Senior BBC management has been accused of fostering a “toxic culture” from the “DG-down” in a letter criticizing the closure of its 99-year-old choir.
28.02.2023 - 21:47 / variety.com
Daron James Along with its record setting box office numbers and four Oscar nominations, “Avatar: The Way of Water” brings a “Metkayina” wave of impressive next-gen technology that will undeniably set new industry standards in motion capture, animation and underwater photography. The original facial motion capture rig that also impressively immersed Andy Serkis as Gollum and Caesar, received an overhaul. Not only physically but also in the way the software replicates a performance. “We looked at how the muscles in the face, eyes and lips are all related and created a neural network that maps all the connections between them,” says senior VFX supervisor Joe Letteri. “This gave us this sympathetic motion in the actor’s face which allowed us to translate the performance to the character and make each frame more believable.”
Additionally, the single-standard definition camera that recorded facial expressions was replaced by two high-definition versions that provided more data and detail. In recording the underwater activity, actors — and crew — trained in free diving methods to hold their breath for extended periods as air bubbles interfered with the performance capture. Actors wore a rig with a single camera attached that recorded their face while underwater camera operators documented body movement. Additionally, reference cameras were mounted above and below the water creating two separate capture volumes. This allowed actors to move freely underwater and above the surface without impeding their performance. Detailing the underwater imagery in 3D, director James Cameron turned to a specialized camera rig called the DeepX 3D invented by Australian cinematographer Pawel Achtel. The innovative design doesn’t require a
Senior BBC management has been accused of fostering a “toxic culture” from the “DG-down” in a letter criticizing the closure of its 99-year-old choir.
Missing the moment. James Cameron skipped the 2023 Oscars on Sunday, March 12, despite his film Avatar: The Way of Water being up for Best Picture.
Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver are looking so chic on the red carpet.
Charna Flam A new single, “Justice for All,” featuring former President Donald Trump, from the J6 Prison Choir, reached No. 1 on iTunes’ top songs on March 11. The J6 Prison Choir is comprised of a group of men who were convicted after their participation in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan.
Love Island fans have said they are 'already fuming' as they say they've figured out which couple will leave following the latest cliffhanger. Thursday night's (March 9) trip to the South African villa saw viewers watch the remaining couples go on their final dates with days to go until the ITV2 dating show's grand finale.
EastEnders actress Shona McGarty amazed fans as she revealed her second career outside of the popular BBC soap. Shona, who earlier dazzled fans with a fresh, cropped haircut, has played Whitney Dean, the adoptive daughter of Patsy Palmer’s Bianca Jackson, since 2008. Whitney has been involved in countless central storylines since her first appearance, and most recently, she discovered her baby has Edwards’ Syndrome.
The first look at tonight's Love Island has seen the couples head out on their elaborate final dates as the final approaches. Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins, who recently became official, are the first couple to be whisked out of the Villa for their epic final date which sees them treated to a magical breakfast while floating on water.They're also treated to a spine-tingling performance from a South African choir.
The newest entry in the “Avatar” franchise will hit digital retailers soon.
James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water will be available from all major digital retailers including Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu and Movies Anywhere on March 28.
“Avatar: The Way of Water” broke box office records when it was released this past Christmas, and after months at the theater, the sequel is finally hitting home video. The movie will be available from all major digital retailers (including Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu and Movies Anywhere) beginning on March 28.Unlike other blockbusters, the movie will premiere on digital retailers before streaming or physical media (my kingdom for a 4K Blu-ray).
J. Kim Murphy “The Way of Water” has no beginning and no end — even in your living room! James Cameron’s long awaited “Avatar” sequel has finally set a digital platform release date. The sci-fi epic will be available to purchase on March 28, setting course for Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu and Movies Anywhere.
Fandom’s “Oscars According to Fans” survey reports that “Avatar: The Way of Water” takes the Oscar for Best Picture over “Top Gun: Maverick” if it were up to fans.James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel was the favorite of 15 states — such as Washington, Oklahoma, Illinois, New York and Alabama — while Tom Cruise’s equally long-awaited sequel took second place as the top film in 13 states including California, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina and Maine among others.“Elvis” came in third place for fan votes to win Best Picture. Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis was the fan favorite of 9 states including Arizona, Mew Mexico, Minnesota and more, with 36% of voters picking him to win the Oscar for the Best Actor.
Jeremy Fassler Film editor David Brenner, who died in the middle of work on the Oscar-nominated “Avatar: The Way of Water,” never shied away from a challenge. Ahead of the American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards, directors Zack Snyder and James Cameron remembered Brenner and his celebrated career. Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, Brenner worked alongside some of the most technically demanding directors in Hollywood, from Oliver Stone to Cameron. But whether he was editing an alien invasion in “Independence Day” or a Vietnam veteran leading an antiwar protest in “Born on the Fourth of July” (for which he won an Academy Award), he always found the humanity of his subjects.
An impressive array of more than 50 Canadian recording artists have pooled their talents for a new single to promote an excellent cause.
Travis Scott is being accused of causing $12,000 worth of damage at Manhattan, New York City nightclub Nebula early Wednesday morning.
Tim Gray Senior Vice President “Avatar: The Way of Water” is a sequel, but the VFX team had a mandate far beyond supplying “more of the same.” The follow-up to the 2009 original “Avatar” had many new demands — and these jaw-dropping innovations have helped make the film one of the top box-office films of all time. Joe Letteri, heading up his team at Weta FX, tells Variety, “We were working on this film since the last one finished, identifying what we could do better. Then there was a big burst of research-and-development” about six years ago, when writer-director James Cameron delivered the scripts for this and three more sequels; that’s when they realized the full scope of the film, which takes place in water about 60% of the time.
Global blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water was named Best Film today at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts’ 12th annual AACTA International Awards. See the full list of film and TV winners below.
An urgent 'do not swim' warning has been issued at a UK beach for an entire year after dangerous levels of bacteria were found in the water. Faecal matter has been uncovered at St Mary's Bay on Romney Marsh in Kent by the Environment Agency and swimmers are now being told to stay away throughout 2023.
The Princess of Wales has tried her hand at making pancakes during a visit to a care home - but was forced to apologise after it went horribly wrong. Kate visited the Oxford House Nursing Home in Slough today, where she learned about how it is caring for its elderly residents.