Marcel Camus’ multi award winning film Black Orpheus made a huge impact on its original release, garnering top accolades, an Oscar, Golden Globe and Palme D’Or and putting bossa nova on the map.
This visually stunning film, based on Vinícius de Moraes musical play Orfeu da Conceição, retells the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice against the vibrant backdrop of the Rio carnival.
The outstanding soundtrack from Latin Jazz legend Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfa introduced the world to a new style of samba, later known as bossa nova, that was fresh, romantic and accessible to jazz hipsters.
This fantastic new transfer, featuring the extended version of the film, does full justice to the glorious colour photography and will be released for the first time on DVD courtesy of Second Sight on 19 March 2007.
“More than just showcasing samba, Black Orpheus brought this music to life, making Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luis Bonfa international stars. From the very opening title scene, where favalistas burst through an ancient frieze of Orpheus and Eurydice, to the climactic Carnival parade, music pervades practically every moment of the film”. rootsworld.com
Title: Black Orpheus
Release Date: 19 March 2007
RRP: £19.99
Friday, December 22, 2006
South Bank Show Awards
On Tuesday 23rd January 2007, Melvyn Bragg will be hosting the 11th annual SOUTH BANK SHOW AWARDS at the Savoy Hotel, honouring the UK’s most creative and popular artists in front of a star-studded audience. This year's event will see the return of The South Bank Show Awards/The Times Breakthrough Award which recognises rising British talent. Together with The Times critics, THE SOUTH BANK SHOW AWARDS have short listed one breakthrough nominee for each of the ten award categories. The winner will be chosen by a public vote organised through The Times, to be announced on the day of the awards. This year’s nominees include Connie Fisher for Theatre, Rafi Gavron for Film, David Oyelowo for TV Drama, Simon Amstell for Comedy and Archie Bronson Outfit for Pop.
THE SOUTH BANK SHOW AWARDS, originated by series editor and presenter Melvyn Bragg, are unique in that they span the whole range of arts in Britain. There are ten categories: Theatre, Film, Dance, Classical Music, Pop Music, Opera, Literature, Comedy, Visual Arts and TV Drama, as well as The Arts Council England – decibel Award and Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. The South Bank Show Awards/The Times Breakthrough Award was introduced in 2005 with the likes of Razorlight and James McAvoy nominated. The film director Amma Asante was voted the eventual winner and went on to scoop a BAFTA for her debut film, ‘A Way of Life’. The 2006 awards saw a new crop of rising stars battling it out for the Breakthrough Award including the director Joe Wright and rapper M.I.A.. Billie Piper, riding on the back of her success in the new ‘Doctor Who’ series, was crowned the winner on the day.
Melvyn Bragg on the nominations; “The South Bank Show Awards/The Times Breakthrough Award has been a terrific success. The awards go to British artists across the spectrum who have achieved great things in the year. This award brings to a wide public the best of new young talent in the country many of whom, young as they are, are already out there making what could well be great and deserved reputations.”
This year’s nominations reflect the wealth of talent across the arts that have come to the fore over the last year. David Oyelowo starred in the controversial BBC Two drama ‘Shoot the Messenger’; Rafi Gavron was singled out by critics for his role in the film ‘Breaking and Entering’; Connie Fisher stormed to victory in BBC One’s ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?’ and went on to critical acclaim in ‘The Sound of Music’; Archie Bronson Outfit, a 3-piece group from Wiltshire made an impact with their album ‘Derdang Derdang’; TV presenter and former host of ‘Popworld’ (C4) Simon Amstell, returned to his comedy roots in 2006 with a successful debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as the new host of ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ (BBC Two); and Scottish author Jane Harris made a stunning debut with her novel ‘The Observations’.
Alex O’Connell, Arts Editor of The Times adds; “This year's nominees are a cultural bumper crop and The Times is delighted to be associated with an award which champions the rising stars of arts and entertainment."
THE SOUTH BANK SHOW AWARDS will be transmitted on Sunday 28th January 2007 on ITV1. The full list of nominations for all ten main categories plus the Arts Council England - decibel award will be announced in early January.
THE SOUTH BANK SHOW AWARDS, originated by series editor and presenter Melvyn Bragg, are unique in that they span the whole range of arts in Britain. There are ten categories: Theatre, Film, Dance, Classical Music, Pop Music, Opera, Literature, Comedy, Visual Arts and TV Drama, as well as The Arts Council England – decibel Award and Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. The South Bank Show Awards/The Times Breakthrough Award was introduced in 2005 with the likes of Razorlight and James McAvoy nominated. The film director Amma Asante was voted the eventual winner and went on to scoop a BAFTA for her debut film, ‘A Way of Life’. The 2006 awards saw a new crop of rising stars battling it out for the Breakthrough Award including the director Joe Wright and rapper M.I.A.. Billie Piper, riding on the back of her success in the new ‘Doctor Who’ series, was crowned the winner on the day.
Melvyn Bragg on the nominations; “The South Bank Show Awards/The Times Breakthrough Award has been a terrific success. The awards go to British artists across the spectrum who have achieved great things in the year. This award brings to a wide public the best of new young talent in the country many of whom, young as they are, are already out there making what could well be great and deserved reputations.”
This year’s nominations reflect the wealth of talent across the arts that have come to the fore over the last year. David Oyelowo starred in the controversial BBC Two drama ‘Shoot the Messenger’; Rafi Gavron was singled out by critics for his role in the film ‘Breaking and Entering’; Connie Fisher stormed to victory in BBC One’s ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?’ and went on to critical acclaim in ‘The Sound of Music’; Archie Bronson Outfit, a 3-piece group from Wiltshire made an impact with their album ‘Derdang Derdang’; TV presenter and former host of ‘Popworld’ (C4) Simon Amstell, returned to his comedy roots in 2006 with a successful debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as the new host of ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ (BBC Two); and Scottish author Jane Harris made a stunning debut with her novel ‘The Observations’.
Alex O’Connell, Arts Editor of The Times adds; “This year's nominees are a cultural bumper crop and The Times is delighted to be associated with an award which champions the rising stars of arts and entertainment."
THE SOUTH BANK SHOW AWARDS will be transmitted on Sunday 28th January 2007 on ITV1. The full list of nominations for all ten main categories plus the Arts Council England - decibel award will be announced in early January.
Autodesk Solutions for Blockbuster Movies
Autodesk Solutions Bring Magic to the Big Screen This Holiday Season with The Covenant, Casino Royale, Stranger Than Fiction and More
Autodesk Inc.’s (NASDAQ: ADSK) media and entertainment products have helped digital artists create some of this season’s blockbuster films. Post-production facilities relied on Autodesk solutions for visual effects creation, editing and finishing, colour grading and 3D animation.
“Autodesk provides end-to-end solutions for the entire film workflow, from idea creation and story boarding to final production,” explained Marc Petit, Autodesk’s Media & Entertainment vice president. “This allows Autodesk to have a deep understanding of all aspects of the film workflow, enabling us to create unique solutions that meet the specific needs of post-production facilities. Also, facilities with an Autodesk pipeline enjoy the seamless movement of data through the various stages of film workflows.”
The Autodesk Flame visual effects system was used by Buzz Image Group to create 33 shots for the supernatural film The Covenant. Flame artists at the facility composited 3D set extensions and actors shot on bluescreen and greenscreen into filmed backgrounds. Digital artists also used the system to create and adjust various elements such as lighthouse lighting and skies, as well as for various wire and lighting rig removals.
Furthermore, Buzz Image Group used Autodesk Flame to shape futuristic scenes for The Fountain. For one of this film’s final scenes, the system was used to create the effect of skin ripping as plants grow through it. The facility’s Flame work also involved compositing live and computer-generated (CG) growing plant elements into live-action footage. “Autodesk Flame allows us to take full advantage of our artists’ talent and creativity,” said Jacques Levesque, executive visual effects producer. “The system’s speed and interactivity let us experiment in real-time until we perfect the shot.”
Framestore CFC used the Autodesk Inferno visual effects system to create the title sequence for Casino Royale, the story of James Bond's first mission as a “double O” agent. As this was the 21st Bond film created, director and titles designer Daniel Kleinman wanted to refresh the franchise’s famous title sequence. Using gambling-related imagery and fight sequences, Framestore CFC’s Head of Inferno, William Bartlett, created a modern sequence with a retrospective feel.
Los Angeles-based LaserPacific Media Corporation used the Autodesk Lustre digital colour grading system on a variety of this season’s films, including Babel, The Black Dahlia, For Your Consideration and Stranger Than Fiction. For Stranger Than Fiction, the facility played a key role in integrating many of the film’s visual effects shots. Lustre was used to build the film’s timeline.
Colourist Mike Sowa also used the system to achieve the perfect colour choices and saturation for the film. “We recalled the look, style and feeling of Jacques Tati’s 1967 film Play Time,” said cinematographer Roberto Schafer. “Now that Roberto has seen the tremendous degree of control, he is a firm believer in the DI process,” added Sowa.
Autodesk 3ds Max 3D animation, modelling and rendering software was used by Youngu-art to model and animate legendary creatures that return to devastate planet earth in the Korean film D-War. “We chose Autodesk 3ds Max for its powerful polygon modelling, which allowed us to create the complex and detailed characters in a very intuitive and efficient way,” noted Ho-Suk Jang, computer graphic supervisor for the film. “The software’s biped character animation tools also allowed us to easily control the various types of characters as they interacted with crowds of humans.”
Several other post-production facilities used Autodesk solutions to create this season’s blockbuster films, including the following:
* Mokko Studios completed 8 hero shots for The Fountain using the Autodesk Toxik digital compositing software. In the Mayan pyramid final scene, Toxik was used to composite live-action footage of Hugh Jackman with various elements
* For Night at the Museum Rhythm & Hues used Autodesk Maya to model approximately 60 of the museum’s characters and Autodesk Inferno 2007 for compositing and colour correction. The facility also used Inferno and Maya to bring a classic story to life in Charlotte’s Web
* Cinesite used Autodesk Maya 3D animation, modelling and rendering software to create shots of a CG steam train for Miss Potter
* For The Curse of the Golden Flower Moving Picture Company created 20 shots including a CG army using Autodesk Maya
* Asylum used Autodesk Inferno and Autodesk Flame, as well as the Autodesk Smoke editing and finishing system to shape Déjà Vu. Autodesk Lustre digital colour grading system was also used to maintain colour continuity. In addition, the facility completed work for Apocalypto using Inferno, Toxik and Lustre
* Look Effects created visual effects shots for Apocalypto, Blood Diamond, Unaccompanied Minors and Rocky Balboa using Maya as well as the Autodesk Flame and Autodesk Flint visual effects systems
Autodesk Inc.’s (NASDAQ: ADSK) media and entertainment products have helped digital artists create some of this season’s blockbuster films. Post-production facilities relied on Autodesk solutions for visual effects creation, editing and finishing, colour grading and 3D animation.
“Autodesk provides end-to-end solutions for the entire film workflow, from idea creation and story boarding to final production,” explained Marc Petit, Autodesk’s Media & Entertainment vice president. “This allows Autodesk to have a deep understanding of all aspects of the film workflow, enabling us to create unique solutions that meet the specific needs of post-production facilities. Also, facilities with an Autodesk pipeline enjoy the seamless movement of data through the various stages of film workflows.”
The Autodesk Flame visual effects system was used by Buzz Image Group to create 33 shots for the supernatural film The Covenant. Flame artists at the facility composited 3D set extensions and actors shot on bluescreen and greenscreen into filmed backgrounds. Digital artists also used the system to create and adjust various elements such as lighthouse lighting and skies, as well as for various wire and lighting rig removals.
Furthermore, Buzz Image Group used Autodesk Flame to shape futuristic scenes for The Fountain. For one of this film’s final scenes, the system was used to create the effect of skin ripping as plants grow through it. The facility’s Flame work also involved compositing live and computer-generated (CG) growing plant elements into live-action footage. “Autodesk Flame allows us to take full advantage of our artists’ talent and creativity,” said Jacques Levesque, executive visual effects producer. “The system’s speed and interactivity let us experiment in real-time until we perfect the shot.”
Framestore CFC used the Autodesk Inferno visual effects system to create the title sequence for Casino Royale, the story of James Bond's first mission as a “double O” agent. As this was the 21st Bond film created, director and titles designer Daniel Kleinman wanted to refresh the franchise’s famous title sequence. Using gambling-related imagery and fight sequences, Framestore CFC’s Head of Inferno, William Bartlett, created a modern sequence with a retrospective feel.
Los Angeles-based LaserPacific Media Corporation used the Autodesk Lustre digital colour grading system on a variety of this season’s films, including Babel, The Black Dahlia, For Your Consideration and Stranger Than Fiction. For Stranger Than Fiction, the facility played a key role in integrating many of the film’s visual effects shots. Lustre was used to build the film’s timeline.
Colourist Mike Sowa also used the system to achieve the perfect colour choices and saturation for the film. “We recalled the look, style and feeling of Jacques Tati’s 1967 film Play Time,” said cinematographer Roberto Schafer. “Now that Roberto has seen the tremendous degree of control, he is a firm believer in the DI process,” added Sowa.
Autodesk 3ds Max 3D animation, modelling and rendering software was used by Youngu-art to model and animate legendary creatures that return to devastate planet earth in the Korean film D-War. “We chose Autodesk 3ds Max for its powerful polygon modelling, which allowed us to create the complex and detailed characters in a very intuitive and efficient way,” noted Ho-Suk Jang, computer graphic supervisor for the film. “The software’s biped character animation tools also allowed us to easily control the various types of characters as they interacted with crowds of humans.”
Several other post-production facilities used Autodesk solutions to create this season’s blockbuster films, including the following:
* Mokko Studios completed 8 hero shots for The Fountain using the Autodesk Toxik digital compositing software. In the Mayan pyramid final scene, Toxik was used to composite live-action footage of Hugh Jackman with various elements
* For Night at the Museum Rhythm & Hues used Autodesk Maya to model approximately 60 of the museum’s characters and Autodesk Inferno 2007 for compositing and colour correction. The facility also used Inferno and Maya to bring a classic story to life in Charlotte’s Web
* Cinesite used Autodesk Maya 3D animation, modelling and rendering software to create shots of a CG steam train for Miss Potter
* For The Curse of the Golden Flower Moving Picture Company created 20 shots including a CG army using Autodesk Maya
* Asylum used Autodesk Inferno and Autodesk Flame, as well as the Autodesk Smoke editing and finishing system to shape Déjà Vu. Autodesk Lustre digital colour grading system was also used to maintain colour continuity. In addition, the facility completed work for Apocalypto using Inferno, Toxik and Lustre
* Look Effects created visual effects shots for Apocalypto, Blood Diamond, Unaccompanied Minors and Rocky Balboa using Maya as well as the Autodesk Flame and Autodesk Flint visual effects systems
University trials new Xbox software
The University of Bradford has been giving suggestions and advice for a new piece of software developed by Microsoft which will allow video game enthusiasts the chance to create their own games for use on the Xbox 360 games console.
The software, called XNA Game Studio Express, will allow gamers to use a tools programme to create games for the Xbox 360 and share them via the Xbox Live online service.
Microsoft hopes that the software will not only be used by amateur game developers, but also by students. With this in mind, five UK universities were involved in the initial trial of the software, including Bradford, Derby, Hull, Belfast and Nottingham.
Students and gaming enthusiasts will be able to download the software for free, and many have already registered their interest in joining the XNA Creators Club, which allows DIY developers access to technical support, white papers, starter kits and other technology that will help them make the game authentic.
Head of Electronic Imaging and Media Communications (EIMC) at the University of Bradford, Dr Ian Palmer, said: “We’re very pleased to be part of the initial launch of Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio Express. The software will provide our students with the opportunity to easily experiment with their ideas with the knowledge that they will be able to see their invention in reality.
“This is a great chance for students to work on games without financial support, replicating the days when games were made with low budgets.”
For more information about courses and research within EIMC at the University of Bradford, visit: www.eimc.brad.ac.uk
The software, called XNA Game Studio Express, will allow gamers to use a tools programme to create games for the Xbox 360 and share them via the Xbox Live online service.
Microsoft hopes that the software will not only be used by amateur game developers, but also by students. With this in mind, five UK universities were involved in the initial trial of the software, including Bradford, Derby, Hull, Belfast and Nottingham.
Students and gaming enthusiasts will be able to download the software for free, and many have already registered their interest in joining the XNA Creators Club, which allows DIY developers access to technical support, white papers, starter kits and other technology that will help them make the game authentic.
Head of Electronic Imaging and Media Communications (EIMC) at the University of Bradford, Dr Ian Palmer, said: “We’re very pleased to be part of the initial launch of Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio Express. The software will provide our students with the opportunity to easily experiment with their ideas with the knowledge that they will be able to see their invention in reality.
“This is a great chance for students to work on games without financial support, replicating the days when games were made with low budgets.”
For more information about courses and research within EIMC at the University of Bradford, visit: www.eimc.brad.ac.uk
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