ENTERTAINMENT
3 TECH ADVANCEMENTS BEHIND ‘AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER’
As we examine the technology behind the second Avatar movie, James Cameron can be seen mixing his duties as an inventor and a filmmaker on most of his sets. Using AI, algorithms, brand-new cameras, and other technologies, Cameron has shared how this one was made.
wing Cam/Virtual Cam: Cameron wanted to be there as the performers performed on the “volume” of the virtual stage in order to record their on-screen antics in real time. As a result, the Simulcam or Swing Camera was developed, giving filmmakers more freedom of movement due to its screen’s ability to swing flawlessly at any angle.
Fusion Camera System: In addition, Cameron made use of the Fusion 3D Camera System. This module enabled the cinematographer to simultaneously take two photos that were aligned and gave the appearance of depth, producing the ideal immersive 3D experience. He modified this set-up somewhat for “Avatar” in order to get the more photorealistic pictures required to show off Pandora’s diverse flora and animals.
Motion capture: Cameron used a previously unheard-of strategy. In order to concentrate a specially built camera on a 6-inch tiny boom directly in front of the actors’ faces, small rigs that were linked to skull caps were fitted to the actors. Using these two improvements, the type of motion capture was transformed into an all-around performance capture. Movement-prone facial areas were highlighted with dots to track them in a better way. Every dialogue delivery and expression change accompanied by a range of emotions was recorded and turned into a computerized framework. The CG characters were brought to life on screen by animators and digital artists using the frameworks that were provided to them.
Future Hollywood projects will undoubtedly benefit from the underwater performance capture technologies and methods that Cameron and his creative team developed for Avatar: The Way of Water. James Cameron’s journey deserves to be portrayed on the biggest screens, from being rejected by multiple studios for his project because they thought it was too dangerous, then to witnessing it become the highest-grossing movie of all time and inspiring filmmakers all over the world.
Faces was Mac Miller’s eleventh and last mixtape that was released in May 2014 before his death. The mixtape has originally not been available on streaming platforms however, it has been confirmed by his long-time collaborator and friend ID Labs. This follows his K.I.D.S mixtape which hit major streaming services last year, however it’s only been confirmed by Labs that this will be dropped very soon.
Whilst the mixtape is incomplete, it is considered Miller’s most accomplished and talented work. He’s joined by many gifted musicians, including ScHoolboy Q, Sir Michael Rocks, Earl Sweatshirt, Ab-Soul, Thundercat, Rick Ross, Mike Jones, Vince Staples and Dash.
[Image Source: Shutterstock & YouTube]
Next week will mark the unfortunate anniversary of Christopher Wallace’s, AKA Biggie Smalls, murder. The late star would have been turned 49 this year, but sadly didn’t live past 24.
Netflix have marked the occasion with a documentary of his life and career; we take a look into his childhood summers spent in Jamaica to his brief time as a drug dealer on Brooklyn streets to the rise of his rap career. The short film progresses from his early life and draws to a close to the morning of March 9th 1997, when he was shot in a drive by shooting in LA. His death is still unresolved and has sparked huge debates between his an Tupac’s death by a drive by shooting six months earlier. The doc has been directed by Emmett Malloy who has contributed to many of his music videos. It’s also executively produced by his mother Voletta Wallace, who contributes heavily to interviews and gives a familiar and comforting commentary throughout.
Much of the footage was shot by friend Damion “D-Roc” Butler whilst Smalls was on tour as an early 20s star. Other famous faces have been interviewed throughout, such as Diddy and Combs (the biggest player in Biggie’s career behind the scenes).
On Friday last week, Drake released a new EP Scary Hours 2 ,consisting of 3 new tracks, “What’s Next”, “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” and “Wants and Needs” and it will come as no surprise they were automatic hits. This follows his Scary Hours EP that was released back in 2018 which included the global successes “God’s Plan” and “Diplomatic Immunity”.
“Wants and Needs” features Lil Baby and on “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” Drake has drafted in Rick Ross to take control of the first half of the track. The Canadian rapper has teased us with this drop, as he’s set to release a new album Certified Lover Boy at some point this year. Drake commented saying he doesn’t, “have an exact date, but it’s in the pot and it’s coming soon” after a knee injury postponed its release from January this year.
Fans haven’t delayed their positive response to the new music either; the fresh songs are going to dominate the charts this week both in the UK and globally. Currently, the 3 tunes are in the top 5 singles in the UK but “What’s Next” is on path to take the Number 1 spot. If the rumours are true, this would be the rapper’s 24th, 25th and 26th Top 10 singles in the UK- a pretty impressive achievement!
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