2D or 2.5D Matte Paintings

Matte Painting is a technique used primarily to create an environment that does not exist, and frequently involves compositing with some other existing Live Action or Miniature photography. Or a little CGI even.....
My first few years in the business were spent working with matte artists who were using oils and acrylics on glass and masonite. Projecting and shooting film on special matte stands, etc. Now it's all digital, of course, and most of my favorite painters have made the transition to digital media.

I employ the use of Matte Paingtings often and call upon the servics of only the finest matte painters in the business. There is an art to finessing a seamless blend into the 'painted' environment.There are specific talents for architectural, topographic and scenic environments. Not all artists can paint all things.....

(Click on image to see it in motion)

3D Environments & Set Extensions

(Click on image to see it in motion)

Image #1 : From the Motion Picture "Speed" - One of the more difficult Multi-Planed Matte Paintings I've ever done! A panning, tilting, zooming, helicopter move was tracked on seven different planes. 2D & 3D Matte Painting elements by Robert Scifo. Amazing tracking, 3D Birds and compositing by VIFX (since folded into Rhythm and Hues ).

Image #2 From the Motion Picture "GI Joe" - A brilliant blend of imagery, bringing the majestic high-rises of Downtown Tokyo into the background of a location photographed in Downtown Los Angeles, CA.... Excellent work done by Syd Dutton (formerly of Illusion Arts).

Images #3 & 4 From the Motion Picture "Poseidon" " - Would you believe that everything in these couple of shots is fake? It is. Completely. All modeled and rendered in the computer.

Image #5 From the Motion Picture "GI Joe" - A massive 3D environment. By CIS Hollywood.

Image #6 From the Motion Picture "GI Joe" - A massive 3D environment. By Framestore London.