New quote?

[Dr Maturin]

You know what'd be different? B5 shot on location. I don't think they've ever done that...maybe in Crusade?

[Flynn2000]

I say this as no expert on FX houses but as one that has followed the evolution of the art form over the last 30 years.

I bet and I hope JMS doesn't go with TV level FX people.

Remember folks, this is going to be a motion picture not a TV movie or direct to video release. Most TV FX companies are very good in this day and age but they do visuals for television (low resolution, low budget, quick turnaround times, lower expectations, etc.). No disrespect. What audiences want and deserve for the high price of a move ticket is way beyond what they see on TV for free. The B5 movie may not be up to the highs of lets say LoTR, SW, Spider-Man, Matrix, HP or the other, one hundred million plus budgeted films in the visual FX department, but at leased they should aim as high as they can.

The little companies just don't have the man power or technology of an ILM or WETA. And the cost of upgrading the little companies for just one film would be counter productive. It cost Warner Bros. 100 million to build the FX company for the Matrix sequels (then sadly let it fall after doing just a few other movies).

One last problem with the small companies is that they now almost totaly work with CGI. If something would work better with minatures, models or other more physical techniques they would be less able to provide that.

I quess we will all know the answers in good time.


TWT

[ljg701]

Must be for the filming of TMOS....

A couple of things lead me to believe that JMS must be in the UK for the eventual filming of TMOS. All IMHO of course.

1. He has asked in the news groups about the travelling arrangements from London - Herefordshire. Apart from large studios, Leavesden for example, what else could he want in Herefordshire? I'm sure there aren't any world class FX companies there (although I'd expect there to be some facilities attached to the studios). As has been mentioned before, WB has been filming virtually continuously in this area (Harry Potter, Batman Returns, Charlie in the Chocolate factory). For at least 2 of these filming must have already finished, or be coming to an end, so if WB has some on going arrangement to use the studio space they'll be looking for something else to start filming. Can we guess what that might be folks......

2. Isn't JMS going to a CON in Germany in May? Somehow I'm not sure he would fly in from the US to Germany just for one CON, which leads me to believe he's planning to be in the UK for at least 7 months. I'm sure overseeing the FX work won't take 7 months.

Actually another thought just struck me, Christopher Franke is german is he not? Perhaps JMS might be in Germany at the time overseeing another part of the production? Although this sounds far too early to be recording the sound track.

Final unrelated thought. I believe JMS originally wanted to retire at 50. I wonder if TMOS is JMS' last B5 project? (go out on a bang as it were)

les

[spacehermit]

Originally posted by Flynn2000 Most TV FX companies are very good in this day and age but they do visuals for television (low resolution, low budget, quick turnaround times, lower expectations, etc.).

As this will be my first post and I don't wish to get up anyone's nose, I'll be polite. I've worked in various effects and post-production places over the years, and most of the equipment and software people use is the same, or similar in regard to what it can do, and if they have the software, they can probably do it. Even some of the 'low end' companies have created something that stand out strongly. If the company can output what they've created, which they usually can, even if it means hiring equipment (the equipment is usually transferred onto a high grade uncompressed digital tape initially, before it is graded and exported onto film [if neccessary]), then actually doing the effects is a doddle for someone who knows the software. The finished effects will be put onto a video tape, whether it is for film or TV, the resolution will be the same regardless (unless it's high definition, which is a different kettle of fish, ask George Lucas), only differing by aspect ratio. The biggest factor to consider is how much time and money the production company are willing, or allowed, to spend.

A high budget movie will probably give a shot or two to most of the Visual Effects companies in the area, depending on time and budget, and get them to spend as much time as possible on the shot, to get it as 'finished' and perfect as possible. This can involve the company taking over the effects house completely, and ensuring the workers never have a weekend free. Copius amounts of Tea and Coffee are consumed in this time, as well as wine, beer and various other substances. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone covered much of London's effects houses for the best part of the year it was made, and various effects were moved from one company to another depending on how it was progressing. It is also a good time for some of the lowly workers to gain promotion, as they will often be asked to help.

The same amount of loving care and attention is put into the final product, be it film or TV.

As for JMS, if he's going to be travelling from Herefordshire to London each day for several months, I pity him and suggest he gets a nice thick book to read. It's my guess that he'll be making the final arrangements for jumping between the studio and the FX companies.

[Jan]

Spacehermit wrote:

As this will be my first post and I don't wish to get up anyone's nose, I'll be polite.

Generally a good policy anyway.

Thanks for the information and welcome to the forums.

Jan

[spacehermit]

Thanks. I occasionally go off on a tangent however...

[Jan]

BTW, what's a "doddle"? I've never heard the term. From context, it sounds like "a simple task"?

Jan

[Andrew_Swallow]

Originally posted by Jan
BTW, what's a "doddle"? I've never heard the term. From context, it sounds like "a simple task"?

Correct. Doddle is informal so it is rarely written down.

[colonyearth]

Thank you spacehermit...thank you, thank you.

You put everything so eloquently I don't have to say it all now.

I've tried to explain to folks in the forums just how such things work, that various houses do portions, and that TV FX folk are every bit as good and often move between TV FX and features such as SW and HP.

No one ever listen to poor CE. Tsk, tsk. But now, spacehermit, speak also from the industry...you listen to him? Hum?!

Yes.

Thanks again for saying it all for me...I've said it so many times I'm tired and feel as if my record is skipping.

CE

[spacehermit]

'S alright!

Now what were we talking about?

[Jan]

Originally posted by spacehermit
'S alright!

Now what were we talking about?

Shoes and ships and sealingwax, of cabbages and kings....

<g>
Jan

[Andrew_Swallow]

Originally posted by spacehermit

As for JMS, if he's going to be travelling from Herefordshire to London each day for several months, I pity him and suggest he gets a nice thick book to read. It's my guess that he'll be making the final arrangements for jumping between the studio and the FX companies.

Note it is Hertfordshire not Herefordshire.

Hertfordshire is just north of London and contains Watford, Elstree and Borehamwood.

Herefordshire is several hours drive away and borders Wales.

I have miss read that posting myself.

Subject: quick question
To: alt.babylon5.uk
Date: 7/1/2004 6:37:00 PM

Not knowing the area very well...if one were going to be spending a great deal
of time in Hertfordshire, which is apparently near London (pity please on a
geographically unenlightened American), would it be better to get a small flat
in London for that time and commute, or get something in Hertfordshire itself?
How long is the trip? Or is there somewhere in-between that would be salutory?

jms

[Flynn2000]

It's true about many FX shots being farmed out to many companies. But the small companies usualy get little things like P.P.G. blasts for instance. Things like a Quiddich match are done by the big boy's. I think it was ILM and Sony Image Works that did the HP stuff. I could be wrong though.

Anyway, good talk guy's!

TWT

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by Andrew_Swallow
Note it is Hertfordshire not Herefordshire.

Hertfordshire is just north of London and contains Watford, Elstree and Borehamwood.

Herefordshire is several hours drive away and borders Wales.

I have miss read that posting myself.

Thanks Andrew. So Elstree and Borehamwood are in Hertfordshire?

I'm assuming that the studios that bear those same names are there as well. If so, I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong, that some portion of the LOTR Trilogy was done at the Borehamwood Studios. Intriguing.

CE

[Andrew_Swallow]

Originally posted by colonyearth
Thanks Andrew. So Elstree and Borehamwood are in Hertfordshire?

I'm assuming that the studios that bear those same names are there as well. If so, I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong, that some portion of the LOTR Trilogy was done at the Borehamwood Studios. Intriguing.

CE

Yes. The two studios are named after the place. They are also very close to each other. See details of how to get there and associated map.

http://www.g2casting.com/locations/elstree.asp

I cannot find any mention of LOTR but lots of other films were

http://www.elstreefilmtv.com/