<DAZ_Biggie> We are very excited to welcome our guest today!
<DAZ_Biggie> Boyd Shermis is an Academy Award nominated visual effects Supervisor, who has worked on many films over the years.
<DAZ_Biggie> Welcome Boyd!
<DAZ_Biggie> to ask Boyd a question, send your question to QuestionBot as a private message by clicking "@QuestionBot" on the right hand side.
<bshermis> Thanks its great to be here!
<DAZ_Biggie> Well, let's get to some questions from our audience...
<MysticBlueRaven> What movie did you enjoy working on the most? How did you get started in the movie industry?
<bshermis> I would have to say, the most enjoyable experience was Ps and getting started is actally an interesting story, I took a job as purchasing agent at Apogee Productions.
<bshermis> and I started by doing commercials with Apogee
<bshermis> Some of the commercial directors started to make feature films, so I started to do that as well
<bshermis> Poseidon was my most enjoyable film
<DAZ_Biggie> Films completed to date include Speed, Batman Forever, Face/Off, Pushing Tin, Gone in 60 Seconds, Swordfish and Poseidon.
<maartenvs> Dear Boyd, what is your favorite movie and what is your favorite effect used in this movie?
<bshermis> I don't know if I could answer with a single favorite movie...probably the "Godfather"
<bshermis> But there are no visual effects in it!
<bshermis> I don't think I could label one as my single favorite...
<DAZ_Biggie> what are the top five?
<DAZ_Biggie> ;)
<bshermis> In this last year, I loved "The Illusionist", "Departed", "Blood Diamond", "Last Kind of Scottland" but none of these really have visual effects
<DAZ_Biggie> If you were to pick a favorite effect outside of actuially liking the film... or films you respect because of their effects?
<bshermis> Over the years, pictures that left impressions with me as visual effect movies, "Death Becomes Her"..."Star Wars" (all of them)
<bshermis> This years Pirates "Dead Mans Chest"
<bshermis> "Memento" was a favorite
<bshermis> Jurrassic Park, 1 and 2 were incredibly impressive, just mind blowing impressive at the time.
<Cdlzt> are you enjoying Helping to bringing so many great superhero's to the big screen?
<DAZ_Biggie> to ask Boyd a question, send your question to QuestionBot as a private message by clicking "@QuestionBot" on the right hand side.
<bshermis> I'll answer yes, very much actually. Its always a challenge to help define these characters. Unfortumately I haven't been able to complete any of these films, but I'm happy to help get them off of the ground
<bshermis> One of these days i hope to complete one of those films. Its on my list of things to do
<Kuanbyr> What type of things do you do when you are creating characters?
<bshermis> The things that I've had to do,..Wonderwoman and Catwoman, I was asked to define their motion to define them as characters...
<bshermis> like, what does Catwoman do, how does she move, that makes her who she is.
<bshermis> I studied cat movements and then applied them to catwoman
<bshermis> Same thing with wonderwoman, trying to define her signature moves, so that you know "thats wonderwoman" because of the way she moves, kicks ass, etc.
<DAZ_Biggie> Would you say that the movement is the most defining characteristic of a given character?
<bshermis> Yes, the style of motion. Superman had a super powered nemesis that had the same powers that superman had, but had a completely different way of moving. The fought and moved completely differently
<ghost_13> how many people are usually involved in getting a finished piece into a film and how do they keep from tripping over each other while working on parts?
<bshermis> On average, I've got about eight people in my department, and on average there are probably about a dozen people who touch it, depending on the shot
<bshermis> They usually have discipline and don't get in each others way
<bshermis> I design the shot, I define how we're going to do it how to make it work, and then I set about giving it to a certain group of people , but I let them decide how they want to accomplish it
<bshermis> as long as it meets my expectations
<bshermis> and then I review it
<bshermis> I use the most time consuming techniques for getting things right, so I'm very rigorous, always trying to push the envelope. Keeps it interesting
<Cdlzt> is there any superhero you would like to help bring to the big screen more than any other?
<bshermis> Theres one that I would like to work on, a group actually, "The Watchmen"
<bshermis> Its a graphic novel
<Cdlzt> who in your specific field of expertise do you look up to most?
<bshermis> John Dykstar
<bshermis> when I first started he was the President at Apogee, and hes been a mentor of mine for many years.
<bshermis> Jonathon Erland is another
<bshermis> there are others work that I admire, like Dennis Muran, John Knoll..
<Kuanbyr> What type of tools do you use to create the special effects in the movies that you have worked on?
<bshermis> Just about every tool that exists. We quite literally use almost every kind of software and hardware that you can imagine
<bshermis> We employ hundreds of different applications and machines
<Splurt> What's your favourite visual effect?
<bshermis> My personal favorite was my very own opening shot of "Poseidon"
<Cdlzt> is there any effect in any movie that you look at and think "wow, wish i had beeen the one to do that!"
<DAZ_Biggie> to ask Boyd a question, send your question to QuestionBot as a private message by clicking "@QuestionBot" on the right hand side.
<bshermis> As far as recent work, theres the Davy Jones character from "Dead Mans Chest"
<bshermis> also some work in "Day After Tomorrow" and of course the Jurassic Park series, and "Spiderman 2"
<LeChatDesigns> Do you think the advanced CGI programs and capabilities create unrealistic expectations from the movie industry? For example, the sheer volume of output expected from artists? Afterall, double expressos can only keep you up so many days. ;)
<bshermis> I think in terms of the time frames in which they expect them, is unreasonable. Every time they impose unreasonable expectations, we seem to meet them, so they just want it more.
<Kuanbyr> How hard was it to do the FX for Gone in 60 Seconds for Elenores jump on the bridge?
<bshermis> For its time it was very difficult because we did it at 4K resolution
<bshermis> and we did ray tracing for the vehicle
<bshermis> those were 52 hours per frame renders
<maartenvs> Boyd have you ever done a visual effect of which you thought well that did not work at all when you saw the final movie?
<DAZ_Biggie> to ask Boyd a question, send your question to QuestionBot as a private message by clicking "@QuestionBot" on the right hand side.
<bshermis> Yes! There was a shot in "Cradle 2 the Grave" (sigh)...
<bshermis> in almost every movie theres always atleast one effect that I'm not 100% satisfied with. Usually more than one.
<bshermis> Its usually a matter of not having enough time.
<DAZ_Biggie> (note:) Boyd is not fond of his work on Cradle 2 the Grave... ;)
<DAZ_Biggie> the project was rushed and underbudgeted
<debb6425> First of all, congratulations on your achievements and thank you for speaking with us today. What do you find to be the most challenging when directing commercials?
<bshermis> Thanks! I find dealing with advertisement agencies the most challenging aspect of commercials
<darthuv> Where would you like to see visual effect improve in the future? (i.e. particles, physics, and the like)
<bshermis> they usually don't have their stuff together
<bshermis> The challenge of the water for example on Poseidon was something I always wanted to do. Be able to capture or manage water
<bshermis> The idea of getting smoke atmospherics are a bit of a challenge and I enjoy doing them
<Kuanbyr> How hard was it to do the water effects in Poseidon?
<bshermis> One of the ahrdest things we've ever had to do. We had to write new software
<MADMANMIKE> How does one stand out in a field where hundreds of artists collaborate in some part on the FX of a film? Is it a matter of supervisors word of mouth to eachother and the studios?
<bshermis> To a great extent, yes it is. for me, I like to work direcetly with artists as much as I can. And those artists will stand out if they go out of there way to do good work. I see if they go out of there way, and I recommend them to other people
<Sarsa> What are you working on currently?
<bshermis> working on a movie called "The Invasion"
<bshermis> More of a favor for Warner Brothers than anything
<DAZ_Biggie> that's the Zombie thing, right?
<bshermis> ye
<bshermis> yes
<maartenvs> did the Apogee you worked for also work on computer games or is there another company with the same name that did that?
<bshermis> Different company, same name
<DAZ_Biggie> to ask Boyd a question, send your question to QuestionBot as a private message by clicking "@QuestionBot" on the right hand side.
<FrederickRM> Forgive me if this has already been asked and answered: What is your primary software and do you use some to get things done faster when you are budget-restrained?
<bshermis> I don't actually do any of the shots myself, so I don't use a particular piece of software. In the course of my day, I use Digital Fusion a lot, Velocity HD a lot
<DAZ_Biggie> I have to tell you all that Boyd is in the middle of a shoot right now, scanning a blackhawk helicopter... so, he's really doing us a favor ;)
<bshermis> I use photoshop, probably my biggest is digital fusion
<DAZ_Biggie> we have him on the phone and he has to keep telling people to get out of the way of the scan... just thought you'd like to know since you can't hear him
<DAZ_Biggie> most of his answers are coming between talking to other folks on the set...
<LacyClagg> Whats your favorite theme to work with?
<bshermis> I guess I like action-dramas. I like them all, though
<bshermis> I laughed at "Borat"..
<FrederickRM> So what do you REALLY like to work on in your "spare time" :-)
<bshermis> My latest passion? Scuba diving skills, working on my house, my sons education and happiness, I work on my culinary skills, and I work on my girlfriend shoulders
<bshermis> =)
<Kuanbyr> Are things like Scanning Full sized aircraft and vehicles done often?
<bshermis> More and more, yes. In my work, I scan almost everything. Every set, everything that I'm working on that I'm applying to a visual effect. If I have the opportunity to scan it, I will.
<DAZ_Biggie> to ask Boyd a question, send your question to QuestionBot as a private message by clicking "@QuestionBot" on the right hand side.
<bshermis> Its because, it allows me to place the camera anywhere, and It lets me see where the live action camera is, and I can hook up to it anytime, any way
<DAZ_Biggie> Do you have an agent or someone that handles business for you, or do you do that on your own?
<bshermis> I do have an agent
<DAZ_Biggie> How does that work for you?
<bshermis> Every once and awhile, I get upset with my agent, but most of the time it works out great.
<DAZ_Noltar> What would you say is the most difficult part of your work? And what is the most rewarding part?
<bshermis> The most difficult part is the 24/7 nature of it
<bshermis> the most rewarding part is seeing the work on the screen, and knowing that its there forever
<FrederickRM> Does your "crew" vary in size with each project or do you have a standard bunch that works on each one?
<bshermis> My departmental crew is normally the same on each one. But the artists fluctuate with the size of the show
<bshermis> I have a departmental crew of about eight. Its fairly constant
<Kuanbyr> I am building a 3d scanner right now so I am wondering if the ones that you are using do the full 360 scan or multiple scans then you stitch them together to get your full 360 scan.
<bshermis> It is capable of 360, its a lieca scanner.
<bshermis> Its capable of a full 360, but usually we're targeting one object, and we're trying to get it from all angles
<rickei> Do you take much time off between projects, or are you constantly working
<DAZ_Biggie> to ask Boyd a question, send your question to QuestionBot as a private message by clicking "@QuestionBot" on the right hand side.
<bshermis> I usually take atleast three months off between projects
<DAZ_Biggie> hang on, briefly while Boyd takes care of some stuff on set...
<DAZ_Biggie> We only have a few minutes left, so please, if you have any questions get them in now. :)
<FrederickRM> How do you do a 360 scan of a Helicopter? Lift it with a crane?
<bshermis> We're doing it on a tripod mount and we're doing it from eight advantage points
<DAZ_Biggie> Can you tell us a little about how Lidar works?
<bshermis> it works by sending out a series of laser points, and as it reflects off the surface of an object, its read by the scanner as a point in space.
<bshermis> And those literally millions of points can be defined as a mesh
<DAZ_Biggie> what are some of the limitations of scanning? Is there sometimes too much geometry to work with effectively?
<bshermis> theres never too much geometry!
<bshermis> other limitations, I don't see limitations at all, in fact, the scanning frees us of limitations
<DAZ_Biggie> so there's never a case when you need to reduce poly count, etc?
<bshermis> Occasionally we'll reduce poly count, but I like to do that selectively,not arbitrarally
<bshermis> its a rare instance when I tell someone to lose detail. I don't care how long it takes
<DAZ_Biggie> Primarily because it's all pre-rendered anyway, right?
<bshermis> ye
<bshermis> yes
<FrederickRM> When you scan like this, does it read the textures as well as the mesh?
<bshermis> its reading the surface detail, but its not reading a texturable map
<bshermis> I capture those with high res photographs
<rickei> how has software like Shake or DigitalFusion, changed the process of making movies?
<bshermis> Its allowed individual artists to participate, I would say.
<bshermis> its a team of artists that collaborate on individual challenges
<DAZ_Biggie> Well, once again, our time together has come to an end
<DAZ_Biggie> anything you'd like to add, Boyd?
<bshermis> My philosophy about doing visual effects and making movies, is shooting for stars and ultimately settling for the moon.
|
