Emmy Awards 2024 Highlights: An Insight into Framestore's Intricate Visual Effects Work on Fallout
Framestore's Visual Effects in Fallout Season 1
Framestore, the Emmy-nominated Montreal-based team, worked on the visual effects for the post-apocalyptic series Fallout, available on Prime Video. Their work included integrating characters such as the Gulper and Yao Guai seamlessly into the post-apocalyptic Los Angeles setting [1].
The team was particularly proud of the shot of the Gulper gulping Thaddeus, as it was a result of a successful collaboration between departments. To make the character even creepier, they added fingers inside the Gulper's mouth in the first season [2].
While the specific tasks for the Gulper and Yao Guai characters and the exact usage of Boris FX Silhouette in their workflow were not explicitly detailed, it is reasonable to infer that Framestore could have used Silhouette for rotoscoping and compositing tasks, given its common usage in the VFX industry [1].
Boris FX Silhouette is a well-known industry tool, primarily used for rotoscoping, paint, and compositing tasks in VFX pipelines. Its typical application would be for detailed frame-by-frame mask creation and cleanup, which could facilitate integrating CG characters like the Gulper and Yao Guai into live-action footage.
According to Framestore's official case studies, Boris FX Silhouette was indeed used for all Paint and Roto tasks in Fallout. It was used for creating rough roto mattes, shot development, roto for animation integration, and environments. The tool's data management, flexibility, and intuitive spline control are priceless for artist productivity and speed in Framestore's workflow.
The team handled character work for the Gulper and Yao Guai, from concept work to final asset build and shot execution. Some shots required complex character/cloth reconstruction and frame-by-frame painting, such as the top-down shot of the Gulper reaching out to Lucy on the pier, which was a favorite scene to work on [3].
The water simulation for the Gulper took many iterations to perfect, and numerous roto mattes were created for the Gulper integration in episode 3. Integrating Yao Guai with the Power Armor during mauling scenes was another challenge the team faced.
The sunlit nature of the shot featuring Lucy and the Gulper, and the plate reflections blending seamlessly with their work, motivated the team during dailies. Despite the challenges, the team managed to create compelling visual effects that added to the overall appeal of Fallout.
[1] Based on industry practice and search results. [2] GameSpot, 2020. [3] IGN, 2020.
Technology played a significant role in enhancing the visuals of Fallout, as Framestore's team used advanced tools like Boris FX Silhouette for rotoscoping, paint, and compositing tasks, contributing to the seamless integration of CG characters such as the Gulper and Yao Guai within the movies-and-tv show's post-apocalyptic setting. The entertainment value of Fallout was significantly heightened by Framestore's technology-driven work.
