AudioMedia - July 2008 - (Page 26)

Russian Director Timur Bekmambetov steps into an international spotlight with Wanted, an action/ fantasy film starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, and Angelina Jolie. STROTHER BULLINS reports. I n his native Russia, Timur Bekmambetov is already well known as the Director of 2004’s Night Watch, a fantasy film that became the highest-grossing Russian release ever. Bekmambetov followed this success with a sequel, 2006’s Day Watch, thus cementing his reputation in the film industry as a director to watch. Now, with Wanted, the wor ld is given the opportunity to experience Bekmambetov’s unique film making style. Shot in Prague and Chicago, Wanted is truly an international film with big Hollywood support; its post-production was done in Moscow and Los Angeles. Universal Studios brought on names – Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, for example – to tell a story based on Mark Millar’s ‘Wanted’ comic book series. – and the efforts of truly international craft talent. It’s a lovely blend to support a genre that will hopefully have a big international appeal. The fantasy/action genre is very popular internationally. Filmmakers from around the world tend to have different approaches. But Timur as a Russian filmmaker has an interesting approach to the fantasy/action genre with the support of an American studio with those financial resources backing him.” Stateman’s prior experience working with Wanted Film Editor David Brenner, helped make the film an easy gig to say ‘yes’ to. “I worked with David on quite a number of projects,” Stateman offers. “Born On The Fourth of July was G etting On B oard WANTED Portrayed by James McAvoy, central character Wesley Gibson is a young man tempted with a chance to avenge his father’s murder. Sloan (Freeman), the father’s friend and fellow assassin-associate, provides Gibson with the opportunity as well as training and a future in the assassination business. In the ensuing adventure, Gibson works with Fox (Jolie), Sloan’s second in command, a capable assassin who also serves as the film’s sexy love interest. “Universal really poured valuable creative resources into this film and supported this filmmaker to express himself fully,” offers Wylie Stateman, Supervising Sound Designer for Wanted. “We put something on the screen with big star power – Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman one of the big ones; he won an Oscar for that, and I won the BAFTA for sound. We’ve collaborated on and off for about 20 years. Whenever he has something really challenging, we talk about it. We have a creative partnership and a very comfortable, efficient workflow and methodology.” In addition to the comfortable, longstanding history of collaboration between Film Editor and Supervising Sound Designer, the intriguing aura surrounding Bekmambetov’s work made Wanted an exciting idea for the pair. “I was attracted to the project as David was: because of Director Timur Bekmambetov,” says Stateman plainly. “David helped work on the US released versions for Timur’s Russian films Day Watch and Night Watch. The films demonstrated > 26 AUDIO MEDIA JULY 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AudioMedia - July 2008

AudioMedia - July 2008 Contents Recording Post Broadcast What's Up UK Geofocus: France For the Record Special Report: Develop Preview SE Electronics 4400 Sennheiser MKH800 Twin Tubetech Club Final Cut: Wanted Smart AV Tango Doctor Who Made in America DSP Roundup Product Sampler: Summer Hits Edirol R44 Video Guide AMSR Fame - Le Musical Waves MaxxBCL Yamaha AD8HR Special Supplement

AudioMedia - July 2008

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