Park Road Post, Weta Digital international industry awards

MEDIA RELEASE

10 September 2013

Park Road Post Production and Weta Digital recognised in international industry awards

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Avatar, Iron Man 3 and Man of Steel all feature in nominations and awards

WELLINGTON, NZ: Work completed at New Zealand’s Park Road Post Production and visual effects studio Weta Digital has been recognised in two international screen industry technical award events.

Park Road’s work on the High Frame Rate (HFR) technology developed for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has won a special Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation in Post Production from the Hollywood Post Alliance.

The award will be presented at the HPA Awards on November 7 in Los Angeles.

At the same awards, Weta Digital’s visual effects teams have earned three of the five nominations in the Outstanding Visual Effects for Feature Film category.

Visual effects developed for Man of Steel, Iron Man 3 and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be up against two other films for the top award.

The HPA Awards honours excellence in post production and brings recognition to the achievements of individuals and companies engaged in significant and revolutionary work in post production.

The nominations and special award follow similar recognition for both Weta Digital and Park Road by The International 3D & Advanced Imaging Society at the 2013 3D Technology Awards.

Both companies will receive the Society’s Lumiere statuettes for Technology at an awards event at Paramount Studios in Hollywood on September 18th.

Weta Digital is being honored for its pioneering Stereo Pipeline developed for Avatar.

This work is seen as the first large scale Stereo pipeline capable of handling CG and live action elements, helping James Cameron to deliver the landmark Stereo film of the modern era.

Park Road's work in helping Peter Jackson deliver the world's first High Frame Rate 3D film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey----a production of New Line Cinema and Metro--Goldwyn--Mayer Pictures (MGM) released by Warner Bros.

Pictures and MGM----continues to receive accolades globally.

The post production facility was involved from the very beginning of production -- extracting the data from the 5K Red Epic cameras on set right through to final delivery and exhibition at cinemas around the world.

Park Road Post Production General Manager Cameron Harland said the awards represent recognition from the international post production community and is a great boost for the hard work and dedication of the Park Road team.

It also acknowledges the cutting edge innovation provided by some of the world’s leading technology companies with whom they are privileged to 2 partner.

“We are delighted to be recognised in both awards.

The demands of completing any film are significant enough.

The challenge of bringing The Hobbit; An Unexpected Journey to screen in 3D HFR was enormous, but one which the team took great pride in."

General Manager Tom Greally said the dual recognition is appreciated by the teams at Weta Digital, who are currently working on The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

“There is still immense pride in what was accomplished on Avatar and looking at this year, picking up three nominations in one category is extraordinary, and testament to the commitment of our people to delivering high--quality work that audiences want to see."

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Editor’s Note:

The Weta Digital teams nominated for the HPA Awards Outstanding Visual Effects category are:

• Man of Steel: Keith Miller, Daniel Barrett, Phillip Leonhardt, Thelvin Cabezas and Mark Tait

• Iron Man 3: Guy Williams, Aaron Gilman, Matt Aitken, Dan Macarin and Thrain Shadbolt

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, R. Christopher White and Eric Reynolds For more information on the HPA Awards visit:

www.hollywoodpostalliance.org/?p=5845

For more information on the 3D Technology Awards visit:

www.international3dsociety.com/

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About Park Road Post Production:

Park Road is a premier post production facility located in Wellington, New Zealand.

Developed by filmmakers for filmmakers, Park Road offers a relaxing and inspiring environment for filmmakers to realise their vision.

For more information, visit www.parkroad.co.nz

About Weta Digital:

Weta Digital is one of the world’s premier visual effects companies.

Led by Senior Visual Effects Supervisor Joe Letteri, Weta Digital is known for uncompromising creativity and commitment to developing innovative technology.

For more information, visit http://www.wetafx.co.nz

Park Road and Weta Digital are both part of a group of creative companies located in Miramar, Wellington, which also includes Weta Workshop, Stone Street Studios and Portsmouth Rentals.

ENDS

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