Big Buck Bunny

Poster For The 3D Short Big Buck Bunny

(Above) Low-Res YouTube Video. Download Hi-Res 1080p Movie here

The short film could easily be mistaken for a production by Blue Sky or Dreamworks, with brilliant character design, animation, lighting and above all, an excellent comedic storyline. I found this movie to be much more appealing than Blender Foundation's previous work Elephants Dream although it is still a very well produced piece of work.

The entire production was created with the 3D Open Source Software Blender This proves that feature film quality can now be achieved by 8 guys in a room using free community based software.

Amazingly, Blender Foundation have released the character and scene production files for users to mess around with here

New Images of Pixar's "Up"

New Logo from Pixar's new film Up

Concept & Render Comparison

Original Images here and here

The film is directed by Monsters Inc. director Pete Docter and is to be released in 3-D
Up is due for release on 29th May, 2009.

Making of Headcases

Textured Model of a 3D Bruce Willis

Making of Headcases on the ITV website.

A behind the scenes look in to the development of Headcases from interviews with the writers, voice over artists and character designer Mark Reeve to an insight in to the modelling, animation and motion capture at Red Vision.

Maya Wireframe Sub-D view of Sylvester Stallone

Interesting thread by modeler Jason Edwards on the Simply Maya Community Forum.
Jasons CG Portfolio can be viewed here

Andy Hickinbottom modeled the Victoria Beckham character. View his portfolio here

Headcases - New CG Animated TV Series

Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Harrison Ford depicted in 3D

Headcases starts on ITV Sunday April 6th.

The new CG animated series is in the same satirical vain as 2DTV and Spitting Image.
First impressions from the trails are quite promising. The characters resemble their counterparts, look well designed and rendered. John Culshaw and Rory Bremner lead the way providing voices for the 64 strong cast amongst a host of UK comedy talent.

The series was created and directed by the original Spitting Image writer Henry Naylor and developed by Red Vision in Manchester and London. It is said to have cost £2.5 million to make.

Lloyds TSB 'For the Journey' Advert Part 7

Part 7 in the series of Lloyds TSB 'For The Journey' Adverts. Directed by Marc Craste at Studio AKA. Don't forget to look out for the trainspotter, he's harder to spot this time.

Ratatouille Blu-Ray DVD UK Release

Ratatouille released in UK on Blu-Ray Today.
Also features some great extras and Pixars latest animated short Lifted.

Order Blu-Ray version from Amazon.co.uk (UK) or from Amazon.com (US)

Lloyds TSB 'For the Journey' Advert Part 6

Part 6 in the series of Lloyds TSB 'For The Journey' Adverts. Directed by Marc Craste at Studio AKA. Don't forget to look out for the trainspotter.

Recommended Animation Titles

Added a Recommended Animation Titles section.

I have included 'art of' and 'making of film' books from major studios including Pixar, ILM and Dreamworks. I have also included some of my favourite animation DVD's, Blu-Ray DVD's and Video Games.

Ratatouille Filmworks Digital Cinema

After the long wait, well it was for us here in the UK, I finally got to see Pixar's Ratatouille at The Filmworks Digital Cinema in Manchester.

I can safely say that I wasn't disappointed...

Pixar's - The Art of Ratatouille Book

Another excellent 'art of' book from Pixar. Included are many examples of pre-production sketches, maquette sculpts, animation thumbnails, digital paintings and digital renders amongst others. The book also includes fascinating development insights from some of the key artists at Pixar.

Order 'The Art of Ratatouille' now from Amazon.co.uk (UK) or Amazon.com (US)

Lloyds TSB 'For the Journey' Advert Part 5

Latest in the series of Lloyds TSB 'For The Journey' Adverts Directed by Marc Craste at Studio AKA. Once again, look out for the trainspotter.

Lloyds TSB 'For the Journey' Advert Part 4

Part 4 in the series of Lloyds TSB 'For The Journey' Adverts. Directed by Marc Craste at Studio AKA. Watch out for the trainspotter again, he's a little harder to spot this time.

New Pixar Book - To Infinity and Beyond!

Order the new Pixar book To Infinity and Beyond!: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios now from Amazon.co.uk (UK) or Amazon.com (US)

Lloyds TSB 'For the Journey' Advert Part 3

Part 3 in the series of Lloyds TSB 'For The Journey' Adverts. A wonderful 3D Computer Animation directed by Marc Craste at Studio AKA. Watch out for the trainspotter again and for the croc scared of a bunny rabbit!

New Pixar Ratatouille Podcast - 'Linguini à la Carte'

The latest Ratatouille Podcast focuses on the main character Linguini. Includes a few behind the scenes insights.

Download link below (Right Click > Save Target As)

Download Hi-Res Quicktime PodCast - 'Linguini à la Carte' (44.3mb)

Subscribe to Ratatouille Podcasts

Pixar Ratatouille PodCasts

Pixar Ratatouille Podcasts.

Download links below (Right Click > Save Target As)

Download Hi-Res Quicktime PodCast - 'Patton on Remy' (51.2mb)
Download Hi-Res Quicktime PodCast - 'Cooking 101' (53.4mb)
Download Hi-Res Quicktime PodCast - 'Brad Bird: The Big Cheese' (49.0mb)

Subscribe to Ratatouille Podcasts

Pixar Ratatouille Podcast: Technical Ingredients

This Podcast episode takes a behind the scenes look at some of the technical innovation involved in making the film. Subjects include wet cloth dynamics, water movement and hair dynamics.

Download link below (Right Click > Save Target As)
Download Hi-Res Quicktime Podcast - 'The Technical Ingredients' (48.4mb)

Subscribe to Ratatouille Podcasts

Pixar Ratatouille 9 Minute HD Preview

Pixar has just released 9 minutes of footage from Ratatouille in High Definition.
Ratatouille looks set to be the best film Pixar has produced as they raise the bar once again.

Everything about this film shouts quality, from the slick animation and beautiful style to the intriguing characters and storyline.

Download links below (Right Click > Save Target As)

Download 9 Minute Preview - Quicktime HD 1080p (733mb)
Download 9 Minute Preview - Quicktime HD 720p (623mb)
Download 9 Minute Preview - Quicktime HD 480p (273mb)

New Pixar Ratatouille HD Trailer!

Pixar's new Ratatouille Quicktime HD Trailer in glorious 1080p format.

Lloyds TSB 'For the Journey' Advert Part 2

Part 2 of 'For the Journey' - a CG animated commercial directed by Marc Craste at Studio AKA in London. Watch out for the scene when the train gently pushes the cows out of it's way, genius. Can you find the trainspotter in both part 1 and 2?

Lloyds TSB 'For the Journey' Advert Part 1

A CG animated commercial directed by Marc Craste at Studio AKA in London.
The first time I saw this animation on TV I was in awe. Quirky animation, excellent character design, beautiful lighting and wonderful story telling all come together to make this a magical viewing experience.

Paul Berry Tribute - Museum of Science & Industry

The Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester UK has recently added a Paul Berry Tribute Collection to it's on-line archive. The collection consists of some of the models from The Sandman, James and the Giant Peach and Nightmare Before Christmas.

New Website Version 2.0

The new version of the website is more user friendly.
It is easier to navigate due to the added information bar and project selection bar at the bottom of the main screen.
I have incorporated a more pleasing blue and orange colour scheme instead of the plain white, while attempting to keep the colours muted so the images stand out more.

The bookshelf section is now a lot easier to navigate with a cleaner layout.

Added a new t-shirt store section consisting of six unique designs.

Digital Cinema Screens In UK

Click here for a list of new digital cinema screens cropping up all over the UK.

Cars: Digital Cinema

Finally seen Pixar's latest film Cars, directed by John Lassetter, in fantastic digital format at The Light Vue Cinema in Leeds. After the initial disappointment of the first teaser trailer, I am pleased to say that Pixar have come up with the goods yet again. Oh, apart from the exception of Jeremy Clarkson as the voice of Lightning McQueen's agent. I wish directors wouldn't insist on using localised celebrity voice talent for each country. It instantly shatters the illusion. I'll definitely be buying the original US version of the DVD.
Oh, and look out for the hilarious tractor tipping scene and the equally superb end credits.

As a bonus, the new short film One Man Band written and directed by Andrew Jimenez and Mark Andrews was also shown before the main film. The film has a beautiful European style, somewhat of a departure for Pixar and has a nice simple storyline with well developed characters.

Car's CG Society Article

Car's CG Society Article

Ratatouille Teaser Trailer!

Ratatouille Teaser Trailer now available to download from the Apple Quicktime trailer site in excellent HD quality. Pixar's latest film directed by Brad Bird. Release date Summer 2007. Can't wait.

Pixar's Art of Cars

Order Pixar's The Art of Cars now from Amazon.co.uk (UK) or Amazon.com (US)

Pixar's Cars Essential Guide

Order Pixar's Cars: The Essential Guide from Amazon.co.uk (UK) or Amazon.com (US)

Puffs Tissues Commercial

US commercials for Puffs Tissues. Similar style to The Sandman and to my suprise was also created by Mackinnon and Saunders the people behind the film.