Category: Visual Effects

Universal has hired George Nolfi to write a script for a fourth installment of its BOURNE IDENTITY series, per VARIETY.

The new film will be an original story, whereas the previous three were based on the Robert Ludlum novels. Universal had intended to stop at three films starring Matt Damon, but the third grossed more than $227 million domestically and $215 million overseas. Damon and director Paul Greengrass were attached in February for a fourth installment.

Background clips don't have to be boring. The release of ABSTRACT DIMENSIONS, Artbeats' versatile new footage collection, proves that with 25 new backgrounds spanning a creative cornucopia of geometric shapes, subtle flowing designs and wildly colored warping 'effects.'

Warner Bros. has bought the screen rights to graphic novel HEADSHOT, per VARIETY.

The three-book series by Alexis Nolent was published in France by Casterman, and is the second Nolent title WB has bought. The studio is also working on CYCLOPS for director James Mangold.

Digital-Tutors has released INTRODUCTION TO MANTRA IN HOUDINI, the fourth release in the collection of interactive training for emerging digital artists learning Houdini, the advanced 3D animation and special effects software.

In celebration of the release of Don Hahn's latest book, THE ALCHEMY OF ANIMATION, Woodbury University and ASIFA-Hollywood are putting on a panel discussion hosted by author/producer Hahn. Hahn and his panel of colleagues from the past 20 years will share their insights into the highly creative and involved process of making animated films across a variety of mediums -- traditional, computer and stop-motion animation -- as reflected in THE ALCHEMY OF ANIMATION.

Toronto-based producer and distributor Tricon Films & Television has made further sales of 13x60 science fiction series SANCTUARY at MIPCOM 2008. Entertainment channel AXN has snapped up the series in a deal for Central Europe that includes Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia and in a further deal, Sci Fi Channel Asia has taken the series to air on its channels in more than 25 countries.

Sci Fi Channel and RHI Ent. have entered into a network license agreement for a slate of U.S. premiere television movies.

The deal includes basic cable rights for five new horror and thriller projects. Two of the films have already wrapped production on location in Romania, including HELLHOUNDS, directed by Ricky Schroder (ANDROMEDA STRAIN, 24). Set in 500 B.C., HELLHOUNDS stars Scott Elrod (MEN IN TREES) as a Greek warrior who fights against the demonic hellhounds of Hades in order to rescue his bride (Amanda Brooks, MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL) and bring her back to life.

CIS Hollywood was the sole visual effects vendor for THE EXPRESS, which follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis, whose quiet fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of the game, and whose civil rights story continues to inspire new generations. In 1961, Davis was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, but died of leukemia in 1963 before his professional career could begin. Thomas J. Smith, CIS Hollywood's visual effects supervisor, oversaw 125 shots.

PipelineFX's Qube! for Education continues to be adopted at a record pace by universities and schools around the world.

GRIP is a striking new spot highlighting a feature available throughout the Audi range, namely the Quattro cars' road handling system. The spot was created by BBH and directed by Dom & Nic for Outsider, with the VFX and Telecine handled by Framestore.

Digital Stone, a contemporary art exhibition touring three cities in China, has opened at the Today Art Museum in Beijing. The exhibit, sponsored by Autodesk, features the work of four American stone sculptors who use 3D software to create sculpture and represent the surprising intersection of art and technology.