Went Up the Hill
Directed by Samuel Van Grinsven
Synopsis
A man ventures to remote New Zealand, returning for the funeral of his estranged birth mother and meets her widow for the first time. His mother's spirit returns to inhabit each of their bodies, instigating a life-threatening three-way nocturnal dance and dialogue.
What we did
Stage23 delivered a suite of visual effects over 145 shots that were integral to the psychological drama’s narrative. Shot in New Zealand, featuring sweeping regional landscapes, the team provided 3D environment design and integration, implementing intricate matte paintings to extend vistas. Central to the work and narrative was the creation of a fully CG frozen lake with tension building ice cracks and water simulations, providing a pivotal scene for the unfolding drama.
The film’s unique painterly cinematography demanded meticulous attention to blend CG elements with the live-action plates, ensuring the VFX felt invisible yet essential.