Category: Visual Effects

eyeon Software has endorsed Oregon3D as the premier, professional training center for Digital Fusion, eyeon's 2D compositing and special effects solutions. The first training center in the U.S. to offer continuing courses on Digital Fusion, Oregon3D's 10,000-square-foot facility provides the working surroundings and equipment used by professional creative artists in the film, game, TV and visualization industries. Oregon3D's first series of eyeon classes will start by winter of 2003.

rhinofx has hired former Industrial Light & Magic visual effects producer Camille Geier (GANGS OF NEW YORK and PUNCH DRUNK LOVE) as its new senior exec producer. Her addition represents rhinofx's plan to secure longform projects while continuing its foothold in TV commercials.

Brisbane filmmakers Peter and Michael Spierig will join a stellar international lineup of international speakers at the Australian Effects and Animation Festival (AEAF) being held at the Sydney Convention Center, Darling Harbor from Dec. 7-10, 2003. Their homegrown horror movie, UNDEAD, is due for release in Australian cinemas on Sept. 4 and destined for global release in 2004.

Self-financed and costing fewer than one million dollars to produce, UNDEAD has already garnered prizes and praise at the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals.

Tri-Dimensional Studios of Tampa, Florida has launched The Maya Training Center, a state-of-the-art computer animation training facility specializing in intensive training for Alias' Maya. Designed to meet the needs of professionals and enthusiasts alike, The Maya Training Center provides Maya 3D animation training via its Tampa-based state-of-the-art classrooms and remotely through onsite training at their client's location.

In light of Morgan Creek's firing of director Paul Schrader from EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (the production company disliked his final cut), famed novelist Caleb Carr (THE ALIENIST), who shares screenplay credit with William Wisher, gave his perspective to VFXWorld:

Celebrated writer-director Paul Schrader has been dismissed from EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING over a creative dispute with production company Morgan Creek. Reports of friction have been rampant for weeks, with the NEW YORK POST affirming that Schrader was fired in its Page Six column on Aug. 25, 2003. Warner Bros., which will distribute the prequel to the legendary horror classic, deferred inquiries to Morgan Creek, and a spokesperson there was unavailable for comment.

OK, the TWO TOWERS DVD (New Line Home Entertainment, $29.95) arrives in stores Aug. 26, 2003, looking glorious in its widescreen edition and packed with the kinds of extras we've come to expect (two documentaries, eight featurettes, plus Sean Astin's short film, THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT, along with the making of it). But keep in mind: this is the theatrical version of Peter Jackson's blockbuster fantasy. There's the extended version still to come on Nov. 18, featuring some 43 extra minutes. So hold on tight and enjoy the second part of the journey.

Contrary to a report in DAILY VARIETY that Johnny Depp has been offered the coveted role of Willy Wonka in Tim Burton's upcoming film version of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. said the studio is not even in negotiations with the actor and the script is still being rewritten. Stay tuned because Depp is still the leading contender to star in his third Burton film, following EDWARD SCISSORHANDS and ED WOOD, and has never been hotter after propelling Disney's blockbuster, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.

Automatic Duck Inc., a software company providing workflow solutions to digital media artists, has released Automatic Duck Pro Import 2.0. Available for both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, this new translator offers all of the functionality of the company's Automatic Composition Import (ACI), ACI DV and ACI FCP software products for Avid editing systems, Final Cut Pro 3.0, After Effects and Boris RED, with additional features that significantly extend the power and interoperability of these editing and graphics effects applications.