Screen Magazine - Index

Screen Magazine - Screen Magazine: Vol. 29, Issue 9 - Index

Continued from page 13.
“Creatively, the project was very satisfying as we had more
latitude for experimental work than most projects allow,”
says Kieran Walsh, lead VFX artist and creative director at
V2. “we were able to explore many abstract and intriguing
compositions with unexpected transitions taking us from
one world to the next. Our aim was to create something that
would be sympathetic to the contemporary space, while
imparting the Grey
Goose branding
throughout.”
Autodesk Inferno
was the primary
tool for the project,
which gave V2
the speed and
interactivity necessary to develop the project right through
the finishing process. Everything was shot using the Phantom
HD camera and the approach for the piece was to create
as much as possible using live action.
//www.version2.net
Whodoo EFX Delivers Over 80 Original
Digital Effects For Indie Film “Anamorph”
Whodoo EFX has had a busy year so far in 2008. The visual
effects company has designed, created and produced 80
digital effects for an independent feature film, “Anamorph.”
The thriller, directed by Henry S. Miller, stars Willem DaFoe
and Scott Speedman. It was released on April 18th.
Director Henry Miller stated, “There is no limit to the
superlatives I could give describing what Helena [Packer
Burnson] and Whodoo EFX did for ‘Anamorph’…Helena
and Whodoo were able to take an extremely abstract idea
and make it a reality.”
Visual effects supervisor and president of Whodoo EFX
Helena Packer Burnson added, “With ‘Anamorph,’ we had
a great chance to work with extremely talented people like
[VFX Supervisor] Richard [Edlund] and Henry - a wonderful
experience.”
Also earlier this year, Whodoo EFX supplied over 200 visual
effects to the Universal Pictures’ film “Charlie Wilson’s War,”
directed by Mike Nichols. The political drama starring Tom
Hanks was released on DVD on April 22nd.
//www.whodooefx.com
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Hootenanny And fxphd Partner
Open Chicago Shop
Chicago has become the home to a new boutique postproduction
house with the addition of Hootenanny, a shop
founded in April by former Avenue artists Jim Annerino and
Liz Tate. The shop opened April 14th, taking over 5,000 sq.
ft. of space at 211 E. Grand Avenue. With a combined 35
years of experience at Avenue, the choice for Tate and
Annerino was not a simple one. “It was a big move for Jim
and me,” says Tate, “but we saw that we had both come
to a place in our careers where we knew how we wanted
to run a post house.” Tate is the first creative editor on staff,
while Annerino will be
returning to his role as
a Smoke artist. Both will
share in the day-to-day
business affairs.
Also partnering in the
space with Hootenanny
will be fxphd, a highend
online training company founded by visual effects
artist John Montgomery and Sydney-based Mike Seymour.
With members from over 65 countries around the world—
including over a dozen in Chicago—the site has become
the top online training center for visual effects artists.
Fxphd.com is the sister company to the visual effects
news site fxguide.com “When John threw his hat into the
ring, we jumped at the chance to work with him again.
His expertise and creativity are great to have in-house, as
well as his worldwide link with new technology. It will allow
us to be competitive in the constantly changing media
environment,” states Annerino.
Although separate companies, Hootenanny and fxphd
will be collaborating on projects to parlay the strengths of
each office. Montgomery will be adding visual effects work
and design to the Hootenanny arsenal, while Tate and
Annerino may be helping with fxphd work when needed.
“I’m excited to be working again with my friends and
clients,” says Montgomery. “With both of my online sites,
we pay close attention to the latest trends in technology in
post and production and have great contacts with the folks
making our software. We had one of the first RED Cameras
in the world - and with its use in commercial post-production
becoming ever more common, I think our knowledge will
really help our clients projects to go smoothly. I’m excited
about getting back in the creative end of things on
the box as well as using
our knowledge and
contacts to help out the
Hootenanny crew.”
“The move has really
invigorated us both,”
says Tate. “We are
getting a very strong
response from our clients that they are looking for a new
post-production model that is a little leaner - a little more
flexible. We hope to provide that, and hopefully meet
some new creatives who never knew about us before.”
//www.hootenanny.tv