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  1. Wonders of the Monsoon

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    The BBC NHU team in Bristol chose Moonraker to provide the visual effects for their 5-part primetime BBC2 series that reveals how life flourishes under the tumultuous monsoon weather system which annually transforms a large part of our planet, from the Himalayas to northern Australia.. Using a specially developed proprietary Earth asset, we were tasked with creating epic photorealistic views of the Earth to help explain the process of how the Monsoon forms.

    We wanted the view of the Earth to feel as cinematic as possible and to do this we needed to be able to light the earth with a low sun, but that meant we needed to have volume on the clouds, cloud shadows and specular highlights on water surfaces.

    This was achieved by combining real cloud imagery with a mesh model of the cloud structure to give it 3-dimensionality and by referencing hundreds of Astronaut photographs of the Earth taken from the International Space station.

    Series Producer, Paul Bradshaw, was keen to make the shots as scientifically accurate as possible, so using specialist time re-mapping software we integrated real time-lapse cloud data supplied in collaboration with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

    Other shots included deep time-lapse views of the Earth showing the effect of the Monsoon on specific regions and a new technique for creating helicopter style aerial shots using multiple image based projection, turning real stills photography into moving imagery.

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: BBC2
    Production Company: BBC NHU
    Series Producer: Paul Bradshaw
    Executive Producer: James Honeybourne
    VFX Creative Director: Simon Clarke

  2. Volatile Earth

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    For this three-part documentary series, cinema-grade CGI was used to recreate some of the most extreme catastrophes to have hit Earth in the last 100,000 years.

    The series followed scientists who are experts in natural disasters on the search to identify the most extreme catastrophes to have hit the Earth and piece together exactly what happened from the evidence left in their wake.

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: PBS Nova / More 4
    Production Company: Blink Films
    Executive Producer: Dan Chambers
    Series Producer: Oliver Twinch
    VFX Supervisor: Graham Stott
    VFX Producer: Scott Metcalfe

  3. VAX

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    Moonraker were commissioned by fellow Bristolians, Omni Productions, to collaborate on this TV Commercial for Vax’s new Blade.

    The challenge was to bring the house to life as the Vax Blade efficiently vacuumed up the daily mess.

    We worked closely with the director to choreograph a specific set allowing us to weave in photo real animations. Our on set supervision included capturing photogrammetry assets and HDRI light maps to recreate key props as fully lit and textured 3D objects exactly matching what was shot in camera.

    The end result was a seamless blend of CG and live action bringing the house to life and emphasising the daily challenge of keeping it clean.

    Key Credits

    Executive Creative Director: Richard Penfold
    Executive Producer: Darren Finch
    Producer: Rebecca Brooks
    Director: Sam Washington
    VFX Executive Producer: Jon Grafton
    VFX Supervisor: Jem Grimshaw
    VFX Producer: Emma Kolasinska

  4. Secrets – Series 3 & 4

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    Commissioned by Smithsonian Channel, Secrets follows a team of investigators around the globe, using modern science and technology to uncover ancient mysteries and puzzles from our past combining documentary, drama reconstruction and stunning visual effects.

    Moonraker were commissioned by Blink Films to create a series of shots to help bring to life the ancient mysteries being uncovered. This varied from full CG builds of ancient cities and civilizations through to helping to guide the audience through the stories, reconstructing ancient scrolls and tablets and helping piece together journeys and geographical discoveries along the way. We developed a series style to compliment the editorial and bring past treasures to life.

    Also broadcast on Channel 4 as Treasures Decoded

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: Smithsonian / Channel 4
    Production Company: Blink Films
    Series Producer: Oliver Twinch (Series 3) Michael Douglas (Season 4)
    VFX Supervisor: Graham Stott
    VFX Producer: Scott Metcalfe

  5. Planet Earth II

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    We were commissioned by the BBC to create the opening title sequence, branding and VFX for the iconic second series of the critically acclaimed natural history strand, Planet Earth.
    Shot in 4K, we were briefed to create ‘closer than ever’ detail in the creation of imagery used across the series to ensure the Ultra High Definition footage was spectacular on screen for viewers.

    2016

    For the iconic series opener we created a highly detailed bespoke earth texture to work in UHD that introduced the title with a majestic sunset over the Earth from space, capturing the cinematic beauty of our planet. The branding included the creation of the “iconic image” for the series to be used on the cover the accompanying book.

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: BBC
    Production Company: BBC NHU
    Executive Producer: Michael Gunton
    Series Producer: Tom Hugh-Jones
    VFX Creative Director: Simon Clarke
    VFX Supervisor: Graham Stott
    VFX Producer: Jon Grafton

  6. A Perfect Planet

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    Oceans, sunlight, weather and volcanoes – together these powerful yet fragile forces allow life to flourish in astonishing diversity. They make Earth truly unique – a perfect planet.” Sir David Attenborough.

    This epic landmark 5 part series produced by Silverback Films for the BBC was 4 years in the making with filming taking place in 31 countries across 6 continents. Moonraker created groundbreaking VFX to accompany the incredible footage, utilising cutting edge technology and the latest scientific and geographical data.

     

    The breadth of our work aligned with the ambition of the series to represent the fragile yet perfect balance of the planet we call home. From unprecedented low earth orbit views of volcanoes and remote coral atolls, to incredible depictions of hurricanes and ocean currents, Moonraker developed and produced spectacular images of earth that could not be captured in camera.

    “My experience working with the Moonraker team on A Perfect Planet has certainly reinforced why they are so often the ‘go-to’ option for visual effects in Science and Natural History. The low earth orbit shots were incredibly cutting edge and everything they delivered sat seamlessly into the edits, perfectly complimenting the cinematic scale of the photography”.

    Huw Cordey – Series Producer at Silverback Films

    “With this project, we have been able to push the boundaries of the data available to us, using some of the most accurate images obtainable. By combining high-resolution elevation data with satellite imagery on the mapping space, we have been able to overlay both data sets to produce incredibly detailed shots.”

    Tom Downes – Head of 3D at Moonraker

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: BBC
    Production Company: Silverback Films
    Executive Producer: Alastair Fothergill
    Series Producer: Huw Cordey
    Directors: Huw Cordey, Nick Shoolingin-Jordan, Ed Charles
    VFX Creative Directors: Simon Clarke, Graham Stott
    VFX Producers: Jon Grafton, Scott Metcalfe
    3D Supervisor: Tom Downes

  7. Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World

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    We were delighted to work with the BBC to deliver the graphic design and motion graphics for the three-part programme which follows Greta around the world as she urges viewers to listen to the science behind the crisis, instead of her.

    With graphics illustrating the rate of climate change, Greta’s journey so far and the role of social media, our team were able to fuse together incredible never-seen-before footage of Greta as she embarks on an incredible one year journey confronting climate change deniers and sceptics face to face.

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: BBC
    Production company: BBC Studios Science
    Executive Producers: Rob Liddell & Helen Thomas
    Producer: Joe Myerscough
    GFX Production: Scott Metcalfe
    Art Direction: Alex Dilworth

  8. Eight Days that Made Rome

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    Eight Days That Made Rome is a new Channel 5 series presented by historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes in which she selects eight pivotal days that defined the Roman Empire and its establishment as the world’s first superpower. From Hannibal’s defeat at the battle of Zama to Spartacus’ breakout from gladiator school, stories from Ancient Rome continue to fascinate.

    Moonraker worked with October to maximize the scope of the Drama including set extensions, crowd replication, CG city builds and matte painting.  We also took care of the graphic design and map visualisations.

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: Channel 5
    Production Company: October Films
    Executive Producers: Adam Bullmore, Matt Robins, Blair Krempel, Mark Wood
    Series Producer: Jim Greayer
    Line Producer: Alexander Brunati
    Directors: Jim Greayer, Gareth Johnson, Sebastian Smith, Nigel Levy
    VFX Creative Director: Graham Stott
    VFX Executive Producer: Jon Grafton
    VFX Producer: Emma Kolasinska

  9. Dogs: An Amazing Animal Family

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    In this fascinating natural history series, Biologist Patrick Aryee embarks on a journey through the twists and turns of the canine family tree. In stunning locations around the world we see how different members of this family have evolved physically and how their intelligent behaviours and their tight-knit social groups have allowed them to thrive in some of the planet’s wildest landscapes.

    Having been awarded an RTS award for best Visual Effects for Cats, An Amazing Animal Family and following the very successful Monkeys, An Amazing Animal Family, we were commissioned by Offspring Films to further develop the Animal Family brand, this time with man’s best friend, Dogs.

    To achieve this, we combined specially filmed aerial drone material and carefully composed live action of the dogs themselves to help create a stunning desert environment and magically populate our CG tree with the various canine breeds.

    Built with specialist software, our tree was carefully constructed to provide the visual rhetoric for our various canine lineages. Our compositing team then had the skillful task of seamlessly integrating our family of dogs into the tree.

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: Sky One
    Production Company: Offspring Films
    Executive Producer: Alex Willamson
    Series Producer: Sam Hodgson
    VFX Creative Director: Simon Clarke
    VFX Supervisor: Graham Stott
    3D Supervisor: Jem Grimshaw
    VFX Producer: Jon Grafton

  10. City in the Sky

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    What does it take to get a million people and their luggage off the ground and up in the air? Presenters Dallas Campbell and Dr. Hannah Fry go to extremes to get under the skin of the remarkable story of commercial flight, in the BBC TWO series ‘City in the Sky’. You will never look at flying in the same light again…

    Moonraker have made the impossible possible, to demonstrate the spectacle of flight that can not be captured in camera. Our team of artists combine real global data with detailed 3D models to help visualise the scale and intensity of global air traffic and the logistical operations to put over a million daily passengers in the air.

    Fluid dynamic systems were created to simulate accurate airflow, helping to explain the process of lift on take off. Other sequences used the latest in HDRI projection mapping and image based lighting to create impressive photorealistic camera views, revealing a years worth of in-flight food production in a single live action shot.

    High altitude aerial photography is transformed into 3D, providing vertigo inducing conceptual sequences that visualise the enormity of daily baggage handled at Dubai airport; we travel from our baggage trailer on the ground to a building tower that eclipses the height of the Burj Kalifa in a single camera move.

    Our signature shot captures real data of planes taking off from Dubai International airport. The realism of these shots immerse the viewer into a previously unseen hidden world.

    Key Credits

    Broadcaster: BBC 2
    Production Company: BBC Scotland
    Executive Producer: Jane Aldous
    Series Producer: Jobim Sampson
    Produced And Directed By: Russell Leven, Matt Barrett
    VFX Creative Director: Simon Clarke
    VFX Producer: Jon Grafton

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