CHICAGO, IL, October 2, 2007 - SOLdesignfx recently completed work on Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita. The company created the opening sequence for the doc, helmed by Maria Finitzo, and also contributed various graphic elements for the project.

"Terra Incognita was a phrase written on antique maps to describe unknown areas," explained SOLdesignfx Creative Director Chris Markos. "We tried to create a title sequence that was not only artisitic, but also drew on the metaphor of the film's title, which in this case acts as a metaphor for the undiscovered potential of stem cell research."

SOLdesignfx Producer Bruce Rindler pointed out that "stem cell research is a brave new world but how best to visually represent this idea was the challenge we faced in crafting the opening sequence." The SOL team realized that the pioneers of stem cell research shared a bond with the explorers of old, in that both at times navigated in uncharted territories. Therefore, "it seemed visually fitting to design a moving, fluid map of the brain's neural pathways and marry it with distinctive map renderings of the ancient world," Rindler explained. SOL's team, led by Markos, also designed 3D representations of stem cells and additional graphics for the project.

SOL's involvement with Terra Incognita began with a call to company GM John McGrath from Kartemquin Films (Hoop Dreams, Stevie, The New Americans) while the film was still in production. Conversations with director Finitzo about the opening snowballed into requests for additional elements from SOLdesignfx.

"The creative and production team was very receptive to our ideas and willing to see where we were going," Rindler recalls. "And, obviously, it was gratifying to work on something that might have an effect on the viewer in terms of educating and possibly changing someone's ideas as to the ramifications of stem cell research and to repercussions it might have."

Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita will premiere at DOCNZ in New Zealand in October. It will also screen at IDFA - the prestigious documentary festival in Amsterdam - the Chicago International Film Festival, and the Starz Denver International Film Festival this fall. Finally, the film will broadcast nationally January 15th, on PBS' acclaimed series, Independent Lens.
 

Credits:

Production Company: Kartemquin Films
Director/Producer: Maria Finitzo
Executive Producer: Gordon Quinn
Associate Producer: Justine Nagan
Editors: Michael O'Brien, David E. Simpson, Jan Sutcliffe
Directors of Cinematography: Jim Morrissette, Ines Sommer
Original Music: Joel Diamond

Post/VFX: SOLdesignfx
Creative Director: Chris Markos
Lead 3D Artist: Thuc Nguyen
Lead Flame Artist and additional 3D: Brian Higgins
Producer: Bruce Rindler