Computer graphics students at the University of the Incarnate Word were treated to an impressive display of animation and visual FX technique by Geomedia artists Thursday evening. Animation director Troy Davis and Incarnate Word student (and Geomedia 3D artist) Jeremy Kenisky were invited by Professor Adam Watkins to demonstrate the practical application of computer graphics in commercial television production.

Jeremy, who came to us as an intern from the CGAUIW program, authored an extensive DVD presentation detailing the Geomedia method on a recent graphics intensive campaign. The spots entailed all manner of 2D/3D animation and visual FX as well as live action production. CGAUIW students were taken on a round-trip journey from script to screen. From concept and pre-production through final film output, Students were able to get a glimpse of the myriad tools, disciplines and techniques involved in the production high-end visual FX.

Geomedia has a long history of supporting local students through participation in mentorship programs, offering serious graphics students a place to gain real life career experience. This is often the hardest part for graduating students… Getting that initial gig and a foothold in the industry. We hope the presentation was enlightening. We’ll look forward to portfolio reviews in the spring!

The Wood Agency brought us this challenging project for Time Warner Cable just in time for kickoff of the 2006 season. The spot features rabid sports fans with elaborate face paint, highlighting TW’s sports packages and pricing offers. In order to leverage the spot across multiple markets, individual offers and channel information on the actors faces would need to change, as not all packages and pricing are available in all markets. Additionally, Spanish language versions would be required. The logistics of re-painting actors faces to cover all possible combinations was a major concern. To overcome this obstacle We proposed creating the face paint logos in CG. Tests conducted during pre-production convinced the client that this would be the way to go.

Geomedia employed the talents of local face painter Liz Alaniz of WOW Artistry. Liz and her assistant painted base designs and any logos which would be persistent throughout all the spots. Areas on the actors faces which would receive “CG face paint” were left blank except for small tracking marks. Actors were filmed against a green screen and directed to perform as if they were rowdy fans.

Geomedia artists prepared logo artwork to create a hand-painted look. These files were tracked to the actors faces in AfterEffects. Once tracked the logos were keyframed to warp and stretch to match the distortions of the actors faces. High contrast texture maps were derived from the clean plates and blended back into the composited logo artwork to create specular highlights and skin imperfections. Edges of the logos were distressed to simulate uneven paint strokes on skin. 3D tracking and animation in Softimage/XSI was utilized on shots where actors had extreme movement or rotated their heads. Rendered artwork from XSI was brought back into AfterEffects for compositing. Geomedia also managed casting, production and all editorial, versioning and finishing of this simple yet tricky campaign.

For years we’ve been encouraging our clients to get us involved early in the concept and pre-pro phase of a production. As was the case with this spot, we were able to bring technical and creative solutions to a problem in a way that enabled the feasibility of the concept while keeping it within budget constraints.

Mexico theater chain MMCinemas. celebrates their 25th anniversary this year and Geomedia joined the party, with a special invite from agency SOS Hispana, to help produce a :60 music video style spot commemorating the occasion. Shot on location at their premier Monterey cineplex, this high energy spot packs elaborate dance choreography and powerful pop vocals with Geomedia providing editorial, transparent VFX and 3D animation as well as final finish, versioning and film-out. The spot is the second component of a three-pronged campaign for the huge Mexico theater chain.

Key shots called for CGI replacement and tracking of exterior and interior signage to reflect the transition to the new company identity. Other key scenes involved 3D animation and tracking of photoreal CGI elements interacting with the actors. Numerous shots required the removal of legacy signage, stray logos and extraneous people. 3D modeling and animation were performed in Softimage/XSI. Multiple render passes of separate color, reflection, matte channels… were output for later compositing of 3D elements into the live-action plates. Extensive rotoscoping was necessary to separate moving foreground and background elements of the live action to blend with CGI during compositing. Motion tracking, rotoscoping, and compositing were handled in After Effects. Careful color correction and addition of film grain to CGI elements further enhanced realism in the final shots.

The 5.1 surround mix was submitted and blessed by Dolby Labs and final color and answer print were performed by Deluxe/Efilm. A client attended screening of the spot was arranged at a local theater to rave reviews. 1000 release prints were ordered from Efilm for distribution to MMCinemas theaters throughout Mexico. We congratulate MMCinemas on their 25th anniversary while we proceed with the next installment in this exciting campaign.