Latest news with #Berk
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
How the New ‘How to Train Your Dragon' Made Berk Feel Real
io9 recently caught up with filmmaker Dean DeBlois, the creative force behind both the DreamWorks animated franchise and Universal Pictures' upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. DeBlois discussed the process to bring the Viking world of Berk to life, emphasizing the vital role of practical effects in capturing the experience of interacting and riding dragons for his actors. That was key in making big moments feel real, particularly when Hiccup (Mason Thames) meets his future Nightfury friend. 'Toothless in those scenes was a foam head,' DeBlois said. Animatronics were used during all the flight sequences. 'We had to capture convincing movement from our actors when they were riding dragons rather than just having them sit in a box and be moved around,' he said. 'And that meant that we built these giant gimbals that were about eight or 10 feet tall that could move in six different axes.' Each dragon in the film had its own animatronic model to assist the actors in immersing themselves as dragon riders. Thames obviously had to spend the most time 'on dragon,' since the story focuses on Hiccup and Toothless' journey. DeBlois described the experience of bringing dragon riding to life for his lead actor: 'It was the chest, the neck, and the head, and they could all move independently, either joystick controlled or controlled by animation that had already been done by the animators. As he is dipping and diving and rolling and ascending, Mason's body is reacting to all of that like a jockey on a horse.' DeBlois revealed that the technique was very new. 'It's the first time anyone had done it actually, so it was fraught with anxiety that it might not work or break down on us, but it turned out to be perfect.' The magic of John Powell's iconic themes for the animated films, in collaboration with cinematographer Bill Pope's eye for visuals, helped breathe new life into Hiccup's friendship with Toothless. The collaboration really steered the film in the direction DeBlois aimed for. Of Pope's work behind the camera, he said, 'I think Bill understood from the beginning that there was a lot to preserve about the animated movie that we had to try to keep in place. The whimsy in the heart and the sense of wish fulfillment and fantasy. Through his camera lens, the world becomes grounded but retains all of those things. And of course John Powell's music just marries it all.' The expansion of the score was of great importance, DeBlois said. 'I always say that everything we do in making a movie gets it halfway there, and then you hand it to the composer and they'll take it the other half of the way because music transcends words and goes right to the heart.' He added that they were fortunate to have Powell's iconic music accompanying the narrative, elevating it to new heights. With the anticipation of the film's release, we noted that Berk now has a real-life version fans can visit at Epic Universe and asked his thoughts on the land at Universal Orlando Resort. While he didn't get to test most of the rides, he was pleased with the way it brought the Isle of Berk's life with dragons to our universe. 'I thought it was gonna be a little corny, but it turned out to be kind of amazing,' he said of the Toothless meet and greet. He was also really impressed by Universal Orlando's casting for the theme park version of Hiccup. 'The kid has really done his study; he has all of the mannerisms and voice down but also embodies the characteristics that Jakob Jensen, [the film's] lead animator, brought to it,' he added. How to Train Your Dragon hits theaters June 13.
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Lego's First ‘How to Train Your Dragon' Set Is an Adorable Little Toothless
With the live-action How to Train Your Dragon on the way, Lego is finally heading to Berk for a new officially-licensed set. The thing that makes sense? It is, of course, your very own buildable Toothless. The thing that doesn't? It's a chibi-fied, almost animated spin on the dragon, despite being inspired by the realistic-rendering of Toothless in the new remake. This morning Lego announced its first ever How to Train Your Dragon set in the form of the Lego Icons Toothless. Clocking in at 784 pieces, the diminutive dragon is rendered in a chibi-fied style, a mostly static (save for the ability to tilt and rotate his oversized head, open his jaw, and flap his wings) rendering of Toothless in suitably cutesy form. He also comes with accessories you can add, like a fish to feed him and a small effects piece to replicate him breathing a little poof of plasma. Nothing too dangerous. Lego Icons How to Train Your Dragon Toothless But the cutesy aesthetic (especially for a set that, as part of the Icons line, is aimed more at adult collectors) is an intriguing choice for a set that is specifically inspired by the upcoming live-action remake of the film. It is meant to represent Toothless in his adult form, judging by the fact that he has his prosthetic tail fin, and of course the box includes imagery of the more-realistically-rendered version of the CG dragon from the new film, rather than his prior animated form. It's an stylized take on a realistic take of a stylized take! All that, however, doesn't stop him from being down right adorable though. The Lego Icons Toothless is available to pre-order now for $70, and will release on July 1.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Designs on Georgetown: Emmy-winning TV host Bobby Berk leaves his mark on new model homes
Two model homes in a master-planned Georgetown community have a star-studded touch. The models, in Tri Pointe Homes' newly opened 110-home section in the Wolf Ranch subdivision, showcase the work of Bobby Berk, an acclaimed interior designer, author and Emmy-winning TV host, formerly of Netflex's Queer Eye. The two models are now open for tours in Wolf Ranch, an award-winning subdivision where Tri Pointe recently began home sales in its new section. Berk's latest collaboration with Tri Pointe builds on a relationship that began in 2015. In a news release from Tri Pointe, one of the nation's largest builders, Berk said he and Tri Pointe have a "shared desire to create innovative design that speaks to how people live in their homes." 'Your surroundings affect every aspect of your life, including your physical and mental well-being," Berk said. The model homes are at 1704 Morning Mist Drive and 1708 Morning Mist Drive. Home prices in Wolf Ranch start in the high $400,000s, according to Wolf Ranch's website. The Berk-designed models highlight Berk's "Organic Modern" collection and "Serene Scandinavian" collection designed exclusively for Tri Pointe. Both floorplans are two-story homes with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and two-bay garages. Named by Architectural Digest in 2020 as one of the 'most famous interior designers working today,' Berk "is focused on creating spaces that are comfortable, functional, and stylish, while contributing to overall wellness," Tri Pointe's release said. Once completed, Wolf Ranch is expected to have about 2,400 homes and amenities including an infinity-edge pool, splash pad, fitness center and walking trails. According to Tri Pointe's release, Berk's design firm has become one of the most sought after in the homebuilding industry. Most recently, Berk released his first book, Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good For The Mind. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Emmy-winning TV host Bobby Berk designs Georgetown model homes
Boston Globe
10-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
‘Devastating' closure of Daily Table leaves affordable fresh food ‘desert' in Greater Boston neighborhoods
Daily Table's Board of Directors said the closure was 'heartbreaking' and 'not an easy decision' in a letter to customers on Friday. 'We are proud to have served over 3 million customers, returning over $16 million in savings to the community while removing the barriers to healthy food.' The grocery chain cited a number of reasons for its closure, including challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, 'historically high levels of food price increases' and a lack of sufficient funding to stay afloat. Advertisement Leonard Lee was in line to pay for his food items at The Daily Table. He said "everybody depends on this in the neighborhood." The nonprofit is closing the store in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Jonathan Berk, resident of downtown Salem, said the closure will be tough to bear considering the 'Everything seems like its continuing to rise everyday. For folks that are living on tight budgets, not being able to stretch their grocery dollars every week is just gonna cut down on how much food they're able to provide for their families,' Berk said. 'It's gonna have a major impact on folks' ability to just put food on their table.' Advertisement Berk said Daily Table's closure is also a great loss for members of the downtown Salem community as there are no other options for fresh produce within walking distance. 'This store served a much larger purpose than just lower costs, it also served a fresh food desert out here,' Berk said. '[Daily Table] was really the only place in downtown or near downtown where you could get fresh bananas or fresh fruits and veggies for that day.' V. Saragoni, a resident of Salem, shared similar worries. 'I think about many friends and neighbors who may or may not drive or have access to a car,' Saragoni said. 'Many folks will have to ride share to the grocery store which will only add further financial strain to those shopping.' Teddy Beamer, a former resident of Cambridge, said he shopped at Daily Table's Central Square location a handful of times as a college student on a budget. 'The only other options for groceries in my neighborhood were H Mart and Whole Foods, which are more expensive. And Target, which can be cheaper but has a limited selection of produce,' Beamer said. Folahan Shoeipo was trying to raise money for Daily Table employees who are going to lose their jobs because the nonprofit is closing in Cambridge. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Along with the combination of affordability and quality, Beamer said no other store in his neighborhood had the same genuine sense of community. 'I think that there should be more programs that bring healthy and affordable food to people that need it,' Beamer said. 'It's a shame that [Daily Table] is closing, it had a really 'strong community feeling to it.' Daily Table's four locations will be selling their remaining inventory over the next several days and all items will be deeply discounted until operations close. Advertisement Sabrina Lam can be reached at
Gizmodo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
The New How to Train Your Dragon Trailer Is Amazing but Filled With Spoilers
Hopefully, you've seen and are generally familiar with the original How to Train Your Dragon. If so, then you are in for a treat with a brand new trailer that was just released for its upcoming live-action remake. The trailer, which is centered on the fact the film was filmed for and will be released in IMAX, is wildly epic. It soars through the mountains of Berk, blasting John Powell's unforgettable score, and features not just the loving relationship between Toothless and Hiccup, but big scenes from the film's final battle. Those scenes in particular are very much geared toward fans of the original because anyone who hasn't seen or doesn't remember the original is going to look at them and be like 'Oh, wow, so that's what happens at the end of the movie.' So watch if you dare, but if you do, you are going to want to see this movie on the biggest screen possible. Yes, those scenes versus that mountain of a dragon are from the end of the movie. And yes, Hiccup does fall into a billow of flames with Toothless going down to save him. Those are certainly spoilers. However, it's everything before that which really grabs us in this trailer. We get so much more of the Hiccup and Toothless relationship here. More of their playful beginnings, more of their mid-air bonding, and more of how that relationship changes not just Hiccup, but his Viking culture in general. Look, if you know and love How to Train Your Dragon, odds are you are going to love this movie. It's very, very similar. And, if for some reason you don't know that original movie, wow. You are in for a treat. These films are incredibly special, which is why Universal is already working on a sequel to this one. Written and directed by Dean DeBlois, How to Train Your Dragon stars Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Peter Serafinowicz, and others. It opens June 13.
