Shadow and Bone's Spectacular Rotoscoping by Scanline VFX Honored at the Emmys 2023
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In the realm of high-end visual effects, Scanline VFX has once again proven its prowess with its work on the second season of Netflix's Shadow and Bone. The studio's dedication and expertise have not gone unnoticed, as they have been nominated for an Emmy for their stunning visual effects.
At the helm of Scanline's efforts in North America was Charan Mapatuna, serving as the Head of Roto/Paint for the project. His team, including Rotopaint Lead Rachel Ulicny, was instrumental in bringing the series' fantastical elements to life.
One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the creation of The Fold, a magical fog teeming with monsters and lightning. The Fold's sheer scale and interaction with the surrounding geography presented a unique set of challenges for the team.
To tackle these challenges, Scanline's FX team, led by Yahnis Ventura, worked tirelessly to represent the destruction of the Fold by Alina in the finale and an earlier attempt by Alina to destroy the Fold while flying through it on an airship.
The design and construction of the Ravkan countryside and the First Army Fortress castle were also part of Scanline's work on Shadow and Bone. Adam Balentine, the VFX Supervisor, was particularly proud of the team's ability to keep fantastical effects grounded in reality, as seen in the depiction of the towering Fold, Alina's magic, and digital environments.
In the realm of rotoscoping, paint, and compositing, Scanline's team used Boris FX Silhouette extensively. This powerful tool was crucial in the paintout of sailing wires in certain shots, particularly those with hybrid CGI and plate usage. Additionally, the team's work on Shadow and Bone included a significant amount of roto for depth separation during FX interactions.
Rachel Ulicny, the Rotopaint Lead, found most of the ship shots to be her favourite, noting their complexity and the final output's beauty. Charan Mapatuna's team used Silhouette for roto work on a wide range of shots, including complex ship shots with long frame ranges and changing perspectives.
However, without explicit confirmation from the sources, the exact scope of Boris FX Silhouette’s role for Scanline VFX in Shadow and Bone remains unconfirmed. For definitive details, one may refer to production notes, official VFX facility case studies, or Boris FX’s own published client spotlights.
Despite not being asked to express pride about a specific aspect of their work outside of the challenges mentioned, Adam Balentine expressed a sense of pride in the team's ability to bring such a fantastical world to life in a grounded and believable manner.
The Emmy-nominated work of Scanline VFX and their team on Shadow and Bone is a testament to their skill and dedication in the field of visual effects. As we eagerly await the next season, we can only imagine the incredible feats they will accomplish.
Data-and-cloud-computing solutions were likely utilized by Scanline VFX to collaborate seamlessly on the project and manage their extensive visual effects work for Netflix's Shadow and Bone, demonstrating the role of technology in the entertainment industry. Furthermore, during downtime from visual effects work, team members might delve into movies-and-tv shows for relaxation and inspiration, underlining the interconnectedness of technology, entertainment, and their respective realms.
