Ingenuity Engine Delivers Smokin’ Stereo VFX for A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS

Stoner comedy fans have a new reason to celebrate this holiday season, with the release of the first major 3D feature in the genre, A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS. For his directorial debut, Todd Strauss-Schulson looked to visual effects company Ingenuity Engine to help him create self-aware 3D gags and over-the-top visuals that deliver the kind of high art fans of the genre hunger for.

Working with production VFX Supervisor David Goldberg, Ingenuity Engine VFX Supervisors David Lebensfeld and Grant Miller created 125 visual effects shots that take Harold and Kumar across New York City to find a Christmas tree, stumbling into trouble (and Neil Patrick Harris!) at every turn. The effects encompass everything from a 100% computer generated (CG) flaming Christmas tree exploding out of a window to 3D egg throwing and Nativity scene gags, CG robot drumline dance numbers and more.

While Ingenuity Engine had plenty of VFX experience through its years of commercial, music video and TV series work, “Harold & Kumar” marked the company’s first major studio feature, and its first stereo 3D project. Since camera metadata was not recorded on set, Miller and Lebensfeld developed a tool to preview the stereo depth of visual effects shots using proxy geometry in the Foundry’s Nuke compositor. Using NVIDIA’s 3D Vision for stereo review on their existing Quadro-equipped workstations, this methodology allowed artists to accurately match the depth in the live action plates in an interactive preview. The stereo camera and geometry were then transferred from Nuke to Autodesk 3ds Max animation software for final rendering.

The shot of the Christmas tree catching fire, which kicks off Harold & Kumar’s quest, was particularly challenging. “Initially they were going to shoot a real tree on a stage, but by doing it all CG we saved the filmmakers a 2-day shoot, fire permits and tens of thousands of dollars,” said Lebensfeld.

The following shot of the flaming tree exploding through a window (featured in the movie’s trailer) was originally shot live, but then re-created in 100% CG to enable it to ‘hang’ in the air for a different look. Using their stereo preview tools, Ingenuity Engine artists initially created the scene in Nuke, matching the live action depth and post-vizing the animation. Artists then transferred the scene to 3ds Max where they created an entirely CG tree, shattering glass and sparks. The explosive effect was topped off with CG fire created in FumeFX.

“Being able to review proper full-color stereo on our artist workstations here was huge,” said Miller. “We were able to create the 3D shots with fewer rounds of notes and review depth in real time with the director.”

Lebensfeld added, “Because we use small teams of multi-disciplined artists, we’re nimble and able to adopt new methodologies and implement new software really quickly. Our approach has always been to work smart and fast, and focus on really helping the production. Operational flexibility is key.”

About Ingenuity Engine
Ingenuity Engine is Hollywood-based visual effects and design studio founded in 2004. The company has a reputation for nimbleness and creative experimentation, and has provided VFX and creative post for hundreds of commercials and music videos; serving top brands including Mazda, Sears, Asics, Coca-Cola and more and garnering MTV Music Video Awards for their work. Ingenuity Engine’s VFX credits include television episodics Parks & Recreation and Happy Endings and the feature film A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas. The company is in production on the upcoming feature Detention from director Joseph Kahn. www.ievfx.com

Must Watch: HAROLD & KUMAR'S Red Band Trailer! NSFW

Hey guys - check out the latest trailer for A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS! Love the winks toward 3D too.

There is a "baby on drugs" warning to go with this trailer though. If you can't handle it, don't watch it! :-) Tongue in cheek of course. A lot is given away in the trailer so that means one of two things generally: One, this is but a small slice of a truly hilarious movie full of surprises and shocking smiles. Or two, the trailer has ALL the funny parts in it, setting us up to spend our money on something not worthy. Personally I think it is option 1 given the pedigree of the franchise, so get ready for some holiday fun!

Here's the storyline:
Six years have elapsed since Guantanamo Bay, leaving Harold and Kumar estranged from one another with very different families, friends and lives. But when Kumar arrives on Harold's doorstep during the holiday season with a mysterious package in hand, he inadvertently burns down Harold's father-in-law's beloved Christmas tree. To fix the problem, Harold and Kumar embark on a mission through New York City to find the perfect Christmas tree, once again stumbling into trouble at every single turn.

Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Writer: Jon Hurwitz
Studio: New Line Cinema
Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris

Check it out:



A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS sleighs us all on November 4!

Four New Posters For A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR CHRISTMAS

Nothing like a little humor to ease the pressure of the holiday season right guys? A VERY PHALLIC HAROLD & KUMAR CHRISTMAS looks like it may deliver more of the same beloved dark humor this time around too.

Here's the storyline:
The new “Harold & Kumar” comedy picks up six years after the duo’s last adventure. After years of growing apart, Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) have replaced each other with new best friends and are preparing for their respective Christmas celebrations. But when a mysterious package arrives at Kumar’s door, his attempt to deliver it to Harold’s house ends with him inadvertently burning down Harold’s father-in-law’s prize Christmas tree. With his in-laws out of the house for less than a day, Harold decides to cover his tracks rather than come clean, and reluctantly embarks on another ill-advised but hilarious journey with Kumar, taking them through New York City on Christmas Eve in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

More Details:

Studio: New Line Cinema
Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Writer: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris, Paula Garces, Danneel Harris, Bobby Lee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Tom Lennon, Danny Trejo, Amir Blumenfeld, David Burtka, Fred Melamed, Patton Oswalt and Richard Riehle

Look for the movie opening November 4.

Source: Yahoo via Cinemablend

First Look: A VERY HAROLD AND KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS Photo

After HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY (HKEFGB) had a half decent return (it made $43.5m) on investment it seems the franchise lives on. In 3D this time! We'll see how it goes.

I did love the marketing for HKEFGB with the create a voice answering message from President Bush. It was HILARIOUS.

Kal Penn and John Cho do a wonderful job in the lead roles for these films.

Here's the storyline for A VERY HAROLD AND KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS:
After years of growing apart, Harold Lee and Kumar Patel have replaced each other with new friends and are preparing for their respective Yuletide celebrations. But when a mysterious package mistakenly arrives at Kumar’s door on Christmas Eve, his attempt to redirect it to Harold’s house ends with the “high grade” contents — and Harold’s father-in-law’s prize Christmas tree — going up in smoke. With his in-laws out of the house for the day, Harold decides to cover his tracks, rather than come clean. Reluctantly embarking on another ill-advised journey with Kumar through New York City, their search for the perfect replacement tree takes them through party heaven — and almost blows Christmas Eve sky high.

Sounds like typical Harold and Kumar fare - so in other words a pretty good time. AND Danny Trejo will be in it. I'll be checking it out on November 4.

Source: Yahoo