from April 25, 2008
The Wachowskis’ new North Side post/FX facility should focus favorable attention on local scene
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| Chicago natives Lana and Larry Wachowski |
The Wachowskis’ new North Side post and special effects studio will give Chicago the Hollywood glitz it has long needed to move it into the foreground of production.
The native South Siders of “The Matrix” fame, will open a high tech facility at 5645 N. Ravenswood in what had been the Ravenswood Studio, a scenic design shop.
The Wachowskis’ new North Side post and special effects studio will give Chicago the Hollywood glitz it has long needed to move it into the foreground of production.
The native South Siders of “The Matrix” fame, will open a high tech facility at 5645 N. Ravenswood in what had been the Ravenswood Studio, a scenic design shop.
Given the Wachowskis well-known propensity for privacy, little is known about the studio operation, such as the official date of opening, staff size or whether local artists will be hired or all imported from L.A.
But it’s a fairly sure bet that one or both of The Wachowskis one or both of the Wachowskis are expected to work in Chicago; Andy Wachowski is a North Side resident, and although Lana calls L.A. home, she is frequently in Chicago.
The fact that these legendary filmmakers have invested in Chicago is a terrific boon to the city’s production reputation and economic health. With a few notable exceptions, the city has been bereft of famous Hollywood filmmakers who live in the area.
“It’s a big deal,” said the Chicago Film Office’s Rich Moskal. “It will be unlike any facility we have ever had here before.”
Speculation is that the company should hire editors and effects artists from Chicago’s abundant talent support. To give you an idea of the scope of their needs, their new movie, “Speed Racer,” employed 48 in the art department and 380 in the visual effects and special effects departments.
“Speed Racer,” their $100 million HD action thriller from Warner Bros., will be released May 9 and will play at the ideally-suited, high tech IMAX Theatre at Navy Pier.
Based on a popular Japanese anime TV series, the story is about Speed Racer, is a young man with natural racing instincts, whose goal is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer.
Their “Matrix” trilogy has grossed an estimated $700 million to date.
Lana, 42, and Andy, 40, created the film that launched them to Hollywood in the basement of their South Side Beverly home on an $80,000 Avid their father purchased for them in the early ‘90s.
They wrote comic books for Marvel Comics' Razorline imprint, namely “Ectokid” (created by horror novelist Clive Barker) in 1993. In 2004, they created Burlyman Entertainment and have released comic books based on “The Matrix” as well as their own original creations. —Ruth L Ratny
BACKTALK for this Article
It's too bad, I went there to give my application. They were very polite but pretty much said they didn't intend on hiring anybody from Chicago, just imported guys in from L.A. I had to wait out by the door, they place is locked off like the pentagon.
—Jobless Chicagoin, Working Pics
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Even as partner/editor in a post house myself, I don't worry about their return as a threat of competition (though I do plan to compete).
I hope they open their doors to offer services to the Chicago production community and employment to Chicago's talent base PLUS import clients and talent from the coasts. I think that could really help boost Chicago production.
We need more "cross pollination" like this in Chicago to be seen nationwide for the talented and healthy production community that we are.
—Ed Pickart, Motion Post, Forest Park, IL
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