Summary
VFX artists react to scenes from3 Body Problem, praising the hit Netflix science-fiction show despite one potential flaw. Serving as an adaptation of Liu Cixin’s hit novel series,3 Body Problemhails fromGame of Thronescreators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, as well as Alexander Woo. The show chronicles humanity’s response to a looming alien threat, and it represents one of Netflix’s most expensive TV shows. The3 Body Problemreviewshave been mostly positive, however, with some of the praise directed at the show’s visuals.
In a new episode ofCorridor Crew’s “VFX Artist React” series, VFX artists Niko Pueringer, Wren Weichman, and Sam Gorski analyze scenes from3 Body Problem, and they’re mostly impressed with the sci-fi series.
The artists first take a look at a scene of a young girl undergoing “dehydration,” with Wren calling the effect “a cool little [simulation].” The artists have similar praise for a particularly gory moment when nanofibers cut through a cargo ship and all the people on it, with Sam saying, “Someone saw Resident Evil and was like, ‘What if we did that but bigger?’ And I’m here for it.” If they have one criticism of the show, however, it’s that some scenes in the show make very obvious use of the Volume technology, and the results aren’t always seamless.
The Volume, or StageCraft, is a virtual production technology that makes use of a curved bank of digital screens. The technology can be used in place of green screen to create backgrounds for scenes.
3 Body Problem Relies Heavily On VFX
Benioff & Weiss' Sci-Fi Series Features Some Big Moments
The per-episode budget of3 Body Problemis reported to be about $20 million, meaning the price tag for the entire show is about $160 million. This budget ultimately isn’t entirely surprising given the show’s remarkable scope. Not only does3 Body Problemfeature a globe-trotting story with many locations, but it also takes place in different points in history.
3 Body Problem Season 2 Must Fix One Key Problem Using Its $160 Million Budget
Despite its compelling characters and suspenseful screenplay, Netflix’s 3 Body Problem had one fundamental flaw that was deeply disappointing.
3 Body Problem’s many locations is in addition to moments that just can’t be pulled off practically. While in the virtual reality video game world, the show features moments like the dehydration, as well as scenes of vast ancient armies, reverse gravity, and global cataclysms. These showstopping VFX moments aren’t limited to the world of VR, however. By the time the3 Body Problemendingcomes around,the show has depicted car crashes, shootouts, a CGI monkey, and nanofibers tearing through a cargo ship.
Pulling off many of these moments just wouldn’t be possible without extensive use of VFX. While there are undoubtedly some moments that don’t look quite as good or life-like as others, the show’s visuals are generally impressive. This bodes well for3 Body Problemseason 2, which is sure to feature even more bold sci-fi storytelling. Hopefully, however, future seasons of3 Body Problemfind a way to more seemlessly use the Volume technology.
3 Body Problem
Cast
3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who joins forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.
