This year’s Emmy category for outstanding visual effects in a series or movie is set to be one of the most epic and competitive in recent memory. Five contenders from iconic sci-fi properties are vying for the prestigious award. Among the nominees is season one of HBO’s House of the Dragon, the highly anticipated prequel series to Game of Thrones. During its run, Game of Thrones received six VFX Emmys, making House of the Dragon a strong contender. Another nominee is the third season of Disney+’s Star Wars spinoff The Mandalorian, which won VFX Emmys for its previous two seasons in 2020 and 2021. Last year, another series set in the Star Wars universe, The Book of Boba Fett, took home the award.
House of the Dragon, also nominated for best drama series, delves into the reign of House Targaryen and features multiple sequences with the fantastical creatures that the series is known for. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, a Prime Video series set thousands of years before J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, is another nominee. It has already won the Visual Effects Society’s top TV prize for VFX in a photoreal episode, making it a strong contender for the Emmy as well.
Joining these established series are two newcomers: Andor, a Star Wars prequel that follows Rebel Cassian Andor, and HBO’s The Last of Us, a post-apocalyptic drama based on the popular video game of the same name. The Last of Us, which features over 3,000 VFX shots, aimed to do as much as possible in camera and enhance it with effects. The production team worked closely with various departments to create a dystopian world ravaged by a pandemic. From the details of how the vines would grow to the destruction of buildings, everything had to feel real.
For The Last of Us, collaboration with the prosthetics team was crucial in creating the infected humans, particularly the advanced stage “bloaters.” The VFX team scanned and re-created the prosthetic suit, working with Weta to redesign it and bring it to life. Andor, on the other hand, presented its own challenges with unique environments set on different planets. One of the most challenging was the new planet Ferrix, which required a major design component to differentiate it from other desert planets in the Star Wars universe.
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The Mandalorian, known for its groundbreaking visual effects, continued to push the boundaries in its third season. With nearly 5,000 shots, the world-building spanned eight planets and 100 unique environments. The most challenging planet was Mandalore, featuring storm clouds, a trinitite-crusted landscape, the ruins of Sundari, and the Living Waters. The production relied heavily on ILM’s virtual production techniques to bring the world to life. A variety of VFX companies, including ILM, Important Looking Pirates, Image Engine, Hybride, and Ghost VFX, contributed their skills to the season.
Each of these series showcased extensive visual effects to create immersive and fantastical worlds, complete with creatures, dragons, and epic battles. The nomination alone is an honor for the VFX teams behind these series, as they are recognized for their exceptional craftsmanship and creativity. The breadth and quality of VFX work in TV series continue to amaze and elevate the storytelling experience for audiences.
In conclusion, this year’s Emmy category for outstanding visual effects in a series or movie is filled with iconic sci-fi properties and highly anticipated series. From dragons to epic battles, these series have pushed the boundaries of visual effects and storytelling. The nominees, including House of the Dragon, The Mandalorian, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Andor, and The Last of Us, have all demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship and creativity in their VFX work. The award is a testament to the dedication and talent of the VFX teams behind these series.
