Manex Visual Effects
Encyclopedia
Manex Visual Effects was a motion picture special visual effects
company located in Alameda, California
. Though a small company active only for a short period of time it provided visual effects for a number of high profile movies and the company received international recognition including two Best Visual Effects
Oscars and one Academy Award for Technical Achievement
. As the company that created Bullet time
for The Matrix
their work has been highly influential.
acquired an effects company from visual effects pioneer Doug Trumbull
. It was originally known as Cinergi F/X but was subsequently named Mass Illusions. In 1997 Cinergi was acquired by Disney and Cinergi pulled out of Mass Illusions. The company was rescued from liquidation by the Columbus, Ohio
based company Manex Financial Management Inc and in 1998 it was again renamed, this time to Manex Visual Effects, headed by managing director Robert Bobo.
In 1998 Manex completed work on the movie What Dreams May Come
. This featured an extended sequence in which the character played by Robin Williams
entered a painted world. Manex provided the visual effects for this sequence and partly as a result of this work the movie was awarded an Academy Award for Visual Effects
.
In 1999 Manex completed work on The Matrix
which again received an Academy Award
. The team at Manex, led by John Gaeta
, created the signature bullet time
sequences from the movie. They also developed a system for image-based rendering allowing choreographed camera movements through computer graphic reconstructed sets (also known as Virtual Cinematography
) for which Manex was awarded an Academy Award for Technical Achievement
. Manex further developed their virtual cinematography work in movies such as Michael Jordan to the Max
and Mission: Impossible 2.
In 1999 Manex expanded, acquiring the Los Angeles operations of the Computer Film Company. The company underwent reorganization including the formation on an interactive division. Manex Interactive received a New York International Independent Film & Video Festival award for its experimental short film Seriality
. Manex Studios also converted thousands of square feet in old hangar space to film studios where dozens of commercials, special events and feature films were shot.
In 2001 Manex expected to carry out work on the Matrix sequels. However, after extensive pre-production Warner Brothers instead gave the work to ESC Entertainment (which was funded indirectly by Warner Bros.) in an effort to save money on the production. In addition, Manex was released from the bidding for the Matrix sequels because of internal mismanagement issues, and an inability to properly submit materials needed for the bid. Many artists became disillusioned and joined the ESC team, literally across the street. (ESC as in the Escape key on the qwerty keyboard). Manex was later involved in a litigation action against Warner Brothers regarding the bidding process, and lost revenues. Manex were, however, credited on Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions for their extensive work leading to the cutting edge effects.
Manex subsequently moved to Trenton, New Jersey
and in 2002 became involved in a project to build movie production facilities.
Subsequently to management and key staff leaving in 2001 there has been little or no creative output from Manex.
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
company located in Alameda, California
Alameda, California
Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a...
. Though a small company active only for a short period of time it provided visual effects for a number of high profile movies and the company received international recognition including two Best Visual Effects
Academy Award for Visual Effects
The Academy Award for Visual Effects is an Academy Award given for the best achievement in visual effects.-History of the award:The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first recognized the technical contributions of special effects to movies at its inaugural dinner in 1928, presenting a...
Oscars and one Academy Award for Technical Achievement
Academy Award for Technical Achievement
The Technical Achievement Award is a kind of Scientific and Technical Award given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to those whose particular technical accomplishments have contributed to the progress of the motion picture industry and who are given a certificate, which describes...
. As the company that created Bullet time
Bullet time
Bullet time is a special and visual effect that refers to a digitally enhanced simulation of variable-speed photography used in films, broadcast advertisements, and video games...
for The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
their work has been highly influential.
History
In 1995 Cinergi PicturesCinergi Pictures
Cinergi Pictures Entertainment Inc. was a small independent production company that was founded by Andrew G. Vajna, after he had sold his interest in his first production company, Carolco International Pictures in 1989, which he had started with his partner Mario F. Kassar in 1975.-Cinergi...
acquired an effects company from visual effects pioneer Doug Trumbull
Douglas Trumbull
Douglas Huntley Trumbull is an American film director, special effects supervisor, and inventor. He contributed to, or was responsible for, the special photographic effects of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner and The Tree of...
. It was originally known as Cinergi F/X but was subsequently named Mass Illusions. In 1997 Cinergi was acquired by Disney and Cinergi pulled out of Mass Illusions. The company was rescued from liquidation by the Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
based company Manex Financial Management Inc and in 1998 it was again renamed, this time to Manex Visual Effects, headed by managing director Robert Bobo.
In 1998 Manex completed work on the movie What Dreams May Come
What Dreams May Come (film)
What Dreams May Come is a 1998 American supernatural drama film, starring Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Annabella Sciorra. The film is based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson, and was directed by Vincent Ward. The title is taken from a line in Hamlet's To be, or not to...
. This featured an extended sequence in which the character played by Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
entered a painted world. Manex provided the visual effects for this sequence and partly as a result of this work the movie was awarded an Academy Award for Visual Effects
Academy Award for Visual Effects
The Academy Award for Visual Effects is an Academy Award given for the best achievement in visual effects.-History of the award:The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first recognized the technical contributions of special effects to movies at its inaugural dinner in 1928, presenting a...
.
In 1999 Manex completed work on The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
which again received an Academy Award
Academy Award for Visual Effects
The Academy Award for Visual Effects is an Academy Award given for the best achievement in visual effects.-History of the award:The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first recognized the technical contributions of special effects to movies at its inaugural dinner in 1928, presenting a...
. The team at Manex, led by John Gaeta
John Gaeta
John Gaeta is an academy award winning visual effects designer best known for his work on the Matrix film trilogy and Speed Racer, where he explored and advanced the effects methods known as "Bullet Time", "Virtual Cinematography", and "Photo Anime".-Career:John C. Gaeta's career began in New York...
, created the signature bullet time
Bullet time
Bullet time is a special and visual effect that refers to a digitally enhanced simulation of variable-speed photography used in films, broadcast advertisements, and video games...
sequences from the movie. They also developed a system for image-based rendering allowing choreographed camera movements through computer graphic reconstructed sets (also known as Virtual Cinematography
Virtual cinematography
Virtual cinematography is an umbrella term used to describe cinematographic techniques performed in a computer graphics environment. This includes a wide variety of subjects like photographing real objects for the purpose of recreating them as three dimensional objects or algorithms for automated...
) for which Manex was awarded an Academy Award for Technical Achievement
Academy Award for Technical Achievement
The Technical Achievement Award is a kind of Scientific and Technical Award given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to those whose particular technical accomplishments have contributed to the progress of the motion picture industry and who are given a certificate, which describes...
. Manex further developed their virtual cinematography work in movies such as Michael Jordan to the Max
Michael Jordan to the Max
Michael Jordan to the Max is an American documentary released in IMAX in 2000. The film is about the life and career of basketball player Michael Jordan, focusing mainly on him during the 1998 NBA Playoffs...
and Mission: Impossible 2.
In 1999 Manex expanded, acquiring the Los Angeles operations of the Computer Film Company. The company underwent reorganization including the formation on an interactive division. Manex Interactive received a New York International Independent Film & Video Festival award for its experimental short film Seriality
Seriality
A seriality is a social construct which differs from a mere group of individuals. Serialities take the form of labels which are either imposed onto persons or voluntarily adopted by them...
. Manex Studios also converted thousands of square feet in old hangar space to film studios where dozens of commercials, special events and feature films were shot.
In 2001 Manex expected to carry out work on the Matrix sequels. However, after extensive pre-production Warner Brothers instead gave the work to ESC Entertainment (which was funded indirectly by Warner Bros.) in an effort to save money on the production. In addition, Manex was released from the bidding for the Matrix sequels because of internal mismanagement issues, and an inability to properly submit materials needed for the bid. Many artists became disillusioned and joined the ESC team, literally across the street. (ESC as in the Escape key on the qwerty keyboard). Manex was later involved in a litigation action against Warner Brothers regarding the bidding process, and lost revenues. Manex were, however, credited on Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions for their extensive work leading to the cutting edge effects.
Manex subsequently moved to Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
and in 2002 became involved in a project to build movie production facilities.
Subsequently to management and key staff leaving in 2001 there has been little or no creative output from Manex.
Sources
Movie credits
- What Dreams May ComeWhat Dreams May Come (film)What Dreams May Come is a 1998 American supernatural drama film, starring Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Annabella Sciorra. The film is based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson, and was directed by Vincent Ward. The title is taken from a line in Hamlet's To be, or not to...
- The MatrixThe MatrixThe Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
- Deep Blue SeaDeep Blue SeaDeep Blue Sea is a 1999 science fiction horror film that stars Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J, and Samuel L Jackson. The film was directed by Renny Harlin and was released in the United States on July 28, 1999.- Plot :...
- Romeo Must DieRomeo Must DieRomeo Must Die is a 2000 martial arts film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak. Starring Jet Li, Aaliyah, Anthony Anderson, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, and features action and fight choreography by Corey Yuen...
- Michael Jordan to the MaxMichael Jordan to the MaxMichael Jordan to the Max is an American documentary released in IMAX in 2000. The film is about the life and career of basketball player Michael Jordan, focusing mainly on him during the 1998 NBA Playoffs...
- Mission: Impossible IIMission: Impossible IIMission: Impossible II is a 2000 action film directed by John Woo, and starring Tom Cruise, who also served as the film's producer...
- Bless the ChildBless the ChildBless the Child is a 2000 supernatural thriller film directed by Chuck Russell, starring Kim Basinger, Jimmy Smits, Angela Bettis, Rufus Sewell, Christina Ricci, and Holliston Coleman...
- The AnimalThe AnimalThe Animal is a 2001 comedy film, directed by Luke Greenfield. It stars Rob Schneider, Colleen Haskell, Edward Asner, and John C. McGinley....
- The Man Who Wasn't ThereThe Man Who Wasn't ThereThe Man Who Wasn't There is a 2001 neo-noir film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Billy Bob Thornton stars in the title role. Also featured are James Gandolfini, Tony Shalhoub, Scarlett Johansson, Adam Alexi-Malle and Coen regulars Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco, and Jon...
- Thir13en GhostsThir13en GhostsThirteen Ghosts is a 2001 American horror film directed by Steve Beck. It is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name by William Castle. It follows the remake of another one of Castle's films, House on Haunted Hill.-Plot:Ghost hunter Cyrus Kriticos Thirteen Ghosts (also known as 13 Ghosts and...
- Queen of the Damned
- Matrix Reloaded
- Matrix Revolutions