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?’

Why you can trust Creative Bloq

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Portable Monitor Review: Acer PD3

Portable monitors come in all sizes, though not shapes, and can range from the extremely cheap to premium models. They’re extremely useful for extending your laptop’s screen space, perhaps when you’re working away or if you just like to keep an uncluttered desk, as they can easily be packed away when not needed. We’ve never seen one like this before though: Acer has paired two panels to create a folding device that triples your screen space, allowing you to have more apps open at the same time and impress those around you too. But can it compete with the best monitors for working from home?

Key Specifications

Design and Build

If you’re familiar with portable monitors, you might expect each panel of the P3 to be about the size of a 15in laptop screen, and a reasonably light, flat thing not too dissimilar to a tablet computer. It’s really not. Each of the P3’s halves is a 18.5in 1080p panel. The thing is massive, and when folded up looks like you’ve bought yourself an 18in gaming laptop.

However, it is nicely made. At 2.33 kg and with a metal frame you’re not going to get any of the flex you might expect from plastic construction, and the stand that folds out from the back keeps it well supported. It’s also possible to fold the screen over backwards so that it enters the ‘tent’ position beloved of 2-in-1 laptops. There are two modes, one that treats it as a single display (known as ‘fill’), and one which shows the same picture on both halves of the screen. If you bend it over backwards it detects this and rotates the top half of the screen, so you could use it to show the same content on both sides at the same time.

Performance

The Acer PD3 costs $449 / £469, only a little more than the Asus ZenScreen OLED MQ13AH – the Asus is an OLED, so comes with excellent brightness and colours, but is also a single panel and only 13.3 inches across. You get a lot more for your money with the PD3, but you might still prefer the way the OLED looks – and it’s much easier to carry with you too.

Who is it for?

• Hybrid workers

Traveller’s are going to probably want something smaller and easier to pop in a bag, perhaps even something with wireless capabilities such as the Asus ZenScreen Go. Those who regularly work out of unusual places, perhaps a regular trip to a photo studio or a hotel with the kind of bags that can take the PD3, will appreciate the extra screen space it provides, but it’s too bulky for cramped spaces such as plane seats.

Scorecard

Buy it if…

• You want an innovative portable screen
• The line down the middle doesn’t bother you
• Bigger is better

Don’t buy it if…

• You want OLED brightness
• You don’t have the room to use it
• A standard desktop screen would do

Also consider…

• Other portable monitors with more compact designs
• Monitors with wireless connectivity
• Monitors with higher brightness levels

Day in the Life of Pete Gibbons, Co-Founder of Formidable

Walk Me Through a Typical Day in Your Role

It’s tricky to define because every day is different, it fluctuates quite a lot due to the nature of the work we do. There’s lots of checking in with the team every day, making sure everyone feels supported and troubleshooting any challenges that come up. And that’s balanced by the fun project stuff, whether that’s working out how we’re going to attack a challenge set by a new brief, or getting into the weeds of a project and working with the team to develop an idea.

What was Your Early Career Like?

I started at the BBC and am a total Nepo kid. I’m much more comfortable with it now, because since realizing this, I’ve done my fair share of helping others along the way that didn’t have the benefits I had.

My dad ran a BBC radio station when we were kids and I’d go with him on the school holidays and really enjoyed it. Then a small junior position on the sports show came up and I went for it and was getting paid about £6 per week. I was 13 and just answering the phones, making teas, helping out wherever I could. I worked my way up from there and instead of going to university, I went and got a job in radio at BBC Manchester and then came to London to work at 5Live, and then the BBC.

I actually bought a pub in 2004; it didn’t go so well, as I enjoyed owning the pub too much and my career started to stall. I had launched a production company and a pub on the same day, and it wasn’t until the pub was gone that the company really took off. That’s when I got into making video content, which was quite late in the day as I was already in my 20s by the time I got there. I didn’t want to make TV because at the time I thought it was boring, so I started making videos for websites in the same year that YouTube launched and ended up migrating towards social and new platforms, versus the more traditional channels. That’s why I say that we’ve been making video for social since before social was a thing.

What Are Your Favourite Tools?

I quite like Canva, which we use a lot for creating presentations, and obviously CapCut. I’m a big advocate for continuing to learn and staying across what the content creators on the street are using. So I’m usually a fan of any new system, tool, or plug-in that pops up and will be on the case with our editors to try it out. We might not end up using it, but it’s great to test and learn with these things. And then the obvious go-to is the whole Adobe Suite, including Premiere and After Effects, I think we’d all be in trouble without them.

What’s One Thing You Wished More People Understood About Your Industry?

People really need to understand how hard everybody works. There was a period where I felt that because I was working in a glamorous industry, I should be happy to have this job and just suck it up and do the hours. But now I’ve gotten a bit older, I’ve gained more perspective.

There are certain roles that require really hard physical work and it can be quite intense, for example on film sets, or places where you’re working for long periods with little downtime for the duration of the shoot. It might not be traditional physical labour, but it’s still extremely full-on and that should be recognised. I sound like a snowflake saying ‘oh it’s hard work’, but it kind of is.

What Do You Think the Industry Needs to Improve?

I think we’re in an era where it’s trying to improve, and overall people are doing a good job. It’s an industry that everyone chooses to be in and it can be glamorous in some ways, but the hours are long and the work can be tough, which is why we work really hard on prioritising a good work-life balance where we can.

It feels like the industry is making headways with representation, it’s been a bit of a men’s playground for a long time and things have certainly improved now, but we can probably still do better. We certainly try and make sure that we give those who don’t necessarily come from a privileged background a chance; we’ve used services like Creative Access to hire people in the past as we’d much rather work with great talent, regardless of their background or gender, but we’re always trying to be better every day.

Conclusion

Pete Gibbons, co-founder of Formidable, shares his insights on his day-to-day life, early career, and what he wishes people understood about his industry. From his humble beginnings at the BBC to his current role at Formidable, Pete has had an interesting journey. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, representation, and prioritizing a good work-life balance.

FAQs

Q: How did you get started in the industry?
A: I started at the BBC and worked my way up from there.

Q: What are your favorite tools?
A: I like Canva and CapCut, and I’m a fan of new systems, tools, and plug-ins.

Q: What do you wish people understood about your industry?
A: I wish people understood how hard everyone works, and that it’s not all glamour.

Q: What do you think the industry needs to improve?
A: I think we need to prioritize a good work-life balance and continue to work on representation.

The Art of Getting Noticed

Hayden Williams has built a career that blends traditional fashion illustration with digital techniques, amassing a following that includes some of the biggest names in entertainment and fashion. His journey, driven by passion, has been shaped by an ability to adapt, connect, and create in ways that have resonated across diverse industries.

The art of getting noticed

For Hayden, inspiration is everywhere, from vintage Hollywood to contemporary pop culture, his art is rooted in a love for fashion, beauty, and storytelling. His ability to capture the essence of a subject, whether a real-life celebrity or a fictional character, has caught the eye of the stars he sees as his muses (a sketch of Margot Robbie led to a Barbie movie premiere and after-party invitation). His illustrations are stylized and lithe, with nods to 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s fashion while feeling very modern.

Building connections and collaborations

Building unexpected yet meaningful connections with celebrities has propelled Hayden into the limelight. He says this has been a surreal experience but also an eye-opening one that reveals "how art can touch people," even when those people are Rihanna – the singer and fashion icon who stumbled upon his Instagram and fell in love with his work.

Discovering the creative potential of Procreate

As his social media following grew, Hayden discovered the creative potential of Procreate, an iPad-based digital painting app. He began to use it to create stunning fashion illustrations that showcased his attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of his subjects.

Paint what you love

Hayden’s success has also meant taking control of both creative and business aspects of his work. He has learned a lot along the way from sketching during class to mixing it up on the Barbie red carpet, and offers some advice for emerging artists navigating the evolving creative industry.

Finding what you’re passionate about is crucial. Once you find what makes you happy, you can turn that into a career. But passion alone isn’t enough. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and resilience in the face of criticism.

Consistency and resilience are key

"Even with all the success I’ve had, my work still gets criticized. People pick it apart. But I create from a pure place, and not everyone will love it – that’s okay. You have to push past that and keep going."

Protecting your work

He also warns about the realities of sharing art online, from copyright infringement to AI-generated imitations. "Make sure you’re protected," he advises. "I’ve had the same legal team for over a decade, dealing with people who steal and sell my work without permission. Not everyone has access to lawyers, but be strategic and careful about showcasing your work."

Conclusion

Hayden Williams’ story is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and perseverance. He has built a successful career by staying true to himself and his art, and continues to inspire others to do the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What inspired your love for fashion illustration?
A: My love for fashion, beauty, and storytelling.

Q: How do you stay creative and inspired?
A: I find inspiration everywhere, from vintage Hollywood to contemporary pop culture.

Q: How do you balance creative and business aspects of your work?
A: I’ve learned to take control of both, staying true to my artistic vision while also being strategic about my business.

Q: What advice would you give to emerging artists?
A: Find what you’re passionate about, and turn that into a career. Consistency and resilience are key, and always be prepared for criticism.

Q: How do you stay ahead of the competition?
A: I stay hungry and passionate, always pushing myself to create new and innovative work.