For Xavier Dolan’s first English-language feature, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, STARNO provided specialized Matte Painting services to help bring the film's international settings to life. Our contribution focused on high-end environment enhancements, ensuring the visual continuity of the narrative across its complex timelines.
One of the primary challenges involved a sequence set in a busy New York City street. Our team performed extensive digital alterations, including the addition and modification of urban architecture and buildings to accurately represent the iconic NYC skyline and street-level density. These modifications were crucial for maintaining the authenticity of the bustling metropolis atmosphere required by the director's vision.
Furthermore, we worked on various night sequences where we integrated out-of-focus city lights (bokeh) and atmospheric lighting. These subtle digital enhancements were designed to add depth and cinematic texture to the background, blending seamlessly with the film’s rich cinematography.
The matte painting work on this project was executed by Frédéric St-Arnaud, acting as a Freelancer for the VFX studio Alchemy 24.
A decade after the death of an American TV star, a young actor (Ben Schnetzer) reminisces about the written correspondence he shared with him, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives. The Death and Life of John F. Donovan explores the complexities of fame, the burden of public identity, and the poignant connection between two people who never truly met.
The film features an ensemble cast, including Kit Harington in the title role, alongside Natalie Portman, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, and Jacob Tremblay. It is a deeply personal exploration of the relationship between a mother and her son, a recurring theme in Dolan’s filmography, set against the backdrop of the early 2000s television industry.
STARNO TEAM:Frédéric St-Arnaud
Alchemy 24
Feature Film – 2019