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EXCLUSIVE: Stunt Coordinator Andy Armstrong Talks 'Thor' and 'The Amazing Spider-Man' with High-Def DigestWith Marvel's 'The Avengers' landing on the big screen just one year from now, two of its main players have yet to debut on the big screen. Iron Man and The Hulk have been well established; this summer we meet Thor and Captain America. Following the lead of Christopher Nolan's 'Batman' films, Marvel has set their superheroes in the realistic world. [teaser]To better achieve a realistic tone, the filmmakers hired accredited stunt coordinator Andy Armstrong to bring 'Thor' from the Godly realm of Asgard to the believable reality in which we are grounded. HDD's own Luke Hickman spoke with Armstrong about his work.[/teaser] Luke Hickman - HDD: Hello, Andy. You sound extra far away. Where are you right now? Andy Armstrong: I'm in New York doing 'The Amazing Spider-Man.' HDD: How is your shoot going? Andy Armstrong: Very, very well. We are trying to re-invent the character, take it to a new place. It's a whole new adventure. We're going very retro. In lots of ways it's very similar to 'Thor.' We are trying to go [way] back - so old that its new again. Real stunts done by real people, as opposed to CGI. Particularly the main actor [Andrew Garfield is doing most of the stunts], just as Chris Hemsworth did in 'Thor.' HDD: It was pretty awesome watching 'Thor' and seeing Chris do everything himself. Andy Armstrong: There's a whole new breed of actors out there now that bring a lot to the table physically - none more-so than Chris Hemsworth. It was a pleasure to do the movie largely because of Chris. He was such an athlete. He is the real deal. There's probably one percent of the action in ['Thor'] that is not him - and even that wasn't because he couldn't do it, it was because the studio wouldn't let him do it. HDD: It's astonishing to see Chris' different look just from 'Star Trek' to 'Thor.' Andy Armstrong: He put himself through amazing physical [training]. But it wasn't just for the show. He is really physically fit and tough, well coordinated. He's had fight training. [Chris is] a very well rounded guy with a positive attitude. He was quite tremendous. HDD: Were there a lot of challenges that came with making 'Thor?' Was there anything that you were specifically proud of achieving? Andy Armstrong: There are a lot of 'Thor' fans just like the Trekkies that are very particular about the way the hammer should be swung, held, and used. [But] on the other hand you want to make it fresh and new and different, not just a big guy with a hammer going around clubbing people. We looked at a lot of images so that we could re-create some of the visceral visuals and images about a powerful guy with a hammer. It's a lot easier in some ways to draw a single frame in a comic than it is to choreograph a whole fight. The whole fight in the beginning [of 'Thor'] was all choreographed so that each actor had his own fight with a Frost Giant, yet they all had to interact with each other like a ballroom dance. HDD: Were the actors fighting guys in green suits, or was it all simply shot [alone] in front of green screen? Andy Armstrong: The original concept [for a Frost Giant] was a very big guy in prosthetic suits (but was later changed to blue CGI giants). [The actors] were fighting some big seven-foot guys - really fighting them. They were real fights with a mixture of stunt-people/doubles mixed in with them, but the majority was really just [the actors]. HDD: Andy, you have been working in stunts for a long time, right? Andy Armstrong: That's right. Many years. HDD: How has your job changed over the years with technology? Andy Armstrong: Our job [today] in many ways is the same [as it was back in the day]. I have always tried to embrace every little bit of new technology when it comes along, whether it be some new technical equipment you are going to use or a new visual aid to capture a stunt. You will hear a lot of old school stunt coordinators bitching and moaning about CGI, but I think it's got its place. Sometimes it's over-used and it takes away from some of the energy of a real physical human action. But there are times when [the CGI people] can basically do it better than we can. All it takes is interfacing well so that we both, the visual effects and the stunt people, get the best out of each other. My job nowadays is to learn as much about [visual effects] so that we can know what is possible. Our worlds are certainly intertwined, whether we like it or not. HDD: Now, in looking up your info online, I see that you were also an assistant director for quite some time. How did that affect your work as a stunt coordinator? Andy Armstrong: I started off as a stuntman, then I became an assistant director - directing action - and went back to my first love, creating action for big movies. [Having that background in assistant directing] certainly helps. I've done a lot of very big shows with a lot of logistical issues. My son is a stunt coordinator, James Armstrong. I had him work as an assist director also before becoming a stunt coordinator because it's an amazing background organizational skill to have. HDD: Looking at your credits, you have done some big films like 'I, Robot,' 'Planet of the Apes' and 'The Green Hornet.' Andy Armstrong: I've kept fairly busy. Like any other industry, I've been very lucky. Whatever happens is because of luck. I had some great people take me under their wings. People like Peter Yates … Burt Reynolds - great masters of action who gave me a great inside view of Hollywood when I was really quite young. I've worked from the extremes of very very inexperienced directors, producers and actors to some of the very most accomplished to have ever put their imprint on film. HDD: Having done 'Thor' and working on 'The Amazing Spider-Man,' are you Marvel's go-to stunt guy now? Andy Armstrong: Actually, since 'The Amazing Spider-Man' is still owned by Sony and Columbia, it is its own thing. I am not doing 'The Avengers' because it's already shooting and I'm doing 'Spider-Man.' HDD: Has there been any talk of a 'Thor' sequel, or it is all 'Avengers' from here on out? Andy Armstrong: I haven't heard about a ['Thor' sequel]. It's just all 'Avengers' at the moment. I think it will really depend on how 'Thor' does at the box office. It's all about how well the kids respond to him. I think they will [respond well]. HDD: I helped give out passes to the Salt Lake City screening of 'Thor.' So many people wanted passes that they showed it simultaneously on two screens. Everyone was excited and seemed to be loving it. Along with the audience, I was eating it up. Andy Armstrong: There's a real rock-star quality about Chris. The first time we flew him in on wires with the cape, the wig, the hammer, the whole thing - he is such a big physical presence anyway - [we couldn't] help but think, 'Wow. That's a cool image.' I can imagine that every kid thinks that immediately watching 'Thor.' I hope [they eat it up]. All of the cast was fabulous. Chris particularly, I hope he becomes a very big star. He is such a very very genuine and really nice guy. Very accomplished too. I think there is a shortage of those guys. HDD: Thanks for taking the time out of your busy shoot to speak with me. Andy Armstrong: You're welcome. HDD: And the best of luck to you on the opening of 'Thor' and on your 'Spider-Man' shoot. Andy Armstrong: Thanks and same to you. 'Thor' opens wide in 3D, IMAX 3D and 2D this Friday, 'Captain America' opens July 22, 2011 and 'The Amazing Spider-Man" is set to launch on July 3, 2012.Posted Wed May 4, 2011 at 01:25 PM PDT by: -
TCO Development Studies Passive and Active 3D - Finds No Preference[teaser]The study confirms much of what we already know about 3D, with each tech winning out in different categories. [/teaser] TCO Development is a company dedicated to certifying office and IT products for both quality and durability. With the increased popularity of 3D, they've decided to take a look at both passive and active sets and weigh in. The results are mixed, as you might expect. TCO determined that while cross-talk was essentially the same when viewed straight-on, the sets using passive technology started failing at a 15 degree vertical angle. Placing the TV or monitor at an appropriate viewing position is an essential. Active glasses lose a few points when it comes to luminance. They block more light, resulting in a less desirable picture. The other big point is that passive technology doesn't yet offer the same resolution as active tech. They say that people tend to perceive 3D pictures as being more detailed than 2D pictures of the same resolution, which may mean that a 1080p resolution isn't necessarily required. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed May 4, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix May be Helping to Eliminate Piracy in US[teaser]With Netflix subscriptions doubling, the downloading of older movies has slowed. [/teaser] Historically, the internet has been viewed by the music, movie and television industries as a wretched hive of scum and villainy, full of pirates who want nothing more than to kill profits. That isn't the case of course, and the success of Netflix goes a long way to prove it. Companies have attempted to curtail the illegal downloading of their products in a variety of ways, including increased copy protection and lawsuits. In the end, the best solution is to offer a better alternative. "Although no torrent site has gone out of business yet," writes Ernesto on Torrent Freak, "Netflix certainly is a serious ‘competitor’ for access to movies." He adds that nothing is conclusive, but the data seems to indicate that being able to choose from a range of movies at a low monthly price has beaten out illegal piracy for some. Source: Torrent FreakPosted Wed May 4, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Offers Freebies as a "Welcome Back" to PSN and Qriocity[teaser]PlayStation Network and Qriocity members are getting freebies as a way to apologize to customers for the downtime and security breach. [/teaser] Sony is working hard to get everything back online for their members and expects that they'll have at least a good chunk of their online services up and running this week. Qriocity should be fully restored, and online play for PS3 and PSP systems will be ready to go. The folks at Sony also want to make sure that they hang onto the customers they have, which is why they're launching a customer appreciation program offering freebies to existing members. Sony says that the program will offer different things across different regions, but they've outlined some of the basics. All PlayStation Network members will be upgraded to PlayStation Plus for 30 days, while existing PlayStation Plus members will get 30 days free. Free content will be made available to members, though Sony doesn't specify just what that will be. Qriocity members will also get 30 days of free service. Source: PlayStation BlogPosted Tue May 3, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
TiVo and Dish Reach $500 Million Settlement in Patent Lawsuit[teaser]Dish has been ordered to pay out $300 million to TiVo immediately, and another $200 million in the next five years. [/teaser] The long running lawsuit between TiVo and Dish Network has finally been settled. The result of the settlement is a settlement that will see Dish paying a massive $500 million dollars to TiVo. Half a billion dollars is a lot to shell out, but it's not a total loss for Dish. The two companies have arranged patent licenses for each other. Dish gave TiVo rights to a few technologies and TiVo gave Dish a license to the Time Warp patent that started the whole lawsuit in the first place. "We have tremendous respect for TiVo's management," says Dish CEO Charlie Egan, "and we have always said that regardless of the outcome of the case, there were many ways that we could work together with TiVo." Source: EngadgetPosted Tue May 3, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Data Points to a Strong Year for Blu-ray[teaser]Things are looking good for Blu-ray this year, with both hardware and disc sales expected to rise. [/teaser] If you've been to a Best Buy recently, you've probably noticed that Blu-ray has all but taken over for DVD in electronics stores across the country. Stores with a broader appeal - like Walmart or Target - still carry quite a few DVDs, but Blu-ray is on the rise again this year according to analysts. The folks at IHS Screen Digest expect a 93 percent increase of Blu-ray hardware in households this year and FutureSource says that by the end of 2011 there will be nearly 50 million Blu-ray playback devices in homes across the country. Doubling the hardware would, of course, result in increased software sales. FutureSource has a prediction there too, stating that software sales are projected to reach 120 million units, up from 85 million last year. Streaming and VOD services may be up, but Blu-ray and DVD sales still make up for 80 percent of the average entertainment budget.Posted Tue May 3, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Win a $100 Gift Card From eBay and HDD for Mother's DayMother's Day is this weekend! THIS WEEKEND! If you're anything like us, these floating holidays have a maddening way of sneaking up on you. Every year we find ourselves scrambling at the last second to find the perfect Mother's Day presents. [teaser]eBay always makes last minute gift giving a snap, because we can find just about anything on there. Now they're making it even easier to get your mom the perfect present, because in a partnership with High-Def Digest, eBay is giving away a $100 eBay gift certificate in this exclusive contest.[/teaser] Now, you're just dying to learn how to win one hundred bucks of free eBay merchandise, aren't you? Well, the contest rules are pretty simple. Head on over to eBay's Mother's Day page and pick out three of your favorite Mother's Day items. Probably the items that you would buy if you were lucky enough to win the gift card. Then come on back to the forums on High-Def Digest and post your choices in the eBay giveaway thread linked below. The winner will be selected at random. That's it. That's all you have to do. Now you're entered into a contest that will possibly make you the best son or daughter ever. That is assuming you actually use the gift card on your mother! Check out the eBay Mother's Day contest here, then visit the forum discussion below to post your gift picks and enter the contest!Posted Mon May 2, 2011 at 11:50 AM PDT by: -
Harman Founder Dies at 92 - Company Plans Commemorative Line[teaser]Harman was a businessman and a philanthropist, staying active all his life. [/teaser] At a certain age, most people start to kick back and take things easy, but that wasn't in the cards for Sidney Harman, founder of Harman Kardon. He worked well into his retirement years, not officially retiring until the age of 88. After his retirement he took a position at the University of Southern California as a polymath professor. Not long after that, he purchased Newsweek and helped to bring it back into relevance if not yet into financial success. Harman has announced that they'll be celebrating the man with a limited-edition commemorative product line. They'll also be presenting scholarships. No specific details have yet been announced for either. Source: TWICEPosted Mon May 2, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Panasonic Will Lay Off 17,000 and Cut Costs on Panels[teaser]The company is doing a bit of restructuring in order to keep profits high. [/teaser] Panasonic may have made a tidy profit of 74 billion yen this year, but considering their loss of 103.5 billion last year, they're not taking any chances. The company is restructuring and cutting costs across the board. Unfortunately, some of those cuts are coming in the form of layoffs. The company will scale back from 366,937 employees to 350,000 by this time in 2013. Panasonic will be purchasing more LCD panels from other manufacturers and move one of its Japan based production lines to China to save on costs. Panasonic says that the biggest sales decrease was in mobile phones and digital cameras, with Blu-ray recorders doing favorably. Panasonic also commented on the disaster in Japan, stating "Panasonic continues to extend a helping hand to the people in the affected region, and at the same time, it is accelerating its efforts to restore its operations to normal state and prepare itself for future disaster risks." Source: TWICEPosted Mon May 2, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Redbox Kiosks Start Renting Games in June[teaser]On June 17th, gamers will be able to pick up titles at kiosks for $2 a night. [/teaser] This might not come as a surprise, but Redbox is doing well. The DVD rental kiosks have expanded to Blu-ray and are now expanding even further - to videogames. Redbox says that over 21,000 locations will offer videogames at a price of $2 a night. This is after a successful test that began in late 2009 and will add to the $1 DVDs and $1.50 Blu-rays currently offered at Redbox Kiosks. "With more than 21,000 redbox locations slated to feature video game rentals alongside movies this June," says company president Mitch Lowe, "redbox will be the one-stop shop for entertainment." Source: JoystiqPosted Mon May 2, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by:
