Using previz and techviz in Paddington in Peru
Sylvain Degrotte, VFX Supervisor at Framestore London, shared with us how the team created the visuals for Paddington in Peru. He explained that the team had limited input into the creative choices when it came to previz and techviz, as a lot of the work was done at the storyboard stage by Pablo, Alexis Wajsbrot, Production VFX Supervisor. However, Framestore got to work on the key shots and sequences.
Key to making things work
Key to making things work for Paddington in Peru was the dynamic between location filming, work on-set in London, and compositing elements. Sylvain explains that, “On this movie previz was essential: we were shooting plates in Colombia and plates in London. So the previz and the techviz, in particular, were very important for planning the shoot and for planning work in both locations.”
Previz and techviz in action
Highlighting the set-build on the beach sequence, Sylvain says the team first visited Colombia to get lidar scans. This information was given to techviz, which then went to the prop builder who analyzed it and created the physical build. Then the beach could be inserted digitally into the Colombian plate.
“Previz also helps when you have limited time in a hard-to-access location,” says Sylvain, who explains: “We did previz for the river rapid sequence that was shot in Columbia, because it helps you lock down your sequence, identify the necessary cameras, the speed of the boat and so on.”
Conclusion
Paddington in Peru’s visual effects are beautifully real, often very subtle, and occasionally bamboozling – you’ll rewatch Paddington’s perilous adventure to find Aunt Lucy and wonder, ‘how was that done?’ The use of previz and techviz made recreating jungles in London possible, allowing the team to plan the shoot and work in both locations efficiently. The result is a stunning visual effects experience that immerses the audience in the world of Paddington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is previz and techviz?
A: Previz is a pre-visualization of the shoot, while techviz is the technical visualization of the set. It helps plan the shoot, identify the necessary cameras, and plan the work in both locations.
Q: How did the team use previz and techviz in Paddington in Peru?
A: The team used previz and techviz to plan the shoot, identify the necessary cameras, and plan the work in both locations. They also used it to create the physical build for the beach sequence and to replicate drone motion for the last shot of the Browns on the beach going into the forest.
Q: What are the benefits of using previz and techviz?
A: The benefits of using previz and techviz include planning the shoot, identifying the necessary cameras, planning the work in both locations, and creating a cohesive visual experience. It also helps to replicate drone motion and create a physical build for sets.
Q: What did you think of the film’s visual effects?
A: The visual effects in Paddington in Peru are beautifully real, often very subtle, and occasionally bamboozling – you’ll rewatch Paddington’s perilous adventure to find Aunt Lucy and wonder, ‘how was that done?’
