Forget directors, the real stars behind the likes of The Jungle Book and Star Wars are the VFX artists who build their digital worlds. We report from the cutting edge festival offering a glimpse into the secret life of cinema
“So I need to know: Are you ready to be transformed?” shouts Scott Ross to the 900-strong crowd in the auditorium. They respond with raucous applause. To them, Ross is a legend. He ran George Lucas’s visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic (Ilm) in the 1980s, then founded his own Oscar-winning effects firm with James Cameron. His audience is largely made up of young people looking to follow in his footsteps: animators, video game designers, concept artists, illustrators and effects specialists. These are the people who build the digital worlds where we’re increasingly spending our leisure time – in movies, games, and virtual reality. They are transforming culture and...
“So I need to know: Are you ready to be transformed?” shouts Scott Ross to the 900-strong crowd in the auditorium. They respond with raucous applause. To them, Ross is a legend. He ran George Lucas’s visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic (Ilm) in the 1980s, then founded his own Oscar-winning effects firm with James Cameron. His audience is largely made up of young people looking to follow in his footsteps: animators, video game designers, concept artists, illustrators and effects specialists. These are the people who build the digital worlds where we’re increasingly spending our leisure time – in movies, games, and virtual reality. They are transforming culture and...
- 9/25/2017
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: UK union Bectu says membership has “skyrocketed” in recent months due to overtime conditions.
Union Bectu says membership has “skyrocketed” among the UK’s film visual-effects community as a result of its recent campaign highlighting unpaid overtime.
The UK’s largest entertainment union reports that hundreds of artists have joined in the last two months, making the VFX sector its fastest growing membership chapter.
“This is a sign of the strength of feeling,” Paul Evans, Bectu national officer, told Screen in an interview for an upcoming feature on the UK’s VFX sector. “Our members don’t believe that their management are managing them well.”
Bectu claims that on average UK VFX workers do 1.5 hours of unpaid overtime per day.
“Normally it is hard to get people to join a union because VFX is such a dispersed workforce but overtime is a massive issue,” he said. “They believe overtime could be managed properly. The magic bullet...
Union Bectu says membership has “skyrocketed” among the UK’s film visual-effects community as a result of its recent campaign highlighting unpaid overtime.
The UK’s largest entertainment union reports that hundreds of artists have joined in the last two months, making the VFX sector its fastest growing membership chapter.
“This is a sign of the strength of feeling,” Paul Evans, Bectu national officer, told Screen in an interview for an upcoming feature on the UK’s VFX sector. “Our members don’t believe that their management are managing them well.”
Bectu claims that on average UK VFX workers do 1.5 hours of unpaid overtime per day.
“Normally it is hard to get people to join a union because VFX is such a dispersed workforce but overtime is a massive issue,” he said. “They believe overtime could be managed properly. The magic bullet...
- 12/22/2015
- ScreenDaily
VFX industry vet Scott Ross, the co-founder and former CEO of Digital Domain, asserted that the state of the visual effects business today is as "f—ed up as it has ever been — I wish I could say it’s gotten better, but it’s gotten worse." Ross is among the VFX industry participants who have been leading a call to fix a broken business model. The message has been the loudest in the U.S., but Ross is also taking the message aboard. On Wednesday, he spoke at Trojan Horse Was a Unicorn (Thu), a VFX, game and animation
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- 9/18/2014
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Welcome remarks from industry vet Scott Ross and an extensive look at the visual effects behind HBO's Game of Thrones kicked off the second Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (Thu) international VFX, game and animation festival, Wednesday in Troia, Portugal. The not-for-profit event, which runs through Saturday, is expected to triple in size from a year ago, with nearly 600 people from 45 countries, ranging in age from 18-81, set to attend. “In this community we have more in common with each other even if we speak different languages,” event ambassador Ross, a co-founder and
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- 9/17/2014
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If you ever had a Trapper Keeper and a vivid imagination, your childhood was likely adorned with the iconic visuals of a rainbow art wizard named Lisa Frank. No nineties nostalgia-fest would be complete without mentioning her fantastical illustrations where tropical teddy bears don tuxedos and pastel dolphins contort their bodies into hearts.
"The World of Lisa Frank" - A Short Film from Scott Ross on Vimeo.
The notoriously private artist recently allowed Urban Outfitters to craft a short film at her headquarters in Tuscon, Arizona. The short, directed by Scott Ross & Karl Beyer, features Frank's first ever on-camera interview, although the artist only reveals her silhouette to best maintain her privacy.
Watch the legend speak on the madness of her bejeweled artistic legacy, from the fireproof vault containing every Lisa Frank product ever made to the process of creating the magical world of Lisa Frank. Basically all your childhood...
"The World of Lisa Frank" - A Short Film from Scott Ross on Vimeo.
The notoriously private artist recently allowed Urban Outfitters to craft a short film at her headquarters in Tuscon, Arizona. The short, directed by Scott Ross & Karl Beyer, features Frank's first ever on-camera interview, although the artist only reveals her silhouette to best maintain her privacy.
Watch the legend speak on the madness of her bejeweled artistic legacy, from the fireproof vault containing every Lisa Frank product ever made to the process of creating the magical world of Lisa Frank. Basically all your childhood...
- 9/3/2013
- by Priscilla Frank
- Huffington Post
Las Vegas -- The movement to rescue the troubled visual effects business is gathering momentum with VFX facility leaders planning to meet in May to discuss forming a global trade association, while artists are talking about the possibility of forming a union. The recent bankruptcy of Rhythm & Hues, which was acquired by a subsidiary of Prana Studios on March 29, has served as flashpoint. And industry leaders Scott Ross and Scott Squires addressed the issues surrounding the bankruptcy Tuesday night at the "Super Meet," an annual gathering held in Las Vegas during the Nab Show, which drew a crowd of more than
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- 4/10/2013
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Not surprisingly, talk of unionization and a trade association dominated the international Pi Day VFX town hall meetings on Thursday in La, the San Francisco Bay Area, Austin, Vancouver, and Wellington. Everyone agrees that the VFX industry has reached a tipping point and that the business model with the studios must change. VFX studios, particularly in Los Angeles, are closing or going bankrupt, with Rhythm & Hues becoming the poster child for all the ills of the industry as a result of its stunning failure to stay in business despite its Oscar win for "Life of Pi." But what to do about globalization, slim profit margins, low-ball bidding, tax subsidies, no health care, unpaid overtime, and a lack of solidarity? At the Gnomon School of VFX in Hollywood, keynoted by vet Scott Squires, Deadline reported that they discussed forming a union or a trade association at the very least, with former...
- 3/16/2013
- by Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
Normal 0 false false false
However, panelists also acknowledged the difficulty of achieving either goal.
Pi Day – a multi-city international meeting of VFX artists – took place Thursday evening amid rising concern about the state of the industry.
VFX vet Scott Ross and others outlined a plan that involves the formation of a VFX union for VFX artists and of a trade association for visual effects facilities, all aimed at addressing the troubled VFX business model.
“Fear has stopped us because we have six clients [the studios],” Ross told them. “We are fearful of losing our jobs; [but] we are losing our jobs. … It’s going to get worse until we do something.”
Ross – a co-founder and ex-ceo of Digital Domain, a former Gm of Industrial Light & Magic and a senior vp at LucasArts – also stated that through outreach “almost all” of the major facilities in North America “have agreed to investigate the possibilities of a trade association.
However, panelists also acknowledged the difficulty of achieving either goal.
Pi Day – a multi-city international meeting of VFX artists – took place Thursday evening amid rising concern about the state of the industry.
VFX vet Scott Ross and others outlined a plan that involves the formation of a VFX union for VFX artists and of a trade association for visual effects facilities, all aimed at addressing the troubled VFX business model.
“Fear has stopped us because we have six clients [the studios],” Ross told them. “We are fearful of losing our jobs; [but] we are losing our jobs. … It’s going to get worse until we do something.”
Ross – a co-founder and ex-ceo of Digital Domain, a former Gm of Industrial Light & Magic and a senior vp at LucasArts – also stated that through outreach “almost all” of the major facilities in North America “have agreed to investigate the possibilities of a trade association.
- 3/16/2013
- by noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan Handel)
Pi Day – a multi-city international meeting of VFX artists – took place Thursday evening amid rising concern about the state of the industry. VFX vet Scott Ross and others outlined a plan that involves the formation of a VFX union for VFX artists and of a trade association for visual effects facilities, all aimed at addressing the troubled VFX business model. Guest Column: Why VFX Houses Lose Money on Big Movies “Fear has stopped us because we have six clients [the studios],” Ross told them. “We are fearful of losing our jobs; [but] we are losing our
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- 3/16/2013
- by Jonathan Handel , Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Reliance MediaWorks has won a bid to part-own James Cameron’s Digital Domain Productions with an investment of $30.2 million. The Reliance media arm will own 30 per cent stake, while the Chinese visual effects firm Galloping Horse will hold the rest 70 per cent.
The joint venture will acquire all the assets of the businesses of Digital Domain and Mothership i.e. feature film, advertising visual effects, commercial production, studios in Californiaand Vancouver, BC, Canadaand a co-production stake in the feature film Ender’s Game.
Digital Domain had filed a voluntary petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code in the USon 11thSeptember, 2012 and held a bankruptcy auction on 21st September, 2012. The acquired production company will continue to operate in the normal course of business once the Us Bankruptcy Court approves the acquisition.
James Cameron founded Digital Domain Productions in 1993 with Stan Winston and Scott Ross. The company is known for its innovative visuals in over 90 movies.
The joint venture will acquire all the assets of the businesses of Digital Domain and Mothership i.e. feature film, advertising visual effects, commercial production, studios in Californiaand Vancouver, BC, Canadaand a co-production stake in the feature film Ender’s Game.
Digital Domain had filed a voluntary petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code in the USon 11thSeptember, 2012 and held a bankruptcy auction on 21st September, 2012. The acquired production company will continue to operate in the normal course of business once the Us Bankruptcy Court approves the acquisition.
James Cameron founded Digital Domain Productions in 1993 with Stan Winston and Scott Ross. The company is known for its innovative visuals in over 90 movies.
- 9/25/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
With Digital Domain Media sinking like the Titanic and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but Searchlight Capital Partners coming to the rescue and buying its Oscar-winning VFX division ("Titanic" and "Benjamin Button") for $15 million -- temporarily saving jobs, salaries, and benefits in Venice, San Francisco, and Vancouver -- what does that suggest about the overall state of the VFX industry? I mean, it's one thing for Matte World Digital ("Hugo") to sadly close up shop in Northern California or Fuel VFX ("The Avengers") to hang by a thread in Australia, but if Digital Domain (co-founded by former Ilm exec Scott Ross and filmmakers James Cameron and Stan Winston) can't survive, what can really be done to improve conditions for companies and artists alike? Although there have been attempts to organize a VFX trade union with Iatse or the Ibew to provide health benefits for artists, that appears to be a non-starter.
- 9/11/2012
- by Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
Digital Domain Media Group Inc., the Academy Award-winning company behind visual effects for films including "Titanic" and the Tupac Shakur hologram that debuted earlier this year, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday and said its main operating unit would be sold. Private investment firm Searchlight Capital Partners will pay $15 million for that unit, Digital Domain Productions, Digital Domain said. Founded by James Cameron, Scott Ross and Stan Winston, Digital Domain Productions has also created effects for such films as "Thor," "Star Trek," "X-Men: First Class," "The Watch," (left) and...
- 9/11/2012
- by Tim Molloy
- The Wrap
John Textor, chairman and CEO of Florida-based special effects company Digital Domain Media Group, resigned on Friday as the embattled company announced it would close its studio in Port St. Lucie, Fla., as part of a "strategic realignment." Textor's resignation is effectively immediately, and for the time being the board of directors and interim chief operating officer Michael Katzenstein will make decisions on behalf of the company. Ddmg is the parent company of Digital Domain Productions, a visual-effects and animation company founded by James Cameron, Scott Ross and Stan Winston that has...
- 9/7/2012
- by Lucas Shaw
- The Wrap
A shocking new report claims that Sage was 'likely' dealing drugs but authorities don't believe Sage was an addict. Read on for all the latest details on his death. The events surrounding Sage Satallone's death are still unclear. The 36-year-old was found dead in his home on July 13 and now more clues into what might have caused his death are being revealed. TMZ claims that Sage might have been dealing Hydrocodone, a generic version of the painkiller Vicodin. It's also believed that there were 60 prescription bottles in his home when his body was found, but they were all empty. We told you that Sage had extensive dental work right before his untimely death. Sylvester Stallone has reportedly hired Scott Ross, a famous private investigator to help him better learn what happened to his son. — Chloe Melas More On Sage: Sage Stallone Was ‘Slurring And Stumbling Around’ Months Before He Died...
- 7/19/2012
- by Chloe Melas
- HollywoodLife
Authorities investigating the death of Sage Stallone believe a "likely scenario" is he was dealing drugs -- specifically Hydrocodone -- generic Vicodin -- law enforcement sources tell TMZ.We're told authorities do Not believe Sage was an addict, in no small part because of his weight. Our sources say ... at the time of his death, the 5'7" actor (his IMDb profile incorrectly lists his height at 5'10") weighed 188 pounds. One law enforcement source tells TMZ,...
- 7/19/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Los Angeles, July 19: Actor Sylvester Stallone has hired a private investigator to find out how his 36-year-old son, Sage, died.
He was found unresponsive Friday at his Studio City apartment here.
According to tmz.com, Sylvester wants P.I. Scott Ross, Los Angeles County Coroner's office, to figure out what happened to Sage, and even though there is no evidence of foul play, he is not ruling that out.
He also wants to know about Sage's final weeks, whether he was using drugs or consuming alcohol, and if.
He was found unresponsive Friday at his Studio City apartment here.
According to tmz.com, Sylvester wants P.I. Scott Ross, Los Angeles County Coroner's office, to figure out what happened to Sage, and even though there is no evidence of foul play, he is not ruling that out.
He also wants to know about Sage's final weeks, whether he was using drugs or consuming alcohol, and if.
- 7/18/2012
- by Arun Pandit
- RealBollywood.com
Washington, July 18: Sylvester Stallone has hired a private investigator to find out how his son died.
The 'Rocky' actor has met P.I. Scott Ross, who was the lead investigator in the Michael Jackson molestation case and the Chris Brown/Rihanna battery case at the his home on Tuesday, and discussed Sage's death.he duo also discussed the status of the investigation.
According to gossip.
The 'Rocky' actor has met P.I. Scott Ross, who was the lead investigator in the Michael Jackson molestation case and the Chris Brown/Rihanna battery case at the his home on Tuesday, and discussed Sage's death.he duo also discussed the status of the investigation.
According to gossip.
- 7/18/2012
- by Smith Cox
- RealBollywood.com
Sylvester Stallone has called in a private investigator to figure out how his son Sage died and what lead up to the tragedy ... TMZ has learned.We've learned famed P.I. Scott Ross -- who was the lead investigator in the Michael Jackson molestation case and the Chris Brown/Rihanna battery case -- met Tuesday at Stallone's home with Sly, his brother Frank, and an official from the L.A. County Coroner's Office. Sources tell...
- 7/18/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Sylvester Stallone has hired a private investigator to find out how his son died. The 'Rocky' actor has been left devastated after Sage Stallone - his 36-year-old son from his first marriage to Sasha Czack - was found unresponsive on Friday (13.07.12) at his Studio City apartment in Los Angeles, and now Sylvester wants to know what caused his tragic passing. So the 66-year-old actor, his brother Frank and an official from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office met with P.I. Scott Ross - who was the lead investigator in the Michael Jackson molestation case and the Chris Brown/Rihanna battery case -...
- 7/18/2012
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Sylvester Stallone has reportedly hired a private investigator to look into the death of his son Sage last week. The 36-year-old's body was found at his La apartment apparently surrounded by "numerous empty pill bottles", but the results of an autopsy have been deferred pending toxicology tests. It has now been reported that Stallone met with leading Hollywood Pi Scott Ross, who led the investigations into sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson and Chris Brown's (more)...
- 7/18/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Sylvester Stallone has hired a private investigator to find out how his son died. The 'Rocky' actor has been left devastated after Sage Stallone - his 36-year-old son from his first marriage to Sasha Czack - was found unresponsive on Friday (13.07.12) at his Studio City apartment in Los Angeles, and now Sylvester wants to know what caused his tragic passing. So the 66-year-old actor, his brother Frank and an official from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office met with P.I. Scott Ross - who was the lead investigator in the Michael Jackson molestation case and the Chris Brown/Rihanna battery case - at the star's home yesterday (17.07.12), where they discussed Sage's death and the status of the investigation. According...
- 7/18/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Sylvester Stallone just hired a famous private investigator to look into how his son, Sage, died last week. This famous Pi is none other than Scott Ross. He is also the lead investigator in a few high profile cases like that of Michael Jackson's molestation case and the battery case between Chris Brown and Rihanna. Sly reportedly met with Scott with his brother, Frank, and another officer from La Country Coroner's Office.
We were told that Sly wants Ross to figure out what happened to Sage and he might even be thinking of foul play. Again, there's still no evidence of such occurrence but Sly is not ruling it out.
We were told that Sly wants Ross to figure out what happened to Sage and he might even be thinking of foul play. Again, there's still no evidence of such occurrence but Sly is not ruling it out.
- 7/18/2012
- icelebz.com
Read more: Pierce Brosnan talks about his deep Catholic faith What potentially seemed like the role of a lifetime and the ultimate career boost, portraying one of the world's most revered religious figures did not work out as well as one Hollywood actor had imagined. Jim Caviezel infamously portrayed Jesus Christ in 2004's The Passion of the Christ, a film that made headlines for its controversial subject matter and portrayal of the last day of Christ’s life. Evidently, such issues were not crippling factors as the film went on to become the highest grossing non-English speaking film of all time, as it was filmed entirely in Christ's native tongue of Aramaic. Despite the film’s notoriety and success, Caviezel recently spoke out against the effects the film and his lead role has had on his career, seven years after its release. In an interview with Scott Ross, Caviezel states...
- 5/4/2011
- IrishCentral
Looks like Nicole Richie may be lawyering up after her car crash yesterday -- and the lawyer is none other than Mark Geragos.We got this shot of Tamar Arminak -- a lawyer in Geragos' firm -- and master P.I. Scott Ross entering Nicole Richie's property about an hour ago. Ross works for Geragos and the two of them have handled a bunch of celeb cases, including most recently People vs. Chris Brown.
- 10/6/2009
- TMZ
Taking home the Oscar for visual effects, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" has set a new benchmark in the VFX community.
A believable synthetic human had long been considered the industry's Holy Grail, and the most recent developments in that area allowed lead actor Brad Pitt to, convincingly, age in reverse.
The win also delivered lead VFX facility Digital Domain its first VFX Academy Award in a decade as well as its first since Michael Bay and Wyncrest Holdings acquired the privately-owned company in 2006.
Founded in 1993 by James Cameron, Scott Ross and the late Stan Winston, Dd last won Oscars for achievement in visual effects in 1997 for "Titanic" and in 1998 for "What Dreams May Come." (Over the years, it also won four Sci-Tech Academy Awards.)
Dd VFX supervisor Barba had a succint take on the night's win: "We are back."
In "Button," visual effects played a key role in the storytelling,...
A believable synthetic human had long been considered the industry's Holy Grail, and the most recent developments in that area allowed lead actor Brad Pitt to, convincingly, age in reverse.
The win also delivered lead VFX facility Digital Domain its first VFX Academy Award in a decade as well as its first since Michael Bay and Wyncrest Holdings acquired the privately-owned company in 2006.
Founded in 1993 by James Cameron, Scott Ross and the late Stan Winston, Dd last won Oscars for achievement in visual effects in 1997 for "Titanic" and in 1998 for "What Dreams May Come." (Over the years, it also won four Sci-Tech Academy Awards.)
Dd VFX supervisor Barba had a succint take on the night's win: "We are back."
In "Button," visual effects played a key role in the storytelling,...
- 2/23/2009
- by By Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Canceling his scheduled performance at the 51st annual Grammy Awards after becoming the target of the Los Angeles Police Department (Lapd)'s investigation for felony battery, Chris Brown has turned himself in to the authorities on late Sunday, February 8, to be questioned in relation to the case. Per Los Angeles Time as being informed by the Lapd, Chris voluntarily showed up at the Wilshire Police Station at about 7:15 P.M., accompanied by his attorney Mark Geragos and Geragos' investigator, Scott Ross. They entered the building through a back door.
Chris reportedly has been booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, but was released after posting $50,000 bail. The case will now be sent to the district attorney's office and further charges could be filed, E! News claimed in a report on its site. He is due to back in court on March 5.
Earlier Sunday, Lapd confirmed to have conducted an...
Chris reportedly has been booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, but was released after posting $50,000 bail. The case will now be sent to the district attorney's office and further charges could be filed, E! News claimed in a report on its site. He is due to back in court on March 5.
Earlier Sunday, Lapd confirmed to have conducted an...
- 2/9/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The Lapd just named Rihanna the victim in the Chris Brown assault case. The couple was seen getting into a car together late last night. They got into an argument on North June Street, according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement. Chris Brown stopped the car, the two got out, and the argument escalated, according to police. A witness called 911 and Chris left the scene before Lapd arrived. Brown turned himself into the Sheriffs Department at 6:30Pm Est accompanied by his attorney Mark Geragos and Geragos' investigator, Scott Ross. He is currently being held on $50,000...
- 2/8/2009
- Hollyscoop.com
Stan Winston, the Oscar-winning special effects, creature and makeup artist whose innovative creations include the full-scale animatronic dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park" and the futuristic Terminators, has died. He was 62.
Winston died Sunday at his home in Malibu after a seven-year battle with myeloma, a Stan Winston Studio spokeswoman said.
During a film and TV career that spanned four decades, Winston collaborated with such filmmakers as Steven Spielberg and James Cameron and worked on some of his generation's most memorable films.
He won four Oscars, for the visual effects in "Jurassic Park," "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and "Aliens" and for makeup on "T2." He also earned Oscar noms for his work on "AI: Artificial Intelligence," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," "Batman Returns," "Edward Scissorhands," "Predator" and "Heartbeeps." He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001.
In the early years of his career, during which he worked primarily in television,...
Winston died Sunday at his home in Malibu after a seven-year battle with myeloma, a Stan Winston Studio spokeswoman said.
During a film and TV career that spanned four decades, Winston collaborated with such filmmakers as Steven Spielberg and James Cameron and worked on some of his generation's most memorable films.
He won four Oscars, for the visual effects in "Jurassic Park," "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and "Aliens" and for makeup on "T2." He also earned Oscar noms for his work on "AI: Artificial Intelligence," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," "Batman Returns," "Edward Scissorhands," "Predator" and "Heartbeeps." He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001.
In the early years of his career, during which he worked primarily in television,...
- 6/16/2008
- by By Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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