French visual effects and 3D animation at Parisfx
Renowned talents from the French film sector’s technical industries will be in the spotlight on Wednesday and Thursday at the Espace Pierre Cardin for the second edition of Parisfx.
This year, the event – which attracted 1,300 visitors in 2007 – has a line-up of case studies, focusing in particular on digital visual effects. Films to be analysed include Christophe Barratier’s Paris 36 (visual effects by Mikros and L’EST) and Nicolas Barry’s The Children of Timplebach (visual effects by La Maison - to be released in theatres by Pathé Distribution on December 17).
Attention will also be paid to international productions that have benefited from French expertise, including Speed Racer (Buf), Baby Doll Night (Eclair Studios) and Batman: The Dark Knight (Buf and Double Negative).
3D animated production will also be explored using two examples: French film Dragon Hunters by Arthur Qwak and Guillaume Ivernel (visual effects by Mac Guff Ligne), which was shortlisted for the 2009 Oscar nomination; and Yona Yona Penguin (Def2Shoot).
The second edition of Parisfx will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of French 3D animation, which was used for the first time on the film Maison Vole (1983). This anniversary will be an opportunity for newly-founded French animation studios such as The Bakery and Herold Family (The True Story of Puss’N Boots) to unveil their current productions.
Moreover, on Thursday, a conference will bring together pioneers in the field, including Pierre Buffin (Buf Compagnie), Jean-Charles Hourcade (Thomson) and Alain Nicolas (Dassault Systems).
The programme also features a round table on the theme "Digital creation: driving force of the cultural industries". This debate cannot fail to resonate with the project (planned by the authorities, but not yet finalised) for creating an international tax credit in France in order to attract foreign productions.
Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (starring French actresses Mélanie Laurent, Léa Seydoux and Anne-Sophie Franck) – which is currently filming – is a textbook case on the subject, for due to tax incentives the shoot is taking place in Germany even though the story is set in France. This decision also has consequences for any post-production requirements, a sector in which French expertise is nonetheless internationally recognised.
(Translated from French)
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