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Publicity Release Posted: October 13, 2009 15:40:02 EST

Santa Monica, CA, October 13, 2009 | SHOOT Publicity Wire | --- Company 3 Colorist Siggy Ferstl worked with the filmmakers of Lakeshore's musical, Fame (released by MGM), from the commencement of principal photography through to the DI (digital intermediate) sessions to fine-tune the visual arc in this re-envisioning of the classic 1980 musical set in New York's High School of the Performing Arts.

Dancer-turned-Director Kevin Tancharoen and Cinematographer Scott Kevan (Stomp the Yard, Nothing Like the Holidays) wanted to give different portions of the film unique "looks" to punctuate the characters' personal and artistic development. By choosing contrasty film stocks and forced processing, Kevan brought a sketchy feel to the opening audition sequence. As the story progresses and the students gain surer footing in their performance disciplines as well as maturity in their lives, Kevan segued to softer emulsions processed normally and shot under less harsh lighting conditions.

Ferstl was involved in Fame long before his work as final DI colorist at Company 3's state-of-the-art DI suite, which is outfitted with a 2K projector and da Vinci Resolve, even began. He worked closely with Kevan and Company 3's dailies colorist, to help complement the photochemical decisions Kevan had built into his neg. "To show students' early years, for example," Ferstl explains, "we de-saturated the images a little bit and added a little color tint to the shadows and the highlights. As the film follows the characters through to the senior year, we made the shadows and highlights purer and brought in full saturation.

"Everybody on a production tends to get used to the way the film looks in dailies so it's very important to get as close to the final look of the film from the outset. "Scott would send photographic prints he'd made on set as a color reference. He's such a talented cinematographer and working together made it an enjoyable process."

Ferstl, whose impressive list of credits includes House of Flying Daggers, Live Free or Die Hard and Underworld, has worked with many cinematographers and enjoys working with cinematographers like Kevan, who like to do a lot of the work photochemically. The colorist notes, "I like spending my time building onto foundations already established in camera, rather than starting from a 'flat' negative."

"There are many tools I have available in the DI process," he sums up, "but often the best work is about subtlety rather than power of what can be done in DI. It's also about the colorist and DP working closely together from the outset, to decide what's best to do in the DI process and what's best to do in camera. I find this is the greatest way to achieve the desired result and I think that shows in Fame."

About Company 3
Company 3 revolutionized the post production industry a decade ago when it took the art and craft of color correction into a boutique environment. Today, focused on high quality creative results, Company 3 is synonymous with many of today's award-winning commercials, music videos and feature films. Currently, Company 3 is translating its finely tuned expertise in feature film DI (digital intermediate), color correction, and final finishing to commercials and advertising.

In addition to Stefan Sonnenfeld, Company 3's incredible talent roster includes John Bonta, Sean Coleman, Siggy Ferstl, Billy Gabor, Dave Hussey, Tim Masick, Victor Mulholland, Stephen Nakamura, Mike Pethel, Tom Poole, Rob Sciarratta and Matt Turner. Recent commercial projects are campaigns for Apple, BMW, Heineken, Nike and Travelers Insurance. Recent feature film credits include GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Public Enemies, Star Trek, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and Watchmen. Company 3 www.company3.com is an Ascent Media www.ascentmedia.com company.

Contact Info
Gail Laguna
Director, Global PR, Ascent Media
glaguna@ascentmedia.com
818.260.6229