Visual effects and character animation group Rhythm & Hues, a group responsible for animating sequences in several, notable films from The Chronicles of Narnia to this summer's release of Superman Returns, has made recent news with their use of a technically and creatively superior 3D animation system. This time, helping push the levels of creativity and innovation in theatrical productions to new heights, Rhythm & Hues has used products from Massive Software to animate critical areas of the recent film The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift. Massive Software is a leading creator of artificial intelligence-based 3D animation systems
Animating computer-generated people as well as computer-generated automobiles with the software, Rhythm & Hues helped give the film its somewhat uniquely exotic look and feel, only in the way that good animation can. Additionally, cars and people weren't the only thing created by Rhythm & Hues, but various settings and environments were also fashioned in animation that could not be shot on site in Japan itself. These include an elaborate action and chase sequences and other shots set in a densely populated Shibuya Square.
"We used Massive to help us convincingly create the atmosphere of Tokyo streets," Dan Smiczek, vfx supervisor, Rhythm & Hues commented. "Massive is the only tool that lets us animate so many characters with this level of organic realism, and add all of the little touches -- from being able to put drivers on the other side of the car to actually having our digital Japanese pedestrians observe decreased personal space boundaries."
Reportedly using Massive to render and animate fantasy-based animals in The Chronicles of Narnia feature film, the animation and effects group is now able to extend their reach and influence within and throughout the industry, given their experience with Massive Software. The result, in Universal's The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift movie, was the diverse and detailed delivery of character and setting interaction moviegoers and animation fans regard in high demand.
About Rhythm & Hues: Rhythm & Hues (www.Rhythm.com) is a preeminent producer of quality visual effects and character animation for entertainment and advertising. With a track record of more than 100 feature films to its credit, the studio also offers full service production expertise to an extensive list of Commercial and Design clients. Currently, Rhythm & Hues' Film division is in production on Charlotte's Web, Night At The Museum and Evan Almighty. In 1995, Rhythm & Hues was recognized with an Academy Award for Achievement in Visual Effects for its work on BABE.
About Massive Software: New Zealand-based Massive Software (www.massivesoftware.com) is the leading creator of artificial intelligence-based 3D animation systems. Massive was founded when Stephen Regelous programmed a unique piece of software for director Peter Jackson to make creation of complicated visual effects scenes involving hundreds of thousands of digital characters a practical reality for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Massive garnered a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2004.