March 19, 2012

Completing The Hunger Games

Technicolor completes most anticipated movie of the Spring, The Hunger Games

One of the most eagerly awaited theatrical releases of the New Year is director Gary Ross’ action-thriller, The Hunger Games, an adaptation of novelist Suzanne Collins international bestseller.  Produced by Lionsgate, the story follows Katniss (played by rising star Jennifer Lawrence), a 16-year old girl whose pluck and resourcefulness allows her to survive the dystopian national pastime, the deadly “hunger games.”

Filmed on location in the lush mountains of North Carolina, the production was photographed by cinematographer Tom Stern, AFC, ASC.  Mr. Stern is known internationally for his longstanding collaboration with director Clint Eastwood.

Technicolor’s Mark Sachen & Jill Bogdanowicz handled the production’s digital- dailies, with the film’s negative having been processed by Technicolor’s Glendale film lab.  Further, Technicolor handled the pre-grading visual effects plate photography; digital intermediate color-timing & editorial conform; and digital cinema and mastering for the film’s “day-N-date” theatrical release.  Technicolor’s senior digital colorist Michael Hatzer did the film’s final grading work with Chris Jensen providing technical support.

Technicolor’s history with Gary Ross dates to his highly regarded Seabiscuit, and the animated theatrical feature The Tale of Despereaux.  Technicolor produced Ross’ first digital intermediate.  Seabiscuit was nominated for 7 Oscars, including for the film’s stunning cinematography, shot by John Schwartzman, ASC., which won the coveted ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography.

The Hunger Games is currently receiving huge tracking numbers for the film’s March 23rd release in North America, and day-N-date with the film’s international opening.