Level 256 Visual Effects, a modern, digital artist collective and visual effects production studio, and its owner Scott Davids, who has been involved in the contribution of VFX to many of the biggest hit comedy films of the past decade, have produced more than 60 VFX shots for “The Dictator,” the latest film from Sacha Baron Cohen.n nThe new film, released May 16 by Paramount Pictures, marks the third collaboration between Davids and Baron Cohen. Previously, Davids contributed VFX work to the comedian’s films “Borat” and “Bruno,” for which Davids also served as one of the editors. n nFor “The Dictator,” Level 256 produced a diverse array of visual effects sequences. These included a number of “split screen scenes” in addition to other VFX work, such as 3D sign replacements, wire removals and a number of green screen shots. nnEric J. Robertson, VFX Supervisor for “The Dictator,” said, “One of the great things about Level 256 is that they ask a lot of questions, come up with lots of ideas, and offer a number of artistic options. They have a great ‘comic eye’ and will always find a creative solution to a problem.”n nScott Davids said, “Specializing in the creation of visual effects for comedy films, our goal was to work closely with Eric Robertson, whose eye for color and integration is first rate, and VFX Editor Todd Fulkerson to ensure that the scenes that included visual effects in ‘The Dictator’ allowed the comedic work of the characters to be continuous and seamless, while always moving the story forward.”nnAbout “THE DICTATOR” n”The Dictator,” starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris and Ben Kingsley, is the heroic story of a North African dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. Directed by Larry Charles, written by Sacha Baron Cohen & Alec Berg & David Mandel & Jeff Schaffer and produced by Sacha Baron Cohen, Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer, Todd Schulman, Anthony Hines and Scott Rudin.nn
nnAbout LEVEL 256 VISUAL EFFECTSnLocated in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, and founded in 2009 by owner Scott Davids, Level 256 Visual Effects is a modern, digital artist collective and production studio that regularly contributes 2D and 2.5D visual effects to everything from highly successful, major studio motion pictures to independent films to low budget documentaries. Since its formation, Level 256 has produced VFX sequences for such major studio films as “Battleship,” “The Dictator,” “This is 40,” “Tower Heist,” “Bridesmaids,” “”Get Him to the Greek,” “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Little Fockers,” “Cedar Rapids,” “The Change Up,” “The Five Year Engagement” and “Wanderlust,” among others. Currently, the company is completing work on “The Bourne Legacy” for Universal Pictures, and is also in production on its own short film project, “The Final Moments of Karl Brandt.” nnIn conjunction with Seth Kleinberg, Head of Production for Level 256, Davids has designed the state-of-the art boutique as an artist-centric ‘pod,’ with an emphasis on establishing a highly creative and fun working environment. The company, which employs about a dozen digital artists on a regular basis, ensures that these artists have the ability to collaborate closely with their diverse array of accomplished Filmmaker and VFX Supervisor clients. In just a few short years, Level 256 has gained an industry-wide reputation as a highly proficient, “well-oiled machine,” in its ability to quickly turn around massive, and often complex, VFX sequences. nnPrior to launching Level 256, Davids, either under his previous production banner, YARD FX, or as a Freelance Editor, produced visual effects for many of the biggest comedy films of the past decade, due in large part to his personal relationships with superstar filmmakers Judd Apatow and Sacha Baron Cohen. These include “Borat,” “Superbad,” “Knocked Up,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Pineapple Express,” “I Love You, Man,” “Couples Retreat,” and “Bruno,” for which Davids also served as Editor. nnBefore he joined Level 256 in 2010, Kleinberg served as Head of Post Production and Information Systems, as well as a Producer, for Prologue Films. During his tenure with Prologue, he was involved in producing main titles and visual effects for a number of hit films, including VFX featured within “Iron Man,” “Across the Universe” and “The Tempest,” and title sequences for “Superman Returns,” “The Incredible Hulk,” and “Spider-Man 3,” to name some. He also produced motion graphics and special content seen within numerous broadcasts of the Academy Awards. nnLevel 256 is located at 701 East Third Street, Suite # 200, LA, CA, 90013. The phone is 323/570-0069 and their website is: www.level256vfx.comDan Harary The Asbury PR Agency Beverly Hills, CA 310/859-1831 Contact Dan via email
Asian World Film Festival Reveals Asian Vision Program Lineup, Snow Leopard and Bruce Lee Honorees, and Jury Members
The 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) is proud to announce the lineup for its inaugural Asian Vision program, which was conceived to showcase new and exceptional Asian features that have participated in major A-list film festivals and/or garnered international acclaim. The program of eight motion pictures (see list below) will be held November 17-19, 2024, with the top film receiving the Asian Vision Best Film Award. The 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival takes place November 13 - 21, 2024, at the Culver Theatre in Culver City, CA. This year’s Snow Leopard Lifetime Achievement Award, the Festival’s highest honor, will be presented to acclaimed director, screenwriter, and producer Sergei Bodrov in celebration of his remarkable 50-year career. Bodrov established his reputation as a visionary filmmaker with “Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan” (2007), nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film, and “Prisoner of the Mountains” (1996), also an Oscar® nominee as well as a Cannes Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize-winner. The Snow Leopard Outstanding Cinematic Achievement Award will be presented to director, producer, and screenwriter Peter Ho-Sun Chan, one of Hong Kong’s most critically acclaimed and accomplished filmmakers. Known for his versatility and the scope of his work, Chan’s landmark films, including “Comrades: Almost a Love Story” (1996) and “The Warlords” (2007), have earned him a remarkable 233 awards from more than 400 nominations. As previously announced, AWFF will screen “Comrades: Almost a Love Story,” followed by a Q&A with Chan. Multi-award-winning actress Kathryn Bernardo will receive the Snow Leopard... Read More