Unexpected Visual Voyage: The Artistry of 'The Sea Beast'
Exploring the Visual Mastery in a Tale of Fire, Water, and Whispered Adventures
I know what you are thinking…
The Apple Vision Pro came out this week.
I’ve been super interested and writing articles about that, so the topic for this week is clear….
The 2022 Netflix/Sony Picture Imageworks film The Sea Beast!!!!
(Apple Vision Pro app reviews for 3D Artists can wait a week)
I was watching this film with my kids and was floored by the lighting and look of the first few shots. As in I let out an audible “OOOOHHHHHH” that my wife probably thought was for the kids’ benefit but was involuntary.
Note:
No spoilers, I promise.
The Fire
The film begins with a striking scene: a boy adrift in the water, with a fiercely burning ship in the background. The most noticeable aspect is the vivid color contrast. On one hand, there's the intense red of the ship engulfed in flames, resembling a fiery explosion. On the other, there's the slightly less dire but still precarious situation of the boy, floating alone in the vast sea. This contrast between the two scenarios is immediately eye-catching and sets a dramatic tone for the scene.
Typically, films use contrasts to depict opposing forces like joy and sorrow, or good and evil. However, this film presents a different kind of contrast: a juxtaposition between terrible and even more terrible circumstances. The fiery red part of the scene symbolizes certain death, while the eerie green light surrounding the boy, which drains the warmth from his skin, represents another form of danger. It's fascinating how these contrasting colors work together to create complementary, yet distinctly unsettling moods.
The green color makes zero sense. It's not typically what one would expect in a nighttime setting. It's rare to see such a strong green tint in the night sky, except maybe during phenomena like the Northern Lights, and even then, it's not as intense. This choice steps outside the boundaries of realism, leaning into a more theatrical presentation. Despite its departure from reality, the effect is so well-executed that it captivates the audience rather than detracts. This theatricality is further amplified when the boy dives underwater, and the contrasting red glow from the fire disappears.
Speaking of that sweet, sweet red glow…there's a common challenge that emerging artists face with overly bright elements. Often, they increase the brightness of light sources, like fire, to an extent that it just hits pure white and feels flat. However, in this scene, the glow of the fire is handled masterfully. The way the fog and floating embers are illuminated gives the impression that the air itself is alight, effectively conveying the heat and intensity of the flames. This approach adds a realistic and immersive quality to the scene, showcasing a skilled use of lighting.
The scene is skillfully crafted to show depth and light falloff, creating a dark area between the boy and the fire. This visual cue indicates that the boy is not in immediate danger of being burned by the ship. If he were closer to the fire, or in its direct path, we would see a red rim light on him, suggesting the fire's proximity. Additionally, the glowing fog, a hallmark of intense heat, would encroach into the foreground, further implying imminent danger. The absence of these elements cleverly communicates the boy's relative safety despite the chaotic backdrop.
The portrayal of water and fluid dynamics in the scene is exceptionally realistic and advanced. These simulations not only achieve a high level of visual authenticity but also play a crucial role in establishing the mood of the scene. The water's appearance and movement contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere, enhancing the storytelling with their detailed and lifelike quality.
Inside the Orphanage
The scene transitions to the interior of an orphanage, where we are introduced to another main character. This sequence, though brief, is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of a nighttime interior setting. Each shot is thoughtfully composed, combining elements of lighting, framing, and atmosphere to create a vivid and immersive experience. Let's delve into the details of this well-executed sequence.
Similar to the first sequence, this scene inside the orphanage also features a compelling combination of two distinct light colors. The artists have skillfully balanced warm candlelight with the cool tones of the night sky. In most shots, the warm candlelight serves as the key light, illuminating the main focus areas, while the cooler moonlight recedes into the background. This interplay of warm and cool lighting not only directs the audience's attention firmly onto the main character but also creates a clear visual distinction within the environment. Furthermore, this lighting technique effectively shapes the character, transitioning from warm to cool hues, thereby enhancing the visual depth and texture of the scene.Speaking of creating visual shaping…
Great care has been taken to ensure every object in each shot is engaging and visually appealing. There's no trace of dullness or monotony; every element within the frame captivates the viewer. Take, for instance, the detailed shots of the book the character is reading. The gold lettering on the cover glimmers, drawing attention to the title, which the artists intended to be the focal point. The book's spine shows an effective gradient from light to dark, adding depth and interest.
Additionally, the pages of the book are subtly illuminated with a lighting vignette, guiding the viewer's focus to the illustration while maintaining the gradient effect. The attention to detail extends to the depiction of the character's fingers in each shot, where a beautiful transition from light to dark is evident, adding realism and depth to the images.
The subtle incorporation of specular highlights in the scene is remarkable. The candlelight, being a small light source, allows the artists more leeway to create precise and tight specular highlights, and they utilize this to great effect. In the shot described, notice the delicate shimmer on the painted concrete wall and the wood surfaces. These highlights add a layer of realism and texture to the scene. Even more impressive is how the shadowed side of the character's face receives just the right amount of reflective light. This careful balance adds dimension and shape to her face without compromising the integrity of the shadow, maintaining the essential dark values. This nuanced use of lighting enhances the overall visual quality of the scene.
If you want to know more about lighting dark-skinned characters, check out this article:
The overall ambiance of the environment is characterized by a soft, warm glow that effectively conveys a sense of a cozy and inviting home. This warm lighting creates an atmosphere of comfort and compassion, which is central to the setting of the orphanage. Although the character harbors a desire for adventure, leading to her eventual departure, the warmth and nurturing feel of the space are unmistakably communicated through the gentle and inviting lighting. This contrast between the character's longing for adventure and the comforting environment she leaves behind is subtly yet powerfully portrayed through the use of lighting.
The Escape
This particular sequence, though consisting of just a few shots, is masterfully executed to convey the story with remarkable clarity. It employs clever visual solutions to communicate the narrative effectively. Each shot is thoughtfully crafted, utilizing strategic lighting, framing, and visual cues to ensure that the audience understands the unfolding events, despite the sequence's brevity. This demonstrates the filmmakers' skill in visual storytelling, where every element is purposefully designed to enhance the narrative impact.
This first shot is a nearly impossible task. How do you read the performance of a tiny character that’s only taking up about 18 pixels against this massive set piece at nighttime? The ingenious solution is the addition of a thick layer of fog just behind where the character is running. This strategic placement allows the character to stand out as the darkest element in the image. The contrast created by the elevated brightness of the fog against the character's silhouette effectively draws the audience's attention to the right spot. This visual technique skillfully highlights the character's actions, clearly conveying the sense of escape to the viewers.
In the final shot we will look at, the positioning of shadows is masterful. The scene depicts the character leaving the comfort of her known home to venture into the dark, uncertain outside world. The strategic placement of shadows in this shot conveys this transition from safety to the unknown and guides the viewer's gaze precisely where it needs to be. This thoughtful use of light and shadow effectively communicates the character's emotional and physical journey, directing the audience's attention to the scene's key elements.
Conclusion
In summary, the film is undoubtedly beautiful, but it's the initial sequences that stand out as a masterclass in visual storytelling. These early scenes demonstrate exceptional skill in quickly engaging and drawing the audience into the story. While I may not know the specific artists responsible for each aspect of the film, it's evident that it was a collaborative effort of great talent. My appreciation for this work is immense. I'd metaphorically tip my hat to the team behind this artistic achievement. Or better yet…a gif of a man twice named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive, Brad Pitt tipping his hat to you from Legend of the Fall.
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Hello! Michael Tanzillo here. I am the Head of Technical Artists with the Substance 3D Growth team at Adobe. Previously, I was a Senior Artist on animated films at Blue Sky Studios/Disney with credits including three Ice Age movies, two Rios, Peanuts, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and Epic.
In addition to his work as an artist, I am the Co-Author of the book Lighting for Animation: The Visual Art of Storytelling and the Co-Founder of The Academy of Animated Art, an online school that has helped hundreds of artists around the world begin careers in Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Imaging. I also created The3DArtist.Community and this newsletter.
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