Oscars 2024 Spotlight: Framestore Discusses their Work on Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3
In the vibrant and visually stunning world of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 3, the VFX work by Framestore and their collaborators has been lauded for its intricate detail and seamless integration of CG elements with live-action footage. The film's VFX Supervisors, Stephane Nazé and Alexis Wajsbrot, along with their teams, have been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
One of the most notable scenes, according to Nazé, is the opening shot of Rocket walking through Knowhere. Known for its length and the amount of detail it showcases, this sequence required meticulous work from the VFX team. To achieve this, they used Boris FX Silhouette and Mocha Pro, tools widely employed in high-end VFX for rotoscoping, paint, and compositing tasks. These tools enabled the artists to isolate characters or objects frame-by-frame, integrating CG elements and cleaning up practical footage with precision.
The team also demonstrated their creativity in the emotive portrayal of the baby raccoon's eyes during this scene. By simulating specific emotions, such as rising water levels in their eyes, they managed to convey the raccoon's feelings effectively.
Another challenging aspect was the stampede sequence, which required the development of internal tools to optimise the loading of 600 running animals. Interestingly, instead of using crowd simulation tools, the team opted for a hand animation system, resulting in a more detailed and personalised approach. This labour-intensive process took around 75 days of roto in each shot.
Nazé was responsible for creating Cosmo, the telepathic Soviet space dog, while Wajsbrot oversaw the poignant backstory of Rocket. The initial concern about Cosmo's photorealism was addressed by Framestore's Montreal team, impressing both James Gunn and Marvel Studios' VFX Supervisor Stephane Ceretti.
The film's second shot, featuring Rocket walking through Knowhere, was rebuilt by Framestore's team due to its destruction in Avengers: Infinity War. This scene, a favourite of Nazé, showcases various characters and details, making it a visually striking introduction to the film.
The team's collaboration extended beyond VFX, as they worked closely with animation, CG, and compositing teams to create a harmonious blend of actors' performances, animatic looks, and lighting. This careful balance was crucial in making the CG characters and environments work together effectively.
Over 800 people worked on Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 3 across Framestore's London, Montreal, Mumbai, and Vancouver locations. The film's second shot, featuring Rocket walking through Knowhere, is a testament to their collective efforts, showcasing the intricate detail and seamless integration of CG elements that Framestore is known for.
[1] https://www.framestore.com/work/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3/ [2] https://www.borisfx.com/products/silhouette/ [3] https://www.borisfx.com/products/mocha/ [4] https://www.framestore.com/work/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3/ [5] https://www.framestore.com/work/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3/
Movies-and-TV have showcased the entertainment value of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 3, with Framestore's visual effects work being a significant contributing factor. Their innovative use of tools like Boris FX Silhouette and Mocha Pro has enabled meticulous rotoscoping, paint, and compositing tasks, ensuring a seamless blend of CG elements and live-action footage in films and television.
The VFX team's hard work and creativity are evident in scenes such as the opening shot of Rocket walking through Knowhere, where they employed various advanced techniques to achieve intricate detail and emotive effects, ultimately enhancing entertainment value.
