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The FX Guys bridges physical and digital F/X
Constructiong four-foot-tall heads that nod, making it snow in the summer and storm on sunny days, or building an animatronics cow only to drop it on a car may seem unlikely pursuits in an increasingly CG world, but physical and mechanical F/X house, The FX Guys, is staking its claim in Vancouver’s once again busy special effects market and is looking to build bridges between old and new.
People
* Radio-Canada has announced Mario Clement, programming director with Tele-Quebec, has joined SRC as director-general of programming. The post had been held on an interim basis by Suzanne Laverdiere, director-general, acquisitions and independent production. Clement is credited with spearheading major ratings improvements at Tele-Quebec over the past three years.
Jump Cuts
Famous gets digi previews
Diversification is name of the game
The familiar drums of diversification have begun to beat. Familiar, at least from this chair, because in addition to my duties as editor of Playback, I also edit PB spin-off On The Spot, a trade devoted to the business of commercial production.
Whatever happened to HDTV?
Well, it isn’t going away.
Bias all over Canadian news
In your March 17 editorial, you try to make the point that the U.S. media is running in lockstep with the White House, and in doing so, you reveal your own bias.
Correction
In reference to the March 31 issue in the NAB2003 Preview, Precision Camera did not supply the Sony 24p HDCAMs for the sereis Doc. William F. White International is the supplier. William F. White International bought the equipment from Precision Camera and then rented it out to the makers of Doc.
Prairie provinces proving themselves
Even in the face of open criticism of the Prairie provinces’ ability to support major film and TV productions, the region’s foreign and indigenous production business continues to grow.
Regional tax credits lure productions
Vancouver: When actor Jennifer Lopez sashays into Kamloops for the Miramax feature An Unfinished Life, the B.C. taxpayer will pay for one out of every seven days of hotels and per diems for the drama’s 150 crew members.
Post shows new life
Vancouver: The West Coast post-production industry was looking for a little industry shakeup when it started lobbying the B.C. government for a visual effects tax credit.
Animation producers reap benefits of DAVE
Vancouver: Production on the second season of Warner Bros.’ digital 2D animated series Mucha Lucha begins in May at Vancouver’s Bardel Entertainment.
Chun shoots HD’s dark side on La Grande Ourse
Montreal: The new Point de Mire series La Grande Ourse is being billed as Quebec’s first primetime fantasy melodrama, a cross between the supernaturalism of The X-Files and the small-town creepiness of Twin Peaks. Produced on a budget of $8 million, and commissioned by Radio-Canada, the 10-hour series is only the second Quebec drama series originated in the 24p HD format, after Lance et Compte – 15 ans plus tard.
Polley, Chaykin and Rubinek star in Sugar
Filmmakers Damion Nurse and John Buchan last month raised the flag of their new production company, On the Stroll Productions, with news of its debut feature film Sugar, now shooting on locations in and around Toronto with high-wattage locals Sarah Polley, Maury Chaykin and Saul Rubinek. The $500,000 pic is based on the short stories by area media darling Bruce LaBruce and was adapted for the screen by director John Palmer (Wolf Boy) and Todd Klinck. Jennfier Jonas (Perfect Pie) is exec producer.
Film/HD treatment forLa La La Human Steps’ Amelia
Montreal: Principal photography on the one-hour dance adaptation Amelia, the latest creation from internationally renowned choregrapher/director Edouard Lock and Montreal contemporary dance company La La La Human Steps, has wrapped after 19 days. Lock’s new stage production premiered in Prague and Paris last fall and in Montreal this winter. The post-production, edit and special visual F/X are being done in HD at the Media Principia studios.
Festival season begins
Montreal: The 8th Montreal Jewish Film Festival, May 8-15, opens with a gala screening of German director Caroline Link’s Nowhere in Africa, winner of this year’s Academy Award for best foreign-language picture.
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