Post Logic Studios recently wrapped a slate of post and DI services for Dimension Films' HALLOWEEN. Writer and director Rob Zombie and the post-production team completed film dailies, editing, 2D effects and DI for the film all at Post Logic.
Post Logic colorist Lou Levinson worked closely with Zombie on the look creation and final color correction of the film. "Rob had very specific ideas about how he wanted the film to look, and made decisions quickly. He also understood the process, and the inherent limitations of the DI process, yet was still open to creative collaboration and enhancements throughout the project cycle," explained Levinson.
When the project first came to Post Logic Studios, Levinson conducted several tests to achieve different looks for the film. Those tests involved extensive explorations into digital grain addition, and other color and lighting modifications to give the film an authentic 1970's feel. Throughout the feature's six-week shoot, Post Logic Studios completed film dailies and also rented office space to the films post-production team and editors. Post Logic_s Inferno and Flame artists also contributed 2D effects and cleanup, although the effects in HALLOWEEN were almost entirely captured in-camera.
The digital color grading for Halloween involved capturing a 1970s film aesthetic by pushing the overall look with desaturation, yellow and brown tones mimicking both film stocks and production designs of that era. Other looks involved day and night exteriors, which evolved with stronger blues and greens, and night interiors that were enhanced with neutral and incandescent lighting. After reviewing the XYZ deliverable for DCI, some last-minute changes were made to the film and to the color passes in sessions reviewed by Zombie himself, which Post Logic was able to make at the last minute to accommodate the project's accelerated schedule.
The film was shot on Super 35, 3 perf and was color graded on a FilmLight BaseLight system. 2D effects and cleanup work were completed on Autodesk Inferno and conform was done on Autodesk Smoke.
With technologically advanced facilities in Los Angeles and New York, Post Logic Studios (www.postlogic.com) has distinguished itself as a leader in digital intermediate and feature film restoration, and continues to expand into new and emerging arenas within the post-production realm.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
