Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1230474
BITS & PIECES www.postmagazine.com 10 POST MAR/APR 2020 MPC LAUNCHES NEW VFX DIVISION LONDON — Technicolor's MPC (mpcfilm.com) has launched a new episodic visual effects division. The effort is a response to increased demand for content brought on by streaming platforms. MPC, which is known for its photoreal VFX and animation work, will now offer episodic directors and producers access to the studio's technology and talent — the same talent behind a number of recent blockbusters, including The Lion King, 1917, Detective Pikachu and Godzilla: King of The Monsters. Managing director Thomas Williams will head the new division, having previously served as COO for MPC Film. Before joining MPC, Williams spent 10 years at Sky, working in production planning and technical development for Sky Studios. The MPC Episodic team will be led by executive VFX supervisor, Pete Jopling (The Bourne Legacy, Captain America: Civil War, Chernobyl), head of creative Gurel Mehmet (The Witcher, Avengers: Endgame, Inception) and senior producer Therese Zambra (Mars, Frontline). "The episodic landscape has changed at an extraordinary pace, and now feels like the perfect time to launch this exciting new division," Williams explains. "MPC has been behind some of the most awe-inspiring film and commercial work of the last decade, and is well positioned to bring its phe- nomenal expertise to the episodic community." The episodic division will be headquartered at MPC's London studio and expands on Technicolor's portfolio of film and episodic VFX studios, which also include Mill Film, Mr. X and Mikros. EFILM HELPS SONIC ACHIEVE VIBRANT LOOK LOS ANGELES — Efilm (efilm.com) helped create the vibrant and fun look featured in Paramount Pictures' recent film, Sonic The Hedgehog. Inspired by the blockbuster videogame franchise from Sega, the film teams the otherworldly blue hedgehog with small-town sheriff Tom (James Marsden) in a live-action adventure comedy. The film was directed by Jeff Fowler and shot by Stephen F. Windon, ACS, ASC. The final look was achieved with help from Efilm senior colorist Tom Reiser. "Despite the unconventional premise, we wanted the story to feel authentic and rooted in a real environment," explains Reiser. "Also, being an adventure comedy, we wanted to maintain a sense of fun throughout, so we pushed a bright, colorful, saturated look." The film's lead character is fully-CG, so Reiser had to employ color grading techniques to both animation and live-action content while seamlessly marrying the two into cohesive scenes. The VFX teams, led by VFX supervisor Ged Wright, would typically set the look for the scenes featuring Sonic, and Reiser would use this as his starting point. He would then matte each shot, keeping three key col- or elements in line — Sonic's signature blue fur, pink peach fur, and green eyes. Overall, Reiser helped give the film a warm, happy vibe, which is reflected in flushed skin tones and a deliberate use of red. The colorist delivered SDR and Dolby Vision HDR grades for home and theatrical presentation using FilmLight's Baselight system, leaning heavily on the BaseGrade tool, which helped control the glow Sonic emits when he powers up. "The material in this film is perfect for HDR, especially Sonic's world — it's pure eye candy," says Reiser. "There are certain moments when Sonic powers up and starts glowing. HDR really makes these moments special and pushes the storytelling to the next level." (L-R) Pete Jopling, Tom Williams, Therese Zambra and Gurel Mehmet.