Ray Bradbury's Chrysalis
Encyclopedia
Ray Bradbury's Chrysalis is a 2008 film based on a short story by Ray Bradbury
and produced by Roger Lay Jr. The film tells the tale of mankind's struggle for survival in a distant future after the effects of war and carelessness have completely ravaged the environment.
The story takes place inside an underground research facility where a group of scientists look for ways to sustain life. When one of the scientist falls ill and a chrysalis forms around him, a tug of war ensues about the future of the stricken scientist... and ultimately the fate of the Earth.
, CA. The film features special creature effects by Romaire Studios, the FX facility founded by Emmy Awards winner Lee Romaire.
Principal photography on the film took place on multiple sets at the Burbank Production Stages where a completely connected and functional environment recreating an underground research facility was built. Each set was connected through a series of hallways and passageways allowing the crew to shoot continuously without revealing any set backings or lights. Everything was built-in allowing the film crew to follow the characters on camera from one part of the facility to another without ever having to cut. The filmmakers decided to go for a look that pays tribute to the science fiction films of the genre’s golden age. For that same reason it was decided to build everything physically and limit the use of computer generated effects.
Additional work was done on the FX stage at Vlaze Media Networks in Los Angeles where multiple news segments and emergency broadcasts where shot in order to composite into monitors on the research facility set.
Second unit photography was completed at the El Mirage dry lake bed in California, and the rainforest of El Yunque
in Puerto Rico
where the film’s breathtaking finale was shoot at 3,800 feet above sea level on one of the rainforest’s highest peaks.
The film also features an orchestral score by composer Brandon Moore, which was recorded in Los Angeles utilizing a live orchestra combined with electronic sounds performed on synths by the composer to heighten the film’s chilling undertone.
The film was first previewed in Wired Magazine's November 2008 issue.
The film's trailer was first premiered at the San Diego Comic Con on July 26, 2008, when Ray Bradbury introduced the clip to a crowd of 5,000 fans.
During pre-production Bradbury was consulted on every element of the film, from script to conceptual art and storyboards.
The film had its premiere in November of 2008 in Los Angeles during the Shriekfest Film Festival. Ray Bradbury was present at one of the screenings and spoke to the crowd after the film played.
Ray Bradbury’s Chrysalis was picked up for international distribution by Arsenal Pictures and will begin airing worldwide in the fall of 2009. Some of the initial international territories include Russia and Japan -- two of the largest non-U.S. markets for Bradbury's work.
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
and produced by Roger Lay Jr. The film tells the tale of mankind's struggle for survival in a distant future after the effects of war and carelessness have completely ravaged the environment.
The story takes place inside an underground research facility where a group of scientists look for ways to sustain life. When one of the scientist falls ill and a chrysalis forms around him, a tug of war ensues about the future of the stricken scientist... and ultimately the fate of the Earth.
Production
Principal photography began on November 23, 2007 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, CA. The film features special creature effects by Romaire Studios, the FX facility founded by Emmy Awards winner Lee Romaire.
Principal photography on the film took place on multiple sets at the Burbank Production Stages where a completely connected and functional environment recreating an underground research facility was built. Each set was connected through a series of hallways and passageways allowing the crew to shoot continuously without revealing any set backings or lights. Everything was built-in allowing the film crew to follow the characters on camera from one part of the facility to another without ever having to cut. The filmmakers decided to go for a look that pays tribute to the science fiction films of the genre’s golden age. For that same reason it was decided to build everything physically and limit the use of computer generated effects.
Additional work was done on the FX stage at Vlaze Media Networks in Los Angeles where multiple news segments and emergency broadcasts where shot in order to composite into monitors on the research facility set.
Second unit photography was completed at the El Mirage dry lake bed in California, and the rainforest of El Yunque
El Yunque
El Yunque may refer to:Mountains* El Yunque, Puerto Rico** El Yunque National Forest, formerly the Caribbean National Forest* El Yunque, Cuba* El Yunque, highest point on Robinson Crusoe Island, ChileOther...
in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
where the film’s breathtaking finale was shoot at 3,800 feet above sea level on one of the rainforest’s highest peaks.
The film also features an orchestral score by composer Brandon Moore, which was recorded in Los Angeles utilizing a live orchestra combined with electronic sounds performed on synths by the composer to heighten the film’s chilling undertone.
The film was first previewed in Wired Magazine's November 2008 issue.
The film's trailer was first premiered at the San Diego Comic Con on July 26, 2008, when Ray Bradbury introduced the clip to a crowd of 5,000 fans.
During pre-production Bradbury was consulted on every element of the film, from script to conceptual art and storyboards.
The film had its premiere in November of 2008 in Los Angeles during the Shriekfest Film Festival. Ray Bradbury was present at one of the screenings and spoke to the crowd after the film played.
Release
Lightning Entertainment picked up Urban Archipelago Films' production of Ray Bradbury’s Chrysalis for domestic distribution. The film premiered November 17, 2009, via On Demand through the Time Warner, Charter, and Bright House digital cable providers.Ray Bradbury’s Chrysalis was picked up for international distribution by Arsenal Pictures and will begin airing worldwide in the fall of 2009. Some of the initial international territories include Russia and Japan -- two of the largest non-U.S. markets for Bradbury's work.
Home media
The DVD release is set for July 27, 2010 and distributed by E-1 Entertainment. Most major retailers are taking pre-orders including Amazon, Walmart, and Movies Unlimited.Festivals and awards
The film has been screened at multiple film festivals and has also won a best feature film award.- 2008 – WINNER – Best Sci-Fi Feature - International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival, Phoenix AZ
- 2008 - Official Selection - Shriekfest Film Festival, Los Angeles CA
- 2008 – Official Selection – Scienceplusfiction Film Festival, Italy
- 2008 – Official Selection – Phoenix Comic Con Film Festival, Phoenix AZ
- 2009 – Official Selection - Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, Boston MA
- 2009 – Screening – Cannes Film Market, France
- 2009 - Screening - Fencon Sci-Fi Convention, Dallas TX
- 2009 - MIPCOM, France
- 2009 - Official Selection - Cinefantasy Film Festival, Brazil
- 2009 - LOSCON