Varrimovers International,[1] also known simply as VI,[2] is a film production company based in Republic City. It was founded by Iknik Blackstone Varrick as a subsidiary of Varrick Global Industries after he invented the motion picture projector. While Varrimovers International pioneered the world's mover industry, the company began to lag behind rivals after Varrick decided to focus on other projects.[2]
History[]
Varrimovers International's first mover series, The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South, was a great success.
Shortly after the outbreak of the Water Tribe Civil War in 171 AG, Varrick returned to Republic City, where he began to film the first mover developed for public screening, The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South.[3] The mover contained anti-Unalaq propaganda[4] and aimed to sway the collective sentiment of the United Republic in support of the Southern Water Tribe against their northern counterpart.[3] The film garnered favorable responses not only for its riveting action sequences but also among the youth demographic, enjoying substantial popularity.[5] Presented in an episodic format, an elaborate premiere was organized for the final showing of Nuktuk. This event saw the attendance of President Raiko, First Lady Buttercup Raiko, and the Republic City press.[4]
Nevertheless, Varrick's fortune took a downturn when he was arrested for his attempt to kidnap the President and the First Lady, intending to blame it on the Northern Water Tribe.[6] Although he eventually returned to the United Republic and resumed operations at Varrick Global Industries,[7][8] Varrick opted to shift his focus toward alternative projects, leaving the experienced mover executive Hongmei in charge.[2] Amidst rising competition from emerging mover enterprises, Varrimovers International attempted to produce new blockbuster movers. These included titles like It Happened One Harmonic Convergence, Bender: Never Say Bend, and Varrick: The Man, The Myth, The Legend. However, these endeavors ended in failure. The company conducted filming throughout the city, both on location and at various studio facilities, eventually dwindling down to a solitary studio housed in an old warehouse inland of Yue Bay.[2]
Building off the success of the Nuktuk franchise, VI's final attempt to reclaim its former glory manifested in the creation of a new mover titled Sengo: Lady of the Winds, a "spiritual successor" to Nuktuk. This production centered on a female airbender character as the hero. However, financing the mover proved to be an expensive endeavor following a series of prior failures. Determined to remedy the studio's woes with a potential hit, Hongmei allocated the company's entire budget to the new project.[2]
Nevertheless, the progress of Sengo was marred by the interference of the Creeping Crystal Triad. The triad's lieutenant, Amrita, had extended financial assistance to Hongmei in establishing his own mover company prior to joining VI. Recognizing a lucrative opportunity to secure a portion of the profits, Amrita sought a position as an executive producer within the studio, as she was enamored with movers and wanted to become a rich and famous director. Refusing to collaborate with the Creeping Crystals, Hongmei's decision incited the mob to unleash terror upon the production, compelling the executive to yield.[2][9] In response, Bolin enlisted the aid of security personnel including Erdene, Qacha, Thi, Meeka, and Dae to safeguard the production of the mover.[10][11]
Known movers[]
- Bender: Never Say Bend
- It Happened One Harmonic Convergence
- Sengo: Lady of the Winds
- The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South (171 AG)
- Varrick: The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Headquarters[]
Varrimovers International Studio stands as a single warehouse near Yue Bay, albeit situated inland and more distanced from the docks. Before VI repurposed the location, it served as a warehouse strategically positioned for ships to easily unload their cargo and stow it within its confines. The studio's foundation concealed an abundance of dirt and stone, a subterranean resource that the Creeping Crystal Triad harnessed to initiate assaults via the undercity tunnels.[12]
The studio comprises a spacious area where the crew enacted numerous ingenious solutions to partition it effectively, fine-tune the acoustics for wall reflections, and incorporate suitable lighting. The studio gives the impression of organized chaos, brimming with an array of diverse tools and props scattered everywhere, yet the crew adeptly maneuvers through this apparent mess. Props, sets, matte paintings, hot lights, and stunt rigs are found all over the place.[12]
It is situated in proximity to the Sleeping Sloth-Mouse, a "reasonable cheap" hotel often chosen by numerous cast and crew members for their lodgings throughout the production. Despite lacking opulence, the hotel serves its purpose adequately, ensuring accommodations for all occupants. Additionally, a significant portion of the cast and crew frequents the nearby Dancing Dan's Noodles for swift, economical, and satisfactory dining options.[13]
Set[]
Movers are shot within this section of the studio. The backdrops are conveniently positioned and can be raised or lowered according to the production's requirements. A moving backdrop system facilitates dynamic effects, enabling simulations of flight, as well as incorporating systems for fire and wind effects, along with mechanisms for stunt coordination employing pulleys and harnesses. The entire area is bathed in the warmth emitted by the lighting arrangements, while the camera is situated to the side, supported by a brand-new, mobile tripod setup.[12]
Working area[]
An assortment of props, rigs, costumes, and an array of miscellaneous items not currently in use on the set occupies this area. During the production of Sengo, multiple iterations of Sengo's orange bikini and the regal yet ridiculous gowns worn by Imperator Kuvai were arranged neatly on racks. Adjacent, buckets filled with paint designated for both backdrops and Sweetie's flying bison costume are stacked up to one side. A couple of equipped workbenches serve as stations for the ongoing maintenance and repair of cameras. In close proximity, large containers full of film stand alongside a simple editor's table, where a harried editor works to assemble a semblance of coherence from the footage, often employing a pair of sizable scissors for the task.[14]
Part of the crew spends their time in this area, diligently attending to their tasks until they are summoned to transport their preparations to the set. While experts navigate this space with ease, to the uninitiated, it presents itself as a complete chaos.[14]
Animal pen[]
An improvised pen was constructed to accommodate Sweetie, the saber-tooth moose lion animal actor portraying Sengo's sky bison Bim Bim in Sengo: Lady of the Winds. The pen emitted an unappealing odor, prompting certain crew members to continuously direct a fan toward it, in an effort to dissipate the scent through a nearby door and ceiling windows. Nevertheless, the door and windows were regularly shut to prevent unwanted noise and light, inadvertently causing Sweetie's odors to disperse throughout the studio.[14]
Business office[]
In the elevated section toward the rear of the warehouse, Hongmei conducts his business. As challenges posed by the Creeping Crystals emerged during production, he also began using the office as a resting place during nighttime hours.
Initially, the office exuded an air of grandeur and formality, with paintings adorning the walls and gold sculptures gracing side tables. However, in order to maintain the company's financial stability, Hongmei made the decision to part with a considerable number of these art pieces. Hongmei's small desk is covered in paperwork, concealing a small cot positioned at the back, along with a mirror and shaving kit stored within a closet.
A myriad of bills and invoices for the company are scattered throughout the room, offering a glimpse into VI's financial issues.[14]
Notable employees[]
Executives[]
- Hongmei - Executive
- Iknik Blackstone Varrick - Founder
Actors[]
Crew members[]
Trivia[]
- While on Baraz and Ahnah's boat, Varrick started brainstorming a new mover for Varrimovers International called Bolin: Hero of the World, a highly embellished story about Team Avatar's adventures.[1] However, it is unknown whether this story was finally adapted.
- The mover titled It Happened One Harmonic Convergence is a reference to the 1934 film It Happened One Night, while Bender: Never Say Bend references the 2010 film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.