Prince of Persia

Cinesite completed 280 shots for Disney’s PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME. The film is set in the mystical lands of Persia, where an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time must be safeguarded, a gift from the gods which can reverse time.

A wide range of visual effects were required to bring the ancient, magical world of Persia to life, from digital face replacements and set extensions to CG weapons and animals.

CG versions of the cities of Avrat and Nasaf were built. A number of 3D buildings were arranged by a dedicated “town planner”, who set them in position, then rendered them. These layouts were passed to a lighter, who controlled displacements and ageing of the buildings. Compositors added smoke and 2D props to give the cities a life-like, lived-in feel. These visual effects were key to establishing a realistic location for the Avrat roof-top chase sequence, which was filmed in Morocco and required extensive background city additions.

Cinesite’s proprietary Motion Analyser software was used to make 69-year-old Ben Kingsley look 30 years younger, without holding up the production or limiting the approach to other aspects of the film.

Cinesite also created an eye-watering arsenal of CG weapons in the film, including the whips used by the Hassassins, complete with claws and blades; the movements of these had to match with the stunt props used by the actors on set. To give fight scenes an extra dash of realism, we added dust hits, sparks and water splashes.

  • Release date: 21.05.2010
  • Studio: Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Walt Disney Pictures
  • Director: Mike Newell

Pre & Post Comparison

Prince of Persia

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