axisVFX, the VFX studio based in Bristol and Glasgow revealed how it created the visual effects for BBC’s flagship Christmas Day episode of Doctor Who.
The 120 shots were delivered by Axis’s two UK studios, and the team was led by Hewlett and fellow VFX supervisor Stuart Aitken who worked closely with director Douglas Mackinnon and producer Nikki Wilson to create the bold and seamless visual effects required, from alien planets and giant robots to galactic star-liners. The team completed a range of work spanning digital matte painting, character animation, fluids and particle simulation work, rigid body simulations and compositing using Maya, Houdini and Nuke.
“Whilst I was on-set liaising with Douglas throughout the shoot,” says Hewlett, “Stuart worked in parallel, supervising the build of digital assets, creation of concept art and the production of early previz.”
The company uses Autodesk’s Shotgun to review work, and has developed a number of proprietary tools for the seamless delivery of final VFX shot anywhere in the world.
“We engage a huge amount of technical ability, hardware and software to complete the work,” says Hewlett. “But what actually matters is collaboration, listening and bang for buck. It’s a huge honour to contribute again to this iconic sci-fi classic.”
With this project, axisVFX renews a successful collaboration with director Douglas Mackinnon, executive producer Brian Minchin, producer Nikki Wilson and writer Steven Moffat.
The episode is set to air in all its glory on Christmas Day on BBC One.