REAL by FAKE

REAL by FAKE is an independent visual effects, digital intermediate and full-service post-production studio serving feature films, television and streaming series, commercials, and music videos. Founded in Montreal in 1997 by roboticist and visual effects supervisor Marc Côté, the company developed from its early operations as FAKE Studio and FAKE Digital Entertainment into an international business with a presence in Canada, California and Mexico.

The studio specializes in invisible visual effects: digital work designed to support a scene without drawing attention to the techniques behind it. Its capabilities include photorealistic environment extensions, seamless compositing, crowd replication, matte painting and historical recreations. These techniques support dramatic storytelling through changes to locations, environments and backgrounds that remain integrated with photographed footage.

From planning to final delivery

REAL by FAKE offers an integrated workflow spanning creative preparation, production support and finishing. Pre-production services include previews, concept design and technical workflow engineering, alongside on-set visual effects supervision. Post-production encompasses dailies management, offline editing, 2D and 3D visual effects, digital intermediate color grading, audio post-production, mastering, delivery and archival. Its finishing capabilities include 4K Dolby Vision HDR grading and mastering. The company also participates in development and co-production for television and independent features.

The studio's work includes a sustained collaboration with filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée across productions such as C.R.A.Z.Y., Dallas Buyers Club, Wild, Demolition and Big Little Lies. Other projects include Sharp Objects, Black Summer and The Morning Show. For The Morning Show, its visual effects work included transforming Los Angeles locations into New York streetscapes and creating photorealistic wildfires.

In 2018, REAL by FAKE acquired Santa Monica post-production boutique Local Hero Post, establishing its California branch as REAL by FAKE LA. Its international production model connects visual effects and finishing capabilities across its facilities, supporting projects that require coordinated editorial, image creation, color and sound services through final delivery.