Either extending the set to recreate an existing location, re-creating a location in a different time period, or creating a world that only existed in one’s imagination, we can build it.

In The Tourist, we have a chase sequence that takes place on the rooftops of an iconic and recognizable city.  The route of the chase would happen across buildings from different locations within Venice, but it had to appear as a single location.  Ted Rae, VFX Supervisor, photographed from incredible vantage points in Venice, on blue screen stages, outside with miniatures, and other ancillary elements.  Here is a breakdown of a few of the shots;

Kenneth Nakada supervised work at Zen Haven Studios.

 

For City of Ember, a science fiction fantasy novel by Jeanne DuPrau, a film of the same name was to be made by director Gil Kenan.  Kim Jorgenson Adams and Eric Durst hired Zen Haven Studios for a couple key sequences in the film, sequences that would help establish a mood of somber isolation that would later turn to wonderful elation.  Here is a breakdown of some of the shots;

Kenneth Nakada supervised work at Zen Haven Studios.

 

The Yucatan had to be re-created during the fall of the Mayan Empire for Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto.  Location set photography, miniatures, blue screen stage photography, and high-speed effects elements were shot by Ted Rae, VFX Supervisor, and brought to Zen Haven Studios for some VFX magic.  ZHS delivered the completed shots with some exciting matte paintings, vfx enhancements, and the key “Eclipse Sequence” which was FULLY CG.

<Apocalypto breakdown material to come>

<Little Tokyo Reporter (2012) breakdown material to come>

Above are direct contracts with the studios.

Below will be sub-contract work done for other facilities.  Work in progress, check back shortly;

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) – Concept Design

The Big Year (2011) – Matte Painting

Final Destination 5 (2011) – Matte Painting

Sucker Punch (2011) – Matte Painting

Green Lantern (2011) – Concept Design

Meet Dave (2008) – Matte Painting

The Express (2008) – Matte Painting

The Ruins (2008) – Concept Design

Leatherheads (2008) – Matte Painting

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) – Concept Design & Matte Paintings

Van Helsing (2004) – Matte Painting

The Passion of the Christ (2004) – Matte Painting

Peter Pan (2003) – Matte Painting

Matrix Revolutions (2003) – Matte Painting

and more to update …