Identity FX Delivers Buzz-worthy Scene For “Piranha 3D”

September 4, 2010

Source: Identity FX

Identity FX, Inc., a visual effects and Stereoscopic 3D design studio located in Los Angeles, CA, was brought on board to deliver one of the key sequences in “Piranha 3D”, Alexandre Aja’s recently released Top 10 gorefest.

Engaged by The Weinstein Company to design and animate the main title sequence and deliver the film’s end credits, Identity FX was intrigued when asked if they could also undertake the highly touted “underwater mermaid ballet,” along with several additional shots. They jumped at the chance to deliver from point-to-point what they saw as a seminal moment in the film.

The Identity FX team worked closely with director Aja on the underwater sequence, designing and executing what has become one of the most talked about scenes in the movie. The “ballet” features actresses Kelly Brook and Riley Steele in a four-minute long underwater dance that has them immersed against a backdrop of golden light, completely nude. Identity FX put their 2D to 3D conversion skills to good use, bringing the girls completely off screen and allowing them to virtually frolic in the audience’s lap.

Leo Vezzali, Supervising Stereographer and Visual Effects Supervisor for Identity FX, noted that their team was faced with a number of technical challenges with regard to the sequence. “Shooting green screen underwater, in variable lighting conditions for extensive periods of time, can be a difficult production scenario. Our team worked tirelessly to deliver what we think is one of the most memorable scenes in the movie.”

The Identity FX team, which includes Executive Producer Alison Savitch, Co-Founder and Visual Effects Producer David Scott Van Woert, and Lead Compositor Troy Moore, worked with their 2D to 3D technology partners at HDlogix, Inc. around the clock to meet a tight August 20th release date.

Their arsenal of tools included HDlogix’s ImageIQ® 3D conversion technology, The Foundry's Nuke compositing software, and IRIDAS’s Framecycler DI.

“The Hollywood Reporter said that, “Piranha 3D” was ‘pitch-perfect’,” said Mr. Van Woert, “and when we screened the final film, we felt exactly the same way. We are proud to have worked with Alexandre and the Dimension Films/Weinstein team to present a technically and artistically successful scene.”




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