Millennial effects.(Warner Bros.'s new movie 'The Fountain' using graphics technology)

Warner Bros.' live-action/science-fiction film The Fountain, directed by Darren Aronofsky, explores the themes of life, love, death, and rebirth during a 1000-year time frame, as one man struggles to save the woman he loves.

The movie stretches across three time periods during the span of a millennium, beginning in 16th-century Spain, where conquistador Tomas (Hugh Jackman) commences his search for the legendary Fountain of Youth. As modern-day scientist Tommy Creo, he struggles to find a cure for the cancer that is killing his wife. Traveling through deep space as a 26th-century astronaut, Tom begins to grasp the mysteries that have consumed him in his epic journey through time.

To help re-create these diverse settings, Aronofsky called upon Look Effects, which was brought aboard the project while it was still in the early stages of development. The studio's mission was to help the director define parameters for achieving his artistic vision without the overuse of computer graphics--technology that the director is not particularly fond of. As part of the initial design team, Look Effects conducted extensive research and development into the most effective means for toning down the use of CG through the creation of practical yet stunning visual effects.

"Aronosfsky was clear on what he wanted and his intent to greatly minimize the use of computer graphics," says Henrik Fett, visual effects supervisor on The Fountain.

To this end, ...