VFX Highlights in Little Women at the 2020 Oscars
In the heart of Massachusetts, Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel Little Women was brought to life. At the helm of the film's visual effects (VFX) was Brian Drewes, a former environmental science and sustainable agriculture student who found his calling in the world of VFX after learning to use an Oxberry Animation Stand.
For this period drama, the VFX team, led by Boston-based Zero VFX, faced the challenge of creating seamless, invisible visual effects that would not draw attention away from the story. The team handled various shots in the film, including the ice-skating sequence and the Paris Promenade, where they had to reimagine location details and add period-appropriate elements.
The ice in the ice-skating sequence was designed to have a distinctly darker vibe, more authentic to early winter pond ice in New England. To achieve this, Zero VFX used a platform low to the waterline, covered with plexiglass and black felt, to simulate ice for the actors. The skates used in the sequence were designed with little rollers channeled into the skate blade, making it easier for actors to learn how to "skate" without battling with real ice skates.
The VFX team also had to deal with the challenge of creating interactive ice, broken ice chunks, water, and some face replacements for the ice-skating sequence. They were excited about the integration of machine learning (ML) within their pipeline and advised a company called comixify.ai, which is exploring revolutionary territory in this field.
Collaborating with Greta Gerwig on Little Women was an enjoyable experience for Brian Drewes. Gerwig trusted the VFX team to lead when necessary and hang back when not needed. The film's ice-skating sequence was shot on location, with 90% of the shots being digital.
Another challenge the VFX team faced was in the Paris Promenade, where they had to reimagine many location details and add period-appropriate elements such as sculpted box hedges, fountains, period gas lights, period buildings, and remove an asphalt walkway.
As the VFX industry prepares to integrate real-time technology into their production pipeline, Zero VFX relies on core tools like Boris FX Sapphire, Mocha Pro, Silhouette, and Continuum to create their magic. Despite the challenges, the team delivered a visually stunning film that transports viewers to the 19th century, all while remaining faithful to the original story.
The VFX team, led by Zero VFX, integrated machine learning within their pipeline for the ice-skating sequence, advising comixify.ai, a company pioneering revolution in this field.
In the creation of the Paris Promenade, the VFX team used various tools like Boris FX Sapphire, Mocha Pro, Silhouette, and Continuum to add period-appropriate details and remove modern elements, such as an asphalt walkway.
