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Pixar UP

We got the chance to see Pixar’s UP movie around the time it was released. This was our first 3D experience with the new technology, and while initially we were expecting to see the typical depth the technology provides, we were pleasantly surprised it was not overused. What Pixar did was use 3D as part of the story, they used it to aid the storytelling, I thought that was great, also as a result we didn’t experience the typical discomfort that sometimes those movies generate (perhaps the new technology has something to do with it as well).

I still want to see the movie one more time, this time in 2D to see how it looks… you know, there were two parts of the movie where the water just looked real, not 3d at all, the first one where Carl Fredricksen and Russell are crossing the creek and the second one when some of the dogs fall down into the river down below.

If you still have not seen it, don’t wait any longer.

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International Animation

Yesterday I had the opportunity to view some amazing international 3d and 2d animation.

The event was held in the Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) theater at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, it was very entertaining, well worth the one-hour commute to the location.

This even was made possible thanks to the International Animation Association, San Francisco chapter ASIFA SF and Animation World Network, the short animations were selected and presented by Ron Diamond.

Please click here to find out how to become a member of ASIFA SF, some of the events like the one mentioned above are only open to current members, one of the many benefits of joining.

I absolutely loved La Maison en Petits Cubes which was directed by Kunio Kato, it was an unique and refreshing way to share with the viewer life memories and the passage of time.

The other two that caught my attention were Skhizein directed by Jérémy Clapin, very clever way of explaining the problems and dangers a 150 ton meteorite can cause when one is struck by it, and Kudan directed by Taku Kimura (Trailer).

We also had the opportunity to see Glago’s Guest directed by Chris Williams and produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios (I saw John Lasseter name in the credits) as well as Presto by Doug Sweetland / Pixar.

I liked the other animations as well, but the ones mentioned above were my favorites.

If you have a chance see if you can get the opportunity to view them, they were all great in their own right.

Keith Reynolds Can’t Make it Tonight by Felix Massie
La Maison en Petits Cubes by Kunio Kato
Kudan by Taku Kimura
A Mouse’s Tale by Benjamin Renner
I Slept with Cookie Monster– Kara Nasdor-Jones
Franz Kafka’s: A Country Doctor by Koji Yamamura (Present at the event)
Glago’s Guest by Chris Williams
Hot Seat by Janet Perlman
Presto by Doug Sweetland
Skhizein by Jérémy Clapin
KJFG #5– Alexei Alexeev (Present at the event)

Thank you Ron Diamond, ASIFA SF and ILM for this event.

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Battlestar Galactica Viper

In addition to sketching and learning techniques to improve what I do, I have also started to follow a tutorial to create a 3D model of one of my favorite spaceships, a Battlestar Galactica Viper.

Below is my work in progress.

There is still a bit more to do, but at least it is starting to take shape.

If you have not had a chance to watch this show I recommend it. We started by renting the series via Netflix and eventually moved to watch it online, we also purchased a couple episodes via amazon.com Unbox service.

One of these days we will add the DVD sets to our collection.

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