Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 13, 2013. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
This is because Digital Domain produced the film itself together with OddLot Entertainment. It is the first time that a VFX studio has taken the path of co-production on such a large scale. Further projects in the future will have to show whether this becomes a new business model for the VFX industry. Prime Focus will be the next VFX company that has likewise decided to take such a step with "Sin City 2".
In addition, the film "Ender’s Game", with 950 VFX shots, has become a visually impressive work; the film has currently been showing in German cinemas since October 24. Digital Domain handled 700 shots, while 250 were taken on by outsourcing vendors, including: Vectorsoul & Post 23, which handled the Mind Game and its animations, Method Studios, The Embassy, Comen VFX. G Creative Productions and Goldtooth Creative Agency also did motion-graphics work.
Digital Domain had to create a large number of elaborate assets, such as a combat training school orbiting Earth in a space station. There were also many scenes of the children in zero gravity, in which animating physically correct movement of the actors’ bodies represented a major challenge.
Animation World Network published a making-of report in which you can find more background information and breakdown images for the "Ender’s Game" project.
In this video you can see several making-of scenes from the shoot, breakdown shots and the Digital Domain team at work.
In one of the upcoming DP issues, we will also receive an exclusive insight from Digital Domain into "Ender’s Game". Until then, you can find several film images in our online image gallery.
You can find all further information about Digital Domain here.
Images: Constantin Film Verleih GmbH
