As a Freelance Matte Painter, STARNO joined forces with the renowned Framestore studio to contribute to the visual grandeur of Joe Wright's PAN. Our primary focus was the creation of a massive, full-screen Digital Matte Painting featuring the iconic "Pixum Mine," a central location in the film's narrative.
The task involved developing a high-scale, bird's-eye view of a giant open-pit mine carved deep into the rock. This immense environment was designed to showcase the staggering scale of the operation, where thousands of workers and captives are seen as tiny specks, tirelessly extracting "Pixum" (condensed fairy dust) from the earth.
This complex production spanned over two months. The workflow utilized a 3D base for accurate perspective and lighting, which was then meticulously enhanced through advanced photo-manipulation and digital painting techniques. Every detail, from the rugged textures of the excavated stone to the atmospheric haze of the deep pit, was crafted to immerse the audience in the harsh reality of Blackbeard's kingdom.
Offering a new take on the origin of the classic characters created by J.M. Barrie, PAN follows the story of an orphan who is spirited away to the magical Neverland. There, he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny—to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.
In this reimagined world, the sinister pirate Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) has enslaved children and adults alike to mine the precious Pixum, a glowing mineral essential to his immortality. The vast, vertiginous mines serve as the backdrop for Peter's first realization of the scale of Blackbeard's tyranny and the beginning of the rebellion.
The film stars Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, Garrett Hedlund as James Hook, Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily, and Levi Miller as Peter.
STARNO TEAM:Frédéric St-Arnaud (Freelance Matte Painter)
Framestore
FEATURE FILM – 2015