13 July 2006 04:47 PM | ||||||||||
| Visual effects studio FrameFlow has announced the completion of its visual effects work for Sony Pictures Imageworks on the hit Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios comedy release Click starring Adam Sandler. FrameFlow's US-based producers and its international staff of artists based in Chennai, India, worked directly with the VFX team at Imageworks to provide 3D tracking, wire removal, rotoscoping and compositing work on effects shots for the movie, which opened June 23rd. In the life-altering comedy Click, Michael Newman (Adam Sandler), a busy architect who is trying to get ahead in the world, purchases a remote control that seems to not only let him control his TV set and stereo, but virtually his entire life. Sounds too good to be true. And it is, because soon the technologically sophisticated device is controlling Michael in ways he never imagined possible.
"There were many visual effects shots involving the remote control that we wanted to get done as soon as possible, and we sought a partner that could accomplish that without compromising on the quality of the work," said David Taritero, Senior VFX Producer, Sony Pictures Imageworks. "FrameFlow consistently proved that they could deliver high-caliber work and keep pace with our production schedule." "We are thrilled to support Imageworks on Click and other feature projects," said Hitesh Shah, co-founder and CEO of FrameFlow. "Our mission at FrameFlow has been to partner with VFX houses to provide high quality effects services at compelling prices for work that might otherwise be turned away due to production constraints. Our work with Imageworks on Click is a perfect example of the win-win situation such partnering creates" FrameFlow's Creative Director Krishnakant Mishra, whose credentials include a number of other international projects including Lord of The Rings, the Return of the King, added, "India is at an important juncture in the international visual effects market. We have the opportunity to assert ourselves as a strategic ally with whom VFX facilities in the West can collaborate." Mishra noted "On Click, we spent many sleepless nights working on shots to ensure they were not only technically correct in execution, but aesthetically hit the mark as well. When the VFX team at Imageworks saw that we could deliver this kind of quality and still keep to the schedule, they started turning over more shots to us - even shots not originally scheduled for FrameFlow. This was a great validation of our capabilities." Mishra's team delivered the 137 shots, most of which were completed in a 3 month window. FrameFlow attributes a good measure of its success on Click and numerous other projects currently under production to great creative execution coupled with strong production management discipline. "Creative and production management are the Yin and Yang of the VFX industry. They are essential halves of a whole, and our team clicks today - no pun intended because as a production facility, we recognize this dynamic", notes Krishna. "As we continue to grow, we are very conscious of the quality of the output we deliver, and to that end, our recruiting is very discriminating." New recruits at FrameFlow are put through extensive training and then required to "shadow" established artists on live projects for some time before they are put on a live project as a contributing team member. Founded in 2003, FrameFlow, LLC delivers visual effects and animation services for film, TV and advertising projects internationally. Based in Atlanta and Los Angeles with a state-of-the-art production operation in Chennai, India, FrameFlow staffs a team of 40 visual effects artists and serves as a partner to production companies in the US, Canada and the UK. With clients including Sony Pictures Imageworks, The Orphanage, Cinesite UK among others. - Sony Pictures Imageworks picks up equity in FrameFlow to become Imageworks India CHENNAI, February 20, 2007 ? US based Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI) has announced an equity investment in renowned visual effects and animation studio FrameFlow, which has its production operation in Chennai. As part of the deal, FrameFlow will become Imageworks India and will work seamlessly with Sony Pictures Imageworks? main production facility in Culver City, California. The newly named entity expects to quadruple its workload in the coming years and deepen its capabilities through investments in infrastructure, technology and training from Sony Pictures Imageworks. Imageworks India also plans a significant growth in its current talent base of 80 employees. To accommodate anticipated expansion, Imageworks India will relocate to a larger office in Chennai with a seating capacity of up to 300.  "We are extremely excited to announce this partnership with Sony Pictures Imageworks, an Academy Award-winning visual effects and animation facility. We are deeply honored to be chosen to join the Imageworks family. It?s a testament to the passion and talent of our team and creative leadership of Krishnakant Mishra to receive this supreme validation of the quality of our work? commented Hitesh Shah, co-founder of FrameFlow and now the Co-Managing Director of Imageworks India. Also speaking at the occasion, Abhaya Kumar, Managing Director of FrameFlow?s Indian operation added,?This relationship represents the culmination of our strategic vision to expand and deepen our capabilities through integration with an industry leader like Imageworks. We look at this strategic investment as a part of the continuing Indian Success Story ? one that elevates the standing of the whole Indian visual effects and animation industry on the global stage.? FrameFlow was founded three years ago to deliver high-quality effects support to top facilities worldwide. Prior to becoming Imageworks India, FrameFlow proved its value by working with Sony Pictures Imageworks on movies such as CLICK, GHOST RIDER and SPIDER-MAN ? 3 among many other projects. ?The level of professionalism and quality of work that we experienced in working with the FrameFlow team was exemplary, and gave us the confidence to extend and establish a strong long term relationship? said Jenny Fulle, Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Imageworks and now the Co-Managing Director of Imageworks India. ?We are very excited about expanding our capacity with Imageworks India in Chennai." As part of Sony Pictures Imageworks, Imageworks India will continue to provide visual effects and animation services as a resource to the industry. Imageworks India (formerly FrameFlow), has been a trusted partner to other top visual effects and animation studios in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. About Imageworks India (formerly FrameFlow) Founded in 2003 as FrameFlow, LLC, the company delivers visual effects and animation services. The company is based in Atlanta and Los Angeles with a state-of-the-art production operation in Chennai, India, where a team of 80 employees provide highly cost effective solutions to the visual effects industry. For more information, visit www.frameflow.com or www.imageworksindia.com or call (+1-310-341-0200) About Sony Pictures Imageworks Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc. is an Academy Award ? winning, state-of-the-art digital production studio dedicated to the art of visual effects production and character animation. The Imageworks production environment facilitates four diverse pipelines including live-action visual effects and character work, Imagemotion TM performance capture, all CG animation and Imageworks 3D stereoscopic. The company?s achievements have been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Oscars ? for its work on SPIDER-MAN ? 2 and the CG animated short film THE CHUBBCHUBBS!. In addition, Imageworks? two most recent projects, the all CG animated feature, MONSTER HOUSE, made at Imageworks, and SUPERMAN RETURNS are nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Animated Feature and Outstanding Achievement in Visual Effects, respectively. Other Oscar nominated projects include; THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, SPIDER-MAN ?, HOLLOW MAN, STUART LITTLE and STARSHIP TROOPERS, for a total of 9 nominations. The 2007 dual nominations in the Best Animated Feature and Outstanding Achievement in Visual Effects categories is the first time one studio is recognized in these distinct areas and is indicative of the diversity and quality of the company?s capabilities |
Articles
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)