GraphicDesignNYC.net blog

The History of Typography – Animated Short [Video]

DezVFX — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:35:09 +0000

The History of Typography – Animated Short

A paper-letter animation about the history of fonts and typography.
291 Paper Letters.
2,454 Photographs.
140 hours of work.
Created by Ben Barrett-Forrest
© Forrest Media – 2013

https://www.forrestmedia.org

https://www.facebook.com/forrestmedia

https://twitter.com/benbf

Information Sources:
Thinking in Type by Ellen Lupton
Just My Type by Simon Garfield
If this video sparks any ideas, I would love to hear about them!

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera: NAB 2013 Highlight [Video]

DezVFX — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:55:39 +0000

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Offers Huge Quality in a Tiny Package:

HDSLRShooter at NAB 2013: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera from Clint Milby on Vimeo.

Here’s the press release from Blackmagic Design:

Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

New compact Super 16 digital cinema camera with 13 stops of dynamic range, allows shooting with a professional film look in a beautiful design that fits in your pocket!

NAB 2013, Las Vegas, USA – April 8, 2013 – Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, a beautifully designed, pocket sized digital cinema camera that includes powerful features such as Super 16mm sized 1080HD sensor, super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, built in SD card recorder for Apple ProRes, lossless compressed CinemaDNG RAW capture and active Micro Four Thirds lens mount, all in an attractive compact design for only US$995. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2013 booth at #SL218. Since the original Blackmagic Cinema Camera was launched at NAB 2012, it has been celebrated by industry professionals for its amazing film look and accurate and cinematic color. The new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has most of the features of its bigger brother, including its feature film look, but has been redesigned with a dramatically smaller size that is less than an inch thick and can be held easily in your hand. This compact design allows the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera to be used in more situations where a larger camera would not be practical. It’s so small that it can be used in situations in the field where a larger camera could be dangerous. The camera’s film look even allows personal video to be shot with the style and creativity of a motion picture film! The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features an industry standard Super 16 sensor size, so it’s perfect when using Super 16 cine lenses via MFT adapters, as the shooting experience is the same as using the same lens on a Super 16 film camera. The 13 stops of dynamic range look of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is almost identical to shooting on a professional Super 16 film camera. The Micro Four Thirds lenses offer a wide range of low cost lenses with amazing image quality, and they are compatible with mount adapters such as PL mounts for large lens and professional motion picture film rigs. One of the most important features of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is its super wide dynamic range of 13 stops, allowing feature film quality images. A common mistake in the television industry is the assumption that more resolution means higher quality. Most cameras, even ones with higher than HD resolution, can produce”video” looking images that suffer from highlight and black clipping that limits details. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera’s wide dynamic range eliminates this problem and provides film quality with dramatically more detail retained in black and whites in the image. Once the shoot is complete, DaVinci Resolve Lite color correction software can be used to adjust images and take advantage of this extra range in the images.

To eliminate the damage that low bit depth and high compression video storage creates, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera includes a easy to use SD card recorder that allows the full sensor dynamic range to be recorded in professional ProRes 422 (HQ) format, as well as 12 bit Log RAW lossless compressed CinemaDNG format. These files can be read by high end video software as they are all open standard. In addition to the regular CinemaDNG RAW format, Blackmagic Design will also be implementing a QuickTime wrapper for the open standard CinemaDNG and companion codec, allowing the camera to record in a format that allows RAW editing in popular editing software. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has been designed as the perfect companion to editing software such as Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer. Unlike other cameras, which require the use of custom video file formats, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera includes absolutely no custom video file formats, and every file type included is open standard. The built in large LCD display makes focus easy, and allows playback of captured files. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera includes a built in microphone, as well as external jack based mic/line level balanced audio connections. When reviewing recorded clips, audio can be played through the built in speaker and routed through the headphone port or micro HDMI output. The HDMI output includes all camera data such as timecode, transport control, shutter angle, color temperature setting and ASA information overlaid in attractive anti aliased fonts. “This is an extremely exciting camera and its been amazing to work on. Our original Blackmagic Cinema Camera was small, but this new model is so much smaller than the original, we almost cannot believe it features very similar image quality,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “We think customers are going to really enjoy this new model and use it both personally and professionally. It’s going to allow shooting in situations that could never have been achieved at this quality level previously. It’s also going to be the camera that thousands of new up and coming cinematographers use as their first camera for their independent films. It’s going to be exciting!” Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Key Features

High resolution 1080HD Super 16mm sized sensor with superior handing of image detail.
Super wide 13 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.
Compatible with extremely high quality Micro Four Thirds lenses. Compatible with other mounts viacommon third party adapters such as PL mount and Super 16 cine lenses.
Built in SD card allows long duration recording with easy to use media.
Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software such as ProRes 422 (HQ) and losslesscompressed CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW. No custom file formats.
Features all standard connections, including mini jack mic/line audio in, micro HDMI output formonitoring with camera status graphic overlay, headphone mini jack, LANC remote control andstandard DC 12 power connection.
Built in LCD for camera settings via easy to use menus.
Supports 1080HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps. • Compatible with DaVinci Resolve Lite color grading software.

Availability and Price Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is available in July for US$995 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

About Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and film restoration software for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability, while the company’s EmmyTM award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including stereoscopic 3D and 4K workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and Australia.

Making Meme’s Out of Hero Generates As Much News As Their Heroics: Dead Giveaway [Video]

DezVFX — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:00:17 +0000

Hero Get’s His Own Meme Video:

Charles Ramsey seems like an average guy, that when faced with a situation of urgency, made the right choices and helped, Amanda Berry, a women in distress.

This is a story of a horrible incident that fortunately ends better than it could have. But unfortunately I have seen conversations online harping on this interview (viewed almost 3 million times) as a racist portrayal of this man. Some may feel that he may not be financially well off, or very well spoken or even extremely well-educated, but he kept it real! His interview was vibrant and endearing and he is definitely a hero to those women, their families and in that community. I’m happy for him and those he liberated.

Here’s the Autotuned video of Charles Ramsey who helped free three women being held as slaves. His original interview, both animated and from the heart, generated controversy as many felt a racist tone setting in.

The Gregory Brothers are the team behind the viral hit, Sweet Browns, “Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That” as well as several other autotuned music video versions of events and news. ‘Dead Giveaway’ will probably see similar popularity considering the circumstances of the crime matched with the growing notoriety of Mr. Ramsey and the past success of The Gregory Brothers’ videos.

How do you feel about how Charles Ramsey is being portrayed in the media? Are there extreme racist overtones or is it now natural to expect, in a YouTube/Photoshopped/internet meme world, that there will be imagery that will both celebrate and poke fun at anyone over anything?

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Work Space Harlem Open Studios [Event]

DezVFX — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:44:57 +0000

Black Contemporary Art

Planning your Frieze weekend?This Saturday, 5/11!Work Space Harlem Open Studios
Saturday, May 11, 4 – 9pm

2340 Fifth Avenue (between 141 and 142)
New York, NY 10037

Directions:
3 train express to 145th // bus M102

via Black Contemporary Art

Instagram’s Newest Feature: Tagging People in Pictures

DezVFX — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:14:01 +0000

Instagram Blends More Facebook Features:

As was generally expected, Facebook is gradually bringing Instagram more into the fold in terms of the similarity and streamlining of features. Newest on the list is the ability to tag other in your photos the same way you would tag them on Facebook proper. You will also be able to monitor what photo’s you have been tagged in along with the sharing settings.

This feature update is part of Instagram version 3.5. Expect upgrades to your app soon or get it from the App Store and Google Play.

Introducing Photos of You from Instagram on Vimeo.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Photos of You and bring you a new way to share and discover stories on Instagram. When you upload a photo to Instagram, you’re now able to add people as easily as you add hashtags. Only you can add people to your photos, so you have control over the images you share. And it doesn’t stop at people—you can add any account on Instagram, whether it’s your best friend, favorite coffee shop or even that adorable dog you follow.

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Independent Sci-Fi Films Keeps Getting Better: Hybrids [Video]

DezVFX — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:08:44 +0000

Expect More High Quality Effects Driven Short Films:

As high-end animation software and computers becomes less expensive and easier to master, more and more new and interesting stories will come to light in the sci-fi realm. In Hybrid, a short alien invasion vs. human resistance film, we see what is capable in mixing live action with 3D characters. Vancouver based Triton Films produced some very impressive cinematography and compositing work on this video. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

In the wake of an alien infestation, an ex-special forces soldier loses her daughter in alien attack. Seeking revenge, she leads a team on a mission deep into alien territory. Soon, she makes a discovery which makes her question her allegiance.

HYBRIDS from wsp on Vimeo.

Written and Directed by Patrick Kalyn

Cinematographer: Cliff Hokanson
Produced by Gabriel Paul Napora / Triton Films
Music by Sam Hulick
Manager: Scott Glassgold / IAM Entertainment
scottglassgold@iamsports-ent.com

hybridsfilm.com

Feature length synopsis: In the wake of an alien infestation, an ex-special forces soldier’s daughter is killed in an alien attack. Seeking revenge, she leads a team deep into alien territory to a quarantined lab. Soon, she discovers the aliens aren’t alien at all, but a failed government experiment to create a bio-hybrid soldier. She must then expose the governments cover-up and save the last standing city in the quarantined zone from falling.

Original Soundtrack available at: samhulick.bandcamp.com/album/hybrids

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“18F44″ 3D Animated Mathematical Geometry

DezVFX — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:57:56 +0000

Math Is Beautiful:

The first thing that came to mind on watching this was how it reminded me of what I imagined a Spirograph to look if it came to life and started generating shapes on its own. This animation created by programmer/digital media maker, Raven Kwok, is generated in real time. This is an hauntingly impressive piece when looked at from an artistic perspective. Not to take away from the creative factor, the gaming industry is also on the verge of significant advances in real time rendering for many of the console titles soon to hit the market. For more on that, check out this post on the Unreal Engine demo. And don’t forget to show support for Raven Kwok and see more of his work on his fun website.

18F44 (soundtrack revised) from Raven Kwok on Vimeo.

18F44 is a further study based on EDF0 (https://vimeo.com/43752422), the recursive structure was first extended to 3d protrusion based on a regular hexagon as 18F44 demo (https://vimeo.com/52062612). In this version, the base regular hexagon is replaced by a group of six intersecting planes to provide more complexity. In addition, I create a more flexible controlling mechanism which allows me to separately play with each child on each level of the structure. You can see processes of “growth”, “mutation”,”protrusion” and “deconstruction” in this movie clip demonstration.

The whole visual image is generated real-time in Processing.

My friend and collaborator, Wack Wang (http://wackwang.com), composed this amazing soundtrack for this piece of work.

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Art Directors Club Film Series: BUTTER: A Night of Pop Culture and Popcorn

DezVFX — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:24:06 +0000

Art Directors Club Film Series:

You’re invited to BUTTER: A Night of Pop Culture and Popcorn. This exclusive monthly movie night features an eclectic mix of Academy Award® winning documentaries, Sundance selections, independent short films, music videos, and more. Plus, there’s always a surprise celebrity guest or two.This month’s feature film is The Iran Job.Curated by Sharoz Makarechi

THE IRAN JOB follows American basketball player Kevin Sheppard as he accepts a job to play in one of the world’s most feared countries: Iran.

With tensions running high between Iran and the West, Kevin tries to separate sports from politics only to find that politics is impossible to escape in Iran.

Along the way he forms an unlikely alliance with three outspoken Iranian women. Thanks to these women, his apartment turns into an oasis of free speech, where they discuss everything from politics to religion to gender roles.

Kevin’s season in Iran culminates in something much bigger than basketball: the uprising and subsequent suppression of Iran’s reformist Green Movement – a powerful prelude to the sweeping changes across the Middle East in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Open bar.
Unlimited popcorn.
Fatboy® chairs.
Inspiring discussion.

EVENT FILLS UP QUICKLY. RSVP IN ADVANCE.

$5 / ADC members
$10 / non-members

$15 at the door.
ABOUT THE CURATOR

Sharoz Makarechi, creative director and filmmaker, started working in advertising while still studying at The School of Visual Arts. After writing and art directing for several ad agencies (including BBDO, DDB, TBWA), Sharoz founded her own practice, called Think Tank 3, and ran it out of a storefront in the West Village neighborhood of New York City. Her exhibits, readings, and events at Think Tank 3 were shortlisted by cultural editors including The New Yorker. In 2009, Sharoz art directed her first feature film; Big Fan (starring Patton Oswalt), written by Robert Siegel (The Wrestler), was released nationally in 2010 to critical acclaim. She currently splits time between film and branding projects in NY and LA.

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How Funny Can The Apocalypse Be? Check Out The Trailer for “This Is The End” [Video]

DezVFX — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:15:40 +0000

Who Knew Global Devastation Could Be So Hilarious:

Before this trailer, I haven’t heard anything about This Is The End. But after watching it, I can’t wait for its release early this summer. It features an ensemble cast of comedic rising stars that all have had successful films or television appearances in the recent past: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera and Emma Watson and lots more!

Apocalpses: Too Many to Too Funny:

There is currently a glut of pre and post life extinction event movies on the market and more scheduled to debut in the coming months. Many are anxious for Will Smith in After Earth, Tom Cruise in Oblivion, Matt Damon in Elysium, Brad Pitt in World War Z. All of them look awesome but they basically carry the same theme of serious, sci-fi, action, thrills and effects. The good thing about This Is The End is that it seems to cut out the drama and replace it with a slew of jokes!

This is a Red Band trailer so expect the best of the worst; cursing, violence, inappropriate subject matter and general NSFW stuff. But it is definitely funny.

The comedy THIS IS THE END follows six friends trapped in a house after a series of strange and catastrophic events devastate Los Angeles. As the world unravels outside, dwindling supplies and cabin fever threaten to tear apart the friendships inside. Eventually, they are forced to leave the house, facing their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption.

For more information: This Is The End | Official Movie Site | Sony Pictures

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3D Animated Projection Mapping Market Sneakers in an Innovative Way [Video]

DezVFX — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:06:39 +0000

Lights Create Style in The Artistic Mixed Media Sneaker Pitch:

If you have ever seen projection mapping in real life you know the effects can be fascinating, even borderline hallucinatory. One such grand display that immediately comes to mind is the incredible work they do at the Dumbo Arts Fair in Downtown Brooklyn, N.Y. every summer (they shine lights on the Bridge that actually seem to jump off the wall!). Most often they are used in artistic pieces but in this video below they are used in an effective way to creatively market a new sneaker line.

illuminimal from Craig Winslow II on Vimeo.

Self-initiated footwear projection mapping project performed live using a pair of Merrell Bare Access 2 and a pedestal.

“High Together” by Siriusmo was chosen specifically to inspire and build the projection around. The visuals were created beforehand, collaborating with Josh Franklin and Jeff Yeager for footwear designs and colorways, then live mixed using a custom designed TouchOSC interface on an iPad.

As my first full projection mapping project, there was a lot of learning and long hours outside of work. Filming and editing included, this project took about a month to complete.

Made with Modul8, Madmapper, TouchOSC, Blender, Illustrator, After Effects

An in-depth making of to be created in parts, but for the time being, here’s the previous process posts:
blog.craigwinslow.com/tagged/illuminimal

Filmed by Mike Deedy.

Music by courtesy of Siriusmo & Monkeytown Records
(Used for promotional use only!)

For more information on how they created this 3d projection map display, check out Craig Winslow’s site.