Artists of Men In Black 3

Official Synopsis:
In Men in Black 3, Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him -- secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind. The film is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. The screenplay is written by Etan Cohen, based on the Malibu Comic by Lowell Cunningham. The producers are Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, and the executive producers are Steven Spielberg and G. Mac Brown.

Release Date: May 25, 2012
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Cast: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin

Production Design by Bo Welch

Illustrators
Vance Kovacs (concept artist) - http://www.vancekovacs.com/
Raj Rihal (concept artist) - www.totalrihal.com
Craig Shoji (concept artist) - http://pensketch.com/
Tully Summers (concept designer) - http://www.tullysummers.com/
Christopher S. Ross (conceptual illustrator) - http://dezyn.com/
Henrik Tamm (conceptual illustrator) - http://www.henriktamm.com

Storyboard Artists 
Patrick Campbell  - http://www.italentco.com/profiles/patrick-campbell/
Brick Mason 

Genre: Action and Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction
Official Site: http://www.meninblack.com
 
What do you think of the artists? Do you know of anyone that worked on the film I may have missed?

Exclusive: David J. Negron Jr. On The Battles Behind 'Battleship' (2012)

The blockbuster film Battleship (2012) is about Naval ships fighting a war against aliens, but it turns out there was an even bigger battle behind-the-scenes with the pre-production of the film.

In this never before told story, storyboard artist David J. Negron Jr. (G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) talked with me about the challenges of bringing an extremely visual movie based on a board game to the screen. At the end are some exclusive storyboards from a key scene in the film.

"As in the name Battleship, preproduction was engaged in a battle of its own." Negron Jr. said, "Early November 2009 began the art department's preproduction of Battleship the movie. We had a very strong Art Department led by Neil Spisak (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Heat), which produced amazing visuals that brought the imagination of the film-makers to another level."

How Negron Jr. got involved on the project:

In January of 2010, I was hired on as one of three storyboard artists to start flushing out action sequences. During this time, the script was in a really rough draft and Peter Berg (Director) wanted to search for visual sequences that would ultimately steer the script in a direction. Early preliminary boards were really just an exercise in how far could we go with ideas. The three storyboard artists produced enough work to keep the pre-viz guys working on their sequence building, while Peter Berg was rethinking other possibilities.

One storyboard artist was let go after a few months, then myself and Tracy were left to continue working with Peter Burg. There was a constant redrawing and rethinking of huge sequences that Peter was searching for.

Another very key person in the design and development of the sequences was Tobias A. Schliessler, the Director of Photography. Tobias was an integral part in designing how shots should be viewed and incorporated into the film. 

Since most of the action takes place in CGI, Berg worked hard with the artists to visual the key battle scenes in a big empty space.

In an interview with MovieFone he said, "Literally nothing exists. So, you've got a plate of the ocean. You've got a big, wide shot of the ocean that we shot a year ago with a helicopter and I'm staring at that. And you ask, like, 'Okay. What are we going to do? We can start with this or this?' It's very challenging and I ask, 'Well, how have you done it before? Tell me how you've done it before.' 'Well, we've never done it. It's never been done.' 'It's never been done?' No. It has actually never been done before. We've never done this particular thing, and that's kind of awesome to hear."

Negron tells what it was like to work behind-the-scenes to help the director.

Once a pass of the boards were approved by Peter, they were then sent down to pre-viz (Previsualization) to begin working on the sequences. This added another dimension to the film as pre-vis was able to reconstruct the story-boarded sequences into a 3-D animated version. This is how it went for about for another two months and the second storyboard artist was then let go. The script continued to be revised with a variety of characters still being developed. 
 
With the action sequences still developing, the second unit director Phil Neilson was brought on. I storyboarded with Phil endlessly on sequences that offered carefully constructed and dynamic visuals that made Peter Berg jump with excitement as if we had just scored a touchdown!

All in all, I was on the show for about eight months and produced probably the most amount of storyboards for a film in my 24 year career.

As Peter Berg volleyed with the studio on the sequences and scale of the project, more sequences were drawn, developed, and pre-vized. 

On Peter Berg's style of leadership and directing:

Peter Berg directed with the leadership of a championship quarterback with 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter, every day. Being the football enthusiast that he is, I remember one day presenting him the KBAY (Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii) Shredder Helicopter Storyboard Sequence that I had laid out.  

He looked at it, then walked right past me and gave me one of those football slaps on the butt and said "good job!"  I think that meant he liked it.

That was Peter Burg. He can be aggressive, football coach-like, and hard on his staff, but that is only because he wants and expects the best out of us.

I think the whole crew delivered it's all on this film.  It took a lot out of us, but all of it got placed right back up on the screen.

Here's a clip from the movie of the alien "Shredders" attacking the Hawaiian base.

Here are some more from the film.

Thanks to David J. Negron Jr. for the story and the storyboards. You can see more of his portfolio at goliathpictures.com

Have you heard of another movie having as much trouble developing its scenes? What do you think of the storyboards?

The Avengers (2012) by Justin Sweet

Fantasy artist Justin Sweet (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, John Carter, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) posted some art for The Avengers (2012) on his blog.

I'm proud to say I worked on Marvel's THE AVENGERS, directed by Joss Whedon. My task on this film was to develop the Aliens that the Avengers fight. It was a collaborative effort, and I worked along some very talented fellows.

Here are some of the aliens that I did ending with the last one that got the nod for the final. Fun trying to figure these guys out. - Justin Sweet

See more of Justin Sweet's portfolio at www.justinsweet.com and muddycolors.blogspot.com.

What do you think of the illustrations?

Versatile Blogger Award From Madlab

 Last Sunday, The Mad Lab Post presented me with the Versatile Blogger award!
As per the rules for Versatile Blogger award recipients, here are 15 blogs (in no particular order) that I nominate for this same badge, as well as seven of my favorite concept art pieces. It's supposed to be seven interesting things about me, but I'm mixing it up.

1. http://em-musing.blogspot.com/
2. http://www.ptdilloway.com/
3. http://startrekspace.blogspot.com/
4. http://gillianhefer.blogspot.com/
5. http://www.bornforgeekdom.com/
6. http://books-old-and-new.blogspot.com/
7. http://monkeymigraine.blogspot.com/
8. http://scifilounge.blogspot.com/
9. http://www.indiedesignz.com/blog/
10. http://www.daisycarter.com/
11. http://closetgeekgurl.blogspot.com/
12. http://tobisummers.blogspot.com/
13. http://commutinggirl.wordpress.com/
14. http://melindadozier.blogspot.com/
15. http://alsgeekbanter.blogspot.com/

Battleship by George Hull

Star Trek by Ralph McQuarrie

Transformers by Tim Flattery

Battlestar Galactica by Ralph McQuarrie

Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome by Peter Rubin

Firefly: Redemption

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

Congratulations and keep on blogging guys! See you on Wednesday for exclusive concept art from Dinosaurs vs. Aliens.

What do you think of the art? Can you guess which movies they are from? 

Battleship (2012) Concept Art By Josh Nizzi

Josh Nizzi has released concept art for the film Battleship (2012). They feature ships, weapons and the aliens.

Link: Joshnizzi.com

 

Aliens Sink Your 'Battleship' In Never Before Seen Concept Art By George Hull

George Hull (Speed Racer, Transformers, The Matrix Reloaded),a lead conceptual artist for the Peter Berg movie Battleship (2012) has shared some concept art with me that were produced in the early stages of film development.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like if aliens came and attacked your Battleship board game, here's your chance.

Official Synopsis:

Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Based on Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hopper’s fiancée; Alexander Skarsgard as Hopper’s older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson; Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone’s superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane.

Hull told me the following, "I was called by the battleship production in Sept 2009 to start the earliest design phase- creating the initial ideas for the alien warships. The only information I was given described 'that the Humans are fighting Alien warships at sea.' What could that look like?
"But when I started there was nothing, zilch,  only the brief and a blank sheet of paper. So I started drawing threatening battle cruisers that were more like alien submarines that could unfold its weapon array in surface mode.  I always approach a design with function in mind.  So I imagined on my own these warships had to plummet from space into the oceans.  Consequently they had to have thrusters  for interplanetary travel as well as submarine propulsion. 
"I should say I was a hired gun at the starting line, creating the big ideas and shapes to consider from my imagination. But lots of other people worked together to finish the marathon. There was a large art department and films take years to realize, many hands will touch the look of the ships along the way. Only each individual artist and their colleagues know how much they initiated a look versus adapted a look.
"And I'm happy to see some of my work is  evident in the big shape vocabulary."
The "Regent" is the name given to the alien invasion force. In an interview with Art of VFX Grady Cofer – VFX Supervisor – ILM said the following about the alien designs.

Production Designer Neil Spisak and Art Director Aaron Haye led a group of illustrators, generating pages and pages of concept art. The alien ships, called Stingers, were inspired by water bugs, which have the ability to stand and maneuver on top of a water surface. It was crucial to the Director that the alien technology feel practical, instead of merely ornamental. And for everything, Pete wanted a sense of age, of history – so when we encounter this alien race, the tools, the armor, and especially the ships feel used and worn.

Back at ILM, we created different silhouettes for each Stinger, varying aspects of their weaponry, defenses, and propulsion. And we customized each ship with its own color and lighting. We noticed how our own Navy ships tend to be simplistic below, along the hull, and more complex on the top surfaces, with clusters of towers and radars and antennae. So for the alien ships we inverted that ratio, simplifying the top surfaces, and then clustering detail — hoses, ports, cargo doors — onto the underside.

Another feature of the ships is their “intelligent surface”. We hypothesized that the alien technology allowed for data and energy to travel along the outer surfaces of their ships. This helped bring the ships to life.

Here are some of his illustrations

"Regent Ship With Mining Rig Deployed" by George Hull

 "Hopper Concept Art" by George Hull

"Regent Battle Cruiser" by George Hull

These images show the inspiration for the designs using sharks and crocodiles.

 Regent Destroyer

For reference, here are the Regent ships in the film.

George Hull has a brand new website. See more of his inspired work at ghull.com

What do you think of the illustrations? Do you think they could sink your battleship?

Artists of 'Battleship' (2012)

Here are some of the artists that worked on the science-fiction film Battleship (2012). As always there are many talented artists involved in the production of a film. These are only some of them according to IMDb and my own research.

Official Synopsis:
Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Based on Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hopper’s fiancée; Alexander Skarsgard as Hopper’s older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson; Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone’s superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane.

Directed by Peter Berg
Production Design by Neil Spisak

Illustrators

• George Hull (Lead Conceptual Artist) - www.ghull.com/
• Ben Mauro (concept designer) - http://benmauro.blogspot.com/
• David J. Negron Jr. (storyboard artist) - http://www.goliathpictures.com
• Eddie Yang (character designer) - http://www.eddieyang.com/
• Harald Belker (concept artist) - www.haraldbelker.com
• James Carson (concept artist) - http://www.jamescarsondesign.com
• Jock (concept artist) - http://www.4twenty.co.uk
• Josh Nizzi (senior illustrator) - www.joshnizzi.com
• Mauro Borrelli (illustrator) - http://www.mauroborrelli.com/
• Steve Jung (Senior Concept Artist) - www.stevejung.net
• Tani Kunitake (illustrator)

Storyboard Artists

• Richard Bennett (storyboard artist) - www.richardbennettart.com

Official Site: http://www.battleshipmovie.com/

What do you think of the artists? Did you see the movie or plan to?

'Avengers: The Art of Marvel's The Avengers' Assembles The Best Concept Art

Avengers: The Art of Marvel's The Avengers has some of the greatest concept art I've had the pleasure of seeing. The book is written by Jason Surrell who was a Disney Imagineer for a long time and did books on Pirates and Haunted Mansion.

With an introduction by Marvel Visual Development department concept artists Ryan Meinerding and Charlie Wen, they start by saying "The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a world whose foundation is based in art, or as we'd like to call it: an illustrator's dream." And it really is. It wasn't easy designing The Avengers. That's the one message that keeps coming up in the book.

There are many quotes from actors, Joss Whedon the director, James Chinlund and concept artists to help you feel what it was like to design such a huge film.

For the film they gave a core team of concept artists a character to focus on. Andy Park (), Phil Saunders and Adi Granov (Iron Man), Charlie Wen (Thor), Ryan Meinderding (Captain America), Rodney Fuentebella, Jacon Johnstson. Production Designer James Chinlund got an amazing group of freelance artists together to round out the team.

The art in the book is beautiful and the glossy oversize pages really let you see an amazing level of detail.

The introduction takes you through the set of movies from Iron Man to Thor and ends with an amazing timeline of the cinematic universe timeline that's three pages long.

The next three chapters take you through the events in the film in three acts: Incident in the Desert, Avengers Assemble and Common Threat.

"Act One: Incident in the Desert" takes you through the sets and designs from the beginning of the film and concept art for Nick Fury, Agent Maria Hill, Loki and Hawkeye.

"Act Two: Avengers Assemble" covers Bruce Banner/Hulk, Black Widow, Steve Rogers/Captain America, Tony Stark/Iron Man, Thor and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s vehicles including the massive Helicarrier. There is also a collection of storyboards

Andy Park's Black Widow "Cat Suit" designs with unused "Widow Stingers" coursing through the costume.

Finally, "Act Three: A Common Threat" starts with designs of Iron Man's new armor and takes you through the design of the evil alien Chitauri. There's even a key frame of the post credit surprise cameo. It ends with an amazing storyboard of the final battle against the aliens by Bryan Andrews and Jim Mitchell

Bryan Andrews "Battle in the Desert" storyboards featuring Iron Man vs. Thor

The final section, "Some Assembly Required" covers various aspects of the marketing from t-shirt designs to versions of the San Diego Comic-Con poster.

One nice feature that I hadn't seen before is a list of all the artists in the book along with the page numbers.

Here's the list of artists credited

• Aaron McBride
• Adi Granov
• Amanda Hunter
• Andy Park
• Ari Sachter-Zeltzer
• Ben Edelberg
• Bryan Andrews
• Bryan Hitch
• Charlie Wen
• Christian Alzmann
• Christopher Ross
• Dave Yee
• Fabien Lacey
• Iain McCaig
• Jack Kirby
• Jacon Johnstson
• Jeff Markwith
• Jim Mitchell
• John Giang
• Josh Herman
• Joe Simon
• Justin Sweet
• Jackson Sze
• Mark Goerner
• Michael Meyers
• Nathan Schroeder
• Nick Cross
• Olly Moss
• Paul Ozzimo
• Phil Saunders
• Paolo Rivera
• Raj Rihal
• Rick Buoen
• Rodney Fuentebella
• Ryan Meinderding
• Steve Jung
• Tani Kunitake
• Yanick Dusseault

This is a beautiful book and, with it's artist quotes, beautiful layout and insider information, is well worth reading.

4 1/2 of 5 stars

Timeline image via comicbookmovie.com

What do you think of the book? Are you going to look for it?