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Newsletter - July 2010

Friday, 23 July 2010 00:00

Firstly, a warm welcome to all of our new members, and thank you to all of you for your support of The Venus Project

Our member list is growing well, Please continue to spread the word about The Venus Project, The Venus Project Design and of course The Zeitgeist Movement.

Remember - If you do nothing, nothing will happen!

The Venus Project Design has been running now for almost 18 months, and whilst we have had our fair share of problems including the website being hacked we continue to work towards the goals of the venus project in every way we can.

Some questions have been raised on financial transparency so i would like to deal with that so that there are no more wild theories going around.

Currently TVPDesign is being funed by my life partner Julita who is working full time as a CAD technician and whom works evenings and weekends on TVPDesign, I was made redundant in October 2009 and have been working full time on TVP projects since then. All costs incurred i.e Telephone, Internet, Hosting, Development, Software etc is being paid by us voluntarily however. The Venus Project paid for the current 3D workstation we are using for their projects as we were not in a financial position to replace our previous machine.
We have no intention of asking for donations at this time, we choose to do this whole operation voluntarily this may change in the future but would be project specific and fully transparent.

As you may have seen on our facebook page and also on TVP and TVPDesign website headers we have spent the last 18 months developing the CGI models which make up our first CGI Circular City.

View here: http://www.facebook.com/Andrew.Buxton3#!/album.php?aid=188141&id=651079227

The city model we have produced was our first ever 3D project of this size and has very much been a test of our capability to produce such a comprehensive and large scale detailed model city. We have never done a 3D project this large before.. normally its just a building or a couple of buildings for architectural clients outside of TVPDesign/TVP, this has been a huge learning curve and due to the high standards required have had very limited help on it. However i would like to say to the volunteers who have helped on the housing - A BIG THANK YOU!!!

This 2km Dia City model took 18 months to produce including 18 house types and over 6 million trees and bushes/flowers/shrubs etc of which about 20% were hand placed. The houses were modelled by volunteers whos names can be found on our site under "The Venus Project Design > CGI Contributors" in the main menu. The model is conceptual and is really only for Illustration of how the cities may look. The real city designs will be done by teams of qualified and experienced Architects, Civil and Structural Engineers, Mechanical/Electrical/Public Health Engineers etc etc and will use the best technologies, materials and design methods available at the time of development. Whatever is available today for design will be obsolete when the 1st cities are designed, so anything anyone can think of now thats missing in these designs really wont matter - because we can almost guarantee that everything you can think of that should be there, would also be obsolete by the time we are ready to build the 1st city

Our next project is going to be a lot more detailed, We will be working on developing a local team of volunteers including Architects & Engineers & CAD Technicians (in London) so that we can produce detailed plans, sections and elevations to work on (Instead of working from concept sketches (which is a NIGHTMARE!!)) and our intention is to produce a city model that is a bit closer to being a design drawing rather than just an illustration. However, as most of the work is being done by Me (Full time) and Julita (In her spare time eves/weekends after work) and the bio-social pressures in our current system seems to be affecting the number of volunteers contributing we do see this as a Long Term Project.

We would like to say a big thank you to all those who came to the Exhibition we put on for TVP in Eindhoven in June this year, and all of the TVPDesign Volunteers who helped us remodel the city in low-poly for the Live Walkthrough shown at the exhibition and produce the Flash Multimedia Presentation.

Best Regards

Andrew Buxton & Julita Wielgat
The Venus Project Design
http://www.thevenusprojectdesign.com/

Newsletter - October 2009

Thursday, 08 October 2009 00:00

Firstly, a warm welcome to all of our new members, and thank you to all of you for your support of The Venus Project

Our member list is growing well, Please continue to guide others here to register on our petition as this will be a big future step here in the UK to force the government and media to not only acknowledge the movement, but to force the issue of a National Debate to discuss the future of the financial system and The Venus Project's proposals.

We can achieve this with the right numbers, an educated general population can achieve great things and this is our long term goal regardless of how long it takes extensive work has now started on the 3D CG work for The Venus Project's future motion picture, We are currently working on the first of the circular city designs and the first of the sea city designs of Jacque Fresco TVP and are in frequent contact with The Venus Project via email and Skype in a comment/approval process, working from sketches and photos, refining and amending the design to suit the design development.

We are now fully integrated with the Venus Project (See www.thevenusproject.com).

Note: Being so early in the management of these projects our workflow is in a state of gradual development as we fine tune our operations and as our team grows so please be patient with us. We all work full time jobs as well as 40+hrs a week volunteering for this project. We do try to answer all emails, but as the project and database grows this will eventually become impossible, however we can assure you all emails will be read, and all volunteer emails will be replied to in due course.

Who is Peter Joseph?

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 16:18

Who is Peter Joseph? from charles robinson on Vimeo.

"In late 2009 I was able to interview Peter Joseph, the creator of "Zeitgeist, The Movie" and "Zeitgeist- Addendum"; Founder of The Zeitgeist Movement, in his home. He described himself and his life in details in what is likely a rare interview. He was kind enough to provide me with previously unreleased media and video and I in turn did my best to create a documentary (albeit kinda poor in quality compared to his work!) that would help express who this person is."
http://whoispeterjoseph.com/

Peter Joseph's July 25th 2009 Zeitgeist Movement Lecture: London , UK

Friday, 23 April 2010 00:00

Peter Joseph's July 25th 2009 Zeitgeist Movement Lecture: London , UK Entitled "Where are we now?"

Peter Joseph's July 25th 2009 Zeitgeist Movement Lecture: London , UK from peter joseph on Vimeo.

Event News

Thursday, 08 October 2009 00:00

Z-Day New York 2010

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/5422533

3D Example

Thursday, 13 August 2009 13:17

TVPD's CGI Team are Volunteer CGI Artists, Riggers and Animators who are working together globally to take The Venus Projects Media to new heights of virtual realism and demonstrate the beauty and functionality of the designs of Jacque Fresco in a visually awe inspiring way to assist in raising the awareness of the general public to the possibilities available to mankind as we enter into a new era of technological and social revolution.

Since beginning the project in Late June 2009, we have contributed more than a thousand volunteer hours creating the first of the Circular City designs, including many of Jacques House designs, and work is continuing daily across the globe. We have some wonderfully talented people taking Jacques concepts and producing from them beautiful 3D Models for use in future TVP related productions

We are looking for highly experienced 3D Modellers, Texture artists, CG Environment artists, Riggers and Animators to join us. If you feel you have what it takes to produce film production quality models etc, please sign up as a Volunteer as a CGI Artist and read the "Volunteer" section for further information on how to get involved. We use 3D Studio Max 2009 for all CGI Content, so artists using this package or previous versions are preferred due to import/export compatibility issues especially when dealing with Rigs, Lighting setups etc.

All registrations will be added to our Petition register and Website Membership regardless of whether or not you are a volunteer. Please only register once per person. Thank You.

We are producing 2 Versions of all Models as follows:

1) Lo-Poly (1k) model for distance camera shots and future game.

2) High Detail model for close-up camera shots

All models should be presented in the first instance as shown in these images:

1) Comparison Shots of Original Reference Material (1440 x 900 Image)

2) Multi View Shaded Wireframe (Including Polycount) (1440 x 900 Image)

These images will then be checked, and then forwarded for final comment/approval by TVP.

CGI Workflow

Thursday, 13 August 2009 13:17

Since beginning the project in Late June 2009, I have spent modelling the first of the Circular City designs, whilst the volunteers have concentrated on reproducing the housing designs and some of the transportation, and work is continuing daily across the globe. We have some wonderfully talented people taking Jacques concepts and producing from them beautiful 3D Models for use in future TVP related productions including "And the world will be won" - The Future TVP Feature Movie, and possibly other exciting media projects for both The Venus Project and Peter Joseph of The Zeitgeist Movement.

All work submitted is concidered a donation to The Venus Project.

We use 3D Studio Max 2009 all CGI Content, so artists using this package or earlier versions are preferred due to import/export compatibility issues.

Stage 1 - Initial Modelling Phase:

Receipt of Sketches and Photo references from TVP, and production of External 3D models for the following camera type shots / animations. Long Distance Ground Level Long Distance Hover (Heli-cam) Long Distance - Aerial View / Satellite View Medium / Close Range - Motion Blurred Camera Animations Important note: As some of these cities range from 3-4km diameter to 10km dia. with hundreds/thousands of low/medium detail models in them you can image scene size is Huge, and we are currently using a Dual Quad core 3.2Ghz Workstation with 16gb RAM for this, and handles the job well running 3DS Max with VRAY as our renderer to utilize VRAY Proxy Objects allowing trillions of polys in our scenes.

All models to be supplied to us in standard grey material (no textures), no environment, Lights, cameras etc and in the following formats (in order of preference)

MAX, 3DS, FBX, DWG

If you can’t supply in any of these formats please let us know what file types you can export/save as and we will try to accommodate.

2 Versions of the model are required:

1 x Detailed visualization model for use in TVP film media projects.
1 x Lo-poly version for use in future TVP game project (With normal maps for details)

Stage 2 - Team Structure

At this stage we will have a good idea of who can do what, who the best - most efficient modellers are etc and will begin making modelling teams for each category i.e Architecture / Transport etc based on performance in Stage1

Stage 3 - Detailed modelling

This stage will consist of taking the basic models, and using them as a reference for producing high poly, high detailed versions for use in close up animations / walkthroughs etc.

Stage 4 - Technical Modelling & Rigging

Modelling of Technical / Mechanical Assemblies and Rigging for various Animations, i.e construction etc.

Stage 5 - Texturing

All models in Stage 1 will be textured by myself using a standard template i have created for the distance models (low detail VRAY maps etc)

All models in Stage 3 will be handed to our Texture artists for UV Unwrapping, and Photoshop work etc

Stage 6 - Story Boarding

We have yet to source the required human resources for this, and much of this stage will have to be coordinated with TVP via Skype meetings etc.

Stage 7 - Animation & Visual Effects

Will be looking for Specialists in the following Plugins/Stand alone software

CEBAS Thinking Particles
CEBAS Final Render
CEBAS PyroCluster
AFTERBURN
NEXTLIMIT Realflow 4 (Fluid Dynamics)
WORLDBUILDER
VUE 7.5

and more...

Note: If you are experienced in any of these programs to a production level pleae let us know, preferably with some samples of completed works.

Also experienced camera animators, possible crowd systems and biped systems, character animation etc

Stage 8 - Rendering

Will be looking for people with 3D Studio Max / Vray Setups with a minimum spec of..

3DS MAX 2009 or Later, VRAY SP2, Dual/Quad Core PC, 4GB RAM to assist in the rendering of scenes into separate elements for Post Production

Stage 9 - Post Production and Visual Effects

Render Sequences will be sent to Post Production (I will need assistance on this process closer to the time as I have not had much to do with Post Production Techniques and workflow.

CGI Volunteer Selection Process

1) Registration of volunteer at http://www.thevenusprojectdesign.com and go to the "The venus Project Design" drop down menu, and select "Volunteers".

2) Once registered, Volunteers should then Send us examples of their modelling/texturing etc to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or links to their show-reel etc.

3) Within 24 hrs of receipt of their samples they will receive an email notifying them if they have been accepted into the testing phase. If no email is received this will mean you have not been accepted at this stage.

4) If the Volunteer has been accepted into the Testing phase, they will be sent our Volunteer agreement, and once this has been replied to, and filed we will send over the "Test Model References" by email.

This model should be completed asap, and as detailed as possible. Details like windows and doors should be modelled and layered accordingly (i.e Window frame, Glazing etc), No textures should be used at this stage. Also models should be produced as per the reference material or as close as possible with the reference material supplied. Variations of the designs are not required and any such variations will unfortunately be rejected.
Details should be added to the texture maps preferably with normal maps for added realism on all lo-poly models.

Reference Material tends to come in ft/inches (imperial) therefore Models should be at 1/1 Scale in either imperial units or in metric (Converting as required), and should be setup correctly in their preferred modelling software. Submittal of the test model should be a screenshot in one of the following formats PNG, TIF, JPG, showing the top/front/left and perspective views of the model and this will be checked by myself and then Jacque & Roxanne at TVP.

5) Within 24 hrs of receiving the test model an email notifying whether or not they have been accepted into the modelling team will be sent.

6) If the volunteer has been accepted into the modelling team, they will be assigned to a model, and reference materials will be sent to them via email. If further information is required they should email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a mark-up of what dimensions are required or indicate areas that need clarification.

CGI Modelling Team

Once accepted into the modelling team the following will apply:

1) Models should be produced in either of the following formats (In order of preference):
MAX, FBX, 3DS, DWG, DXF, without textures, lighting, environments etc as these will be added at a later date

2) Upon completion of the model, the volunteer should submit a render (Without materials - Just standard light grey) showing the top/front/left and perspective views of the model and this will be checked by myself and then Jacque & Roxanne at TVP. (As per Step 4 of the selection process)

3) If Revisions are required we will send the volunteer marked up drawings indicating the modifications etc.

4) Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the model is approved.

5) Once approved, the volunteer will be assigned to a new model, and reference materials will be sent to them via email and the whole process repeats. If further information is required they should email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a mark-up of what dimensions are required or indicate areas that need clarification.

The future of economics - a perspective from the Zeitgeist Movement

Friday, 14 May 2010 00:00

When: Saturday, June 5, 2010 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Where:
Birkbeck College
Torrington Square WC1E 7HX
LONDON

Rapid improvements in automation, AI (artificial intelligence), and resource management provide the opportunity for us to envision new models of economics. This talk will look at some important questions that arise:

How does the monetary system actually operate, and what are its consequences upon society?
What are the consequences of increasing displacement of human labour by machines?
Are monetary incentives necessary to spur product development?
What prospects are there to transition to more rational systems for allocating resources and pursuing technological innovation?
Is an economy without money feasible?

Since its foundation just over a year ago, the growing popularity of the Zeitgeist Movement is raising the visibility of questions like these. Anyone interested in radical ideas about the future of human society is invited to take part in a wide-ranging debate on these topics, led by Ben McLeish.

About the speaker:

Ben McLeish is one of the principal organisers of the Zeitgeist Movement in the UK, and is an accomplished speaker and presenter. He is a graduate of the University of Warwick, where he studied English, Literary and Cultural Theory.

General info:

There's no charge to attend, and everyone is welcome. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and to make comments.

Discussion will continue after the event, in a nearby pub, for those who are able to stay.

Why not join some of the London Futurist regulars for a drink and/or light lunch beforehand, any time after 12.30pm, in The Marlborough Arms, 36 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ. To find us, look out for a table where there's a copy of the book "The Singularity is Near" displayed.

About the venue:

Lecture Room B20 is on the basement level in the main Birkbeck College building, in Torrington Square (which is a pedestrian-only square). Torrington Square is about 10 minutes walk from either Russell Square or Goodge St tube stations.

This meeting on Facebook

See here for some other people who have RSVP'ed to attend it.

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com...