Visual effects are a crucial part of modern Hollywood cinema, and Samuel Malik and Philipp Wolf worked hard on the VFX in the Netflix movie follow-up to the highly-acclaimed Knives Out: Glass Onion. TechRadar Pro sat down with the two men to learn more about their work in bringing the story to life using the power of visual effects and AI, and why their mission statement is “without VFX, these stories couldn’t have been made.”
Samuel Malik started his journey in VFX in 2004, after getting a Diploma in 3D and Compositing. Since then, he has worked on numerous projects and has built an extensive CV. At present, he is the VFX Supervisor at DNEG. Philipp Wolf has also been passionate about learning and has been involved in the VFX industry for over 15 years. As the Executive-In-Charge of Corporate Strategy at DNEG, Philipp is constantly exploring new opportunities in the entertainment industry.
The VFX for the Glass Onion required extensive crafting and consideration. The iconic Glass Onion villa was made to look a lot more realistic than its actual architecture. The team had to consider the index of refraction and transmissions, in order to construct a realistic environment in various scenarios. Furthermore, they had to make sure they combined two different locations – the villa and its beachside atmosphere – into one.
The interior scenes were also challenging. The team had to make sure their work was seamlessly integrated into the film and improved the overall story without drawing too much attention. Additionally, they created all the artwork in the villa and had to keep control of specific elements within those scenes. All this was done while making sure to adhere to the director’s vision.
When it comes to the tech behind the scenes, the team are well-versed in the traditional VFX software, such as Autodesk Maya, SideFX Houdini and Foundry Nuke. AI is becoming increasingly more important in the industry, and both Samuel and Philip recognize its potential. However, they still think it is essential to have human input throughout the whole process.
In general, both Samuel and Philip recognize how important it is to stay creative and understand the environment around them. Therefore, a piece of advice they would give to those entering the industry is to get to know the rules by getting out with a camera and learning the natural lighting, composition and perspectives. Finally, the last bit of advice is not to forget the importance of honest, humble and hungry attitudes. This is the key to keep working in such an exciting industry.
DNEG is a global visual effects, animation and stereo conversion company. It was founded in 1998 in London, has offices in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Mumbai, and Montréal and works on major film, television and advertising projects. Their reputation for excellence, attention to detail and for forward-thinking innovation are just a few of their main strengths.
Samuel Malik is an experienced visual effects professional. His mission is to keep pushing boundaries, creating innovative and eye-catching visuals while always thinking of the storyline. He has worked on various big projects, such as Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Inception and the Dark Knight, and is currently a VFX Supervisor at DNEG, where he works on major film, television and advertising projects.
Philipp Wolf, who also works at DNEG, is the Executive-In-Charge of Corporate Strategy. This role allows him to constantly explore new opportunities in the ever-evolving entertainment industry. With over 15 years of experience, he is an expert in his field and his work has touched upon the likes of The Fast and the Furious, Metropolis, Cinema Paradiso and Finding Neverland.
