The Killer digi-double visual effects sequence & breakdown. This is our first of many breakdown reels we're going to post on X for our VFX work on The Killer.

For this particular sequence in The Killer, Eric Barba, Peter Mavromates and David Fincher approached us with an extremely difficult task, to create close up, photoreal digi-double shots of Michael Fassbender riding a scooter.

The quality of the work had to seamlessly cut back to back between live action shots of The Killer on set. Extra complexity was added because the original plan to shoot these shots on a virtual stage didn't live up to what Fincher had envisioned.

Because of this there were no HDRI's or usable array footage and sparse reference photos. The lighting and lookdev had to be dialed in by eye. We began with the Killer asset, adding fine facial detail and cloth simulations.

We then used photogrammetry to assist with cascading streetlight timing and travel speed. The final result was high res meticulously crafted nearly full CG shots cut into the live action sequence with the ultimate goal of nobody noticing.

Amazing work! Well Done! Not for a second I thought it was CG

Great work, but why Fincher just didn't shot it on location, with a stunt double, and then composite Fassbender's face on the stunt double?

This is the VFX & CGI I’ve come to expect from a Fincher movie. The entire time I kept thinking where are the hidden vfx happening.? The airplanes landing or taking off near the airport scenes were def vfx or at least I think those were vfx shots :) Fantastic work all around.

This is just unbelievably impressive. You guys are the unsung heroes of cinema!

People keep asking stuff like WHY WAS MINDHUNTER SO EXPENSIVE? Because of this, because Fincher has been extremely in love with using A LOT of seamless CGI that no one in their right mind would assume it’s CGI. That takes a lot of preparation work and time making it, meaning $$$

Incredible work! 😮