Evil Eye Pictures creates 3D visual effects artistry for "Cirque Du Soleil Worlds Away" film.
San Francisco — Evil Eye Pictures enjoys the magic of Cirque du Soleil as lead visual effects house for the 3D feature spectacular “Cirque Due Soleil Worlds Away.” The film, written and directed by Andrew Adamson (“Shrek,” “The Chronicles of Narnia”) and executive produced by Academy Award-winning, visionary filmmaker James Cameron, began dazzling audiences in select theaters December 21.
Reel FX, the fully integrated movie studio and production company on the film in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, launched its feature-length development and production slate in 2010 and has since aligned itself with some of the most recognized and respected names and brands in the entertainment industry. Reel FX sought Evil Eye Pictures’ design and visual effects talent for scenes central to the feature’s narrative framework. In the film, two young people journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other.
Evil Eye was first tasked to design and produce the sand vortex that literally draws the central characters into the Cirque universe. “The vortex effect required complex creative design and the simulation of millions and millions of animated sand particles,” explains John L. Jack, Evil Eye’s visual effects producer. “The results in 3D are quite stunning.”
As the world of Cirque unfolds, the numerous exterior shots executed by Evil Eye support a circus themed love story interwoven through several Cirque du Soleil shows, including O, KA, Mystere, Viva Elvis, Zumanity and The Beatles Love. “Evil Eye’s expansive environments establish a grand scale and mystical presence for key exterior scenes in the film,” notes Ed Jones, executive producer for the film. “Those moments simply would not have been possible without their efforts.”
“We are honored to be a part of this holiday season’s most original film,” says Evil Eye visual effects supervisor Matt McDonald, who supervised principal photography in Las Vegas and New Zealand, and also oversaw Evil Eye’s VFX work throughout postproduction. “We enjoyed both the creativity and technical aspects of our participation, all in service of this true cinematic spectacle.”