SUMMARY

“Life is a search for finding your place in the world, but I also think you can just make your place." -Emi Matsushima.

Brought to White Rhino VFX by Director Parker Schmidt, Ascension is a heartwarming story about a young woman's journey to finding her place in the world. In this passion project, German and Japanese Climber Emi Matsushima tells a captivating story about her lifelong struggles to find her true identity in a place where she never felt she belonged.

Following up the beautiful cinematography by Alex Fauver, it was important for White Rhino VFX to nail the visual effects in this film as they represented something bigger than oneself. Using compositing to match the physics and texture, White Rhino VFX created chrysanthemum flower petals that whisked through the air as the flower vase holding chrysanthemums spun out of control.

Using 3D match moves, the team had the flower petals descend as they flew out of the Range Rover. To create the flower rebirth, White Rhino VFX used standard composite and animation techniques to make the flower sprout from the ground. All signifying the act of letting go of the past and starting a new beginning.

Talent: Emi Matsushima
Director: Parker Schmidt
Director of Photography: Alex Fauver
Photographer: Brian Chorski
Executive Producer: Gilad Haas
Producer: Rob Crenson
Climbing Support: Justin Moynihan

1st AD: Peter Bamboukian
1st AC: Cameron Campbell
2nd AC: Lucas Raimondo
Set Designer: Hunter Kist
Swing: Michael Morones
Aerial Cinematographer: Rhoddy Jensen
Assistant Aerial Operator: Zack Patrick
PA: Ben Slevin

Editor: Lucas Raimondo
Sound Designer: Blaize Fobbe
Mix + Master: Michael Baran
Original Score: 2WEI Music
2WEI Composer: Thomas Muis
2WEI Music Producer: Jan Salander
Color Studio: WGT.AM
Colorists: Sander van Wijk, Giulia Woergartner
VFX Studio: White Rhino VFX
VFX Artists: Daniel Saldivar, Maxwell Prendergast

Production Company: Shadow Lion
Supported by: Cinevisuals, Arc’teryx Los Angeles