Featured Image Credit: Marvel Studios
Topics: Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Film and TV
Daisy Phillipson
Topics: Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Film and TV
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was a series of many firsts – as well as introducing the titular character to the MCU, it was also the first time a CG character has led a Marvel series.
To demonstrate the monstrous amount of work it took for the VFX team to turn Tatiana Maslany into the Green Goliath, Marvel Studios has shared a behind-the-scenes insight into the process.
The series itself came to an end earlier this month with an epic finale that wrapped up Jennifer Walters' origin story and opened up the possibility for new developments in the wider MCU.
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Anyone who tuned in will know that it featured some unbelievable visual effects, something VFX supervisor Shannon Justison elaborated on in the BTS video.
Alongside clips showing side-by-side footage of Tatiana wearing the CG suit and the finished product, Shannon said: "I think the most interesting thing for doing the VFX for a show like this is that we have a CG lead."
The reason it's never been done before is, well, it's tricky.
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She explained that there are two avenues to pursue at the same time, adding: "The first is vis dev, which would be standard for any sort of CG character.
"We have a visual development department here at Marvel – they look at all the comic books, and they look at how our story is telling her story.
"And then the other side of that is that we look at our casting. The important part of this is that we need to know what Tatiana looks like in order to be able to transform her in and out of She-Hulk."
This meant subjecting the actor to a lot of scanning and photography, with fellow VFX supervisor Dadi Einarsson explaining that this then goes to the 'build stage', which involves 'multiple steps of development' to make the character look as realistic as possible.
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Shannon noted the absurd amount of data they pulled off the set, saying they had 'petabytes' to go through.
Once they've accumulated the data and performances, they always start with an animation first as this is the 'foundation' for the character.
Footage then demonstrates how a shot is processed through various technical stages, showing how many layers are added before Tatiana is transformed into She-Hulk.
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"While the animation team is working away, the shaders team is working on refining all of the look of her skin texture, her hair texture, her clothing texture," said Shannon.
One of the trickiest parts was her clothing – unlike other CGI characters, who often have just one or two outfits, She-Hulk had 25.
"Each one of these outfits has to be digitally created," added Dadi. "It has to have its simulation, there'll be multiple layers to it."
While she wore a variety of ensembles for different situations, such as working out and being in court, the most complicated of all was the sequinned dress she wore at the Gala.
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Describing the finished product as 'mind blowing', Dadi said: "I think there are over a million sequins that sparkle, they catch the light correctly.
"They have to be form fitting on her, they have to flow with the dress. I'm just constantly aware when I'm reviewing those shots just what an achievement it was to make that dress."
It truly was an incredible visual achievement, one that is made even more impressive by the sheer amount of work and skill it took to make it a reality.