Making Jane Eyre: A Facility's POV…
LipSync Productions, the investment and equity services company, and LipSync Post, a leading post-production facility, provided investment and full post services for Jane Eyre, which opened in the UK on 9 September 2011.
The new adaptation, produced by Ruby Films, Focus Features and BBC Films is directed by Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre) and features Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) as Mr Rochester and Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) as Charlotte Bronte’s heroine.
Norman Merry, Director, LipSync, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ruby Films back to LipSync, having had success with them on titles including Toast and also Lay the Favorite which is currently in production. We are also very pleased to be working with Focus Features for the first time, as they are renowned for the quality of their productions. Jane Eyre looks amazing and I think this could be the definitive adaptation of this wonderful story.”
Dan Bentham, Producer, LipSync Post, explained the benefits of having so much of the post-production going through own company, “Having the DI, mix and editorial running concurrently at LipSync Post allowed us to react quickly to Cary’s visual, editorial and audio decisions. Choices made in editorial or the grade were quickly transferred to our mixing theatre where Re-Recording Mixer Robert Farr could adapt his mix quickly, allowing Cary to see the final outcome in short time frames. Mixes could also then be bounced up to the grading theatre for reference whilst working on the picture.”
FX and ADR were often recorded on location for authenticity and were mixed to allow the audience to witness the scale of the large country house and feel the disorientation that Jane feels as her story unfolds. Particular attention was paid to mixing the musical score to ensure it helped the emotional narrative without ever drawing attention to itself.
Grading Jane Eyre presented challenges, including DOP Adriano Goldman having to rely on natural light. Being a period film, locations would not permit large lighting rigs so a naturalistic approach was adopted. For example, dusk shots had to be balanced very carefully so they fitted in with the time frame of the story. Candles and oil lamps were used as the primary light sources and, using Fuji Eterna 400T stock, a very natural but low level was achieved.
Stuart Fyvie, Colourist, Lipsync Post, said, “The grade had to show just enough. We wanted the audience to be in that world of pre-electric light, and continuity of the grade was very important to the story as it is told through flashbacks, so each time period has its own unique look. It was important to keep to the style of each era as we watch Jane’s story develop. We used the Quantel Pablo grading system to achieve the grade. Cary appreciated having one final room for sign off, so not only was it used for the grade but also for VFX approvals, and using Pablo they could be edited into the time line and the grade adjusted accordingly.“
