Inside the Lucasfilm data center

SAN FRANCISCO--Given the cult-film status of 1971's THX 1138 in the George Lucas universe, it should come as little surprise that the total capacity of Lucasfilm's giant data center is 11.38 petabits per second.

Read the entire article here:
http://news.com.com/2100-1026_3-6153647.html

Learn the Maya and become a millionair!

Voila, here it is, simple and clear recipe to become a millionair. What else could you possibly ask for?

Please not all at once, so I can keep my job for another while. Thank you!

Yosemite may 2006 trip photos online

Finally finished the photoset of our camping and hiking trip to Yosemite National park in May 2006.
Some of the picture have been online for a while, but here is the complete set in chronological order:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esse/sets/72157594182159953/


PS: Most pictures are geotagged in Flickr. Click on the (map) link in the lower right corner, in the Additional Information section.

Kiss Cool

Another Kiss Kool ad.

KissCool
Uploaded by Beeshock

Mini Kiss Kool

Golden oldies. Funny ads.

Mini kiss cool
Uploaded by aurel1017

Sony Pictures Imageworks makes history today.

Oscars season is heating up and Hollywood starts buzzing like a bee.
"Monster House" and "Superman Returns" have been nominated for "Best Animated Feature" and "Best Visual Effects" respectfully.

The Amazing thing is that this work was done side by side. No studio has EVER been nominated for Best VFX and Feature Animation. Imageworks made history!

www.oscar.com/nominees/?pn=list

Where I work

Fountains at Sony Imageworks
Originally uploaded by ronzobot.

My desk's windows is the second but last one the right. View on the terrace and fountain. Could have been worse. I admit.

Who said penguins can't surf?

What if I told you they can shop...

We got ourselves a project...

Esse_subD_head_wire_cage_screenshot
Originally uploaded by _esse.

sculpting away on a humanoid head. I will post screenshots as I progress.

*We are. . .*

*85% DONE*

*15% left to in 24 days!!!*

*Go team!!!*

We are in the Venice Project™'s beta-test program

That means we are watching TV over the internet. Real TV, at the real quality, not the downsized downsampled Youtube video thumbnails, and the full programming.

The Venice Project is the new baby of the guys that brought us Kazaa and Skype. Here is their introduction:

We're working on a project that combines the best things about television with the social power of the internet - a project that gives viewers, advertisers and content owners more choice, control and creativity than ever before.

So far all runs pretty smooth. They needs some more content, but that's only a matter of time. Beta program is closed, new members will be invited by existing members. So let me know if you are interested and I will see if I can get you on.

https://www.theveniceproject.com/

64,000 graduates...

...in animation, that is what China produced last year.

Appart from that there are more staggering numbers:
- 466,000 were studying in colleges at the end of 2005
- 81,000 minutes of cartoons produced
- 15 national animation bases have been set up
- about 5,473 animation studios had been founded in China by Oct.2006
- animation departments have been established in 447 universities and 1,230 universities offer professional training for cartoonists

No typos, I have double checked all these numbers. Go check them out for yourself:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/30/content_5551054.htm

We are at the verge of a giant revolution.

Tree goats

Real or Fake? The author claims it's real, the images haven't been tampered with ... Story goes that these goats climb trees because of the scourching hot sand that seems to burn their feet... But, wait a minute, don't they have hoofs?

Read more on:
http://blog.moment.ee/2007/01/viljad-on-valminud-tree-goats.html

Los Angeles by night

Los Angeles by night
Originally uploaded by _esse.

View over LA from the Santa Monica Mountains. We set out for a small after dark hike last monday as it was full moon and clear skies to enjoy this beautifull view. Foreground is Santa Monica, than Venice and Marina Del Rey. In the background LAX area with planes taking of and landing. Thanks to Daniele for the tip and guidance.

MTV "Gets" Surf's Up

"Before you groan at the prospect of another penguin movie (and we feel your pain), consider that this one is told as a mockumentary.

It's "Spinal Tap" meets "Happy Feet," with a story that suggests that penguins invented surfing. The trailer for "Surf's Up" was one of the best of 2006."

http://www.mtv.com/#/movies/news/articles/1548982/20061228/story.jhtml