3DA - With a character like this one, with eagle head, to show its feelings is difficult. How you solved that problem? How you obtained the Hippogriff express the feelings?

David - The motion rig or m-rig is essentially a mechanical platform that can move in wide variety of axes and planes. This rig can be controlled though traditional but augmented motion control technology.

A hard cast of Buckbeak's body was mounted onto the rig on which the actors would sit. Once sign-off for a shot was reached, the animation from Maya together with the camera move would be converted to work within the physical confines of the the m-rig and motion control camera. After further sign-off this action woulld be shot against a bluescreen with the actors aboard. The bluescreen elements were then matched back to fully rendered CG Buckbeak at composite stage.

3DA - Almost at the end of the film, there are some shots in which Hippogriff fight with the Werewolf, created by The moving Picture Company. How were made those shots? What can you explain to us on them?

David - Animation blocking of both characters was first layed out by Framestore-CFC. This had to be done this way to truly believe the two beasts live in the same shot. Regular communication and animation swapping ensured that the fight did not feel disjoint in any way. Each company composited their own creature.

3DA - Which software have you used for all the work? Have you created some specific tool?

David - Maya, RenderMan and Shake was our main pipeline. However, a lot of specific tools were created, particularly for the fur and feathers.

3DA - Which has been the most difficult shot to create? Why?

David - Once our pipeline had been locked down few shots gave us many surprises. However, shots where Buckbeak is in extreme poses caused us to pause on occasion. Also, there are some very long shots which logisticly required al little more planning.

We want to thank to David Lomax for his time and his support in the making of this interview, and of course to Martin Parker and Stephanie Bruning, and all the people of Warner Bros who made possible this interview.

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