Source: Variety

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences visual effects branch genuflected to “Evan Almighty” but swatted “Spider-Man 3” as it announced the seven semifinalists for the vfx Oscar.

The seven films that will compete in the vfx “bakeoff” are “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “Evan Almighty,” “The Golden Compass,” “I Am Legend,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” “300” and “Transformers.” (more…)

Source: Variety
By ADAM DAWTREY

“Atonement” has 17 entries, well ahead of four films with 13 apiece - “American Gangster,” “No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood” and another WT pic, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age.”

The BAFTA longlists include 15 contenders in each category, from which the five nominees will be chosen in the second round of voting, which closes Jan. 14.

With so many films included, the longlists provide only a few clues about likely winners or even nominees, but do make it clear which pics or performances are out of the race. (more…)

15 Oscar contenders to be considered

By DAVID S. COHEN
Source: Variety

The Motion Picture Academy’s visual effects branch made an unprecedented statement in support of visual effects in animated films as it narrowed the contenders for the vfx Oscar to 15 films that will be considered for the January “bake-off.”

The Acad included “Ratatouille” and “Beowulf” over such effects-heavy live-action pics as “Enchanted” and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”

The entire list of 15, in alphabetical order, is: “Beowulf,” “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “Evan Almighty,” “The Golden Compass,” “Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix,” “I Am Legend,” “Live Free Or Die Hard,” “National Treasure: Book Of Secrets,” “Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End,” “Ratatouille,” “Spider-Man 3,” “Sunshine,” “300,” “Transformers,” and “The Water Horse.”

The Academy instituted the short list this year so that its vfx branch could see all the contending films before selecting the seven that will compete in the bake-off. Three of those seven will receive nominations.

Source: Daily Variety
By: KAREN IDELSON

When “300″ first screened for audiences, Larry Fong was disappointed with some of the feedback at first.

“A few people said they thought it was all CG, and that hurt,” he recalls. “But then I realized that since it had really been our goal to sort of blur this line between CG and live action as part of being true to the style of the graphic novel, these people had actually given us a big compliment.”

Helmer Zack Snyder told Fong that the look of “300″ was going to be key, and the cinematographer was intrigued by the idea of blending so many different elements. “(Snyder) intended it to be a visual feast, and when he described in those terms, I began to get very excited about the possibilities,” says Fong.

That led to a lot of testing — film, exposures, blue- and greenscreen and makeup — until the look evolved into what Synder wanted.

Fong is now at work on the adaptation of another graphic novel, “Watchmen,” with Snyder. This time the approach will be different.

“Although ‘Watchmen’ is also based on a graphic novel, it is not going to have the image manipulated in the same way as ‘300,’ ” Fong says. “We are trying to push the envelope visually, but there isn’t an overall ‘look’ per se.”

Considering the visuals of “300,” it’s no surprise Fong draws inspiration from magic. “Instilling the audience with a sense of wonder is what magic and cinema have in common,” Fong says.

Fave tool: “I don’t really have one specific thing. The shoot sort of dictates what will work in that situation.”

Fave film stock: “Again, it all depends. I want to use what my director needs me to use in order to get the look we need to tell the story.”

Inspiration: “I’m inspired by magicians and the way they can lead your eye so that you believe you’re seeing a certain thing, even if it’s not really there.”

Up next: “Watchmen,” helmed by Zack Snyder

Rep: Julia Kole, Jacob & Kole Agency

Epic blood bath named movie of the year

By DANIEL KIMMEL
Source: Variety

Feature “300″ was named 2007 movie of the year at the 11th Hollywood Film Festival’s Hollywood Awards, held Monday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Pic beat out summer blockbusters “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Transformers” and “Spider-Man 3,” among others.

The Hollywood World Award went to Romanian film “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” directed by Cristian Mungiu.

The fest’s top feature award went to “Gone With the Woman,” directed by Petter Naess, and “Knee Deep” was tapped top docu. (more…)