| Machine were entrusted to build over 60 of the magical shots, in the VFX filled fantasy world “Stardust”, such as the build of a CG unicorn horn, compositing a sequence shot underwater, intense weather enhancements, and a number of green-screen composites that include a rider-less carriage of an evil witch, played by Michelle Pfeifer.
Many of Machine’s shots involved a unicorn ridden through the woods by Claire Dane’s character Yvaine. Using 3D package Maya and Renderman, Machine’s artists built a photorealistic horn to be tracked to the horses head.
In what has proved to be one of the most visually creative scenes in the film, the character Septimus gradually begins to drown mid-air after his voodoo doll is dropped viciously into a pool of water. Filmed in an underwater tank, this sequence involved the precise and laborious removal of hundreds of tell-tale bubbles and any floatation or safety devices. In order that all the elements in the scene would work together visually as a whole, the team had to match-grade perfectly to the indoor setting into which Septimus would be placed.
|
