The studio delivered over 200 visual effects shots on the Apple TV film, starring Matthew McConaughey, inspired by real events of the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest US wildfire in the last century.
Leading VFX studio Cinesite has shared with AWN and VFXWorld a VFX breakdown reel of their recent work on the Apple TV drama, The Lost Bus. Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film is inspired by the real events of the 2018 Camp Fire, the US’s deadliest wildfire in the last century. It tells the story of a determined father Kevin (Matthew McConaughey) who risks everything to rescue dedicated teacher Mary (America Ferrera) and her students.
Cinesite delivered over 200 visual effects shots, led by in-house Senior VFX Supervisor Max Dennison. Their work spanned swirling embers that dance through the air as well as thick, rolling smoke that cloaks the screen in tension in the face of the incredibly destructive and traffic disaster.
One key aspect of Cinesite’s visual effects involved recreating the fire’s huge smoke plumes, which stretched hundreds of miles across Northern California, from a range of distances and perspectives.
Noting director Paul Greengrass wanted the smoke to feel “aggressive,” to play the essential role of enhancing the sense of danger and menace throughout the action, Max explained, “Low resolution simulations were created and composited into shots quite aggressively, art directed to make sure we hit the director’s note from an early stage. A sepia, toxic look was given to the smoke, fringed with browns and acidic oranges. It’s like a threatening monster on the horizon throughout the film, so getting the aesthetic language right from an early stage was very important.”
Enjoy the reel, then head over to Cinesite’s case study for more detailed information.
Source: Cinesite
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
