#Virtuosity screening
58 messages in this thread
dear all,
last night I attended the cast and crew screening of "Virtuosity" at 7pm (and
then again at 9pm <g>) and was pleasantly surprised that it was an excellent
movie for the genre. Admittedly, it was probably the most violent movie in
quite a while (a la "Total Recall") but it was presented in such a cartoonish,
humourous way that it didn't seem that offensive. Denzel Washington put in a
great performance as the hero (jailed ex-cop given second chance), but the show
was somewhat stolen by the talented Aussie newcomer Russel Crowe who plays SID
6.7 a wacky VR character used in a VR police trainer. SID gets too smart and
escapes VR into a nanobot (advanced android) and causes mayhem with Denzel hot
on his trail. There's a clever ending so it's not the usual predictable dross
that Hollywood produces. I have a feeling this one will be at least a moderate
to good hit …. we'll see.
Anyway, it's a 3d Studio graphics extraveganza with boatloads, just boatloads,
of cool graphics that look great on the big screen. 3d Studio specifically got
a mention in the end credits:
"the Producers gratefully acknowledge the following:
– Autodesk 3d Studio Software"
How about that? Gary and the rest of the Yost Group and Autodesk should be very
proud. It's almost like 3d Studio is no longer the poor cousin of the industry.
The marketing types at Adesk should be frothing at the mouth about now <g>.
Anyway, I got 2 credits, 1 for animator on the L2 interactive screen graphics
(look for Manson, Hitler, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer CGI heads which I
modelled/animated) and as CGI supervisor for MetroLight Studios. I'm so proud –
most of my shots remained intact in the movie. I'll try and upload some samples
around or after Siggraph.
Unfortunately, a couple of deserving folks were arbitrarily cut from
MetroLight's credit list by Paramount without consulting us. So for the record
I want to state that Ralph Frantz (forum regular) was a senior animator on the
film and we'll do everything we can to get his name on the video credits. Just
like everything with the studios, though, there's no guarantees, sadly. Ralph
was a key member of the team and it really dampened my spirits to see that his
name had been left off when others less deserving had been included. Bummer.
Anyway, I'd recommend people try to catch the movie and take note that the vast
majority of the graphics were 3d Studio based, with the exception of the
nano-tendrils body part regeneration sequences, and I think this is probably
unprecedented for any PC graphics.
Martin
Very cool, Martin. VERY cool. Thanks for the heads up. I'll have time to see
the film as soon as I get back from la la land…
– G
Gary,
>> Thanks for the heads up <<
I think you'll like all the CGI. I know you've seen quite a lot of it, but
there's nothing to compare to seeing it on the bigscreen with full audio (and
in context of the movie). Oh boy <drooling>
Martin
>> Anyway, I got 2 credits, 1 for animator on the L2 interactive screen
graphics (look for Manson, Hitler, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer CGI
heads which I modelled/animated) and as CGI supervisor for MetroLight
Studios. I'm so proud – most of my shots remained intact in the movie. I'll
try and upload some samples around or after Siggraph. <<
Accolades, kudos, at-a-boys, and congratulations, Martin. Ditto to Ralph F.
– Dan / n-Space, Inc.
Dan,
>> Accolades, kudos, at-a-boys, and congratulations, Martin. Ditto to Ralph F.
<<
thanks, mate.
>> Accolades, kudos, at-a-boys, and congratulations, Martin. Ditto to Ralph F.
Thanks Dan!
Ralph
A very big congratulations to you and Ralph!
Jonas,
>> A very big congratulations to you and Ralph! <<
thanks, Jonas 🙂 (go see it <g>)
Nice work guys!
A while back I had the pleasure of seeing a friends name scroll up the big
screen for his CGI work in "Hideaway" and it was a big thrill as a 3rd party!
Must be SUPER as an A-Number-One.
-David.
-David Robert Swoboda
>> A very big congratulations to you and Ralph!
Thanks Jonas!
Ralph
I saw a preview of this when I went to see a movie about a month ago, and was
suprised to see it was virtuosity (I had no idea what the movie was about,
somehow I didn't think it was going to be a serial killer move). Unfortunately,
based on the trailer, it looked kind of silly. BUT, before you flame me, I was
sitting in a motel room in the tiny town of Cedarville the other night
watchingg HBO, and they played the behind the scenes show for it, and I was
much more impressed. They made it look like much more of a clever movie than
the trailer did. I am eager to see it now. When is it due to be released?
Too bad it wasn't already playing. I am stuck in the town of Mojave at a fine
Motel 6 with not much to do. They probably don't have a movie theater, anyway.
Guess its back to counting the fungus stains on the ceiling in the bathroom…
Congrats on the movie, it looks very cool. What do you have on the plate coming
up? Any more splashy 3ds visuals for the big screen?
Tim,
the movie opens this Friday the 4th August, and yes I thought the trailer was a
bit weak. The "making of Virtuosity" was a much more interesting teaser for the
movie.
>> Congrats on the movie, it looks very cool. What do you have on the plate
coming up? Any more splashy 3ds visuals for the big screen? <<
We're working on a video game at the moment and bidding all kinds of things,
but no film work at the moment. Summer is a quiet time for film production.
Martin
Wow!
Well done, Martin!
You've hit the big time. Congratulations!
Alec Jason
Alec,
>> Well done, Martin! <<
thanks Alec. It's the culmination of 6 months hard graft, so I hope the film
does well, rather than fading from sight quickly.
Martin
Way to go, mate!
I'm extremely glad to hear the good news, but blown away that Ralph was left
out of the credits. This is truly unacceptable, and I hope whomever is
responsible can be made to understand what a horrible, horrible mistake that
was.
-Alan
Alan,
>> Ralph was left out of the credits…. I hope whomever is responsible can be
made to understand what a horrible, horrible mistake that was <<
agreed. We're trying to get to the bottom of this (we know we didn't drop the
ball on our end) and trying to see what can be done about this.
Martin
>> I'm extremely glad to hear the good news, but blown away that Ralph was left
>> out of the credits.
Thanks for your thoughts, bud! Nothing can take away from the hard work and
extreme satisfaction I feel for having been a part of this film. (Although
I think I was tested on this one <not so big G>.
I'll bring a VHS copy of the HBO "Making of Virtuosity" tonight to the users
group meeting. I think the group will enjoy watching it (it's only 15
minutes)
Ralph
Ralph, I don't care what the credits say (the only people that ever see them
are the ushers picking up popcorn cups in the aisles between shows anyway<g>),
I'll always think of the hard work and personal sacrifice you made for
Virtuosity's CG/SFX whenever I hear the name of that flick. And I won't let
anyone else forget it, either! <g>
GREAT! You're gonna bring that tape tonight! I was just gonna page you and ask
if you taped it. Last I heard, it was actually playing on HBO while we were
jamming Friday night. Evidently you got it OK and that's excellent.
See you tonight!
-Alan
Thanks again for the kind words, Alan. After much thought, you realize that
it was your hard work, devotion, and pleasure in being part of this film, more
that the EGO side of yourself in not seeing your credit that should be
remembered… and will be remembered in the long run.
>> GREAT! You're gonna bring that tape tonight! I was just gonna page you
>> and ask if you taped it. Last I heard, it was actually playing on HBO while
>> we were jamming Friday night.
Ya, it was probably playing on HBO when we were in that kickin' groove. <g>
Karma, ya know. Actually, Chris at Metrolight made me a copy of his tape
and I picked it up at the screening.
See ya tonight,
Ralph
Congratulations, must be a quite a buzz! It's a great feeling to see the
results of your blood, sweat and tears(and your name) finally up on the big
screen.
<<but the show was somewhat stolen by the talented Aussie newcomer Russel Crowe
who plays SID 6.7 a wacky VR character used in a VR police trainer>>
Have you ever seen the Australian film "Romper Stomper". I think it was the
first movie to expose Russel's talent. Once again he played the villan as the
leader of a Neo-nazi gang hellbent on killing all the chinese and other ethnic
gangs in Melbourne, Australia. He's quite a character.
DaviD "SIGGRAPH or bust!" GouID
David,
thanks for the comments 🙂
>> Have you ever seen the Australian film "Romper Stomper". I think it was the
first movie to expose Russel's talent. <<
no, but I just hear of it a week ago.
Martin
>> Have you ever seen the Australian film "Romper Stomper". I think it was the
>> first movie to expose Russel's talent.
>> He's quite a character.
A character indeed. I was very impressed by his acting ability and his
totally believable SID 6.7 persona on screen. He had a tough job to pull
off that part. Denzel did a good job also but there were times I seen
Denzel the actor.
Ralph
>Have you ever seen the Australian film "Romper Stomper". I think it was the
first movie to expose Russel's talent. Once again he played the villan as the
leader of a Neo-nazi gang hellbent on killing all the chinese and other ethnic
gangs in Melbourne, Australia. He's quite a character.<
I saw it on pay per view. It was pretty good, especially compared to some of
the crap released by American film studios.
Congradulations to you, Ralph, and the rest of the crew!!
-Ted Boardman
>> Congradulations to you, Ralph, and the rest of the crew!!
Thanks, Ted!
Ralph
Martin:
Heartiest congrats, my boy! I look forward to seeing your work on tbe silver
screen!
Dave
Great work guys. Sounds like this summer's really bringing us into the game and
we owe a lot to you folks. LET'S PAAHHTTAAAYYY!
Thanks Dave, Ted, and Wade,
blood, sweat and tears is right <g>
>> LET'S PAAHHTTAAAYYY! <<
I'll drink to that <g>.
>> Unfortunately, a couple of deserving folks were arbitrarily cut from
>> MetroLight's credit list by Paramount without consulting us. So for the
>> record I want to state that Ralph Frantz (forum regular) was a senior
>> animator on the film…
Martin,
I just want to say that although I was majorly disapointed at not seeing my
name in the film credits or the memento brochure handed out at the screening
that the experience as a whole will always be a positive one for me.
Thanks for the kind words.
I've never worked in a better production environment as Metrolight as
everyone there was great. I know it was not anyones fault there. Tell
Bernice thanks for the phone call and Dobie's (sp?) involvement in finding
out what happened. A credit on the video, if thats at all possible, would
be cool.
THAT'S SHOW BIS!
Anyway… I did indeed enjoy the show (albiet a bit violent), and there is
nothing to compare to seeing your work on the BIG SCREEN. Too bad my big
phone booth scene was cut from the movie, but seeing it on the HBO "Making
of Virtuosity" was cool.
So everyone should go see the movie, and be proud that _YES_ the software
that we all love and have been so deeply involved in has contributed such a
major portion of the CG/special effects in this Major Motion Picture.
Indeed GaryY / Yost Group, Autodesk, Metrolight and everyone who uses 3D
Studio should be proud, I am!
Ralph
Ralph,
well, FWIW, this is the third movie I worked on and only the first I got
credit for AND not getting credit never affected my ability to get work. It's
not so much the credit (which is cool, of course) but the PEOPLE who know you
worked on the movie and the kind of recommendation they can give on your
efforts. In my case, Frank Foster was always there to confirm that I did indeed
work on the films I claimed and give me a reference, if necessary. I'd do the
same for you, as would others at MetroLight, in fact I'd give you a glowing
reference 🙂
In your case, you impressed everybody and that's more than can be said for some
who did credit (against my wishes) for far smaller contributions than you. Oh
well, like you said "That's Showbiz".
Martin
>> indeed work on the films I claimed and give me a reference, if
>> necessary. I'd do the same for you, as would others at MetroLight, in fact
>> I'd give you a glowing reference 🙂
Martin,
You are one of a kind, mate! I may take you up on that reference if nothing
more than to put it in the memento hand out (my kids need something to show
off to their friends). Everybody here on the forum has been just great
about it… just gives me that warm fuzzy glow <g>
I'm going to have to convince Irene to let my boy go see the movie, I don't
know why she thought it was so violent… SHE HAD HER HANDS OVER HER EYES
MOST OF THE TIME <bg>
>> "That's Showbiz".
Ya, that about sums it up I guess. (Oh, thats how you spell it)
Ralph
Ralph,
>> I may take you up on that reference if nothing more than to put it in the
memento hand out <<
I think it might be a good idea. Kind of something to show potential clients
too.
Martin
>> I think it might be a good idea. Kind of something to show potential clients
>> too.
That would be cool. I'll leave it in your capable hands then.
Thanks,
Ralph
Congratulations are definately in order for both you and Ralph. I'm sure the
thrill of seeing your work in such a format is beyond words. Hopefully one
day, myself and others on the forum will get to experience this first hand.
Remind me to buy you guys a beer for this one, you deserve it…<g>
See you at Sig..
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion
Andrew,
>> Congratulations are definately in order for both you and Ralph. <<
thanks. I really appreciate that.
>> I'm sure the thrill of seeing your work in such a format is beyond words.
<<
truly! The only word I can think of is glowing. I think I was all "aglow" that
night, although Ralph's predicament put quite a big damper on things.
Martin
Martin!
Good job my man!
I'm anxious to see "Virtuosity"! I'll be working it into my crazy week next
week.
It sounds like things are going well at Metrolight. . . which is good! Will I
be seeing you at SIGGRAPH – or will you be slaving over a hot Pentium? I'll be
there Tues. and Wed. Hope I'll see you (and your name in the credits on the
big screen!).
Sean Platter
PS: Check out the reviews of "BUG!" over in the Vidoe Games forum here on CIS.
Do a search of the word "bug" and see what you get. It's all very positive! I'm
really happy for Realtime Associates and you!
Sean,
thanks for the comments on Virtuosity. I've seen the first review (LA times
friday 4th) and it was quite positive, generally giving it good marks. Here's
some quotes:
"Virtuosity is a sleek, brutal, techno-thriller that generates nonstop action,
but for some of us the fun is spoiled by its numbing body count and murky story
line. On the other hand, it boasts the kind of elaborate special effects and
spectacular production values that can still come only from Hollywood."
I particularly liked the last sentence <g>. There's lots more but you get the
idea.
I'll be at Siggraph pretty much all the time, although I have a lot of official
MetroLight duties there (speaking and interviewing animators etc).
>> PS: Check out the reviews of "BUG!" over in the Vidoe Games forum here on
CIS. Do a search of the word "bug" and see what you get. It's all very
positive! I'm really happy for Realtime Associates and you! <<
that's great. I've already seen some very positive early reviews in game
magazines. Hopefully the game buying public will jump on it too. I'm very proud
to have been involved in that (critically) successful game too.
Martin
Martin:
Congrates!! Way to go! I plan to see this weekend.
Ken (AMISYS)
BTW – Your telling us one of those "English" types stole the show from one of
the hottest stars on the Big Screen? Really now <g>
Ken,
>> Congrates!! Way to go! I plan to see this weekend. <<
thanks, Ken. Yes, do go and see it. It's a lot of fun.
>> BTW – Your telling us one of those "English" types stole the show from one
of the hottest stars on the Big Screen? Really now <g> <<
Russell Crowe? An English type? Well, a few million Australians would probably
take issue with that <g>. Actually, Denzel is the real star of the show, but
Russell puts in a stellar performance too.
Martin
Saw it Saturday. You and the others did real good with the special effects and
graphics!!. As for the plot & acting, it out did "Jonnie" 10 times over. And
you are correct, the Aussie (another "English" speaking type) did good too.
See you at Siggraph.
Ken (AMISYS)
Ken,
>> Saw it Saturday. You and the others did real good with the special effects
and graphics!!. <<
thanks Ken, I'm very proud of how things turned out and they kept most of my
work intact. I saw it again Saturday (3rd time) and the ampitheatre was packed.
I think it's a hit.
Hey Martin,
I went and saw Virtuosity Saturday night. Very cool flic…
Russell Crowe was awesome as the villain. Very nice CG effects. Was the noise
generated in the VR scenes a 3DS thing? Oh, I also like the way the titling
came in at the beginning of the movie. The refraction of the background into
the text was impressive.
It was good to get a chance to meet you.
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion
Andrew,
>> Very nice CG effects. Was the noise generated in the VR scenes a 3DS
thing? <<
yes, it was a cool movie. I'm not sure what you are referring to WRT "the
noise". Could you elaborate on which scenes and the effect?
Martin
Martin,
The part I am talking about is in the beginning of the movie, when Denzel was
in the VR looking for Sid 6.7 in the Chinese Restaurant. When the camera
panned very quickly there were parts of the shot that were distorted and had
some interference type noise, kind of what they did with Micheal Douglas in the
VR scenes in Disclosure. It was sort of a fore-shadowing to the fact that they
were not in the real world. The effect was subtle, but it was noticeable on
the wall of a building as the camera panned quickly, and several times on
Denzel himself. The image of his body would tend to break up quickly, but then
instantly clear up.
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion
Andrew,
>> When the camera panned very quickly there were parts of the shot that were
distorted and had some interference type noise <<
very perceptive …. I didn't even notice that. I'll watch it again soon (4th
time) and look for that. I doubt it was done in 3ds, it was probably more a
flame effect. Some of the "glitching" is also Elastic Reality which was a real
work horse for the project.
Martin
Martin,
>>very perceptive
Thanks!
It kind of looked like a Elastic Reality effect in some shots. The effect
happens very quickly, so it is hard to tell at times what exactly it is. I
think the effect would have been more effective if they held it just a bit
longer and exaggerated it some more so your eye has a chance to catch what is
going on.
Have fun at that fourth viewing…<g>
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion
First, congratulations Martin and Ralph!!! Very well done!
Second, I have seen the making of twice now. <G> It looks
Awesome. Were all planing to see the movie as soon as we can.
…Earl
>> First, congratulations Martin and Ralph!!! Very well done!
Thanks Earl, I have seen the movie a couple of times now and feel quite
proud to have been a part of it.
Ralph
For those interested in the story about the graphics of "Virtuosity", I would
add the following:
A lion's share of the still-animated graphics you saw on the computer monitors,
scenes like Crimtrack (Criminal Tracking) where the chair went through the
screen, scanning/illustration of Denzel's Metal Arm in prison, logos, TV studio
graphics-backgrounds-Death TV/As It Happened, futuristic phone screen, medical
monitors, VR-SIM monitors, Reilly's nano tech screens, Lindenmeyer's LETAC
screens, etc., were created in Photoshop and Strata StudioPro on the PowerMac.
Specific animations were added within the LETAC and Reilly screens from 3D
Studio by Kelly Durkin and Georg Gerber.
The Death TV sequence – rising skull with cross bones, was created cross
platform. Modeled and animated in 3D Studio by Jeff Alu. All texture maps plus
+ the concept work in Photoshop/Mac. The skull morphs in Elastic Reality on the
PowerMac.
Martin Foster worked with Bob Weil and Georg Gerber (who did the mathmatical
programming IPAS routines for the geometrical formation of the heads) on the
animated sequence in Lindenmeyer's apartment. This being the voice actuated
computer screens that Denzel and Kelly Lynch explored. (The opening screen of
that same computer-combination lock graphics-in 3D Studio by Kelly Durkin,
graphics in Photoshop, morphs in Elastic Reality.) As far as other animations
from MetroLight, I am sure someone there would be delighted to fill you in on
the rest.
Stewart Daniels – Lead Digital Artist "Virtuosity"
Art Director/L2 Communications
Stewart,
I have not seen your film — only various clips on TV and shown at SIGGRAPH —
so I realize that I may have missed the context of what I saw and therefore I
may also not understand the style of the virtual CGI elements. I don't mean to
be critical but I was surprised to find that much of the CGI stuff I've seen
was rather cheesy and crude-looking.
Was this a stylistic decison — to deliberately create virtual objects which
look like virtual objects?
Alec Jason
Alec,
>> I was surprised to find that much of the CGI stuff I've seen was rather
cheesy and crude-looking. <<
hmmm… could you elaborate which scenes had this kind of look? Multiple
companies and individuals of different skills worked on the different scenes.
Some of the look might be deliberate, some might be just lack of talent. If you
were more specific, I might be able to comment and I'll try to be as balanced
as I can.
Generally, a lot of the artistic direction from Brett Leonard (the director)
and Jon Townley (visual effects supervisor) was towards the comic-like or at
least VR-look, computer generated look. There was supposed to be a subtle
repetitive look to our "sandbox" scenes and all objects were supposed to be
made of VR-goo (a substance in perpetual motion).
I really suggest you see the movie on the big-screen. Video really doesn't do
justice to it. I'd especially like to hear your opinions after seeing the whole
film at the theatre. FWIW, I was generally very pleased with the CGI on the
film and the film critics seemed impressed, although the industry needs to be
to for us to get more work. Obviously, things could have been improved but the
quantity of shots to be spit out really didn't allow for major revisions or
tweaks.
Martin
Martin,
I'm sure you're right. I need to see the film itself before I can really
comment on the effects.
(I am a bit reluctant to see it as I get all the bang-bang-you're-dead, blood &
guts stuff right here in my office.)
It was good to see you again.
Alec Jason
Stewart,
Thanks for the info into the L2 Communications side of Virtuosity.
>> As far as other animations from Metrolight, I am sure someone there
>> would be delighted to fill you in on the rest.
As I am sure you are aware, after L2 had the majority of their computer
systems stolen, Metrolight Studios was contracted to produce 18 of the LETAC
scenes.
The 3D scenes were done in 3D Studio under a very demanding production
schedule by Martin Foster, Chris Ryan, Tom Dillon, Sanford Kennedy and
myself. The moving cloud/sky/sunset work was done by Linda Sue Gerber and
Nancy (lastname slips my mind at the moment) on special Mac software.
Ralph Frantz
Senior 3D animator
Metrolight Studios – Virtuosity Project
Ralph,
and so the record can be complete even if people care or not <g> ….
I made 10-15 pots of coffee,
my wife Andrea did some paper work (unpaid),
my cat Beatrix gave moral phone support during our separation,
Digimation and Schreiber for plug-in support,
special thanks to "Barney's Beanery" for crew food,
and Honda for transportation.
I apologize if I left anyone out.
Martin Foster
Head Stapling Machine
MetroLight Studios
PS: I did the entire holographic talking head scene myself with a box of
crayolas.
<ggggggggg>
-Alan
>> PS: I did the entire holographic talking head scene myself with a box of
>> crayolas.
<BG> Sometimes you just bust me up!
I hope your arm and back muscles are re-cooped from the "After SigGraph
Boating Party" kneeboarding spectacular! I know mine are still a little
stiff. Should I digitize the video footage and upload a flic of your
ride? <g>
Ralph
>> I did the entire holographic talking head scene myself with a box of
crayolas.<<
I caught what I think was your recreation of that event at the user's group
party on sunday. Of course I'm a little hazy about that entire evening and
could have been mistaken.<g>
Terry Gilbert
Forcade & Associates
Terry,
>> I caught what I think was your recreation of that event at the user's group
party on sunday. <<
really? I don't remember that either. My memory of the entire Siggraph week is
a little hazy <g>.
Nice to meet you, BTW.
Martin