Visual Effects
Most visual effects in Hollywood movies are done with computer-generated imagery (CGI). It is possible to replace natural life objects and humans with realistic 3D Animation with the help of CGI, which unlocks a new world of possibilities in creating characters, background settings, and special effects in movies. Have you ever wondered how modern blockbusters look so realistic, despite having scenes filmed on a green screen? In the past 20 years, technology has advanced to make animations look almost lifelike. 3D Animation is why you can watch the Avengers movies and feel immersed.
"If you can envision it, we can bring it to life onscreen!"
We push the Creative Envelope
During the pre-production and production stages, a VFX Producer works with a Director to guide how to achieve the desired VFX. Depending on the complexity of the VFX, additional expertise may be needed for the shoot. When necessary, a VFX Supervisor can be on-set with the Director and Cinematographer to oversee live-action shooting and ensure that the shots are satisfactory for the VFX elements to be added in post-production. Our VFX artists push the limits of what is possible creatively and technically at the most competitive costs. We can handle your VFX needs, whether you require a single VFX shot, the complete post-production of your video, composition, Animation, matte painting, cleanups, set extension or environment creation. We cater primarily to the VFX needs of the advertising, entertainment, media industry, gaming and science and technology industries.
We create VFX for Film, TV and Online
Standing at the forefront of this dynamic and visually compelling arena, Visual Effects (VFX) has become more crucial. VFX and compositing have helped businesses successfully entice, engage, and reach their target audience in ways never before imagined. At Orange, we offer professional VFX and compositing services built to suit our clients’ needs. We are experienced in dealing with large resolution plates and can cater to many projects. Our VFX services include particle effects, compositing, colour corrections, digital matte painting, concept designs, shot stabilisation, 3D dynamics, natural phenomena, Computer Generated (CG) animation, rotoscopy, motion tracking, logos, and titles. We deliver spectacular sequences across a spectrum of visual effects. We provide best-in-class service with a team of highly skilled professionals leveraging high-end tools and technologies.
Your Trusted Creative African Ally
At Orange VFX, our team can help with many VFX services such as:
- Compositing– We combine visual elements from different sources to create the illusion that all those elements are a part of the same scene. It involves integrating digital assets / CGI elements with live-action footage, the compositor is the last step in the VFX process, laying together all the various elements to make them appear seamless.
- Keying – Keying is a special compositing effect that happens when we take a part of a video and make it transparent. We can choose this part of the video based on colour, luminance or even a mask. When we choose the video part to be made transparent based on colour, this is known as Chroma Keying.
- Digital Matte Painting (DMP) – We integrate still photography, CGI, and digital paintings that serve as background plates for 3D characters, particle effects, digital sets, and backgrounds to create realistic environments. DMP introduces elements to create a new landscape that you couldn’t shoot or want to enhance.
Let’s Bring Imagination To Life
- Modelling – We create 3D models of props or characters with specialised software
- Animation – We assign movements for objects and characters in 2D or 3D
- Clean Up – The removal of unwanted elements in the frame. These could be objects, people or other items
- Wire removal – A technique used to remove wires usually put in place during filming
- Rotoscoping – The process of cutting out elements from the frame (usually one frame by frame) so that they can be used as a separate entity
- Set Extensions – A skill that often goes hand in hand with Matte Painting, set extension elevates the production value by extending the set beyond what was filmed to make it seem larger
- Beauty/Skin Retouching – Our artists can work on intricate beauty work, whether creating a clearer complexion, removing bags under the eyes or blemishes to enhance the talents’ natural beauty
We Support The VFX Pipeline
If you are looking for a company to tell your story using visual effects (VFX), you can rely on us to do that for you. We will intimately work with you on your vision – characters, creatures, environments, and more! We can help you build the world that you’ve dreamt up. Our post-production team are always happy to answer any questions you may have regarding work at our VFX studio and how you can utilise it in your production.
Compositing
Rotoscoping
Green/Blue Screen Keying
Matchmove
Digital Matte Painting
Object Tracking
Silhouette Splines
Cleanups
2D, Planar, 3D Tracking
Recreate Missing Objects
Rig/Wire/Object Removals
VFX Supervision on Set
What Is The Process?
It all starts with an idea or a brief. We follow a proven production pipeline with a team of up to 30 professionals that set us apart from the competition in Nigeria. From mesmerising moodboards to character design, you are in good hands. Let’s help you visualise it. Below is a summary of the various stages of the production process, from idea to delivery.
CREATIVE DESIGN
This stage is where an idea goes through a process of exploration. We’ll help you flesh out the rest if you can provide at least the basic concept. To establish a creative direction, we will research and gather references (i.e. links, similar videos, or examples). We will develop and review a Creative Treatment and Moodboard. Once you are happy with the Treatment and Moodboards, we will proceed to the Pre-Production stage.
PRE-PRODUCTION
The pre-production stage comes before full-scale production begins. The first step is to develop a script/copy or screenplay. Assets such as concept art, design briefs, storyboards, and animatics are created during this stage to formally define the direction and the overall vision of a project. Sometimes a guide voiceover is recorded and merged with animatics to get a sense of the timing and flow of the project. It is easy and quick to make most changes during the pre-production stage.
PRODUCTION
As the name suggests, this is the stage in the pipeline where full-scale production of digital assets (such as 3D objects/models) are created based on the art that was conceptualised during the pre-production stage while ensuring that it adheres to the established art direction. Some of these assets include characters, props, and environments, and these models are created using several different 3D software such as Maya or Blender. Changes can be costly during the production stage, so it is essential to get the pre-production right. The steps in this stage typically include the following:
- Casting
- Live-action Filming
- Previs/Layout
- Sculpting
- Modelling
- UV, Texturing & Shading
- Rigging
- Record Voiceover
- Animation
- VFX/Simulation
- Lighting & Rendering
POST-PRODUCTION
Post is the final stage in the production pipeline. Compositing involves taking the render images from the previous stage and either tweaking them or combining them with additional pictures or layers to create a more complex, cohesive composition. Motion Graphics may be required, for example, titles, opening montages, captions, and logo reveals. Video editing is the manipulation and arrangement of video shots, and it is used to structure and present all video information into a flow or story.
Colour grading improves the appearance of an image for presentation in different environments on different devices. Sound design is recording, acquiring, manipulating, or generating audio elements to ensure the film or video is memorable. Mixing takes what should already be a precise performance of the creator’s and director’s original idea and brings it as close as possible to the point where everyone can agree that it’s the sound and feel they want. Mastering address the video as a whole to add consistency to its overall feeling, optimising levels through compression and limiting and finalising the track order.
REVIEW/QUALITY ASSURANCE
Here we’ll have a number of reviews from the previs aka Draft/pre-rendered Cut to fully rendered versions, taking in as much feedback as possible from all stakeholders. If stated in your initial brief, we will also help you output for DStv, social media, TV, radio and other formats.
Want to create something beautiful together? Let’s get started!