The visual effects studio’s team handled multiple digital matte paintings of snowy environment landscapes, added additional snow, provided screen replacements, and created the opening sequence with a fully CG TRAAM building, in just 4 weeks, on the HBO Max film.
London and Montréal based VFX studio Union has shared its VFX work on the HBO Original film which follows a group of billionaire friends who get together during an international crisis.Written, directed, and executive produced by seven-time Emmy winner and Oscar-nominated Jesse Armstrong (), the film stars Steve Carell as Randall, Jason Schwartzman as Souper (Hugo Van Yalk), Cory Michael Smith as Venis, and Ramy Youssef as Jeff.
Union was asked in February 2025 to provide VFX for the film, starting work two months later and delivering in May, a short 16 days before it premiered on HBO and HBO Max.Timing was the critical challenge on the project, which required an incredibly quick turnaround of just four weeks. “The VFX work involved multiple digital matte paintings of snowy environment landscapes, additional snow, screen replacements and the opening sequence, consisting of a fully CG TRAAM building,” explained Union executive producer & co-founder Tim Caplan.
“Completing this work within a four-week post schedule was very ambitious, but we had full confidence working with co-producer Katy Bishop and post-production supervisor Robert Platt-Higgins, as we have successfully collaborated with them on previous projects.” Close communication with on-set VFX supervisor David Van Dyke during the Utah shoot was essential. While the shoot was underway in Utah, the London Union team provided previs/layouts for the big opening TRAAM shots. The streamlined process allowed Armstrong and cinematographer Marcel Zyskind to visualize and get a sense of scale ahead of shooting.“We had to do things differently, such as work together to identify ‘safe’ locked shots that we could get cracking on while the shoot was underway,” said VFX producer Tallulah Baker.“The picture wasn’t locked until a week before delivery, so we were constantly on top of the ongoing changes and what those meant for the VFX.
Flexibility and collaboration were vital for the success of this ambitious but very rewarding project.We had to work closely with the creative team to ensure the edit and VFX were in complete harmony. Everyone was invested in finding solutions together to make sure we got there.”
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
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