Surface Detail » Film

Sucker Punch Trailer Released

Ben — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:47:36 +0000

The trailer for Sucker Punch was released today, a film that I just wrapped up on recently. I was fortunate enough to have a few of my shots make it in to the trailer. Have a look for yourself.

New Reel

Ben — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:21:59 +0000

An updated showreel of mine can be seen over at benwalkerportfolio.com, or you can check it out on vimeo.

Legend of the Guardians Trailer Released

Ben — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:20:57 +0000

The trailer for the Legend of the Guardian’s is out, a film that I worked on for best part of the past year.

Open Letter To James Cameron

Ben — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:11:27 +0000

Lee Stranahan has written an open letter to director James Cameron urging him to comment on working conditions for many visual effects artists, casting the spotlight on the industry this awards season.

An excerpt;

“Like most people who work in the film, television and video game industries, visual effects artists love their jobs. They enjoy both the work itself and the ability to work on a daily basis with so many smart, creative and talented people. However, visual effects houses can be the best, most fun and high-tech sweatshops on earth. Visual effects artists typically work with no contract, no paid vacation, no benefits, and often no paid overtime. And because of the nature of the work health problems such as obesity, tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are common.”

(Thanks to Marcus for pointing me to this article).

Plastic AFI Nomination

Ben — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:58:43 +0000

More award nominations for the short film Plastic, this time for the Australia Film Institute under the category of Best Visual Effects going up against Australia, Death of the Megabeasts and Scorched. Congratulations to Sandy Widyanata and crew!

The Cat Piano

Ben — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:56:40 +0000

Another beautiful short by the People’s Republic of Animation. Watch in HD on vimeo.

District 9

Ben — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:13:49 +0000

Neill Blomkamp, director of District 9:

In certain cases a lot of those shots had been run through a VHS machine, which is hilarious. I told the effects guys, because we only did that after they delivered all of the finals. “I ran your shit through a VHS machine!” It works, though, because then it’s like “Fuck, that feels kind of real.” I think it’s just having both a complete respect for visual effects and a process for making them feel real and then at the same time disregarding them.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/42003

I really like the approach that Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp took with District 9. Visual effects have become so much of the spectacle of cinema we often forget about the actual role they play in good story telling, and I think a lot of directors forget this fact.

God of Small Things

Ben — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:50:37 +0000

Very cool and abstract video by Chris Abbas and Sumit Seru. Found via notcot.org.

SMH Article

Ben — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:24:41 +0000

I was asked a few weeks ago to do an interview for the Sydney Morning Herald. It’s a piece about animation in Sydney and can be read here. Pictured is yours truly (and Mumbles the penguin from Happy Feet, just in case you got the two confused).

‘Plastic’ Show and Tell

Ben — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:02:16 +0000

The short film Plastic that I was involved with in 2007 went on earlier this year to win the award for best visual effects in a student film. This is very much a big deal and a big congratulations goes out to director Sandy Widyanata and producer Courtney Cox.

The Australian chapter of the Visual Effects Society will be having a show and tell night regarding Plastic talking about the technologies and techniques behind the making of the film.

Where: Theatre 1, AFTRS, 130 Bent St, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney
When: Thursday 21st May, 6:30pm – 8pm

Places are limited to 120 seats and no RSVP is required.

I’ll be there along with the rest of the team and it should be a good night.