Cyclotron creates Letterman
By dkilmer
Created 05/26/1999 - 00:00
Cyclotron has completed a new open for CBS' "Late Show with David
Letterman." It features a sweeping night view of the illuminated Staten
Island Ferry, the Manhattan skyline, and the newly renovated Grand Central
Station. It was shot on High-Def in preparation for future broadcasts of
the show in HD. On-set supervision was conducted by Visual Effects Producer
Robert Buganza and Digital Composite Artist Tim Farrell during shoots of
the Staten Island Ferry, the Manhattan Skyline and Grand Central Station to
ensure the accurate matching of live-action to CGI elements. Cyclotron then
created a CGI-enhanced Manhattan skyline and rearranged landmarks in order
for them all to be in clear view from the Ferry. They also created a
luminous moon and starfield, a nighttime seascape surrounding the Ferry, as
well as the show's colorful 3D main title. The biggest challenge was to
marry the elements seamlessly during a lengthy camera movement that was
shot without motion control. Jerry Foley directed, Angela Bowen was
Managing Director, Yakov Baytler was CGI Animator, Alex Lebedev was Desktop
Video Artist.