Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/2640
V F X A U D I O S E R V I N G T H E I N D U S T R Y F O R 2 4 Y E A R S 20 VFX FOR FILMS While some effects are in your face, others seamlessly blend the virtual with the practical world. By Ken McGorr y 28 TRANSITIONING FROM STUDENT TO PRO In this tight market, paying your dues is part of the job. By Randi Altman 40 CAMERAS IN POST Post pros are finding that video cameras ar e becoming a normal part of their toolkit. By Christine Bunish 34 AUDIO FOR COMMERCIALS Advertisers recognize the importance of a quality soundtrack. By Mar c Loftus T R E N D S www.postmagazine.com September 2009 • Post 1 Starz Animation Toronto (www.starznanimation.com) took on Shane Acker's feature film 9, an expansion of his Oscar- nominated short of the same name. They used Maya for animation and Mental Ray for rendering, but also called on proprietary technology such as Uber-Shader, which enables extensive relighting in the final compositing stage of pro- duction. And they developed the Splatter Shader specifically for 9. It was used on the rugged ground planes in the film. For more on "VFX for Films," please turn to page 20. O N O U R C O V E R DEPARTMENTS 2 EDITOR'S LETTER Looking for work By Randi Altman 2 POST SCRIPT Learning the new 'Studio' By Marc Loftus 4 BITS & PIECES What's new in post 12 DIRECTOR'S CHAIR Hoyt Yeatman — G-Force By Iain Blair 16 SPECIAL REPORT The Colbert Report sets up shop in Iraq to entertain the troops By Randi Altman 18 SPECIAL REPORT Stephen Colbert talks about how his staff made their recent road trip a success By Randi Altman 45 PRODUCTS The latest in hardware & software 48 REVIEW Puget Systems' Genesis workstation By David Basulto This Month In • Sony Pictures Animation creates a deliciously fulfilling CG film treat • GPUs and CPUs: Who's got the power? • Discover why everyone's talking about District 9, as we take you behind the scenes DAILY NEWS UPDATES WEB EXCLUSIVES VFX designer John Dykstra on Inglourious Basterds By Ken McGorry Posting the documentary The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans Training company Future Media Concepts turns 15 Polygon Entertainment's :60 CG promo for the new Halo: Reach videogame REVIEW Digital Juice's Video Traxx HD & Compositor's Toolkit By Tim Johnson 20 34 40 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS CRAWFORD COMMUNICATIONS ILLINOIS NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE