We finally have a Last of Us Season 2 release month and details on new PlayStation adaptations like a Horizon Zero Dawn film

Special make-up effects designer Arjen Tuiten gives a glimpse of what to expect in Leigh Whannells Wolf Man.The post The creature effects in Wolf Man appeared first on befores & afters.

Leading visualization studio Proof Inc. has released its previs reel for the StudioCanal thriller Something in the Water, which showcases its innovative work on the films dynamic and suspenseful sequences. The movie, directed by Hayley Easton Street, follows a group of friends stranded in the Caribbean after a boat crash, battling for survival amidst lurking dangers, including a predatory shark.The animator and editor in charge of creating some of the films most intense scenes, such as the tense boat crash and shark chase, was Proofs Previs Supervisor, Martin Bell. Under the limitations of the indie filmmakers budget, Bell relied heavily on Proofs sizable library of assets and adapted the existing models to suit the needs of this film. These sequences were difficult because they were fast-paced, action-packed, and the dramatic and perilous moments needed creative thinking to convey just that.Collaboration was key, working closely with Easton Street and VFX Supervisor Steve Street in aligning the work of Proof with the films creative vision. The films focus on storytelling over technical precision allowed for a more fluid and narrative-driven approach, delivering visually engaging sequences while respecting the films indie roots.The post Proof Shares Previs Reel for Something in the Water appeared first on Vfxexpress.

In Wolf Man, Leigh Whannell reimagination of this classic horror creates new boundaries concerning practical effects while telling the horror story. Merging human with animal anatomy forms a horrifying display of realism- a capture so unsettling that takes over the main theme of what drives the film about. Whannells rigorous attention to how he focuses on practical as opposed to complete CGI makes such an authenticity palpable for everyone.The story centers on Blake (Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott), a man teetering between family devotion and primal terror. After inheriting a secluded Oregon farmhouse following his fathers mysterious disappearance, Blake convinces his wife Charlotte (Emmy winner Julia Garner) and their young daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) to leave their urban life for a brief respite. But when an unseen predator forces them into a fight for survival, this familys journey takes an altogether darker turn. And while Blake starts changing inside, Charlotte has to face some really harrowing questions: is the monster outside more dangerous than the one within?With Sam Jaeger, Ben Prendergast, and Benedict Hardie in a talented ensemble cast, and a screenplay by Whannell and Corbett Tuck, Wolf Man combines psychological tension with physical horror. Produced by Blumhouse, the film continues Whannells tradition of modern, character-driven monster stories like The Invisible Man and Upgrade. Witness this chilling lupine nightmare unfold when Wolf Man hits theaters on January 17.The post Wolf Man Monsters Workshop Featurette: A Modern Nightmare Reimagined appeared first on Vfxexpress.

This article is republished with permission fromWonder Tools,a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps.Subscribe here.Im starting this year with a focus on tactics, not just tools. Timeboxing is the tactic I rely on to plan my 100 weekly waking hours. In this post Im sharing tips and tools to help whether youre new to timeboxing or open to improving.Timeboxingis the practice of scheduling tasks and deep work directly onto a calendar. By specifying how long to spend on each task, timeboxing helps you create a realistic plan taking into account your priorities and available time.How it works for meI start the day with 15 minutes of reflection and planning. I usually use a portable notebook orSunsama. I review tasks, set priorities, and schedule specific time slots for deep work. I allocate time thats available to me between meetings and teaching responsibilities.Why timeboxing might work for youTimeboxing might be a fit if you have the freedom to decide what to do when. Its especially useful if you have a sense of how long things often take you and know the daily rhythms of your concentration levels, i.e. when youre best able to focus. It doesnt have to be all or nothing: timebox a fraction of your schedule if unpredictable work or personal responsibilities limit your flexibility.Heres a simple process to start timeboxing today:Choose your planning time:Pick either the end of your workday or first thing in the morning. I prefer a.m. when Im most focused.List your priorities:Spend 5 minutes listing your most important tasks for the upcoming work session. Not everything. Just the top few.List necessities:Spend 5 minutes listing other less-valuable tasks that you have to get done today. Again, not everything. Just whats most essential.List notes and for-later items:Spend 2 minutes jotting down anything else that comes to mind that youll need to remember later to help you get your work done, or that youll need to put on a future work list.Estimate durations:Next to each task, write how long you think it will take, adding a 25% buffer to account for interruptions or hidden sub-tasks.Block your calendar:Schedule each task into specific time slots.Review at days end:Consider how long things actually took, what worked well, and what didnt. That reflection will strengthen the next days plan.Pro tip: Start small.Begin with just your morning or afternoon hours. Start with the simplest tools available to you, whether thats paper and pen or your existing Outlook or Google Calendar.Common pitfalls to avoidOver-scheduling:Dont fill every minute. Leave buffer time for unexpected tasks and the occasional rabbit hole.Unrealistic estimates:Most tasks take longer than we think. Double your initial estimates.Ignoring energy levels:Match challenging tasks to your peak energy times.Too much rigidity:Build in flex time for inevitable disruptions.Planning too far ahead:Focus on the very next work session, not next week. Who knows what will happen to complicate plans or alter priorities?How timeboxing supports popular productivity frameworksThe 80/20 Rule:This concept suggests that 20% of the work you do delivers 80% of the most important value. It helps focus attention on whats most valuable when youre deciding whats worth your time. Timeboxing helps you execute on that prioritization by making ittangibleon yourschedule.The Eisenhower Matrix: Thisapproachfocuses on assessing what is urgent and important. While Eisenhower analysis helps you prioritize and decide what to do, timeboxing helps you decidewhento do it andhow longto spend. It also nudges you tocommitto it by putting it on the calendar.Eat the Frog:Thisideasuggests doing the most important or most difficult task first. Timeboxing helps give you a structure for putting that task onto yourcalendarand allocating sufficienttimefor it.Recommended timeboxing toolsGraph paper, sand timers, and Post-itsGraph paperworks well. Organize your schedule into boxes, with each representing 10 or 15 minutes. Heres a nicenotebookversion.Sand timerIts old-fashioned, attractive, and doesnt require batteries or a screen. Get one that lasts 15 minutesor whatever work interval you prefer. Benefit from a visual reminder to stay focused.Writing GuruMallary Tenore Tarpleyrecommendedthis sand timerin an excellent recent piece ongifts for writers. Choose between 5, 15, 30 or 60 minute durations for $10 to $13.A nice notebook and penhelp provide a clean, pleasurable surface for planning. I like the classicLeuchtturm1917 notebooks.Post-itsPut one 15-minute task or deep work step on each Post-it. Line up eight in order to plan out a two-hour work sprint.Google Sheets/ MicrosoftExcelA free spreadsheet can work well for planning if you work independently and dont rely on a digital calendar.Heres a blankGoogle Sheets templatefor planning in 30-minute increments. Click Use Template at the top right to make your own private version. Orcopy it. Adjust it to suit your needs, or create your own template.To access your sheet as you work, print it out, bookmark the tab, or access it from your mobile device.Avoid the temptation to decorate or perfect your spreadsheet. Spend brief time planning to maximize time for doing.If you do want to get fancy, use checkboxes to mark completed tasks to reward yourself for getting stuff done. Or use color codes to categorize your priorities to get a visual overview of where your time is going.Benefits:Google Sheetsis free, simple, and easy to use. So is Excel if you already have it.Google TasksUse Googles free task manager to list out priorities, then drag them directly onto your Google calendar for scheduling. Its simple, fast, and handy if you already use Google Calendar. It works well across operating systems, but doesnt let you adjust the duration of tasks.SunsamaThis is my preferred daily planning software. I use it on my laptopyou can also use it on iOS or Android. You can sync it to your existing task lists and calendar, or use it by itself.When you openSunsamait prompts you to reflect on the prior day and to plan your upcoming work. You can add new tasks or import them from other apps like Todoist and Asana. You can then drag tasks onto your calendar to schedule your day.Integrations and pricing:Sunsama syncs with Outlook and Google Calendar as well as Slack, Teams, Trello,Monday,Notionand other tools so you dont need to flip between apps. At $16/month its a well-designed pro option for those with a budget for work tools. Too pricey? Stick to the free alternatives above.How my approach has changedI used to dive into email first thing. I would tackle tasks as they came to mind, or based purely on urgency. I would pause work throughout the day to contemplate what to do next.Now I plan, set the schedule, and then focus on doing. I waste less of my limited attention on making decisions hour by hour. I worry less about how Im spending time because I trust my morning planning. I take five minutes at the end of the day to think about what worked and what didnt so I can plan better next time.Reality check:I often mess up my intended approach and instead hop from task to task without finishing things. On those days I waste time, dwell on unimportant email, ruminate, self-blame, trystructured procrastination, then eventually forgive myself and start fresh.Timeboxing vs. time blockingTime blocking means allocating blocks of time for priorities without specifying timing for specific tasks within that block. Timeboxing adds an additional element: you actually schedule tasks and deep work onto the calendar in defined time slots. Having specific timeboxes nudges me to focus fully on that one thing during that part of my day. It also helps me, over time, to better estimate how much time I need for various kinds of projects.Timeboxing vs. working from a task listPicking what tasks to work on requires mental effort. If you make that effort throughout the day by repeatedly asking yourself what to work on next youre spending down your focus on decisions that could be made in advance.Timeboxing vs. improvisingImprovising our day may seem an artistic approach. But musicians, painters, dancers and others who do creative work often follow carefully planned practice regimens.Even when were doing creative work that requires imagination, we benefit from structure. Detailed plans allow us to apply our focus and creativity to the work itself. When we trust in a schedule weve crafted, we avoid getting distracted by decisions about what to do next. We can then immerse ourselves in the action.This article is republished with permission fromWonder Tools,a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps.Subscribe here.

Cobalt blue floors, reflective chrome furniture and a column of yarn balls come together to create the futuristic interior of the Nezo boutiquein Mumbaiby local studio Sanjay Puri Architects.Nezo's 1,800-square-foot showroom serves as a platform to unite emerging fashion brands from across India and was designed by Sanjay Puri Architects to reflect its goal of empowering women through modern silhouettes.Sanjay Puri Architects has designed a bold and futuristic showroom for Nezo"The guiding vision for the showroom's design was rooted in the founder's mission to address the gap in India's western-wear market by creating a space that unites and celebrates the diverse talents of Indian designers," lead architect Ayesha Puri Kanori told Dezeen."The showroom was envisioned as a dynamic and forward-thinking space that embodies boldness, vibrancy and empowerment."A lounge sits at the heart of the showroom's open layoutA curved chrome reception desk welcomes customers at the store's entrance. Beyond, an open layout is organised around a central lounge to invite exploration of the different collections."The open layout encourages interaction with every collection, ensuring that visitors experience the energy and vision of the brand in every corner of the showroom," Kanori explained.Custom-made clothes racks were designed to resemble molten metalThe store's perimeter is lined with custom-designed clothing racks crafted from reflective chrome steel that echo the reception desk. Cast and shaped to mimic molten liquid, the rails symbolise Nezo's ethos as a melting pot of diverse design talents.Throughout the store, tiled white pedestals with blue grouting serve as displays for accessories, complemented by smaller, organically shaped versions in cobalt blue.Read: Natural materials create "a sense of refuge" in Kyiv boutique Friends of Fashion"The juxtaposition of organic and geometric forms in the design was a deliberate effort to reflect the duality at the heart of the brand's identity," said Kanori. "The contrasting elements throughout the space embody the idea that femininity and strength can coexist."The client's favourite shade of blue extends across all of the showroom's flooring, achieved by introducing blue pigment into the poured concrete."The bold use of blue throughout the space, a colour traditionally associated with masculinity, was an intentional statement a testament to the shifting, female-driven future that Nezo champions," Kanori explained.Cobalt blue and mustard accents are integrated throughout the storeTo soften the store's industrial palette and create a plain backdrop that keeps the focus on the clothing, Sanjay Puri Architects whitewashed all of the walls.Mustard tones were incorporated through curtains, carpets and sofa upholstery to add warmth to the otherwise cool-toned showroom.The studio transformed the structural columns within the space into multi-functional and aesthetic features, doubling as fitting rooms and integrating shelving on the exterior.The studio created an installation of yarn balls encased in a glass boxOne column features a playful installation of mustard-coloured yarn balls encased in a glass box, symbolising the foundational role of textiles in fashion while creating a backdrop for photos."Yarn, as the foundational raw material of textiles, represents the very essence of fashion, and incorporating it into the store's design was a deliberate choice to honour and acknowledge this origin," said Kanori."This installation not only adds a creative touch to the space but also reinforces the brand's appreciation for the craft and materials at the heart of the industry."A sculptural LED ceiling light installation flows through the showroomAn LED ceiling light installation flows throughout the space and adds a sculptural element, intended to mimic the fluid lines of a sketch."Indian fashion deserves to be celebrated not just as a beautiful craft but also for its immense potential in the global market," said Kanori."This showroom embodies that vision, serving as a platform to showcase the future of Indian fashion and setting a new standard for retail spaces that are both dynamic and forward-thinking."All of Nezo's floors are finished in cobalt blue concreteFounded by Sanjay and Nina Puri in 1992, Sanjay Puri Architects has completed architecture and interior projects across India that explore spatial perceptions.Among them is a spiral-shaped Rajasthan community centre and a family home in Bhilwara with scalloped walls.The photography is by Pankaj Anand.The post Sanjay Puri Architects designs Mumbai boutique to reflect "the future of Indian fashion" appeared first on Dezeen.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the new family of foundational AI models was trained on 20 million hours of humans walking; hands moving, manipulating things."

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also announced new AI tools for creating autonomous agents during a keynote address at CES.

Nvidia has built its generative AI (genAI) business on delivering massive computing capacity to data centers where it can be used to train and refinelarge language models(LLMs).Now, the company is readying a diminutive desktop device called Project DIGITS, a personal AI supercomputer with a lightweight version of the Grace Blackwell platform found in its most powerful servers; its aimed at data scientists, researchers, and students who will be able to prototype, tune, and run large genAI models.Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled Project DIGITS in a keynote speech on the eve of the CES 2025 electronics show in Las Vegas.Project DIGITS is similar in size to theWindows 365 Link thin clientMicrosoft unveiled in November. Microsofts Link measures 120mm (4.72 inches) square and is 30mm (1.18 inches) high.Nvidia hasnt given precise dimensions for Project DIGITS, with Allen Bourgoyne, director of product marketing, saying only that the square device will be about as wide as a coffee mug, including the handle, and about half as high. No international standard exists for mugs, but they are typically about 120mm across, including the handle, and around 90mm high, making Project DIGITS as wide as the Link but half as thick again. There the resemblance ends.The philosophies behind the two devices are quite different: Where the Link pushes almost all the computing capacity to the cloud, Nvidias hardware is moving it down to the desktop.Microsofts Link has 8GB of RAM, no local data storage, and an unspecified Intel processor with no special AI capabilities: If you want to use Windows Copilot features they like everything else will run in the cloud. Link will sell for around $350 when it goes on sale in April.One wall outlet, one petaflopProject DIGITS, on the other hand, will cost upwards of $3,000 when it arrives in May. For that money, buyers will get 4TB of NVMe storage, 128GB of unified Low-Power DDR5X system memory, and a new GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip; it comes with 20 ARM cores in the Grace CPU and a mix of CUDA cores, RT cores and fifth-generation tensor cores in the Blackwell GPU.Together, those cores offer up to 1 petaflop of AI processing capability enough, said Bourgoyne, to work with a 200-billion-parameter model at FP4 accuracy locally, with no need for the cloud. By connecting two Project DIGITS devices together via their built-in ConnectX networking chips, its possible to work with 400-billion-parameter models, he said.The GB10 was co-developed with Mediatek, a company known for its power-efficient mobile chips. Compared to the GB200 processors used in data centers, an NV72 rack full of which can draw as much as 120kW, Project DIGITS is more power efficient. So, you can plug it into a standard wall outlet, Bourgoyne said. It doesnt require any additional power than what you have at your desktop.Project DIGITS wont run Windows: Instead, it will run DGX OS, a version of Ubuntu Linux customized with additional drivers and tools for developing and running AI applications. Thats the same software that runs on Nvidia DGX systems in the data center, meaning models built and tested locally on Project DIGITS can be deployed straight to the cloud or data center, the company said.Other Nvidia AI tools the device can run include orchestration tools, frameworks, and models on the Nvidia Developer portal and in its NGC. That includes the NeMo framework for fine-tuning models and the RAPIDS libraries for data science.Nvidia Blueprints and NIM microservices are available under lightweight licenses via its developer program for building agentic AI applications, with an AI Enterprise license needed only when they are moved to production environments, the company said.More generative AI on the desktopRecognizing that you dont need a GB10 processor to accelerate AI development on the desktop, Nvidia is also introducing a range of NIM microservices and AI Blueprints for building applications on PCs containing its Geforce RTX GPUs what it calls RTX AI PCs.Nvidia is introducing a range of AI foundation models both its own and those of other developers containerized as NIM microservices that can be downloaded and connected together. Using low-code and no-code tools such as AnythingLLM, ComfyUI, Langflow and LM Studio, developers will be able to build and deploy workflows using these NIM microservices, with its AI Blueprints providing preconfigured workflows for particular tasks such as converting between media formats. One of the newest Blueprints can convert PDFs to podcasts.

A new rumor claims that the iPhone 17 range will feature a redesigned chassis that does away with straight edges.Renders of possible iPhone 17 designs based on previous leaksPrevious rumors have claimed that Apple is returning to aluminum for the iPhone 17 range, although those claims were disputed. Now a further leaker has come forward to claim that there will be a significant redesign that sees Apple going back to smoothly curved edges.According to Fixed-Focus Digital on Chinese social media site Weibo, Apple has developed a new manufacturing process concerning how different materials can be blended together to avoid straight edges. Rumor Score: Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums