Jim Rygiel Chat Report
Xoanon @ 6:58 pm EST

Justin writes: Jim Rygiel did a chat on LOTR effects on Saturday. For 3 hours he showed progression composites, green screen, digital doubles, tests, everything - it was great. A few key notes:

• 90% of all "size" issues with hobbits and dwarves were done in camera, not digitally
  
• The maquette scanner to digitize characters is actually a sheep carcass scanner developed in Aus, used to test slaughter imperfections
  
• Renderman was used as main renderer
  
• New Massive renderer called "GRUNT" - General Renderer of Unlimited Number of Things
  
• Mount Doom fireballs at end of film are simple charcoal briquettes Lava is the same gel-substance used in McDonalds shakes for consistancy - same technique from "Volcano"
  
• Rotoscoping team had 50-80 people at all times
  
• Original fire software was 100% real physics engine, but was ditched because balrog moved too fast and blew himself out like a candle. They tried turning up "pressure" and Balrog looked like the Human Torch. Finally ended up with Maya Particle simulator.