2006
Paul Nicholas, acclaimed director and accomplished writer, always had First Fear in mind as his signature project. He found that he could only do his script justice by entering into a partnership with an established and respected visual effects company. Paul's partnership with 4K gives scope to his imagination.
While he has the ability to demand stunning back-drops and effects, 4k has the expertise to realize all such demands which lets him free to focus on the actors, the action and the drama.
But no expertise would be of use if not supported by reliable partners. So it's no surprise that 4K joined hands with Nipuna Services Limited, India to execute the visual effects for this project.
The starting shot was fired in the first quarter of 2006. Nipuna took charge of recruitment, with 4K evaluating the prospective artists. 4K detailed equipment, software and space requirements and Nipuna provided a state-of-the-art facility in Taramani in Chennai, India.
Work then began on pre-production. Using the script and references found and adapted, a group of local and international artists designed and modeled sets, characters and effects.
Approved by Paul, work carried on honing and adapting these designs for the big screen.
The first scenes shot were on a set down near Pondicherry in Southern India. They were dubbed the "desert sequence", and provided ample work for the Nipuna & 4K team of artists. The scenes required a variety of elements, including:
- set extension | to take place in a deep gully in a shimmering desert
- crowd multiplication | create a seemingly endless line of slaves
- 3D FX | a sandstorm conjured out of nowhere
- character work | wire-removal and 3D characters in the storm
- color grading | for visually stunning cinematography
4K was pleased to see that the local artists at Nipuna performed admirably and Paul was impressed, and when given the shots it will be easy work for the artists to mix and match and create a hell of a sandstorm sequence.
Mid of 2006 saw the team try their hands with the pre-visualizations that had to happen before shooting began in earnest. Leaders began to stand out, and 4K & Nipuna could see whose talents lay where. This was important in order to distribute the right work to the right people.
Principal photography for First Fear finally began in October 2006. The team was ready for challenging shots, they were prepared with visualizations for scenes that production asked for at the last minute, they had effects on their server that had been pieced together with care and attention that would be lacking in a rushed project.
Shooting began on set in Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. Production took 3 huge sound-stages and built massive sets to be expanded and enhanced through digital means.
These sets included:
- the top and base of a lighthouse (the mid-section being purely computer graphics);
- a bridge made of wood and rope... the Skeleton Bridge;
- the temple of the Devil;
- and a Miami penthouse - complete with a rooftop pool.
Production pushed through the editing of the lighthouse scenes so that the labor-intensive work of the Nipuna & 4K team could begin. The team set out the geography of the area and have constructed an entire architecture and look and feel.
2007
Shooting was completed in India just before Christmas 2006 and now Production is focusing on giving Nipuna & 4K the correct shots to piece together the film and take on the main work on visual and special effects.
Support and expertise will be coming in from 4K Berlin throughout the beginning quarter of 2007 to work until First Fear effects are completed - scheduled in May.
This will be the culmination of an inspiring International project - pure Hollywood in style and class and with Indian touches and influence to delight audiences worldwide.
But before the finish line there is a lot of work to do. The Nipuna & 4K team will be working hard to create a piece of film-making we can all be proud of.
