Creativity has indeed affected by all of the improvements and progress in visual effects during the past century. The transition from the original hand-cranked camera, to optical printing, to digital compositing, to computer graphics imagery—have had one major impact. They have opened creative options well into the post-production process, virtually until the last possible moment.
When the techniques available to us were photochemical, the effects artists knew exactly what had to be done to finish the film. Shots were not easily changeable, and filmmakers had long settled on what they expected from a given visual effect.
They knew exactly what everything had to do. It was an intense exercise to get it done. And to come up with a creative technical solution that looked good on screen. Now, after remarkable progress in the power to create visual effects, everything can be constantly manipulated and changed (although often with extraordinary effort).

Because of this, filmmakers are no longer disciplined to make critical creative decisions up front and often postpone them as long as they can.

In essence, the creative process only ends when time runs out and the film, game, or other project must be released.

We’ll start with the production designer who works closely with the director, director of photography and VFX Supervisor to develop the overall look of the film. The production designer oversees the art department. An art director supervises the construction of sets and modifying locations. The set decorator is responsible for the decoration of the sets. And the property master deals with all things that the actor will have to handle.

The art department also includes production illustrators, concept artists, and storyboard artists. Environment design, Vehicle design, Creature and character design is usually done by specialists brought in by the art department. The design and the look of the film have a large impact on the approach and techniques employed for visual effects. The art department creates a number of concept art studies in pre-production for the director and the studio to review. Once this concept art is refined and approved, it will be used by the visual effects artists as both a reference and a guide.

This is the core of the pre-production team roles in any big budget Hollywood movie production besides the role playing on screen.

We are proud to announce the launch of a new logo as part of the ongoing evolution of our brand. With the new vision to be the foremost Indian animation house that develops ideas from script, through to finished piece.
We continue working with advertising and digital agencies, as well as direct with brands, entrepreneurs and companies. We love working on anything that moves with character- TV commercials, brand idents, web banner ads, online explainer videos. We have the facility to produce it all- from concept to delivery.

And we also produce our own short films.

RnH as it is fondly called, was one of the few places on earth were artists working there were treated with dignity and respect. It was a place were we enjoyed while we work. It was full of life that every artist can possibly dream of. People sharing their knowledge, supporting others to learn and grow.

Bad management, Blind faith…whatever the cause for the down fall and this situation may have been. It will take a while to get over this tragic incident, as news of a similar situation for the Hyderabad office looms large. Hope the new management has something sensible enough to roll up their sleeves to revive RnH, now left with full of machines.

It has been around since the first director framed a shot with his thumbs and forefingers and the first pencil sketch illustrated a proposed set.

Previz can be plainly described as a visual rough draft of a shot, sequence, or show. Not to underestimate its power, we’ll take a look at how the technology and scope of previs have grown.

In the silent era, Storyboards were used in one form or another for many decades as a pre-planning tool. In time they evolved into Leica reel or “Animatics for live action”, storyboards with specific timing to determine the pace of the story. Later on with the advent of economical video cameras and editing systems, animatics became a norm as a pre-production tool in the film and commercials production process.

Throughout these years, Previz was used by Directors to help visualize and plan more elaborate and complex sequences. Even though it was a norm, previz was seen as more of a novelty technical tool needed to plan complicated shots. That in the recent times has thankfully changed. Previz really demonstrated how concept becomes reality in the production process. Over the years, it’s become an all-inclusive process, a hub of communication, a new medium in which all the various departments and players in the making of a film, commercial, or video game cinematic, can gradually improve the quality of the work they are collaborating on. It’s exciting to see previz come into the forefront and be recognized as that medium of change.

It often represents not only the best way to develop a sequence but the best way to collaboratively link the variety of departments, technologies, and points of view that have to come together in a modern production to bring the sequence to life.

The focus is to support the director, producer and key filmmaking departments in making the film they set out to make in the earliest stages. Basically it help create a teaser trailer or proof of concept for their project that many production companies and major studios are using as a tool to raise financing and confidence in their project, their director, or both.

As laymen, we may fail to technically understand creating or using the effects. It may be difficult to differentiate between special and visual effects. However, there is a considerable difference between the two.

Visual Effects Explained !

The visual effect is the process of creating moving images or imagery, enhanced or manipulated with the help of Computer Graphic Imagery (CGI). These effects are added to a scene later during post-production after primary imagery is complete. These effects are an integral part of science fiction movies.

Techniques such as matte painting; rear- and front-screen projection; miniature or forced perspective sets; computer graphic objects, characters, and environments; and compositing disparate images are some CGI techniques. The best example of this is the movie, Avatar. All of Pandora was CGI, including the planes and helicopters shown in the movie.

Special Effects Explained !

Special effects are generally described as effects that can be done while the scene is being filmed and are commonly called Practical effects. Even though it is often difficult to determine as both of them (Visual Effects, Special Effects) go hand in hand going by current methods. This collaboration has been enhanced by digital technology.

For instance, digital rig removal from live-action footage has allowed more freedom for special effects artists to create more elaborate rigs on. Other than that examples of more typical special effects are bullet hits, practical explosions, rain, fire, car gags of all sorts, flying rigs, motion rigs that shake sets or props or vehicles, gimbals to mimic the motion of boats or planes, and artificial ocean waves and spray.

Hope now the difference between Visual Effects, Special Effects is clear !

It always is a special feeling to be a part of an Incredible Movie. But to be appreciated by people of the highest order for our contribution is something that stays with you for years to come. On the eve of the LOP India release, sharing this mail from Erik Jan De Boer, Animation Director (Rhythm and Hues) on Life of Pi, sent as a token of gratitude !!!