MPC LA: Growing the Core VFX Business
Mark Tobin divulges how MPC's new commercial-focused boutique is faring in Santa Monica during the economic downturn.
Ellen Wolff's Recent Posts
Tippett Takes the Long View on VES Pioneer Award
Ellen Wolff sat down with Phil Tippett to discuss creatures, the state of the industry and his desire to play down his title as "pioneer."
Bonner Medalist Kimball Takes the Long View
Disney vet Mark Kimball will be honored at the Sci Tech Awards on Saturday for helping the industry move into the digital age. Ellen Wolff learns more about where he's been.
'The Uninvited' Comes to CIS Vancouver
For psychological thriller The Uninvited, a director and vfx supervisor team who cut their teeth on commercials make contortionist corpses and milk-turned-blood realistic.
'Valkyrie': Achieving Digital Minimalism
Rich Hoover of Sony Pictures Imageworks tells Ellen Wolff about the crucial vfx issues for Valkyrie, including dealing with the two missing fingers on the hand of the German protagonist played by Tom Cruise.
'Twilight': A New Take on Vampire VFX
Ellen Wolff sinks her teeth into Twilight's vfx with Richard Kidd and Geoffrey Hancock.
Director Kenan Shines a Light on 'City of Ember'
Gil Kenan talks about transitioning from Monster House to City of Ember and all the technological and aesthetic challenges it posed.
'Beverly Hills Chihuahua': Tippett's Chattering Class of Pooches
Ellen Wolff discovers how Tippett refines its Furrocious tool and throws in a few other advancements for Beverly Hills Chihuahua.
Maya@10: Tureski Marks the Milestones
Marking Maya's 10th anniversary with the release of Maya 2009, Ellen Wolff chats with Autodesk's Kevin Tureski about the key highlights of the ubiquitous 3D animation software.
'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed' -- LucasArts Goes Next-Gen
Ellen Wolff explores how LucasArts re-imagines the Star Wars universe for the first time as a next-gen game with The Force Unleashed.
RenderMan@20: Ed Catmull and Dana Batali Reflect On Pixar's Killer App
Two of Pixar's principals take a look at the past, present and future of the landmark rendering system.
SIGGRAPH '08: What the Tech Papers Reveal About the State of CGI
Ellen Wolff previews some of the presentations that may presage the hot tools of tomorrow.
Animator Davis Wrangles Golden Bots in 'Hellboy II'
Double Negative animator Jay Davis tells Ellen Wolff about the inner workings -- glowing cogs and all -- of Hellboy II's Golden Army.
Mark Stetson Steps Up To 'Meet Dave'
Ellen Wolff gets deeper into Meet Dave with VFX Supervisor Mark Stetson.
Michael Holzl Tackles 'The Incredible Hulk'
Ellen Wolff catches up with Michael Holzl, a Rhythm & Hues lead animator on The Incredible Hulk.
Riding with Woody and Buzz
Pixar's Roger Gould and Walt Disney Imagineering's Sue Bryan unveil Toy Story Mania!
David O'Reilly: The 'Wrist' Behind 'Son of Rambow'
Ellen Wolff talks to the animator/illustrator about his reversion to childhood in order to create the artwork for the highly anticipated indie film.
'Alvin and the Chipmunks': A Critter Christmas
Rhythm & Hues was a natural for 3D-animating Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Ellen Wolff discovers how it met the "cute critter quotient" for this iconic project.
'Shrek the Halls': The Green Ogre Dons a Red Santa Suit
Ellen Wolff chats with veteran animator Lou Dellarosa on how the filmmakers brought holiday cheer to a grumpy old ogre in ABC-TV's special, Shrek the Halls.
'Enchanted': Conjuring Fairytale VFX
Ellen Wolff discovers the charmed life of Enchanted from Tippett VFX Supervisor Thomas Schelesny.
