Home Entertainment Director Darren Aronofsky talks NOAH – The most complex animal special effects ever

Director Darren Aronofsky talks NOAH – The most complex animal special effects ever

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Usually, a film based on Noah’s Ark doesn’t ask for much. Build a big ass boat, steal pairs of animals from the local zoo, keep the herbivores separate from the carnivores and pray that the boat doesn’t tip over. Darren Aronofsky however, is directing a different Noah, in a harsher world with different species.

Plus, set hands are probably tired of shoveling up elephant dung, so that might be a reason why he’s hitting the special effects so hard.

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Speaking to the DGA via Collider, Aronofsky explained that with more control over his film, he had a chance to really experiment with special effects and animals, creating his own animal kingdom in the process:

We basically went through the animal kingdom and pinpointed the body types we wanted: some pachyderms, some rodents, reptiles, and the bird kingdom. We chose the species and they were brought to life with different furs and colors. We didn’t want anything fully recognizable but not completely absurd either.

All those animals also meant that special effects powerhouse studio Industrial Light and Magic had their work cut out for them. But according to Aronofsky, not only did they come up with some of the most complex visuals ever designed, they totally nailed it as well.

It was a nice badge of honor. I don’t think it’s the most incredible shot, but I think because of all the hair on the animals it was incredibly complicated for them. They said, ‘We can only render it two or three more times so make sure those are exactly right because they take so long and are so complex.’

It’s not long to go now before Noah sets sail. The film is out next year March, and stars Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Durand, Martin Csokas, andMark Margolis.

And it’s not the biblical epic that you’re used to either, as this Noah is part salvation, and more parts ass-kicker than previous versions would have you believe.

Last Updated: October 10, 2013

One Comment

  1. That he’s gone all George Lucas with effects isn’t really making me feel easy. Nevermind, I just came here hoping you were hiding a trailer at the end…

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