From: The Press, Christchurch, 2 November 1999
3-D scanner for films
A laser scanner developed in Christchurch is being used to reconstruct 3-D images for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. David Armstong explains.
“A hand held scanner invented by a group of Christchurch scientists is being used by the film industry in New Zealand and the United States for computer-based animation.
The laser scanner and associated software can reconstruct in a few seconds a digital 3-D image of any irregularly shaped object, arranging the data in formats ready for use in popular computer-aided design and animation software packages.
After three years of development backed by government-agency grants, Applied Research Associates has begun reaping some rewards as its US-based distributor, Polhemus, this year has sold the high-tech product to some of the leading players in the film industry.
One Fastscan unit is being used by Peter Jackson’s Weta Productions in Wellington to help animate the Lord of the Rings Movie.”
Thanks to Dean C for the tip!
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Berendir head gamer over at Gaming Havens posted some news:
Sierra needs a Software Engineer
At GameJobs There is a notice that Sierra has a job opening.
Description: We are seeking an experienced engineer to drive the development effort on one of Sierra’s hot new multiplayer role playing products…
Check out Gaming Havens for the rest of the article
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From: Tomsk the Rumourmonger
I’ve heard rumours that Liv Tyler (and perhaps other cast members) are currently living in an apartment on the top floor of an apartment in the downtown region, between (names witheld) Streets. I used to live in the building myself, and know that some of the LotR crew have been staying there. Since several of the apartments are often let out to companies for short term accommodation, the rumour doesn’t sound too far fetched.
The sightings of Tyler & Elijah Wood at Matterhorn are widely reported (I overheard one young woman in a cafe saying to another: “let’s hang out at Matterhorn to see if we can see Elijah Wood”), so no doubt they would have moved on to avoid the star-spotters. Perhaps to Motel, or Q?
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We’ve grown! Along with TBHL we have Gaming Havens, for all you gamers out there. Green Books of course, for the literary look at LOTR. And now we bring you this!
Ever wondered how will they shrink people or how will they create Gollum… ever asked yourself what does chroma-key really mean… well, now theonering.net has just the place for you… The L.o.t.R. Movies Special Effects Site is now online!
Check it out! Amyd works hard to bring you all the latest in SFX from WETA to ILM to DD and all the rest of the alphabet!
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From: THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESS 28/10/1999
By John KEAST.
Sculptor Sam Genet is torn between hobbits and matters rural. During the week the Wellington-based artist works for film-maker Peter Jackson, creating sets for the film Lord of Rings, but when time allows he heads for Hinds in Mid-Canterbury. There, on the side of State Highway 1, he is creating a piece of rural magic on a gigantic piece of Mount Somers stone. His mission, as part of a Hinds millennium project, is to sculpt a family of four – mum and dad and two children – and blend in a dog, a horse, a cow, a pig, and a tractor and plough. The work, mounted on concrete, is taking shape, and Mr Genet – who calls himself a high school art drop-out – must have it finished by year’s end. So far, he has created the family, and is set to create a working dog – a collie for preference.
Mr Genet, originally from Christchurch, says working with the hard stone is a lot different from slicing up endless amounts of polystyrene for film work, but he enjoys the challenge. “You can’t be afraid of the stone – you just have to hit it and carry on,” he said.
The vast sculpture is seven metres long, three metres high, nearly a metre deep, and weighs more than 40 tonnes. Mr Genet said he only began stone-work after attending a symposium in Christchurch several years ago, and “one thing led to another”.
He works to the accompaniment of rock music. His island-hopping is the result of securing the Hinds contract before getting work on the Lord of the Rings set.
(c) The Christchurch Press, INL 1999. THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESS 28/10/1999 P4
Thanks to Daniel for the tip!
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