The New Age of Animation at Sundance
As an official presenting sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival, HP showed its commitment to a vital independent community. HP workstations were featured in daily hands-on filmmaking labs. The high-end HP Workstation xw8000 offers optional dual processing, Intel E7505 chipset and high performance I/O technologies along with features that enhance scalability, manageability and reliability. It delivers the speed, power and performance required by large-scale projects and is available with a broad range of operating systems and graphics solutions. The HP Workstation xw4100 provides powerful performance at a low cost with features like ECC memory, single or multi-display 2D and 3D OpenGL graphics choices, new Intel Performance Acceleration Technology and ISV certifications. Collaborations between HP and key hardware and software application providers, such as Avid, means the user can expect the performance, compatibility and reliability needed for computer-aided digital editing, animation and design applications. (www.hp.com/go/workstations)
This is the first festival that Sony was able to demonstrate the Sony Qualia 004 High-Definition Projector system — made possible with Sony’s breakthrough SXRD technology — using content shot on Sony’s HD 24p camera. Sony also demonstrated the operation and picture quality of their leading cameras for motion picture production: The High-Definition 24P CineAlta; the IMX PAL 25P camcorder; and the brand new DVCAM DSR-PD170.
Panasonic’s second generation progressive scan camcorder, the AG-DVX 100A 24p/30p/60I MiniDV Camcorder, is equipped with more than 20 user-requested features including improved color reproduction, cine-like gamma curves and enhanced image adjustments, a slow shutter function, smoother focusing and zooming, and 16:9 aspect recording. It has enhanced low-light capabilities and the Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) virtually eliminates blurring caused by hand shake. (MSRP $3,995, www.panasonic.com/broadcast)
Other tools for indie filmmakers: NewTek LightWave 3D (8) includes enhancements in dynamics, character animation, modeling and animation workflow and texturing tools. ($1,595, upgrade $495, www.newtrek.com) Softimage I XSI 3.5 not only offers hundred of tools and refinements to graphics and effects artists, also but integrates mental ray v3.2, the most current version of rendering technology from mental images. Responding to the production needs of high profile industry users like Industrial Light & Magic, v3.5 features expanded interoperability with Avid editing and finishing products. ($6,750, upgrade from $1,495, www.softimage.com) Alias Maya 5 incorporates numerous customer-requested productivity enhancements and new ways to create digital content. These improvements include: enhanced animation constraints, an expanded range of tools for modeling and up to 90% increased speeds on Windows operating system. (Maya Complete $1,999, Maya Unlimited $6,999, www.aliaswavefront.com)
Just about every format was used to create the films screened at Sundance. Films were shot in 35mm, super 16mm, Sony HD Cam, BetaSP and miniDV. Editing was on film flatbeds, with Avid Film Composer, Avid Adrenalin, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premier. While some films used tradition hand-drawn sketches and painted animation cels shot on an Oxberry printer, others benefited from computer animation applications like After Effects and Maya. Screening formats included traditional 35mm film and cutting-edge HD projection. More tools than ever are available to the filmmaker, all that is needed is the creativity in using them.
Mary Ann Skweres is a filmmaker and freelance writer. She has worked extensively in feature film and documentary post-production with credits as a picture editor and visual effects assistant. She is a member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild.
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