January 14, 20254 min readWhy Are Recurring Dreams Usually Bad Ones?Recurring dreams may feature taking a test the dreamer didnt study for, having to make a speech or being attacked. Heres why our sleeping brain comes back to these unpleasant dreams again and againBy Amanda Heidt edited by Lauren J. Young Jorm Sangsorn/Getty ImagesWhy does it seem like the same dreams keep following us? Maybe youve dreamed of soaring like a bird since childhood, or youve recently started revisiting a particular place or time while asleep. Perhaps a bad day at work still stirs exam nightmares, even if you havent been a student for decades.If so, youre far from alone. Recurring dreams are a surprisingly common phenomenon: research shows that up to 75 percent of adults experience at least one during their lifetime. These dreams exist on a spectrum: sometimes theyre nearly identical each time they occur, but they may also have recurring themes, locations or characters set against different backdrops. This fluctuation sets recurring dreams apart from bad dreams triggered by post-traumatic stress disorder, a psychological condition in which people relive specific memories from their waking life with far less variation while asleep. Experts are still uncertain about why we experience recurring dreams at all, but new research is helping better identify patterns in their frequency and content, as well as in the scenarios that provoke them.Recent studies have bolstered the long-held idea that recurring dreams are oftenbut not alwaysbad ones. In a 2022 survey by Michael Schredl, head of the sleep laboratory at the Central Institute of Mental Health in Germany, and his colleagues, adults flagged recurring dreams as negatively toned two thirds of the time; these dreams often touched on themes such as being chased or attacked, arriving somewhere late or failing at something. The participants positive recurring dreams, by contrast, involved themes such as flying or discovering a new room in their house.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.The reasons why we might have a greater propensity for negative dreams are not fully understood, but Schredl says dreams typically overdramatize something in our waking lifeeven a small feeling or minor situation we feel powerless to change. In the dream, it becomes a much bigger emotion, although the connection isnt always straightforward or obvious, he explains.Psychology and neuroscience offer additional clues. For example, we are prone to whats known as negativity bias: a tendency to fixate more upon unpleasant thoughts, emotions or social interactions than on positive ones. This behavior is rooted in our subconscious need to resolve negative situations that threaten our survival. Negativity bias may be compounded in sleep because our dreaming brain dampens the areas associated with linear logic and activates portions associated with emotion, weakening the filter between our thoughts and our feelings.Understanding the psychological underpinnings of recurrent dreams has been challenging to study because its difficult to control dreams in an experimental context. But events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks or the COVID pandemic, those in which many people experience a shared trauma, have allowed scientists to investigate certain dream-related patterns in more detail.People who live through regional or global catastrophes often experience a striking increase in negatively-toned recurring dreams afterward, says Deirdre Leigh Barrett, a dream researcher and author of the 2020 book Pandemic Dreams. During the pandemic, Barrett amassed more than 15,000 dream reports, and in twin publicationsa book chapter and a studyshe showed that repeated themes involving fear, illness and death were then two to four times more common in peoples dreams than they were before the pandemic began. Common narratives included watching loved ones die, seeing swarms of insects (perhaps stemming from the description of COVID as a bug, Barrett says) and experiencing disasters, such as tidal waves, that are emblematic of something all-consuming.Barrett found that dreams early in the pandemic tended to be more literal and induced more fear and anxiety. Over time, they shifted toward less terrifying but still unpleasant situations related to social embarrassment, such as being the only person in public not wearing a face mask. Theyre clearly somewhat linked to whats going on in our daily lives, Barrett says, referring to what is known as the continuity hypothesis. If youre not processing the emotions during the day, your nocturnal consciousness will attempt to process them at night, she explains.Barrett and other experts emphasize that negative recurring dreams are common and normal and that there are actionable steps to control them. Some people have found success in a practice called imagery rehearsal therapy, in which they repeatedly reimagine their nightmares with happier endings before going to sleep. Nirit Soffer-Dudek, a consciousness researcher and clinical psychologist at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, also recommends cultivating good sleep hygiene. By setting a consistent sleep schedule, limiting screen use and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed, youre less likely to fall asleep while still in a heightened emotional state, she says. The best advice I can give is to try to enforce strong boundaries between your waking time and sleep to avoid bringing anxiety into your dreams.

Lonely Mountains: Downhill's multiplayer skiing sequel Snow Riders is out next weekOn Xbox, PC, and Game Pass.Image credit: Megagon Industries News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 14, 2025 Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, the ski-based sequel to developer Megagon Industries' acclaimed biking game Lonely Mountains: Downhill, now has a release date and is launching for Xbox, PC, and Game Pass next Tuesday, 21st January.As was the case with 2019's Lonely Mountains: Downhill, Snow Riders is all about getting from the top to the bottom of those gorgeously low-poly peaks as stylishly or as speedily as possible - albeit with those mountains now festooned with ice and blanketed in thick snow.Snow Riders' meticulously crafted mountains feature the usual deluge of craftily concealed shortcuts to seek out in a bid to shave precious seconds off descent times, and there's a new tricks system too. But the big difference is the introduction of online multiplayer, turning what was previously an occassionally serene solitary pursuit into a decidedly more chaotic affair.Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders release date trailer.Watch on YouTubeSolo play is still available, of course, but it's joined by team-based co-op - which sees players sharing their limited checkpoints - alongside competitive races. And that's on top of challenges to complete, plus new equipment, outfits, and tricks to unlock along the way.Lonely Mountains: Downhill was an absolute treat (Chris Tapsell called it "magic" when it made Eurogamer's top picks list in 2019), and Snow Riders' recent Steam demo suggests Megagon Industries has another winner on its hands. All will be revealed when it launches for Xbox, Steam, and Game Pass in exactly one week's time, on 21st January.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereNetEase has confirmed that it will be taking action against Marvel Rivals players using keyboard and mouse adapters in-game. With players using adapters that allow them to get full keyboard and mouse control with controller benefits, the developers have developed a strong detection tool that will ban users trying to gain an advantage.Marvel Rivals keyboard and mouse adapter detectionExplained in a blog post following the release of Season 1, NetEase explained that the team stands unwavering in our mission to foster a fair and thrilling gameplay for all. The team explained that cheating is something they will battle relentlessly, and that includes cracking down on adapter users.We have forged a strong detection tool and couple with the keen judgment of our watchful human eyes to accurately identify those using keyboard and mouse adapters, NetEase explained. We believe that gaining an unjust advantage through such methods significantly impacts the gaming experience for our players.The developer said the team will take measures to vanquish this nefarious behavior and will introduce penalties for people who use keyboard and mouse adapters. Players caught using the tools will suffer the following penalties:temporary or permanent account suspensionsremoval from leaderboardsother punishmentsMarvel Rivals is a massive multiplayer game, and fighting cheaters is essential for maintaining a strong player base. While the game will be releasing a new hero every month and a half to keep players excited, that wont matter if the game is filled with cheaters.For more Marvel Rivals coverage, read about the games leaked heroes, or check out our updated tier list. Additionally, you can read about this neat trick that allows you to rapidly finish Heroic Journey achievements easily or even listen to our interview with game director Thaddeus Sasser.Related TopicsMarvel Rivals Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

With cool evenings underway, and a list of books and movies to keep us sane throughout winter, were looking to locate the best throw blankets, stat. Weve rounded up our favoritesthanks to our in-house testersand a few more we have our eye on, with machine washable options in mind, and avoiding synthetic fibers wherever possible (with a few exceptions). Care instructions included, so you know what youre getting into. Ahead, discover our top picks, from alpaca to cashmere to wool. Join us in our quest for the best blankets and shop on.Top picks:Best Cashmere Throw Blanket: Ribbed Knit Cashmere Throw, $140 at QuinceMost Luxurious Throw Blanket: Alpaca Basketweave Throw, $375 at Jenni KayneBest Lambswool Throw Blanketl: Luxe Lambswool Throw, $189 $151 at the Company StoreBest Faux Fur Throw Blanket: Storm Grey Faux Fur Throw Blanket, $120 at Crate & BarrelBest Cashmere Throw Blanket: Quince Ribbed Knit Cashmere ThrowQuinceLauren ArzbaecherQuince Ribbed Knit Cashmere ThrowCommerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher loves this luxe ribbed knit cashmere for keeping things cozy, calling it insanely soft. For interested bibliophiles, Lauren has vetted this as the perfect reading blanketI'm regularly bundled up in this for hours while reading a good book. Move fast! Only the oatmeal colorway is available.SpecsSize: 50''L x 60''WMaterial: 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmereCare InstructionsHand wash with cold water using a mild soap or detergent and air dry to maintain shape and durability.Most Luxurious Throw Blanket: Jenni Kayne Alpaca Basketweave ThrowJenni Kayne Alpaca Basketweave ThrowWe think an alpaca blanket is a foolproof way to elevate cozinessit has the elegance of cashmere, but with better durability, less odor retention, and better insulation. On top of which, we cant really say no to a basketweave and tasteful fringe. Commerce writer Julia Harrison has this one in cocoa, and besides being ultra-soft, its rendered all other blankets moot.SpecsSize: 50"W x 70"LMaterial: 70% Alpaca 23% Polyamide 7% WoolCare InstructionsDry-clean only. Due to the superfine nature of fibers, pilling may occur over time. We recommend using a sweater stone to maintain your throws.Best Lambswool Throw Blanket: The Company Store Luxe Lambswool ThrowThe Company Store Luxe Lambswool ThrowThis 100% wool throw from the Company Store received high praise from associate commerce director Lori Keong. I love how much heat it generates without too much heft and how unassuming the colorway is in my already minimal bedding setup, she says It looks great slung over a couch too. Lori also suggests it as a nice gift ideaIf youre feeling fancy, you can even slap a monogram on it and give it to someone as a gift.SpecsSize: 90"W x 96"LMaterial: 100% all-natural lambswoolCare InstructionsDry-clean only.Best Faux-Fur Throw Blanket: Crate & Barrel Storm Grey Faux Fur Throw BlanketCrate & Barrel Faux Fur Throw BlanketCommerce director Rachel Fletcher loves this cozy blanket from Crate & Barrel for its plushness and size, saying, I really never thought Id be a faux-fur girl, as my taste runs a bit more pared-down than glam, but when I got this unbelievably soft and warm deep gray throw from the brand, I knew I was a goner.SpecsSize: 70W x 55LMaterial: 100% recycled polyesterCare InstructionsMachine wash cold, tumble dry low. Do not dry-clean.More Throw Blankets We LoveBest Waffle Knit: Coyuchi Cordillera Alpaca Cotton Knit ThrowCoyuchi Cordillera Alpaca Cotton Knit ThrowOne more alpaca blanket, since we cant get enoughsomething about the combination of pima cotton, alpaca, and this seed stitch design makes this blanket look three times its price tag, so its as suitable for a cuddle as it is for actually keeping warm. The texture is incredibly soft, and this blend of materials keeps the blanket well-insulated so theres never a cold feet scenario you have to worry about. Both colorways, camel and gray, make for elevated drapery in any room.SpecsSize: 65"W x 40"LMaterial: 56% alpaca, 44% pima cottonCare InstructionsDry-clean only.Best Cotton Blanket: Brooklinen Grid Knit Cotton Throw BlanketBrooklinen Grid Knit Cotton Throw BlanketThis chunky knit from Brooklinen is perfect for swaddling. If you like the kind of blanket with a ton of give, warm but not claustrophobic, and big but not huge, this is exactly what youve been looking for. Youll have to move fast on this one, its final sale!SpecsSize: 50"W x 70"LMaterial: 100% cottonCare InstructionsMachine-wash cold with like colors. Only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low, remove promptly.Best Weighted Blanket: Bearaby Cotton NapperBearaby Cotton Napper (15lbs)Its comforting, cozy, and perfect for lounging. Made of long-staple organic cotton with a soft, buttery feeling, this high-quality weighted blanket is available in several solid colors, including midnight blue (pictured).SpecsSize: 40W x 72LMaterial: 100% GOTS-Certified organic cottonCare InstructionsWash separately in cold water, on a delicate or permanent-press cycle. Tumble dry on low.Best for Year-Round: Buffy Puffer BlanketBuffy Puffer BlanketEver fantasize about dragging your duvet or comforter off your bed when you want to snuggle up on the couch? Now you can with this ultra plush throw from Buffy. The stitching makes it look like a quiltearning it a spot in the honorable mentions portion of our best quilts storywhile the 100% recycled PET, BPA-free fill gives it sumptuousness. Its available in five color options and can be used year-round.SpecsSize: 70W x 50LMaterial: 100% recycled PET, BPA-free fillCare InstructionsMachine wash cold with your favorite pro-planet detergent and tumble dry low. Blanket will dry wrinkle-free; do not iron.Best Artisan Pick: Obakki Super-Soft Throw BlanketObakki Super-Soft Throw BlanketWith an impressive selection of thoughtfully-sourced, expertly-crafted blankets, this one especially caught our eye for being high-quality with a low price-tag. On the reverse side of this charcoal blanket is a lighter gray, so its color-blocking actually looks elegant when left in a heap.SpecsSize: 57W x 74LMaterial: 100% cashmere-like acrylicCare InstructionsMachine-washable. Tumble dry on low heat.Best Budget-Friendly Pick: West Elm Brushed Herringbone ThrowWest Elm Brushed Herringbone ThrowThe brushed texture of this West Elm exclusive gives it incredible softness and a handmade look. Choose between gray, conifer, midnight, almond, horseradish, and copper. Its also one of the picks on this list with the lowest price tag.SpecsSize: 50W x 60LMaterial: 75% polyester acrylic, 25% woolCare InstructionsDry-clean only.How To Care For Your Throw Blankets:To maintain your throw blankets at their softest and most velvety, wed recommend the following products:Lona Scott Cashmere CombBFWood Boar Bristle BrushOutback Gold Wool Wash

(L-R) Donald Trump and Seth MeyersGetty ImagesIn an early morning rant, Donald Trump went off on Seth Meyers late-night NBC show, declaring that Comcast should pay a BIG price for shows that he calls political hits.In Trumps 1:24 a.m. ET post on Truth Social, he said that he had watched Meyers show recently. Meyers humor for years has been biting when it comes to Trump, with his segments also serving as a form of commentary.Related StoriesTrump wrote, How bad is Seth Meyers on NBC, a network run by a truly bad group of people Remember, they also run MSDNC. I got stuck watching Marble Mouth Meyers the other night, the first time in months, and every time I watch this moron I feel an obligation to say how dumb and untalented he is, merely a slot filler for the Scum that runs Comcast. These guys should be paying a lot of money for the right to give these in kind contributions to the Radical Left Democrat Party. These are not shows or entertainment, they are simply political hits, 100% of the time, to me and the Republican Party. Comcast should pay a BIG price for this!Trump has long bashed Comcast, NBC and MSNBC. During his first term, he suggested pulling the networks FCC license after he got angered by an NBC News report. Ajit Pai, who he appointed FCC chair, later noted that the agency licenses stations, not networks, and that news programming was protected by the First Amendment.Watch on DeadlineBut Trumps appointee as chair of the FCC during his next term, Brendan Carr, has suggested that the agency can examine complaints over news programming, including one that challenged the way that 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris. He also bashed NBC for featuring Harris on Saturday Night Live in the final show before the election, warning that it was a violation of equal time rules. The network gave Trumps campaign time the next day, but Carr warned that other third-party candidates may have been denied airtime.Late Night with Seth Meyers has been in reruns this week. Trumps comments are a contrast to President Joe Bidens feelings about the show. Last year, he made an in-studio visit as the show marked its 10th anniversary.Comcast is in the midst of spinning off MSNBC and other cable assets, something that may require regulatory approval. But media companies have been eyeing the Trump administration as potentially more permissive when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. During Trumps first term, the Justice Department challenged AT&Ts merger with Time Warner, then the parent company of CNN. AT&T won the case, but a number of Time Warner executives believed that the transaction was challenged because Trump so despised the reporting of its subsidiary, CNN.In contrast, when Fox sought to sell many of its studio assets to Disney a horizontal transaction that eliminated competition from the landscape the transaction sailed through in just six months.Must Read StoriesGet our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.Sign Up20 CommentsLoading comments...

More To PlaygueMassive Skyrim mod inspired by The Witcher 3's Hearts of Stone gets an extra 20 hours added to its questline about the Dragonborn fighting a full-on plagueVersion 2.0 of Death Consumes All definitely looks to have made it close to as beefy as CD Projekt's DLC masterworks.Image credit: Anbeegod/Bethesda News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Jan. 14, 2025 There are plenty of absolutely huge Skyrim quest mods out there, and one that already had an entire plague that spreads like a real epidemic in it has just gotten a whole lot bigger, thanks to a new addition-filled overhaul. It's called Death Consumes All, and it's inspired by The Witcher 3's brilliant Hearts of Stone DLC.Now, you might have already played the original version of Death Consumes All, which came out back in 2020 has amassed over 100,000 total downloads on Nexus Mods since, as people looked at the 10-hour long branching and fully-voiced questline its creator Anbeegod had put together and said 'Don't mind if I do'.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Since that point, the modder's been busy working on a fresh version of it that overhauls bascially everything, brining the length of the main questline up to about 30 hours in the process. It's just been released to the public, under the not too different title of 'Death Consumes All - DLC Quest Mod (Revamped)'.The premise is the same as its predecessor, a deadly plague is spreading across Skyrim via a gameplay systyem that's designed to mirror the spread of real-world epidemics, threatening "to consume all" and turn everyone into undead creatures. Alongside a fully-fledged follower called Livia Salvian, you've got to "combat fearsome enemies, discover the truth behind the terror, and decide the realm's fate".Watch on YouTubeThat said, with this new version of the mod, plenty has changed. Anbeegod writes that they've "completely revamped most of the original quests to give them much better flows, storytelling, and writing", as well as adding "new quests with deep storytelling and diverse choices" - including a fresh introductory quest - to bring the overall total up from "over 13" to "over 17". Aspects like the voice acting have also been improved as the total number of dialogue lines in the mod has gone up by 1000.They've also added in the ability to "toggle off the plague" and stop it from full-on killing people, which is something medieval peasants could really have done with back in the 14th century. The other tweaks should hopefully help battles feel better designed and balanced, as well as decrease the amount of bugs and mod conflicts you're likely to run into.It certainly looks cool if you're up for 30 hours of dark and grungy undead battling as your Dragonborn wonders what they did to deserve getting caught up in so many different apocalypses. Anbeegod has also suggested that "50% of this mod's donation points will be shared with the Doctors Without Borders to combat epidemics in real life", which is nice.

Physical release also confirmed.Classic JRPG fans, rejoice. The Lunar Remastered Collection will be coming to Nintendo Switch on 18th April 2025. Plus, it's confirmed that the collection will be getting a physical release.Launching digitally on the eShop for $49.99 USD / 49.99 EUR with physical releases coming in at $54.99 USD (on Amazon.com) and 54.99 EUR (at Clear River Games), Lunar Remastered Collection enhances two of the most beloved turn-based RPGs from the '90s.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

With less than a week left in office, President Joe Biden is not done leaving his mark on the AI industry.President Biden issued an executive order on Tuesday that will allow private sector AI companies to lease federal sites owned by the Department of Defense and Department of Energy in order to build AI data centers. Companies that build data centers on these sites will be required to bring online enough clean energy resources to match the electricity needed to power the data centers.This is not a grant program. AI companies that build data centers on these federal sites will need to pay the full cost to build, operate, and maintain them.In a press release, the White House said that this order is meant to strengthen and secure the U.S.s global leadership on AI and prevent domestic AI companies from depending on other countries to access AI tools and infrastructure. It added that the proper resources will be awarded for these departments to ensure they can inspect and approve bids for federal sites quickly and efficiently.The executive orders emphasis on renewable energy here seems notable. Data centers currently consume 4% of all the U.S.s power, according to the Electric Power Research Institute, and that figure is expected to grow to 9% by the end of the decade. Overall, data center power demand is expected to double over the next five years, according to a report by JLL.This executive order comes just one day after the Biden Administration announced a new set of rules and guidelines regarding AI chip exports that imposed further restrictions on a number of countries, including adversaries like China and Russia, while also imposing a 50,000 chip quota for the majority of the rest of the world.The caveat is that these orders come just a week before Donald Trump returns to the presidency, where he is expected to reverse a lot of Biden administration policies.

InterviewsRed One: Chris Waegner VFX Supervisor Sony Pictures ImageworksBy Vincent Frei - 14/01/2025 Back in 2019, Chris Waegner shared insights into Sony Pictures Imageworks visual effects work on Men in Black: International. Following that, he contributed to major productions, including Zombieland: Double Tap, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.How was this new collaboration with Director Jake Kasdan and withVFXSupervisor Jerome Chen?The team at Sony Pictures Imageworks had a great experience working with Director Jake Kasdan and VFX Supervisor Jerome Chen. Early in the filmmaking process, the Imageworks team was asked to help with several creative aspects on the film which expanded our role. Our teams took on a larger pre-vis/post-vis role throughout the show helping them visualize new ideas and hash out existing concepts.How did you organizethework with yourVFXProducer?Our scope of work on the project grew quite exponentially. In situations like this, it is paramount to work together balancing available artist pool against production deadlines and final delivery of such a project.What arethesequences made by Sony Pictures Imageworks?We completed just over 700 shots on the project and some of our larger sequences were the Aruba Snowman Battle, Robot Fight, Globing of Jack and Dylan and the final Runway Battle with Gryla. Each of the sequences were so difference and had their own particular set of challenges.How did you approach balancing realism withthefantastical elementsofthestory?Theres always a challenge balancing realism and magical/fantastical elements in a movie like Red One. Its important to the filmmakers that the audience stays engaged with the story, therefore creative collaboration, close communication and frequent reviews with the Director and VFX Supervisor are critical.What werethebiggest challenges you faced in designing and animatingthekey characters and environments?One sequence that comes to mind is the Aruba Snowman Battle where theres this stunning visual juxtaposition of snowmen in the tropical setting of Aruba. It was a pretty big endeavor for our team to figure out how these snowmen assassins would move, let alone what these snowmen assassins would look like in this tropical beach location. Theres literally no practical or visual reference to rely upon because snowmen dont exist in hot tropical locations, so the Aruba Snowman Battle became a fun creative challenge for our teams.How did you collaborate with other departments, such as production design or costume, to ensure visual consistency?Since Imageworks was one of the initial creative vendors on the project, we were on location with the film crews at several different locations. We had early access to set designs, costume material booklets, hundreds of scans and tons of photo reference which is a wealth of knowledge when doing a film of this scale.What inspiredthedesignofthesnowmen, and how did you ensure they felt both magical and believable?Throughout the course of the show, the snowmen characters went through several different design iterations. Originally, their design had more of an ice ninja look but as animation testing progressed, they evolved into a more traditional snowman design. Each one having unique physical design characteristics, different ice weapon components and various traditional wardrobe accessories like a top hat, carrot nose, corncob pipe, etc.Could you elaborate ontheanimation process forthesnowmen? How did you bring their personalities to life?We started initial animation testing with the original character concept, a smaller leaner ice ninja design. It soon became apparent this design wasnt quite working as expected for our filmmakers so we started exploring several new snowman designs. These new snowmen design slowly evolved into a more traditional look and their physical presence became much larger in scale. Bringing the snowmen to life then became an iterative process for our animation team by determining how theyd move and emote. Each snowman also had a full facial rig but the extensive animation testing helped us determine if they emoted too much, they started looking cartoony and became less threatening. We then determined that a deadpan/stoic look with subtle facial movements worked well with their menacing physical qualities.Snow can be a challenging material to simulatehow did you achievetheright balanceoftexture and movement forthesnowmen?Working closely with our film makers we determined the snowmen could not be composed entirely of pure white fluffy snow. These big burly snowmen needed a unique look, which was a combination of snow, chucks of ice, dirt debris and fine ice crystals we also incorporated a subtle crystalline light scatter effect and some snowy subsurface details. As the sequence progresses, they also start accumulating more dirt, debris and little bits of the tropical environment stick to them.Were there any practical effects combined with CG forthesnowmen, or were they fully digital creations?Unfortunately, there werent a lot of practical affects we could utilize for the Snowman fight sequence due to their physical size and fight choreography, so for most of the sequence they were digital creations. The fight in the cantina, the cantina explosion and the end of the sequence is a great example of practical effects working well in the sequence.How didthesnowmen interact with live actors or environments, and how did you ensure seamless integration?Early pre-vis animation played a key role helping the filmmakers, stunts and camera teams plan out the snowmen fight sequence. Stuntmen posing as snowmen were vital in acting out key shots with our heroes Cal and Jack for the plate photography. Detailed rotomation of our heroes and stuntmen was necessary to ensure seamless integration could be achieved when our heroes physically interacted with the digital snowmen.Grylas design is visually striking. What influenced her look, and how did you bring her character to life through visual effects?Gryla has a long history in Icelandic Christmas folklore.Our filmmakers used this as inspiration but crafted their own version of Gryla unique to the movie. Our Gryla is 18 feet tall with a decrepit hunched over physical appearance, Minotaur-type legs and two lengthy tails. One challenge the animation team had to overcome was making her appear to be a formidable adversary to our heroes due to her decrepit hunched over pose. We used her tails as a physical counterbalance to her posture and the tails themselves became prehensile weapons. At first glance, she seems old and decrepit but then you realize that shes quite spry and can move very fast during battle.Were there any motion capture or performance reference techniques used for animating Gryla?We used key frame animation for Grylas body performance and incorporated a head-mounted camera on Kiernan Shipka to capture for facial performance. Capturing the essence of Kiernans performance was key and then determining the correct balance required for the shots was essential since the structural differences between Kiernan and giant Gryla was quite different.How did you ensure Grylas interactions withtheenvironment and other characters felt natural and grounded?Grylas unique design and mainly her being 18 feet tall definitely had its own set of unique challenges. Lots of planning while on set, detailed lidar set acquisition and onset HDRI reference was helpful in keeping things grounded. Another challenge was keeping our audience completely engaged in the story and not letting the presence of an 18 foot tall character take them out of the moment. Seamless visual integration by all our teams was paramount in helping us achieve this for our audience.What werethemost complex sequences involving Gryla, and how did you tackle them?Some of the more complex moments and shots with Gryla are when she had to physically interact with our heroes Cal and Jack. Again, detailed shot planning while on set is essential anytime you have live action actors physically interacting with digital characters. It really requires the attention of everyone on set to help plan out these shots so months later you dont encounter insurmountable problems while in post-production.TheNorth Pole is a vital setting inthestory. How did you conceptualize and create this iconic environment, and what role did visual effects play in bringing it to life?We were one of two vendors working on the North Pole City and our portion of the North Pole sequence showcased mostly the runway, North Pole Tower and surrounding Tower locations. Our environments team focused attention on high altitude city views, looking down at the city below and wide panoramic vistas. We created our own customized version of the North Pole City specifically designed and catered to our shot needs. As post-production progressed, a constant visual balance between vendors was necessary in order to ensure the North Pole look was visually consistent, realistic and maintained its magical qualities.Were there any unexpected technical or creative challenges encountered duringtheproduction?Large visual effects film like this always have some challenges for the creative teams as production progresses. I think the biggest challenge on this film was ensuring seamless visuals for our viewing audiences across all sequences. This movie has many magical and fantastical elements and keeping the visuals grounded in reality makes for a wonderful viewing experience.Looking back ontheproject, what aspectsofthevisual effects are you most proudof?Im very proud of all of the work our team was able to accomplish on Red One especially our Snowmen assassins and North Pole runway with the Gryla monster in particular. Our filmmakers had very high visual expectations knowing that this film would become a holiday classic going forward for many years and resonating with many generations.How long have you worked on this show?I was crewed to Red One for over two years and feel fortunate to have been crewed to the project starting in January 2022.WhatstheVFXshots count?Our team worked on over 700 shots for this film.A big thanks for your time.WANT TO KNOW MORE?Sony Pictures Imageworks: Dedicated page about Red One on Sony Pictures Imageworks website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Dallas-based aerospace startup Firehawk Aerospace has received $60 million in a series C investment round led by 1789 Capital, which recently named Donald Trump Jr as a Partner.Based in Palm Beach, Florida, the roughly $150 million venture capital firm funds companies that promote conservative political policies, reflecting a growing movement among right-leaning investors. These groups are working to create a parallel economy that counters progressive frameworks like Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG).Headed by Omeed Malik, a prominent donor for President-elect Donald Trump, the VC fund is targeting deglobalization to build the next era of American prosperity. It reportedly invested $15 million in the series C deal, representing its first financial commitment in the defense tech sector. Additional backers include Draper Associates, Boka Capital, and Point Bridge Capital. The latter runs the MAGA ETF which invests in companies that align with Republican political beliefs.This new capital will support Firehawks development of solid rocket motors (SRM) and 3D printed rocket fuel, which offers safer, more stable combustion than conventional propellants. The Texan aerospace company claims that its solid fuel grain can be 3D printed in hours, unlike casting and curing methods, which can take up to two months.High demand for SRMs is currently coupled with a shortage of domestic suppliers in the US, as the Department of Defense (DoD) ramps up efforts to address missile shortages. Last year, Firehawk partnered with AFWERX to develop SRMs and hybrid rocket engines for the US Air Force. Given its connections to the incoming Trump administration, 1789 Capital is well-positioned to help the company secure new government contracts to aid the Pentagons resupply efforts.Firehawk performing a burn test on a prototype hybrid engine. Photo via Firehawk Aerospace.3D printing rocket fuelBeginning operations in 2019, Firehawk was founded by CEO Will Edwards and Director Ronald Jones to create low-cost, hybrid rocket motors that are safe and reliable. Besides missiles, these propulsion systems can power satellite launchers, guided reconnaissance vehicles, lunar transport systems, and manned spacecraft.The startups key offering is its 3D printed rocket fuel, a solid thermoplastic-based grain that is more stable and easier to transport than conventional alternatives. The propellent is fabricated in the form of fuel rods optimized for hybrid rockets, which produce thrust by combining a solid fuel with a liquid oxidizer.It can be stored indefinitely without being affected by moisture, while layer-by-layer deposition removes the risk of problematic air gaps and bubbles. Thanks to its durability, the propellant can be quickly manufactured inside a 20 by 40-foot shipping container. This facilitates distributed manufacturing closer to the point of need, including on the battlefield.3D printing the fuel also allows for precise customization of the propellants composition and thrust characteristics, unlocking significant performance benefits over its conventional counterparts. Additionally, the combustion of Firehawks offering can be safely slowed, stopped, and restarted. Alternatively, other solid rocket fuels are completely blasted in one shot, reducing their efficiency.3D printing rocket fuel rods. Photo via Firehawk Aerospace.Firehawk Aerospace attracts investmentBack in 2020, the aerospace startup completed its first $2 million seed funding round. This was led by members of the Victorum Capital Club, with further investments from Achieve Capital and Harlow Capital Management. A year later, initial rocket tests were completed at NASAs Stennis Space Center, followed by an $18 million series B funding round led by Star Castle Ventures.2022 saw Firehawk receive a series A investment from leading missile manufacturer Raytheon Technologies. The two partners agreed to collaborate on research and development projects, exploring how to integrate the 3D printing-enabled rocket technology into future weapon systems.Edwards recently told Forbes that Firehawk generated mid-seven figures revenue last year. He added that the rocket manufacturer had secured deals with mid-eight figures committed. This includes an agreement with the Army Applications Laboratory to address challenges in existing SRM supply chains.Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract, Firehawk is developing propulsion systems to power key weapon systems. These include the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket (GMLR), FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank, and FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. A key reason for the Texas companys selection was reportedly its ability to manufacture hybrid rocket engines in weeks rather than years.Firehawk Aerospace sign. Photo via Firehawk Aerospace.Scaling US missile production with AMThe need to address missile inventory shortages has seen the DoD commit substantial capital to additive manufacturing. The Pentagons annual budget requests for missile, munitions procurement, and related research and development increased from $9 billion in 2015 to $30.6 billion in 2024.Last year, Colorado-based rocket engine manufacturer Ursa Major received substantial military funding to scale SRM production with its Lynx 3D printing technology. In April 2024, the firm signed a contract with the US Navy to design, hot fire test, and produce a 3D printed solid rocket motor prototype for the Standard Missile (SM) program.Through this agreement, Ursa Major is working to develop a new 3D printable design for the Mk 104 dual rocket motor, which powers the M-2, SM-3, and SM-6 missiles. Later in the year, the defense contractor received an additional $12.5 million from the US Navy and the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) to scale the production of its 3D Printed missile propulsion systems.Another company working to address US missile demand is Italian rocket and missile manufacturer Avio, which recently announced plans to triple SRM production over the next 4-5 years. The firm revealed that it is building a US-based production facility to strengthen supply chains and diversify sourcing options. Avio actively uses additive manufacturing in SRM production, particularly Velo3D Sapphire 3D printers. These fabricate high-strength, corrosion, and temperature-resistance parts in nickel-based alloy materials.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?All the news from Formnext 2024.Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on X, like our Facebook page, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows a Firehawk Aerospace sign. Photo via Firehawk Aerospace.