Invertek’s Southern distributor, EMR Silverthorn, was recently approached by the special effects team at Warner Brothers who needed to source motors and drives for use in a new blockbuster film which wrapped up filming at the Leavesden studios near Watford last month.

EMR supplied seven 18.5KW Optidrive P2 drives and geared brake motors which were used to control the space craft bomb doors and travelling towers in different scenes. The drives allowed the same motors to be used for both high and low speed winch type applications. The SFX team was assisted by technical staff from Invertek to achieve the stunning visual effects demanded by this high-action thriller.

‘All You Need Is Kill’, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, is based on a Japanese sci-fi novel about a soldier fighting a war with aliens. In a similar vein to Groundhog Day, the soldier keeps repeating the final day before his death and gradually learns how to defeat his enemy. The film uses fantastical, futuristic imagery teamed with stunning visual effects which ensure viewers experience an action packed adventure from start to finish.

EMR’s Managing Director, Chris Fletcher, said, “Our business brings us into contact with a range of industries and it’s always interesting to see the different applications that motors and drives are used in. Being asked to supply and commission products for use in a major Hollywood production was a bit different to the usual enquiries we receive although we have built a reputation for a few years in the Special Effects industry and many contacts ask for our assistance with motors and drives applications.”

EMR has previously supplied products used in a number of blockbusters including the Harry Potter movies, Black Hawk Down, War Horse and many of the Bond movies. 

Chris continues, “We’ve worked with Warner Brothers on various occasions previously so the team knew it was in safe hands when it ordered from us. We’re looking forward to seeing the finished result on the big screen!”

All You Need is Kill is due to be released in the UK in summer 2014.