S.W.A.T.
Interview with Michael Hardison, Pixel Magic

This is one of these films few would consider an FX Film. One of these films where the action really takes over and makes you forget about reality and yet, seems so real you forget what you are seeing is simply yet just an other film.

S.W.A.T. brings you to the dangerous streets of L.A. (I’ve been there myself, it’s not that bad) A dangerous criminal offers one hundred million $ to anyone who delivers him from prison and it seems only the LAPD Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team can prevent it.

No, they did not really crash a multi-million helicopter into the streets of LA, and no, they did not really land a plane in the streets of the city either, or did they? These are the illusions created by the men and women (okay, mostly guys) at Pixel Magic. We talk with Michael Hardison on the work they have accomplished on the film.

CGC: Give us a breakdown of the work you have done on S.W.A.T.?

MH: Pixel Magic was the sole visual effects house for all the CGI creations and compositing in SWAT. Some of the more prominent shots were the Augusta helicopter crash the and the Learjet landing sequence.

Watch the Augusta helicopter crash sequence
(Jeremy Renner plays Brian Gamble, a former S.W.A.T. member turned mercenary)

The Augusta helicopter crash sequence, which required the back to back cutting between practical and CG helicopters, was achieved by a close cooperation between the special effects crew and Pixel Magic’s on set visual effects supervisor, Raymond McIntyre. Using measurements and digital stills taken on set as reference, a CG helicopter was modeled and animated to match the action.