OMG: AZO Stunts and Tricks Showreel 2010

We’ve already featured this guy on [GaS] last year, and once again, he has released a showreel of some of the coolest stunts and tricks he’s done this year. Check it out.

[Via TWD]

How to Become Super Vol. II [Picture]

You’ve seen the first version, now here’s the second:

Can you name them all?

[Via Threadless]



The Most Epic Lightsaber Duel Ever [Video]

This super awesome mashup of Star Wars and The Princess Bride is called the Chatty Duelists and was created by VFXFreak to learn a special effect program… but it ended up as one of the most epic lightsaber battle I’ve ever seen. Check it out:

Please note that those outside the U.S. might not be able to view this video.

Galactica Cylon Theme on an Eigenharp

The Eigenharp is a modern electronic instrument that looks like the offspring of a sitar that had an affair with a Gravitron carnival ride. It can be used to layer several effects, drum rhythms and instruments at the same time, and in my opinion is the geekiest of all instruments. How do we take that geekiness to the next level? Throw in some Battlestar Galactica, of course!

360 camera impressive, but not 3D

Researchers in Switzerland have produced what some are touting as a true 3D camera. In reality, though, it’s “only” a camera that can simulate a 3D effect in a 360 degree panorama.

Traditional 3D imaging, known as stereoscopy, usually consists of taking two images of the same scene and then presenting them in a way that exploits how the brain processes the images seen by each eye. One limitation of this system is that the image itself can only show what the camera (simulating human vision) can see in one specific direction.

The Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne is now working on ways around this. Two semi-spherical models already developed use multiple lenses (15 in one model, 100+ on the other) to capture images, with the lenses set up to overlap their view just enough to make sure the data collected covers a full panorama.

The computer connected to the camera then uses the different lens views to calculate the distance to the various objects in the captured image (in the same way as human eyes and brains), with this information used to create the illusion in the output image.

According to Professor Pierre Vandergheynst, such cameras could be used at sporting or entertainment events to allow the viewer more choice about the angle they see events from, including the option to view from the perspective of an on-field or on-stage participant.