New Episode
The Optical — Episode 026 is out!
We explore the fascinating history of sound in films — the trial and error that led from silent films to the first talkies — with Fritzi Kramer of Movies Silently. Fritzi also suggests some silent VFX films, and we catch up with good news about former Cinefex publisher Don Shay.
VFX & Special Effects
Nurnies and Greeblies
Nurnies and Greeblies are the same thing, right? Those little kit bash details that get added to the surface of a model? But wait — is it greebles or greeblies? And what of the little rubber bits that a makeup effects artist might need for a gore scene — how does that figure in? Johnathan Banta of AGRAPHA Productions put together this article as part of his VFX Archaeology series, trying to track the evolution of the terms, and to which practices they applied.
The ILM Universal Greeblie
Following up on the greeblies discussion, Ken McConnell tracks down the source of ILM's iconic “Universal Greeblie.”
Meet John Knoll, the Special Effects Genius Behind Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
If you missed it back in December, Wired did a great article on the career of John Knoll and the effects of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, by Robert Capps.
Film Technology
Matching Lens Blur on Different Format Sizes
An interesting dissection of how capture format size interacts with focal length to create a different texture to the blur for out-of-focus elements.
History
Raiders of the Lost Ark 1-Page Film School
I was reminded recently that Vashi Visuals had collected this amazing resource for how Raiders was put together, from story conference and script, to editing, effects, and matte paintings. It’s my favorite film of all time — how could I resist this deep dive?
Around the Web
Cinefex 152
Cinefex issue 152 is on newsstands now, covering the making of Kong: Skull Island, Logan, A Cure for Wellness, and The Great Wall. Pick it up now at cinefex.com or download it in the Cinefex iPad app.
VFX Voice Magazine
There's a new VFX magazine on the scene! The Visual Effects Society has started a magazine of their own — the premiere issue touching on Ghost in the Shell, Westworld, Cars 3, Gears of War 4, a look back at Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and coverage of the 2017 VES Awards.
American Cinematographer — Free April Issue
American Cinematographer is giving away free online access to its April issue, including a nice article on digital sets for The Last Man on Earth (page 94).
How’s your summer going? (Or winter, if you’re one of our Oceania listeners.) Things are heating up here in Seattle, and so are the summer VFX movies. Let’s get on it!
Mark Boszko