Digital Pulse, Heckler and ZSpace team up on M&C Saatchi-backed Sci-fi film ‘Kindred’
UPDATED TO INCLUDE NEW PICTURES.
Three of Australia’s leading film VFX houses, Digital Pulse, Heckler and ZSpace, have teamed up to work on the visual effects for the Australian, M&C Saatchi-backed sci-fi short film, Kindred.
The short film is written and produced by Josh Bryer and co-produced by Annie Kinnane, with first-time film director Oscar Nicholson supported by a wealth of Sydney’s best post production talent. Produced in association with Altaire Productions, Kindred is the first sci-fi to star indigenous Australians. Kindred was filmed in December 2012, on location in Sydney’s Blue Mountains and in a studio with a custom built green-screen set.
With the offline edit completed by editor Charles Ivory, Kindred’s VFX work began late January 2013. VFX specialists are being drawn from three of Sydney’s leading post-production houses, Digital Pulse, Heckler and ZSpace competitive businesses collaborating to add sci-fi magic to Kindred.
Digital Pulse are the lead VFX house, doing the bulk of the work, preparing the shots and working on six of the nine VFX sequences. Kinnane is overseeing the post production for Digital Pulse, who – together with post producer Adam Hicks and executive producer Brett Heil – is charged with the demanding task of bringing the spaceship and its environment to life, ![PR3_[10].jpg](https://asset-cdn.campaignbrief.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/04092219/PR35B105D.jpg)
along with some key alien technology.
Says Heil: “Kindred is an attractive project from a creative perspective. We are great science fiction fans and 
although the visual effects are very ambitious for a short film, we are up for the challenge.”
Heckler, under post-producer Thandiwe Phillips, is concentrating on two complex human injury effects, while ZSpace is focusing on another complicated aspect of alien tech.
Dubbed ‘the world’s shortest feature film’, Kindred has a crew of more than 70, 40 of which are currently working on the VFX.
The budget for the short film was crowdsourced through IndieGogo, which attracted investor, Altaire Productions. Bryer is running an additional funding campaign for post production on IndieGogo. People who donate to the film will be amongst the first to see it on completion.
Kindred is aiming for a midyear premiere, after sound and music by Smiths&Western and the final grade at Digital Pulse by senior colourist Tristan La Fontaine.
(Picture 2: Scene 1 shoot – The Glade. In Sydney’s Blue Mountains: a perfect, star-studded night – both in the air and on the ground; 3) Scene 2 shoot – The Spaceship Filming on a custom built set in a studio warehouse in Marrickville, Sydney; 4) Work-in-progress concepts for the captives’ view onto space – by Digital Pulse; 5) Early 3D model of a key piece of alien tech – by Jared Michael (modeling) & Tim Preston (animation), while volunteering at Digital Pulse)
Video footage & photos by Muhib Faris
9 Comments
M&C are doing great right now, why should I chuck in again…?
Not feelin’ it, eh.
How do I benefit as an M&C client?
Starting to take the piss now.
Because it’s for a film M&C backed.
M&C gave the film money.
M&C doesn’t get the money, the film does.
i’ve heard ofTall Poppy Sydrome.
But all this whining and jealousy?
How about Bottom Feeder Syndrome?
ok so that’s 3 people who aren’t involved and two who are…
I backed this. I did it because i like the fact that the producers and writer got off their arses and did something different, with local talent in Australia and all they asked for is a bit of help to help pay for a crew that is working hard to make it happen.
M&c backing something is great. Other agencies like Glue Society back side projects which add something to aussie culture.
Anyone who comments negatively is just making themselves look like a jealous idiot.
Or a sad, lazy drone who’s bumbling along doing the bare minimum and wondering why they’re so bitter that all they have is trolling.
Ad agency people back a Sci-Fi film. Where have I heard that before? Oh yeah
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER – Bafta WInner 2010 for the Sci-Fi film MOON.
Good luck, I hope it reaches the same heights. Or at least gets recognised for getting it off the ground. A tough thing in the film land.