Read at http://www.vfxworld.com/articles/article/powering-bollywoods-sci-fi-sensation/page/2,1
Endhiran (The Robot), a sci-fi extravaganza released at the beginning of this month, has been breaking all box office records in India, grabbing around $75 million to date. Directed by S. Shankar, Endhiran features superstar Rajinkanth in dual roles as science professor and super android robot. After nearly a decade of pre-production, the film was shot two years ago for a record $35 million, with a vfx budget of $12.5 million for 2,500 shots, also records. Meanwhile, the Sun Pictures release has been released simultaneously in three languages --Tamil, Hindi and Telugu -- another first. Mamta Narang recently interviewed V. Srinivas Murali Mohan, visual effects supervisor & CEO of Chennai-based Indian Artists Computer Graphics Pvt. Ltd.
Mamta Narang: Congratulations! How are you feeling now, after the release of Endhiran?
V. Srinivas Murali Mohan: Extremely happy. Everything has worked well. Everybody has worked hard: Rajnikanth (the highest paid actor in India), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan(former Miss World), S.Shankar, the director, Rathnavelu, the director of photography, Sabu Cyril, the art director, Alan Scott of Legacy Effects and the editor, Anthony Gonsalves.
MN: What was it like when you were first approached by S. Shankar for this opportunity of a lifetime?
SM: December 2007, he called me. I had already worked on three projects with him. I knew him. He described the project. He narrated the project to me for 4-5 hours and I didn't imagine any vfx work, I forgot vfx. I was imagining the movie only and enjoying that imagination. But, today, we have done it. We took one-one step every time.
MN: Do you have a comfortable association with S. Shankar?
SM: Yes, there is a deep understanding between us. I had done three projects with the [him] before doing Endhiran; namely, Boys, Anniyan and Sivaji in which we did digital skin frafting. Sivaji won the 2007 Indian National Award for Best Special Effects.
MN: You ventured into visual effects and computer graphics way back in 1989 itself. This is a futuristic vision. How the work scenario differed earlier and now?
SM: Earlier technology was tough. We used to type commands on DOS prompt and lots of parameters were needed to fill in. Now-a-days it's very easy for an artist to operate user friendly software and click the mouse button and an innovative and intelligent algorithm works in the background. There are many algorithms available. In India we have lots of talent. Sixty percent of the work done in the vfx field is done in India.
MN: What are the new technologies used on Endhiran?
SM: New in India, but not in Hollywood. We used animatronics. Out of the 62 scenes, we pre-visualized 40 scenes. Every scene of Endhiran has vfx work. Twenty-two scenes were done using animatronics done Legacy Effects, formerly Stan Winston Studio. For capturing the facial emotions and texture, we used the Dome Light Stage, a patented technique by Mr. Paul Debevec, also used on Avatar, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and the Spider-Man franchise. This Light Stage scanning helped in capturing high-resolution CG faces with tremendous details. Since the humanoid face had special makeup and shine, Paul Debevec did the scanning himself.
MN: What was the nature of the animation and vfx sequences?
SM: It's a mix. Some sequences like the climax, with the fire/burning robot and dancing robot were done in 3D. Some sequences like dual role (Scientist Vasi and Robot Chitti) were done using compositing and some sequences were a blend of 3D, animatronics and compositing.
MN: How many companies were involved in the vfx work of Endhiran?
SM: The majority of work was done in my studio, Indian Artists Computer Graphics Pvt. Ltd. Animatronics and special makeup were done by Legacy Effects from LA. Frankie Chung of Kinomotive studios Hong Kong and Eddy Wong of Menfond Electronics Arts & Computer Design of Hong Kong were also involved in the vfx supervision. There were also some freelancers from London, Canada, Iran, Germany, France and Hong Kong. Other Indian companies involved were Pixion Chennai, Vensat, Firefly Creative Studios, EFX Prasad Studios, Oysterr and Ocher Studios.
Read the full interview at http://www.vfxworld.com/articles/article/powering-bollywoods-sci-fi-sensation/page/2,1
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Last Drop
Dry wind whistles. It whistles due to friction it creates as it is devoid of any moisture. The raindrop fells swiftly. It is the last drop of water on the earth. It comes out from a minute cloud that probably has only one drop.
Humans across the globe are struggling - dying. There is no water left. Sun scorches.
With all their might, a few people are digging the old wells and the new wells. Though statistics claims water has been exhausted long ago, but they dig because they see the water - the mirage. The hallucination makes them happy. They are unaware. They are dying of thirst and they don't know that.
A month earlier people killed each other for water. Many of the families managed to save water bottles in lockers. Now family members fight among themselves.
3 to 4 days without water - enough to turn a person mad. People see sea around them. They have left houses. The AC works. It runs on solar power. It is cold inside and hot outside. For water, they are out on the streets. Under the bitter sun - people are wearing clothes and not wearing clothes. Those who are naked, are not burning the skin under the sun, they are swimming in the cold sea.
Some people have cut there body parts to drink their own blood.
There are no trees. The last leaf has been stolen from the tree museum an year ago. Animals too are non-existent. Only insects survive. Many new breads have taken birth on the dead humans.
The last drop is quivering. Who will have it? Where it will end up? Below, there are mad people all around. A few men, women and children have their tongue out to taste the raining water. Only one man in senses sees the trembling drop - the last drop.
Suddenly, wind gushed and ate it.
The little drop disintegrates in the dry wind. For a moment, it accepts the end, and henceforth trembles at the thought of being responsible for the end of the world. But, next moment, it recollects - 'only the last drop has the ability to save the earth. The mighty force of wind has broken it into many a small drops. The heart of drop fights with the mighty force. It fights and fights and collects all the minute drops, units them, becomes a round shape shining drop.
The drop fights till it leaves the clutches of wind.
It soars high in the sky, then into the space. The drop has never been out of earth but as if knows the path to take. It lands on mars. The last drop unites with many more drops. It forms a group and soars high again and collects more water drops from milky way and unknown planets. Then, the last drop pushes each drop to move in the direction of the earth.
A cloud is formed when the group of drops enters the earth's ecosystem. On a bright sunny day a big cloud envelops the earth and it rains.
People are unable to differentiate the real cloud and the imaginary cloud. They continue to enjoy the rain.
The last drop doesn't fell. It goes back and bring clouds continuously till all people are drenched. Moreover, it waits to fell on that man who had seen it quiver.
The little drop finds that man. He is dancing, rejoicing but still thirsty and waiting for that drop to reach out for him. People who have regained the senses are helping him, forcing him to drink and eat.
When he comes back to senses, the little drop fells on his head.
Humans across the globe are struggling - dying. There is no water left. Sun scorches.
With all their might, a few people are digging the old wells and the new wells. Though statistics claims water has been exhausted long ago, but they dig because they see the water - the mirage. The hallucination makes them happy. They are unaware. They are dying of thirst and they don't know that.
A month earlier people killed each other for water. Many of the families managed to save water bottles in lockers. Now family members fight among themselves.
3 to 4 days without water - enough to turn a person mad. People see sea around them. They have left houses. The AC works. It runs on solar power. It is cold inside and hot outside. For water, they are out on the streets. Under the bitter sun - people are wearing clothes and not wearing clothes. Those who are naked, are not burning the skin under the sun, they are swimming in the cold sea.
Some people have cut there body parts to drink their own blood.
There are no trees. The last leaf has been stolen from the tree museum an year ago. Animals too are non-existent. Only insects survive. Many new breads have taken birth on the dead humans.
The last drop is quivering. Who will have it? Where it will end up? Below, there are mad people all around. A few men, women and children have their tongue out to taste the raining water. Only one man in senses sees the trembling drop - the last drop.
Suddenly, wind gushed and ate it.
The little drop disintegrates in the dry wind. For a moment, it accepts the end, and henceforth trembles at the thought of being responsible for the end of the world. But, next moment, it recollects - 'only the last drop has the ability to save the earth. The mighty force of wind has broken it into many a small drops. The heart of drop fights with the mighty force. It fights and fights and collects all the minute drops, units them, becomes a round shape shining drop.
The drop fights till it leaves the clutches of wind.
It soars high in the sky, then into the space. The drop has never been out of earth but as if knows the path to take. It lands on mars. The last drop unites with many more drops. It forms a group and soars high again and collects more water drops from milky way and unknown planets. Then, the last drop pushes each drop to move in the direction of the earth.
A cloud is formed when the group of drops enters the earth's ecosystem. On a bright sunny day a big cloud envelops the earth and it rains.
People are unable to differentiate the real cloud and the imaginary cloud. They continue to enjoy the rain.
The last drop doesn't fell. It goes back and bring clouds continuously till all people are drenched. Moreover, it waits to fell on that man who had seen it quiver.
The little drop finds that man. He is dancing, rejoicing but still thirsty and waiting for that drop to reach out for him. People who have regained the senses are helping him, forcing him to drink and eat.
When he comes back to senses, the little drop fells on his head.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Last Drop
Dry wind whistles. It whistles due to friction it creates as it is devoid of any moisture. The raindrop fells swiftly. It is the last drop of water on the earth. It comes out from a minute cloud that probably has only one drop.
Humans across the globe are struggling - dying. There is no water left. Sun scorches.
With all their might, a few people are digging the old wells and the new wells. Though statistics claims water has been exhausted long ago, but they dig because they see the water - the mirage. The hallucination makes them happy. They are unaware. They are dying of thirst and they don't know that.
A month earlier people killed each other for water. Many of the families managed to save water bottles in lockers. Now family members fight among themselves.
3 to 4 days without water - enough to turn a person mad. People see sea around them. They have left houses. The AC works. It runs on solar power. It is cold inside and hot outside. For water, they are out on the streets. Under the bitter sun - people are wearing clothes and not wearing clothes. Those who are naked, are not burning the skin under the sun, they are swimming in the cold sea.
Some people have cut there body parts to drink their own blood.
There are no trees. The last leaf has been stolen from the tree museum an year ago. Animals too are non-existent. Only insects survive. Many new breads have taken birth on the dead humans.
The last drop is quivering. Who will have it? Where it will end up? Below, there are mad people all around. A few men, women and children have their tongue out to taste the raining water. Only one man in senses sees the trembling drop - the last drop.
Suddenly, wind gushed and ate it.
The little drop disintegrates in the dry wind. For a moment, it accepts the end, and henceforth trembles at the thought of being responsible for the end of the world. But, next moment, it recollects - 'only the last drop has the ability to save the earth. The mighty force of wind has broken it into many a small drops. The heart of drop fights with the mighty force. It fights and fights and collects all the minute drops, units them, becomes a round shape shining drop.
The drop fights till it leaves the clutches of wind.
It soars high in the sky, then into the space. The drop has never been out of earth but as if knows the path to take. It lands on mars. The last drop unites with many more drops. It forms a group and soars high again and collects more water drops from milky way and unknown planets. Then, the last drop pushes each drop to move in the direction of the earth.
A cloud is formed when the group of drops enters the earth's ecosystem. On a bright sunny day a big cloud envelops the earth and it rains.
People are unable to differentiate the real cloud and the imaginary cloud. They continue to enjoy the rain.
The last drop doesn't fell. It goes back and bring clouds continuously till all people are drenched. Moreover, it waits to fell on that man who had seen it quiver.
The little drop finds that man. He is dancing, rejoicing but still thirsty and waiting for that drop to reach out for him. People who have regained the senses are helping him, forcing him to drink and eat.
When he comes back to senses, the little drop fells on his head.
Humans across the globe are struggling - dying. There is no water left. Sun scorches.
With all their might, a few people are digging the old wells and the new wells. Though statistics claims water has been exhausted long ago, but they dig because they see the water - the mirage. The hallucination makes them happy. They are unaware. They are dying of thirst and they don't know that.
A month earlier people killed each other for water. Many of the families managed to save water bottles in lockers. Now family members fight among themselves.
3 to 4 days without water - enough to turn a person mad. People see sea around them. They have left houses. The AC works. It runs on solar power. It is cold inside and hot outside. For water, they are out on the streets. Under the bitter sun - people are wearing clothes and not wearing clothes. Those who are naked, are not burning the skin under the sun, they are swimming in the cold sea.
Some people have cut there body parts to drink their own blood.
There are no trees. The last leaf has been stolen from the tree museum an year ago. Animals too are non-existent. Only insects survive. Many new breads have taken birth on the dead humans.
The last drop is quivering. Who will have it? Where it will end up? Below, there are mad people all around. A few men, women and children have their tongue out to taste the raining water. Only one man in senses sees the trembling drop - the last drop.
Suddenly, wind gushed and ate it.
The little drop disintegrates in the dry wind. For a moment, it accepts the end, and henceforth trembles at the thought of being responsible for the end of the world. But, next moment, it recollects - 'only the last drop has the ability to save the earth. The mighty force of wind has broken it into many a small drops. The heart of drop fights with the mighty force. It fights and fights and collects all the minute drops, units them, becomes a round shape shining drop.
The drop fights till it leaves the clutches of wind.
It soars high in the sky, then into the space. The drop has never been out of earth but as if knows the path to take. It lands on mars. The last drop unites with many more drops. It forms a group and soars high again and collects more water drops from milky way and unknown planets. Then, the last drop pushes each drop to move in the direction of the earth.
A cloud is formed when the group of drops enters the earth's ecosystem. On a bright sunny day a big cloud envelops the earth and it rains.
People are unable to differentiate the real cloud and the imaginary cloud. They continue to enjoy the rain.
The last drop doesn't fell. It goes back and bring clouds continuously till all people are drenched. Moreover, it waits to fell on that man who had seen it quiver.
The little drop finds that man. He is dancing, rejoicing but still thirsty and waiting for that drop to reach out for him. People who have regained the senses are helping him, forcing him to drink and eat.
When he comes back to senses, the little drop fells on his head.
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