STARNO collaborated with Cinesite to deliver high-end digital environments for the Emmy®-winning pirate drama BLACK SAILS. Our work focused on a pivotal and dramatic sequence involving a shipwreck within a tropical bay.
The sequence featured a sinking vessel with several pirates struggling in the water. While the foreground action was filmed in a controlled environment, the surrounding landscape required a complete Digital Matte Painting overhaul. STARNO was responsible for creating the lush, exotic backdrop of the bay, which included meticulously painted tropical vegetation, palm trees, jagged mountains, and a cinematic Caribbean sky.
The primary challenge was ensuring a seamless blend between the practical water elements and the digital environment extensions. Every palm leaf and mountain ridge had to match the lighting and atmospheric conditions of the plate to maintain the tension and realism of the scene. The result is a breathtaking yet menacing environment that underscores the peril of the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy.
A prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island, BLACK SAILS is a gritty, adult take on the pirate life. Set in 1715 on New Providence Island, the series follows the feared Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) as he fights for the survival of the pirate republic against the encroaching British Empire.
Blending historical figures like Anne Bonny and Charles Vane with fictional legends like John Silver, the show explores the politics, violence, and daily struggles of the men and women who lived under the "No Prey, No Pay" code. It is widely recognized for its high production value, complex characters, and stunning visual effects.
STARNO TEAM:Frédéric St-Arnaud (Freelance Matte Painter)
Cinesite
STARZ TV SERIES – 2014-2017