Author Topic: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
cidnitro  56 posts
Registered: Dec '02
6188_Yoda
Date Posted: 12/30/02 11:52am Subject: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
My friend and I were talking last night and he said it'd be cool if he and I could get a small animation team together (once we can teach ourselves how to model/animate). I was wondering what would be better? A team like Pixar Studios that creates full-length computer animated films or a team like (the side of) ILM that deals with special fx?

Each way has it's pros and cons. Personnaly, I'd like to form a team that is devoted to making films instead of only special fx.

What's your opinion?

CidNitro

 

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citizen-tom  5405 posts
Registered: May '02
6602_Obi-Wan Kenobi
Date Posted: 12/30/02 12:25pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
once we can teach ourselves how to model/animate

Start there.

 

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drippyzeo  1118 posts
Registered: Jun '02
14834_X-Wing Fighter
Date Posted: 12/30/02 12:57pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
That's like trying to decide if you want to be like Microsoft or Electronic Arts. Before you learn how to program.

You've got a long way to go. Best of luck.

 

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Jedi_Cougar  587 posts
Registered: Nov '01
6599_Obi-Wan Kenobi
Date Posted: 12/30/02 1:02pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
Try both, then decide.

 

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Jankster  75 posts
Registered: Aug '02
13893_Death Star
Date Posted: 12/30/02 1:04pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
First learn how to model and animate. Then you can decide if you want to make models to animate a full feature film, or model and animate models that will be integrated into live action footage. Each idea has a few similar steps, which are the basics of what you are trying to do. Learn the basics, and then decide. You'll have a better idea of what you're capable of then, as each choice requires different capabilities.

 

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durbnpoisn  7286 posts
Title: TFN Staff
  • Ca st & Crew Database
    Registered: May '02
    8033_Death Star Battle
  • Date Posted: 12/30/02 1:30pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    Consider this, also...

    Full length feature animations are a LOT more work than integrating objects into scenes. At least in terms of how many objects are being animated at once.
    Almost every studio that does full length feaures has very specific custom written software to handle the intense modelling and rendering involved - with the exception of whoever did Jimmy Neutron (which was produced with off-the-shelf software).

    Doing a movie like Monsters Inc. is not as simple as building models and setting up cameras and lights. There was some incredible software custom written to handle the details like, snow, fur, environmental effects, etc... It's not nearly as easy and cost effective as you might think.

     

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    WhisperingDeath  3808 posts
    Registered: May '02
    14822_Duel
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 1:44pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    For the purposes of the discussion I would suggest that you do an ILM thing. Teach yourself with small special effects things and maybe some of the fanfilm makers on this board will take notice of your talents later on and wish to employ them.

     

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    Semaj Ovured  2328 posts
    Registered: May '00
    17652_Kit Fisto
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 1:53pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    Frankly, I think much of it depends on you and your team. Are you comic book guys? Are you computer tech heads? Do you like the Disney-esque quality or the hi-tech feel?

    It seems what you are talking about here is finding your voice. And in the final analysis, that depends on you, not what is said here on this thread.

     

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    BrentK7  2150 posts
    Registered: Dec '00
    6066_Jango Fett
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 2:07pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    personally i don't like shooting that much. I like to edit and composit. So i would most enjoy being a SFX House like ILM.

     

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    PixelMagic  6647 posts
    Registered: Oct '01
    8081_ILM
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 2:30pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    I already work at Industrial Light and Magic, bwaaa ha ha ha ha!!! I just never told you guys!

     

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    DorkmanScott  13889 posts
    Title: Manager Emeritus
    Registered: Mar '01
    44356_Fan Films - Ryan vs Dorkman
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 2:33pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    Worth noting: Pixar was originally a subset of ILM.

    Personally, I think that until you can model, animate, and integrate CG into live footage, there's very little chance you'll be able to do a whole film that way.

    M. Scott

     

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    scudknight  884 posts
    Registered: Apr '00
    14855_Fan Films
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 2:58pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    I wanna be like Pixelmagic......

     

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    Senator_Amory  132 posts
    Registered: Sep '02
    6338_New Republic Seal
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 5:47pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    *Off-Topic*

    PixelMagic,
    Are you for real? Do you actually work at Industrial Light & Magic; or are you just fooling around?



    *On-Topic*

    I agree with the post above that say, in a nutshell, to learn the stuff - then decide what is best for yourself and your group.

    However, who said that you can't have your cake and eat it too? Isn't it possible that there is more than that one peice of cake left on the counter? What I'm getting at is that you could, very well possibly, do both. But let me define both Pixar and ILM.

    PIXAR
    Pixar is basically a spin-off production company of Disney that specializes in CG animation; but CG animation alone. They do not do special effects.

    Industrial Light & Magic
    ILM is a company created by Lucasfilm to do special effects; for StarWars and Indiana Jones films at first, then they began to do effects and animation for other films as well. The most recent being Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

    They both do a great job at what they specialize in, but neither can do what the other one does. But you and your friends could create the first company to do both. Your new company could both produce CG animated movies, while doing special animation and effects for other films as well. This way, if your company is a good one at both operations, you get the benefits of both sides of the business. Not to mention that your company would bring in more money for offering more services than others do.

     

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    PixelMagic  6647 posts
    Registered: Oct '01
    8081_ILM
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 5:54pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    Ha ha, of course I'm just fooling around. I CAN'T EVEN 3D MODEL!!!! (Goes an cries for his lack of modeling ability)

     

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    tumblemoster  2405 posts
    Registered: Dec '00
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 5:59pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    I think the real question you want to need to answer is: What kind of stories do you want to tell? Modeling a photo real creature versus a cartoony character is basically the same at the modeling level. Animating either is also basically the same process.

    There are no Pixar-like or ILM-like companies. You do the kind of work you A: get paid for, or; B: like to do. Thats all there is to it.

    -tm

     

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    DorkmanScott  13889 posts
    Title: Manager Emeritus
    Registered: Mar '01
    44356_Fan Films - Ryan vs Dorkman
    Date Posted: 12/30/02 6:06pm Subject: RE: Pixar-wannabe or ILM-wannabe?
    For the record, ILM's most recent work can be viewed in Scorsese's Gang of New York.

    M. Scott

     

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