netflix- the witcher 2 DOOH
By The Network and Mr Positive Tokyo approached us to be part of their global promotion for the second series of Netflix’s The Witcher. The whole campaign focused on making a big impact with digital out of home displays in iconic locations. Our location was the Parc Paragon outside the Siam Center in Bangkok, Thailand, which attracts more than 250,000 visitors per day.
Each of the 4 screen clusters around the Parc Paragon is a completely different shape and the clusters are different distances apart, so the first challenge was crafting a compelling piece that would work as a whole when the viewer could see all 4 clusters, but would also work in isolation.
Once the concept of the Myriapod’s journey was approved, we began by building the layout of the square Maya and also in Unreal, so we could review files using the Virtual Reality headset. We created screen test files using grids, colours and a block animation of the path the creature would take to determine whether the 3D layout we had would display correctly from the ideal viewing point and to identify any problem areas. This testing process was ongoing throughout the project and provided invaluable feedback before delivering the final versions.
The Process
Concept a sequence that takes advantage of real-world position of the five screens and their proximity to each other.
Create storyboards and animatic for timing.
Building the Parc Paragon in Unreal Engine to determine the ideal viewing position and review in real-world scale with the Vive 360 headset.
Create screens in Maya and position cameras.
Mapping screens in 3D and create a 2D compositing setup in AfterEffects.
Test setups on actual screens on location.
Myriapod look development and rigging.
Design, model, texture architectural elements.
Animation.
Fabric tears and glass cracking simulations.
Motion graphics of key artwork, logos and screen glitches.
Final screen tests on location.
Light and render.
Final composite of all elements across all screens.
The team
VFX by SQUEAK in partnership with Mr+ Positive
Founder/CEO Mr+Positive: Peter Grasse
Animation Director/VFX Supervisor: Ian Anderson
Lead 3D Artist: Rob Conn
Texturing: Nathan Rule
Motion Graphics: Bruno Ribeiro Profeta
FX: Rob Conn, Cam Wright and Brad Coomber
Lighting: Cam Wright and Isaac Savor
Compositing: Ben Ying
VFX Producer: Sarah Burton
