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