Local Hero
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2006
- Employees
- 1-10
- Offices
- 1
About Local Hero
REAL by FAKE’s Santa Monica studio is a full-service post-production and visual effects facility formerly known as Local Hero and Local Hero Post. Founded in 2006, the boutique developed its business around digital intermediate color grading, visual effects and digital cinema mastering for feature films and television. Following its acquisition in 2018, it continued operating from Santa Monica under the REAL by FAKE brand as the group’s Los Angeles hub.
The studio supports projects from early technical planning through final delivery. Pre-production work includes VFX supervision, camera testing, technical consultation and workflow design. During production, its dailies services encompass color grading, audio synchronization and transcode management, connecting footage acquisition with editorial and finishing requirements.
Finishing and visual effects
Its post-production capabilities span offline editorial, conform, DI color timing and grading, audio post-production, quality control and archiving. Delivery work includes 4K and UHD HDR mastering, Dolby Vision finishing and digital cinema packages. Visual effects capabilities include 2D compositing, matte painting, CG particle work, 3D depth tracking and rig removal, alongside invisible effects that support a production’s setting and continuity.
The former Local Hero business also developed experience in virtual reality finishing and file-based digital cinema workflows. Its historical work combined imaging technology with practical delivery requirements for independent features and episodic productions, building a substantial body of DI credits during its years of independent operation.
Production experience
The supplied research attributes work on Mr. Robot, Captain Fantastic, Pitch Perfect, Standing Ovation and the scripted VR series Invisible to Local Hero or Local Hero Post. Following integration into REAL by FAKE, the Santa Monica facility contributed to productions including The Morning Show, Sharp Objects and Black Summer.
Today, the studio operates within REAL by FAKE’s international production pipeline, linking its California finishing and VFX work with the wider group. Its markets include feature films, episodic television and streaming productions, commercials, music videos and immersive media.
More about Local Hero
Founding and leadership history
- Leandro Marini co-founded Local Hero Post and worked as its head of imaging and senior colorist. These are historical roles; the research does not establish a current executive appointment.
- Following the acquisition, former Local Hero CEO Steve Bannerman moved into executive leadership at REAL by FAKE.
Production technology
- Historical workflows used ASSIMILATE SCRATCH, DaVinci Resolve, RED Digital Cinema cameras, Bluefish444 4K capture solutions and Silverdraft supercomputing systems for demanding imaging and finishing work.
- The Santa Monica facility includes a 25-foot-screen DI theater with Dolby-certified 7.1 surround sound. Its Dolby Vision-certified HDR grading suites use Sony BVM-X300 and Eizo ColorEdge monitors.
- A creative.space case study documents the studio’s use of the platform to handle 4K HDR productions.
Acquisition financing
Export Development Canada backed REAL by FAKE’s acquisition of Local Hero Post, completed in May 2018, as part of the parent company’s establishment of a permanent Southern California production hub.
Notable credits
11 creditsOffices
Where Local Hero is based
- 1631 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USASanta Monica, California, United States
REAL by FAKE – Los Angeles / Santa Monica Studio
Former Local Hero Post facility, retained and expanded as REAL by FAKE’s primary Los Angeles hub.
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