Feature Film VFX
Twisters
Industrial Light & Magic
Twisters was an exciting and challenging project. ILM was tasked with a night tornado, only visible through lightning flashes and destroying some major set pieces. ILM’s work included a complete CG build and destruction of a rodeo in Oklahoma, destruction of a CG Motel and its sign, and complex FX simulations and renders of a category 4 wedge tornado. A comprehensive study of real tornadoes was undertaken to achieve the lifelike FX simulations. Additional aftermath debris was strewn about and detailed atmospheric work was seamlessly integrated into the live-action plates.
Production filmed plates for many shots in the sequence however, in the end most shots ended up being fully CG are the team honed in on the director’s vision.. Over 60 elements of debris, FX winds and dust, volumetric clouds, CG lightning, animated planks of wood, and cloth sims for banners and flags were all a part of the maelstrom created.
Most challenging was a “oner” shot of over 2700 frames that had 6 plates stitched together to create one seamless, single camera look. Many layers of FX were added, including the closest view of our tornado as it sweeps up the motel clerk into its dark depths. Over 20 artists worked on this shot alone.
CREW
Bill Georgiou, Ben Pickering, Damian Temporale, Sanjeeta Banerjee, Dan Kripac, Dan Breckwoldt, Chris Ung