News & Events

VFX Students Get Gory at Special FX Make-up Workshop

Monday, January 17th, 2011

As part of the pre-production process for the ghost project shoot, Ria Ambrose (Lost Boys’ Production Manager and owner of Colour FX Specialty Make-up) offered the students a one day Gelatin Wound Making Workshop.

Ria Ambrose leads the Workshop

The workshop was a new addition to the curriculum to inspire the students in conceptualizing the visuals for their ghost projects. During the day, the students were instructed on how to cast, apply and paint gelatin wounds. Ria also demonstrated some simplified techniques to create old age and zombie skin. The model that was used during the demonstration was also filmed over greenscreen to be later composited into one of the ghost projects (see final image below).

Ria Ambrose – Colour FX:
“I so enjoyed seeing the enthusiasum of all the students once they began to apply the wounds on each other. It is amazing what a little fake blood can do to a room full of guys.”

Student Grant Robertson; wounds self-applied

Marcelo Bassoli – Student:
“The best thing about the Gelatin Make-up Workshop was that I could make things that I didn’t imagine that I could do. It was the first time that I made done anything like this this and I liked the results. It is always challenging when you have to try something for the first time. I was afraid to do something wrong or not finish it properly, but it wasn’t a problem. The workshop exceeded my expectations and I really enjoyed participating in it.”

Student Jason Tranetzki; wound by Kishor Joshi; student Miguel Ponce; wound by Michael Balzer

Kishor Joshi – Student:
“When I started observing movies I had always wondered, how do they make wounds and blood? It makes me curious when they show a swollen/wounded eye in films, I know it’s make-up but how do they do it ? After attending this workshop, I at least know how they start, so for me and this was the best part of workshop.

As a visual effects artist this workshop should help me to get the basics right. While working on a ‘slit throat’ my focus was to blend it with (fellow student) Jason’s skin tone and to show fresh blood dripping. It was not the best looking but I think I was happy with my first attempt.

To sum up I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. It was quite educational. One day I would like to do a swollen eye make-up. Let there be blood!”

Model Heather; compositing by Carlos Guzman

Carlos Guzman – Student:
“For me it was really interesting because I have never done makeup before. I think the class was awesome, but so fast, I would like to do more, maybe two or three more classes. I think we need more practice and would like to learn more about the techniques.”

Compositing by Michael Balzer

Sculpey 2010

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Big thanks to Ken Meyer from Jackrabbit Pictures for presenting our annual Sculpey Maquette Modeling Workshop this week.

An opportunity for the students to get off their computers for a few days, and create a handmade, tangible art object, the Sculpey Workshop also teaches character preparation and design as it relates to the animation and visual effects pipelines.

Ken is a freelance Animator, Director, Visual Effects Artist and he is currently creating an animated short series. He founded both Jackrabbit Pictures and the Caffeine Collective in 2004. Ken lives and works in Vancouver where he collaborates with international artists, directors, agencies and studios to create digital imagery for film, television, and the gaming industry.

July 2010 Vancouver Studio Tour

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Another successful Vancouver studio tour is complete! Many thanks to Vancouver facilities Miniature Effects, Lux VFX, Image Engine and Atmosphere VFX for opening their doors to our students and sharing valuable information about how their companies operate (and of course recruiting tips!)

The current senior class were accompanied by owner Gillian Benard and Teaching Assistant Kaustubh Kaloti, catching the early morning ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver and returning again later in the evening. It was a gorgeous day to sail across the Georgia Strait, and a warm, sunny day in Vancouver.

First stop was miniature and model shop, Miniature Effects, with recent work on V, Smallville and Cats & Dogs 2. Owner/Creator Dave Asling showed us around the shop – there were hardly any computers in sight – but lots of practical gear and models, including a dinosaur from an Orbit gum commercial, a submarine, topographical models, masks and props. Dave showed us breakdowns and talked about the integration of practical VFX with digital VFX, the importance of lighting, scale and physics in the overall look and realism of a shot.

Next stop was Lux VFX, a newer boutique shop working on the TV series Eureka and the feature Behemoth. Producer Bill Higgins showed us around, discussing the artist’s pipeline and the multi-tasking nature of their 3D artists. LBL grad Justin Wiles was there, working on BG Prep, building meta-geometry and creating new, longer shadows for a time-of-day change in the shots.

After a relaxed lunch at nearby Terra Breads on West 5th, we went to Image Engine. Recruiter Jimmy Ockey and Facilities Manager Mike Tate led us through the studio and discussed upcoming hiring needs and their newly designed feature film pipeline. Exciting things in the works, including a prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 classic The Thing and a facility expansion. We said hello to LBL grad Alex Lama, who recently wrapped Twilight: Eclipse. Congratulations to IE on their recent Emmy nomination for Stargate Universe!

Last but not least was a visit with VFX Producer Pauline Burns at Atmosphere VFX, over near the Kitsilano Beach area of the city. Work in progress included feature Resistance and Stargate Universe. LBL grad Perry Sohn was matchmoving and working on the “kawoosh” shots for the Stargate “gate”. It was great to see Atmosphere’s Emmy awards proudly displayed in the new display case in reception.

We are so fortunate that the Vancouver industry is dynamic and welcoming. The studio tours give our students a great sneak peek into the reality of “life after school” – and if I may say, a little thrill at seeing Peter Jackson‘s congratulations message and signature on a District 9 poster at Image Engine!

Guest Speaker John Gajdecki, VFX Supervisor

Monday, June 14th, 2010

On Tuesday, June 15, we are pleased to welcome award-winning VFX Supervisor, Producer and Director of Photography John Gajdecki.

With over 20 years of international experience as a VFX Supervisor & Producer, John has worked on features, television shows and commercials for clients in Canada, US, Europe and New Zealand. Clients include Disney, Touchstone, Fox, MGM, Paramount and Universal Studios. Selected credits include: Slither, Dungeon Siege, Stargate Atlantis, I, Robot, A Wrinkle in Time, Down to Earth, The Other Side of Heaven, Stargate SGI, The Outer Limits, Johnny Mnenomic and Friday the 13th. John has three Gemini awards and three Emmy nominations.

He has great understanding of all film and digital production formats, film IO methodologies, and an excellent grasp of 3D, 2D, and miniatures production pipelines. He designed & built a VFX Database and web interface to bid and manage large VFX projects using worldwide artists. Both on individual projects and as owner of VFX studio GVFX, he negotiated multi-million dollar deals and produced countless hours of visual effects. He is an accomplished second unit and VFX unit Director/Cinematographer.

Based in Vancouver, John divides his time between VFX Supervision, speaking at schools and spending time with his family.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0301474/
http://www.johngajdecki.com

June 2010 Activities – Paintball and more

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

There are lots of great things happening this month, both in the studio and outside in the community.

PCTIA visit on Thursday, June 10 at 1:00 pm.
Paintball on Friday, June 11 at 1:00 pm.
Potluck BBQ on Saturday, June 12 at 4:30 pm.
Introduction to Ghost Project on Monday, June 14 at 10:00 am.
Guest Speaker James Carver on Monday, June 14 at 2:00 pm.
Guest Speaker John Gajdecki on Tuesday, June 15 at 10:00 am.
Tin Town Solstice Party on Saturday, June 26 at 7:00 pm.