suite.
MASTERFUL CONCEPT AND EXECUTION
873 images strung together to tell a story in a powerful way.
The images were culled from Getty's archives [for this Getty spot] so they didn't pay a licensing fee for one single image. (Imagine they had.)
See what an incredible, memorable journey a team can take when they're given the keys to the castle.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO TEAR UP A CITY?
A lot. Way more than you'd think.
Read about all that goes into a CG shot as epic as the final battle scene from The Avengers.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
In the queue to post since day one, now's a fine time.
(Who says nothing good happens at 3 am?)
Courtesy of the Daily Planet team, this goes out to FX artists everywhere.
Thanks DP, for penning and producing our anthem. We've loved it since its release.
"I easy ease, ease out, then I ease back in…"
A VIEW FROM THE STEADICAM RIG ON HUGO
Here's a perspective you've probably never seen.
A camera was attached to the steadicam rig and rolled while the final sequence of Hugo was
filmed.
Hear the exhaustion of the operator at the end. Enjoy the perfectly timed wisecrack (quite possibly from the director). And watch in amazement as a professional boom guy ["it's tough to be the boom guy"] navigates through doorways and around the cameraman.
This is something you'll hardly ever get to see. And thank you to 'mirrorvids' for posting it.
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
I've a wonderful clip I use in my video production course of this master documentarian sharing how the Ken Burns effect came to be.
Well here's a look inside the storyteller's head, revealing some fundamental insights on what filmmaking is really about; telling a story and shaping the way it's told to elicit certain feelings and emotions from your audience.
If there's a common thread in these posts on filmmaking advice, it's to be true to yourself and your story. Be genuine. Don't make a film based on what you think will arouse. Let it move and excite you first. If it does then it'll move and excite others as well.
Enjoy.
KEEP MAKING FILMS
It's entitled Quentin Tarantino's advice, and he does make some good points (heavily peppered with expletives, but that's Quentin, right?).
But it's Sam Raimi's golden nugget at the beginning that shines here.
"Make films, no matter what anybody says, and you'll be a filmmaker."
KINETIC TYPOGRAPHY: A PRIMER
This hardly scratches the surface, but it's enough to fan the flame and light the fire of a young creative eager to express themself through the medium of motion design, or what used to be known as motion graphics.
It will also demonstrate to anyone who hasn't yet experienced the phenomenon just how powerful moving words about the screen in rhythm to a soundtrack can be.
If you've ever seen Yahoo's "Who Knew?" http://news.yahoo.com/who-knew you know just how far this medium can be taken. In my estimation they're the best of the best and should be studied by anyone serious about this art form.
The following are a few select pieces chosen from many online that were set to the same soundtrack. I just happened to like the style of these. You can YouTube the titles to see how each artist has interpreted the track, which is what makes this medium so wonderful.
Like a snowflake, no two are ever alike.
And if you'll allow an ounce of self indulgence, I've included my very first effort at the end.
The Mickey Mouse Club Theme
Rocky Balboa's Motivational Speech
Network: Peter Finch Monologue
Portal: Still Alive
Andrew Wood: Tactics vs. Strategy
ANIMATION INSPIRATION
For aspiring character animators everywhere (and I include myself on the list) feast your eyes and open your mouths [in awe] over the incredible work of the students at www.AnimationMentor.com
This is one of those places where feature film animators get their start.
WATCH STUDENT SHOWCASE REELS HERE