Feature Film Sequence
Heads of State
Lola Post
The most complex sequence was the film’s opening, which takes place during Spain’s famous La Tomatina festival, a real-world event where thousands of participants gather to throw tomatoes at each other in a chaotic, city-wide food fight. Due to filming restrictions, real tomatoes could not be used on the ground or in the air, so Milk was tasked with creating highly realistic CG tomatoes that appear in nearly every shot of the sequence. The sequence involved a large number of actors running and interacting, which created substantial tracking and roto challenges. Creative direction played a major role in shaping the final look, with extensive notes on the colour, consistency, and wetness of the tomatoes. Particular attention was paid to whether they appeared more chunky or watery, and how they interacted with both surfaces and performers. Milk’s artists had to stay flexible to accommodate notes on every variation of tomato splatter and surface interaction, all while maintaining photorealism under the scene’s chaotic conditions. In addition to the tomato work, the sequence also featured muzzle flashes, FX destruction, CG crowds, and a heavy amount of stunt interaction, all contributing to the intensity of the scene.
CREW
Milk VFX Supervisor David Sadler-Coppard and VFX Producer Jasmine Ford–Elgoodhounds)