Marauders, a tense, noir-ish thriller released by Lionsgate Premiere and director Steven C. Miller, recently became the first feature finished in Cognition’s new 4K digital intermediate theater. Senior colorist Mike Eaves collaborated with Miller and award-winning cinematographer Brandon Cox to finalize the look of the film with editorial and color grading completed on an SGO Mistika platform using an ACES workflow.
Starring Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni and Adrian Grenier, Marauders centers on a series of brutal Cincinnati bank robberies that turn out to be part of much broader conspiracy involving the city’s moneyed elite. The atmosphere is dark and moody throughout, a feeling intensified by nearly continuous rainfall. Rain is a brooding presence even in interiors, where it relentlessly batters windows and doors.
“We wanted to capture the feel and tone of Cincinnati, which becomes almost another character in the film,” explains Cox. “Steven Miller came up with the idea of adding rainfall during pre-production and it was a great decision. It added another texture to the story.”
All of the rain was produced artificially on the set. Cox made subtle use of backlighting to create contrast between the falling drops and background elements. The look was further enhanced during post-production grading sessions with Eaves at Cognition.
“Rain is tricky,” says Cox. “You have to work in rain gear and cover the cameras; our special effects coordinator, Kenny Gorrell, did an amazing job corralling the rain. By the time it got to Mike Eaves, the footage was flat and milky. Mike added contrast and color separation, and was able to bring out the rich textures of architecture and skin tones.”
Visually and stylistically, the finished look recalls classic crime dramas and portrays a world that is raw and real. “All of the exteriors are cold and bluish,” notes Eaves. “The look beautifully complements the sound and visual aspects of the rain. It’s a bold look.”
Cognition’s new 12-seat, 4K DI theater, built as part of the facility’s current multi-million dollar expansion, offers state-of-the-art color grading and finishing features. Along with the SGO’s Mistika platform it is equipped with a Barco DP4K-P post-production projector, a 21-foot Stewart Filmscreen reference screen, and a 7.1 surround sound system.
Marauders employed ACES from color through delivery. “It was exciting to be the first film in the new theater,” says Cox. “It’s a fabulous space and the results Cognition delivered were great. They rolled out the red carpet for us.”
MARAUDERS
LIONSGATE PREMIERE
Genre: Action
Rating: Rated R for strong violence, language, brief drug use and nudity
U.S. Release Date: July 1, 2016 (In Theaters and On Demand)
Run Time:107 minutes
Cast: Christopher Meloni, Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista, Adrian Grenier, Johnathon Schaech, Lydia Hull, Tyler Jon Olson, Texas Battle
Directed by: Steven C. Miller
Written by: Michael Cody and Chris Sivertson
Produced by: Randall Emmett, p.g.a.; George Furla, p.g.a.; Joshua Harris; Rosie Charbonneau, Mark Stewart
Credits Not Contractual
SYNOPSIS
When a bank is hit by a brutal heist, all evidence points to the owner (Bruce Willis) and his high-powered clients. But as a group of FBI agents (Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista and Adrian Grenier) dig deeper into the case — and the deadly heists continue — it becomes clear that a larger conspiracy is at play. MARAUDERS stars Christopher Meloni, Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista and Adrian Grenier. Lionsgate Premiere will release the film in theaters and On Demand July 1.
Lionsgate Premiere, Grindstone Entertainment and Emmett Furla Oasis Films present an Emmett Furla Oasis Films production in association with Aperture Media Partners, The Fyzz Facility and 4th Wall Entertainment.
Cognition is located at 900 N Cahuenga Blvd., Suite B, Los Angeles, CA 90038. [323] 874.4487 www.cognition.la
