Animation of Penguin Characters Creation
In the world of visual effects (VFX), the team behind the HBO Max series 'The Penguin' has proven themselves to be true artists and filmmakers, having learned from the best in the industry. This was no easy feat, as the show's VFX had to match the high standards set by the writing, actor performances, and overall story.
The journey of the VFX team began with a humble start. In 2000, the team's lead member started as an intern at Curious Pictures, a local studio. Fast forward to 2023, after watching The Batman in cinemas, the opportunity to work on 'The Penguin' presented itself.
The VFX department, consisting of approximately 12 members, faced numerous challenges. One of the biggest was ensuring that the VFX seamlessly integrated with the show's grounded, realistic storytelling tone. To achieve this, they employed various techniques, such as practical makeup and prosthetics, digital enhancements, and meticulous set design and lighting.
One unique technique used was the employment of flash-guns, which emitted a super bright flash of LED light synced with the camera's rolling shutter, replacing the costly and hard-to-make realistic muzzle flash in VFX gun shots. The flood event in 'The Penguin' was subjectively designed, focusing on the character's vantage point.
The team also collaborated closely with WB Games on the "Gotham Knights" game to create realistic driving scenes for The Penguin. Numerous "driving" scenes using LED walls were filmed at a facility called "Carstage" in NYC, with views from a virtual car driving through the game world of Gotham City from the WB Games' Batman game "Gotham Knights".
Adobe After Effects was a crucial tool, delivering over 300 final VFX shots for 'The Penguin', as well as countless concept and temp VFX shots. Sync Sketch was a backbone of the review process, allowing for interactive notes and annotations on moving footage.
The team constantly evaluated if their work was hindering, detracting, or distracting from the story and characters, and course-corrected as needed. The VFX shots were deemed complete when they were clarifying, enhancing, or elevating the story and characters.
The digital dailies for the flood scenes were crudely textured but accurate to real-world physics, allowing for the natural behavior of the water to be preserved in the editing process. HBO facilitated a meeting between the lead member and showrunner Lauren LeFranc for 'The Penguin' project.
The VFX team's role was not just to do computer graphics, but also to problem-solve for unknown variables that occur during production. Currently, specific details about the unique VFX techniques used in 'The Penguin' are not available. However, given Colin Farrell's transformation into the character, which involved a bald cap, wig, and seven prosthetic pieces, it suggests a strong focus on practical effects to achieve a realistic portrayal of the character.
Principal photography for 'The Penguin' started in March 2023 and concluded in September 2024. A total of 3,107 VFX shots were worked on for the series, with contributions from various vendors. As we await future releases or behind-the-scenes insights, we can only admire the dedication and craftsmanship that went into creating the visual magic we see on our screens.
In the process of creating the visual effects for 'The Penguin', the team utilized cutting-edge technology, including Adobe After Effects, Sync Sketch, and flash-guns, which provided digital muzzle flashes in VFX gun shots. To complement the show's realistic storytelling tone, smartphones and other gadgets were integrated into the VFX, ensuring a cohesive blend of technology and practical effects.
