Videos keep Hydraulics pumping - Post News - Greg and Colin Strause open effects business - Brief Article

Post, Sept, 2002

SANTA MONICA -- After dissolving their previous visual effects facility Pixel Envy, Greg and Colin Strause have opened Hydraulics (310-393-9011) through which they recently provided effects for several music videos. The studio features a dozen AliasWavefront Maya workstations, along with multiple HD-capable Discreet Infernos, a Discreet Flame and the producer and core CGI team from Pixel Envy.

Back in June, Hydraulics helped create the Will Smith music video Black Suits Comin', directed by Francis Lawrence. The studio created computer animated versions of the Rick Baker alien puppets, using their 3D laser scanner to acquire data sets. The data was then side-spliced, textured, lit and brought to life in Maya by their team of character animators. All of Will Smith's performance was shot greenscreen and later composited. The final video had over 400 effects shots, which were finished entirely in house in just a four week period.

Hydraulics also finished stylized Japanese anime effects for the Paulina Rubio video Don't Say Goodbye, as well as 2D/3D energy shock waves and destruction for the Disturbed video Prayer, both directed by Greg and Colin Strause. Other recent projects include CC set work for Pepsi and visual effects for Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne and Lifehouse music videos. The studio is also working on a Julius Caesar television miniseries.