Anna Daniels
Those kinds of “invisible” effects are Crafty Apes’ specialty, and while the studio is expanding into flashier 3D VFX work, 2D is still its bread and butter.
“I think it’s really awesome when visual effects plays into stories that are not just sensational or fantasy, sci-fi focused,” said Akey. “That’s the stuff where visual effects isn’t usually thought of, but it’s as big a part of the process as editorial or music.”
This type of work also lends itself very well to contemporary and historical dramas, which often have strong social messages. “Last year we got to do The Hate You Give. We got to do If Beale Street Could Talk with Barry Jenkins, and we’re working on his Underground Railroad series now, which is amazing,” Akey noted. Films like those don’t just let Crafty Apes with create VFX — they also provide the opportunity to change the world with VFX.
“These are the movies that we’re passionate about, not just for the creativity and the filmmakers involved, but the message and the storytelling that’s going to affect change,” he said. That definitely excites us as much as the Marvel stuff.”
It’s a big task, but if Just Mercy proves anything, it’s that Crafty Apes is up for it.
Just Mercy is in theaters now.
Written by: Looper
