Making the VFX of Wicked: The Defying Gravity Sequence
The Pivotal Moment
Defying Gravity is an iconic song, and its scene in the movie adaptation of Wicked is crucial to the entire film. Getting this right played on the minds of the film’s VFX team at ILM, as well as the filmmakers, including director John M. Chu. In an exclusive interview, VFX supervisor for ILM, Pablo Helman, reveals what it took to make sure Defying Gravity, well… defied expectations.
Building Emerald City
The work began with building Emerald City. "We started with references from production design and usually the way that it works, at least for me, right after the shoot we download everything that production has done as a reference for everything that we do. We start looking at that stuff and we take it from there. So that gave us a language for the movie that we were making," says Pablo.
Cynthia Erivo’s Commitment
Some of what happened next was dictated by lead actress Cynthia Erivo and her commitment to the role. "After that, Cynthia Erivo wanted to do her own (flying) stunts and sing at the same time. That’s really difficult," says Pablo. "In a sequence that has to be made from the vision of the director, we worked on previz for months but because this is also a musical everything is tied to a specific sandbox and the fact that they are singing live opens the sandbox a little bit."
The Challenging Process
The Defying Gravity sequence was one of the most difficult sequences the team worked on. "We had to make someone fly, and we’ve seen it before, so how do we do it differently and how do we allow for that tactile process, that organic process, for Jon and the actors to feel part of what we’re making?" says Pablo.
The Aesthetics and Practical Connection
Pablo defines the aesthetic and practical connection between the Defying Gravity sequence and the larger effort. "There are always editorial needs, meaning that the team needs to move an actor from one place to another, but it may not happen on the shoot because it cannot physically be done. So, all of a sudden, the actor is moving at 700 miles an hour in the CG space. You have to have materials and lighting. At the end of the movie, Elphaba becomes bigger than life: there is an almost religious or spiritual sense to that character."
Creative Questions
Creative questions ensued for Pablo and his collaborators. "How are we going to mitigate her cape growing in the middle of a sequence where she’s flying around and where, physically, through the sequence, the cape is five or six feet long? When we got to that shot, that was when we had to suspend disbelief, right?"
Conclusion
The Defying Gravity sequence is a memorable moment in Wicked, thanks to ILM’s work and the dedication of the entire team. Inspired by ILM’s work? Then read our guide to the best 3D software and the best animation software for an insight into the tools VFX artists use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the most challenging part of the Defying Gravity sequence?
A: Making someone fly and allowing for the tactile process for the actors to feel part of what we’re making.
Q: How did the VFX team approach the sequence?
A: We started with references from production design and worked on previz for months.
Q: What was the goal of the Defying Gravity sequence?
A: To make someone fly and to allow for the tactile process for the actors to feel part of what we’re making.
Q: How did the VFX team overcome the challenges of the sequence?
A: By using a combination of previz, materials, and lighting to create a believable and memorable experience.
