Archive for February 23rd, 2009

Software Design Company Presents Award at Visual Effects Society (VES) Ceremony

Recognizing the importance of supporting students in the dynamic visual effects sector of the entertainment industry, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) Vice President of the Digital Entertainment Group, Stig Gruman, presented the first-ever student award at the Visual Effects Society (VES) annual awards show on February 21. The winners were Sandy Widyanata and Courtney Wise, who created their short film, “PLASTIC,� as a graduation project while studying at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. more

The Brief:

Nick Sasso and the effects team of New York-based graphics design VFX and animation house Manic contribute dazzling animation to the latest spots for Act Total Care oral rinse, via The Joey Company.

In the stylish new campaign, ageless supermodel Christy Brinkley praises the protective, age- defying benefits of Act on her pearly whites; and she knows what a brilliant smile can do. Her iconic career was launched on it. more

Enhancements to the Software Help Artists Work More Efficiently

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has launched Autodesk Softimage 7.5 software for visual effects and game production. With this release, Autodesk has renamed the SOFTIMAGE|XSI software — acquired from Avid Technology, Inc. — Autodesk Softimage. The 7.5 version offers timesaving new features, such as UV unfolding technology, a multithreaded Syflex cloth simulator and an integrated mental ray 3.7+ renderer. Artists have used Softimage to create numerous movies, commercials and video games, including the Oscar-winning film “Happy Feet,� Coca Cola’s “Heist� Super Bowl ad, and the “Fable II� video game. more

To view the video: www.chomet.com/heartless.html

Editorial and post-production house, Chomet, Inc., in conjunction with Hype Williams and visual effects company Optic Flavor, teamed-up to create the new Kanye West music video “Heartless.� Produced and directed by Hype Williams for Def Jam Records, “Heartless� made its debut with the release of the new album, “808s and Heartbreak� at year’s end. Footage from the new video was shown during the Kanye West performance on the AMA Awards in advance of the album release date. more

Former Leo Burnett agency leader takes strategic role at global Visual Entertainment Services group

To help continue the company’s rapid global expansion, Prime Focus Group, one of the world’s largest integrated Visual Entertainment Services companies, has hired Michael Constantine as Director of Global Marketing. Reporting to CEO Namit Malhotra, he’ll be instrumental in the development of the company’s market and brand positioning, helping to build the group’s business and reputation worldwide and oversee partner and supplier relationships. Recent Prime Focus credits include feature films such as Quantum of Solace and Red Cliff, documentaries such as Man On Wire and The Beckoning Silence, and commercials for Landrover, Givenchy and Citroen. more

The Visual Effects Society announced the recipients of the 7th Annual VES Awards on February 21, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The annual event recognizes outstanding visual effects in over a dozen categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Filmmakers, producers and guests joined more 1100 professionals from the visual effects industry for the gala. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button took home four awards—Including Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Motion Picture. The Dark Knight and Wall-E took home three awards each. more

Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 23, 2009 — After launching in Los Angeles, Hurrah! Marketing has positioned itself as the premiere representation firm for broadcast designers and creative companies. Longtime Promax/BDA executive Carol Eisenrauch is president and Head of Global Business Development for Hurrah! Marketing, which also has a second East Coast office.

Eisenrauch said, “Hurrah! Marketing has been designed as a unique sales and marketing company that represents highly creative firms to the television, film, multi-media and broadband industries. We specialize in providing marketing strategies and sales implementation to our clients — companies that do business within the advertising, promotional and entertainment arenas. We take on clients who already are established, have a firm customer base, can do the work, and have a great track record and demo reel. These companies are often in need of our assistance in securing additional work from various media to add to their customer base. That’s our specialty, and few other rep firms out there have our expertise.â€? more

LANCASTER, Pa. — Feb. 23, 2009 — The 81st Academy Awards® ceremony was broadcast last night with the help of the Linear Acoustic e2 (e-squared) multichannel audio and metadata distribution system. The 5.1 channel surround sound telecast aired live from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. more

Hollywood, CA & Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 23, 2009 — The bonus features contained within Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s BluRay release of “Resident Evil: Degeneration,â€? won the “Best Interactivity” Award during the recently held, first-ever Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) awards event in Tokyo, Japan. Hollywood-based entertainment marketing agency Trailer Park produced the interactive bonus features for that BluRay title. more

Thousands will gather at industry’s most popular symposium on April 21, 2009

Los Angeles, CA / Boston, MA – February 23, 2009 – The Final Cut Pro User Group Network today announced the 8th Annual NAB FCPUG SuperMeet will be held at the Rio Hotel (Las Vegas, NV) on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. Expected to be one of the largest gatherings of editors, filmmakers, and digital content creators during the NAB 2009 show, the 8th Annual NAB SuperMeet provides an open forum for attendees to discuss the rapidly changing landscape of postproduction and broadcast, talk one-on-one with industry leading digital media technology developers, and network with peers. more