Final Destination 5.

Vancouver, August 16 2011 - Prime Focus has completed 135 stunning stereoscopic visual effects shots for the much anticipated Steven Quale-directed horror film 'Final Destination 5' for Warner Bros. The film opened in North American theaters on August 12th, 2011.

Prime Focus created the thrilling opening sequences that set the wheels of the story into motion: the shots of the collapsing suspension bridge and the resulting chaos, including the franchise's famous dark comedy scenes depicting the deaths of various characters as they plunge into the water below.

For reference, VFX Supervisor Chad Wiebe ensured that the team studied many different videos that featured real-life bridge collapses, including the Tacoma Narrow bridge collapse of 1940. Producer Charlene Eberle led the group of 75 artists over the course of six months as they developed the intensive rigid body dynamics of the bridge and the fluid dynamics of the impact of the water.

CG Supervisor Todd Sheridan Perry and his team designed the bridge collapse in addition to all of the elements that are featured on the bridge during its destruction. Not an easy task; they modeled 40+ unique vehicles and over 85 digital doubles that were running around and panicking as the bridge twisted and swayed. They also crafted a full CG replacement of the film's hero for a shot that follows the camera right into his eye. In addition, the team contributed environmental matte paintings and animation of the digital doubles that populate the bridge.

Speaking about the experience, Wiebe said: "Final Destination 5 was an incredibly challenging project, both artistically and technically. Senior VFX Supervisor Ariel Shaw and Producer Greg Baxter really pushed our team to achieve their vision. We're all thrilled to have been able to bring such exciting visuals to life for this film."

And the results of the team's hard work seem to be paying off. Los Angeles Times film critic Betsy Sharkey wrote in her review of the film that, "The big crumble is a stunner of an opener that introduces us to the hyperactive, hyperbolic, in-your-face style Quale intends to use for the rest of the movie. He does a bang-up job of sending things flying, and he slays the death scenes."