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BITS & PIECES CINESITE PARTNERS WITH DIRECTOR SIMON WEST ON FORTITUDE LONDON — Visual effects and animation studio Cinesite (cinesite.com) is serv- ing as a key VFX partner on the upcoming historical action-thriller, Fortitude. Directed by Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), the film stars Matthew Goode, Ed Skrein, Jordi Mollà, Alice Eve, Michael Sheen, Art Malik, Lukas Haas, Adrian Topol, Emilio Sakraya, Freddy Carter, Paul Anderson, Ben Kingsley and Nicolas Cage. It's set for release in late 2026. Based on the events of Operation Fortitude, the film explores the elaborate Allied deception campaign that misled Nazi intelligence ahead of the D-Day landings. Cinesite's London team is working on a range of visual effects, in- cluding large-scale digital environments, period-accurate military assets and the "Ghost Army" of inflatable decoys. The project marks a reunion between Cinesite and renowned production VFX supervisor Steve Begg. Cinesite and Begg have a long-standing history of collaborations, most notably on the James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre. "Fortitude presents a challenge for us recreating the intricate 'theatre of war,' where the visual deceptions were just as critical as the physical battles," explains Cinesite VFX supervisor, Zave Jackson. "It is a privilege to be collabo- rating once again with Steve Begg. Having partnered with Steve on numerous projects over the years, there is a deep shorthand and creative trust between us. We are excited to support his vision in bringing this incredible piece of history to life with the scale and authenticity it deserves." "Fortitude is a story about the power of illusion, which makes it a perfect canvas for visual effects," adds Sara Rust, executive producer at Cinesite London. "Working with Simon West to recreate such a pivotal moment in his- tory allows our team to showcase the high level of craftsmanship and historical detail we are known for. We are thrilled to be part of the team bringing this incredible ensemble cast and high-stakes story to the screen." www.postmagazine.com 8 POST MAR/APR 2026 IMAGINARY FORCES CREATES YOUNG SHERLOCK OPEN LOS ANGELES — The opening title sequence for Prime Video's Young Sherlock suggests nothing is truly as it appears. The minute-long open features a series of transitions, with one element turning into something completely different when viewed from a different angle. A book becomes a phonograph, and its horn twirls into a spiral staircase. A row of mountains becomes a book of matches, and when lit, creates a flame that morphs into a butterfly. The eight-episode series was inspired by Andrew Lane's "Young Sherlock" series of books, and charts the origin of the world's greatest detective. It stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Donal Finn, Zine Tseng, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons, Numan Acar and Colin Firth. Director Ronnie Koff and the team at Imaginary Forces (imaginaryforces. com) created the show open, which premiered on March 4th when the show began streaming globally. "The very nature of an iconic character like Sherlock Holmes lends itself to a visually inventive title sequence," relates Koff. "His pursuit of investigation and uncovering clues perfectly aligns with the art form. The sequence isn't just there to get you excited for the adventure ahead; it reveals ideas as the story unfolds. There's a sense of discovery that feels very Sherlockian — inviting au- diences to experience Young Sherlock's adventures through his eyes." Koff prioritized elements of surprise throughout the sequence, with unex- pected shifts in scale and mysterious transitions expressed through a sin- gle-shot camera move. "The title as a 'oner' reflects Young Sherlock's point of view, taking the audi- ence on a globe-trotting romp, with unexpected twists and turns," Koff shares. Imaginary Forces went on-location during principal photography, capturing live-action elements featuring the show's three leads. Koff and his team were given priority access to the actors, dailies, locations and a collection of artifacts that helped shape the period-appropriate world. "There were so many visually-compelling clues and themes to explore from the show — more than enough to spark inspiration," Koff recalls. "We wanted to honor that richness and reflect it with a new twist — an unforgettable se- quence that reframes how audiences immerse themselves in the mystery." Credits on the project included designer Elizabeth Steinberg; 3D modeler Min Shi; 3D animators Scott Bell, Henry Chang, Christoph Gabathuler, Charlie Proctor, Alex Rupert, Ty Coyle, John Magbanua and Izik Roitman; compositor Eva Flodstrom; and editor Lexi Gunvaldson.