Undertow

Project overview

A streaming thriller shot largely on an LED volume, with ocean environments authored in real time and finished in post.

Category: Streaming
Year: 2024
Format: Streaming feature
Volume days: 18
Shots: 190
Delivery: UHD Dolby Vision
Services: Virtual Production, Environments, Compositing

01Creative brief

Put the cast on a storm-tossed boat without leaving the stage, with real interactive light on faces and wardrobe.

02The challenge

Ocean environments had to run in real time on the LED wall, react to the camera and survive close inspection in the final grade.

03Approach & execution

We authored optimised Unreal Engine ocean environments, ran virtual scouts to lock lenses and blocking, and supplied operators on every volume day. Post fixes covered moiré, wall seams and extended water beyond the stage.

VFX breakdown

The shots by numbers

Real-time environments7
In-camera final shots64%
Post-enhanced shots68
Delivered asUHD Dolby Vision

Film crew preparing a camera on an indoor set

In detail

Behind the shots

Virtual production moved most creative decisions into prep. Environments were signed off before the shoot, which let the director and DOP frame for the final world rather than a green wall.

Gallery