Making Wicked’s Frightening Flying Monkeys
When it comes to Wicked, the flying monkeys are one of the scariest elements of the film. Pablo Helman, VFX supervisor at ILM, shares the process of bringing these terrifying creatures to life.
Designing the Monkeys
To create the flying monkeys, the team at ILM started by researching the original book "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire, as well as the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz". They also drew inspiration from real-life primates, such as capuchin and rhesus macaques, to create a more realistic and menacing appearance.
In-Set Performance and Reference
To capture the movements and behavior of the flying monkeys, ILM created an animal unit consisting of 15 people who would interact with the actors on set. This allowed the VFX team to capture reference footage of the actors reacting to the monkeys, which was then used to inform the VFX.
CG Animals
To create the CG animals, ILM used a combination of techniques, including keyframe animation and motion capture. The team worked closely with director Jon M. Chu to ensure that the monkeys’ movements and behavior were consistent with the tone and style of the film.
Distinguishing Chistery from the Crowd
To make Chistery, the leader of the flying monkeys, stand out from the crowd, the team used a combination of design and performance. Chistery has a distinctive beard and a different colored iris, which sets him apart from the other monkeys.
Conclusion
The flying monkeys in Wicked are a testament to the power of innovative VFX and collaboration between performers, directors, and VFX artists. By blending research, reference, and creativity, the team at ILM was able to bring these terrifying creatures to life in a way that is both believable and terrifying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did the team at ILM approach designing the flying monkeys?
A: We started by researching the original book "Wicked" and the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz", as well as real-life primates, to create a more realistic and menacing appearance.
Q: How did you capture the movements and behavior of the flying monkeys?
A: We created an animal unit consisting of 15 people who would interact with the actors on set, allowing us to capture reference footage of the actors reacting to the monkeys, which we then used to inform the VFX.
Q: How did you distinguish Chistery from the crowd?
A: We used a combination of design and performance to make Chistery stand out from the crowd. He has a distinctive beard and a different colored iris, which sets him apart from the other monkeys.
