Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/48986
VFX•Animation n n n n he was amazed by what he saw in Apes. "The level of subtleties and complexity delivered in the performance of Caesar from the combina- tion of both Andy Serkis' performance capture and the team of animators at Weta is truly groundbreaking. I feel it's a very strong favor- ite for visual effects awards." In addition, Rosenbaum, AMPAS mem- ber of the Visual Effects Branch, is among a growing contingent that feels it is time that an actor's performance in a digital role is fully recognized. "It is time for the Actor Branch to finally acknowledge that the believability of Caesar came from an actor's performance. How he looked will surely be recognized by my Branch," says Rosenbaum. Thor Release date: May 6 Production companies: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios "I grew up mainly reading British comics, like 'Judge Dredd,' and was never really exposed to 'Thor,' " admits Ben Shepherd, VFX supervisor at Cinesite. "Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by Thor. There were mas- sive set pieces and environments, particularly reo), which worked much better," he says. "I wouldn't place myself in the Transformers fan bracket, but I thought the film was awesome. The quantity and quality of the destruction ef- fects were amazing." Rainmaker's Ward challenges folks to find a camera in this film that isn't moving or barely be- ing operated. "As anyone in VFX knows, a mov- ing camera means a matchmove, and a moving Michael Bay camera often means a matchmove from hell." Ward describes himself as a fan of Mi- chael Bay's camera work and was excited to hear him getting back together with DP Amir Mokri after enjoying the crazy sequences they conjured up on Bad Boys 2. "The reunion paid off, as TF3 didn't disappoint—the ride was constant with every robot-filled frame. Who can forget the de- tail in Shockwave's Driller as it tore through the Chicago skyline? Another standing ovation for ILM's seamless work in this film and a huge pat on the back for all the stereo work in the film. This was the best use of stereo 3D this year." Destruction, says Tippett's Bourland, that is what Transformers is about. "Watching Shock- wave's giant mechanical death worm chew its way through a building that our heroes are running around in was probably the 'best The Adventures of Tintin Release date: December 21 Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, WingNut Films, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Hemisphere Media Capital, Nickelodeon Movies While the film had not been released in the US as of press time, there was no shortage of comments pertaining to this highly anticipated film. "Friends of mine either in the industry or not who have seen this film, film geeks, and even the harshest of couch-surfing critics are all boasting at how amazing this film is," says Ward from Rainmaker. "It's a winning combination in every way: Spielberg, Jackson, Weta, Georges Rémi's great writing of the 'Tintin' comics." Ward also believes that it's here with this film where performance capture as a medium may finally find its foothold. "America will have to wait a little longer for this one, but I'll continue to drool over the trailers until I can buy my ticket," he says. Okun describes this film as "technically groundbreaking and amazing work!" But more importantly, he says, it raises the question of whether [the work] is VFX or something else. "Is it something new? Something forecasting our futures in terms of what can be done? It will be a game-changer for the future, as the crossover between acting and VFX will seam- lessly merge and no one will ever again be able to tell technique," Okun adds. "It will be hid- den from common understanding—depend- ing on how it is applied in the future." Cars 2 the impressive Asgard environment. The battle with the ice warriors was well rendered, and there was some very accomplished CG in there." Transformers: Dark of the Moon Release date: June 28 Production companies: Paramount Pictures, Hasbro, Di Bonaventura Pictures Shepherd is not alone in selecting this sum- mer's Transformers as the best of the franchise so far. "For me, this was the best of the three films they've released. In the first two mov- ies, I found the action too fast and confusing, but in the latest installment, the combat has been slowed down (possibly to help the ste- building being destroyed' sequence ever," he says. "I also really appreciated the fact that Mi- chael Bay actually got some guys to squirrel- suit-jump into downtown Chicago." The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 Release date: November 18 Production companies: Summit Entertainment, Imprint Entertainment, TSBD Canada Produc- tions, TSBD Louisiana, TSBD Productions, Total Entertainment, Zohar International A lot can be said for some of the effects in this film, but the consensus seems to be that the CG wolves were done extremely well. Release date: June 26 Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios "I loved the feel of this film," says Okun about Pixar's latest offering. "While it clearly uses new- er techniques to arrive at some of the imagery, it also felt warm and comfortable, so the VFX were invisible to the story, as they should be." Method Studios' Woloshyn also enjoyed the film. "There is nothing quite like seeing a Pixar film through the eyes of a child. See- ing Cars 2 with my younger son was indeed December 2011/January 2012 39