tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67154482012-02-06T15:53:14.179-08:00The Walshmannoreply@blogger.comBlogger2751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-32071255082186390272011-10-17T20:29:00.000-07:002011-10-17T20:35:51.037-07:00

So the other night on-set I met this dude named Guy Roland who is a set dresser working on feature films in Vancouver and he's behind this cool little short all constructed out of digital still photography and a formalist idea of framing objects in the camera. An interesting way to explore a place and certainly shows off Vancouver well. Guy had his personal copy of "District 9" on DVD with him

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-79925960188595633222011-09-06T08:31:00.000-07:002011-09-06T08:42:44.123-07:00

BBC The Iraqi Oil Minister from Mato Atom on Vimeo.I came across this video while I was reviewing artist portfolios and thought it was a really well conceived little piece. Amazing and fun to marry the imagery to the voice. Especially the use of a wide, open space with the wind blowing as a back-drop for the abstractions that are placed within it! Such a sad reality this fellow has lived and to

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-90995454327853969162011-08-17T22:25:00.000-07:002011-08-17T22:26:24.433-07:00

Google "Trying not to be evil" from Patrick Clair on Vimeo.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-18628069753107648702011-04-14T08:02:00.000-07:002011-04-14T08:10:31.727-07:00

GRACIAS LUISMA! Que fantastico! Ya tengo 41 años, y todavia soy un niño!! JA! JA!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-55141329157287886632011-01-01T15:54:00.000-08:002011-01-01T15:59:13.651-08:00

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-297681635502778742010-06-04T23:12:00.000-07:002010-06-04T23:14:13.001-07:00

Possibly the greatest explanation of visual effects shooting methodology I have yet to see... Watch and learn!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-32522567383267770782009-12-04T22:45:00.000-08:002009-12-04T23:18:38.229-08:00

One Minute Soundsculpture from Daniel Franke on Vimeo.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-53606414614298044192009-05-30T20:05:00.000-07:002009-05-30T20:17:29.998-07:00

Okay, so this skit is basically my work life to an alarming degree of accuracy. In fact, it is so accurate I can't even come up with a quick-witted humorous comment of my own to up the anti! As the point man for client negotiations at a visual effects vendor I have simply lost count of the number of times I have had someone boldly say in one way or another "you are going to do this for free for

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-42657827337339476602009-05-08T23:06:00.000-07:002009-05-08T23:08:33.871-07:00

Here's a new "District 9" poster! This fella is looking pretty brawny - for a prawn! I think the PR folks actually used one of Image Engine's renders of the mother ship back there! Looks like it anyway... Cool!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-6441135044840299502009-05-08T22:57:00.000-07:002009-05-30T20:18:00.857-07:00

I know it is still two months away, but with the not so subtle hints of summer everywhere you look these days (and the certain knowledge that I will be up at ungodly hours all summer with a new born!) I am drawn to check in on this year's Grand Tour. Last year's tour was some amazing cycling and outstanding entertainment. Especially when you're up so early you can catch all of it live before work

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-26560151191694998322009-05-01T07:22:00.000-07:002009-05-30T20:18:40.991-07:00

In late January of 2008, I got a call from Neill Blomkamp's assistant Victoria Burkhart about bidding on the visual effects for Neill's directorial debut. At that time it was a loose story entitled "Project X" that really only existed as a treatment and a whole lot of concept designs executed for the most part at Weta Workshop. Neill and I had crossed paths many times having been in the

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-77607902830789307432009-04-29T23:58:00.000-07:002009-04-30T00:05:25.565-07:00

So, I was in one of my local "video rental stores" recently (that statement probably dates me, but who cares... God, I did College Radio back in the day, and Chuck's are still cool, but I digress...) and immediately as I walked in heard some amazing, sophisticated, lo-fi recording. I know that sounds like a contradiction in terms. Lo-fi is not supposed to be sophisticated. But, I don't know,

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-84971244990636794762009-04-10T23:53:00.000-07:002009-04-10T23:56:01.029-07:00

“It was by far the most content I’ve ever been,” he said. “My bike was a piece of junk. I had nowhere to go, no place to be. Didn’t have anyone telling me what to do. If I felt like lying on the side of the road, I did.”Click here to read more about our man en Le Tour this year.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-22211179259637849542008-10-14T20:10:00.000-07:002008-10-14T21:50:18.450-07:00

VeniceUploaded by xanekomotionThe first person I met when Meg and I arrived in Los Angeles in 2005 was a friend of a friend named Raul Sanchez Ortego. "El Moro" to his amigos. The bizarre and wonderful thing was that we were introduced via cybernectic means by Luisma Lavin Peredo a great friend of mine from España. Luisma knew that both Raul and I were moving to L.A. at about the same time. More

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-57904674232900498002008-08-12T08:08:00.000-07:002008-08-14T08:31:20.212-07:00

Although today started off a bit slow (a blessing really given the late night before courtesy of Autodesk!) it really started to pick up late morning and the conference and job fair areas were really humming. I dropped by a few booths and things while it was quiet just to check things out before the madness began. I was suitably impressed with what BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT is trying to do - 2500

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-47150026855813009622008-08-11T07:57:00.000-07:002008-08-13T08:08:07.995-07:00

I thought it might be interesting to jot down a few notes on this year's SIGGRAPH experience. Now, granted I have not been too much of a contributor over the years and you'd think that I would have been loads more, however, this will only be my third trip. However, I am excited because this year Image Engine will have a real presence at SIGGRAPH. The studio is represented by about 8 people: John

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-67122466555893354072008-08-10T14:41:00.000-07:002008-08-10T14:47:13.669-07:00

Normally, the end of July and the beginning of August in Vancouver are the most reliably dry time of year. This year, something different. We had gorgeous unseasonably warm weather at the end of June and beginning of July. And thus, in late July and early August we've had some much needed rain. I am sure the crops will be better off for it! Yet, of course there is the odd bit of pooh-poohing

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-78793852836728999942008-07-17T22:13:00.000-07:002008-07-17T22:24:31.438-07:00

Every once in a while a film trailer is released that returns me to the days when as a young teenager I "discovered" the cinema. I remember that absolute thrill of anticipation during the "coming attractions" at the theatre that ran in front of the feature presentation. What will be coming out next? Now the experience seems cluttered with "trivia" which is really moronic and dull slides. Call me

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-13640192504094682562008-07-05T19:53:00.000-07:002008-07-06T16:52:35.491-07:00

It's that time of year again! Ah yes... the storied history of the racing bicycle, the gorgeous landscape of the most cultured country on earth, the triumph of shear personal will against intolerable amounts of self-inflicted pain... And performance enhancing drugs, of course. I can remember watching the Tour de France "recaps" on CBC Sports Television as a kid, during Greg Lemond's era, and

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-68093029735423883982008-07-03T23:29:00.001-07:002008-07-03T23:35:16.957-07:00

This is positively the silliest thing I have seen in years - and I love it. Check it out - you'll smile - I promise.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-21086352206226141892008-04-18T15:49:00.000-07:002008-04-18T15:51:26.340-07:00

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-32980549470515920542008-04-08T08:07:00.000-07:002008-04-08T08:13:35.951-07:00

Hey! Check out this interesting photostream. Definitely not your run of the mill web photography here folks! Some gorgeous colour work here.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-45002170133411925762007-12-24T23:59:00.000-08:002008-07-03T23:27:45.658-07:00

Here we are again at that pivotal time of year. The hard-working dark days of November and December have come and gone and the holiday season is upon us! I will be working off-and-on throughout the season, but still I am hoping for some serious R&R at times. I am not a religious man, at least not in the western god fearing Christian sense - but the mixed up Jewish, Catholic, slyly sexy "

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-91684500445574107712007-12-17T09:26:00.000-08:002008-01-02T22:27:38.028-08:00

Well, it is that time of year again... The time that I invariably catch the remarkable, incomparable Jimmy Stewart in one of his landmark roles for the big screen, Frank Capra's 1946 masterpiece "It's a Wonderful Life." I am working on a film right now that requires visual effects to provide "snow augmentation" so as I flipped channels and came across this marvelous film, I initially just stopped

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-72886030771884761742007-12-11T20:26:00.000-08:002007-12-11T20:49:01.137-08:00

Remember "The Red Violin?" An amazing Canadian film from Don McKellar? Check out this sequence. It came up in a pitch meeting recently. About 4 minutes into the clip you the see the red violin stationary in the frame while many different players and settings fade in and out again. Ori Ben-Shabat and I were pitching some ideas for titles for a new client. We wanted to present the idea of a

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-75601247769212315162007-10-05T22:29:00.000-07:002007-10-06T08:05:21.379-07:00

So I am off to The Big Smoke again. Second time this year. Hard to believe. I will be in London from October 11th until the 16th conducting interviews and seeing some future clients for Image Engine. I am not looking forward to the travel really, I never do, but it will be interesting to spend some time in Soho again. See a few mates, etc. Man, how the circumstances have changed. I spent about 2

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-32733176743099950262007-09-30T22:04:00.000-07:002007-10-02T22:21:44.378-07:00

Autumn. I love this time of year. There's a moment in the fall when you realize that summer has truly passed. Maybe you hadn't noticed the crimson creeping into the scene, or a smell in the air... And then, it hits you. It is a melancholy moment, but strangely you nearly always look forward to it, and are glad when it transpires. Perhaps it happens via a gust of wind that carries with it a

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-15364455296950351052007-09-22T13:49:00.000-07:002007-10-21T14:01:04.194-07:00

My long time buddy and fellow U.B.C. Fine Arts alumni Ben Reeves has just had a very successful show in Toronto at Jessica Bradley Art + Projects. This work represents a virtuoso impressionist influenced splash of colour an texture from Vancouver's painters' painter. I'll leave the rest of the pontificating to this well written review from The Globe and Mail.Smoke and cream pie: the ultimate

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-874176705580761522007-09-17T23:04:00.000-07:002007-09-28T22:58:59.744-07:00

PRESS RELEASEWalshman Sustains Pre-G.W. Injuries, Survives!Vancouver, B.C.In a dramatic incident not unlike the 2005 Yan Ulrich pre-Tour training crash, it was confirmed today that local Vangroovey Clydesdale Class road cycling champion "The Walshman" sustained non-life threatening injuries during a routine training lap of the city's storied Stanley Park.Having jostled with morning commuter

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-84570858357122275132007-09-14T22:54:00.000-07:002007-09-14T23:03:24.972-07:00

The official film website is up now for "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium." The shot pictured here is one that I supervised on-set with Raymond Gieringer from Intelligent Creatures and was composited by Ian Fellows. This show has been a long haul for Image Engine and had its fair share of ups and downs as most projects do, but overall I am really glad to have been a part of it. I can't wait to see

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-9257497041130252592007-09-13T23:10:00.001-07:002007-09-13T23:23:51.758-07:00

Every once in a while I will catch a few moments of a film on television in the evening, and somewhat rarely these days, I am inspired. Although in summation, Tim Burton's take on "Sleepy Hollow" didn't live up to my expectations... The rushed and somewhat silly ending, the odd choice of jokey lines here and there... When I see it now I almost always respond the same way. "God, that's gorgeous!"

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-29192686864580565622007-06-15T21:00:00.000-07:002007-05-27T12:47:30.567-07:00

So Image Engine has finished up a small selection of shots for the upcoming 20th Century Fox release "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer." Basically a 911 job (we were the last and smallest of all the visual effects vendors chosen to work on the film), but I think it is the highest profile work the studio has ever undertaken - unless perhaps "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" turns out to be

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-4407438431954610352007-06-03T15:23:00.000-07:002007-08-12T13:37:50.119-07:00

Madrid... What can I say? I feel like I know the city a little bit now that we have been there quite often and it seems to be like another possible home... Yet, as evidenced by Meg's father's cousin Marcelino's tour of central Madrid - I don't. One night during our stay we went out for an evening stroll and tapas with Marcelino and it was illuminating to say the least. This is the kind of thing

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-82251178250063581422007-06-01T15:34:00.000-07:002007-07-10T22:23:27.789-07:00

I have always found London a inviting place - gentile you might say! - though complicated by expense (it is as horrendous as people say) and a preponderance of bureaucratic civility! Of course, when living in The Big Smoke as opposed to traveling through as tourist your feelings change as you get on with the rigors of daily life. Much of London is grim. Dirty and sullen on dark winter days with

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-78197485931387010532007-05-31T15:16:00.000-07:002007-05-26T20:38:32.608-07:00

All right my lovely UK people, after two years away from the smelly streets of Soho, The Walshman will once again be in your midst - however briefly! I am passing through on holiday. Join me for a warm pint and a bag 'o crisps at The Dog and Duck public house, located on the corner of Bateman and Frith Streets, Soho, 8PM or thereabouts, May 31st!!!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-54021508188172008882007-05-30T10:12:00.000-07:002007-02-20T10:12:48.338-08:00

Meg, her Mother, Mateo & I are coming to London! For 4 days in late May - arriving the 30th - before we head on to España for 2 weeks of R&R in and around Madrid.WE NEED A HOTEL RECOMMENDATION! We are attending a wedding in South Kensington, and we would like to have Mateo close to one of London's great parks, so we would like to be in the Notting Hill / Holand Park area... But we're open to

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-87572439483812851812007-05-23T15:14:00.000-07:002007-05-21T15:26:02.254-07:00

Okay people - I hope to see you at The Beachwood (intersection of Washington Blvd & Abbot Kinney) at 9pm on Wednesday. The place should still offer some good atmosphere despite the lack of our esteemed colleague Mr. DLG (who I might add is still living in London of all places - rumour has it he has cut his hair and is wearing a beret). I am sure by now Mark has fallen in love with a Spanish

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-71027799425845332372007-05-11T19:35:00.000-07:002007-05-21T11:14:37.456-07:00

Monday4:00am - wake up feeling like a rock star (even though at this stage I am strangely not hung-over) and can't get Bon Jovi's "Dead or Alive" out of my head for some reason, too many episodes of "American Idol"4:30am - Robin Hackl picks me up in The Batmobile (his suped-up Audi A6 Avant) and we head to the airport6:00am - on the flight to Toronto I watch "Children of Men" on the 5X8 inch LCD

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-44540700796166005982007-03-02T21:03:00.000-08:002007-03-03T09:29:59.949-08:00

Every once in a while this happens to me: I remember something. Strange though it may sound. It is true. Even though it feels lately like I have maxed out on gray matter: every new piece of information replaces an old one! Something bubbles up from the recesses of my mind... Today I remembered the short story of the small part I had in creating the image posted here. This is a famous photograph

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-40480268142982960872007-02-23T08:04:00.000-08:002007-05-21T20:52:46.022-07:00

Rick Mercer is up to his usual fine level of comedy regarding tax season in Canada. The thing is - he not far off at all! As you may know I have traveled extensively since about 2003, nearly always working my ass off during the travel. This has created an inevitable trickle down of difficulties when filing taxes. Now, I have been 'good about it' always filing... Or so I thought! And paying good

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-70408308849154411512007-02-13T14:14:00.000-08:002007-02-13T21:08:26.568-08:00

Trent Carlson and Andrew Currie are at Anagram Pictures! Thanks to all those who replied to my desperate call for help. No need to mention any names. Kevin Gamble! Kevin, you may be sly, resourceful and clever - but that doesn't mean you're not still... a jerk!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-3139471452664372232007-02-12T10:43:00.000-08:002007-02-12T10:45:17.346-08:00

Fire up the long range Walshman-radar people! Does anyone have contact info for these two Canuck directors? I met Andrew Currie and Trent Carlson back in the day at Mainframe Entertainment, but they are both currently A.W.O.L. from The Walshman's contact list! So help a brutha out and pass them on to me if you can my people. And Thank You!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-87448828877586627802007-02-01T20:05:00.000-08:002007-01-17T08:01:46.524-08:00

Join The Walshman for drinks and L.A. style posh tapas at The Beachwood in Venice Beach (Abbot Kinney and Washington Blvd.) on Thursday, February 1st, 2007 in the evening. I am in town for the B.C. Film Commission's Digital Post-Production Trade Mission and will need some serious R&R after a major chin-wag session in Hollywood. I was thinking why not head down to the Ole drinkin' hole while I am

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-86847960080866714052007-01-17T15:13:00.000-08:002007-01-19T11:29:13.938-08:00

The visual effects for television department at Image Engine is seeking at least 2 senior compositors. Interested folks should contact Jason Gross, Visual Effects Supervisor = jgross@image-engine.com and/or Christopher Mossman, Head of TV = christopher@image-engine.com. Send in the usual supporting material - demo reel and C.V. etc. These positions are longer term contracts (shorter term

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-83091002385987714662006-12-25T08:14:00.000-08:002006-12-26T09:55:42.144-08:00

Click here to see some photos of the recent wind damage in Stanley Park caused by the winter storms we have had roll through the Vancouver area. I have to say that aside from the real obvious danger to people I absolutely love it when Mother Nature gets her knickers in a twist and fires some old fashioned turmoil our way. The wind storm that caused this damage was probably the worst I can

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-77756238101859211122006-12-06T22:34:00.000-08:002006-12-06T22:46:07.832-08:00

Click here to read about a huge new volume highlighting the work of visionary artist and Star Wars conceptual designer Ralph McQuarrie. The singular impact on pop-culture of this one artist can not be understated. He is undoubtedly responsible directly or indirectly for inspiring many of Hollywood's top film makers and visual effects practitioners. I can certainly remember as a kid basically

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-29762841139117496892006-11-30T21:34:00.000-08:002006-11-30T21:41:34.262-08:00

Check this craziness out. A truly stunning project. Thanks to Rita Kunzler for passing along this link! Here's the blurb from creator Greg Downing:Hi,After a few years of work I have finally posted some of the gigapixel photography that I have been creating with my business partner and buddy Eric Hanson and I thought it would be a good time to let my friends and colleagues know about it. I

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-32319599483282519382006-11-29T21:01:00.000-08:002006-12-05T08:22:42.243-08:00

Well no-one really expected this! A massive (by west coast standards mind you) snow storm has rolled over southern B.C. this week. This is the view off of my back sundeck looking pretty much due east at Mount Seymour. Those three peaks you can see are called "The Pumps." Although this has meant all the usual crippling fallout around town with people and infrastructure basically not dealing

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1164730442605834222006-11-28T01:46:00.000-08:002006-11-28T13:45:25.760-08:00

After much delay and general phaffing about the annual event that all those in the "Bryden Closed Circuit Audience" anxiously await each year of finally happened! The 2006 Gentleman's Weekend! Now, for those of you not in the know here is the brief history. Eight years ago my buddy Pat Bryden got married and invited friends from all corners of his life to a brief "Gentleman's Weekend" prior

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1162331977303063472006-10-31T13:54:00.000-08:002006-10-31T14:12:22.400-08:00

Saturday October 28, 2006As last year’s winners, the UBC varsity men held poll position for this year’s 5km long Head of the Gorge. Last year’s crew was expected to win with a roster that included Olympians Ben Rutledge, Kyle Hamilton and Rob Weitemeyer. This year the T-Bird lineup was totally new, save for veteran Ben Dove as seven athletes and their coxswain were lost to graduation."I know that

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1158286006575568992006-10-29T19:06:00.000-08:002006-10-29T22:22:24.543-08:00

With a great rush of wind and no lack of Mother Nature's enthusiam autumn has blown its way into our lives on the rainy twilight coast of Vancouver. How beautiful it is too! Although I can't say that I relish the thought of the coming "shoulder seasons" of rain before and after the snow, and therefore mountain amusement, makes its annual appearance, I am more than happy to usher in the coming

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1161108732385198422006-10-17T11:02:00.000-07:002006-10-18T17:49:00.533-07:00

So this post is all about supporting the community... Responding to the call for help and all that (Walshman of and for the people!). I received this email from a former visual effects supervisor I worked with on "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" Paddy Eason. Apparently, ole Paddy is in a bit of a pickle personnel-wise. Paddy now works from the United Kingdom office of Rainmaker

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1161108092332813732006-10-17T08:59:00.000-07:002006-10-17T11:01:32.446-07:00

Well, of course, everyone knows how much I love La Megcita! But no, it is not that vixen I speak of today... I am speaking of that dark elixir that (aside from the above stated love) fuels my existance these days. Never before have I appreciated its magical ways the way that I do now. When 5 hours of sleep counts as a "full night's rest!" I can not describe the cravings I have for that warm

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1160705401050607902006-10-12T18:44:00.000-07:002006-10-12T19:12:36.250-07:00

It is with great warmth in my heart that I say congratulations to my favourite Caribbean Frenchman and former flat-mate in London the one and only Jean-Paul "The Black Pepper" Rovela! That most enigmatic and indefinable of all computer graphics artists has gained more than a little self-definition in getting married! C'est formidable!!! I suppose this is as good a forum as any to relate the

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1159512663978864642006-09-28T23:07:00.000-07:002006-09-28T23:53:00.126-07:00

Check out this cool spot. A simple but charming idea and a very nice employment of visual effects. I love the way the gathering weight of this snowball is related in the animation. Slightly spongey, but still heavy. Spots are intriguing to me. I have sort have become "a film guy" by virtue of the last few years of work and it is interesting how you can get labeled like that when the core

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1158286079607647702006-09-14T19:07:00.000-07:002006-09-14T20:02:32.146-07:00

Click here to see the specs on my stupid new fancy television. For whatever reason I have never spent any money on a television. This is literally the first one when the price tag raised my eyebrows. I know, I know... Crazy to imagine in my profession that I wouldn't put any value in one. I used to spend (still do really) so much time at the studio and I guess I always preferred the cinema to

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1155533670620804882006-08-13T21:56:00.000-07:002006-08-18T06:33:44.690-07:00

When I saw that RES Magazine had finally placed Neill Blomkamp on their "Top Ten Up and Coming" list of graphics artists/directors sometime last year I knew that eventually the chap would break out of the local scene in a major way. Well, directing "Halo" ought to qualify! The news indeed traveled fast around the Vancouver visual effects and post-production scene that Neill had been awarded the

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1153925926426640192006-07-26T07:57:00.000-07:002006-07-26T23:53:26.396-07:00

Could you have really asked for anything more entertaining in the great wide world of professional cycling than this year's Tour De France? GAWD! It was awesome... The surprise "ban" announcement just prior to the start opened the field to unlikely competitors for the yellow jersey, the early sprints were exciting, a total long shot Oscar Pereiro takes nearly 30 minutes on the yellow jersey in

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1153810547139043732006-07-24T23:50:00.000-07:002006-07-25T19:43:21.953-07:00

Ah yes... The ole "fake news post." In fact, a favourite past time of mine. Alas, I can't take credit for this barrel of laughs. Although I never reveal my sources, I will say that yes, "the author" has lived in Germany, owned a Ford Explorer, and married a baker. As dreadful a reality as that may seem. And now, the hilarity!Vancouver Sun Thursday July 20, 2006Mainframe Entertainment and

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1153035088287997882006-07-16T00:19:00.000-07:002006-07-16T00:34:05.966-07:00

Ever since I realised I didn't know more than the first verse to "Twinkle Light Star" I have been thinking about how parents sing all these little songs to their kids without ever really stopping to think about it... So I am going to try something a little different. I am going to sing (if you could call my warbling "singing") to Mateo songs of my favourite Canadian song writers! What better

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1152486966727944802006-07-09T16:13:00.000-07:002006-07-09T22:43:04.776-07:00

Who in their right mind posts this photo of themselves on the Internet!? Bucket - who the hell do you think you are? Bob and/or Doug MacKenzie? How's it goin' eh? 'Av a few too many Foster's of late? Awe whatever... We're all just jealous that the Bucket is chillaxin' on a surf board in the southern hemisphere aren't we? Well, I for one... That damned Bucket!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1152244104331193062006-07-06T20:38:00.000-07:002006-07-06T20:50:12.563-07:00

Due to a recent shipment amounting to 3 kilograms of Groundwork's micro-roasted coffee (Venice Beach, CA) accompanied by 2 extraordinary Cuban cigars and a posh lighter, Mark Norrie, formerly of Los Angeles has been promoted to Third Greatest Human in The Walshman global rankings. It goes without saying that Mr. Norrie has strategically positioned himself well to pull off such an endevour.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1152033925850633832006-07-02T10:25:00.000-07:002006-07-04T10:32:16.266-07:00

Ah yes... It is that time of year again when we thank the cycling Gods for gifting whomever at OLN with the clairvoyance to give us such amazing "breakfast coverage" of the greatest race on earth, and the most difficult individual event to won in the world.VIVE LE TOUR!With all the hooplah surrounding this year's race (the official retirement of Lance Armstrong, the suspension of nine riders

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1152256916602590142006-07-01T00:19:00.000-07:002006-07-07T00:21:56.616-07:00

Come on people, get your socks on and give it up for the most beautifully confused country in the world! And remember, real Canadians kiss on the lips!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1150652201022557712006-06-18T09:23:00.000-07:002006-06-18T10:36:43.643-07:00

This picture says it all really, doesn't it!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1150441459822022512006-06-15T23:14:00.000-07:002006-06-22T00:00:02.683-07:00

Somehow, I probably deserved this... Not sure why, but I probably did. We took possession of our lovely new townhouse last night. First order of business was to install full shelving in the closet of our bedroom. It has a small walk-in closet which we really need to take advantage of... Due to the small space we have. At the back of the closet the original builder installed one, yes people...

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1149539305723272672006-06-05T09:48:00.000-07:002006-06-05T14:00:45.643-07:00

Click here to read a Vancouver Sun article about the 'up and coming' Vancouver visual effects community. Could it be... At long last... That Vangroovey is finally making the 'AAA' map? Nawh! Come now... don't be ridiculous!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1148627481577022362006-05-25T23:58:00.000-07:002006-05-26T00:16:24.480-07:00

Vive le Quebec Libre!!! If you have that moment sometime soon as I know you will... When you ponder endlessly the lack of great Quebecois films you've seen lately... Uh, yeah... Well fret no longer! For the great Monsieur Jean-Marc Vallée has given us this masterpiece of film. C.R.A.Z.Y. is an endearing story of growing up in Canada's much maligned Belle Provence during the 1960's and 70's and

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1148495245261982962006-05-24T08:48:00.000-07:002006-05-25T23:37:52.536-07:00

Release Notes: this version incorporates cutting-edge strategic planning initiatives and complex dependancy arrangements as well as extensive multiple outcome contingencies. Negotiated resolution, robust hierarchical implementation and aggressive stop-gap asset management techniques are also encorporated. Spring mango a non-negotiable parameter.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1147630978879063572006-05-14T11:22:00.000-07:002006-12-08T23:12:15.575-08:00

So... The Walshman faced-off against the power that is known as "The Portman" recently during an a trip east to The New York of Canada (yes, I mean Toronto...) for some on-set visual effects supervision duties on this film. Always an interesting thing "meeting a star." First, there's the meeting, which invariably you are much more uncomfortable with than they are, isn't really a meeting at all

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1146956281754216212006-05-06T11:31:00.000-07:002006-05-07T23:19:31.476-07:00

Ah yes, here we are in that most momentous of occasions on this fair coast: spring! Heralded for certain by the arrival of the Japanese Ornamental Cherry blossoms you see in this photo taken mere footsteps from the doors of Image Engine and in fact, on my bike route to work. Quite spectacular for sure. In the often sunny, often wet, Vancouver months of April and May the city seems to be at its

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1146293496394693742006-04-28T23:29:00.000-07:002006-05-14T10:51:04.523-07:00

At the suggestion of Vancouver real estate mogul Mike "Coach" Pearce, I decided to check out a town house development on the off chance that I might amidst the insanity known only as "the Vancouver real estate market" be able to afford to own reasonable housing. The next thing I know I am locked in a bidding war with lesbian parents of a new born. Is that possible? In East Vancouver it is! And

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1146349797473508742006-04-14T14:45:00.000-07:002006-05-14T09:11:09.916-07:00

Thanks so much to my sweet Meg and little gaffer Mateo for putting the time and effort in to create this beautiful birthday card. It is really beginning to feel "right" to be called "Papa!"

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1143529831280013292006-03-27T23:07:00.000-08:002006-03-27T23:13:59.046-08:00

I thought it might be a good idea to get myself my own little Buddha. What with all that spiritual turmoil lying about the place. Besides, they're all the rage these days. I strongly suggest you get one for yourself! Ah... The calmness and serenity.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1143185932456995532006-03-23T23:34:00.000-08:002006-03-23T23:38:52.466-08:00

Click here to read an article about San Francisco based Giant Killer Robots visual effects firm who have made the decision to open a satelite studio north of the 49th paralell! Another local option!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1143179619776247012006-03-23T19:56:00.000-08:002006-03-23T21:53:39.846-08:00

Hey! Ho! Let's Go! Hey! Ho! Let's Go! Looks like Mateo has had a little too much Blitzkrieg Pop!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1139165305388374522006-02-04T10:14:00.000-08:002006-02-06T23:18:20.813-08:00

Hmmm... Let's see. It seems to be raining. Yep, no doubt. It's raining. No, make that pouring. Coming down pretty hard actually. Cats and dogs, really, who's kidding who? Come to think of it, it was doing the same thing yesterday. In fact, it has been raining for so long now, I can't really recall when it actually started! My memory has blended the past two months into one single blue-grey,

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1138593799271785332006-01-29T19:14:00.000-08:002006-01-29T23:56:51.630-08:00

Well, it has taken me a week to find the time, but here he is nonetheless for all the world to see: William Mateo Peñafiel Walsh! A.K.A. Bebe Burrito, Tomateo or Mateito! Take your pick! He was born January 22nd, at 2:03 pm, after a strong 7 hour labour and weighed in at a hunk-o-burnin' love weight of 11 pounds 7 ounces! About 5.2 kilos for those of you living in the modern world. So, it

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1139292293224350602006-01-22T14:03:00.000-08:002006-02-06T22:04:53.233-08:00

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1136611996068992852006-01-18T16:07:00.000-08:002006-01-18T16:21:37.246-08:00

Well, we are definitely into that time of the pregnancy where we are "waiting with baited breath." Meg was officially "due" yesterday. We had a trip to the midwife that was all positive for both Meg and baby. It is totally normal for first time mothers to carry their babies a little over due. So we are remarkably chilled out about it all at this stage. A friend told me "you both look like you

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1137631157614908872006-01-15T16:27:00.000-08:002006-04-29T00:14:50.466-07:00

A friend of mine south of the border said that to me a while back. No, really! It is true I am a well known verbose fan of Vancouver. Even occasionally masochistically! For example, I was very disappointed recently when a brilliant sunny day ruined the city's chances of breaking a record going back to 1952 for most consecutive days with measurable rainfall - a mark of a true Vancouverite I

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1136829287503093892006-01-09T09:43:00.000-08:002006-01-09T09:54:47.516-08:00

Click here to read an article about the feature animation "Space Chimps," being produced by Vanguard Animation (who also gave us "Valiant" last year). There are some rumours that the production is going to settle down in Vancouver for the next couple of years. I would be interested in knowing if anyone out there knows more! Pretty exciting. Aside from both Nitrogen and Bardel Animation producing

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1134166997288403602005-12-10T09:00:00.000-08:002005-12-09T14:28:35.123-08:00

Check it out Dad! That little girl on your lap looks pretty darned happy to be in the arms of Grandpa Walsh now doesn't she!? When do you think that she'll start calling you "Bud?" My guess is sooner than you think! Congratulations on your recent "appointment" to Chief Executive Baby Sitter, and Chairman of the Smiles Board. Oh, and incidentally... Happy Birthday Dude!!!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1134082172270631302005-12-08T14:34:00.000-08:002005-12-08T14:50:48.833-08:00

The strange thing is that although I was only ten years old, I vividly remember driving in the car with my mom when the CBC News broadcaster said something like "John Lennon, the singer, songwriter, former Beatle and peace activist was shot to death outside his New York apartment today." Not only that but I remember my mom gasping in horror, and me asking her "why would a man do that to him?" I

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133918626989012512005-12-06T15:10:00.000-08:002005-12-06T17:23:48.063-08:00

Why is it that a simple thing like a day off from the studio and a midday skate-ski with my buddy Mike can enfuse me with such a childish sense of joy? Wait a minute... I said "day off" and "midday ski" in the same sentence... Now I get it! Or was it the café carajillo?The view of Howe Sound from the Cypress Mountain ski area on a pretty winter's day. The rare combination of opportunity and

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133545498045673142005-12-02T09:39:00.000-08:002005-12-02T09:45:23.503-08:00

The question I know you are all asking is whether Megcita is smiling in this photo because she looks so beautiful and happy to be 32 weeks pregnant, or if it is because she can't hold back her joyous state of mind having received delivery of our new sofa. Agreed, it is tough question to answer. Nonetheless, there she is... "My" beautiful wife sitting on "her" beautiful new sofa!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133543502209072932005-12-02T08:56:00.000-08:002005-12-02T09:14:32.226-08:00

Click here to see the latest uber trailer for "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." Nine minutes long. You'd think that would be too much... but it is done in a very interesting way. Mostly, I just noticed the musical score which sounds great. Above are some stills from the NarniaWeb page. They are frames from some of the shots I worked on at Rhythm and Hues. There are

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133290148430741482005-11-29T09:51:00.000-08:002005-11-29T12:02:00.443-08:00

A funny and somewhat unpredicted result of moving back north to Canada from Los Angeles this year has been the number of people both here in Vancouver and down south who have asked me "so, will you miss the weather?" It is quite true that California has a generally lovely Mediterranean temperament when it comes to the weather. Especially, in my opinion, the north of California. But, what I found

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133043020989573332005-11-26T13:56:00.000-08:002005-11-26T14:10:21.000-08:00

Click here for a high resolution look at the new "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" film trailer. Looks quite good if I do say so myself! I especially like the "snowy bits." I am sure that this will go over very well given the film's holiday season release date. All of the visual effects work looks really outstanding, but then, we have come to expect this from the block

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133026012743545272005-11-26T09:16:00.000-08:002005-11-26T09:26:52.753-08:00

Well, such a beautiful day here, I thought it a good idea to try posting my first photo. It is days like this when the rest of Canada is "dealing with the onset of winter" and Vancouver has emerged from a rainy gloom that the place just grabs you... in a way few places can. This is a view of Burrard Bridge, Bowen Island on the far right in the distance, and Kitsilano in the left. Enjoy.

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1132895045259679672005-11-24T19:34:00.000-08:002005-11-30T17:46:47.223-08:00

Since I arrived back in Vancouver I have more or less gone from the frying pan of finishing "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" in Los Angeles into the fire, no, make that raging inferno of finishing season nine of "Stargate-SG1" and season two of "Stargate Atlantis" the television series. I have been working pretty much 12 hour days, 6 day weeks at Image

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1132766918658500582005-11-23T09:08:00.000-08:002005-11-26T18:03:49.776-08:00

Meg is up at 5:30am and I doze to the sounds of the shower and the traffic outside for a few minutes more. I try to tell myself "it is like waves lapping at a shore" until the radio comes on at 6:15am tuned to CBC's "Music and Company." My turn in the shower. Scarf some breakfast. Usually a slice of toast, maybe some hot cereal this time of year, coffee will have to wait. Somewhere between 7:05am

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1131641241362342382005-11-10T08:38:00.000-08:002005-11-14T22:21:02.720-08:00

Yes, what I mean is that it is raining like the bejezuz-bells out there. "Monsoon-like" would also be a good way to describe the rather humid conditions out of doors these days. Click here to see what I mean! Almost makes one miss the bland, but ever present, "dry haze" of Los Angeles (no, the sky is not blue there). Almost... It was one of the things that people in Los Angeles always said to me

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133043419902054982005-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:002005-11-26T14:24:28.833-08:00

There's few things in life that please me more than a row of navy blue with gold trimmed crew shirts ripping down he course ahead of all comers.T-Bird men win Canadian University Rowing ChampionshipVICTORIAA year ago, it was the UBC Thunderbird women winning the Canadian University Rowing Championship. This time around, the powerhouse UBC men claimed top honours, fending off a strong challenge

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1130883422615693422005-11-01T11:41:00.000-08:002005-11-23T21:31:09.206-08:00

Click here to read a Guardian article about the current "media campaign" surrounding the release of Disney and Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" feature film."To millions 'The Chronicles of Narnia' are a childhood tale of wonder and triumph now made into a film that could inspire millions of children to read. To others, including the celebrated

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1133133045760206602005-10-30T12:00:00.000-08:002005-11-28T07:56:02.070-08:00

Here's a little photo of Megcita pregnant on her 32nd birthday... there have been a ton of requests, and I am sorry to say I have not been too good about taking photos! What can I say? It is a little hard when I have been in Los Angeles and she has been in Vancouver. I hope to make up for it in the near future... keep your eyes peeled!

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1132861107872727952005-10-17T11:10:00.000-07:002005-11-24T11:38:27.930-08:00

Yep. I am a Clint Eastwood fan... how can you not be? I love the fact that he has grown so much throughout his career and remained creatively vital for so long -- and much past many of his contemporaries. He is often under appreciated by many who have not seriously taken a look at his greater body of work. His better films, for example "A Perfect World" and "Unforgiven" from the early 1990's,

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1132037746778795182005-10-14T22:54:00.000-07:002005-11-26T14:15:25.463-08:00

Click here. You know you want to...

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1128528930195747632005-10-05T09:15:00.000-07:002005-11-01T11:16:22.306-08:00

Well, work at Rhythm and Hues Studios over the past few weeks has finally felt like all my other computer graphics jobs. That is, I have been shackled to my desk for hours on end. It seems to have been a long time coming. We are on "work as much as humanly possible" mode at the moment trying to finish all our work for "The Chronicles of Narnia" to the highest standard possible before our looming

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6715448.post-1128487542788098332005-10-04T16:41:00.000-07:002005-10-08T00:17:49.946-07:00

Click here to read an article about a survey conducted by The Economist Group that proclaims that of the 127 major cities in the survey Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is the most "desirable place to live" in the whole world. It is always a bit odd to read something like this when you are from the place they are talking about. But, I have to admit to being a total "homer." I believe most of

The Walshmannoreply@blogger.com0