Break Wk3 - Catalog DVD Render uploaded to Vimeo

In preparation for the Catalog DVD, I've finished my latest render and uploaded it to Vimeo.

Wk6 - Fly-Thru Concept

This is my customised Mandelbox... with a view to designing one that can be produced physically.

Using a -90, -45, centre, 45 and 90 degree pass, I created a test for making a setup where the viewer can place their head inside the mandelbox.

 This is the render that I did, combined using Nuke, starting from the centre of my customised Mandelbox. This is only 1350 frames but it illustrates the concept:

Wk5 - Mandelbox Render (3,800 HD frames, 24 days)

I've been rendering out a version of the Mandelbox in HD since I got Mandelbulber.

 It's been essentially rendering from 4/8 - 28/8...

Here are the 3,800 frames thus far:

Wk5 - Fly Thru for Displacement Maps

In an effort to generate nice displacement maps, I decided to do a fly-thru from the corner of a black and white mandelbox...



Textures I've played with so far:

Using the particle system, I can see that using such images will work nicely in creating some textured surfaces:

Wk1 - Mandelbox Test Render

Ever since watching Duncan Brinsmead's video, I've been fascinated by the Mandelbrot Set, and the subsequent Mandelbulb and the newest Mandelbox.

I found a very old program called Mandelbulber...  I rendered out something simple... not bad really...

For Reference:

1979 Mandelbrot Set (Benoît Mandelbrot) - zn+1 = zn2 + c

2007 Mandelbulb (Daniel White and Paul Nylander) - See The Unravelling of the Real 3D Mandelbulb for details.


2010 Mandelbox (Tom Lowe) See What is a Mandelbox for more detail, particularly the gallery.

Game of Thrones Opening Sequence

So, I started watching Game of Thrones tonight, up to episode 5 now and I can't get over how much I enjoy the opening title sequence.  Enjoy!

Complementary Video & Assessment.

So, after much heartache at the library computers and on my aging mac mini at home, I produced the following video for assessment today in my Video Complementary 1 class.

At the end, I was quite proud to show this one... it is probably my best work for the semester, in my opinion.  I guess my marks will be the proof of that.

Assessment was handled by Riley, Kit and Katie.  A nice, friendly bunch.  It think it went well.

My take on the feedback was that it was a polished piece (Riley), they liked obscurity of the object particularly when it seemed to breathe (both Kit and Katie were left guessing - thought it was skin and some other think like that) and they felt that the concept of exploring textures was valid and strong (Kit) and that maybe I should have used some of the surfaces from the earlier shoots, eg. ceramics (Riley).

It was nice to see Katie again.

Wii Ad 'All Play' - Render for VIVA

I've decided this is the render I'll use for VIVA tomorrow.

On a side note, why doesn't my Final Cut 7.03 at home have the Bloom video effect?  Very annoying... it seems the computers at Uni don't have the font that Nintendo uses while at home I do, yet at home I don't have the effect.  Jeez.

Backyard Burgers Ad

Another look at the behind-the-scenes of a food-related commercial, for Backyard Burgers:

The ad:



Behind-the-scenes of Burger, rotation & onions:

How a Pizza Commercial is made

Review and Wii ad with rotating end shot.

Review is this week.

Here's my Wii ad as it stands and will be presented at review today:

Prototype - Wii Ad

I needed to choose something that I could be in control of and didn't have the logistical issues that my other chosen topics had... thus putting together my Wii...



I'm working to make an even faster/punchier version of this video but so far it seems to lose the impact when the actions are so fast.

Sound Options for my Videos

I'm someone who usually leaves the sound component till the last moment, but I've been thinking about sound for a while now, convinced that I need to have music backing my video sequences.  Thus, I've been familiarising myself with a DS program called Rytmik (by Cinemax), avoiding the likes of GarageBand.

I met with Alistair today and he suggested, based on the vague description I have, that I instead use the sounds from the environment, citing Blow Up as an example of such a thing.

Alistair did back up David's advice that if I did want some music that GarageBand could be useful - only to remember to avoid the guitar and piano loops as they are quite recognisable.

Complimentary Dilema Update #2

So I met with Chris today.

In regard to which direction I'm going in this was brilliant.

After chatting with him I've decided to drop my Dyslexia idea and the Cloud/Liquid in a fishbowl idea.

So, Video complimentary here I come.

The plan will be to make similar video sequences in both the major and the complimentary.  Brilliant.

Surface detail by subBlue

"Quickies" Third Edition @ SwankFilms

Came across this guy's channel on Youtube... some funny stuff...

Club Dark Chocolate Ad

I've been meaning to post this one for a while 'cos I see it all the time on Foxtel and am always impressed.

The Simpsons - Inspiration city!

Was watching The Simpsons, this intro was brilliant. It in their lounge room... pans out goes into space and ends up back in their lounge room... great.



That same episode had a piece which showed Homer every day for years...



I was looking for its inspiration, these are two I found... The second one is more interesting.






Another cool Simpsons video sequence I watched tonight was the equivalent of the Evolution of Man, The Evolution of Homer:

"Time Away"

As the VMan article highlights, this is a short film inspired by Bjorg's latest jewelry collection.

The underwater dinner party was a very nice touch.... particularly loved the drinking out of a glass underwater.

VMan: Fashion film from designer Siki Im

I'm not sure what it all means but destroying an office is probably one of a public servants dreams though I wouldn't be so obsessed with shredded paper. Love the shot of the keyboard falling and coming apart. Very nice.