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Part 1:
From Manchester U to the Academy Awards
Part 2:
Enter the Matrix
Part 3:
IRIDAS Joins the Team
Part 4:
Raising the Bar
in VFX
Part 5:
SpeedGrade is Born
Part 6:
Kim Libreri's Filmography
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From Manchester U to the Academy Awards
Kim began to focus
on graphics while doing his degree in computer sciences at Manchester
University in England. That background took him into world of software
design, first in the research departments of various universities in
Australia, and then with the Computer Film Company in London which he
joined in 1992. The CFC was a pioneer in digital VFX work and Kim
started out writing morphing and compositing applications, among other
things. But this was when SGI was just coming on to the scene so -- for
the first time -- facilities did not have to write all of their own software.
From there Kim
moved on to Cinesite. He was one of the first employees at the new
facility. As head of
technology he set up their infrastructure. “That was a golden age in VFX
work,” he recalls, “but since you could buy packages off the shelf, so
to speak, some of the engineering excitement was diminished. For me this
meant getting more involved in production.” While at Cinesite, Kim had
the opportunity to work with FX legend Richard Yurich 2001:
A Space Odyssey,
Close Encounters,
Blade Runner etc.). Richard brought me on set a lot. That gave me
the opportunity to learn more about the visual side of effects, as well
as helping me to explore ways of integrating live action shots into
digital FX work. I really loved the experience of being on set.” While
at Cinesite Kim worked on several Bond films, Michael Jordan’s Space Jamand the sci-fi thriller,
Event
Horizon.
In 1998, Kim
moved on to Manex Visual Effects in San Francisco where he was
technology supervisor on the breakthrough VFX work in
What Dreams May Come.
He was part of the team there that won an Academy Award for the striking
“painted world” scenes in that movie. The film was widely acclaimed for
its imaginative and beautiful VFX work, but, as it turned out, much
bigger things were in store for Kim and his colleagues.
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Michael Jordan's Space Jam was one of the films Kim
worked on at Cinesite. Click on image to see
complete version |
