THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (DREAMWORKS PICTURES)

STARNO provided specialized Digital Matte Painting and historical reconstruction services for Derek Cianfrance’s period drama THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS. Working with Mavericks VFX, our mission was to ensure the visual authenticity of the fictional coastal town of Partageuse, Australia, across several decades.

The primary task involved a complex environment shot featuring a store situated on a hill overlooking an active industrial district below. As a Freelance Matte Painter, Frédéric St-Arnaud performed extensive digital cleanup and period-accurate reconstruction. This included removing modern elements and building a detailed industrial landscape that reflects the film's timeline.

The technical challenge lay in creating a seamless transition between the foreground live-action shop and the digitally enhanced industrial background. Every chimney, warehouse, and street detail was crafted to maintain the film's poetic and grounded aesthetic.

POSTER

Based on the novel by M.L. Stedman, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS tells the story of Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender), a lighthouse keeper, and his wife Isabel (Alicia Vikander), who live on a remote island. When a rowboat washes ashore carrying a baby, they make a choice that will have devastating consequences.