Crime 101

In this twisty, stylish crime thriller, Davis (Chris Hemsworth) is an elusive thief whose high-stakes heists have mystified police. He’s planning his biggest ever score — hoping it’ll be his last — when his path collides with insurance executive Sharon (Halle Berry), and rival thief Ormon (Barry Keoghan). As the multi-million-dollar heist approaches, relentless detective Lt. Lubesnik (Mark Ruffalo) closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher, and the line between hunter and hunted starts to blur.

Crime 101 is based on Don Winslow’s novella of the same name, and is directed by Bart Layton.

Cinesite was the key visual effects vendor on the production, with VFX supervisor Simon Stanley-Clamp overseeing operations and Grant Hewlett providing on set supervision. Overall, around 150 shots were delivered, invisible visual effects which enhanced the story and fit seamlessly into the action.

As much as possible was captured in camera, with visual effects playing a vital supporting role. In one stand-out car chase, although the action had been shot for real, a full CG car take-over was necessary for one vehicle somersaulting through the air, in order to convincingly enhance damage, add sparks and smoke, as well as to remove street safety furniture. In a later shot, where a motorcycle collides with a car, its rider flying over the car bonnet, another CG take-over was used to transition between stunt driver and digi-double. Extensive stunt rig removal was also necessary, in addition to replacing the car and motorcycle with CG versions.

Across the film, subtle visual effects created by Cinesite’s team include blood, rain enhancement, signage replacement, glass shattering, re-speeds, clean ups and changes in file or text information, to support story exposition.