Invitation for comments...

[vfxsoup]

Hey all!

I'm the visual effects supervisor for Atlantis and wanted to invite you to post me comments on the show's effects. I'm looking for constructive comments that help me understand how people who are watching the show for the first time see what we've created. Normally, by the time a show has gone through post production, I've watched it about 300 times... so the shots start to melt together and don't have the same impact they would when you see a finished shot for the first time...

I'm looking for insightful observations only please, both good and bad! The aim is to better understand the way we see things, verses the way we create things in our heads. The more we understand the process, the more we can build better worlds for you all.

I'm running a website called, vfxsoup which details the work of visual effects supervisors, and interviews people from the visual effects industry (including James Tichenor who did the effects for Stargate and now works on Kingdom Hospital)... I've created forums there to discuss these subjects and invite you all to direct the comments there, as it is the best way for me to see you ideas and thoughts...

We're already at episode 8, and I can't wait to shoot this latest episode, the opening shot will blow you away... It's simply the best thing I've ever personally done and the team I work with is open to the most wacky of my creative ideas... so in return, I'm open to your comments and suggestions!

Fire away, but be kind, a great many people on this show work very hard making these pictures for you!

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis

www.vfxsoup.com :) :)

[elhSG1]

Cool site, can't wait to see Atlantis when it premiers! :)

[thor39]

What expensive computer graphics software are you using

same as stargate or different? :)

[Sir Ruff]

What expensive computer graphics software are you using

same as stargate or different? :)

It's not about the software it's about he skills ;)
No, really I'd like to know too.

[Teal'c]

I'm intereseted in the new gate.

Are the flashy lights practical or visual effects? And does it produce a "kawoosh" when it opens?

Unfortunatly I haven't seen any visual effects to comment on, so.... :P

[Elwe Singollo]

I want to know too!

[spg_1983]

wow i just want to say that what you are doing is very cool. actually putting the time in to ask for the viewers direct opinions is awesome and not something you eveer really see now adays. i cant wait to see atlantis and i bet it will be amazing!

[Teal'c]

wow i just want to say that what you are doing is very cool. actually putting the time in to ask for the viewers direct opinions is awesome and not something you eveer really see now adays. i cant wait to see atlantis and i bet it will be amazing!
Err, yeah, I meant that too! :P

But seriously, you guys have 100% of my support (I'm even gradually converting Shadow :P), I trust it will be spectaculor! ;)

[ShadowMaat]

(I'm even gradually converting Shadow :P

Dream on, Snake Boy. :P

I will say that the visual FX is one area where Atlantis is bound to go right. ;) I love FX people. And the props dudes. Still trying to figure out if that was Bear at last year's Gatecon...

And I miss Dragon.

But FX, yes, way cool stuff in store, I'm sure. :)

[Nolamom]

It will be strange not having JimmyT around, but he's doing amazing things. Pretty big shoes to fill. I have every confidence that you and the teams of SF wizards will put together amazingly wonderful shots. The kind that one may not even realize are CG!

Nmom

[keshou]

Mark,

Welcome to the forum and I know we all look forward to being able to ask questions and comment more intelligently once Atlantis starts airing. I have learned a lot from hearing James Tichenor's commentary on the DVD's, especially regarding visual effects that I never realized were...well....effects. I'm thrilled that you're interested in interacting with the fans as vfx have become such a big part of every scifi show.

I checked out your website and you have some interesting features. I enjoyed the interview with Jimmy T. very much. I see you have a green/blue (screen) debate over there as well. ;)

I'm looking forward to seeing how you guys are going to differentiate Atlantis from SG-1. I've already seen some of the still shots of the gate, the ships and it "feels" different. Can't wait to see the new bells and whistles and variations you bring to the project.

[Newbie]

vfxsoup if you'd be so helpful and gave us a direct link to the STARGATE ATLANTIS special effects, that we can comment on, otherwise you'r post is an advertising and should be GONE

[ShadowMaat]

vfxsoup if you'd be so helpful and gave us a direct link to the STARGATE ATLANTIS special effects, that we can comment on, otherwise you'r post is an advertising and should be GONE

Why don't you step back from your computer, take a deep breath, and try SMILING for a moment? Would you attack Joe Mallozzi if he came on and advertised his blog just because it isn't on an MGM or SCIFI site? Yeesh. And I thought I was bad! ;)

I will say that the post is probably better suited to the Atlantis folder, but unless or until I have evidence that vfx is lying, I'm gonna go ahead and believe him and be grateful that he's willing to spend some time with the fans.

[Newbie]

well the thing is the first sentances are
I'm the visual effects supervisor for Atlantis and wanted to invite you to post me comments on the show's effects. I'm looking for constructive comments that help me understand how people who are watching the show for the first time see what we've created. and i haven't seen much Atlantis effects SO FAR, and i don't see anything on the site...so without a direct link i DO NOT BELIVE, and concider it SPAM, SRY!!!

[keshou]

well the thing is the first sentances are and i haven't seen much Atlantis effects SO FAR, and i don't see anything on the site...so without a direct link i DO NOT BELIVE, and concider it SPAM, SRY!!!
I only looked at the site in a cursory manner, but I did read the interview with James Tichenor and comments from J.Tichenor in the forum. That is what led me to believe that Mr. Breakspear is indeed who he says he is. I doubt Mr. Tichenor would give an interview to someone who was running around the internet saying he was vfx supervisor for Atlantis when he wasn't.

Also saw Mark Breakspear listed on the team who won a Gemini for best visual effects (for Stargate SG-1) in 2003 so certainly seems plausible that Mark Breakspear got the nod to head up the vfx team for Atlantis.


http://www.geminiawards.ca/gemini18/IndustryGalaNominations.PDF


2003 AWARDS RESULTS
James Tichenor (Visual Effects Producer) Shannon Gurney (Visual Effects Coordinator) Craig Van Den Biggelaar(Senior Digital Effects Supervisor) Kevin Little (Digital Effects Supervisor) Mark Breakspear (Lead Compositor) Robin Hackl (Lead Compositor) Adam de Bosch Kemper (Lead Animator) Krista McLean (Lead CGI Artist)
For the episode "Revelations

[GateGipsy]

well the thing is the first sentances are and i haven't seen much Atlantis effects SO FAR, and i don't see anything on the site...so without a direct link i DO NOT BELIVE, and concider it SPAM, SRY!!!
I'm not sure why not having a link is spam or advertising when surely it would be the other way around?

Rest assured that any spam posts are quickly sorted out by the mods here at GW. If any do pass us by, just drop us an email and we'll very quickly get it sorted out.

Darren has all sorts of wonderful and magical ways of checking the identity of anyone posting here. Mark has posted at GateWorld before, in our old forum home of Delphi, and I've got no reason at all to suspect that he might not be the real deal. I'd say I'm as sure as I can be that he's who he says he is.

But of course you're always right to be sceptical. It is possible for anyone to pose as anyone on the internet. I'd suggest that, even if you're quite sure they're not genuine, you still continue to treat them with the same respect you'd extend to any other poster. Sure, call them on the scam if you think one is being perpetuated, but don't attack them. After all, they could be genuine, as is the case here.

[vfxsoup]

It's very sad that this thread went this way. It's pretty insulting too. I was hoping to gleem some useful insights from you guys in order to make the show better, but can see that certain members here are more interetsed in other things.

I'm sorry to have wasted my time and this forums time.

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis

[Shipperahoy]

I am so sorry that there have been some less than polite posts and that it has made you uncomfortable. Please believe that the majority of us are thrilled that you have taken the time out of your, I'm sure, extremely busy schedule to post here. I find it wonderful that you're taking the time to get our feedback and are interested in what the fans have to say. I'm sorry that you've had a negative experience but I truly hope you won't let a small minority keep you from posting here in the future.

Moriah aka Shipperahoy
Gateworld Forum Moderator

[ShadowMaat]

It's very sad that this thread went this way. It's pretty insulting too. I was hoping to gleem some useful insights from you guys in order to make the show better, but can see that certain members here are more interetsed in other things.

Welcome to fandom. ;) Finding out that not ALL fans are Happy Shiny People can be very upsetting the first time it happens. The trick is to learn how to take the bad as well as the good and parse out anything extraneous or overly negative... which will probably include a lot of my posts. ;)

Hope you won't let the experience ruin it for the rest of us. Like I said, the VFX is one area where I have no qualms about the spinoff. VFX, props, David Hewlett (as long as they make McKay three-dimensional), and Joe Flanigan. Those're my reasons to look forward to the show. :P

[Major Clanger]

It's very sad that this thread went this way. It's pretty insulting too. I was hoping to gleem some useful insights from you guys in order to make the show better, but can see that certain members here are more interetsed in other things.

I'm sorry to have wasted my time and this forums time.

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis
Sorry you got that, Mark, I hope you'll hang around a bit more and see that most of us don't SHOUT all the time (except when we're being nasty mods) and that we are more than a little piqued and interested in anything Atlantis related.

To anyone who was less than polite: If that's not how you behave to people in RL, please don't do it here.

If that IS how you behave to people in RL... well, I have thoughts about that but probably this isn't the place.

Major Clanger
GateWorld Moderator

[keshou]

It's very sad that this thread went this way. It's pretty insulting too. I was hoping to gleem some useful insights from you guys in order to make the show better, but can see that certain members here are more interetsed in other things.

I certainly welcome your participation on the forum and I think most of the posts reflected that. I'm sorry you felt insulted by some random potshots, I was really looking forward to having a place to ask questions about certain effects we're going to be seeing.

And as Shadow said, welcome to fandom. :( Some people just don't think before they post and there are others who are (rightly in some cases) suspicious of who they're dealing with on a medium like the internet. I'm afraid you have to have a thick skin sometimes to participate in fandom. But it can also be rewarding and a place to get immediate feedback on how your work is received.

Please consider sticking around. I've always thought the Stargate team did a great job on effects and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do on Atlantis!

[vfxsoup]

As I said before, I'm looking for both good and bad comments for the VFX, but hopefully all of them will be constructive in some way.

I love to hear that something on the screen elicited a strong response in you, but I ask that you respect the hard work that we do here by crafting your comments in a literate and mature way. Tell me something was the biggest piece of **** because... And I'll be eager to listen... tell me something was just **** and I'll simply ignore it.

I'm probably more thick skinned than all of you (10 years compositing with commercial clients will arm you against the stupidest of comments), so your comments don't offend me, but they do annoy me when you have the chance to voice your opinion to someone who works on the show, and you waste it.

This is obviously aimed at the few of you who always post comments that are aimed to inflame a discussion. The vast majority of you are intelligent people with VERY interesting points of view.

No probs, move on, all is good...

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effect Supervisor
Atlantis

[thor39]

I still can't find the part of your site with something to do with Atlantis on it or am I not looking hard enough ;)

[ShadowMaat]

I'll be watching the premiere at Gatecon in Vancouver, so if you guys make any "mistakes" they'll just be that much bigger and more obvious and I'll be happy to tell you all about them. ;) Assuming I can get over my awe at the stunning visuals you guys have no doubt produced. :P

[thor39]

Do you live state side then Shadow
I have to travel all the way from uk I will probably go to 2005 if it is still on ..lol ;)

[ShadowMaat]

Do you live state side then Shadow

Yeppers. I'm an East Coast Girl. An original d*** Yankee, even. ;)

Looking forward to seeing the Atlantis premiere, despite all my prophecies of doom. ;)

[Norlioness]

I'm the visual effects supervisor for Atlantis and wanted to invite you to post me comments on the show's effects. I'm looking for constructive comments that help me understand how people who are watching the show for the first time see what we've created.
<snip>
We're already at episode 8, and I can't wait to shoot this latest episode, the opening shot will blow you away... It's simply the best thing I've ever personally done and the team I work with is open to the most wacky of my creative ideas... so in return, I'm open to your comments and suggestions!

Fire away, but be kind, a great many people on this show work very hard making these pictures for you!
Hello Mark. Thank you and everyone on your team who worked so hard to creat the visuals to entertain us. I applaud the imaginations and creativity of every one of you. Looking forward to see the final product when Atlantis premieres and S8 starts. I'm sure you will get loads of constructive feedback from the crowd here. Generally, GW posters have keen eyes for details and who better to ask, than the fans themselves, huh? :)


I'm probably more thick skinned than all of you (10 years compositing with commercial clients will arm you against the stupidest of comments), so your comments don't offend me, but they do annoy me when you have the chance to voice your opinion to someone who works on the show, and you waste it.

No probs, move on, all is good...
*pinches Mark to test his thick skin*. Yep, tough enough! Glad to hear that you're sticking around to chat or hear our comments.

[Nolamom]

If that IS how you behave to people in RL... well, I have thoughts about that but probably this isn't the place.

Combine a bit of Miss Manners with that iron spoon! (Yeah, I know, it LOOKS silver, but methinks it packs a bit more of a wallup.

I hope that Mark will stick around to discuss the effects on Atlantis. I've really enjoyed JimmyT's blog and some of the insights he's shared.
Nmom

[maboroshi]

Mark we can't comment, constructively or otherwise, on something we haven't seen yet. :D

Check back after the show airs. We'll all have something to base opinions on then. I anticipate a plethora of opinions, nay, a raucous cacophony of opinions! You can't shut the net up, not even with a fire-hose and a butterfly net. No sirree. :rolleyes:

[Newbie]

vfxsoup well, aparently your identety has been confermed, and i'd like to apologize...i'm deeply sorry if i have affended you in anyway. it's just that i have an expirience with bad ppl... :( however it is still hard to comment on atlantis grapix without actually seeing them....Sg-1 graphix are pretty good, but it's still not Star Wars level....i understand that that takes much more $ but hopefully you guys will reach that lever ;)

[Tok'Ra Hostess]

Hey all!

I'm the visual effects supervisor for Atlantis and wanted to invite you to post me comments on the show's effects.

Just so we're on the same page about this, basicly you are letting us know that you will be wanting feedback, once the show actually airs. You are not asking for any pre-screening critiques, right? :)

[tera'ngan]

It's very sad that this thread went this way. It's pretty insulting too. I was hoping to gleem some useful insights from you guys in order to make the show better, but can see that certain members here are more interetsed in other things.

I'm sorry to have wasted my time and this forums time.

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis

Please don't judge the hundreds of members here at Gateworld based on the inconsiderate ramblings of one poster. There are even hundreds (I'm sure) more "lurkers" who read here even though they don't post. It is so rare for fans to be able to hear from and talk directly to the behind-the-scenes folks, and it is VERY appreciated when someone takes the time out of their busy schedule to ask us our opinion.
I am looking forward to seeing what you've put together for us!

-tera'ngan

[Matt G]

Welcome to Gateworld Mark! Apologies for the cautiousness of some but I have heard of a few fakes in other online fields.

Will get back to you on the FX once Atlantis airs over here

In the mean time see you around and good luck!

[elhSG1]

I am very much looking forward to seeing the effects you guys do on Atlantis - I'm sure they'll be great! :) Also,knowing that someone close to the production of it will be reading our comments is cool, it sort of makes me want to watch it even more.

[thor39]

Looking forward to commenting on your work, i'm sure there won't be many cons(I suppose it's hopeless asking fans because we are all gonna think it's great) ;) . Like what I've seen of the concept art can't wait for July :o

[vfxsoup]

Thanks All!

I've been speaking with Brad about which behind the scenes set photos and visual effects shots to show in an up-coming interview with Gateworld and I can't decide!

So... what do you guys want to see?... let me know gang...

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis

[Nolamom]

So... what do you guys want to see?... let me know gang...


Well, personally, I like the little things that folks take for granted as being real before they do a double-take and realize it CAN'T be real. There's a two second shot of a critter at the beginning of Demons (I think) climbing over a boulder. He looks pretty normal until you realize he has six legs or so.

The shots inside Thor's ship when Sam is trying to come up with a dumb idea to rid them of the Replicators are lovely.

A few exploding spaceships never hurt either!
Nmom

[ShadowMaat]

So... what do you guys want to see?... let me know gang...
I don't think I've read enough about Atlantis to know what to ask for, but if there are any control panel-type things, those are usually fun. A nice shot of the Atlantis patch. ;) Pics of the Wraith guns. Pics of David Hewlett. :D hehe, OK, I know he doesn't count as a prop or visual effect. Not in the traditional sense, anyway... *ahem*

A nice pic of one of the gates in orbit, maybe with a puddle jumper nearby.

I should probably check and see what pics are already available. Been a while since I looked.

[Galadriel Fefalas]

I know we're all getting over excited at the prospect of a new Stargate show, but give us a chance to actually see an episode please Mr Visual FX Guy ... :D

[zebrok]

Thanks All!

I've been speaking with Brad about which behind the scenes set photos and visual effects shots to show in an up-coming interview with Gateworld and I can't decide!

So... what do you guys want to see?... let me know gang...

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis
Spoilers Atlantis
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Just a few suggestions:


The Wraith hand device in action
The puddle jumpers, both Atlantis' and the Wraith's equivalent, entering and exiting gates
Some exterior shots of the Atlantis base, maybe the mat (sp?) paintings that will be used ( I assume)
And lastly, the effect (if there is one) for when the wraiths are draining lifeforce


So in other words, more or less the shots that will become regular parts of the show. Since we are going to see them a lot anyway, may as well start now. We dont need to see the juicy stuff that will be unique for any certain ep, but rather shots that will become an old friend in the years to come like the whoosh of the SG-1 gate. Dont spoil us too much :)

Oh and thanks in advance for all the info you are going to give us in that interview. I am suffering from Stargate withdrawl, so I could definitely use the fix! :D

[petzke_42]

When Atlantis actually comes up, that probably happens in a S8 Stargate SG-1 ep right? Did you get to work on it at all??

Also, you know what would be REALLY cool....some cool Atlantis wallpapers from the vfx man himself. Unless you must have permission to put out new pictures or whatever, then dont get yourself in trouble :P

My resolution is 1024x768 :D

[ShadowMaat]

Also, you know what would be REALLY cool....some cool Atlantis wallpapers from the vfx man himself. Unless you must have permission to put out new pictures or whatever, then dont get yourself in trouble :P
The standard promo pic of the gate in the water with the city in the bg is very cool, but it's used so much it kinda takes the edge off. I could go for some new wallpapers...

[Kliggins]

It's very sad that this thread went this way. It's pretty insulting too. I was hoping to gleem some useful insights from you guys in order to make the show better, but can see that certain members here are more interetsed in other things.

I'm sorry to have wasted my time and this forums time.

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis

I am very sorry the reaction you received to your post. I thought it was great that you wanted to solicit honest criticism, good or bad, from the fans. Thank you for the effort. Looking forward to Atlantis' premiere and will definitely check out your site. Thanks again! :)

[Jafana]

Spoilers Atlantis
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Just a few suggestions:


The Wraith hand device in action
The puddle jumpers, both Atlantis' and the Wraith's equivalent, entering and exiting gates
Some exterior shots of the Atlantis base, maybe the mat (sp?) paintings that will be used ( I assume)
And lastly, the effect (if there is one) for when the wraiths are draining lifeforce


So in other words, more or less the shots that will become regular parts of the show. Since we are going to see them a lot anyway, may as well start now. We dont need to see the juicy stuff that will be unique for any certain ep, but rather shots that will become an old friend in the years to come like the whoosh of the SG-1 gate. Dont spoil us too much :)


I like these ideas. And I like the way they're described like "shots that will become and old friend in the years to come". very nice!
I was also wondering about the uniforms. From the pictures I've seen, they seem to be a little dodgy. To be fair though, i've only seen some of the promo pics.
The large panels of colour on the front (they're a kind of triangle shape) take away from the idea of camoflage gear don't they? I mean, red or blue is going to stand out if the team have to quick duck behind a handy bush or something. meh. I'm staying open minded about all of it, but this in particular has got me stumped.

[ShadowMaat]

I mean, red or blue is going to stand out if the team have to quick duck behind a handy bush or something. meh. I'm staying open minded about all of it, but this in particular has got me stumped.
Maybe the vegetation in this alien galaxy tends towards shades of red and blue, making the panels good for camoflage. ;)

[Jafana]

Maybe the vegetation in this alien galaxy tends towards shades of red and blue, making the panels good for camoflage. ;)
I'm the kind of girl who would actually allow that explaination. Except for the fact that the rest of the uniform is the various greens of normal camoflage. So that tends to take away from your argument.

Basically what I'm afraid of is that they're going to stray too much from the military regulations etc.
I think that what makes sg1 so great is the way they try hard to stay within those regs and limitations. by going too far away from that makes it less believable somehow.

(I must clarify - I'm completely aware that Jack should have been court martialed [sp?] long ago for insubordination. but thats a little different)

[ShadowMaat]

I'm the kind of girl who would actually allow that explaination. Except for the fact that the rest of the uniform is the various greens of normal camoflage. So that tends to take away from your argument.
OK, so they're red, blue AND green. Maybe the trees have green trunks and red leaves, or the bushes have red branches and blue leaves. Or all the flowers could have triangular shaped petals in alternating red, blue, and green shadings. ;)




Basically what I'm afraid of is that they're going to stray too much from the military regulations etc.
Well, I don't know what they're saying about the team currently, but originally they were making a big deal about how the A-team wasn't supposed to be a "military team". Of course, they also said it was gonna be "international" but I seriously question their definition of that...

I won't comment on the court martialing thing as it's too mucky a topic, but insubordination is, IMO, the least of their offences.

But this is supposed to be about what we wanna see of the FX/set for Atlantis. :)

I'd like close-ups of the various glyphs on the new gate. I can't quite get over my impression that it's braille, but maybe if I had a better look at them...

[petzke_42]

I don't think that vfx guy has anything to do with the uniforms, but I may be wrong :P

[Nolamom]

Maybe he can use some CGI wizardy to *FIX* them!
Nmom

[petzke_42]

Like put them all in camoflage thongs?? I see EXACTLY where you are going with this...:P

[ShadowMaat]

He may not have much to do with the uniforms, but he could be responsible for CGI'ing all the red, blue and green vegetation. ;) OOoo, or maybe the color panels act like screens and he can CGI little movies onto them or something. Well, the blue ones, anyway. Little mini bluescreens, right? Maybe he's invented a process to redscreen things...

[Jafana]

kind of like the telly tubbies?
the little panels become a communication device.

"hey wait, hold still, the general is trying to make contact"

kinda?

[ShadowMaat]

kind of like the telly tubbies?
the little panels become a communication device.

"hey wait, hold still, the general is trying to make contact"
LOL! If I see a single piece of Tubby Toast, I'm gonna scream. ;)

*edited in sad, desperate and slightly guilty attempt to get this back on topic* Er... How about the not-a-DHD gate control devices?

And I still wanna see a puddle jumper use the gate...

[KokiriChild]

Thanks All!

I've been speaking with Brad about which behind the scenes set photos and visual effects shots to show in an up-coming interview with Gateworld and I can't decide!

So... what do you guys want to see?... let me know gang...

Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor
Atlantis
I'd love to see a full movie of a puddlejumper remotely dialing the gate, the gate's chevron's engaging and the whole wormhole process! I think that's going to be the most exciting thing for me about the show, the story will continue, but seeing the effects for the first time, ahh. I'm getting all excited just thinking about it!

[fullcircle]

Mr. Soup,

(May I call you Vfx?) Some of us would love to have the Ancient 'screensaver' from Atlantis and Reckoning part deux.

I saw it displayed on Carter's laptop. Do you think you could post it to Gateworld so we could download it?

thanks

fullcircle

EDIT: whoops! I didn't read the first page but I guess this is a Dead Thread! Didn't realize all the altercations made it unlikely to be accomatdated. Well, if anyone has it post it to gateworld.

[Whistler]

Mr. Soup,

(May I call you Vfx?) Some of us would love to have the Ancient 'screensaver' from Atlantis and Reckoning part deux.

I saw it displayed on Carter's laptop. Do you think you could post it to Gateworld so we could download it?

thanks

fullcircle

EDIT: whoops! I didn't read the first page but I guess this is a Dead Thread! Didn't realize all the altercations made it unlikely to be accomatdated. Well, if anyone has it post it to gateworld.

I'm sure Mr Breakspear will join us again sooner or later to enlighten us on the visual effects of Atlantis' Season 2. Looking forward to it! You shouldn't worry about reenergizing an old thread, which by the look of it, had an untimely demise anyway... :D ;)

[Beatrice Otter]

Sorry about the idiot, Mark. Lessee. VFX in Atlantis. The only thing that's coming to mind is all the swooping camera angles in "The Siege Part Two." You know, where instead of cutting from one scene to the next the camera panned quickly across the city. (I'm assuming that's vfx and not practical, as I've only heard of computer models of Atlantis.) Those were pretty cool, however, the style was enough different from the normal cinematography style of the show that I found it distracting from the story. I notice stylistic things like that, and it bugs me when they're not consistent.

[vfxsoup]

Those were pretty cool, however, the style was enough different from the normal cinematography style of the show that I found it distracting from the story. I notice stylistic things like that, and it bugs me when they're not consistent.

Thanks Beatrice,

Good comment. As the season went on, we started to "try" things. Some work, some don't. I personally, liked the way the transitions took you across the city... it let you see some of the neighborhood! I think it helped the "siege" feeling of the show itself, but I'm willing to admit that it also ran the risk of taking us out of the action just enough to be distracting.

Oh well, you can't win everything!

Mark

[SGalisa]

Originally posted by Beatrice:
Those were pretty cool, however, the style was enough different from the normal cinematography style of the show that I found it distracting from the story. I notice stylistic things like that, and it bugs me when they're not consistent.

Originally posted by vfxsoup:
...I personally, liked the way the transitions took you across the city... it let you see some of the neighborhood! I think it helped the "siege" feeling of the show itself...Dear Mark,
I've recently just found this topic and thought I'd encourage you to let you know that I enjoyed the video effects of the city zooming in and out in "The Siege, part 2". I didn't really notice any differences between the scaled model and cgi (or whatever it was) version, if there were any differences. What I did see was:

The video effects used gave a sense of just how vast and *widespread* the search throughout the city was going - i.e.: where the search from one part of the city was in contrast to another completely (often opposite) different location. Instead of using simple scene cuts or familiar fades, it stayed focused from point A to point B zooming in and out, and vice-versa, like a roller coaster effect.

It wasn't overused in my opinion, but may have made other viewers, who are not used to that, get a little dizzy. At least it didn't zoom at 200 m.p.h. (Sheppard's idea of speeding), especially if using a model scale in inches instead of miles. :D

I hadn't thought of the siege feeling itself. But now that you mention it, those same visual effects did provide that kind of swooping in / out feeling. Very *interesting* POV. ;)

[Lord You]

I liked the transitions. All too often, Atlantis feels like the size of a small skyscraper. The new effects in "The Siege Part II" were really cool and helped add a sense of scale.

As to new scenes: I'd like to see exterior shots with people outside showing how big the buildings are compared with the people. I always like those kind of shots, and they would show how massive the city really is.

P.S. Could we see a Wraith mothership landing or taking off?