Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1532695
2 cgw j a n u a r y • f e b r u a r y • m a r c h 2 0 2 5 CELEBRATING SPECTACULAR STORYTELLING ith another awards season coming to a close, CGW would like to celebrate the spectacular work of creative and technical professionals across the industry. Thanks to innovative applications of computer graphics technology, storytellers are able to elevate their projects to dazzling new heights. Advancements in visual effects, animation, virtual production, and virtual reality are bringing visuals to life on screen in ways that are more captivating and more immersive than we ever could have imagined. The barrier between impossible and possible is rapidly vanishing, allowing creativity to flourish. In our cover story, we explore the superpowered animation of Ultraman: Rising. Beginning as a passion project for writer/director Shannon Tindle more than twenty years ago, the film is a thrilling new chapter in the saga of a legendary Japanese superhero. Tindle teamed up with ILM visual effects supervisor Hayden Jones to cra brilliantly immersive visuals that blend dynamic camera movements with classic manga and anime aesthetics. "Most of the time you'd look at something like the linework that we surround every character with, and rather than having one solution, we'd always end up with four or maybe five…We managed to get it looking like it almost felt like it had been drawn by a human hand," Jones shares. Also in this issue, Post editor-in-chief Marc Lous dives into the process of bringing di- rector Ridley Scott's vision for Gladiator II to the screen. ILM visual effects supervisor Mark Bakowski worked closely with special effects supervisor Neil Corbould to build the film's ambitious visuals, including an epic sea battle and combat sequences involving a rhino, ba- boons, and—you have to see it to believe it—sharks. "Ridley really likes a practical element in there, one way or another, just to get as a grounding," Corbould explains. "The first conver- sation I had with him was about Numidia—the sea battle. He wanted these 120-foot-long boats that weighed 80 tons to travel in an environment that was a desert." Lous also highlights the six-year journey behind the production of In the Shadow of the Cypress, which tells a poignant story of a father and daughter in the Persian Gulf. Film- makers Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani overcame extensive financial and political challenges to complete the project, which has now received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short Film. This issue also jumps back in time to learn how A24's apocalyptic coming-of-age com- edy Y2K achieved its nostalgic visuals, and we share insights from industry experts on the future of virtual reality, trends to watch for in virtual production, and how VFX teams are evolving to become smaller and more agile. As always, CGW would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their stories and knowledge with us for this issue. We can't wait to see what you do next! W R E C E N T A W A R D S E D I T O R I A L CGW MANAGING EDITOR Kendra Ruczak kruczak@cgw.com t: 818.291.1168 POST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marc Loftus mloftus@postmagazine.com t: 516.376.1087 PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT/CEO William R. Rittwage COP Communications A D V E R T I S I N G DIRECTOR OF SALES: PRINT, DIGITAL, AND AWARDS Mari Kohn mkohn@postmagazine.com t: 818.291.1153 c: 818.472.1491 EDITORIAL OFFICE / LA SALES OFFICE 620 West Elk Ave., Glendale, CA 91204 t: 818-291-1168 D E S I G N SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Michelle Villas michelle@moontidemedia.com ISSUE DESIGNER Kendra Ruczak kruczak@cgw.com C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E / C I R C U L A T I O N Junior Lopez jlopez@copcomm.com t: 818.291.1117 D I G I T A L M A R K E T I N G / S O C I A L M E D I A Tommy Rittwage tommy@copcomm.com t: 818.291.1166 COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD, A COP COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY. Computer Graphics World does not verify any claims or other information appearing in any of the advertisements contained in the publication, and cannot take any responsibility for any losses or other damages incurred by readers in reliance on such content. Computer Graphics World cannot be held responsible for the safe- keeping or return of unsolicited articles, manuscripts, photographs, illustrations or other materials. Address all subscription correspon- dence to: Computer Graphics World, 620 West Elk Ave, Glendale, CA 91204. Subscriptions are available free to qualified individuals within the United States. Non-qualified subscription rates: USA—$68 for 1 year, $98 for 2 years; Canadian subscriptions —$98 for 1 year and $136 for 2 years; all other countries—$150 for 1 year and $208 for 2 years. Digital subscriptions are available for $27 per year. Subscribers can also contact customer service by calling 818-291-1158, or sending an email to csr@cgw.com. Postmaster: Send Address Changes to Computer Graphics World, 620 W. Elk Ave., Glendale, CA 91204 Please send customer service inquiries to 620 W. Elk Ave., Glendale, CA 91204 Kendra Ruczak Managing Editor, CGW