LogInFramestore, a creative studio, has spoken about its contribution to Disney's The Little Mermaid, detailing the VFX work on the film.
Image credit: Framestore
Recently, Framestore has shared a full VFX breakdown of the work on The Little Mermaid. Under the direction of Rob Marshall, Framestore delivered more than 550 visual effects shots for Walt Disney Studios' The Little Mermaid. Led by Visual Effects Supervisor Andy Kind, the studios in London, Montreal, and Mumbai came together to create various elements, including Ariel's enchanting underwater kingdom, the merpeople inhabitants (such as Ariel, King Triton, and her sisters), and her loyal companions Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle.
Image credit: Framestore
To create the film's underwater environments, the visual effects team collaborated closely with the Art Department, utilizing virtual camera angles and converting 2D footage into a 3D environment. Working alongside virtual production supervisors from Framestore Pre-Production Services (FPS), they aimed to achieve a visually stunning and unified underwater world. The team faced the challenge of creating diverse 3D coral, which led to the development of procedural tools for the efficient generation and modification of coral shapes.
Lighting the underwater scenes proved to be a significant challenge for the team. Visual Effects Supervisor Andy Kind explains that they had to establish their own laws of physics for lighting in the film's fictional world. Since light wouldn't naturally penetrate the ocean floor, they devised a system to determine how light refracts through the water.
Through meticulous planning and dedicated effort, the visual effects team successfully brought Ariel's kingdom to life. They interpreted design briefs, crafted the underwater aesthetic, and seamlessly integrated various locations within the larger world. From generating coral procedurally to tackling the intricacies of underwater lighting, the team overcame obstacles to create a cohesive and visually captivating underwater environment for the film.
Image credit: Framestore
Image credit: Framestore
Framestore also shared a VFX breakdown on YouTube, detailing how Ariel's friend, Sebastian, was created. Have a look at the video for more details:
Image credit: Framestore
Image credit: Framestore
Image credit: Framestore
The team also shared that Ariel's Grotto draws inspiration from Antelope Canyon, with the team integrating terrain, sand, coral, and underwater foliage to create a unique underwater setting. Despite limited space, the physical set was replicated in 3D, allowing flexibility for camera placement and composition. Dressing the Grotto involved carefully placing props, shells, barnacles, and corals, with controls added for adjustable movement speed.
Collaborating with Framestore's Art Department and Visual Development teams, the team meticulously crafted the setting, utilizing over 600 individual props to bring Ariel's collection to life. The result is an immersive and visually captivating portrayal of her secret space.
Here's the full breakdown shared by Framestore. Also, don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.