Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1521235
30 M PS E . O R G don't like cliches, but some are just too perfect not to be used. On March 31, 1999, the world decided to take the red pill and truly see how far down the rabbit hole went with the release of The Matrix. Saturday, April 6, 2024, MPSE and Warner Bros. Post Production Services celebrated the 25th anniversary of that release by having a special event honoring the film's Academy Award-winning sound supervisor, Dane A. Davis MPSE. Not only was a fully restored digital print and audio remastered in Dolby Atmos shown, but there was also a special screening of two animated short films, The Second Renaissance Part I and Part II, from The Animatrix which is a collection of nine animated short films with stories relating to The Matrix. These two short films explained how the world of The Matrix came to be. It also was the first time these pieces had ever been shown theatrically. The sold-out event was held in the Warner Bros. lot's 500-seat Steven J. Ross Theater. Displayed in the lobby were some of the film's iconic on-camera memorabilia, like Morpheus' burgundy suit and chair, Neo and Trinity's lobby scene costumes, a full-scale sentinel model, and life-size prosthetics of Agent Smith in various grimaces, just to name a few. As guests arrived for the event, they were given the unique opportunity to take photos in front of a step-and-repeat adorned with The Matrix 25th Anniversary, MPSE, and Warner Bros. logos. ric Marks, MPSE vice president, was instrumental in bringing this event to life or rather "into the real world." He approached Dane about six months ago with the idea of doing a 25th anniversary event for The Matrix, for which Dane was immediately on board. They conferred with Kim Waugh about having Warner Bros. possibly get involved and not only did he say "yes," but volunteered to host it at the Ross Theater, as well as provide some of the on-set props from the movie. Besides being the driving force behind this event, Eric was also the MC and hosted a Q&A with Dane at various times during the afternoon. It was great to hear from Dane about how and when he got involved with The Matrix. He said while he was working with the Wachowskis on Bound, the script for the movie had already been written and they all were brainstorming about how in the world the movie was ever going I E Dane Davis MPSE with the props of Agent Smith, and Smith's many face expressions—one! One of the Agent Smith props could display mechanical movements for on-camera FX. All props on display at the event were courtesy of Warner Bros. Photo by Chris Schmitt Photography.