300: Rise of an Empire

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE is a new chapter in the epic tale of the war between Persian and Greek armies.

Cinesite completed over 350 visual effects for the film. Cinesite VFX Supervisor Richard Clarke worked closely with production VFX Supervisor John “D.J.” Des Jardin to create epic 2.5D and 3D environments, including Ancient Athens, Sparta and shoreline encampment shots.

Some of the most beautiful shots created by Cinesite include a full 3D Sparta environment, complete with CG wheat field. Originally planned as a digital matte painting, the finished environment utilised fur system Yeti to create the undulating wheat, flowing in the wind. Atmospheric effects known amongst the crew as, “Ripleys” are a visual motif of Director Zack Snyder, so named because they were inspired by Ridley Scott’s film Legend. These environmental particulate effects were added to many shots in the film; in the Sparta sequence they appear as drifting pollen caught in the sunlight.

Other work by Cinesite includes various encampments of the Greek army. Many were filmed with small sections of live action against green screen, which were massively extended to include rocky outcrops, CG shoreline, tents, moon, sky and campfires, as well as digital armies, sea and sky. Another incarnation of the “Ripley” effects was added as drifting, glowing embers from the campfires. In these night-time shots they give a haunting, ethereal atmosphere.

  • Release date: 07.03.2014
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
  • Director: Noam Murro

Pre & Post Comparison

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300: Rise of an Empire
300: Rise of an Empire
300: Rise of an Empire
300: Rise of an Empire
300: Rise of an Empire
300: Rise of an Empire
300: Rise of an Empire

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