Collider got an exclusive video from MPC Film that breaks down the VFX work ofCruella, Disney’s successful live-action prequel starringEmma Stoneas the titular villain. The new video shows some of the film’s most iconic scenes, explaining how the VFX team used digital models to createCruella’s stunning visuals.
The new video strips down several shots fromCruella, revealing how the VFX team modified color and light to give the movie its unique tone. More impressive is the addition of digital models to representCruella’s dogs and even buildings. The VFX team also did an amazing job removing elements from the frame, with a couple of bird-eye view shots from London showing how buildings were erased for the movie. SinceCruellais a prequel set in the 1970s, the VFX had to transform the whole city to avoid anachronism.
In addition to the video, Production VFX SupervisorMax Woodalso explained how some scenes were put together, such as the ball scene where Cruella first shows up as her villainous persona. Cruella burns a paper cloak she’s wearing in the scene, only to reveal a stunning dress hiding underneath. Although the scene only has three shots, the VFX team had a lot of work to put the flaming cloak together. As Wood tells us:
“The three shots were first filmed with Cruella, Emma Stone, wearing the red dress. Then, after a hair, make-up, and costume change, she repeated the action in the white hooded cape for all three shots. We knew that the cape would be CG but these takes gave the Visual Effects team a perfect reference of how the cape would move and how the shiny fabric would look under the on-set lighting.”
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Filming Stone with different costumes allowed the VFX team to gather references to simulate the movement of the paper cloak Cruella uses. However, lighting it on fire and making it look realistic was a challenge of its own. As Wood explains the process:
“As it [the cloak] ignites, not only do the small pieces break away, but there is an overall rising effect of the cape to simulate what happens to real flash paper when ignited. Once the cape began to move correctly, flames and smoke were simulated, and a lighting effect was added to the surrounding environment and party-goers to integrate the effect."
Cruella’s cast includesPaul Walter Hauser,Joel Fry,Emma Thompson,Emily Beecham,Kirby Howell-Baptiste,Mark Strong,John McCrea, andKayvan Novak.Craig Gillespie(I, Tonya) directs from a screenplay written byDana FoxandTony McNamara, with story byAline Brosh McKennaandKelly Marcel&Steve Zissis. Due to the movie’s success,Disney already greenlit a sequelwith Stone set to return as the villain.
You can watchCruellaright now on Disney+. Check the new video below.
