LOOK Delivers Visual Effects for AMC’s Turn

LOOK Effects recently produced all of the visual effects for AMC’s new period drama, Turn, which premiered earlier this week. Based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington’s Spies, Turn tells the little-known story of America’s first spy ring. Set during the Revolutionary War, Turn centers on Abe Woodhull (Jamie Bell), a farmer living in British-occupied Long Island who bands together with his childhood friends to form the Culper Ring – an unlikely team of secret agents who, not only went on to help George Washington turn the tide of the war, but also gave birth to modern spycraft.

“Our job is to help drive the action and to create invisible effects that contribute, not only to the historic authenticity, but to the suspense of the story,” explained visual effects supervisor Christian Cardona. “It’s been a challenge to turn contemporary Virginia, where the action is shot, into colonial Long Island, especially on a TV schedule and budget.”

While Turn doesn’t appear to be effects-intensive, LOOK produced almost 150 visual effects shots for the pilot alone. Individual episodes continue to be as effects-heavy. Turn relies on seamless visual effects to help drive the action and tell the story.

LOOK’s work included set and environment extensions, 3D ships, natural elements such as water and snow, green-screen comps, makeup and gore enhancement.

“Our team has been working on just this type of TV for years,” said Cardona. “So we’re used to creating high quality, invisible visual effects within a fairly short window and on budget.”

The series, from AMC Studios, is written by showrunner Craig Silverstein (Nikita) and executive produced by Barry Josephson (Bones, Enchanted) from Josephson Entertainment.