Under the direction of Creative Director/VFX Supervisor John Bair and VFX Producer Vivian Connolly, the Phosphene visual-effects team completed more than 80 complex shots for “Young Adult,” a dark new comedy-drama, starring Academy-Award® winning actress Charlize Theron (“Monster,” “The Road”), Golden Globe nominee Patrick Wilson (“Angels in America,”  “Morning Glory”) and Patton Oswalt (“Ratatouille,” “The King of Queens”).

The film reunites the Academy Award® nominated director of “Juno” Jason Reitman (“Up in the Air,” “Thank You for Smoking”) and Academy Award® winning screenwriter Diablo Cody. Distributed worldwide by Paramount Pictures for Mandate Pictures, “Young Adult” began a limited release December 9, 2011 and a wide release December 16.

Independent design and visual-effects company Phosphene is the only VFX vendor on this film.  “The most complex VFX sequence in the film involves Patton Oswalt’s leg. In an intimate scene with Charlize Theron, his severely deformed limb, the result of a brutal high school beating, is exposed. Because of the sensitive nature of the reveal, the leg absolutely had to feel 100% real.” explained Phosphene’s Vivian Connolly.

During production, John Bair and Phosphene’s Lead Digital Artist Aaron Raff were on set to place tracking markers on Patton’s leg.  Raff explained the process: “We began design tests early on to determine the look of the leg. Extensive medical research allowed us to make sure the deformity was as medically accurate as possible. In post, we stabilized and isolated Patton’s leg movement and began applying medically appropriate scarring and texture to the skin. Using warping tools, we redefined the outline of the leg to properly portray the loss of muscle and bone density, maintaining the disfigured shape from every angle as both the actor and the hand held camera moved freely throughout the scene. Because the shot was close-up and intimate, the leg had to move realistically as Patton rolled around on the bed. Since we shrunk the limb quite a bit, we also had to recreate everything that was under his leg as he moved on the bed’s surface including ruffled blankets and other items.”

“Young Adult’s” Post-Production Supervisor Luca Borghese said: “The effect that Phosphene created is a classic example of an unsung hero. The work is so good that the audience immediately accepts Matt’s (Patton Oswalt) injury as real, rather than an exceptional piece of digital artistry.”

One very lengthy sequence shot in a sports bar, a pivotal scene between the Charlize Theron and Patrick Wilson characters, needed to feel absolutely true.  The scene is massive, a technical gorilla, requiring a great deal of green screen replacement. Green screens outside the panoramic windows and a half dozen television monitors needed to be composited and required heavy rotoscoping and tracking.

“We decided the best approach was to use the Flame for this scene because it was over 50 shots that had to be turned around quite quickly and continuity was of the utmost importance.  Under the circumstances, being able to pull quick keys and have quick reviews for continuity checks made the process much easier,” explained Phosphene’s John Bair.

In yet another sequence, Theron drives her car hard into a parking spot and has a comical fender bender which required a lot of cleanup and rig removal to make it feel authentic.

Of their collaboration with the Mercury Productions  team Vivian Connolly stated:  “The film provided us with an amazing opportunity to work directly with Jason Reitman and his editor Dana Glauberman who  had collaborated on  “Thank You For Smoking,” “Juno” and “Up in the Air.”  They both had a remarkably clear vision about what they wanted, which meant we could really jump right into getting the execution of their vision just right. Jason was very involved with the visual effects, and always focused on staying with the realism and truth of the scene, which applied to VFX as much as to any other aspect of the film.”

Glauberman added: “From the very first VFX that Vivian and her crew from Phosphene presented to us on “young Adult,” I was beyond impressed.  Not only is their attention to detail and quick turnaround amazing, but their professionalism and understanding of what the director is looking for makes you feel like you’re in good hands.”

The Phosphene creative team, led by Bair and Connolly, included Lead Digital Artist Aaron Raff; Digital Compositors Scott Winston and Connie Conrad; Flame Artist Peter Amante; and Compositing Intern Andrew Yates.

Representing Mercury Productions LLC were Director Jason Reitman, Writer Diablo Cody, Editor Dana Glauberman and Post- Production Supervisor Luca Borghese.

Phosphene utilized Nuke X, Adobe After Effects CS5, Autodesk® Flame® and PCs running Windows 7 64-bit in the execution of this project.

Deluxe (New York, NY) was responsible for the digital intermediate and lab processing.

ABOUT “YOUNG ADULT”

Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron plays Mavis Gary, a writer of teen literature who returns to her small hometown to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). When returning home proves more difficult than she thought, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt) who hasn’t quite gotten over high school, either.

“Young Adult” reunites Jason Reitman, Academy Award® nominated director of “Juno,” and Academy Award® winning screenwriter, Diablo Cody.    

ABOUT PHOSPHENE

Phosphene is an independent design and visual effects house led by founders/co-owners John Bair and Vivian Connolly who have collaborated on projects since 2005. In 2010, the duo launched Phosphene and immediately hit the ground running with visual effects and title design for Barry Levinson’s “You Don’t Know Jack” (HBO), Phillip Noyce’s  “Salt,” George Nolfi’s “The Adjustment Bureau,” Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver,” Brad Anderson’s “Vanishing on 7th Street”  and, most recently, Brett Ratner’s “Tower Heist.”

Phosphene has just completed work on Stephen Daldry’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. The company is currently in production on “Europa,” a contemporary space adventure developed by Wayfare Entertainment and Misher Films, with acclaimed Ecuadorian director Sebastian Cordero at the helm, and a cast that includes “District 9′s” Sharlto Copley, Michael Nyquist (“Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), Anamaria Marinca (“4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days”) and Asian superstar Daniel Wu.

For the company’s television clients, in addition to their Emmy-nominated work for Todd Haynes’ HBO miniseries “Mildred Pierce,” Phosphene is busy on season two of CBS’s “Blue Bloods,” ABC’s “Pan Am,” and are currently at work on  season six of NBC’s “30 Rock.” In addition, Phosphene has teamed with HBO to create all visual effects for seasons one and two, and is about to begin work on season three of “Treme.”

A true industry veteran, Chase has shot it all. Known as much for his commercial work with comedy, dialogue, sports, celebrities and automotive action as he is for branded content and helming concept-based productions on a massive scale or shooting VFX-heavy projects, the directorʼs lauded talent and experience are appreciated by major agencies and brands worldwide.
 

“Iʼm tremendously excited about having Steve join us,” said R+H Executive Producer Paul Babb. “His directorial style and sense of imagery have always put him at the top of my and many other EPʼs lists Iʼm sure. I canʼt wait to let him loose to play with all the tools that are available to him at R+H.”
The director is equally enthused about his new production roost.
 

“Joining Paul Babb and R+H is a natural fit for me. The scale and polish of their work and the commitment to doing it right is something I’ve always strived for,” said Chase. “They do what I do, and I do what they do. What took me so long? It’s destiny, and I’m honored to have them in my corner.”
Chase comes to Rhythm + Hues from Curious Pictures, and from Canada originally.
 

About Rhythm + Hues
 
R+H is a complete digital studio, with live action and animation directors, vfx, design and post-production services. We draw upon the talent and technical firepower of one of the worldʼs premier effects and animation facilities, Rhythm &Hues Studios, and are dedicated to the highest quality of commercial production and outstanding client support.
Recent commercial projects include Activision, Budweiser, Carrabbaʼs, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Crayola, Electronic Arts, Hartford, Kelloggʼs, Mattel, Microsoft X-Box, Nascar, Nasonex, Quaker State, Tide, and Ubisoft. Film Division credits include an Oscar® for Achievement in Visual Effects for Golden Compass in 2008. Recently produced projects include HOP, X-Men: First Class, Mr. Popperʼs Penguins, and Red Riding Hood. Films currently in production include Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Life of Pi, Everybody Loves Whales, Moneyball, and Snow White and the Huntsman.
 

For more information contact Chad Norton R+H Creative Services Manager.

NEW YORK, NY — Paul Goldman, founder of Ear Goo, Inc. and the design studio Element, LLC, has partnered with Matt Giulvezan, formerly of MTV Networks, to launch The Goo, a new multimedia company with a primary focus on creating content for television, film, web, mobile and emerging media. The Goo consists of three divisions: Action Goo (concept + live action production), Eye Goo (editorial + design + motion) and Ear Goo (music + sound design + mix). The family of The Goo companies will work synergistically to offer clients a first-class, full-service boutique experience.

Additionally, The Goo has acquired Spek Studios, the boutique design studio based in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY. Spek Studios founders Reno Diaz and Rene Avalos will serve as Eye Goo’s Creative Director and Art Director respectively. Spek’s recent work includes the promo campaign of the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards featuring Eminem, Drake and Justin Bieber; ads for Mountain Dew, ESPN, Comcast, Verizon, Scion, Hershey’s; and music videos for Kanye West, to name a few.

”What makes The Goo different is that it combines the power of three distinct companies all sharing a common DNA that can work independently or as a complete full-service production and post company,” says Goldman, who serves as the company’s CEO and Chief Creative Officer. ”This versatility gives us an added edge. We have the power to create and deliver content that is original, intelligent and inspiring, whatever the client objective.”

Giulvezan is perhaps best known for his award-winning creative work over the past decade on the MTV Video Music Awards, Movie Awards, TRL, MTV/Paramount Films, Sony Pictures, The Weinstein Company and Warner Bros. Entertainment. In addition, Giulvezan was responsible for heading up promotions for hit shows and movies such as MTV’s Jersey Shore, Jackass 3D, The Real World, The Hills, True Life, Making The Band and Spring Break. Giulvezan also has extensive experience working directly with Hollywood’s top celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Seacrest, Andy Samberg, Will Forte, Sarah Silverman, Sean Combs, Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Russell Brand, Wayan Bothers and Michael Cera.

”The ability to take a project from inception to final delivery, while working under The Goo umbrella of companies makes us extremely flexible,” says Giulvezan. ”When we pitch an idea we are very much aware of our client’s brand and marketing strategies and will already have considered concept, live action, edit, design, music and mix.”

Over the past 16 years both Goldman and Giulvezan have impressed many with their collective work on such global brands as MTV Networks, McDonald’s, Mercedes-Benz, Verizon Business, Volvo, Nintendo, Visa, AT&T, Nokia, Citibank, Stella Artois, FedEx, Paramount Pictures, New Line Cinema, Sony, Universal, ESPN, VH1, BRAVO, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, iNDemand, Nickelodeon and TLC, among many others. Together the duo are at the top of their game with links to every industry award given, including the Emmy, Oscar, Clio, ADDY, Promax/BDA, New York Festival, Art Directors Club, Beacon, and Telly Awards.

Located in mid-town Manhattan, The Goo represents the next generation of cutting-edge, one-stop shop multi-media companies.

About The Goo
The Goo is a multi-media company with a primary focus on content for television, film, web, mobile and emerging media. The Goo consists of three subsidiary companies: Action Goo (concept + production), Eye Goo (editorial + design) and Ear Goo (music + sound design + mix). The family of The Goo companies work synergistically to offer clients a first-class, full-service boutique experience. For more information contact: www.thegoo.com