Hula Post Production provided editorial systems and support for Dracula Untold, Universal Pictures’ new action film now in international release.
Working in support of editor Richard Pearson and his crew, Hula set up editorial facilities in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the film was shot, and at Universal Studios in California, where it spent 40 weeks in post-production. At both sites, the editorial environment consisted of six Avid workstations and shared storage. Both in Ireland and the U.S., Hula provided technical support on a 24/7 basis.
Pearson, whose previous credits include Maleficent and Safe House, says he was attracted to Dracula Untold by its unique take on history’s most famous vampire. “It was an interesting time in history with the Ottoman Turks moving through Europe,” Pearson says. “And Vlad Tepes, the young prince, was a fascinating character, both abhorred and beloved by his people.”
Pearson adds that he enjoyed his collaboration with director Gary Shore, who was making his feature film debut. “I am keen to work with first-time filmmakers,” Pearson says. “It’s always exciting. Gary was very involved in the editorial process, and we spent a lot of time together in the editing room.”
Editing on location for three and a half months was challenging, Pearson recalls, involving long hours of cutting dailies, integrating visual effects, and reviewing sequences with Shore. Technical issues, however, were rarely a concern. “Tech support from Hula was always available,” he says. “We had very few tech problems, but when they arose, they were quickly resolved. That was comforting.”
Pearson worked with Hula Post Production on Maleficent and Safe House.
“They always ensure I have what I need,” he says. “They are very responsive, have a terrific support staff, and deliver top notch gear that’s bulletproof. What you want in a technology supplier is a company that is so good, you rarely have to call on them because they’ve already taken care of everything.”
Almost an entire century after the world’s first cinematic introduction to Dracula placed audiences under his haunting spell, the studio that pioneered the genre reawakens one of legend’s most captivating figures in an action-adventure that heralds a pulse-pounding rebirth of the age of monsters.
Luke Evans (Fast & Furious 6, The Hobbit series) transforms from the cursed man history knows as Vlad the Impaler to an all-powerful creature of the night in Universal Pictures’ Dracula Untold, the origin story of the alluring immortal we have come to fear as the sun sets: Dracula.
Directed by Gary Shore, Dracula Untold is produced by Michael De Luca.
Hula Post Production http://hulapost.com
Dracula Untold www.draculauntold.com