photo post production & cgi Jun 2008

Welcome to the first issue of Spotlight CGI brought to you by Production Paradise.

CGI debuted with cinema blockbusters like Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park announcing the arrival of first-generation Computer Generated Imagery. The development of high-powered computers and sophisticated, customisable software has meant generating high-resolution photorealistic marketing images has become an industry in itself. "CGI is the perfect tool for people who like to make pictures, and is no longer seen as a compromise," comments Thorsten Jasper Weese from recomCGI. "The decision to use CGI rests with clients, and if they choose to represent their products using CGI instead of the real thing then it shows CGI to be an increasingly 'realistic' alternative."

There is no 'impossible' in the world of CGI, but there are limits of rationality, budget and sense. "If you have the real object or scenario in front of your nose, you'd still be well advised to pull out the camera!" insists Thorsten. "But if you want something new or existentially unreal, with CGI the possibilities are there." The big challenge for CGI is to generate an emotionally responsive human face - even the most expensive Hollywood productions don't achieve perfect results. So there are limits, but these will vanish as technology advances, no doubt to be replaced by new, more challenging issues as CGI continues to push even further.

Since 2005 [zerone] cgi has been working with the best automotive photographers and advertising agencies on high quality images for international campaigns and catalogues.

Based in Hamburg and New York, the company combines 15 years of experience in 3D-computer graphics with 20 years of experience in retouching.

[zerone] cgi is the artistic bridge between the science of computer graphics and the vision of the artist and client.

"Pictures originate in the head!"

Camera and computer are the tools that 809cgi provides. Based in both the Netherlands and Germany, the CGI company offers photo-realistic 3D visualisation at the highest level. Working with photographers and agencies, experienced professionals from the fields of photography, postproduction and 3D rendering take personal care of every client.

Offering intensive CGI workshops, 809cgi teaches the fundamentals that translate ideas into computer-generated reality: be part of a live CGI production and learn about the advantages of CGI on location. 809cgi presents the essential information and latest technology to master the latest evolution of photography.

Hamburg-based alphadog was established in 1999 as a high-end post production company with an integrated 3D unit. One of its core intentions is to create a truthful yet customised copy of reality.

The company's specialists recently completed a variety of different projects involving car visualisation, pack-shot and virtual set design.

alphadog's clients include advertising agencies, photographers and industry specialists, amongst them names such as Mercedes-Benz, Lucky Strike, VW, BMW, KIA, IVECO and UNICEF.

Photographer Carl Lyttle has recently been around the globe shooting and expanding his CGI portfolio, producing shots for clients including Nissan, Mercedes and Land Rover, amongst others.

His images have been produced by working closely with the highly skilled 3D and retouching team at This Little Fish.

Peter is a pioneer of digital imagery. Working since 1994, he has gained a great variety of digital experience. In 2002 he published his first CGI-projects, again as an early bird in the industry.

In his current CGI work Peter takes advantage of his vast experience in producing web-specials, car configurations and product animation.

The outstanding feature of Peter's professional work is the excellent combination of his personal skills with those of his team, working in photography, 3D, postproduction and animation, and using individual workflows for higher efficiency and greater reliability.

Ed Lee is a seasoned and experienced photographer who works with cars. He is now also producing CGI images.

Flexibility is important in this rapidly developing field and Ed can work independently, with his team of experts, or within the agency/client environment.

Recent projects have included work with Honda and Land Rover.

Based in Buenos Aires, Estilo-3D is a creative art lab specialising in 3D design, 3D production and digital image composition. The company works for major ad agencies, art buyers and photographers from Argentina, México, Spain and the USA.

Thanks to a good currency rate against the US Dollar and the Euro, Estilo-3D can offer highly competitive pricing for international clients.

The company recently won silver in the FIAP 2008, a gold in the AD&D, and also both gold and silver in the Diente (Creative Circle of Argentina).

Latest projects include work for Volkswagen, Ford, Telecom Personal, Standard Bank, Toyota, Nestlé, DirecTV, Honda, American Express, Cheerios and Reynolds Wrap.

For more information call +54.11.4776.6637, email or Skype: estilo-3d

Mediaturns is a production and design studio covering film, 2/3D animation, Internet and graphic design. The company was founded in 2005 by Mark Phillip and Kristin Thielemann.

Mark worked for 14 years as a fashion photographer before he started directing and producing commercials and film projects. Kristin finished her diploma at the University of Applied Sciences before succeeding as a multimedia designer.

Mediaturns collaborates with both clients and agencies to conceptualise and create unique campaigns to strengthen brand recognition. Over the past two years the company has worked for clients including Swarovski, Boss, L'Oreal, Mercedes-Benz, Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger.

For the past three years Nigel Harniman has been working with CGI alongside photography, developing new ideas in conjunction with Air-CGI.

His work includes pure CGI projects, from a range of glass-effect objects, a Jaguar XF, to an engine and spanner in studio settings for UK press ads, and involve a combination of photography and CGI in varying degrees.

He recently shot Jaguar and Mitsubishi cars on CGI backgrounds, and CGI cars for Ford in photographic location backgrounds in New York for Team Detroit. Nigel also shot for Volvo and Audi, and most recently for Chevrolet in Miami.

The animation shown in this Spotlight is a render from Jaguar of the XK convertible - the background and environment were shot by Nigel in the USA.

Paul's latest work includes both automotive CGI and traditionally photographed projects.

He was recently commissioned for work by clients Toyota, Volvo and Smart in the UK and France.

Currently, his ongoing personal projects are almost exclusively 3D-based. Paul is experimenting with new ideas and concepts which will be available to view soon.

PIQTURE is a high-end postproduction and CGI studio that has been producing high-quality images for catalogues and campaigns since 2005. Its customers are national and international creative agencies, photographers and industrial clients.

CGI totally changed the ways and possibilities of how a picture comes to be - however: it is still all about understanding and know-how. The capability to understand the creative idea and the client's wish so that a perfect image is created - regardless of whether conventional photography or 3D technology is used - is PIQTURE's mission.

Based on this awareness, PIQTURE has produced images such as the current Mercedes-Benz GLK 'Sex and the City' campaign, as well as e.g. catalogues for the GLK-, CLC- and G-Class ranges.

Other Clients include BMW, MINI, Audi, VW, Porsche, Ferrari, BBDO, Interone Worldwide, Scholz & Friends, TBWA, Publicis, Draft FCB.

Established for 20 years, RECOM is a high-end artwork and postproduction studio. Its 25 staff members are based in Stuttgart as well as around the world for immediate on location work. International clients, photographers and magazines constantly use this core business to create new image concepts and innovative artwork.

In 2006, RECOM was amongst the first companies to begin working with CGI for major marketing and print campaigns, and under Thorsten Jasper Weese (manager and CGI director) the department has grown and achieved widespread success, becoming one of the top addresses in the business.

With a combination of know-how, unique CGI direction and the symbiosis of its artists' work, recomCGI has attracted top automotive clients including Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Porsche, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai. The company has also worked with internationally distinguished photographers including Marc Trautmann, Pascal Malamas, Michael Schnabel, Christian Schmidt, Steffen Schraegle, Rainer Stratmann, Blinkk, and many more.

In addition to automotive work, recomCGI recently generated 3D images for a variety of indoor architectural projects and international furniture, food and beverage clients.

Saddington & Baynes has evolved from its roots as one of the best photographic retouching houses to a full-service CGI production studio, focusing on print and interactive assignments for the advertising industry. The company's evolution and adoption of CGI has presented many exciting new visual possibilities, otherwise impractical or simply impossible to recreate using traditional means.

Some things, however, remain reassuringly constant, such as an ability to provide innovative visual solutions for even the most demanding brief and a desire to produce creative imagery of the highest calibre. As such, the company enjoys a peerless reputation and is honoured to work with an impressive range of international clientele.

Saddington & Baynes CGI has helped win its clients numerous awards, including D&AD, Creative Circle, the Clios, and Cannes, to name but a few.

Get in touch to discuss concepts and ideas. Contact Chris Christodoulou +44 207 833 3032.

Through its blend of world-leading CGI and traditional compositing, Taylor James is a production house that helps creative industries to visualise ideas across print, interactive and broadcast media. Involvement with client's projects can range from providing a simple retouching service to managing full-scale productions. Whatever the concept, the company offers the perfect blend of creative solutions to make all ideas possible.

Recent projects include:

• MotorolaCity.com (BBDO, NY). A complete interactive and print campaign designed to promote Motorola 'Government and Public Safety Solutions'. The user 'flies' into the city to view Motorola's range of solutions working in a number of different scenarios. The site has been honoured with nine different awards, including FWA 'Site Of The Day'.
• Nissan (TBWA) Taylor James created the company's first 'Complete CGI' above-the-line advertising campaign for the Qashqai model. The buildings and environment were modelled in CG to depict the threatening nature of a city designed to test the 'Urban Toughness' of the CG Nissan Qashqai.

Visit the Taylor James website for a more in-depth view of the company's work.

Contact Keith Jeffery +44 (0) 20 77 39 44 88

After just a year of operation, This Little Fish is showing why a photographic approach is key to delivering CGI work that shines - whatever the product. Work for brands such as Nike and Nissan is spring-boarding the company to new heights and revealing the capabilities of a full CGI workflow to new markets.

Earlier this year, This Little Fish attended the first CGAM conference in Los Angeles, where the company's talents were showcased to a willing and knowledgeable audience. Carl Lyttle spoke on the role of the photographer as art director and how changes that This Little Fish have driven are changing the imagery pipeline.

The rest of 2008 will see plenty more work and constant growth. The company is pushing its production facilities to the max and adding talent in all key areas of the process, ensuring This Little Fish stays at the cutting edge of the industry.

"The brief was clear: The car must drive very fast on an alpine road. Water from melted snow must spray from the wheels to highlight speed.

The problem was also clear: With a normal rig shot it's impossible to drive so fast that you can see the water effect. A very fast car-to-car shoot was not an option, as the road wasn't wide enough.

The solution: The photographer decided to do it in CGI."

ViewMasterCGI specialists did the complete car rendering and water effects in CG technology. Digital Imaging Director Michael Schott and his team set-up their own workflow based on several 3D software products, achieving photorealistic images that respect traditional photographic quality standards.

ViewMasterCGI combines the expertise of more than a decade of experience in car advertising, postproduction and CG technology. As a full-service CGI provider, ViewMasterCGI handles the complete image generation process - from mobile visualisation on location to final ready-for-print or Web file delivery.

Cologne-based Vision Unltd. Creative Worx is a full-service production company specialised in combining live action with 3D animation and CGI. VUCX works for clients such as Daimler, Audi, Asics, VW, EMI, Sony, McCann Erickson, Boss, and Procter & Gamble, to name just a few.

The company's 3D and CGI department has just finished CGI and 3D modeling for a new TV blockbuster directed by Joseph Vilsmaier about the Gustloff drama. VUCX recently won gold at the Comprix, the most important healthcare awards in Germany, and is also a finalist at the EACA Care Awards, both with social cinema spot 'Dignity'. Directed by Michael Schorr, VUCX worked with agency McCann Erickson Frankfurt for the project.

The company exclusively represents talent such as:

• Michael Schorr: feature film and commercial director, winner of the 'Best Director' award at the Biennale di Venezia in 2003.
• Andreas Nilsson: famous in the music business for visualising the music of The Knife, Moby, and Goldfrapp, he mixes 2D, 3D, stop-motion and film elements in his own unique style.