3D title at end of show-open designed and animated by Mechanism Digital. This model is also used in lower thirds and bumpers during the special.

New York, NY - As we near the next decade of the twenty-first century, we approach the prophetic end of the Mayan calendar and experience an increased awareness of the coming date of December 12, 2012. To address the buzz and rumors surrounding that day, Rebecca Ratliff of Peacock Productions produced a television special for Syfy that will air November 8, 2009 at 9pm EST. Because this is a show that blends the indefinite with fact, they partnered with animation studio, Mechanism Digital, to design a graphics package that accentuates the unknown while maintaining the integrity of the truth. more

Video, Multimedia and Technology Editors

LA JOLLA, CA (November 04, 2009)—

NewBlue, Inc. today launched Video Essentials III, the third and latest offering in its best-selling Video Essentials series of video effects and transitions plugins. NewBlue Video Essentials III provides highly-practical video tools designed to solve everyday production issues. The collection includes Rolling Shutter, Image Mapper, Edge Smoother, Split Screen, Gradient Tint, Spotlight and three additional video effects plugins. more

‘Brave New (Open) World: A Producer’s Primer on the Latest Open Source Software’ At The New School’s Lang Auditorium on Tuesday, November 10th from 7:00-9:00 pm

FOR RELEASE ON: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2009

NEW YORK – The Producers Guild of America (PGA) New Media Council (NMC) East today announced that it will convene a panel discussion on the latest open source software solutions for new media, film, and television producers on Tuesday, November 10th, from 7:00-9:00 pm at The New School’s Theresa Lang Auditorium, located at 55 West 13th Street, at 6th Avenue in New York City. The event, free to attendees, will feature New York-based leaders of the open source movement, including: Kaltura; Diversion Media, and AdMob. To RSVP, please visit http://pganmceast.eventbrite.com. more

Leading stock video marketplace adds music and sound effects to its royalty-free collection

New York, NY, October 28, 2009 — Pond5.com, the fast-growing marketplace for stock video, has significantly expanded its offering by adding stock music and sound effects to it’s collection of downloadable royalty-free stock media. This major addition provides media producers everywhere with instant access to the full array of stock content needed in today’s production workflows. more

Hurricane Gustav storm surge overtakes the West Side Pier in Gulfport, Mississippi. Cinematographer: Martin Lisius/StormStock. Medium: Kodak Vision 35mm.

ARLINGTON, Texas – There are few in the world who posses the unique set of skills developed by Prairie Pictures’ StormStock founder Martin Lisius. Lisius is part storm chaser, part cinematographer and part producer. Over the past 20 years, he has amassed the most dynamic collection of weather footage in the world. more

Fusion CI Studios has developed a breakthrough technology that completely revolutionizes the potential of cg fluids. The gorgeous splashes, streams, and swaths of fluid that are so popular now in everything from beer to body lotion ads have only been achievable through a deft combination of cg effects, high-speed photography and brilliant compositing. Now, cg fluids alone can create this look & behavior, achieving outstanding, photo-real results. more

PHILADELPHIA, PA— When Director John Hillcoat wanted to create the post-apocalyptic world of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” which premiers nationwide November 25th, 2009, he chose DIVE as lead visual effects house for the skill and authenticity required to replicate the mood of the novel. more

Small Dole, West Sussex, UK, 21 October 2009 - Creative design house 7thSense, the specialist in AV media serving for visitor attractions, 3D theatres, planetariums and digital signage, has supplied four of its Delta media servers to the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago for the new Giant Heart within the YOU! The Experience exhibit, which opened Oct. 8, 2009. more

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – For a fifth time, FlickerLab has teamed with Academy Award-winning Director Michael Moore, and created a minute-long animated segment, Chicken Little, for his latest feature Capitalism: A Love Story. Opening in New York and Los Angeles Sept. 23 and in theaters nationwide October 2nd, the film explores the root causes of the global economic meltdown and takes a sardonic look at the corporate and political shenanigans that plunged the world into the current financial crisis. more

Visual Effects by Mechanism Digital
for 101 Dalmatians Broadway television
commercial.

New York, NY - Mechanism Digital’s Directive: Make dogs talk! . . . to promote the upcoming 101 Dalmatians Broadway musical. Timeline: Three days.

In order to accomplish the task, Mechanism Digital adapted some unconventional visual effects techniques and simplified a typically complex workflow. In the 1940s, animators hand-painted cartoon mouths and teeth over live footage to make animals speak. In more modern times, filmmakers build wire frame CG models of entire bodies and inserted them with extensive image tracking to create the illusion of talking creatures. Mechanism’s studio found a way to replicate and improve upon this process in a lot less time and at a much lower cost. more