Manex Visual Effects

Manex Visual Effects (MVFX) was a motion picture special visual effects company located in Alameda, California. Though a small company active only for a short period of time, it provided visual effects for a number of high-profile movies and the company received international recognition including two Best Visual Effects Oscars and one Academy Award for Technical Achievement. As the company that created Bullet time for The Matrix their work has been highly influential.

History

In 1995 Cinergi Pictures acquired an effects company from visual effects pioneer Doug Trumbull. It was originally known as Cinergi F/X but was subsequently named Mass Illusions. In 1997 Cinergi was acquired by Disney and Cinergi pulled out of Mass Illusions. The company was rescued from liquidation by the Columbus, Ohio based company Manchester Exchange & Investment Company Inc Manex and in 1998 it was again renamed, this time to Manex Visual Effects, headed by managing director Robert Bobo.

In 1998 Manex completed work on the movie What Dreams May Come. This featured an extended sequence in which the character played by Robin Williams entered a painted world. Manex provided the visual effects for this sequence and partly as a result of this work the movie was awarded an Academy Award for Visual Effects.

In 1999 Manex completed work on The Matrix which again received an Academy Award. The team at Manex, led by John Gaeta, created the signature bullet time sequences from the movie. They also developed a system for image-based rendering allowing choreographed camera movements through computer graphic reconstructed sets (also known as Virtual Cinematography) for which Manex was awarded an Academy Award for Technical Achievement.[1] Manex further developed their virtual cinematography work in movies such as Michael Jordan to the Max and Mission: Impossible 2.

In 1999 Manex expanded, acquiring the Los Angeles operations of the Computer Film Company. The company underwent reorganization including the formation on an interactive division headed by Bill Dawson, formerly of Softnet, Xoom.com and Apple. Dawson recruited Kawika Maszak, also from Softnet and formerly of Gannett, as the division's executive producer. Manex Interactive received a New York International Independent Film & Video Festival award for its experimental short film Seriality.

Another division, Manex Studios, also converted thousands of square feet in old hangar space to film studios where dozens of commercials, special events and feature films were shot.

In 2001 Manex expected to carry out work on the Matrix sequels. At that time, the company was sold and management transferred. The sequel work was not awarded to new management but to ESC Entertainment. Manex were, however, credited on Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions for their extensive work leading to the cutting edge effects.

Manex subsequently moved to Trenton, New Jersey and in 2002 became involved in a project to build movie production facilities.

Subsequently to management and key staff leaving in 2001 there has been little or no creative output from Manex.

Sources

Movie credits

References

  1. ↑ Image-based rendering and some ancient history, A Neighborhood of Infinity