The MENTAH Blog http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog News and info for Amsteroiders Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:58:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Update from LA http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=172 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=172#comments Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:21:52 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=172 Hi Folks. I’ve been in LA since December, working in product development at Panavision. Thanks in part to a very short commute, I’ve been able to set aside quality extra time continuing the vfx for MENTAH, which currently stand at roughly 2/3 done. These days I’m telling folks maybe 2012 for completion. Perhaps now that the new generation of computers and software is out I can speed things up a bit. But mostly it’s just me being slow and thoughtful about it. I’m extremely happy with the quality and the look.

In January, I had brunch with Mike Russo in Hollywood. He’s looking well and working like a dog making that acting thing happen.

Brunch in Hollywood

russo-HWD

A  couple days ago Jared Withrow and George Valenta both wrote me on the same day just to check in. I love hearing from the Amsteroiders! I’ve posted links to some of Jared’s music and other stuff online. Here’s hoping you all are well and doing something you love!

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=172 0 The stuff is gone! http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=162 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=162#comments Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:59:54 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=162 Vfx post has progressed to where we have been able to completely empty the production storage unit…

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=162 0 Digital Compositing Intro http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=149 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=149#comments Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:02:51 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=149 A technical discussion introducing digital compositing technology.

A technical discussion introducing digital compositing technology.
]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=149 2 John’s SIGGRAPH ’09 post http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=147 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=147#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:44:48 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=147 From New Orleans:

Rather smallish compared to the LA version. Interesting what companies are and are not here. Yes, Google. No, Adobe. Laika had a booth listed in the program but apparently didn’t show up. Saw the exhibits in about three hours and walked to the French Quarter for lunch.

One fun aspect was the student/experimental installations on the third floor. I think my favorite item from the whole convention was the haptic umbrella. Oh, and then there was this item: http://www.ayu.ics.keio.ac.jp/~osawa/study.html

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=147 0 Thanks, Dave… http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=141 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=141#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:58:51 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=141 Documenting the Hostel locker on its way out to the A2 dump.

Documenting the Hostel locker on its way out to the A2 dump.

We’re gradually able to unburden ourselves of STUFF!

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=141 0 MENTAH Sounds of the Week http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=136 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=136#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:59:42 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=136 Sounds in the mode of AMSTEROID…

The Ice Castle by Kirsty Hawkshaw

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=136 0 James “LD” Taylor update http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=133 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=133#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:00:22 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=133 James writes:

Hello, my friends!

Well, if you haven’t heard, American Idol was a bust for myself and my sister.  We simply did not have the image that they wanted for Season 9.  When you watched the auditions, it was easy to see that they were casting certain types of people for their look rather than their talent, which is to expected for television.  A friend of ours, however, was what they were looking for, and I’m looking forward to her upcoming auditions until she reaches the celebrity judges.  If she makes it, I will certainly let all of you know who she is and when to watch!

A.I. is certainly not the last straw.  I am working on SEVERAL THINGS as of this moment.  I have been in contact with http://sho-towntv.com/ about being featured, and my audition will be posted later this week.  So, keep a look out!

I am also working on a couple different musical projects w/ local musicians/producers.  Acoustic, R&B, and continuing to work on music on my own as well.
I am available on MULTIPLE NETWORKING SITES!  You can find me almost anywhere online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/james_taylor_jr
MySpace: http://myspace.com/ldtaylor
FaceBook: http://facebook.com/jtaylorj
YouTube: http://youtube.com/tjamesk
AND NOW you can find my music blog on BLOGGER!
http://jamestaylorjrmusic.blogspot.com
If you’d like to share my blog at anytime (no obligation), there is a shortlink that I particular like.  http://bit.ly/jtjmusic

I hope you’ll continue to enjoy my music, and I will continue to enjoy your friendship.  However, if you’d like to removed from this list, simply reply and let me know.  NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

Thanks for your time, friends.

James Taylor, Jr.

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=133 0 Sunday brunch with Dave Hettmer http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=97 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=97#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:10:09 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=97 HettmerAut1

Dave Hettmer’s original role as sculptor has grown considerably.  He animated the neurons in the Noodle Exchange Cafe, which you can see in the teaser reel. Over the years, he’s taken on such a variety of tasks that he’s earned an Associate Producer credit. Over brunch today at the Aut Bar in Ann Arbor, we had a very casual discussion about the nature of mentah, the “reality management” technology at the center of the movie. The clip below is about 24 minutes.

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=97 0 MENTAH Sounds of the Week http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=90 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=90#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:21:44 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=90 Sounds in the mode of AMSTEROID…

Versions by Version

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=90 0 MENTAH Sounds of the Week http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=83 http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=83#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:19:06 +0000 johnhigbie http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?p=83 Sounds in the mode of AMSTEROID…

EPIC by Kenji Williams

]]> http://magicmentah.odd-angle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=83 0