Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/6359
8 Post • January 2010 www.postmagazine.com S AN FRANCISCO — Online animation service Mixamo has entered into an agreement with New Orleans-based online 3D marketplace TurboSquid (www.turbosquid.com) to offer "Mixamo-cer tified" models that are assured to work seamlessly with the entire collection of motions found on the company's Website (www.mix- amo.com). Users can apply any of the Mixamo motions to a growing list of TurboSquid character models. They can then be viewed directly within the Mixamo interface, without uploading. While the Mixamo service is com- patible with most 3D models, these Mixamo-cer tified models in the Tur- boSquid marketplace have been tested and are guaranteed to provide seam- less integration with Mixamo animations. "The combination of high-quality, cer tified Tur- boSquid models and Mixamo animations provides users with a powerful and easy way to develop first- rate characters in motion," says Stefano Corazza, co- founder/CTO of Mixamo. "[As a provider of] 3D con- tent across several industries, including videogames, design and architecture, and vir tual worlds, Tur- boSquid aligns perfectly with Mixamo's ongoing strat- egy to provide 3D professionals with the next evolu- tion in character creation technologies." After purchasing a cer tified model on Tur- boSquid.com, users can select a desired animation from Mixamo's collection of character motions. They can visualize their cer tified model online as they cus- tomize the automatically retargeted motions in real- time using slider-based controls. Once customization is complete, users may purchase and download the motion and merge it into their scene. The collection of cer tified models currently con- tains 10 3DS Max bi-ped system characters. Addi- tional certified models will be added regularly. Bits & Pieces L OS ANGELES — Lightiron Digital (www.light- iron digital.com) is a recently opened file- based post house offering services for film, televi- sion,Web and spots.The studio was founded by brothers Michael and Peter Cioni, and consists of two divisions: Ironwork, which provides dailies processing for tape and tapeless media, offline and online editorial, data conform and color grading; and Lightwork, which provides technology consul- tation, systems integration and workflow design. Lightiron has a 4K stereoscopic digital inter- mediate grading theatre featuring Quantel's Pablo and Assimilate's Scratch color grading system.The room offers 2K and 4K cinema projectors for both 2D and 3D post. In the spring, Lightiron will open new space as part of a build-out.The facility will add film scanning and digital cinema packaging services to its list of offerings. Michael Cioni, who serves as CEO, was previ- ously digital intermediate supervisor at Plaster- City Digital Post, a company he co-founded. He has supervised DI work on more than 100 fea- tures. Peter Cioni is CFO and comes from a background in the financial services industry, having worked within multiple areas of JPMor- gan's Investment Banking Division.The team also includes CTO Chris Peariso, executive produc- ers Katie Fellion and Paul Geffre, colorists Mil- ton Adamou and Mark Todd Osborne, and finish- ing artist Matt Blackshear. Since setting up shop, Lightiron has com- pleted eight feature film DIs and has lent its file- based Lightworks expertise to several projects, including James Cameron's Avatar, where it pro- vided 3D monitoring and on-set processing of Red camera dailies. File-based Lightiron opens Mixamo partners with TurboSquid After buying a model from TurboSquid, users can then select a character motion from Mixamo's collection. Wildchild helps Usher launch 'VIP' N EW YORK — Editor Yvette Pineyro of Wildchild (www.wildchildpost.com) recently cut a spot that launched a new fragrance from recording ar tist Usher. Usher VIP cologne is "made for a man but for women to enjoy." The spot uses black and white imager y to help establish the sophisti- cated look, with Usher and his date speeding in a classic convertible.The couple races along the twisting roads of the French Riviera with the paparazzi in close pursuit. Anton & Partners/NY conceived the com- mercial, which was directed by Pierre Morel of Rant Films. And while the pursuit's tight turns and high speeds create a mood of tension, Usher is able to remain totally cool, chatting with his date about exotic food and desser ts. The chase ends at the famed Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, where the photogs hurry from their cars to shoot the couple's entrance. Pineyro used an Avid Media Composer to cut a :60 cinema version of the spot, as well as a :30 for broadcast. The commercial was shot in color on 35mm film and then the color was dialed down to black and white at Company 3, with Pineyro supervising. Johnnie Semerad of Semerad crafted the product end tag fea- turing the Usher VIP bottle. Wildchild credits included executive pro- ducer Alexandra Leal and assistant editor Chuck Granado.