[image title=”thirdfloor” size=”medium” id=”465″ align=”none” linkto=”[site_url]/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thirdfloor.jpg” ]I had a great visit at the Third Floor earlier this week to check in with Chris Edwards and film for our fxphd vfx supervisor course this term. We first visited them in August right before SIGGRAPH, but they were prepping for a demonstration at the show and we couldn’t see their “Director’s Layout Room” (“D-Lo” for short) in action.

But this trip, it was up and running so we got to see how it worked. Basically they have a physical camera with sensors hooked into Motion Builder which allows them to create camera moves in real time. They key, as is the clue with most previs, is that the process is very quick and fluid so that you can rapidly get feedback. It’s pretty slick. We included Chris’ overview of the system in our internal “this week @ fxphd” update video that goes out to members — its a weekly presentation that helps keep them up to date on what is going on at fxphd.

Thanks Chris — and everyone at The Third Floor — for letting us invade your space this week.