“This scene originally looked very different. The actress was standing on a wooden platform, surrounded by a railing to keep tourists from falling down the mountain, hardly as dramatic as the finished product. It was amazingly challenging, due to the fact that the camera was constantly moving around her, and the sheer amount of work required to perfect the shot. Trees and bushes had to be added, a village in the background required removal, and clothing was even added to the actress. It was a complete and all encompassing transformation.”
“The goal here was to work almost a parody of war-time films. As the wrap moves closer toward its owner the water turns slowly red, which in many other films during a war would be blood, the shot is almost a cliche. So it's a surprise to discover the red is simply dye bleeding into the water. We added the gentle roll of the stream and the bleeding dye to reflect a peaceful resolution. It was important to get the rhythm just right. Slow, subtle, and tranquil.”
“This is a character-driven movie, not an effects blockbuster. Our work had to reflect that. Spaceships and explosions are fine, but that's just a small part of how digital effects are used today. In this movie they exist simply to enhance the storyline.”
