Everyone is talking about the Netflix political thriller TV series "The Diplomat," created by Debora Cahn. It premiered in April of 2023, and viewers were immediately drawn in by the show's tantalizing blend of political intrigue, personal conflicts, and behind-the-scenes diplomatic maneuvering. Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) is the newly appointed US ambassador to the UK who finds herself thrust into a maelstrom of international tensions. Kate works to douse the flames of an impending international crisis, forms strategic alliances, and grapples with the glaring spotlight of her elevated position.
But the gripping storyline couldn't come to life without the magic of VFX.
VFX, or Visual Effects, refers to the creation of imagery outside the context of live-action footage, often enhancing or adding elements to a scene that cannot be captured during live filming. "The Diplomat" utilizes VFX to craft specific settings, scenarios, and events crucial to the narrative that would be impractical, expensive, or impossible to achieve through traditional means. The integration of VFX allows the storytellers to bring their creative vision to life so that the audience remains immersed and engaged in the unfolding plot.
One of the key VFX artists who worked on "The Diplomat" was Gen Li, a VFX artist at Fuse FX NY. He explains that in "The Diplomat," VFX is used for several purposes; one of these is character enhancement.
"We often use VFX to represent unique character elements that just aren't feasible with traditional makeup or costumes," Li says. "For instance, if a character needed to appear injured, aged, or undergoing a transformation, these details would be added during the post-production phase using VFX.
Li points out another example: simulation effects, aka weather effects—rain, snow, tornadoes, fire, smoke, water. These are key effects utilized in 'The Diplomat,' and each effect contributed significantly to the creation of a desired mood and/or atmosphere for a scene," Li explains. "We also use CGI to create characters or props that don't exist or are impossible to film in real life. These can range from fantasy creatures to monumental structures, like some of the buildings shown in the series."
Gen Li shares that in modern cinema, VFX is extensively used to create sci-fi and fantasy worlds that are otherwise impossible to build in real life. The magnificent castles in the "Harry Potter" series or the futuristic cityscapes in "Blade Runner 2049" are examples of this.
"Shooting in real locations can sometimes be expensive, dangerous, or even straight-up impossible," Li says. "So filmmakers rely on VFX to mimic locations or events like war scenes, which can be recreated without putting anyone at risk."
VFX can also be used to enhance or alter elements in a show or film to achieve a specific artistic vision, like altering the weather, adding background details, or improving lighting. "VFX is an integral storytelling tool," Li reveals. "It can be used to show character transformations, visualize internal thoughts or dreams, and depict complex actions or events."
When it comes to "The Diplomat," Li and his team used CGI to generate detailed and realistic 3D models and complicated simulations. It's most evident in the sequences where it would be practically impossible or prohibitively expensive to film in real life. From enormous aircraft to realistic explosions and action sequences, CGI has allowed filmmakers to transcend physical limitations and actualize their vision.
Compositing, on the other hand, has its role in seamlessly integrating these CGI elements with live-action footage. "We use tools like Nuke or After Effects to layer and blend different sources to create the final image," Li explains. "Color grading, rotoscoping, and match-moving are all part of this process."
This is key, he says, as CGI can create an immersive viewing experience that draws the audience into the story. It can help transport viewers into the world of "The Diplomat," making it easier for them to connect with the narrative. "CGI lets us create vivid, realistic scenes that would be challenging or impossible to shoot with traditional techniques," Li says. "This enhances the viewing experience and makes the story more compelling."
In the opening of "The Diplomat," Li and his crew created a full CGI replica of an aircraft scene seamlessly blending with actual raw pre-production footage. "A missile strikes a UK aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf within the first 30 seconds of the pilot," Li says. "Over 20 British sailors are killed; the west suspects that Iran is to blame. The whole sequence included character modeling and animation (aircraft crew members), effects simulation (missile trail and explosion, ocean surface) and compositing (background replacement, color correction and rotoscope)."
Li explains that VFX helped to provide the aircraft scene with more crew members and jet fighter 3D models so that the whole sequence is believable and reflects the tense world written into the storyline. Scenes in other episodes enhanced by VFX include car explosions. Plus, VFX was used to portray international settings, create action-packed scenes, and depict characters' activities that involve high-tech espionage or diplomacy.
"Remember, effective use of VFX should enhance the storytelling rather than distract from it," Li emphasizes. "It should feel believable within the context of the story and the world that's been created."
He says that it's normal during the VFX process to encounter and overcome various challenges and obstacles. Filmmakers might want to create large-scale action sequences, crowd simulations, or destruction scenes, which can be challenging due to the level of detail required and the need for seamless integration with live-action footage under a short-time production timeline.
VFX work often involves multiple studios or teams working on different aspects of the project. Clear communication and collaboration between these groups is essential for maintaining consistency and quality across the final product.
"We start with a clear understanding of the script, storyboards, and visual style," Li elucidates. "We collaborate with the director, cinematographer, and other essential crew members to determine the VFX requirements. This helps us to plan ahead and allocate resources effectively. We discuss with producers and allocate a realistic budget for the VFX requirements in the project. We also account for any potential changes or additions during the production process."
Then, he says, the VFX team leverages cloud rendering solutions to speed up the rendering process and improve collaboration between the VFX studio and filmmakers. Remote workstations can also enable artists from around the world to contribute to the project, bringing diverse skills and perspectives.
"Then we have to coordinate closely with the editing and sound design teams so that the VFX work aligns with the final cut and sound design," Li says. "This collaboration will help create a cohesive final product that meets the creative vision and satisfies the audience's expectations."
Groundbreaking VFX allowed the series to depict complex and intricate scenes that would be challenging or impossible to capture using traditional filming techniques. These include large-scale battle sequences, sweeping landscapes, and intricate cityscapes, which were all realized with meticulous attention to detail. These effects also brought a new level of realism to character creation and animation. The use of motion capture and high-resolution texture mapping allowed for the creation of lifelike characters that interact with their environment in a convincingly real manner.
Gen Li says that other series have incorporated similar advanced VFX technology. "One example is virtual production, as seen in 'The Mandalorian', where real-time game engines are used to create photorealistic backgrounds," Li says. "This technique blends the lines between pre-production, production, and post-production, making the film creation process more efficient and cost-effective."
He predicts that the future of filmmaking will include more deep fake technology powered by machine learning algorithms, which may be used in future seasons of "The Diplomat." This could be utilized for creating realistic facial expressions, dubbed voices, or even for resurrecting deceased actors. Li also suggests that advanced motion capture techniques could allow "The Diplomat" to portray more complex and intricate physical performances.
"Imagine a beautifully choreographed fight sequence or a complex, emotionally charged dance," Li reflects. "We can do all this and more with the magic of VFX. As technology keeps evolving, we gain newer and better tools to create never before seen effects that will captivate audiences."
