Award Winning Effects House Artem SFX provides physical effects for Paul King’s PADDINGTON 2 in cinemas this Friday
With Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson joining the all-star returning cast of Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington Bear and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy, PADDINGTON 2 is released in cinemas on November 10.
Artem SFX, the award-winning special effects company, provided comprehensive physical effects and specialist engineering for this sequel, ranging from Paddington Bear’s iconic marmalade sandwiches, (made of foam and silicone!), through to multiple mobile electric platforms for a thrilling train chase sequence.
Other effects included smoke, rain, snow, wind and pyrotechnics, but particular challenges included creating major action prop items, such as a huge steam organ, a human sized laundry chute and massive washing machines, a giant clock face and mechanism, and a 10m extending ladder that grows out of Paddington’s tiny suitcase (to name but a few). Artem also handled the manipulation of objects that the virtual Paddington interacts with during the live filming process (Paddington himself being added in Post Production by Framestore). To make all this possible, Artem had a team of dedicated technicians working on set every day, while a large crew back at the workshops responded to last minute requests and inevitable changes.
As part of this sequel, Artem worked on a prison escape sequence that required a hot air balloon, completely handmade from the basket to the patchwork canopy. This was then suspended from cranes when used on location, or from the studio roof for close-up action shots.
A Heyday Films and STUDIOCANAL production, Paddington’s return to the big screen is directed by BAFTA nominated Paul King (PADDINGTON, COME FLY WITH ME, THE MIGHTY BOOSH) written by Paul King and Simon Farnaby (YONDERLAND and MINDHORN) and produced by multi award-winning David Heyman (producer of all eight of the HARRY POTTER films, GRAVITY, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM). PADDINGTON 2 provided a great opportunity for Artem SFX Supervisor Mike Kelt and technicians to showcase their range of skills and experience.
Tim Wellspring, Unit Production Manager on PADDINGTON 2, said “It was great to work with Artem to produce the SFX for PADDINGTON 2. They built a series of the key models, our complex mechanical train rig and all the on-set effects. It was a demanding production which Mike Kelt and his team performed with good humour and the results speak for themselves.”
Artem’s Mike Kelt commented “The film was particularly challenging as Paul would refine his ideas as we went along, continually trying to improve them, which he did, so there was never time to relax and take it easy” “The Art Department, under production designer Gary Williamson and art director Patrick Rolfe (T2 TRAINSPOTTING), were a fantastically creative bunch, and pushed relentlessly to maximise the on-screen imagery, but they were always fun to work with which made it all the more worthwhile to rise to their challenges.”
Following the worldwide hit PADDINGTON, the most successful non-US studio family film of all time, the much-anticipated sequel finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s shop and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief, who appears to be a master of disguise...
PADDINGTON 2 IS OUT FRIDAY
About Artem SFX
Artem SFX is based in West London and Glasgow. Artem combines the best of engineering expertise with creative flair to provide everything from puppetry to props and pyrotechnics to animatronics. Other films Artem have provided the physical effects for include Danny Boyle’s T2 TRAINSPOTTING, Justin Kurzel’s MACBETH and Terence Davies’ THE SUNSET SONG. Artem has also provided special effects for THE FOREIGNER, starring Jackie Chan, due to be released later this year. www.artem.com In 2012, Artem helped to bring to life the enormous creative and logistical vision of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics.
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