Here’s the vfx breakdown for Electric Theatre Collective’s work on Call Of The Kings, a trailer that promotes Riyadh Season’s ‘Six Kings Slam’, a “one-of-its-kind” tennis tournament.
Call Of The Kings features six tennis legends and eight VFX worlds. Developed by BigTime Creative Shop and directed by Los Pérez, Electric Theatre Collective undertook an epic VFX journey across the five-minute film, which follows Riyadh Season’s iconic boxing film earlier this year. The full film can be seen here
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune and Jannick Sinner star, each integrated into a bespoke VFX environment which mirrors their unique skill set. Djokovic, synonymous with mental strength, uses his power to stop a hurtling ball, whilst King-of-clay-courts Nadal shatters a gigantic clay effigy to take his shot. A viking explosion on seriously choppy waters, a near-invisible robot in a sandstorm and an armour-clad roaring bear are other elements of the film, which uses just about every single VFX practice known to man. Legit.
Fire torches, crumbling rocks, exploding waves, parting oceans, creature animation, flaming tennis courts, electric rackets, avalanches (insert breath here) and other FX elements were crafted in Houdini, whilst traditional digital matte painting allowed for set extension and enhancement throughout.
With a host of celebrity talent with tight diaries shot against green screens and set builds, Electric began concepting the scenes from the early stages, gathering photographic references, utilising Midjourney and drafting concept art, whilst considering lighting and camera language and timing in pre-vis. Meanwhile, photogrammetry scans of sand dunes and cliffs helped to cement a huge scale 3D world, allowing for dynamic camera moves which are integral to the flow of the campaign.
Dean Robinson, CG Creative Director, comments: “This job was far bigger and broader than anything Electric has ever dealt with before. The film is almost entirely in post, like a full CG feature or a Marvel film. The project had a tight turnaround due to the players’ schedules, so we eagerly hit the ground running, working with Los Pérez to world-build eight distinct environments, each with its own VFX challenges. The end result is a true homage to visual effects and Electric’s unfaltering crew.”
Held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, ‘Six Kings Slam’ will take place between October 16th and 19th.
Credits:
Riyadh Season
Chairman of GEA: His Excellency Turki Al AlshikVFX & Colour: Electric Theatre Collective
Agency: BigTime Creative Shop
Directors: Los Pérez
BIGTIME CREATIVE SHOP
CEO: Mohamed Sehly
CCO: Rayyan Aoun
Senior Agency Producer: Inas Nagy
Directed by Los Pérez
Co-produced by Truffle Film & Grayskull
TRUFFLE FILM
Executive Producers: Michel Abou Zeid, Cynthia Chammas
Head of Post production: Mary Bou Akl
Senior Producer: Maria AwikaHead of Research: Elissa Massaad
GRAYSKULLExecutive Producers: Dani Monedero & Jesús Álamo
International Executive Producer: Álvaro Priante
Producer: Àgata Bert
DOP: Pau Castejón
Production Designer: Jose Tirado
Costume Designer: Núria Durà
Editor: Ramón Morejón
ELECTRIC THEATRE COLLECTIVE
VFX: Electric Theatre CollectiveCreative Directors: Ryan Knowles, Dean Robinson
CG VFX Supervisors: Dorianne Fibleuil, Matteo La Motta, Gareth Bell, Beck Selmes, Will Medcalf, Jack Powell
2D VFX Supervisors: Scott Ryan, Taran Spear, David Filipe, James Belch, Alberto Pizzocchero, Constantin Von Zitzewitz, Alex Snookes
Animation Director: Fabrice Fiteni
Colourist: Luke Morrison
Executive Producer: Antonia Vlasto
Senior Producer: Joe Billington
Producer: Rosie Corbett
Titles: Electric Studios
Sound Design: 750 MphMusic: 2WEI Music
Jon Creamer
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