Behind the Scenes

In this "behind-the-scenes" section, we're providing a rare mix of our own personal photographs and videos from the set, as well as during prep and post production, and before-and-after pics from visual effects production.

Uncharted Territory VFX showreel

Uncharted Territory Showreel 2012

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Media Root

Anonymous Showreel

Project: Anonymous

Anonymous Making Of

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Media Root

2012 showreel

Project: 2012

"2012" Making Of

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Media Root

White House Down concept art

Project: White House Down

Before we started previs we had to figure out the flight path for the presidential helicopter

Marine One approaches the White House

Marine One just before touch-down

South Portico Destruction

The aftermath depicted by the WHD Art Department

The aftermath depicted by Trixter's Art Department

Aftermath of the pool house explosion

The Blue Room after the helicopter crashed through the roof

Set Design for the South Portico

Set Design for the White House roof top

With the previs in progress, Volker's sketch shows some proposed changes he showed to Roland on the set

Volker's notes based on Roland's comments on a single previs frame he sent back to the artitsts

One of several drawings Volker made for the planning of the beast chase. It shows the paths of the cars and the scene numbers

A photo from a session when Volker and Producer Harald Kloser worked on the steps of the chase using model cars

The burning Capitol depicted by Trixter's Art Department

The Blackhawks during their approach. We added a lot more people to this shot

The Blackhawks fly low under the China Gate. Artwork for nother of many full CG shots

The Blackhawks approach the White House. No background plates could be shot for this sequence

Whever Roland draws one of his quick sketches on-set we call them Rologramms. As always a picture can tell more than a thousand words

White House Down On Set

Project: White House Down

(L-R:) Volker, Marc, Harald Kloser and Anna Foerster on set

Marc directing Second Unit

The "Beast" (presidential limousine) rig

White House Down before-and-after

Project: White House Down

White house Down Final Shots

Project: White House Down

White House Down Post Production

Project: White House Down

Anonymous Artwork

Project: Anonymous

Anonymous Before & After

Project: Anonymous

Artwork for the city gates of London

A 2nd unit VFX element

Marc directing extras during 2nd unit shoot

Final composite with CG citywalls

Anonymous On Set

Project: Anonymous

Anonymous Post Production

Project: Anonymous

Happy Days: Volker and Marc in front of a tudor-style building

Yes, these were the cheapest rental cars in Berlin. Mercedes A-class.

VFX project manager Katharine Koepke at work on the scheduling boards

Almost done...

Paul Debevec visiting us at our post production offices at Studio Babelsberg

Legendary VFX supervisor Dennis Muren visiting us at our offices at Studio Babelsberg

2012 artwork

Project: 2012

2012 On Set

Project: 2012

Another pristine day in Vancouver

Tom McCarthy and Amanda Peet wobbling away in the "supermarket" during an earthquake

Marc during setup of the exterior bluescreen, over 600ft long

Volker and coordinator Lisa Marra trying to keep warm on set

Shoot with the Ultimate Arm: John Cusack running for his life

Volker on the Himalayan Village set in British Columbia

Marc on Mount Waddington glacier for second unit shoot

Volker (right) and actor Chin Han in the "Himalayan Village"

Marc doing camera tests with the Panavision Genesis

From L-R: Roland, Volker and the Queen of England

Marc with 2nd unit crew

Our largest scale set: The Ark hangars

Snack for Roland: Bread with "German flag" toppings

2012 before and after

Project: 2012

2012 Virtual Set (on-set pre-visualization)

Project: 2012

On-set Previsualization for 2012

2012 Miniature Shoot

Project: 2012

2012 Final VFX Shots

Project: 2012

2012 premieres

Project: 2012

The Triangle Artwork

Project: The Triangle

The Triangle Post Production

Project: The Triangle

The Triangle miniature shoot

Project: The Triangle

The Triangle Final VFX Shots

Project: The Triangle

Dark Kingdom Artwork

Project: Dark Kingdom

Dark Kingdom On Set

Project: Dark Kingdom

Coronado Artwork

Project: Coronado

Coronado Before and After

Project: Coronado

Coronado Miniature shoot

Project: Coronado

Coronado On Set

Project: Coronado

Coronado Final VFX Shots

Project: Coronado

Coronado Post Production

Project: Coronado

Compositor Matt Collorafice in front of the scheduling board... lot of work ahead!

Marc doing some compositing on the side.

Director Claudio Faeh as does a pin-up with Volker's DeLorean

Stacey Weigert hard at work

The actual phases of a film production... forget prep, shoot and post.

Recording the soundtrack with the Babelsberg Film Orchestra in Berlin

Director Claudio Faeh (left) and composer Ralf Wienrich. No, he isn't phoning in this score...

FINISHED! Coronado billboard on Ventura Blvd in Los Angeles.

Behind the Scenes

Uncharted Territory Showreel 2012

Media Folder:

Anonymous Making Of

Media Folder:

"2012" Making Of

Media Folder:

Onset Previsualization Part 1

Onset Previsualization Part 2

Onset Previsualization Part 3

Onset Previsualization Part 4