Press Release
Giant Killer Robots Reaches New Levels of Photo-Realism in the Matrix Revolutions
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San Francisco (Nov. 11, 2003) -- Giant Killer Robots (GKR), an Oscar-winning visual effects boutique in San Francisco, provided pre-visualization, design, effects animation, rendering, and final compositing services to create the subterranean metropolis Zion in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ The Matrix Revolutions, the final explosive chapter in the Matrix trilogy. GKR also served as a lead coordinating firm for critical action sequences in Zion that required photo-realism and precise animation.
The Matrix Revolutions features visual effects with a Japanese anime-like feel that blends fantasy and reality. GKR has been working on the visual effects for The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions for more than two years, in conjunction with Eon Entertainment. The firm’s combination of expertise in architecture, 3D design, and engineering qualified GKR to build upon original artistic concepts and fully realize the complete underground milieu of Zion. [an error occurred while processing this directive]GKR created the environmental aesthetic of Zion construction materials, atmosphere, and lighting? bringing the virtual underground city to life. GKR collaborated with other visual effects houses on several elements. “The Siege” sequence, in which the machine creatures called Sentinels attack the underground city of Zion, was co-produced in this way. GKR then fused the independently created elements to produce seamless final composites.
“We knew that GKR had the right mix of traditional architectural and design background, high-end animation skills and attention to detail required to weave together the key shots and coordinate with the other visual effects firms to create extremely photo-realistic 3D environments and insure consistency in pivotal sequences,” stated John Gaeta, the Academy Award winning Visual Effects Supervisor of the Matrix trilogy. GKR’s challenge was to integrate live-action figures into this virtual world of Zion. GKR created the illusion of thousands of people walking along catwalks; the audience is unable to distinguish between what is real and what is computer-generated.
“After working with Giant Killer Robots on The Matrix Reloaded and other projects, we trusted the firm could handle the complexity of envisioning, designing and building Zion, the setting for many critical action scenes,” said Gaeta. In addition to taking the lead on several Zion shots, GKR generated shots for the “Lightning Gun Scene,” in which Neo and Bane battle for control of a sophisticated gun aboard the hovercraft Logos. The technology and software used to create the lightening emitted by the futuristic weapon was developed by GKR and then used by several other visual effect houses. GKR also produced a scene within the “Club Hell” sequence in which an animated gun falls toward Trinity in slow motion.
GKR was also responsible for the Zion “Temple Scenes” appearing in both The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, which required intricate animation and tedious amounts of detail. Inside the Temple, thousands of virtual people cheer on Morpheus in an underground cavern complete with virtual lava pits, steam, and rock terrain. “Giant Killer Robots’ goal for The Matrix Revolutions was to perfect very complex 3D environments, and make them as real as possible with scale, motion, lighting and environmental effects,” said Mike Schmitt, GKR’s Visual Effects Supervisor. “We were given creative license in developing the concept and design of Zion, and were involved from start to finish in its architecture.”
Currently, Giant Killer Robots is working on Warner Bros. Pictures’ Scooby-Doo Too, as well as Blade III (New Line Cinema). Past credits include the Oscar-winning What Dreams May Come, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Scooby-Doo.
About Giant Killer Robots
Giant Killer Robots (GKR) is an Academy Award-winning visual effects boutique specializing in high-end, high resolution CGI animation. Based in San Francisco, GKR provides complete animation services from preliminary creative and technical guidance to final compositing. They service all aspects of the entertainment industry including: movies, commercials and music videos. As a boutique, GKR provides clients with a hands-on/ interactive work experience. At GKR the principals are actively involved in every step of the process for every project ensuring clients the highest quality product. The partners and staff of GKR possess a unique combination of design skill and technical understanding. This allows GKR to act as both Art Department and CG production house, developing ideas from beginning to end.
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