The studio created 309 VFX shots on Netflix’s live-action adaption, a faithful homage to the popular Nickelodeon animated classic, now streaming.
Visual effects studio, Image Engine shared a VFX breakdown for its work on the live-action adaptation of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, which captures the essence of the popular Nickelodeon animated classic. The studio’s role involved the creation of 309 VFX shots to bring Aang’s quest to life, mastering the four elemental powers to save a world at war.
Beginning in the first scene of the series, viewers experience the world of bending, brought to life primarily by Image Engine. Translating the iconic “earthbending” from animation to live-action presented the VFX team with unique challenges. Image Engine’s effects, seamlessly integrated with the live-action performance.
VFX supervisor Thomas Schelesny said, “Our involvement spanned a diverse array of shots, often necessitating the development of various FX simulations, presenting us with a distinctive challenge.”
He went on to explain that of the utmost importance was, “...creating an homage, faithful to the original series.”
“Our approach included a thorough immersion in the animated source material,” added Schelesny. “This involved watching the entire series multiple times to grasp its essence. We also delved into various visual resources to gain insights into the nuances of ‘bending’ and how it could be realistically interpreted in a live-action context.”
Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender: Breakdown Reel
Visit Image Engine here to see a detailed account of the team’s work in “Avatar: The Last Airbender Case Study.”
Source: Image Engine
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
