Wt FX takes us behind the curtain of House of the Dragon Season 2 to reveal the creation of one of Westeros most haunting locationsHarrenhal. Building this iconic ruin wasnt just about scale, but about storytelling through texture, history, and realism.Drawing inspiration from real-life medieval castles, the team crafted a photorealistic digital environment that feels grounded and lived-in. The sprawling design included a modular town layout, hills for army encampments, an island set on a vast lake, and rugged surrounding mountainsall meticulously modeled and textured.The breakdown showcases how Wt FX combined practical references with cutting-edge CG techniques to breathe life into Harrenhals eerie atmosphere. Every stone, shadow, and ruined tower serves the narrative, reinforcing the weight of legacy and decay in the Targaryen saga. Its a masterclass in world-building through visual effects.The post Creating Harrenhal House of the Dragon Season 2 | VFX Breakdown by Wt FX appeared first on Vfxexpress.

In Episode 7 of House of the Dragon Season 2, Wt FX showcases their mastery in effects simulation with sequences that push realism and scale to new heights. One standout moment involves Vermithors fiery reaction at the Dragonmont Gantry, where massive CG dragon fire was seamlessly blended with live-action fire stunt plates. The result is a visually stunning and physically believable burst of dragon fury.Another key challenge was the live-action beach sequence, which required intricate sand interaction to sell the immense weight and presence of the dragon. Wt FX delivered a flawless integration, using custom simulations that responded naturally to Vermithors movementcreating believable footprints, dust displacement, and environmental feedback.These FX simulations are more than spectaclethey ground the dragons in the physical world of Westeros, making them feel like real, living creatures. Its a perfect blend of art, physics, and cinematic storytelling.The post FX Simulations in House of the Dragon Season 2 Wt FX Breakdown appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) invites you behind the scenes of Andor Season 2 to explore the groundbreaking visual effects that brought this gritty Star Wars story to life. With a focus on realism, scale, and immersive world-building, ILM blends practical sets, virtual production, and seamless CG to elevate every frame.From sprawling cityscapes and detailed starships to atmospheric planetary environments, the VFX work in Andor is subtle yet powerfulserving story and character above all. Each element is designed not just for spectacle, but to support the grounded, rebellious tone that sets Andor apart in the Star Wars universe.This For Your Consideration reel showcases ILMs commitment to cinematic innovation, making Andor a strong contender for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie. Its a masterclass in how visual effects can enhance narrative without overshadowing it.The post Behind the Magic The Visual Effects of Andor Season 2 appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Step into the extraordinary with Cinesites latest digital environments reela showcase of cinematic world-building at its finest. From vast frozen tundras to intricately destroyed cityscapes, Cinesites team of artists transforms imagination into photorealistic landscapes that elevate every frame of storytelling.Each environment is meticulously crafted, blending artistry with cutting-edge technology to create immersive, believable settings. Whether its the sweeping beauty of untouched nature or the haunting aftermath of chaos, these digital worlds reflect Cinesites commitment to visual excellence and storytelling precision.This reel is more than a display of VFX skillits a journey through the limitless potential of digital environments. With every project, Cinesite continues to push boundaries, turning vision into reality and redefining whats possible in the world of visual effects.The post Cinesite Environments Reel Crafting Worlds Beyond Imagination appeared first on Vfxexpress.

In Your Friends & Neighbors, the gradual unraveling of a seemingly perfect life takes center stageand visual storytelling plays a critical role. Series creator Jonathan Tropper collaborated with Director and Executive Creative Director John Likens and the team at Method Studios (now part of Framestore) to create a powerful sequence that mirrors the shows core themes: self-destruction, moral decay, and the illusion of control.The VFX breakdown reveals how subtle yet impactful visual enhancements were used to reflect the protagonists crumbling reality. From refined environment changes and atmospheric shifts to symbolic visual motifs, each frame was carefully constructed to intensify the emotional weight of the narrative.This before and after look showcases Framestores ability to use VFX not just for spectacle, but as a storytelling toolenhancing mood, tone, and psychological depth in a way that resonates long after the scene fades.The post Your Friends & Neighbors Before and After VFX by Framestore appeared first on Vfxexpress.

PHANTOM DIGITAL EFFECTS LIMITED SET TO ACQUIRE AWARD-WINNING VFX STUDIOS MILK AND LOLA POSTCHENNAI & LONDON The Acquisition Will Bolster the Groups Existing Brand PortfolioWhich Already Includes PhantomFX, Spectre Post and Tippett Studio.Phantom Digital Effects Limited, the parent company of VFX studios PhantomFX, Spectre Post and Tippett Studio, announced today that it has entered into an agreement in principle to acquireMilkandLola Post, award-winning European visual effects studios specialising in high-end episodic and feature film content.With offices across Europe in London, Barcelona, Bordeaux and Dublin Milk (founded in 2013 by award-winning VFX Supervisors Sara Bennett, Neil Roche and Jean-Claude Deguara) specialises in crafting innovative visual effects for high-end episodic television and feature films, while Lola Post (founded in 2000 by award-winning VFX Supervisor Rob Harvey) focuses on documentary, specialist factual, and original drama.Both studios have received multiple accolades for their work, including:Academy Award for Best Visual Effects(Ex Machina)Four BAFTA TV Craft Awards(Troy: Fall of a City,Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell,Doctor Who)Creative Arts Emmy Award(Sherlock)Following the acquisition, the studios will continue to operate under the Milk and Lola Post names.Chris Burnwill remain Group Managing DirectorSara Bennettas Chief Creative Officer (Milk)Neil Rocheas Deputy Chief Creative Officer (Milk)Jean-Claude Deguaraas Production VFX Supervisor (Milk)Rob Harveyas Creative Director of LolaThe addition of Milk and Lola Post will bolster Phantom Digital Effects Ltds existing brand portfolio and award-winning offering, and continues to cement the Groups position as a global creative partner of choice for the entertainment industry across key markets, including APAC, Europe and North America. It follows several key milestones in the Groups journey, including the addition of Tippett Studio and the launch of Spectre Post in 2024, and the recent establishment of Phantom China earlier this year.Executive QuotesChris Burn, Group Managing Director of Milk and Lola PostWe are excited to join forces with the talented teams at Phantom group. For over a decade, Milk has delivered award-winning VFX, earning a reputation for both creative vision and technical excellence. This year, Lola celebrates its 25th anniversary, a significant milestone that reflects its enduring contribution to the industry and its deep commitment to partnering with filmmakers and showrunners who value collaboration and creative support. This next chapter will allow us to scale our creative ambition, extend our global reach, and continue delivering outstanding VFX to our clients.Ian Unterreiner, Executive Vice President of Phantom Digital Effects Ltd.Milk and Lola Posts strong pedigree of award-winning work, strategic locations across Europe and innovative spirit, further ensures Phantoms global reach in producing the very best work and excellence in customer experience. The advantages this group brings to bear in terms of superior creative, competitive value and overall sustainability are powerful assets in the marketplace.Bejoy Arputharaj, CEO and Founder of Phantom Digital Effects Ltd.Im thrilled to welcome Milk and Lola into the Phantom group. Their proven creative excellence and distinctive storytelling further strengthen our position as a leading force in the industry. This strategic move deepens the integration of our studio ecosystem and reinforces our commitment to supporting filmmakers, content creators and production companies around the world as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality visual storytelling.Current & Upcoming ProjectsThe Mandalorian and Grogu(Tippett Studio Disney)The Toxic Avenger(Tippett Studio Legendary, Cineverse)The Revolutionaries(PhantomFX Prime)The Witcher Season 4(Milk Netflix)Surviving Earth(Milk NBC)Good Omens Season 3(Milk Prime)Ironheart(Tippett Studio Disney+)Heads of State(Milk Prime)Walking with Dinosaurs(Lola Post BBC/PBS)Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force(Tippett Studio & PhantomFX Alibaba Pictures Group)Star Wars: Skeleton Crew(Tippett Studio Disney+)Citadel: Honey Bunny(PhantomFX Prime)Alien: Romulus(Tippett Studio Disney)IC814(PhantomFX Netflix)Scoop(Milk Netflix)The Rig(Lola Post Prime)Meg 2: The Trench(Milk Warner Bros.)About Phantom Digital Effects LimitedPhantom Digital Effects Limited (NSE: PHANTOMFX) is a publicly listed global VFX services provider, operating acrossIndia, the United States, Canada and China.Its current portfolio includesPhantomFX, Spectre Post and Tippett Studio.The company offersendtoend production servicesfor feature films, episodic series, immersive media and advertising, powered byAI tools, real-time pipelines and unmatched creative leadership.About MilkMilk is anOscar, BAFTA, and Emmy Award-winningvisual effects studio founded in 2013 by artists passionate about visual storytelling. With credits includingGood Omens,Fantastic Beasts,The Martian, andThe Witcher, Milk combinescreative ambition with technical expertise.The studios work includes multiple BAFTA Television Craft Awards, an Emmy forSherlock, and an Oscar forEx Machina, awarded to co-founder Sara Bennett the first woman in 20 years to win in the VFX category.About Lola PostLola is aLondon-based VFX studiowith 25 years of experience in high-end television, documentary, specialist factual, and original drama. Founded by Academy Awardwinning VFX SupervisorRob Harvey(Gladiator, The Planets, Britannia), Lola is known for itscreative agility, hands-on approach, and story-driven VFX.The studio specializes in delivering visual effects thatsupport and elevate narratives, from invisible enhancements to photoreal environments and naturalistic FX.The post Phantom Digital Effects Ltd Set to AcquireAward-Winning VFX Studios Milk and Lola Post appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Strategic expansion by Barnstorm VFX tapping into Hyderabads world-class filmmaking, visual effects and technology talent.Los Angeles, California July 30, 2025 Barnstorm VFX, a leading provider of visual effects services for the global entertainment industry, is proud to announce the opening of its newest studio with local partners in Hyderabad, India. This expansion represents a key milestone in the companys global growth strategy and deepens its commitment to deliver high-quality creative solutions at scale. Known for its rich pool of artistic and technical talent, Hyderabad is fast emerging as a global destination for high-end visual effects and animation work.The timing is perfect for a move into India, said Cory Jamieson, CEO of Barnstorm VFX. Our Hyderabad studio will support our existing projects in the western hemisphere, and bring our quality and expertise to the dynamic and growing Indian market. There is strong talent available as the industry continues its recovery and were excited to see Hyderabad continue its rise as a hitmaker in pan-Indian and global markets.The Hyderabad team will collaborate closely with Barnstorms headquarters in Los Angeles and other international offices to ensure seamless integration and delivery. The new studio also marks a strategic partnership with local leadership and creative communities, reinforcing Barnstorms belief in co-building with regional talent and infrastructure.India continues to be a powerhouse for creative and technical talent, said Sid Maganti, Head of Studio, Hyderabad. Were building a team that will help shape the future of visual effects.Barnstorm is actively hiring across departments in its Hyderabad location, includingcompositing, CG, pipeline, production,and more. Interested applicants are encouraged to visitwww.barnstormvfx.comfor more information.About Barnstorm VFXBarnstorm VFX is a world-class VFX studio, known for delivering boundary-pushing content to some of the worlds most prestigious projects (Deadpool and Wolverine, Untamed, One Piece, Fantastic Four, Ted Lasso). With a growing global presence and a deep commitment to creativity and craft, Barnstorm VFX continues to shape the future of storytelling through innovation and artistry.The post Barnstorm VFX Expands Global Footprint with New Studio in Hyderabad, India appeared first on Vfxexpress.

From Bucky Barnes iconic arm to explosive stunt sequences, Base FX delivered 190 jaw-dropping VFX shots for Marvel Studios Thunderbolts.This film combined practical stunts, cutting-edge CGI, and an in-camera first approach to ground the action in realism from Buckys motorcycle chase to Voids haunting shadow spread over New York.Base FX worked on key street-level set extensions and emotional sequences, bringing realism and cinematic weight to grounded action.The post Thunderbolts VFX Breakdown Done by Base FX appeared first on Vfxexpress.

London & Paris One of Us, the Emmy- and BAFTA-winning visual effects studio with a reputation for exceptional quality and a design-led approach to film and episodic work, is thrilled to announce the opening of a new studio in Bangalore, India, in September. This expansion marks a significant step in the studios evolution as a global company.India has long been recognised as an essential partner for visual effects. Bangalore, in particular, is a hub of innovation and international collaboration, making it an ideal environment for fostering the next chapter ofOne of Us.Establishing a presence in Bangalore enhancesOne of Usability to respond to evolving project demands, while continuing to uphold the creative standards and culture that define the studio.Our Bangalore studio will be a fully integrated extension of our global team, not just in name, but in creative ethos and ambition, saidRachael Penfold, CEO atOne of Us. The artists joining us bring impressive experience and energy, and many have worked on high-calibre productions across the industry. Were excited about the creativity theyll bring.Opening in Bangalore is a strategic step in our global growth, saidBalakrishnan R., Executive Chairman of the holding company. Were building on a strong foundation and investing in a city known for its talent and innovation. This milestone reflects our broader vision, deepening our international reach and expanding our capabilities with the support of Bangalores dynamic creative landscape.Recruitment for the Bangalore studio is now underway. For more information on current openings, visitwww.weacceptyou.com/careers.The post One of Us Expands Globally with New Studio Opening in Bangalore, India appeared first on Vfxexpress.

New Breakdown Showcases Digital Doubles, FX, Environments and Complex Compositing WorkPRAGUE, Czech Republic VES Award-winning studioPFXhas released the official VFX breakdown forLocked, a claustrophobic thriller starringAnthony HopkinsandBill Skarsgrd.The newly released video showcases how PFX teams across three countries delivered the project in just four monthscovering everything from digital doubles and CG environments to complex green screen and glass compositing.Watch the full VFX breakdown here:Massive Undertaking: 750 VFX ShotsIn total, we worked on around 750 shots, which came out to about 45.75 minutesroughly half of all the shots in the film, saysTomas Srovnal, VFX Producer and Partner at PFX. Altogether, 60 artists worked on the film, along with 3 supervisors, 4 team leads, 3 coordinators, and 3 production staff.Produced byHighland Film Groupand executive producerPetr Jkl,Lockedpresented unique challenges as the story unfolds entirely inside a high-tech SUV, where a young carjacker becomes trapped and tormented by a remote antagonist.For directorDavid Yarovesky(Nightbooks, Brightburn), the goal was to maintain intensity and visual engagement despite the single-location setup.Shooting Inside the Car with Maximum FlexibilityTo achieve dynamic camera movement inside a tight space, the SUV was built as amodular, fully disassemblable set, allowing multiple RED cameras to move freely around the actors.This flexibility came with major VFX demands: nearly every interior shot required compositing to replace green screens, merge takes, or remove crew and equipment reflections from glass surfaces.Using3DEqualizerfor full 3D camera and object tracking, PFX recreated the car interiors and exteriors withLiDAR scans, digital doubles, and procedural environments in Houdini.Maintaining realistic reflections, consistent lighting, and seamless backgrounds were key challenges throughout production.A Multi-Studio Pipeline Across EuropePFX completed the project using their proprietary production toolCrossbow, which enabled collaboration across studios inPrague, Bratislava, and Warsaw. Crossbow allowed complex shots to be split into smaller tasks, tracked in real-time, and efficiently managed across teams.Over the four-month timeline, PFX delivered:750 VFX shotsacross the runtimeFull CG environments based on360 plates and LiDAR dataDigital doublesfor actors and vehiclesComplexrain, lighting FX, broken glass, and bullet hit compositingExtensivereflection cleanupand artificial reflection generationDigital enhancements forfire, gunplay, and near-crash scenesLocked Finds Global SuccessLockedhas quickly found an international audience, recently becoming the#1 global streaming movie on Hulu, underscoring its popularity and the impact of PFXs work on the films visual storytelling.About PFXPFXis a full-service post-production studio with over 350 artists operating across theCzech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. For more than a decade, the studio has provided world-class services in film, TV, animation, and commercials.PFX also assists productions with tax incentives in its operating regions, enhancing project viability. The studios credits includeNapoleon,Stranger Things, andThe Last Whale Singer, as well as commercials forIntel, Pepsi, and Red Bull F1.The post PFX Unveils VFX Breakdown for Anthony Hopkins ThrillerLocked appeared first on Vfxexpress.