PostWorks, New York’s EVP of Technology Joe Beirne’s long history of collaborating with Academy Award winning filmmaker Michael Moore recently added a new chapter, when Beirne and his PostWorks’ colleagues completed the Digital Intermediate (DI) for Moore’s latest feature documentary, “SiCKO.”

First released in the U.S. on June 22, “SiCKO” is already the fourth highest grossing documentary in history, as well as being one of the most talked about films of the year. “SiCKO” was produced by Dog Eat Dog Films and The Weinstein Company, and is being distributed by Lionsgate.

Beirne first met Moore during a “Bowling For Columbine” screening at the Telluride Film Festival, and has served since then as the technical supervisor on Moore’s feature projects.
Additionally, PostWorks’ EVP Joe Caterini was the supervising sound editor on “Bowling For Columbine.”

“As a Michael Moore film veteran, I regard ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ as a true singularity in both the political and documentary universes, but ‘SiCKO’ in some ways surpasses ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ in its ambitions,” Beirne explained. “Michael holds himself to a very high standard, and this film challenged us on almost every level; technically, logistically and creatively. We at Postworks are proud to have been part of ‘SiCKO’ and are thrilled for Michael and The Weinstein Company on its broad success.”

Working with various cinematographers, writer, director and producer Moore captured much of the film’s original source footage on HDCam using Sony’s HDW-F900 24p camera, while also using stock and archival footage from a variety of sources, including film as well as HD footage in both PAL and NTSC standards. After providing processing and cross- converting to archival footage, PostWorks’ Ben Murray conformed the film using one of the company’s four Avid DS Nitris systems. Colorist Scot Olive then performed digital color-correction using Pogle.

When you consider how complicated the conform for SiCKO turned out to be – there were over 3,500 events, hundreds of tapes of source material ranging from every possible format, moving graphics, subtitles, multiple languages – it is safe to say that we were fortunate to have Ben Murray as our editor,” said Jennifer Latham, the project’s line producer.
“He has the knowledge and proficiency to produce results of the highest technical standard combined with that elusive quality of being able to perform gracefully under pressure.

“Scot Olive did a fantastic job on the film as well,” Latham added. “He had the unenviable job of making all the footage flow seamlessly together in the color correct.”

Looking ahead, Beirne and his PostWorks colleagues are also supporting Moore’s upcoming documentary projects, “Captain Mike Across America” and “Michael Moore: Live in London.”

More information on “SiCKO” is available online at www.sicko-themovie.com .

About PostWorks, New York and Orbit Digital
Since its founding in 1995, PostWorks, New York has emerged as the region’s most comprehensive digital motion picture and HD post-production facility, employing a world-class team of artists, engineers and producers to serve its clients. In 2006, PostWorks merged with Orbit Digital, a leading global provider of mobile post production systems and support services, to broaden its collaboration with the feature film and television communities from locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Together, PostWorks and Orbit offer one complete source for every post-production requirement, including film processing, telecine/scanning, non-linear editorial and HD picture finishing, digital intermediate and film recording, as well as comprehensive sound services. The company’s clients include Academy Award-winning filmmakers, cutting-edge independents and virtually every major film studio and broadcaster. For more information, please call 212-894-4000, or visit www.pwny.com.