Avatar Poster Fakery?

Alright. I need to stake this claim right now. Partly out of what seems to be a really fishy scenario, Partly out of my own knowledge of the project and the characters, and partly out of sheer hope that this just can't be. But I am claiming that the currently relseased "Official Avatar Poster" seen above in 2 distinctly different variations, is a complete, albeit convincing, fake. And this poster can be found all over the internet labeled as the Official Avatar Poster, and even on cinema websites advertising the films release in their theatres. But still, I believe everyone has been duped. Well alomst everyone. Here is my reasoning.

Firstly, when this "poster" started appearing on the internet, the first reaction from EVERYBODY who is working on this project was "is that supposed to be (insert character name here)?" Followed by "That looks nothing like her!" Followed by "Please tell me this isnt the Avatar poster!" The guys in the modeling department have screamed bloody murder, because this is NOT the face they have spent 3+ years perfecting every millimeter and pore.

Item number 2 on the evidence list is that this poster can only be found in medium resolutions. No larger than 400ish by 700ish. Yet the Jake teaser image from ComicCon, seen in my previous post, has a substantially higher resolution image available online. And that one is OFFICIAL. If you take a better look, you will be able to see all the lovely detail on Jake's face, in astonishing detail. Yet the "poster" is very muddy and full of compression artifacts.

Thirdly, there are 2 versions of this poster. Slightly different, yet generally the same, versions, all floating around labeled as the "official" poster. Why would there be 2 mediocre quality versions of a hotly anticipated film released by a studio?

Also, why, after releasing a nice high quality version of Jake, would they then make a poster identical with the female character? It seems rather redundant.

So then how did someone fake this poster? Well if you have a look a www.avatarmovie.com, you can see pieces of this image revealed on the intro animation. But what appears to have been done is people took captures of this face in pieces, and stitched it together, and then took creative liberties filling in the gaps, which clearly explains why it looks nothing like the actual character, yet is a convincing replica. I have included a screenshot of what is revealed on the website. So take that, and use some bits and piece from the Jake poster, then get fancy with your photoshop painting skills, and voila! Official Avatar Poster!

Now I am willing to be wrong here, but MAN I am hoping I am right. Because I want the real Avatar poster to bring as much excitement and wonder for the film to everyone else as seeing the project come to life has done for me. This movie deserves it! It's gonna be a ride none of us will soon forget!

UPDATE: I was wrong. This is one of the official posters. Saddly. Apparently this poster, as many here say, has be tot

Avatar Day - Aug 21st

Well, the time has finally come for the world to see Avatar. Not the whole thing, but brilliantly, JC has come up with the idea to appease all the anticipation and hype with a rather insane move. He has annouced that Friday, August 21st, will be Avatar Day. What that means is, that on August 21st, he will be screening the brand new trailer and 15 minutes of the finished film, on as many 3D IMAX, Digital 3D, and other 3D cinema screens, WORLDWIDE! For FREE!

There has yet to be an announcement as to how to get tickets, and which screens will have the screening, but that hopefully will come sooner than later.

I'll keep this spot posted with details! In the meantime, here is a high res image of the poster below. Click on the image to see the full res version. Yes, this is fully CG. Excited yet?

Here It Comes...

The Marketing Machine is still picking up speed. The next big stop? San Diego! ComiCon to be precise. And SD is getting a LOT of firsts. The first banners and the first reveals of a character from the movie are being plastered all over downtown San Diego, in anticipation for the ComiCon. And it appears as if ComiCon will have a huge Avatar presence, seeing as the film is being advertised as the main (and seemingly only) event to see at the convention. Se some images below of some of the posters!

http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/07/01/check-this-out-photo-of-avatars-comic-con-banner/
http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2009/07/avatar-taking-over-san-diego-comic-con.html

And on another note, last week, Jim and the crew screened 26 minutes of the film to an audience at Cine Expo in Amsterdam. This was yet another first. The first time someone outside the project or JC's circle of friends who have seen footage from the film. And there were 1500 or so sets of eyes viewing it all, in 3D no less. And here are just a FEW of the reactions to what people witnessed. :-)

" saw 40 minutes of James Cameron's Avatar footage at the Cinema Expo tonight. THIS WILL CHANGE MOVIES FOREVER. Trust me, it will."

"consensus of those chosen ones who filled the seats...is that they witnessed something historic."

"Avatar is not something that can be put into words-It is an emotional experience, utilizing technology that shouldn't exist for 10 years or more. It is dreaming with your eyes open."

"Footage from "Avatar" at cinexpo was stunning, literally jawdropping. Amazing visuals unlike any before seen, with incredible detail."

"still can't process the Avatar presentation he saw. It's nothing you can imagine, it's real. Cameron made a new planet and took a cam there."

"Avatar will change movie industry forever"

I could keep going, but instead, I'll just post some of the artwork they showed at the Expo. See below.

http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2009/06/breaking-exclusive-photos-from-avatar.html

TEASER BANNERS:


ARTWORK:

The Hits Keep Commin

More reveals about Avatar seem to come almost every day. The marketing machine is definitely in full swing.Yesterday at the E3 conference, the Demo booth for the Avatar game had the full size, Stan Winston built, AmpSuit. You might be looking at the photos, and asking "What the hell does that thing do?" "What is it used for in the film?" Unfortunately, I can't say. Want to, but can't. All I can say is this thing is Bad. Ass. But that much seems apparent from the pictures, doesn't it?

This is the actual AmpSuit used in the production out here in NZ. I was privileged enough to tour the set a few times 2 years ago when they were shooting, and to both see this thing in person, and touch it (and even play with it). Short of sitting in the thing, we certainly got a unique experience with it. And naturally, I couldn't resist moulding it's articulated fingers into the shocker. Yes, I did it. Can you blame me? Below are a few images of the 14 foot beast, and a link to an article and more photos.

"I’ve seen some stuff and holy shit, it’s the craziest shit ever."
-Steven Soderbergh (On a viewing of a few early scenes of AVATAR)

http://www.collider.com/2009/06/02/e3-2009-pictures-of-the-heavy-loaded-from-james-camerons-avatar/

Give Peace a Chance

Well would you look at that. Nu Zuland has officially been ranked the #1 most peaceful country in the entire world. And quite a distance between #2 Denmark as well. And on the flip side of things, it appears the good old U S and A is a pleasant 83rd out of the total 144 countries ranked, Irag being lucky #144. Proud 83rd, only slightly more peaceful than Rwanda, Syria, and Iran, and not quite as peaceful as Serbia, China, and Cuba. God bless you, land of the free. (I just love gloating about NZ all while America bashing. I really don't know why. It's just good wholesome fun). See articles and rankings below.

http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/news/136/why-peaceful-nz-leads-the-world/
http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/2009/

Game on!

Well this is a bit strange, yet indicative of the level of secrecy on this project. They have officially released screenshots on the AVATAR game, which we all have noticed conveniently leave out any sign of Avatars, or Navi (the native aliens on the planet Pandora, which is where the film takes place). We all agree this should be kept secret, as they absolutely MAKE this movie. Yet, it is rather strange to be releasing the game stills before any movie stills. But they are so confident (as we are too) of the impact the film and its images will have when released, that every bit of secrecy is fully understood. That being said, its not stopping them from releasing a ton of stuff about the film in the meantime. Here is another quote from someone about the film, as well a some screenshots from the game. PLUS, above, is the official, newly released film Logo!

"It looks totally real. It’s crazy as hell and it’s going to fucking make your palms sweat."'
- Zoe Saldana "Neytiri"

Link to the Game Website:
http://avatargame.us.ubi.com/

What the HELL have you been doing out there?

It may seem as if I have been surfing, diving, cooking, drinking, snowboarding, spear-fishing, and skydiving my way through the last nearly 3 years. (Wow, has it really been that long?) Well, that is true, but the hidden truth is I have been slaving away (and still am) on Avatar. I can't say much about it, or show much about it, but for the first time ever, I can at least show you SOMETHING. So I will do just that. See below for a posted article and some concept artwork (albeit over 2 years old, but still, at least a hint at what I have been working on). But let's just be clear, this is just a glimpse. There is going to be so much more. Ooooh so much more. And the overwhelming excitement that we have about this film, and that the man in charge James Cameron has about it, is a geeks dream.

The latest, greatest quote about the film is as follows (This is the kinda stuff that keeps us going, and only the latest in a long line of epic quotes about the film):

"...there's going to be images in this film we're making right now that are going to Blow. People. Away...They'll be like, 'what the f#ck?"...cause we say that when we see the shots coming back from WETA Digital. They sent us a shot last week, and I said, 'this is ridiculous!' "

-James Cameron

And please read the writeup on the artwork here:
http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2009/05/want-to-see-what-whole-power-suit-might.html

Well Done Wellington

They say if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Although that's not entirely an accurate phrase for this occasion, its the right idea. The weather here over the last 2 weeks has been spectacularly bad. Freezing Antarctic 100+ kph winds (I heard even gusts of 160+). And we are talking, constant, perpetual, for 7 days straight, sounds like your house will fall over, or you have a giant trying to break in, type winds. That, combined with never ending icy rain and gloom to even make Bobby Mcferrin frown, made for the last couple weeks here. But as Wellingtonians (sure, I can claim that) it seems the thing to do is not gripe over the apocalyptic weather, but celebrate it. Be proud of how record breaking-ly bad it can be. And also, film it. In Slow Motion. For the rest of the world to look on in awe.

http://vimeo.com/4794716

RECIPE: Taco Tuesday Tacos

Taco Tuesday Tacos!!!
Healthy Tacos, Fresh Pico De Gallo, Fat Free Refirend Beans, and Brown Rice

Servings: 8 Serving size: 2 Tacos INGREDIENTS: 8 Chicken Breasts, trimmed of all excess fat and skin 16 WholeGrain Tortillas 6 tomatoes 4 small white onions Cilantro Iceberg Lettuce Brown Rice Low Fat Sour Cream Low Fat Cheese Fat Free Refried Beans 2 Tbsp Grapeseed Oil 3 large Tbsp minced garlic 2 large Tbsp Hot Chilli Peppers 2 large Tbsp Spring Onion 2 Tbsp Mexican Chilli Powder 2 Tbsp Ground Cumin 2 Tbsp Paprika 2 Tsp Onion Powder (NOT Onion Salt) 1 Tsp Black Pepper 2 Limes Pinch of Sea Salt 2 cups Water

INSTRUCIONS:

Pico De Gallo:

1. Using a knife or "Slap Chop", dice 4 Tomatoes, 4 White Onions, and you preferred amount of Cilantro, Garlic, and Ground Cumin.
   
2. Mix together, and store in fridge.

Seasoned Shredded Chicken:

1. Trim Chicken Breast of all Excess fat and skin. Cube into medium sized-small pieces.
2. In a Large Sauce Pan, heat grapeseed oil, and add garlic, spring onion, and hot pepper. When Garlic is lightly browned, add water, Mexican Chilli Powder, Ground Cumin, Paprika, Onion Powder, Black Pepper, Sea Salt. Squeeze Limes into Sauce and add 2 Tbsp of fresh Pico De Gallo. Bring to boil then let simmer for 20 minutes
3. Add Chicken cubes. While cooking, continuosly mash chicken until fully shredded and sauce has cooked down almost completely. See Photos:
• 

Mash the Chicken (approx 10-15 min)

• 
  
  
• When chicken is fully shredded, and sauce is cooked down, you are finished with the chicken prep.

Taco Condiments and Sides:

1. Cut remaining 2 Tomatoes, and Lettuce into desired sizes for Taco dressing.
2. Cook brown rice, preferrably in a rice cooker, and add any seasoning of fresh herbs and spices, pico de gallo, garlic, etc that you desire. Remember - NO Salts, Oils, Sugars!
3. Heat Fat Free Refried Beans

PREPARE & SERVE:

1. In a non-stick skillet, heat each WholeWheat Tortilla to desired crispiness. Gently fold in half and set on a plate to briefly cool (Will help keep taco shape when it cools, and will help keep taco together white eating)
2. Build Your Taco! Meat, Tomato, Lettuce, Your Homemade Pico De Gallo, Light sprinkling of Low Fat Cheese, Low Fat Sour Cream, add diced Hot Peppers for spice! (Remember, DO NOT use any store bought hot sauces, only fresh diced Hot Peppers. Store Bought sauces are loaded with Salts, Sugars, Oils, Preservatives, etc)
3. Add You Sides of Fat Free Refried Beans and Your own special Brown Rice.
4. Eat and Enjoy Healthy Deliscious Taco Tuesday Tacos!