Stunts, special effects and digital effects combined for this incredible Wicked moment. An excerpt from befores & afters magazine.Wicked ends in spectacular fashion as Elphaba learns how to fly a broomstick and defies the Wizards guards in order to fly off west from the Emerald City. These flying momentsachieved with bluescreen wire work and digital visual effectsinvolved significant collaboration between stunts, special effects and visual effects.Special effects worked closely with stunts to design and make custom flying equipment for this sequence, outlines special effects supervisor Paul Corbould. We made a self-levelling broomstick motion control rollercoaster to fly Ariana and Cynthia around the Wizards chamber. The path that they needed to follow was very specific, requiring a camera to move around them during the shot. This would have been challenging to achieve safely using other methods.Since Cynthia Erivo would be live singing, Corbould also helped facilitate something dubbed Silent Wind, where air was blown onto the actors to add to the sense of flying, but the motorized fans ducted away from the set and piped in. The purpose of Silent Wind was to aid in the live recording of the vocals with as little set noise as possible.Earlier, previs (both The Third Floor and Framestore Pre-Production Services delivered previs for the film, with FPS also crafting postvis) drew upon storyboards to explore how the broomstick flying would look and how it could be achieved. We then moved on to having miniature models built by Nathan Crowley, says visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman. We gave Jon a little stick with a little Elphaba at the end of the stick. We recorded those sessions in which Jon would just make the move for Elphaba by playing the music from his iPhone, and then he would choreograph the whole thing together with choreographer Christopher Scott.By doing that, notes Helman, we were able to see how we were going to wire Cynthia there, as it was important that Cynthia wanted to do all her own stunts. The one thing that we couldnt have there was the cape. Because of the wires and because of the center of gravity where she needed to move, we couldnt have the cape, which had to be put in via visual effects. A lot of her body was replaced, but we always kept the face and the acting. Sometimes the hat was replaced because it needed to move.issue #26 WickedErivo was filmed against bluescreen and against a balcony set with wire rigs and a tuning fork. This all provided a foundation for Elphabas ultimate flying performance and movement. Due to the physical limitations of the stage-based shots, realizing the overall scope and speed the director wanted for the scene, multiple VFX techniques were then used by ILM to augment the footage, including shot stitches with animated blends to extend selects, digital double takeovers and transitions, and also fully animated wide shots. The sequence was handled by VFX supervisor Anthony Smith at ILM Sydney.We designed dynamic moments using fully animated beats to extend the filmed performance in shots, with live to digital transitions disguised by camera movements, flourishes and the characters cape, explains Shirk. Extending filmed action was complicated due to the strict time rules imposed by the song and in many cases aided by designing action across cuts to ease any continuity issues. Match animation to the original wire and rig-based footage ensured the integrity of Cynthias performance choices while allowing simulation of the effects of speed and wind on the characters costume, adding freer secondary movement physics for the increased speed as well as minor timing adjustments to action and changes to the camera and interactive lighting.Elphabas cape proved to be almost its own character, with very specific direction given for its performance, including making it especially extended as a homage to what happens in the stage musical. The dramatic shaping often required manual posing of major shapes, working in tandem with simulation, says Shirk. Establishing creative trust was critical to the success of shots featuring the extended mega-cape as the team would often compose frames and animate the character in specific ways to drive interesting shapes for the cape that would follow later in the production process.For Helman and the entire visual effects team on Wicked, Defying Gravity represented a key aspect of the filma highly photorealistic and emotional moment in this fairytale story. I think the reason it feels so realistic, says Helman, is because Cynthia is mitigating all the forces of gravity doing those stunts while shes really singing. We thought, if we combine her movement and her face and the fact that shes singing live with a cape, then thats what its supposed to do in a very heroic way. Read the full VFX of Wicked issue of befores & afters magazine.The post The making of Defying Gravity appeared first on befores & afters.

The 2024 campaign for Roller Das Galaktische Jubilum is a creative marvel brought to life by a talented team of collaborators. Merging imaginative storytelling with groundbreaking visual effects, this project is directed by Claas Ortmann. Das Rund produced the campaign, while service production fell into the hands of Family Film, thus fluidly executing every stage in its usual magnanimity.This campaign was largely shot and manipulated at FrameBreed Studio, a company specializing in 3D animation and VFX. Their flair for animation and highly complex VFX design have enabled a galactic theme to give way to an effectively engaging storyline.Working with the respected Leo Burnett agency, the campaign captures the energy and excitement of Rollers jubilee celebration, combining creative vision with flawless execution. It goes to testify that collaboration and innovation, which can be used in storytelling, are powerful in modern advertising.The post Making OfRoller Das Galaktische Jubilum Campaign appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Red9 played an important role in creating Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with outstanding rigging work that helped breathe life into these otherwise beloved characters. All character rigs for the film were created by the studio-from body and facial rigs to specialized ball rigs and digital doubles-and allowed the motion to be incredibly smooth and allow even the most forceful actions of Sonic, Shadow, Knuckles, and all the other legendary stars to produce beautiful animations and keep the movies energetic visual appeal.Working under Jeff Fowlers direction and the Production VFX Supervisor Ged Wright, Red9 contributed a lot in delivering the action as well as the emotional depth of the franchise to the film. Innovative rigging solutions by the studio further expanded the scope of animation in delivering electrifying visuals.Red9s involvement speaks volumes about their reputation for technical excellence and creativity in the VFX industry, making Sonic the Hedgehog 3 a thrilling experience for audiences around the world.The post Red9 Rigging Breakdown: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Dezeen Showroom: a roomy sofa with a wraparound backrest and long, lozenge-shaped seat is among seven new products featured on Dezeen Showroom.Nebulone sofa by E-ggs for MiniformsItalian brandMiniforms and design studioE-ggs have added a broad sofa to the Nebula furniture collection.The Nebulone sofa shares the rest of the collection's rounded corners and teardrop-shaped arms and is spacious enough for solo relaxation and hosting alike.Nebulone was recently featured on Dezeen Showroom alongside a foldable wooden high chair for design-savvy parents and earthy terracotta tiles that are handmade by craftspeople in Morocco.Read on to see more of the latest products:Terra tile collection by Mosaic FactoryTile manufacturer Mosaic Factory has released a series of handmade terracotta tiles that have an earthy aesthetic.Tiles in the Terra collection have slightly irregular surfaces and edges that are hallmarks of their handmade nature, which makes each one unique.Find out more about Terra Wannabe textile by DesigntexA trio of pinstriped, embossed patterns feature in American brand Designtex's new Wannabe range of wallcoverings.All made from felt containing 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles, the fabrics come in a selection of vibrant or neutral colourways.Find out more about Wannabe Wool fabric by Burel FactoryTraditional processes are employed in the preparation of this wool-based material by Portuguese brandBurel Factory.The highly durable Wool fabric comes in a variety of three-dimensional designs that serve a range of purposes while providing enhanced acoustic and thermal regulation in interiors.Find out more about Wool Rakino dining furniture by Tim Rundle for MorganA dining chair and a table have been added to designerTim Rundle's furniture collection for furniture brand Morgan.Pieces in the Rakino dining furniture range share smoothly carved wooden frames that are available in beech, oak, ash or walnut timbers.Find out more about Rakino Arena outdoor furniture by Sren Rose for Gandia BlascoDesigner Sren Rose collaborated with Spanish brandGandia Blasco on a range of outdoor lounge furniture comprising tables and seating.Arena outdoor furniture is made from powder-coated aluminium, a material selected for its timeless aesthetic and durability against the elements.Find out more about Arena Click and Fold high chair by CybexSoft, rounded components made from beech timber combine to form this space-saving, foldaway yet sculptural high chair by German design brand Cybex.The Click and Fold high chair aims to promote functional children's furniture to the same league as other design-conscious furniture, without compromising convenience, sturdiness or adaptability.Find out more about Click and Fold Dezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Nebulone sofa by Miniforms among seven new products on Dezeen Showroom appeared first on Dezeen.

Heritage design gets a modern refresh.

From cel animation to stop motion and 3D, the best animation styles can captivate audiences.

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