Cossette Communications of Toronto came to nearby DKP Effects to do vfx honors for the Bell Sympatico high-speed Internet service spot titled SEE THE TOWN 310 FAST. Cossette was looking to create a world that didnt exist to support the metaphor of the Internet at high-speed, in which stores would be stylized versions of media-rich Websites. Each storefront was designed to be deep into the interactive content, and streets were perfectly clean to represent the DSL broadband service.
This stylized world was created using DKPs vast array of tools 3D buildings, 2D matte paintings, 2D vfx for dust/smoke trail. The actor was shot on greenscreen at the start and end of his spin-tornado effect. This tornado effect was one of the largest vfx challenges of the spot.
For the spin-tornado effect, DKP used Maya 3D animation software. Once the look was developed, the creative team then passed the parameters to the R&D team. They then developed a custom programmed interface to control a group of dynamic simulations. These Maya soft-body dynamics inherited the color (skin, clothes) of the digital stand-in character. To achieve the spin delay, the dynamics used a goal-weighting system to get the lag look for the spinning around the actor. The effects artist could use these controls to tweak the final effect as the final spot creative was honed. The tornado was then rendered out in multiple passes to allow the final composite image extra variations to reveal the actor over the length of the shots. The backgrounds were a series of matte-paintings applied to a 3D set. These sets were then lit and rendered in Houdini 3D software. All the elements were brought together in flame and Jaleo for final composting and effects.
The spot was completed in three weeks, including the shoot done by director/dp Derek VanLint with DKP Effects.
DKP credits include: Terry Dale (online editor), Goran Bukvic, Fardad Faridi (digital painters), Josh Fuller (storyboard artist), Cezar Niculescu, Alex Avelino (modeling), Warren Lawtey (effects director), Daniele Tosti (vortex animation) and Alan Kennedy, Brent Whitmore, Paul Stodolny, Bryan Uren and Allison Gardner (compositing).
DKP Effects Inc., one of Canada's largest 3-D animation, effects and compositing houses, has gained a reputation for excellence in producing high-end digital visual images for feature films (X-MEN), commercials, television series (the upcoming GAME OVER for UPN) and TV movies. For more information, visit www.dkp.com.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
