This is something I've suspected for a few years now. If they are using CG for a lot of these nature closeups, they've got the best in the business because I can't spot it.
I sincerely doubt that's the case simply because they'd be producing hours and hours of flawless, ILM/WETA-level CG, and that's just not feasible.

Does WETA just send people presents!?

>> ^EMPIRE:

I hope this is good as well, but I can't help but cringe at those shots so obviously made for the 3D version of the movie. It's just so damn gimmicky.
This is just a trailer and here's how many I could count:
00:04 - fire breather
00:21 - hat tossing
00:36 - floating objects
01:03 - the flying little creature
01:18 - the snapping plants
01:29 - the flying monkeys
I personally don't mind the 3D when done properly, but these shots are so made-for-3d that it becomes obnoxious.


QFT

I'm still waiting for a 3d movie to actually match Avatar. Nothing popping out of the screen, just 3d used as it should be, to create depth to enhance the movie going experience. I'm hoping The Hobbit is that movie, after all Weta Digital does the best CG in the world.

Tags for this video have been changed from 'giant weta, insect, somes island, new zealand' to 'giant weta, insect, somes island, new zealand, locusty' - edited by calvados

For a PS3 tech demo it's rather solid. Considering the environment and robotic arms are quite low poly, and that the vast majority go the character, it looks pretty solid. Add the modern mocap (developed by Weta Digital, used most famously in Avatar) it's fairly compelling.

Unfortunately so long as most game developers are working on console hardware so many generations behind, we'll never actually see this. I mean the most graphically impressive game is 'still' Crysis and that was made in 07. I personally suspect the next innovative game technologically will probably come from a small dev house, with good backers and enough time and expertise to really push gaming technically again. And of course the primary platform will have to be the PC.

Incidentally, this is a weta... =)

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/425512/GIANT-WETA-WORLDS-LARGEST-INSECT.jpg

Cant wait to see him in the movie. He is right though, Weta Workshop and Weta Digital are the best in the business. I cant wait to see what they do with the Hobbit movies.

That has to have been done by Weta, they're the only ones capable of the level of realism in NZ. It was possibly Andy Serkis as the dog.

Why can't they get the one made by WETA.

http://nzgamer.com/x360/features/618/close-up-wetas-warthog-part-1.html

IMO, the best (and most imaginative) practical effects / creature(s) are in John Carpenter's The Thing. Hands down. Rob Bottin really out did himself on that one.

@ Sagemind - WETA is a superior effects company. I find it amusing that Peter Jackson started out baking alien masks in his mum's kitchen oven. Which reminds me, another great prosthetic effects movie is Braindead (aka Dead Alive).

Looks wonderful...I've always dreamed of working at WETA...watching this is a nice little treat to sate my dreams.

Weta Workshop is awesome, they do a lot of these kinds of things.

^This stuff actually landed him a job with WETA, so I bet he will.