Encore VFX recently handled visual effects for ABC Television‘s new series The Whispers, which premiered earlier this month.
Led by VFX supervisor and creative director Stephan Fleet, Encore artists in Vancouver and Los Angeles completed anywhere from 30-60 VFX shots per episode, including a mix of crucial storytelling visuals and invisible effects work. Encore Vancouver executive producer of VFX Bob Habros oversaw the project locally while Encore Vancouver VFX supervisor James Rorick was on set.
“This project set the bar high from day one, and the production pedigree is outstanding. Not only is the concept exceptional, but it’s also inherently challenging in that an invisible entity is central to the plot. There has been a Herculean effort on all sides to make the show as great as it is, and we’ve created some of our best work to date,” said Fleet.
Encore VFX partnered with fellow Deluxe Creative Services company Method Studios in Vancouver to design otherworldly props and CG scene elements. Production pointed to real world examples, like existing geological formations, and provided loose sketches to guide development. VFX work included everything from oversized fulgurites, a massive power plant explosion and plane crash wreckage, to set extensions and environment work. Encore’s Vancouver and Los Angeles facilities shared shots evenly, with up to 30 artists contributing to complex episodes.
Fleet collaborated closely with show creator Soo Hugh, producer Phillip Hoffman, showrunner Zack Estrin and associate producer Ryan DeGard in finalizing shots. To keep the review process flowing smoothly, a combination of Cospective’s cineSync and Autodesk Shotgun with RV were leveraged. Artist tools used include Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, Pixologic’s ZBrush, The Foundry’s NUKE, Autodesk Flame, Adobe After Effects and SideFX’s Houdini.
