Interview with Jamie Barty, the VFX Supervisor at FuseFX
FuseFX Delivers Emmy-Nominated VFX for Snowpiercer's "A Beacon For Us All"
In the face of a high volume of work and limited resources during the pandemic, FuseFX rose to the challenge and delivered outstanding visual effects for Snowpiercer Season 03. Their efforts have been recognised with an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Visual Effects Single Episode.
The compositing team at FuseFX was provided with a variety of mattes to seamlessly integrate characters, the train, and CG environments. These mattes included individual roto for characters, spill suppression for different train interior areas, and mattes for different types of ice around windows. A significant portion of the show is filmed on a soundstage with a lot of bluescreen, which FuseFX expertly transformed into snowscapes and vistas.
The sequence set at dusk in the episode titled "A Beacon For Us All" was particularly noteworthy. The peaceful and beautiful sequence came together well, showcasing FuseFX's skill in creating intricate VFX sequences.
Key VFX Scenes and Techniques by FuseFX:
- Rotoscoping and Matte Creation (Silhouette): FuseFX used the Silhouette tool primarily for detailed rotoscoping tasks. This involved isolating characters and elements from the background for compositing, clean-up, and integration of CGI elements. Silhouette’s powerful paint and roto tools helped create precise mattes, essential for seamless layering in the snowbound, high-contrast environment of Snowpiercer.
- Planar Tracking and Object Removal (Mocha Pro): Mocha Pro was instrumental for planar tracking, which enabled FuseFX to track surfaces and objects in 3D space with high accuracy. This allowed for insertion or removal of elements on moving surfaces within the train and the external environments. For example, Mocha Pro’s tracking facilitated the stabilization and tracking of shots where multiple layers needed integration, such as adding digital set extensions or removing unwanted rigging and equipment from the frame.
- Integration of Digital Effects Within Live Action Shots: FuseFX combined rotoscoped plates with digital snow effects, environmental enhancements, and subtle CGI elements to maintain the show’s gritty yet hyper-real look. The tracking data from Mocha Pro ensured these digital additions moved perfectly with the camera and actors, preserving realism.
Jamie Barty, VFX Supervisor at FuseFX, is a first-time Emmy nominee for this work. She mentioned that the team at FuseFX puts 100% into every single shot for every show they work on. One of her favourite scenes was the first-class carriage tour of the Egyptian Pyramids in Episode 309, which offered an opportunity to inject colour into the show's post-apocalyptic world.
FuseFX also worked on a few other "bits and bobs" for Snowpiercer, and Sean Bean and Jennifer Connelly appeared in Snowpiercer, Season 3 - Episode 10. The team's efficiency was crucial in completing the required work on schedule, on budget, and to an Emmy-nominated standard.
The compositing team at FuseFX, utilizing tools like Silhouette for detailed rotoscoping and Mocha Pro for planar tracking, employ artificial-intelligence technologies to create seamless VFX integrations between characters, the train, CG environments, and live-action shots, showcasing their skill in technology-driven visual effects.
In a sequence set at dusk in the episode titled "A Beacon For Us All", FuseFX's advanced artificial-intelligence techniques brought together intricate VFX sequences, demonstrating their ability to manipulate technology for artistic purposes, earning them an Emmy nomination.
