ArsenalFX Heightens 911 Kidnap Pursuit

Bicoastal visual effects studio ArsenalFX teams up with director Brad Anderson to deliver a pulse-quickening pursuit of an evasive kidnapper in the new thriller, “The Call.”  The film follows veteran 911 operator Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) as she receives a call from a girl (Abigail Breslin) who has just been abducted.  Turner soon realizes that she must confront a killer (Michael Eklund) and her past in order to save the girl’s life.  ArsenalFX handled over 100 visual effects-enhanced shots in the film, utilizing a variety of VFX techniques including CG compositing, 3D shots, rig removal, green screen shots, as well as countless blood and gore effects shots. The film releases today, March 15th, in theatres nationwide.

 

Click here to view the trailer. 

 

ArsenalFX Creative Directors Lauren Mayer-Beug and Nathan Boldman led the project and came on board in the early stages, working alongside Anderson to supervise the VFX-heavy shots on set, while also collaborating with Production Designer Franco-Giacomo Carbone to craft a compelling 911 call center environment.  The call center’s jumbo screen was entirely green screen, and the ArsenalFX team designed and composited in images to deliver the high-octane pursuit from the “hive” base camp throughout the movie.  The ArsenalFX artists also upped the gore ante with extensive blood and various gruesome shots.  They worked carefully to enhance the practical effects and make the close-up shots featuring various physical damages as realistic as possible. 

 

Notes Mayer-Beug, “It was a great experience working with Brad. There was a lot of back and forth collaboration and he had a very specific vision of what he wanted, but was very open to what we had to bring to the table.”