AMAZING GRACE
MPC has completed the visual effects sequences for Michael Apteds Amazing Grace. The film tells the story of Member of Parliament William Wilberforce and his crusade to end slavery in the eighteenth century British Empire. The Walden Media produced Amazing Grace was shown at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival in September where it wowed the assembled audience.
Director Michael Apted wanted to convey the might and majesty of the British Commercial Fleet of the late 18th century. With this in mind, MPCs task was to ensure that the period elements flawlessly matched the location shots. The artists created historically accurate digital environments and many of the tall ships of the era, which transported everything from tea and spices to rum, molasses and slaves. In addition to period elements, MPC developed sequences that illustrate Wilberforces nightmares about the horrors of slavery and what seemed like a never-ending struggle to force change.
The MPC crew, including VFX Supervisor Greg Butler and VFX Producer Julia Wigginton, spent four days on the shoot in Gloucester Docks, which doubled for Londons East India Quay of the time. Scenes filmed at this location included two fully crewed period ships which sailed the canal. Other vessels and costumed crew were part of the live action, with extensions and backgrounds created and composited into shots back at the MPC studio. While some period elements of the existing Gloucester Docks remain, most of what is seen in the film was either built by the film crew or created by MPC. To create the hustle and bustle of old London, crowds and atmospheric library elements such as dust, smoke and fog were created and composited into the final shots.
After the initial screening at the Toronto Film Festival, Amazing Grace will be released in the US February 23rd with worldwide during 2007.
Ends
Director: Michael Apted
Production Company: Walden Media
Producer: Jeanney Kim, Mark Cooper
Distributor: US, Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions
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