Light Iron – a post production leader specializing in projects originated on file-based motion cameras – provided on-set color, color workflow, and final color for the weekend box office hit “Ender’s Game.” The company has released an in-depth video on its “Ender’s Game” workflow, highlighting the collaboration and innovation that fueled this multi-year project.rnrn”‘Ender’s Game’ is an amazing science fiction movie, with a behind-the-scenes story equally as compelling as what’s on the screen,” says Light Iron CEO Michael Cioni. “Light Iron collaborated with the VFX team at Digital Domain to create a powerful color pipeline that delivered the vision of director Gavin Hood and cinematographer Don McAlpine. From setting looks on-set with our Lily Pad System, to managing metadata with our Live Play iPad app, to determining multiple colorspace deliveries of VFX shots, to creating complex branches of scene looks in the DI, our workflow was progressive at every step.”rnrnProduction began in early 2012 at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. DIT Tim Nagasawa operated Light Iron‘s Lily Pad, a lightweight and highly mobile on-set color system. Nearby, Jason Beale operated Light Iron‘s Outpost Mobile Data Lab to produce dailies and backups.rnrnThe Lily Pad and Outpost combination was appreciated by director of photography Don McAlpine, ASC, ACS: “Tim provided a good solid backing and the Lily Pad was an efficient portable visual control center. This, backed with the security of Light Iron, proved to be a very efficient and reassuring protection of the product we were producing.”rnrnAlso on-set, Light Iron‘s Live Play iPad app was used in conjunction with the 5th Kind app to log and track metadata for the numerous VFX shots to be developed.rnrnThe hand-offs of photography elements to Digital Domain and completed VFX shots back to Light Iron were in specific configurations so that, in the DI, Supervising Colorist Ian Vertovec had maximum flexibility to apply color grades across VFX shots and uncomposited R3Ds in the same scene.rnrnVertovec worked closely with McAlpine and director Gavin Hood to develop the final look of the film, including crafting subtle day/night cues to structure the passing of time and separating color profiles to enhance the emotional thematics of the story.rnrn”When you work on a project for more than a year, it makes a tremendous difference when the work flows seamlessly from set through DI,” notes Cioni. “Our innovative process is different from those of the legacy companies of post production, in the same way that Netflix is different from Blockbuster and Yelp is different from the Yellow Pages. Being progressive in data processing and color management enables clients to leverage file-based tools to reach maximum creative control.”rnrn
rnTo watch the video about Light Iron‘s Ender’s Game workflow, visit here.rnrnAbout Light IronrnLight Iron is a post production company that specializes in on-site dailies, digital intermediate, archival, and data services for projects originated on file-based motion cameras. With facilities in Hollywood and New York City, Light Iron serves feature film, episodic television, and web-bound projects at both the independent and studio level. rnrnThe company distinguishes itself by providing clients state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions
Laura Pursley Marketing Manager Light Iron (323) 472-8300 Contact Laura via email
Pioneering The Visual Narrative: Bobola Oniwura’s Impact on Nollywood’s Cinematic Evolution
Nollywood is in the middle of a visual revolution, and at its core is Bobola Oniwura, the mastermind behind some of the industry’s most striking cinematic transformations. Oniwura is a pioneering colorist whose unique approach to film aesthetics has set new standards for how Nigerian stories are told on screen. From the gritty realism of King of Boys: The Return of the King to the vibrant energy of A Tribe Called Judah, Oniwura’s work has become synonymous with a new era of cinematic excellence, one where color grading is no longer an afterthought but a defining narrative tool. The film industry in Nigeria known as Nollywood has grown into one of the most prolific cinematic powerhouses in the world. Producing thousands of films annually, it ranks alongside Hollywood and Bollywood in terms of output. Once characterized by rapid, low-budget productions, Nollywood has undergone a remarkable transformation, embracing higher production values, diverse storytelling, and international recognition. The industry’s films now command global audiences, made possible by platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, and receiving acclaim at major festivals. This evolution has been fueled by creatives like Oniwura, who are redefining the post-production technical standards of Nigerian films. His impact extends beyond the color suite. Drawing on his background in Architecture and user experience research, Oniwura approaches color grading with an acute understanding of audience perception, crafting visual experiences that enhance storytelling, evoke emotion, and immerse viewers in the rich textures of Nigerian culture. His ability to merge technical precision with artistic intuition has positioned him as one of the most sought-after colorists in Nollywood... Read More