Monday 5 October 2020

Nothing Lasts Forever

I started this blog in the years after University, I was a little lost and out on my own. This blog was my first real place on the internet where I could post, share, and chat about my work, each entry marked a milestone in my journey, big or small. It began with scanning in a couple of sketches I did one evening break, in a portacabin of an old work friend. I touched on moving to London and producing work for what was then a small agency. This blog allowed me to share the news of starting at the NFTS to study for my masters, a decision that totally changed my life.

There were years when I was a particularly avid blogger and found lots to talk about and others, well perhaps I was busy working to post an update. I always tried to post interesting articles or parts of my own work that I wanted to share. I noticed since moving to the states that my activity has dwindled and recently I took the jump and built a new website, my own professional corner of the web where I can show my VFX journey for all to see. I've even started a small tutorial area, to give back to the community.

I'm not so much retiring the blog, and I'm not signalling that I won't be posting here anymore, just an update to my evolving output. I'm working on a few small projects and my website will be home to those going forward.

The title of the entry is something I say often, over the last 18 years since starting on this animation journey, I've seen people come and go, teams grow and shrink and the overriding notion is that it's never the end but 'Nothing Lasts Forever'.

Thank you,

Sammy.


samuelwalsh.co.uk

Tuesday 21 April 2020

ASU Film Spark

During this pandemic I've been watching a ton of live events, masterclasses and Q&As. I stayed up late last night to watch an awesome session from ASU featuring Chris Edwards, one of the six founders of 'The Third Floor'.

Super interesting talk, great demos from the work they all produced back at Skywalker ranch before they all dispersed and came down to LA to setup their own shops.

Well worth the watch, head over to their youtube channel.

Tuesday 28 January 2020

Unreal Engine

First post of the new year, well into the first month of 2020 - I've started to train in 'Unreal Engine' and have so far completed one of possibly 4 workshops I will undertake at Epic Games HQ here in LA.


Thursday 10 October 2019

Albert

Finally finished this little short that started on the iAnimate workshop I took last year. Moving to LA, getting married and starting a new job put poor old Albert on the back burner BUT he's finally live and I can move on.

Enjoy...

iAnimate WS3 'Albert' - SJJWalsh from Samuel John Joseph Walsh on Vimeo.



Sunday 15 September 2019

NDA

Working in LA is great, can't say anything about the work...




Monday 27 May 2019

Los Angeles

So, after 24 months at the Chicago Framestore studio, I'm leaving. It's been an incredible experience living in Chicago and I've nothing but fond memories of my time here. I've made some great friends. met my wife, worked in New York city twice and a good stint at the LA studio, where I am now heading to continue my American adventure.

It's been real Chicago, thanks for letting me call you home and now I'm heading to the Golden state...


Monday 29 April 2019

Chicago Commercials Reel

I decided to collect up most of the work I've been involved in since moving over from England to live and work in the states.

I had up until summer 2017 spent my main vfx career in film, that's the area I had always wanted to focus on and to be part of the film making process. I sadly had to leave film behind when I decided to come over to Chicago and help Framestore setup a new studio.

Here is a short reel of the work,

SJJWalsh: Framestore Chicago Commercial Reel from Samuel John Joseph Walsh on Vimeo.


Sunday 28 April 2019

Shoot Online

Little write up for a spot I was involved in during my little stint at the Framestore LA studio.



Saturday 9 February 2019

Artstation

Great portfolio site, full of wonderful work, wanted to be part of that community...


Wednesday 6 February 2019

iAnimate: Boxer

Jason Ryan and the guys over at iAnimate featured my little sketch I crafted while taking a module last year. Learned a ton from the course and looking forward to taking another module later this year. Enjoy...

Tuesday 5 February 2019

Super Bowl

Just a little end tag cloth simulation for a Super Bowl advert...


Sunday 3 February 2019

Marvelous Designer

Decided to purchase my very own license for Marvelous Designer, added to my small but solid software library. Hoping to add this to my CFX workflows...


Tuesday 15 January 2019

Qualoth

Started to work with Qualoth for simulation work going forward, a little late to the Qualoth party but I'm always interested in learning new things...


Friday 21 December 2018

Drive Nice

Superb little spot that aired for audiences in Australia, involved at the very start working with the VFX supervisor to quickly pre vis the spot and work out all the nitty-gritty tech vis wise...


Saturday 17 November 2018

Hefty

Super lovely little bumper spot, really nice to dust off the traditional animation and create a cute little character for Hefty..

Hefty Slider Bags: Pinching Pennies from Tom Belmonte on Vimeo.

Sunday 21 October 2018

Carfax

Occupied a few roles on this popular spot while working with a great team at Framestore LA, learned a bunch...





Sunday 23 September 2018

Framestore LA

Back in Chicago after a month working at Framestore Los Angeles. It was my first time visiting the LA branch and the furthermost west I've ever been. Since arriving in the USA it's been a bunch of firsts and an amazing experience.

I worked with a great group of staffers and made some great friends with the freelance animators, looking forward to getting back there.


Monday 3 September 2018

Baby Grooty: CFX reel

Finally managed to find some time to edit a little reel showing the rig I developed for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 while I was at Framestore Film in London. Enjoy,

SJJWalsh : CFX Reel - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 from Samuel John Joseph Walsh on Vimeo.

Saturday 28 July 2018

Golaem

Having a blast learning this, great piece of kit that works well inside of maya, they offer a PLE version so why not have a go yourself...


Saturday 2 June 2018

History of the Dinosaur Input Device

Came across this wonderfully written article on the entire history of the dinosaur input device and the processes around it on, focusing heavily on Jurassic Park (The first use) to an interesting segment on Starship Troopers.

Enjoy...



Saturday 26 May 2018

Back in the Big Apple

Framestore CHI sent me to Framestore NYC for previs work and general pipeline training. I'll always take a trip to New York, wonderful place and filled with wonderful people.

Here's a pano from the roof of Framestore NYC...


Friday 30 March 2018

iAnimate

Enrolled onto one of the modules at iAnimate, only heard good things. Very much looking forward to learning lot's and putting the knowledge back into my work.

Here's too making some awesome animation...


Friday 16 March 2018

Pink Panther

One of my favourites, beautifully animated and a lovely example of telling a story with pure physicality and no words...


Wednesday 14 March 2018

Geri's Game

A superb article on the process behind making one of Pixar's most highly regarded short films...



Short

Sunday 11 March 2018

Aspect Ratio

A short video about the use of aspect ratios in film...

SFX Secrets: Aspect Ratios from Fandor on Vimeo.

Friday 9 March 2018

Wind River: Shoot Out [Clip]

A great example of building tension to the point something has to give, a superb end to a really bleak film.



Thursday 8 March 2018

GDC talks

Here are two wonderful visual effects lectures from the GDC conference a few years back. Both videos are packed full of tips and funny anecdotes about the industry, well worth a watch...


Tricks of the Trade


Creature animation in film and games

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Chocolate Frosted Flakes: Mmm Chocolate

Here is the little spot advertisement Kellogg's, I was part of an awesome animation team over in Framestore NYC.

Enjoy...

Monday 12 February 2018

Fantasy Movie League

Bit of fun, you know what's currently doing well at the box office and it's FREE...


Monday 5 February 2018

Remote

Added my profile onto this...


Tuesday 30 January 2018

10 Years

2018 means many things but more importantly ten years have passed since I first started this blog.

The blog started with a couple of tea break doodles while working a factory job in the North West of England to early 3D models and animation when I moved to London, through studying at one of the worlds most prestigious films schools the NFTS, securing my first vfx role at One of Us and finally moving countries and living in the states.

It's been a bit of a whirlwind...


Wednesday 17 January 2018

The Terror: Trailer #1

Here is the trailer for a show I was part of before heading to Chicago...



'This place wants us dead...'

Tuesday 9 January 2018

367

I set myself a target of watching 365 films over the course of the year and I finished with a tally of 367. A few re-watchers and short films helped boost the numbers but it's mission completed.

'Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more'

Here's to 2018...


Monday 18 December 2017

Pinterest

I've been looking and learning new things since starting at Framestore Chicago and I've found myself searching for more and more reference - Pinterest is a great place to store everything...

https://www.pinterest.com/walshsjj/

Thursday 9 November 2017

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Another fabulous commercial that has been produced at Framestore Chicago HQ. Turned out great and very honored to be part of the team...





Wednesday 1 November 2017

Framestore: NYC

Lucky enough to have been sent to the big Apple to meet the animation and rigging team at the New York base. Lovely people and a fabulous city.







 View from my meandering walk into work this morning over the Manhattan Bridge...

Tuesday 3 October 2017

Guardians of the Galaxy 2: Making Of

Here's a lovely video from Framestore showing how we made the film, I was tasked with building a costume simulation rig for Baby Grooty, lots of fun...


Monday 2 October 2017

United Healthcare - Maze

Here is the first official spot from Framestore Chicago that I was part of in a CG capacity. Always nice to get the first one out of the way. I was tasked with making the maze as a base for the Matte paintings and projections...

 

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Chasing Bubbles


Here is a documentary that a friend helped produced a few years back.

It's a beautiful, it's sad, it's fascinating and it's funny.

Silly Cookie...


Thursday 15 June 2017

Edge of Tomorrow

So, after almost a decade posting on this blog, I now find myself a few hours away from my next step in my vfx career, I'm moving to Chicago and will be there for three years, maybe longer. My last post from the shores of my island, my home and my little part of Surbiton.

Excited, stressed, nervous, happy and sad, it's been a great 7 years in London and hopefully several great years in the USA !!


"I went out there in search of experience,
to taste and to touch and to feel's as much
as a man can before he repents"

Wednesday 24 May 2017

V I S A : A P P R O V E D ! ! !

After several months of phone chats, emails and role changes I can finally say I have my VISA confirmed, I'm thrilled...


Sunday 7 May 2017

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 - Credits

Hats off to a great team over at Framestore...


Thursday 4 May 2017

Grooty Wall of Death

A digital recreation of the 'Grooty Wall of Death' the CFX team over at Framestore put together to show their love for a certain tiny character...
We are Grooty !!


Wednesday 22 March 2017

Integrated Advertising

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 completed and now I find myself across the Oxford Street partition in the commercials team. Currently working on a filmic TV show...


Saturday 4 March 2017

Guardians 2: Poster

Sorry, I lied...



Wednesday 1 March 2017

Sunday 26 February 2017

GIPHY

Decided to make little gifs of the shots I have been involved in over the years...



Tuesday 14 February 2017

With A Little Patience

Watched the emotional, powerful yet masterful 'Son of Saul' by Laszlo Nemes over the weekend and tracked down his original short film 'With A Little Patience'

The camera techniques at work in SoS are clearly visible in the short where it feels you are almost hugging the protagonist throughout and only able observe the world in their immediate vision - magnificent...


Monday 13 February 2017

Superbowl Trailer

Shown to the world during the Super Bowl, we are nearly there Grooty...



Sunday 5 February 2017

CG Channel - Facebook

Always nice to see something I was involved in organically find it's way onto other platforms. The CG Channel shared the breakdown for 'Our Kind of Traitor'...



Saturday 4 February 2017

Anonymous: Teaser

Helped a friend with this lovely short called 'Anonymous' and it should be ready soon...

Anonymous Teaser from Markus Meedt on Vimeo.

You can find out more here on Kickstarter

Tuesday 31 January 2017

Letterboxd

An old film school buddy told me to sign up to this, it's been an absolute revelation...


Sunday 8 January 2017

Film and TV Pro

Created, updated and completed a profile on this...


http://www.filmandtvpro.com/uk/crew/profile/sjjwalsh

Monday 2 January 2017

Commercials & Short Films

Over the years working in film I've managed to work on smaller projects and here is a little reel showing a few...

SJJWalsh: Commericals & Short Film Reel from Samuel John Joseph Walsh on Vimeo.

Sunday 1 January 2017

New Year, New Reel

Happy New Year!

Raided old hard drives and cobbled a reel together featuring pre visualisation work and a handful of projects that for one reason or another didn't happen...

SJJWalsh: Visualisation Reel from Samuel John Joseph Walsh on Vimeo.


Sunday 11 December 2016

Movidiam

Invited to join, did just that...


Wednesday 7 December 2016

Guardians 2: New Teaser Trailer

Marvel have released another teaser, showing much more of Framestore's work, enjoy...


I Am Grooty...

Saturday 3 December 2016

Provenance: Poster

Missed the screening but here is the poster...


Sunday 6 November 2016

Finding Altamira

Watched over the weekend, I was heavily involved in the previsualisation of a key sequence a few years back - great to see it all come together.


Thursday 20 October 2016

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2

Finally making it's way in the internet world, this is what I've been working on for the last 6 months - Concerned mainly with the little fella...


Poster


Teaser Trailer

Saturday 23 July 2016

Coalescent Films

Produced one shot of visual effects for the lovely team over at Coalescent Films.


Always a pleasure to work on small independently made productions and a nice switch from the work I've been doing over at Framestore...

Sunday 17 July 2016

Our Kind of Traitor: Shot Visualisation

Another little insight into my workflow and how I approached the vfx for 'Our Kind of Traitor' - Working directly with the directors and supervisor is always the most rewarding aspect. The brief was to create a beautiful yet haunting moment in the films climax...

Our Kind of Traitor: Shot Visualisation from Samuel John Joseph Walsh on Vimeo.

Monday 11 July 2016

Barbican - Consciousness

An old project, the first non-film endeavour since I started work in VFX. I worked on a CG version of 'Marcus Du Sautoy' talking for a section on his live visual performance of how the human brain works...


Thursday 30 June 2016

Brexit

Interesting article about how the 'Brexit' will possibly affect the UK's film industry...



Monday 27 June 2016

Q&A

I was asked by my old University to answer a few questions about what's happened since leaving in 2005...


Link here

Wednesday 22 June 2016

Tarzan: Final Trailer (Conquer)

Final trailer, out soon...


Wednesday 15 June 2016

Motor2go

A project I was part of at the turn of the year...


Saturday 11 June 2016

Tarzan: Trailer 3

Another one, different style, same film...


Wednesday 1 June 2016

Monday 30 May 2016

Jupiter Ascending: Shot Visualisation

Behind the scenes are always interesting and I've made a short video showing the workflow I went through when animation those bees for Jupiter Ascending a few years back, fun to make and hopefully will be of interest...

Jupiter Ascending: Shot Visualisation from Samuel John Joseph Walsh on Vimeo.

Sunday 29 May 2016

Bank Holiday Reel Update

Cinema releases means updates to the reel, cannae fall behind the curve, as it were...


Saturday 28 May 2016

Tarzan - Poster

Fancy...


Saturday 21 May 2016

Our Kind of Traitor: Screening

Finally, after work I grabbed a seat at a late screening of 'Our Kind of Traitor' - A very true adaptation of the source novel, beautifully shot and a thoroughly enjoyable picture.

I'll be updating the reel with the shots I was part of soon but I won't mention the work in detail just yet as it *May Contain Spoilers* ...







Saturday 30 April 2016

Our Kind of Traitor: Trailer 2

Another one...




Sunday 10 April 2016

RenderMan

Finally had some time to pick up this...


Saturday 9 April 2016

Altamira: Poster and Trailer

Out in Spain, interesting gig two years back...



 

Thursday 31 March 2016

Our Kind of Traitor: Poster

Freshly squeezed and hot off the printing press...

Monday 28 March 2016

Money Into Light

Often when reading about something you are often gifted information on another thing entirely. From reading this,



To this, bought for a penny, the book 'Money Into Light The Emerald Forest: A Diary' - by John Boorman.

Full of insight and the idiosyncrasies of a great director in full film making stride...


"Fiction is, after all, merely the truth liberated from facts."

Friday 25 March 2016

Painterly Visuals

Akira Kurosawa's delicious framing style, all based from his own paintings...

Comparison One




Comparison Two