Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, VFX Breakdown

One of the most critically-acclaimed adaptations ever, backed up with top-notch, mind blowing VFX...what more could you ever want?! :)

"Mindblowing. The best special effects are those you’d never guess are effects."

(RYAN ADAMS)

SideFX Releases Houdini 12

So it's true, the ultra-capable, mega-popular 3D package by SideFX Software now has a 12th successor. Check out the Overview video below to see what this version is capable of: 

Houdini 12 Overview from Go Procedural on Vimeo.

I'll admit, as a self-taught student I've always wanted a license to this because it looks so damn awesome. It's capabilities are so versatile and makes it one of the industry's most reliable tools for dynamic fluid simulations, alongside everything else (modeling etc.) But obviously, it'll take a while for you to wrap your head around if you're a 3Ds Max user like me. So with all my curiosity, I went ahead and downloaded the Apprentice version of Houdini 11 when it came out and it won't work on my 64 bit Win 7 machine. Stubborn thing! 

Moving on I take my concern to Twitter following the release of Houdini 12. I was humbly replied to by SideFX. They're right, I should probably try Houdini 12 Apprentice and see how it works out. Or I'll just have to go to ther forums for support. The point is that Houdini is obviously something I really need...okay something I really want! I just can't wait to get my hands on Pyro Fx - fluids here I come!
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The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Cinematic

             

         

I must admit, this is one of THE BEST cinematic trailers I have EVER seen. 

Platige Image used their "always-evolving" pipeline with Maya, V-Ray, 3Ds Max, and Motionbuilder, along with some of their own software developed at the studio. (More info over at CGSOCIETY) 

Futuristic Eye in After Effects

Futuristic Eye in After Effects from Umar Ansari on Vimeo.

This is a clip from my new personal demo reel. I composited 2D elements with a live action clip of a moving eye, using After Effects. With the help of a simple, self-written script I was able to achieve the random rotation of the elements inside the eye.

Original Footage 

Finished Composite

Hugo VFX Breakdowns from Pixomondo

Academy Award winning Hugo 3D

"An exclusive interview with Pixomondo’s Visual Effects Supervisor Rob Legato and Ben Grossmann, discussing the visual effects of Martin Scorsese’s film “Hugo”. Hugo recently won the Oscar for best visual effects." CGTERMINAL

Hugo shot breakdowns by Pixomondo from Rich Frazer on Vimeo.

Rob Legato and Ben Grossmann interviewed on fxguide TV about their work on "Hugo". Includes shot breakdowns from Pixomondo (including several of my shots). 
Content originally from fxguide.com.