Christmas in July? No problem!

Norwich BID’s Christmas promotion had some added magic to its production in the form of VFX Wizardry!

In the scorching heat of July, our video production team transformed Norwich into a winter wonderland for the Christmas promotion of Norwich BID. Overcoming the challenge of filming months in advance, we delved into visual effects.

Here’s how it works:

Close collaboration with our VFX artist, Tom and director Joe ensured a cohesive aesthetic that seamlessly integrated CG assets with real footage. Armed with software like Blender, Mocha, Runway ML, and After Effects, the process began by prioritizing shots based on their impact on the Christmas immersion.The secret to good visual effects is getting interactions with the environment. In this case, dressing for the cold! Filming in the midst of summer presented the peculiar challenge of adding winter coats to unsuspecting members of the public. Shorts don’t always scream snowproof. Luckily, with a little motion tracking and compositing these individuals were given cosy puffer jackets that covered them head-to-toe.

To enhance the authenticity of the winter setting, streets were rotoscoped and meticulously rebuilt using photographs from St Andrews Church, allowing for a customised backdrop with the healthy green Elm tree removed and festive snow clouds added in.Beyond the digital additions, Tom’s insights elevated the production, introducing delightful details as he utilised Blender to create 3D decorations, including procedurally generated tinsel using geometry nodes. The attention to detail extended to small additions like a shopping bag and a charming gift on a table. Many of our internal reviews turned into sessions of “Spot The Difference”.

The juxtaposition of summer’s warmth with winter’s charm resulted in a project we’re immensely proud of—one that invites viewers to experience the holiday spirit, no matter the season. As the digital snow falls and coats magically appear, our VFX journey stands as a testament to the enchanting possibilities of video production.

Check out our instagram account this week for a spot the difference of your own!