UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS
Scope of work
Film Titles | VFX | Screen GFX | Creative Direction
Client
Lakeshore Ent.
Date
August | 2016
The Project
Underworld: Blood Wars is the fifth instalment in the Underworld series created by Lakeshore Entertainment and a legacy within the film industry that we are very proud to be a part of.
This project was one that had numerous creative hats required within it. This creative covered everything from both Titles and Main On End to VFX design and execution for the iconic Genetic Memory sequences experienced by the main characters.
Additional creative direction and set design was needed throughout the project.
The Prologue
When dealing with a series of films this large, it was important to everyone involved that the opening prologue needed to be an edit that covered the backstory of Selene’s existence as a Death Dealer. This involved mining footage from the previous films to create an edit that seamlessly worked with new footage that was shot to cover all plot points needed to set up the film’s overall narrative.
The final prologue was constructed through the collaboration with the production studio VFX Editor and extraordinarily talented Susan E Kim. Check her work out!
TAKING THE OLD AND WORKING IN THE NEW
Genetic Memories
One of the key ingredients to the Underworld franchise was the creation and use of the ‘Genetic Memory’.
This is a story telling device whereby the memories of each character can be transferred to another by consuming their blood.
Over the years, each film installment had a similar but not exact treatment of what this genetic memory looked like. As each director stepped in to interpret the film, the Genetic Memory was interpreted as well. This was a big challenge for us in Blood Wars.
Due to the fact that some memories were Lycan and some were Vampire. Our job was to unite these memories in pace and visual style.
To do this, we had to create a VFX treatment that worked with each preceding memory from all 4 films and find a way to blend that with new material to create a cohesive albeit turbulent visual language.
Logo Design
Much like the Genetic Memories, the film’s logo and overall branding was re-created with every instalment of the franchise. Knowing this, we had to readdress the consistency issues of the previous films and create a logo that is identifiable as the Underworld brand and have it work with the additional sub-title: Blood Wars.
