In the latter-day tradition of epic video-game cinematics, we present DJ Hero. Reared with love by Framestore and directed by Marco Puig, DJ Hero is a knock down, drag out grind in CG overdrive. There’s a lot going on, which—depending on your taste—can work for, or against it.
Through a medley of quick cuts and steely beats, Hero has all the trappings of an action movie—gushing with testosterone, and unabashedly fetishizing explosions and getaway tractor-trailers. The whole shebang kicks off like a DJ set—mix-matching and beat-juggling through an evolving cast of rogue characters and sticky situations.
The look is industrial, borrowed from the classic fusion of sci-fi and grit—popularized by films like Blade Runner. Through a loose narrative and several character face-offs, the piece crescendos with a throng of break-dancers, as the DJ—our master of ceremonies and resident “Hero”—spins a record or two in a celebratory close.
CLIENT Activision / Freestyle Games
PRODUCTION COMPANY Framestore in association with Warp Films
DIRECTOR Marco Puig
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Simon Whalley (Framestore)
DIGITAL PRODUCER Mike Woods (Framstore)
PRODUCER Diarmid Scrimshaw (Warp Films)
VFX Framestore
VFX SUPERVSIOR Diarmid Harrison-Murray
SENIOR CG PRODUCER Sarah Hiddlestone
ANIMATION LEADS Nicklas Andersson, Mike Mellor
FX LEAD Martin Aufinger
RIGGING/CLOTH James Healy
LEAD MODELLING Alex Doyle
TELECINE COLOURIST Simon Bourne