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I can't express how much I've
learned, grown, and enjoyed working with all of
you the last 15 years. It's been an amazing privilege
to have met you all and be involved in these projects.
Working on the big Hollywood shows is at times
a thrill and at times a drag, but the Matte World
team has always been my reason to love working
here. I sincerely hope to work with you again,
hopefully on a Matte World project in some new
location, or wherever we meet again. - Ken
It's been wonderful working
and dreaming with everyone at Matte World for
the last 20 years. We've solved lots of puzzles
and seen so much magic over the years—tin
foil into mountains, paint and glass into environments,
baby powder and baking soda into snow, salt into
waterfalls, pillow batting into clouds, scaling
miniatures up to become castles and shrinking
people down to become crowds. It's been an adventure
I'll treasure always. Thanks to each person who
helped MWD come alive and leave its mark in the
world of VFX over the last quarter century. Today,
a little piece of my heart goes with Matte World.
-Todd
A world without Matte World.
This is something I never let myself imagine.
When I heard of its closing I was initially saddened,
but as I look back at the years and recall all
that has been achieved there, I feel, as I have
always, an overwhelming sense of pride. And although
I haven't been there for years, what makes Matte
World special to me are the people. I know how
hard the crew at Matte World worked to achieve
those images up on the screen; real blood and
sweat went into every frame.
Craig, as a VFX Supervisor,
has an incredible eye and a singular aesthetic.
What people don't always realize is that he has
an uncanny ability to pull together a crew. He
will pick talented artists and technicians and
lead them with vision to create some of the most
beautiful work ever done for the film industry.
Thank you Craig, I learned
so much working with you and the crew. I feel
very fortunate and honored to have worked at Matte
World. I'm proud to have been a MatteWorlder and
I will always be a MatteWorlder in my heart. Best
wishes for the future for you and every one of
your gallant crew. - Paul
I can't tell you how lucky
I feel to have stumbled into MWD almost 15 years
ago. So lucky that you took a chance on me, with
no experience at all. Matte World was my first
"real" job out of college, and the starting point
of my whole career. And what a great place to
start! Surrounded by great talent and great supervision,
I learned the ins and outs of this crazy business
we're all in in a way I would never have been
able to anywhere else. You let me be your sysadmin,
your software developer, your grip, your compositor.
I got to go behind closed doors with you in Hollywood
to see some of the historic matte paintings few
get to see. I got to hold the Emerald City in
my own hands. How cool is that? Matte World will
always have a very special place in my heart.
I do hope we get the opportunity to work together
again soon! - Mike
Hi Craig, I am really sorry
to hear about closing of digital drive. I hope
you are ok, I know must be very hard making this
decision. I am deeply hurt by hearing this news
since you and Matte World had given me the opportunity
to work with legends like you and Chris Evans
which I will treasure all my life. I have learned
so much from all the projects we worked together,
which is priceless. Good work is so difficult
in this industry and I have done my best work
with Matte World. I will never forget that you
took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity
to work on two Oscar-winning projects. I am always
here whenever you need me for any project—anything
small to big thing. I will be constantly looking
out for any talks you give in the future. Thanks
again for everything you have done. You truly
are my mentor. Please Keep in touch - Geeta
Craig, thank you for making
MWD such a unique place to create matte paintings:
something to be proud of. From the "family" style
company to all the practical and miniature shoots
we did, MWD was truly a one of a kind place to
work for. I had an amazing time working with you
Craig, Ken, and all the artists. All the best
and looking forward to hearing from you in the
future. -Eric
Hi Craig, I got the news of
Matte World closing it's doors while I was at
Siggraph. MWD will always have a special place
in my heart. Given the chance to come on as an
intern and work my way up the ladder has always
shown me that hard work pays off. I really do
hope that even though the Digital Drive location
has closed its doors that Matte World will continue
on whether it's sooner or later. I thank you for
giving a student like myself a chance to make
her way into this industry. I will never forget
it. I have faith that this is not the final goodbye.
So with that said, I won't say goodbye, but 'till
we meet again'. Take care of yourself and I'll
see you soon. Best, Daphne
I am still in a bit of shock
and somewhat numb from the news that Matte World
is closing its doors. There has never been a place
like MWD and there will never be another place
like 24 Digital Drive—a place of true innovation
where artists pioneered creative ways of thinking
outside the box, creating beautiful works of art,
exceeding the demands of an ever-evolving industry.
I feel honored and fortunate to have had a chance
to work with you, Craig. Thank you for being so
generous with your time, your mentorship, your
trust, and friendship throughout the years. I
have learned so much working with you and Ken
and every Matte World artist I have had the honor
of collaborating with—an amazing group of
people. Matte World has been, and shall remain,
my extended family. Although this may be the end
of 24 Digital Drive, I look forward to the day
when Matte World reemerges to continue to make
movie-making history. I wish you and Ken the very
best and hope to see you both soon again—maybe
even take a plane for a ride, a couple of "touch
and go's", and some aerial photography ;) Till
then, Stay Great! -Luis
So sorry to hear the news about
MWD. Paul and I were talking about the tremendous
influence you had over the art of matte painting
and our industry. Everyone in the matte department
here was inspired from your presentation at Dreamworks.
Thanks for coming to share with us. Hoping you
will continue to inspire us with all with your
genius and vision Craig. I feel fortunate to have
been mentored by you and everyone at MWD. Here's
to the future. One door closes but new opportunities
arise. - Scott
Really sad to hear 24 Digital
Drive is being shuttered. My time at Matte World
was an especially exciting time in my career.
The work we did on Zodiac and Button
was inspiring because we really got to explore
creatively—whether it was taking a flight
over Sacramento to get the perfect shot, figuring
out how to work around French aviation security
restricted zones, or cutting up cardboard boxes
on the stage to build a model city street. Matte
World had something special that I have not found
at other places, and I am definitely wistful for
those years we worked together. I still clearly
remember hearing a lecture you gave at the Academy
of Art when I was a lab tech there, and getting
inspired to learn more about the history of matte
painting Thanks for giving me an opportunity to
do so much more! - Mike
Just wanted to say first off how much it bums
me out that MWD doors are closing. Even though
I only worked with you on a couple of films, the
atmosphere at the office was a great fit for me.
You treat your artists with respect and put the
creatives first, something that some VFX facilities
forget to do. I am very proud of the work that
we put out, and am very grateful that I got to
work with you guys on two really rad films. I
also truly appreciate the Cinefex love
that Craig gave us on Captain America.
Having my name printed in that trade magazine
really made me proud to get recognition for the
hard work we all put in. - Brian
I'm so sorry to hear that Matte World will be
closing its office!! You guys were the best EVER!!!
I'm sure it will be very soon when you open up
a new location and start doing the fun and amazing
work again. Just remember to keep me in mind when
you do. You know how much I love working with
all of you!! I learned so much from everyone there
and you had so much patience towards me for all
my crazy questions. Thanks for everything for
the past seven years. It was an unforgettable
experience. I am sure there will be more to come
in the future!! Sincerely, Jaymie
I just today heard the news, and my heart skipped
a beat. MWD is where I got a new direction in
my career. I can never thank you enough for the
chance you took on me. I look back on my year
with MWD. What a time of incredible energy, creativity,
insanity, and ultimately, artistry! It still blazes
in my memory like the sun. You have created such
a legacy with MWD. A legacy of images, of talent,
of craftsmanship. I wish you the very best in
your future endeavors. And like so many others,
a part of my heart will be waiting for the day
when I hear about MWD 2.0. - Christopher
Sorry to hear the news on Matte
World. I have to say reading that brought tears
to my eyes. - John
I'm sorry to hear the news.
It’s really an end of an era. The integrity of
your artistic aesthetic, the innovation, the dedication,
and the overall kindhearted vibe of the place
will be missed in the film industry. I personally
have left my heart among the slide archives, glass
paintings and computer work stations. It was always
more than just a job and I'm grateful for all
I learned at Matte World. Endings are beginnings
too, I suppose. An inspirational and creative
workplace, always! - Lisa
I just wanted to extend my
thanks to you and the rest of the crew for allowing
me the honor of working with you on some fantastic
projects. It was such a truly unique privilege
to be able to learn from you and your team. You
have given so many artists wonderful opportunities
and kept the beauty of filmmaking alive in your
methods and I am very proud and humbled by the
opportunities you have given me! I am sorry to
hear about the closing but I wish you great things
in the future!! :) Take care and good luck! -
Mieke
It's devastating to me. MWD
was quite literally the only place I ever worked
that I truly enjoyed, other then my home office.
If I had never worked there, there are so many
things that I wouldn't have been able to do. I
never felt the level of creativity, the amount
of history, the genuine collective understanding
of film, and the camaraderie that I felt at MWD.
It was the shop that I compared all other places
to, and I still do. You guys took me in as a very
green and probably not so professional artist
and taught me so much, both creatively and professionally.
I always had this (sometimes awkward) need to
impress you all. I hope you know it was because
I always saw you all as mentors. I had been reading
Cinefex since I was a kid and knew about
MWD, long before I had even decided to do this
kind of work, and it was a dream for me to work
there. I got way more then just a paycheck working
there, and its sad to think I may not have that
feeling again. I don't want this letter to be
misinterpreted or depressing, so Ill stop now
I'm not sure what else to say, other than Thank
You- Clayton
I heard the news today that
Matte World will be closing its doors. I know
it's been quite some time since the last time
I have seen you but the news saddens me, I never
thought that this would happen, I got my start
at Matte World and to hear that its going to close
its doors is something that is very upsetting.
I hope the best for all of you, if there is anything
I can do to help, please let me know. Take care
and best of luck. - Can
I'm very sorry to hear the news. I'm sure we'll
work together again. Good luck in the future!
Take care, Chris
I'm sorry but at the same time hopeful that MWD
2.0 will launch soon! That could be a new and
exciting beginning! Working with and you has been
a true pleasure and a blessing! I wish you and
your family all the best and continued success.
With much appreciation! - Derek
This is sad news. The thoughts
and sentiments you expressed in the email are
very meaningful to all of us who have made the
work at MWD a big part of our lives. Fortunately
we each have unique talents and experience and
therefore opportunities exist for us to go forward
in yet unseen directions. I hope to keep in touch
with you in particular. It's been an honor and
pleasure to work with you. - Chris
The electricity is off!
The electricity is off! Press 5 to indicate you
have received this message. Okay. Have a nice
day. Goodbye. - phone message from the Matte
World Digital server, upon shutdown
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