Evil Eye Creates VFX for <em>The Avengers</em>

Press release from Evil Eye Pictures:

San Francisco, CA -- Evil Eye Pictures [1] has contributed nearly 200 visual effects shots for Marvel’s highly anticipated The Avengers directed by Joss Whedon. Opening nationwide May 4th, the film unveils the Super Hero team-up of a lifetime.

Working in close collaboration with Academy Award-winning Visual Effects Supervisor Janek Sirrs, Evil Eye Pictures was tasked with creating intricate environments throughout the film, including numerous set extensions, matte paintings, digital doubles and countless CG elements. For several scenes that take place aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Evil Eye created the massive 'atrium' environment outside the Wishbone Lab, as well as swirling energy effects for Loki's scepter. These key components provide a grand and poetic backdrop as The Avengers are first assembled. In each, visual integrity and seamless integration were paramount, requiring intensive detail that supports the narrative.

“Key to the film’s experience is taking the viewer to realms that are simultaneously fantastic and believable,” notes Sirrs. “That’s where Evil Eye’s talent was instrumental. They are exceptional partners, delivering seamless, beautiful, and exacting shots.”

Evil Eye Pictures is no stranger to the Marvel world, having contributed effects creativity to Iron Man 2 (with Janek Sirrs as Visual Effects Supervisor), Captain America and Thor. Forging a trusted relationship on three blockbuster Marvel properties provided the foundation for the company’s work on The Avengers.

Victoria Alonso, Executive Vice President of Visual Effects and Post-Production, Marvel Studios says, “I rely on Evil Eye’s consistent delivery of high-end visual effects,” and adds “they’re committed to making Marvel movies great.”

Visual Effects Supervisors Dan Rosen and Matt McDonald led Evil Eye Pictures’ team for The Avengers, and provided the company’s signature partner-driven creative process and technical oversight. Working hand-in-hand with Sirrs and the Marvel visual effects team, Evil Eye produced what Dan Rosen calls, “heavy environments that ultimately melt into the fabric of the film.” Similarly, Evil Eye worked diligently to be a natural extension of the film’s post team.

Rosen, McDonald and EP John Jack harnessed their collective industry experience from some of the leading effects companies in the industry to found Evil Eye Pictures in 2004. Striking a balance between keen visual sensibility and technical acumen, Evil Eye has contributed striking imagery to such feature films as Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Captain America, Super 8, Thor, The Tree of Life, Iron Man 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Australia, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Spider-Man 3, among others.

The studio is currently working on the spectacular Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away written and directed by Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Chronicles of Narnia) and Executive Produced by James Cameron. The film is distributed by Paramount and will release in late 2012.